Another case of greeks getting the shaft

UNFSigmaChi · #1 05-01-2001, 10:36 AM

We do the MS walk here every year to raise money because one of our brothers has the disease. Well this is our 4th year doing it and we challenged a local TV station to see who would raise the most team members AND money. Whoever won the other team had to serve them food donated by a local bbq. Well it was well televised on their station and we were on their several times and they kept saying man these frat guys think they can win..i don't think they can make it that early after the previous nights hangover. The lady that was in charge of the newsteam hammered us really hard. Well we got there with 54 people and the newslady barely had 6. And we raised $3,000 and they didn't even raise $500. We got put on TV before the race and they made the usual comments. Well after the race we went to the area where we were going to be fed and it was going to be on TV. Well the news channel got outta dodge before we even got back. Needless to say we were pretty pissed. We called the newslady and she said they didn't have to do it based on a "techniqality." We never did get a straight answer and she won't answer our calls/e-mails. Basically we got the shaft. Well the other local TV station has something called "Im telling Ken" which is when people get screwed and he is supposed to help them out. Well we called Ken and of course since its with the other station he wants to do it but our president said no at the last minute. I guess he's afraid of bad PR and us looking like crybaby's and i understand i guess but man how many opprotunities do you get to fight back the media?!?!!?! So what would you guys do in this situation...would you call Ken??

UNFSigmaChi · #2 05-01-2001, 10:41 AM

P.S. And you know if we woulda lost they would have us out there poking fun on live TV and it would be reaired for months to come.

LeslieAGD · #3 05-01-2001, 10:52 AM

If it was an other group it would be slander but of course everyone seems to be able to stick it to Greeks and get away with it. The problem is that your President is probably right, it would just result in more bad press for Greeks making us look like crybabies.

dzrose93 · #4 05-01-2001, 10:56 AM

I can understand the President's take on the issue, but I'd still want to do it. I would have the best speaker from the group meet with the newsguy and give y'all's side of the story. There's always a way to do things classy. I bet you could pull it off.

That's ridiculous about the news station. They should be ashamed of themselves! If nothing else, I would write a letter to the editor of your local paper, or a letter to the head of the news station saying that you think it's a poor reflection on the newspeople to not hold up their end of a bargain.

DeltAlum · #5 05-01-2001, 11:46 AM

Sounds like pretty shoddy "Journalism." One comment on DZRose's thoughts. An undergraduate should never be a spokesperson. It should be the chapter advisor or some other person designated by the Fraternity.

What TV station was involved here? Let me know the call letters and I will post the General Manager's name and address so you can write to him/her. Don't even bother with the reporter -- go to the top. If not the General Manager, then the News Director.

DeltAlum

DeltAlum · #6 05-01-2001, 03:47 PM

OK, here it is. This information is a few months old, but it likely to still be accurate.

The General Manager is Sherry Burns (and if it's the same one, I worked with her many years ago in Baltimore when she was a morning show prodcer -- small world, huh?)

The station address is:

4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207

The main phone number is 904-399-4000.

The News Director is listed as Skip Valet.

Our Sig pal may be exactly right in that the reporter was embarrassed. Which doesn't make his/her alleged conduct acceptable.

It's also interesting to note that the station is owned by Post/Newsweek (The Washington Post and Newsweek Magazine), a very large and well respected broadcast group. They should know better.

Happy writing...

DeltAlum

Tom Earp · #7 05-01-2001, 04:16 PM

UNFZX, I tried that site and did not find it!
I would suggest a letter to the editor of the local newspapers and see if they would print it. I looked for an e-m site. I know a local tv station led of with the ZAE getting kicked of a local campus and did more than just report it. It was dragged on and on! I e-m them and ripped and roared as got out of bed to send my tirad. I got an apology from the news editor but the harm was already done! I hate when the media goes after Greeks as there is more good done than not!
Tom Can you get me an e-m address and I damn sure will send one!

Most of us work to hard to make our Houses look good and do many great things. If it is bad, it is front page. If is is good, back page if at all!
I can understand the frustration. We do a tub-a-thon for charity and do get some good coverage. But overall we as Greeks get it shoved to us. Look at the # of prominent people who are Greeks! Well I gues that can say it all to us but not to the news medis! Hell, I am not a radical, I have owned my own business for over 21 yrs. That is the back bone of the country!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

James · #8 05-01-2001, 05:28 PM

I was chapter president for a little over two years and definitely would have challenged it.

