Sorority anthology

[RockChalk]

I understand that there is a lot of negative press the Greek System receives, but I don't think the answer is to publish a book. The way that Fraternities and Sororities are going to fight the negative stereotypes is by continuing to be active and visible in the community, become outstanding scholars and leaders, etc.

That's a good point, but there's only so much influence an individual person or chapter can have. A book would be able to reach a lot more people and give a lot more perspectives and experiences. Setting a positive example goes a long way, but in my opinion it would be foolish to ignore an opportunity to reach so many people.

[pinkangel]

I think it's a good idea. But I get the impression I'm seeing this differently then everyone else.

Currently, the only information that non-greeks can get on greek life are statistics, what is released by nationals/locals and panhel, and image destroying newspaper articles. I think it would be nice to have a resource where non greeks can find out about how amazing it is to share the bond of being greek. It may be a start in the right direction of having non greeks realize that there is more to being greek than partying. In addition, most non greeks don't seek out those personal stories unless they are looking to pledge somewhere. This book of sorority girls' experiences would open up a source for young girls, mothers, and anyone else to get a different perspective (and the one we all like a lot better) about what being greek is like.

If navane does make a profit (and I do agree that dividing among the different charities is the best idea), she can do what she wants with it, it's her idea and her hard work. That's why if you don't like what she's doing, then you don't contribute stories or buy the book. That's every consumers choice.

I would also like to mention that a lot of this decided on the trustworthiness of navane. I don't mean to insult you at all, Kelly, but I don't know you at all. If you wanted girls to submit stories, I would recommend using another means than to solicit stories over an interent forum, and I do understand you are only looking for advice right now, but in the future...
You should let the girls know more about you and let them know your intentions for how you will put the book together and what will happen with profits. That will increase your credibility and put a lot of people at ease.

Other than that I agree with justamom... what do you want to do?

[maggieaxid]

I have definite mixed emotions about this.
On one hand I can see how this would make greek life, especially sorority life, more positive. But, on the same hand I can see it totally backfiring and turning negative.
Something that needs to be addressed in this forum topic are things like rituals, significance of letters, and traditions. Those things are important to every sorority woman, however, we don't run around and talk about them. Sometimes we don't even talk about them to our own sisters if we weren't in the privacy of our chapter house. I wouldn't want anyone to have access to these kinds of things. This would take away from the bonds of sisterhood of all greek women.
And I can only imagine the amount of red tape a person who was not affiliated with that GLO would have to go through to get things like releases signed.
-Maggie

[AlphaGam1019]

I would like to clarify that I am not against the idea at all. I just wanted to make it seem more than collecting a bunch of stories from GCers and then publishing it. I feel that it is more of a complex issue since we are not sharing our stories as individuals but rather members of our GLO's.

I'm going with my gut, and it thinks this is a wonderful idea. I can see many people's concerns, But I agree with Pinkangel and JustAMom and say you should do it, no matter how others may feel. I think its positive that you even asked people what they think about it to begin with. Another person might have just went and did whatever anyways.
I would by the book for me or my daughter when/if I have one. I like hearing reminiscing over my sorority memories and hearing about the memories of other girls. $10-15 is actually pretty inexpensive for a book anyways. I will contact my IHQ and see what they say, and if its all good (and im about 90% sure it will be)Id be more than happy to lend stories and photos (of course with the permission of the girls in the pics). If we are one the ones handing in the stories, they only was I can see it back firing is if one of us sent in something that was uncalled for. And if people are worried about you tamering with the stories here is what I would do.....
Make a contract simply implying that you agree not to change the CONTENT/MEANING of the story. The only thing that gets changed is spelling or grammar, etc.. If anything is change that makes it negative, you will be held responsible for it. Also a certain percentage of the proceeds will go to XYZ charities or the NPC/NPHC/whoever elses Headquarters. You could also put a disclaimer in the book stating that this book is solely for the purpose of making ppl aware of the POSITIVE that comes from being greek from the work to the memories that they have.
You would send a copy to any not only any conference that wants to participate but also to any orgs. headquarters and also to individuals who share photos and/or stories. This could all be one contract so that you will not have to make up like 18 different ones. All you have to do is copy a bunch of one. You keep copies for yourself and those involved should keep a copy also.You send it to them with your sig., they sign theres and copy it and send it back to you. They should also keep a copy of the work they sent you. Or you after you have done what you needed to do to it, you could send it back with your signature stating that THAT was the story you used and not something you tampered with or something else.You could either make the contract yourself (you dont need it to be drawn up by a lawyer to hold it in a court of law) or have someone who is in an org draw it up, but that you also agree one. This not only keeps your butt protected, but ours too . But I seriously think you have good intentions on this.
I think most orgs have rules for the media for the bad press, however if it was worthy I dont think most would mind. Then there is also a suggestion where you do not mention the org names and jsut leave it as so and so's memory or being in a sorority. (can anyone else see the lawyer that in me?)

