List of chapters in private area of national website only???

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I don't see how

Given that most membership requests must be submitted THROUGH a chapter, I am not sure why a simple chapter contact (chapter pres or membership chair) or address (PO Box or campus box) would not/should not be provided.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Me neither. Plus, figuring out where a chapter is should be easy, considering school websites list them.

I didn't mean "the process of applying for membership." I meant the pledging process. There are probably some organizations who do not want aspirants to see a big list with lots of information ahead of time. I've seen LGLO members call each other out for having lists of chapters, founders, etc. on their websites. Evidently, some people think that having such information posted makes things "too easy."

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I didn't mean "the process of applying for membership." I meant the pledging process. There are probably some organizations who do not want aspirants to see a big list with lots of information ahead of time. I've seen LGLO members call each other out for having lists of chapters, founders, etc. on their websites. Evidently, some people think that having such information posted makes things "too easy."

I figured that's what you meant. I still don't see how it's "easy" to have a list of chapters. It's information that's not specific to members -- some non-members may need access.

Leave it to LGLOs to argue over something so stupid lol

[Senusret I]

^^^ You know what? I can totally see that. Younger orgs tend to do that, usually not with good, logical reason.

[Psi U MC Vito]

lol that is funny. The way I figure it, if the pledges want to go through the extra effort and check out the website, good for them. Most of the info on there we give them anyway in the Pledge Manual.

[UGAalum94]

My guess would be more practical in that maybe they link to chapter websites that aren't public access.

On the other hand, you could cut and paste the list and unlink it pretty easily.

Sometimes I get sad looking at dormant chapters in a list, but there'd be ways around that too.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

As to why an organization would keep this list private...it might have to do with their membership process.

Understandable for some groups like you've mentioned, but I've seen NPC orgs that do this as well.

Originally Posted by HuskyAlum

One thing to maybe consider is the increase in documented cases and/or awareness of stalkers... especially for the women's groups. I know of female sports teams at colleges/universities where the schedule is not posted on the school website because they have had issues with inappropriate or unwanted people attending games and not leaving the players alone. I would imagine that this is very possible for our sorority members.

One of the NPC groups did give this as an excuse, but I think that's a load of poo. If someone wants to stalk a sorority that bad, they're going to find where the chapters are, national website or no. All you have to do is plug "Mu Mu Mu" into Google. Personally I think they're just trying to make themselves look exclusive, and being snooty.

There is such a thing as putting too much info on your website, but I don't think a list of chapters - just the schools, no contact info - falls into that category.

[Xidelt]

Isn't this what Wikipedia is for??

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

Isn't this what Wikipedia is for??

Wikipedia is not always accurate, and can be altered by those with nefarious purposes.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Wikipedia is not always accurate, and can be altered by those with nefarious purposes.

Like prunetacos?

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by HuskyAlum

One thing to maybe consider is the increase in documented cases and/or awareness of stalkers... especially for the women's groups. I know of female sports teams at colleges/universities where the schedule is not posted on the school website because they have had issues with inappropriate or unwanted people attending games and not leaving the players alone. I would imagine that this is very possible for our sorority members.

Kappa has a ton of rules about this because (according to Nationals) sisters have been stalked and assaulted using info from Kappa websites. Chapter websites can't have any pictures with captions that include names because they could be used to trace and stalk sisters. So, I understand not publishing links to chapter websites (though the truly determined stalker could easily overcome this hurdle) - but I see nothing wrong with chapter lists.

In terms of not publishing closed chapters - maybe it's an issue of not "airing dirty laundry" if the chapter was closed for standards reasons? It probably also doesn't look great to PNMs to see a long list of chapters no longer in existence, no matter what the reason for their closing.

[banditone]

I don't like to call it "stalking". I like to call it always being near just in case she needs me....

[annabella]

Could it be a junk mail thing? I've noticed some organization's sites have a disclaimer that the listing of chapters and their addresses is for member use only....

Example: I run an Oriental Trading-type company and realize that my market segment is rapidly aging. I have a bunch of mini sailboats in a bottle I need to unload. So maybe I get the list of Sigma Sigma Sigma chapters and addresses and send them all Tri-Sigma-specific catalogs and junk mail. Far-fetched, but it could be a similar mailing list thing.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by annabella

Could it be a junk mail thing? I've noticed some organization's sites have a disclaimer that the listing of chapters and their addresses is for member use only....

Most of the sites I've seen, they just have something like "Beta Chi Chapter, GreekChat University, Walla Walla, WA." No actual mailing address.

[Psi U MC Vito]

yeah but then you would know which school websites to go on.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

yeah but then you would know which school websites to go on.

Well, if you have nothing better to do with your day than go to every school website to get an address (which may or may not be there depending on the school/site/linkage) just to send some cheesy catalogs, I say, have at it.