Lambda Chi Business Network

JonoBN41 · #1 04-12-2007, 08:19 PM

The 2003 Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Directory has "Career Networking" (professional listings) beginning on page 1649.

GammaZeta · #2 04-12-2007, 10:56 PM

Yeah...

I'm going to guess that over 95% of our alumni do not have the LXA Alumni Directory. And even then, it's probably not up to date.

I'm talking about an up to date website that is easy to navigate. Not a 2,000page book from 4 years ago.

It still amazes me that someone as good looking as I am can be so damn smart.

PiLambda1 · #3 04-13-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yeah...

I'm going to guess that over 95% of our alumni do not have the LXA Alumni Directory. And even then, it's probably not up to date.

I'm talking about an up to date website that is easy to navigate. Not a 2,000page book from 4 years ago.

It still amazes me that someone as good looking as I am can be so damn smart.

I absolutely love this idea...

Put me down for toxicology or Drug Information...

LXA grits · #4 04-16-2007, 11:03 AM

In the 2003 Alumni Directory, it indeed does have career information. In the CD version, you could search brothers by (for instance) dropping down a few windows: Dallas, Texas, Advertising. Hit "Search" and it provides you with Mark Lee (a '93 initiate from SMSU) and Harry Thompson (a '52 Georgetown graduate)'s contact information (both of whom are in the advertising field). It's a really handy tool, but also potentially dangerous. Of course, it's up to the individual brother what he wants to be included in that directory, but it's also up to him to keep his information up to date. Whether or not Harry Thompson is still in the business and could help me design a billboard ad for my company I couldn't tell you...he might have closed up his ad shop in 1989 or be deceased...It's all up to how current his information is with Headquarters. The problem is alumni who don’t update their information and chapters that don't report updates they have. The guys that are going to be most willing to keep that info up-to-date are the brothers in a chapter's Alumni Association or Area Alumni Association (if available), because they obviously stay in touch with the fraternity and are more likely to provide new contact and business information as it comes along. I think that's a good suggestion to have that information in an area alumni database (because you're probably going to be looking for local contractors), and to use a local chapter's alumni database as a second choice. But then again, that begs the question: Should alumni be spending the chapter's time and resources asking them for a local advertiser's contact info? Should that even be the job of the staff at Headquarters, or maybe of the Foundation? The Alumni Directory (print and CD) was a pretty good answer to that question, I feel. The only problem is, it's only produced once every few years, and the information isn't 100% reliable. Also, it's my understanding that the CD was a rare occasion, and it probably won't be produced in electronic form again in the future. The online database sounds like a good idea, but if it got in the wrong hands...?

That's a good discussion, and food for thought about alumni networking. As current chapter's information got more accessible through online linking with Headquarters, maybe that's something to think of. The program that the fraternity bought a couple of years ago (IMIS, the database that's helping out with HQ functionality, organization, and chapter communication) is successfully being rolled out in a function of helping the chapter members keep track of information (summer address, offices held, initiate status, etc). Maybe (and considering this is a HUGE undertaking) it's a good thought to make that accessible to volunteers to provide that information. I wouldn't think we should just open that info up to the public, but I also don't believe that's necessarily a function of the Office of Administration. Otherwise, it's up to you to get your hands on one of the "Alumni Directory" and do some good old-fashion page-turning.

Yours in Z A X ,

GammaZeta · #5 04-16-2007, 02:53 PM

Yeah Grits, it really is up to the person to get an Alumni Directory. But is the average member going to send away to Indy for it and wait for it to come through the mail?

I was thinking of a self running website. The brother could simply update and join his information at will or when it changes, sort of like a superpages.com for LXA.

I would involve HQ as little as possible, probably only to advertise it in the C + C. Maybe a computer savy brother could set it up.

Tom Earp · #6 04-16-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yeah Grits, it really is up to the person to get an Alumni Directory. But is the average member going to send away to Indy for it and wait for it to come through the mail?

I was thinking of a self running website. The brother could simply update and join his information at will or when it changes, sort of like a superpages.com for LXA.

I would involve HQ as little as possible, probably only to advertise it in the C + C. Maybe a computer savy brother could set it up.

GammaZeta, I still agree with you and this and it still sounds like a tremendous idea, set up much as the way the mentoring system site is set up!

It is something that would and could be a great need for networking!

Check IHQ LXA web site and suggest this to the proper address!

As you can see, there is backing for this!

C & C is the network for all of us, Alumni and Actives in toto!

I do not know how to do this, but there has to be a possible way for it to be done!

If it can be done, I am in for sure!

dever860 · #7 04-17-2007, 03:59 AM

Ok guys, I have a bit of insomnia this morning so I threw up some thing for the LCA business network. Take a look and let me know what you think. Lot of people were saying a yellow pages type site is ideal. I thought a sorta craigslist type thing might also be kinda cool. It took me about 30 mins to throw this up, so if you all don't like it no big deal. I didn't do much work on the categories or the layout, didn't want to have to put in a bunch of effort for something no one would use. Keep in mind I am a IT systems guy, not a IT web designer. Design isint my strong point.

This is a simple free classifieds system I found while cruising Google.

http://osuchoppers.com/applications/...ieds/index.php

Enjoy.

In ZAX,
John Dever