[damasa]

I would be for the idea, but there are many things that I am against.

1. Many of my greek memories I'd like to keep for me and my brothers alone, some people might understand that, some might not, but my greek memories are just that, mine.

2. A book like this could be display serious distortion and bia simply by stating that it would be published with no negative experiences or memories. Not all my memories of greek life are great, but in the same sense, I think it would be in a way, "sugarcoating" by sharing only positive experiences, yet that is my opinion and a lot of people probably don't feel that way. My quam with that would be, if it were to become a NY bestseller, which it could, that could come under sever criticism.

3. Like tridelta4ever stated: the majority of the book would be written by the submitters of the memories. Of course you can factor in editing and rewording, maybe writing a preface and a few memories of your own, a glossary of greek slang words and such, but it is more of a collaboration, a collection, then being written by a single person.

4. I have had things published before, not big, but nevertheless. The start up costs to have something published can be relatively cheap. In fact, a publisher may pick up the entire cost and settle for a one sum amount, a percentage or royalties. If the book were to be published w/o the buyout of a publisher, it could be somewhat costly, but not extremly. Which brings me to my point, we all spend money to make money, and I don't think that anyone would just be willing to throw several thousand dollars away without a little return in mind. A book like this could very well be a great seller. Like the thread starter stated, buying it for 10-15 bucks, that could return quite a profit on a book, considering the printing charges for that one book would be a mere percentage of the 10-15 bucks.

Again, I don't really know, I guess i'd have to know and trust the person who was putting the collaboration together in order to understand if they are trying to profit off of other people and their memories.

[DHgirl]

I like the idea of the book. I guess as a local, I don't have all the rules and ties to a larger organization--just the pride in my own. So, just like all the national GCer's, I wouldn't want to submit anything too "revealing"--but do you really have to? I sincerely believe that every sorority girl has shared experiences with their sisters that don't give away secrets but still reflects the spirit of sisterhood--not that everyone would want to share them, but that there is a reason in all the symbols, and that the fact that we belong to a sorority indicates we believe in something intangible and organic behind the tangible symbolism. I think submitting stories that reflect the beauty in sisterhood is a great idea--not only would I buy a copy, but I'd get my anti-greek sister (biological) a copy too. I don't agree that leaving out the "bad" stuff is detrimentally biased--perhaps you can think of it as equal time. Of course, no one has to feel the same way I do, and in that case, don't submit. Navane, I wish you luck on your project--and though I couldn't possibly speak for all locals, if you do choose to donate a portion to charity, a philanthropy is cool, whatever the philanthropy.

[kristiAZD]

Originally posted by damasa
I would be for the idea, but there are many things that I am against.

1. Many of my greek memories I'd like to keep for me and my brothers alone, some people might understand that, some might not, but my greek memories are just that, mine.

3. Like tridelta4ever stated: the majority of the book would be written by the submitters of the memories. Of course you can factor in editing and rewording, maybe writing a preface and a few memories of your own, a glossary of greek slang words and such, but it is more of a collaboration, a collection, then being written by a single person.

My response to #1 is, if you don't want to share it, DON'T! No one is forcing you to submit anything.

My response to # 2 is, navane, why don't you put yourself as being an editor of the stories? I know of many college professors who have published books that included several essays from colleagues on a certain subject. On the cover it says Edited by........enter name here. Therefore you are not saying you are the autor, but instead you edited the work of these people related to the subject. I see nothing wrong with that since it is done al the time.

