probably the reason dues went up to national AGAIN at last Grand Chapter


The funny thing is that our reps told us that they had some national big wig get up on the podium and give this invigorating speech saying things like "don't you want a better organization?! Don't you want to be the number one fraternity?!" and the various chapters were cowed into voting "aye" for a due hike. The California chapters voted "nay" almost in unison realizing A) we feel we get little support, B) our composition is mostly working class and middle class kids without a long family Greek tradition and most Sigma Nu costs are absorbed by the actives themselves rather than parents.

Grand Chapter is VERY political.

That said, what you need to do is communicate with each other and lobby the rest of the chapters! What goes on in session is pretty much a done deal 99% of the time. It's only when actives get together and talk amongst themselves that they can make a difference -- and you can.

Back in '00, in Arizona, HQ wanted to push through an alcohol free housing initiative. The brotherhood simply wouldn't have it. They voted it down. In the end, much weaker legislation was passed.

Grand chapter is basically a year away. If Cali chapters are so similar, start communicating with each other. Decide to take a unified stance on legislation and decide to lobby the rest of the organization to get your way.

The way the Grand Chapter is set up, basically every chapter gets the same representation. That process lends itself to smaller chapters (as there are more of those) having the most say -- but only if they speak with one voice.

While we celebrate our flagship chapters in the SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, etc., it is easily forgotten that most Sigma Nus are not at those big schools. They are mostly smaller chapters like yours.

-- just make sure you're not steamrolled.

It would be nice if we had a unified Sigma Nu forum or something....

I feel as though it's difficult for us all to communicate. If national set up a forum on its website we could make it private by putting it in the Members Only section. It seems as though GreekChat.com and a couple MySpace groups are our only means of national communication

If you want to make Cali chapters aware of GC, I can't stop you :)

I think the format here is much better than the myspace groups.

If you guys haven't read the new Delta...seems like HQ is going to revamp the website..lets just hope it's true and has updated info and more stuff for brothers

I remember reading it back when I was in school and it had updates on a lot of chapters (whoever sent in news), like rush numbers, philanthropy info, awards.... I miss that.

I'm reading the new "digital" delta right now. It is boundless what they can do with this format - I hope they take advantage of that.

they're pushing the digital version BIGTIME. Because it's obviously cheaper to publish maybe we can expect more updates? Can't wait for the new site re-vamp we need it!

I opted in for the paper magazine. You just can't replace that.

I don't like how they cut a lot of our non-internet-savvy alums out of receiving their magazines though. To opt in to receive the paper magazine, you have to go online.

It kind of reminds me of that Dudley Moore book where the Notice of Earth's impending destruction was posted at the courthouse on Alpha Centauri.. and had we just looked, we could have sought redress before they destroyed our world...

I just finished.. Lackluster. Why do they limit themselves? It's online! Go wild!

Hell, they had a part on the Bama house rededication and had a TINY little pic.. I can do much better, here:

Front:
http://swhitehorse.phenominet.com/si...mages/bama.jpg

TOP:
http://swhitehorse.phenominet.com/si...ages/bama2.jpg


NEW ADDITION (Alumni Hall / Party area)
http://swhitehorse.phenominet.com/si...ages/bama3.jpg


Why not have tons of updates on as many chapters as possible??? bits and bytes are inexpensive......

Well, it seems the new Delta is an improvement over simply sending out *.pdf files of what would have (and should have) been printed.

Not as interactive as I would have liked, and not enough information about the many house projects and chapter news bulletins that COULD have and should have been in there...

Perhaps if nationals coordinates with the chapter PR chairs, they can have a digest of chapter events and news from across the US? I'd gladly write a 300 word column and take a few photos once a month to see it published in our national newsletter!

Overall though, it's a step in the right direction, and welcome news about the website update!

well you gotta realize that the Delta is really geared towards alumni who want to hear about the National org, famous alumni doing interviews, war vets, who's publishing a book, etc etc.

ungrads like ourselves would probably like to hear what other chapters are doing as far as community service, AS positions, parties, etc etc but you gotta realize what the Delta is about...

that being said there's no reason we can't combine those two into one kick ass publication!

hey bro! you still haven't uploaded the San Jose State house photos I sent. Did you get them?

Something to have our chapters bring up at college of chapters in a few weeks, perhaps? It really would be awesome to see what other chapters are up to. The only chapter that mine is close with is the VA Tech chapter, and even then, we only hear their news when we plan roadtrips to go see them.

Yeah I found if kind of interesting that they published that article about AXID...for some reason about a week ago I was looking up information out of boredom of the history between Sigma Nu and Alpha Xi Delta and I found a link that leaad me to their Newsletter and it had a whole story there and I was thinking to myself, It would be interesting if The Delta would publish a story like this...long and behold it's in this Delta.

I think as time goes on and once they revamp the website, the Digital Delta will just take off and incorporate what undergraduates want to see and read and what Alumni want to read and hear.

Yup. Sorry about that.
Working on it right now. I was able to get in contact with alumni at other chapters to, so I'll have pics for Lehigh, W.Mich, Houston, Ole Miss' renovation, ASU, Colorado, Dartmouth, Drury, Maine, San Jose St., U.Washington, Texas A&M, and some old old old pics of Wisconsin - back when we had a chapter there.... This is a pretty fun little project.