U. of Alabama seeks help in desegregating Greek life

[Sistermadly]

GPhiBLtColonel, have you thought of contacting representatives from the NPHC groups and asking them how they manage to swing that kind of coverage?

From experience, I know it can be tough to get notices placed in newspapers that don't typically take those kinds of announcements (unless they're associated with major philanthropic events). Don't give up - persistence usually pays off.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by SxyDeltaGam
The only instance I've received support is from my closest friends who are Zeta's and Delta's at other schools.

Think of it this way - at least you know who your true friends are.

[GPhiBLtColonel]

...I don't think the NPHC groups are doing anything differently than us -- e.g. just submitting articles/press releases -- but I think it is a media bias...

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by GPhiBLtColonel
...I founded an alum panhel association here (just south of Atlanta) almost two years ago. We have roughly 100 dues paid members representing 18 of the NPC sororities. We have done community service that we have tried to get publicized in the local paper...or even just get meeting info in the south metro section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution...it just does not happen except in the freebie, driveway papers...BUT........I see articles and notices all the time for the NPHC groups in the area and their efforts for this activity or that fundraiser etc...really is irksome!
We are not letting the media ignore us though and we'll keep pushing for publicity, but it is Not easy!

Why is it irksome?

[33girl]

Because the papers are publishing things for the NPHC groups but not for the NPC groups. She's not saying she wants less NPHC publicity, just more/equal NPC publicity.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by 33girl
Because the papers are publishing things for the NPHC groups but not for the NPC groups. She's not saying she wants less NPHC publicity, just more/equal NPC publicity.

Thanks for clarifying. Speaking as a journalist myself and as a public relations chair for my chapter, it's the job of the organization to make the assignment desk aware.

Perhaps, and I don't work at the AJC, there might be NPHC members who are reporters and editors who might keep their colleagues informed. Sistermadly also made a good suggestion about brain-picking.

And from what I gather, NPC/NIC post-undergraduate alum activity, while existent (see this board as an example), isn't on the same high visibility level as NPHC organizations.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by GPhiBLtColonel
...I don't think the NPHC groups are doing anything differently than us -- e.g. just submitting articles/press releases -- but I think it is a media bias...

Now, here's where I disagree. I was going to PM you but it seems that you're not receiving PMs at the moment, so....

As I said, I've had some experience with this paper and with publishing events. From my own experience, it's not a bias against/preference for certain groups. It literally takes YEARS of persistence to get an advertisement published in that paper, unless it's a MAJOR philanthropic event -- the AKA/ALTA tennis tournament comes to mind. Things like this always get published, but unless your chapter is doing events of this magnitude, you might be SOL.

The organization I worked with sent in announcements faithfully every year for about four years in a row before we finally got an announcement printed in the AJC, and once they finally accepted one from us, we were published pretty regularly. Furthermore, it takes building a relationship with the editors, even if it's just calling them to follow up on the announcements (without sounding confrontational or accusatory). Also, speaking as someone who worked as a public relations/community relations coordinator for a radio station, I can honestly say that I was swamped with press releases from every dinky organization in the whole city - but the ones that usually made it on air were sent in by people who called me and/or sent follow-up letters to check on whether the announcement would be aired. Yeah it stinks, but greasing the wheel works wonders.

If you haven't contacted the AJC's community events editor (or the Extra editor for your community - do they still do the regional sections in the Thursday papers?) definitely contact that person and find out what the requirements are for submission. Maybe the things you submitted weren't in their preferred format - one of the first things I learned is that they want things outlined in a specific format so that they'll have to do as little editing as possible.

And definitely pick the brains of the NPHC publicity persons in your area. Invite her to coffee and explain your predicament. She might have the name and contact information for a specific person, and could set you on the right track.

Also, don't forget community papers like Creative Loafing. I know I used to send lots of announcements there and they were almost always published. Just because it's a free weekly it doesn't mean that it doesn't have a sizeable readership. They used to have suburban editions of CL, and I just noticed that community events are also published on their website - talk about visibility!


And like Steeltrap suggested, maybe the answer is for your alumnae chapter to do some high-visibility alumnae events. As a matter of fact, I wish more NPC groups did this.

I have lots more suggestions, but I have to run to the gym. PM me or e-mail me if you have any other questions, okay?

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by SxyDeltaGam
I'm an AA women in a NPC sorority and I have received a lot of crap from others in NPHC orgs. The only instance I've received support is from my closest friends who are Zeta's and Delta's at other schools. They sent me gifts for initiation and stayed at our house to experience what they called the "other half of greek life." On campus with people who don't know me I get dirty looks when I wear my letters and it makes me feel bad. It's as if people assume I think I'm "white" because of my choice of sorority. I think if people didn't assume things and got to know me they would understand my decision more.

You know, I will admit that I used to feel that way, giving crap to AA girls in NPC groups. I never said anything, but I had that feeling. Then one day I looked up and noticed that in SGR and in at least two other NPHC sororities there were non-Black women members. And what do people say about that, NOTHING. I realized that it is unfair to ridicule one and ignore the other for the same action - joining a group of an opposite race.