Navane, do what you want to do. It will probably take a lot of research and effort to get past all the tape, but I think it's worth it. I would definetely buy it.

[navane]

Originally posted by kristiAZD

My response to # 2 is, navane, why don't you put yourself as being an editor of the stories? I know

At the time I made my original post, though I didn't say it, I implied that I would be the editor. I did clarify that in a later response to someone else. So yes, since people would submit their stories to me, I obviously would be an editor and not an author. I know there was a concern that I would somehow try to pass off the stories as my own.

At any rate, just to update everyone, I've decided to not go ahead with any efforts regarding the anthology at this time. I appreciate all of the pro and con feedback I've received from everyone. I apologize if I upset anyone with my ideas. At some time in the future, I may decide to attempt this project in partnership with a single national organization. Again, thanks for your feedback.


......Kelly

[justamom]

Navane-you had a pretty good idea. It would not surprise me to see someone pick up the ball and run with this concept.
Coming soon to a bookstore near you...

[Tom Earp]

Kelly, if you feel strongly enuff about it go for IT!

When I graduated, I thought about writing a book on my experience as a Greek and my Brothers and the other Greeks on Campus!

My thought was who wants to hear about a bunch of Greeks in Clollege

Well I didnt and Animal House came out!

I love that movie and laff everytime i see it and recognize some in the movie as My Brothers!

D-Day-Spook, Flounder-Mex, Boone- Bone, Neidermeir- Bouser etc.

My loss was Mad Mag. gain!

It is an interesting thought tho!

I feel you should go for it to. JAM is right, someone will probably being scooping this idea up pretty soon. Another things is you can always just limit stories to those from Alums. I know for many orgs, they are pretty much free to say whatever they want and include their name and org in it. I emailed my org in inquirly about this and was told my involvement would be ok, if I did it. I even think they believed it was a good idea. Like someone said, if people dont feel comfortable doing it, than they dont have too. No one is forcing them too. I understand peoples feeling about want to keep their memories to themselves, but to me the memory is that I LIVED it and no one can take what actually happened away from me. They can distort it however they want, but I and those who also experienced it know the truth. Besides this would be no different then telling your friend what you did with your sisters/brothers or telling stories of your Spring Break. Its not like your telling secrets and rituals...your just saying, for example, how one night a sister was crying her eyes out over a guy breaking up with her and you all decided to go out for ice cream to cheer her up and you all sang songs the whole night, yada yada yada.

[brownsugakdphi]

HEY GREEK CHAT SISTERS!

Just wanted to say how much I love the idea. This past semester my sorority sisters and I found a book Sorority Sisters that reinforced the experiences that we as sisters share. It was so awesome to read a novel about pledging and sisterhood that I'm sure that an anthology would do just as well. We all have so many experiences both positive and negative (and don't we learn from each other pretty well?) Plus, any book on positive women and their relationships does well... just because it is written by members of greek letter organizations won't change that. People like to read books that pose a positive outlook on life, and I believe that this anthology would be not only suitable but in the end very profitable.... Please email me with any further details about this endeavor... I'm really interested and I'm sure my house would feel me on this!

In Eternal Love and Friendship,
Brown Suga

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I think that it sounds like a good idea! Good luck!

[AGDAlum]

The First Amendment has precedence over your GLO's policy about telling the world about your fraternity experiences. If you want to take out a full-page ad in the New York Times revealing the secret work and the mystical meanings, you could. (Or, to save money, you could post it on the Internet.) Your GLO would probably expel you, however.

A slender volume of warm, positive thoughts about sorority membership would make a nice gift for initiates or Founders Day favors.

BTW, other writers have published accounts of their fraternal life. M.E. Kerr in ME ME ME --she was an ADPi at the the University of Missouri; IIRC she writes that she fully counted on being a Kappa. In Blackberry Winter the renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead is bitter about her rush experience at DePauw. She, too, counted on being a Kappa--IIRC because of a hometown connection--and did not get a Kappa bid. She did not pledge anything. (When I read that in the early 70's she was still alive, and I wanted to write to say, "What about Alpha Gam?" and I later found out that the AGD chapter was inactive at the time she was at DePauw.) Just think what Kappa missed!