I would do a variation of what Dzrose93 as saying and go on the Ken show with a an really amiable, congenial front.

I would get up there looking puzzled, relaxed, and kind of humorous. I'd be like Ken the cause was what was important . . .
but you know she came down on us really hard before the Walk and fair is fair . . . we'll buy the stuff for the barbecue and everything . . . all we ask, in the spirit of fun, and charity is they own up to the challenege . . . who knows it could be them beating us at the same bet next year . . .

Something like that anyway.

As far as what Delta alum is saying about who should speak: that depends. ITs not really a National matter or even for alumni volunteers, unless the chapter lacks good speakers and the alums are much better.

Speaking for myself as an undergrad, I have debated and public spoken competitively, (just to pat my head a bit) I don't know many people that are better at it, and I believe eloquence is important here.

shadokat · #9 05-01-2001, 05:36 PM

UNFSX-

First off, let me say that I think it's awesome that you guys challenged the media to this. What GREAT PR! The website thing was great, and I think you all did an eloquent job of writing!

I'd send a nicely worded letter to the station manager...or better yet, call him. You want results after all, before you're done the semester, no doubt. Tell him what the reporter agreed to, how she didn't fulfill her agreement, and ask how they intend to remedy the situation.

I think this is really great that you guys got out there, did this walk, and despite this Candice's actions, the website is great PR for you all!!

Much luck,
Heather

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Delta Phi Epsilon, Celebrating 84 years of Dedication, Pride and Excellence!

Hootie · #10 05-01-2001, 06:29 PM

From a PR standpoint I might suggest writing a press release to the local newpaper informing them of your success and the travisty of journalism. They might be interested in covering it because they'll probably post both sides. It's worth a shot. Let us know how it goes.
Hootie

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What do you get when you cross an Alpha Omicron Pi and a Sigma Phi Epsilon? A beautiful Chi Omega!!!
Zeta Delta Chapter of Chi Omega
http://www.unomaha.edu/~comega

33girl · #11 05-01-2001, 11:08 PM

DEFINITELY get in touch with the station manager, and write a letter to the local paper. Be sure you point up these 2 things:

-You're not upset that you didn't get a meal, you're upset because you made a commitment and the other party didn't follow through.

-You are working for a cause that means a lot to you (since one of your brothers is afflicted with the disease) and so this makes your shafting doubly upsetting.

Lots-a-Heart · #12 05-02-2001, 12:00 AM

Congrats on showing up with 54 people and raising that much money. In the end that is what is important and I hope that those participants (brothers?) and yourself leave this whole nasty mishap knowing that you did something extrodinary for one of your brothers and millions more out there who are inflicted with MS.
Way to go!!

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Sarah
Sister Lots-a-Heart, #9
President, Iota Beta Chi Sorority
http://welcome.to/iotabetachi

UNFSigmaChi · #13 05-02-2001, 12:36 AM

The station was WJXT CBS. After one of my finals this morning a brother was saying that he got a response back from the reporter saying the reason why they didn't do the food thing is because with all the other people there at the MS Walk, they would think that the bbq was for them too and it would be too confusing. So i guess that was the "techniqality" Whatever. Sounds more like sore losers got their butts kicked by some Fraternity boys to me! :-)Ya everyone is glad we were able to have another great year at the MS walk but we were pissed more that they didn't keep their end of the bargin. Oh well.

dzrose93 · #14 05-02-2001, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum:
One comment on DZRose's thoughts. An undergraduate should never be a spokesperson. It should be the chapter advisor or some other person designated by the Fraternity.

I understand what you're saying with this, DeltAlum. You're right in that a chapter advisor or National spokesperson for the fraternity would be more eloquent and PC in their representation of the organization.

UNFSigmaChi · #15 05-02-2001, 12:44 AM

here is the website. Go down about a 1/4 way and in a grey box on the left side you can see about the challenge between us and channel 4.
www.news4jax.com/news/eyecandy/