Greek life and the public

[SigPiTiliDi]

Looking for suggestions or ideas on how a fraternity and greek life in general can grow and thrive on a campus and in a city that does not support and in a lot of cases discourages greek participation, activities, and greek life in general.

Sigma Pi Fraternity
Eta Iota Chapter
CSU Dominguez Hills

[icytre]

SigPitilidi,
All I can say is let your credibility speak for itself. If you participate in positive things like community service and implement programs that target social responsiblity, nothing can be said but positive things.

[AXO Alum]

I think we need to do a better job of being "seen" in the community. I must really commend members of BGLO's for ALWAYS being proud to display their greek affiliation! Everyday I see several members of different BGLO's with license plates, tote bags, umbrellas, buttons, etc, even though I am an alum! (i.e., I'm not seeing these people in class, but rather at the library, at work, at the park, etc.).

I do, however, live in a college town (mostly GLO's) and I see a lot of people looking like they just stepped out of bed (or even many times see them in public drinking or using obscene language quite loudly) with their letters or other paraphanellia on . If you don't have pride in yourself, how can you reflect pride in your organization? I know that this doesn't pertain to everybody...I'm just trying to make the point that when you choose to display your greek affiliation, you are, in a way, representing the greek system as a whole.

When I wear my letters (or buttons or carry my satchel w/ AXO on it) I'll often have someone ask about it. Instead of saying how much partying I did in school, I mention that we are involved with domestic violence awareness programs, children's programs, etc. Things people can relate to and step back and see how positive greek organization's can be in helping the community. When we sponsor fundraisers for philanthropy we always have our letters on. When a sister in another organization lost her house in a fire, all GLO's on campus worked together to raise funds for her. It was even in the newspaper (something positive for a change)! Anyway, sorry to ramble...I hope that TOGETHER we can keep working to change the image of greeks!

(Also see the thread "Kristin's Story")!

[stargirl]

I have to agree! Doing philanthropic actvities in your town would be a great boost to your organization! That way the town can see that just because you wear Greek Letters on your chest doesn't mean you're a beer guzzling partier who doesn't go to class!

Good Luck!

[pirate00]

Three simple words: Adopt-a-Highway.

[shadokat]

Whenever you all do something good, write a press release and send it to the campus newspaper, along with your local newspaper and the local TV news. They may not always publish it, but you never know when you may have a slow news day

It's all about PR. Tooting your own horn when you do something good is the only way to get the good word out.

[DeltAlum]

Shadokat...

Bravo.

We are all very quick to point fingers at the media and accuse them of unfair bias and slanted coverage, which in some cases is true, but in most cases isn't. Very few of us, however, ever think to be in touch with them when we do something good. More importantly, few of us stay in touch on an ongoing basis.

Look at it this way. If we do something bad, they find out easily because they all call the cops, etc. several times a day. They simply don't have enough resources to call every organization. It's not even possible.

Your chapter should have a PR person who knows (at least the name of) someone at local and campus newspapers and local electronic media outlets. You should also have a very clear outline of who talks to the media in bad situations. It should usually be your Chapter Advisor, a division officer or someone from your National. If none of those is available, the Chapter President. Members should never comment, but rather just tell reporters that they have to talk to one of the people mentioned above.

Of course the media won't print/broadcast everything you send them, but it's amazing how much good publicity you can get if you just work at it a little.

DeltAlum

[Tom Earp]

Most if not all International Fraternitys/Sororitys have a nation fund drive. LXA has the annual food drive where we collect tons of food. My chapter has Western Week and a hot-tub-a-thon. That is 3 charity events per year.
Some of the other LXA houses have Watermelon Fest.
You are right, a press release needs to be put out. But I have seen to many times when there is nothiung put in the news media about it. By Damn though, something bad happens, it is front page and it makes me sick!!

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

[BrianMUDU]

As far as philanthropies go, help a local cause. We started an event a few years ago and proceeds went to the nearby children's hospital in cincinnati. But we realized that our money would better help the local community crisis and counseling center, which ironically is located in one of our past chapter houses right by Miami's campus.

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Brian Sejas
VP-Public Relations
The Miami Chapter of Delta Upsilon
http://www.mudeltau.org

[shadokat]

Tom--

Before LXA got the old heave ho at my school, they used to have Watermelon Suck (that's what it was called). That was a blast!!

Originally posted by Tom Earp:
Most if not all International Fraternitys/Sororitys have a nation fund drive. LXA has the annual food drive where we collect tons of food. My chapter has Western Week and a hot-tub-a-thon. That is 3 charity events per year.
Some of the other LXA houses have Watermelon Fest.
You are right, a press release needs to be put out. But I have seen to many times when there is nothiung put in the news media about it. By Damn though, something bad happens, it is front page and it makes me sick!!

[shadokat]

DeltAlum--

As a regional advisor for chapters, I've developed an entire PR plan for them, in which we include how to write a press release, how to promote your chapter on your own, and so forth. It's really helped some chapters gain recognition in a positive light. I think most nationals would have this kind of information readily available to their collegiates, but they probably just have to ask for it.

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

[33girl]

It also doesn't hurt to have a couple COMM MAJORS in the chapter. Not only do they have access to the campus media outlets, if other comm majors know them, they are less likely to slam Greeks in the paper or the like. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to write a story slamming XYZ if I had to share a desk in the newspaper office with the XYZ president.

[RedAngel]

I agree with Shadokat, Deltalum but I have some advice to add also since I'm on the other side of the table.

I'm a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority who works for a daily newspaper and I see a lot of the releases that come through.

First of all, you need to find out who your media outlets are in your area: newspaper (daily, weekly, monthly), TV, radio, etc.

2. Before you send a release out for media coverage:
Call the media. You need to find out name of the editor that the release should go to. This is especially important if you have a weekend event--weekend editors (sat/sunday) are usually different from those during the week. This goes for newspapers, television and radio.

Once you get the name of the editor-call them and run the idea by them. Make sure you have all information on the event (who, what, where, how, why, area impact, organization receiving the proceeds, how long its been held and anything else that's unique about it). Make sure you get the person's fax# and email address. When you get off the phone with your contact back it up with a faxed release or email as soon as possible to keep it fresh in their minds. Then two days before the event-call your contact to find out if its been assigned for coverage.

Now, if its been assigned for coverage and your chapter PR should be looking for that individual(s).

If it hasn't been assigned or has been assigned and cancelled due to breaking news--send the press release out because it could be a candidate for a followup story or news brief.

If anybody has any questions on newspaper publicity--I'll be more than happy to assist.

[Hootie]

Positive PR should help get a good image out to your community. Every time you do a community service, donate time to an organization, fund raise...etc. send a press release to the local newspaper. Things like this will get you noticed and perhaps get your picture in the newspaper or news.
As others have mentioned about, try to remember to keep you image clean while wearing your letters. It's hard to remember but in the long run it won't hurt.
Perhaps hold informational sessions for parent's whose sons are interested in pledging. That way there's less skeptisism and more information is being produced.
Good Luck
Hootie

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What do you get when you cross and Alpha Omicron Pi and a Sigma Phi Epsilon? A beautiful Chi Omega!!!

[DeltAlum]

Red,

I agree with all you said. I, too, work(ed) in the news media, but on the television side for over thirty years.

If I didn't say it clearly, I certainly meant to imply that those prior contacts should be made and kept active.

DeltAlum

[This message has been edited by DeltAlum (edited March 25, 2001).]