[LXA grits]

In the 2003 Alumni Directory, it indeed does have career information. In the CD version, you could search brothers by (for instance) dropping down a few windows: Dallas, Texas, Advertising. Hit "Search" and it provides you with Mark Lee (a '93 initiate from SMSU) and Harry Thompson (a '52 Georgetown graduate)'s contact information (both of whom are in the advertising field). It's a really handy tool, but also potentially dangerous. Of course, it's up to the individual brother what he wants to be included in that directory, but it's also up to him to keep his information up to date. Whether or not Harry Thompson is still in the business and could help me design a billboard ad for my company I couldn't tell you...he might have closed up his ad shop in 1989 or be deceased...It's all up to how current his information is with Headquarters. The problem is alumni who don’t update their information and chapters that don't report updates they have. The guys that are going to be most willing to keep that info up-to-date are the brothers in a chapter's Alumni Association or Area Alumni Association (if available), because they obviously stay in touch with the fraternity and are more likely to provide new contact and business information as it comes along. I think that's a good suggestion to have that information in an area alumni database (because you're probably going to be looking for local contractors), and to use a local chapter's alumni database as a second choice. But then again, that begs the question: Should alumni be spending the chapter's time and resources asking them for a local advertiser's contact info? Should that even be the job of the staff at Headquarters, or maybe of the Foundation? The Alumni Directory (print and CD) was a pretty good answer to that question, I feel. The only problem is, it's only produced once every few years, and the information isn't 100% reliable. Also, it's my understanding that the CD was a rare occasion, and it probably won't be produced in electronic form again in the future. The online database sounds like a good idea, but if it got in the wrong hands...?

That's a good discussion, and food for thought about alumni networking. As current chapter's information got more accessible through online linking with Headquarters, maybe that's something to think of. The program that the fraternity bought a couple of years ago (IMIS, the database that's helping out with HQ functionality, organization, and chapter communication) is successfully being rolled out in a function of helping the chapter members keep track of information (summer address, offices held, initiate status, etc). Maybe (and considering this is a HUGE undertaking) it's a good thought to make that accessible to volunteers to provide that information. I wouldn't think we should just open that info up to the public, but I also don't believe that's necessarily a function of the Office of Administration. Otherwise, it's up to you to get your hands on one of the "Alumni Directory" and do some good old-fashion page-turning.

Yours in Z A X ,