Quote:
Originally Posted by brightblue
Perhaps! I've joined other groups/organizations because of their national/global outlook. If fraternities differentiated themselves by what they offer... and made this known to new members, they really could start attracting the vibe of people that they want. In 1996-1997 when I joined, there was no differentiation between fraternities other than the people who happened to be in the chapter.
But for sure, I would still have joined one of the three fraternities where I felt most comfortable with the people. The thing is, I had no information to differentiate between the three nationals. It could have been my deciding factor, if one had stood out from the others. But at that time, they were all the same, or at least marketing themselves all the same way.
Being in my fraternity didn't preclude me from being close friends with people from other fraternities and non-Greeks. The friendships I have with my fraternity brothers are special because of who they are and the experiences we have had together, but, had I met them in daily life on campus there's a good chance we would have been friends anyway.
When your national fraternity doesn't seem to welcome written contributions to their magazine, doesn't have op-eds, doesn't have a forum on their website for alumni, doesn't have a letter page in their magazine, doesn't have a "suggestion box"... how many people are really going to feel comfortable contributing? My impression based on all the literature and email interactions that I've received from them in the past 2-3 years since I started paying attention to this, is that they are a top-down organization that doesn't really take much input or have many participative processes. I don't have a problem sending them correspondence, but in an organization that seems to be operated and organized that way, is it really going to do any good? It doesn't feel any more warm and welcoming than the national conglomerate I worked for last summer.
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Have you written to the editors of the magazine to see if they are interested in freelance or staff writers? Of course, this means you might write more than just "a letter to the editor" type things, but it's a start. I was asked, because of my writing history, to write for one of my national publications, and was asked for writing samples. Since I have been sick, I haven't been able to do that, but as soon as I am up to it, I will pursue it.
And yes, if you want a wilderness man, peace keeper, world adventurer to be featured - you or otherwise, suggest it to your magazine's editors. They might ask you to write something or give them more info so that they can contact the person of interest. Ten bucks the lack of stories you want to heat haven't been told because no one suggested them. 33 is correct, the stuff that talks about alumni are usually self-submitted. I know that the stuff in my college and (private) high school newsletters are, because I have personally submitted a few things.
Stop making up excuses and self-imposed barriers. Your org might not be as "bipolar" as you think. And talk to THEM, not us, about changes you want to see.