I think the flak stems from historical purposes. At one time Blacks were not 'allowed' admittance to all NPC/NIC/IFC groups, but now they have opened up. Whereas, if I remeber correctly from reading in a Baird's Manual, NPHC groups have always had an 'open-race' policy. The point is, why would you want to be part of a group that would not allow your grandmother/grandfather in. But, you know what, Blacks attend and graduate from predominatly white schools, and have been for a while, and nobody seems to be bothered by that.

And to GPhiBLtColonel, I agree with Steeltrap on this one. My chapter just celebrated our 75th Anniversary and I was the Public Relations/Media Chair for the event. The way I publicized our event was to call first then fax a press release to each media outlet: radio, t.v., newspapers, and community newspapers. And as far as I know, we don't have an 'insider' working for us and it was well publicized and attended.

[Munchkin03]

It's all about following up. In everything from college applications to making sure someone received your fax, following up is key. Be persistent! In a city like Atlanta, there are probably so many groups vying for coverage space, and let's not forget that it's sometimes about who you know...the society editor could be/be married to/lives with/have a child whose teacher is/has a parent or sibling/is in the same country club as...someone in one of those groups.

In a world where a lot of us NPC members will start sentences with, "I used to be a ABC", those aforementioned connections are very important. Plus, I'm sure the AKA alum chapter in ATL (and I imagine that there are a lot) could have a higher membership than all 26 NPC alum groups combined.

[GPhiBLtColonel]

...we have been following the guidelines the Metro section of the paper told us to follow; I even know a guy who writes for that section and without being too much of a pest I have called him to say hey we'd really appreciate seeing our little notice in thepaper, and we have followed up to ensure the notice was received (if it had not been delivered in person)and we have even called after we thought our notice would get published -- you know what they say? Oh there wasn't room, or something else came up or balh blah blah...we are still a baby group and are just starting to do more community wide events that might get some newspaper's notice -- we just delivered over 100 stuffed animals we'd collected to a nearby police department that uses them for it's Care Bear program -- e.g. when the police go on calls and kids are present, they get a stuffed animal to keep them from getting too upset...and then two days ago we just delivered two carloads of gently used, clean career clothes to our local womens' success network -- they create business wardrobes for abused and other women getting into the work force...

Sigh...I guess it will be as you suggest Sistermadly -- just keep on keepin on and being persistence -- we have only been at this for not quite two years....just a few more to go I guess till we get to print!!

I do like your suggestion too about getting together with the NPHC PR person for coffee to pick her brain! Thanks!

[Sistermadly]

I swear, this is the last time I'm going to contribute to this thread hijack!

GPhiB, I was just looking at the kinds of events you're hoping to publicize versus the kinds of NPHC events that usually get publicity in the paper. While the events you're trying to get noticed are definitely worthwhile, they're not really "newsworthy" events in a city like Atlanta. Generally speaking, it's been my experience that unless a significant amount of money is raised, or the event is a "society" event (like the Ebony Fashion Fair fashion show, or the AKA/ALTA tennis tournament), it won't make it into the AJC.

Maybe a thing to think about is where you're casting your net, and the kinds of response you hope to garner from publicity. I bet if Gamma Phi sponsored a 5K/10K run/walk for charity that would get in the paper more than the teddy bear program. Again, it sucks -- but it's just something to think about.

I'm sure things will turn around for the Atlanta Gamma Phis in no time at all! After all, us Triad Sisters have to stick together.

[RedAngel]

GPhiBLtColonel,
I agree with Sigmadiva and Steeltrap. I also serve in PR for my chapter and it can be tough at times. I'm wondering if you tried other papers in the Atlanta area since you are not getting the response you are looking for from AJC. A weekly or monthly might better accommodate your chapter's activities. Use your TV stations too especially if you have a 24 hour TV station---they might need other stories. It also helps if you build a relationship with your local media and maybe meet with them (if possible) so you can have an understanding of the otherside. I know I had to do this for radio and television (I work for a newspaper) since I didn't understand that medium as well as newspaper. Keep at it---it'll come!



And to GPhiBLtColonel, I agree with Steeltrap on this one. My chapter just celebrated our 75th Anniversary and I was the Public Relations/Media Chair for the event. The way I publicized our event was to call first then fax a press release to each media outlet: radio, t.v., newspapers, and community newspapers. And as far as I know, we don't have an 'insider' working for us and it was well publicized and attended. [/B][/QUOTE]

[GPhiBLtColonel]

...for everyone's great comments...I really appreciate it! But just to set the record straight, the group I am talking about trying to get better Publicity for is a PANHELLENIC alum association, not my Gamma Phi group...we are in an area called the Southern Crescent which comprises 5 counties that form a crescent around the city of Atlanta...the things we do here in suburbia are not really on a par with the things done in metro Atlanta...and there are not any other papers like the AJC here -- we do get adequate coverage in the local papers but the BIG kahuna -- the AJC -- seesm quite unreachable...as for a 24-hour TV stations, well there IS CNN ...I'd just be happy at this point with AJC publicity!

[Eclipse]

As another point from someone who has served as a publicity point person for various groups....
"Informational" press releases from community organizations are a dime a dozen. I would put the "look at what we did" type of press releases you mentioned in this catagory.

Papers seem to look more favorably on articles that are going to benefit the general public a little more (i.e. blood drive, free health check, etc.) or ask for some participation from the public (i.e. coat drive in front of the Piggley Wiggley, carnival for underpriviledged kids, local celebraty golf tourney etc) or the huge events that someone else mentioned.