Are You a Leader or a Follower? by Cecil Crabtree

2.Educational materials and up-to-date information can be linked from the national web page. 3.Have presentations at district (as well as national) conventions. 4.Student leaders could be trained how to do education and information programs (peer educators). 5.Create a “Code of Caring.” This would not be a policy, but rather a plan that is developed by members at the chapter level on what we can do to help a brother or sister who is making bad decisions under the influence, is getting out of control, wants to drive, is really sick or in a life-threatening situation. Having a chapter go through the process of creating such a “Code” could be an effective learning process. 89% of the respondents from the St.

Louis survey said they would support the creation of such a

“Code.” 6. Address the “drinking in letters” idea that some chapters use. 7. Contact social greek organizations regarding some of their national alcohol education and risk management programs. Many have great materials. 8.Changing traditions. Behaviors such as Pledge Class

Drinks, drinking games or contests, and annual Band

Camp Kickoff parties with alcohol need to be discouraged. Just because they’ ve “always been done” doesn’t make them right…or safe…or smart.

Some things the National Councils are already doing:

1. A letter was sent in January 2000 to each chapter encouraging them to seek out resources on their campuses and have a chapter presentation on this topic. Enclosed with this letter was a copy of the interactive CD-ROM

“Alcohol 101.” 2.Providing presentations on this topic at several of the upcoming district conventions — as well as the 2001

National Convention. A full report on the results of the

St. Louis survey will be distributed at district conventions. 3.Peer education will be discussed at this summer’s district leadership workshop for district presidents, district governors and counselors, and chapter field representatives. 4. The Code of Caring will also be discussed this summer with plans formulated to incorporate this activity at the chapter level beginning Fall, 2000.

To be sure, this is not a problem that can be easily eliminated. However, as leaders of our band programs, we need to be able to step up and strive to do what is right. The National Councils have decided to promote awareness and education on this topic. Now it’s up to you. What are you and your chapter going to do to help eliminate this problem from your band program?

WANTED!

In order to take advantage of our extra color pages, The PODIUM

is starting a new

HALFTIME GALLERY!

Send us a color photo (5” x 7” or 8” x 10”) of your band’s most interesting or most unusal halftime formation. If we publish it, you’ll receive a byline, plus a