Public Relations Chairs

dantheman · #1 11-12-2003, 08:22 PM

I recently was appointed PR chair in my fraternity. We are an associate chapter, so I dont have any predecessors to ask advice of. I was wondering if any of y'all could tell me what types of things that the PR committee did/does in your chapter. Thanks in advance.

breathesgelatin · #2 11-12-2003, 08:31 PM

Makes banners
Takes out ads in the paper to congratulate our members
Does our yearbook layout

WCUgirl · #3 11-12-2003, 08:48 PM

A good idea is to leave goodies or treats in professor's mailboxes (or office boxes or whatever they have) with a little note saying they're from your group. Just a nice way to get on the professors' good sides on your campus!

Also, PR chairs typically plan Homecoming events, alumni events, etc.

Make fliers advertising recruitment or fundraising events.

They submit articles for your National publication, and sometimes they'll make a newsletter to submit to the alumni.

They send invitations to alumni for Homecoming and any chapter events.

When a tragedy happens (such as a brother/sisters' family member passes away), they send flowers to the family. For example, one of my sisters had a grandmother who passed away, and our PR VP sent flowers from the chapter to her parents.

Keep in mind that all of these things aren't necessarily done by the PR VP but by other members of PR's council. These are typically things that the PR VP oversees. You should always delegate responsibilities to your council or any other members who want to help.

33girl · #4 11-12-2003, 10:20 PM

AXid670, some of those things (like planning alum events & homecoming) sound more like something that would fall under VP of Alumnae/Heritage. He's just a chair not a VP. What you've listed sounds like a lot of work for a chair.

Dan - call up one of your brother chapters or your national if you guys ae confused as to what to do.

Kevin · #5 11-13-2003, 01:06 AM

When I was active (when we were a colony, kind of like an associate chapter), I wrote up the "PR Chair" amendment to our chapter's constitution.

It's basically a person that is in charge of the fraternity's image.

The guys these days call him the "charm chair".

He pushes ettiquette on everyone, teaches an ettiquette seminar, etc. He helps to make sure that guys stand up when ladies walk into a room, open doors for ladies, are just generally chivalrous.

One thing I learned in the colony situation was that a position is only what you make it. So do your best and no one can fault you. The next guy will do things totally different from you. I'll guarantee that for you.

Good luck!

MeLikey · #6 11-13-2003, 02:02 AM

Contact your school newspaper and local newspaper about upcoming events so they are aware of them in case they want to cover them... or you can submit an article about the success of an event.

ISUKappa · #7 11-13-2003, 11:40 AM

Public Relations is about showing the campus, community and other organizations the benefits and good deeds your chapter has been doing. You're the media representative of your chapter, along with your President. The PR chair at our chapter put out a yearly alumnae newsletter, gave press releases to the student newspaper on our philanthropies or recent achievements, and basically made sure we always "looked" our best to everyone.

I would get in touch with the Director of Public Relations (or similar position) on your IFC/CPC council. They often have handbooks our guidelines on how to deal with the media, how to write press releases, and ideas for promoting a positive image of your chapter and Greek Life in general.

dantheman · #8 11-14-2003, 01:04 AM

Thanks to everyone that replied!

jmbennett · #9 11-14-2003, 03:10 AM

I'm PR Chair for my chapter and I've loved every second of it! Apart from the duties already mentioned, I make sure that everyone wears pin attire on Thursday (a campus tradition) and letters on Friday (another campus tradition).

Sahara27 · #10 11-14-2003, 10:13 AM

I'm PR/Historian for my chapter, and I love it! I basically work alongside our VP of Membership, help her put out a positive image during recuitment. I send articles about our chapter into Perspectives, and I design our table setups for organizational fairs on campus. My job has slowly turned into the trusty sidekick of the VP of Membership, but I think that's just for me, since I love helping out with recruitment so much. Right now I'm working on this year's scrapbook, and having a blast!

paulaKKG · #11 11-14-2003, 12:56 PM

I noticed a few things missing in previous posts that might fall under the PR chair...

- News letters to Alumni/Alumnae

- Hosting homecoming/parent's weekend events

- Writing letters to the parent's of all new members

- Congratulations notes to other houses (for successful philanthropies, events, or well wishes for founders day. One fraternity used to send a note and one of the sorority flowers on founders day to each chapter)

- Promote fraternity/sorority member's personal successes to college newspapers and greek news. (e.g. member is named UAA Athlete of the Year, etc)

Like someone else said, use that committee! Not only does it reduce your own burden, think of it as training the next class of leaders to assume your job.

What a great opportunity to be a "first" in a position - you have the ability to set the standard for future leaders.

Paula

dantheman · #12 11-19-2003, 07:42 PM

Is it standard to get sponsors on your shirts? And, do you just go the a business and ask if they would like to donate some money, or what?

IheartAphi · #13 11-20-2003, 10:26 PM

We have Director of Marketing Alpha Phi which is like PR director...

We would be the ones that presented other groups philanthrophy at meetings and responsible for sending the donation.

We also would send flowers when other organizations had something happen. One year a PKA was killed in a car accident.

Also good luck with exams, rush, and ete are great to send. I know its girly but sororities eat it up and it looks good.