The following was sent by IH regarding this issue.
MTV’s Real World, one of television’s first “reality shows”, is the story of seven strangers selected to live in a house and have their daily lives together filmed for broadcast. The show’s stated purpose is to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting “REAL.”
This season, Real World 16 is set in Austin, Texas, and features a cast mate who has appeared in several episodes wearing clothing bearing Gamma Phi Beta Sorority’s Greek letters. Please be advised that the cast mate, Johanna Botta, is not a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.
Johanna Botta initiated with the Sorority in November, 2001, but she voluntarily resigned her membership on March 12, 2004. Her membership was terminated later that year. As a part of her signed resignation, Botta agreed in writing: “I will no longer wear the Sorority’s insignia.” Accordingly, Ms. Botta is not entitled to identify herself as a member of Gamma Phi Beta or to wear identifying letters or insignia.
Johanna Botta violates her resignation agreement by wearing our Greek letters since she is a not a member of Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority. If you hear friends or colleagues talking about The Real World, and Johanna’s alleged affiliation with our Sorority, please let them know that Ms. Botta is not a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.
We take great pride in our Gamma Phi Beta letters and insignia. It is a privilege and honor as initiated members to wear anything representing Gamma Phi Beta. Like the badge and initiation certificate, any items bearing the Sorority’s insignia or letters in the possession of a resigning or terminated member must be returned to the Sorority.
As a reminder, before publicly representing Gamma Phi Beta for any reason, members must receive prior authorization from our International President, Linda Johnson.
Our publicity policy in our Rules and Procedures states:
Authorization for the use of a photograph, picture or other likeness for commercial purposes identifying a member or new member with the Sorority must be granted by the International President. Clearance must be obtained in advance from the International President for all radio and television appearances; interviews with the press; speeches to the general public by a member or new member identifying herself with the Sorority; and any publicity releases, except those of a purely social nature or of chapter or individual honors.
Failure to comply with the Rules and Procedures can result in disciplinary action against the member and/or chapter.
If you have been contacted by the media regarding any television, radio, Internet, print or any other form of publicity request, please contact International Headquarters. If you have additional questions about media contacts, please contact Megan McDermott, Director of Communications, at International Headquarters,
mmcdermott@gammaphibeta.org and (303) 799-1874 x 322, or J.J. Kaelin, Sorority Director-Public Relations,
jjkaelin@adelphia.net and (719) 488-9242.
As members of Gamma Phi Beta, we are awarded the honor of representing our Sorority in a positive manner reflecting our standards and upholding the respected reputation the Sorority has earned. Thank you for helping protect this privilege.
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