Vent about Nationals website

[SigmaNuHX766]

I've been bugging one of our alumni to apply for a web development position at Nationals... Carl is currently the Old Dominion U webmaster, and has done some fantastic stuff on short notice.

I've always disliked the organization of the National's page, and the lack of effort that goes into updating/maintaining the site.

Short of Press Releases (re: WSU closing, VTech Shooting) and the Delta updates, there is very little news on the site.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Originally Posted by SigmaNuHX766

I've been bugging one of our alumni to apply for a web development position at Nationals... Carl is currently the Old Dominion U webmaster, and has done some fantastic stuff on short notice.

I've always disliked the organization of the National's page, and the lack of effort that goes into updating/maintaining the site.

Short of Press Releases (re: WSU closing, VTech Shooting) and the Delta updates, there is very little news on the site.

The Delta update from Fall 2006 you mean :-)

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by SigmaNuHX766

I've been bugging one of our alumni to apply for a web development position at Nationals... Carl is currently the Old Dominion U webmaster, and has done some fantastic stuff on short notice.

I've always disliked the organization of the National's page, and the lack of effort that goes into updating/maintaining the site.

Short of Press Releases (re: WSU closing, VTech Shooting) and the Delta updates, there is very little news on the site.

The funny thing is that they already have those releases -- I'm on the alumni listserv. I get things within hours of when they happen.

[banditone]

So why is it so hard for them to update the main website then?

- The "news" area is terrible (under "press").
*Fraternity News last update is from 2002.
*Chapter News last update is from 2004.

I don't get it. It is VERY easy to update a website that is already created. Just give me the login and I'll update it damnit!!!

There should be info on:
- Chapter re-births at Arkansas, North Carolina, Louisiana State, Florida, Arizona State. Complete with numbers info, "re"-founding fathers, etc.
- Pictures of houses going up or getting work around the nation. Arkansas is new. LSU is being renovated.
- News on famous Sigma Nu's like Paul Rudd (I think he was a KU snake).
- I understand if they don't want to advertise closing chapters (Wash State).

[Kevin]

I don't mind having it be public knowledge that we close chapters. I'm actually proud that we close chapters. Sorry to all of y'all who are members of such chapters, but liability insurance is positively crushing us.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

probably the reason dues went up to national AGAIN at last Grand Chapter


The funny thing is that our reps told us that they had some national big wig get up on the podium and give this invigorating speech saying things like "don't you want a better organization?! Don't you want to be the number one fraternity?!" and the various chapters were cowed into voting "aye" for a due hike. The California chapters voted "nay" almost in unison realizing A) we feel we get little support, B) our composition is mostly working class and middle class kids without a long family Greek tradition and most Sigma Nu costs are absorbed by the actives themselves rather than parents.

[Kevin]

Grand Chapter is VERY political.

That said, what you need to do is communicate with each other and lobby the rest of the chapters! What goes on in session is pretty much a done deal 99% of the time. It's only when actives get together and talk amongst themselves that they can make a difference -- and you can.

Back in '00, in Arizona, HQ wanted to push through an alcohol free housing initiative. The brotherhood simply wouldn't have it. They voted it down. In the end, much weaker legislation was passed.

Grand chapter is basically a year away. If Cali chapters are so similar, start communicating with each other. Decide to take a unified stance on legislation and decide to lobby the rest of the organization to get your way.

The way the Grand Chapter is set up, basically every chapter gets the same representation. That process lends itself to smaller chapters (as there are more of those) having the most say -- but only if they speak with one voice.

While we celebrate our flagship chapters in the SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, etc., it is easily forgotten that most Sigma Nus are not at those big schools. They are mostly smaller chapters like yours.

-- just make sure you're not steamrolled.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Grand Chapter is VERY political.

That said, what you need to do is communicate with each other and lobby the rest of the chapters! What goes on in session is pretty much a done deal 99% of the time. It's only when actives get together and talk amongst themselves that they can make a difference -- and you can.

Back in '00, in Arizona, HQ wanted to push through an alcohol free housing initiative. The brotherhood simply wouldn't have it. They voted it down. In the end, much weaker legislation was passed.

Grand chapter is basically a year away. If Cali chapters are so similar, start communicating with each other. Decide to take a unified stance on legislation and decide to lobby the rest of the organization to get your way.

The way the Grand Chapter is set up, basically every chapter gets the same representation. That process lends itself to smaller chapters (as there are more of those) having the most say -- but only if they speak with one voice.

While we celebrate our flagship chapters in the SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, etc., it is easily forgotten that most Sigma Nus are not at those big schools. They are mostly smaller chapters like yours.

-- just make sure you're not steamrolled.

It would be nice if we had a unified Sigma Nu forum or something....

I feel as though it's difficult for us all to communicate. If national set up a forum on its website we could make it private by putting it in the Members Only section. It seems as though GreekChat.com and a couple MySpace groups are our only means of national communication