New Officer Position? High Xi?

mdshoreboy · #1 03-05-2003, 07:20 PM

Just a random thought, what do you bros think about creating a new officer position to manage the websites of our chapters? Call it High Xi.

I've been taking a look around at our sites and they're getting pretty complex and I think having an office dedicated to making sure it stays live and up2date would add an extra edge to our promotion side of things.

Even a manual that goes over what one should include and not include on the promotional side and maybe some utilities to install some backend tools such as forums and other cool tools.

Also, putting a Grand High Xi on board to focus on expanding our nationals site.

jonsagara · #2 03-05-2003, 07:42 PM

It's a great idea, but I have one problem with it:

I am an alumnus of my chapter, yet I still maintain the Web site. Would I be required to attend the chapter meetings? Since I am on the High Zeta, would I have to pay dues, too? If so, I would unfortunately have to give up control of the site, and I am quite certain that no one else would pick up the slack.

IMHO, this position is best left as a local, non-Zeta office. Perhaps HQ can come up with a set of guidelines, as you mentioned, and then have the ELCs promote them when they come for their yearly visit.

Tom Earp · #3 03-05-2003, 09:33 PM

Jon, great idea for that! mdshoreboy, not to down play you idea either as it shows some thought about web sites!

I wished to hell I could do one for LXZ. The main one we have is the Alum Site but The Brohter is having a hard time keeping it updated!

Jon, FYI, I contacted John H to contact IHQ to see about working with them to get site up to snuff! He has not had time, but said he will check on it and get back to me!

Damn I do miss not being to get on Digi site as do otehr Brohters!!!!!

mdshoreboy · #4 03-05-2003, 11:00 PM

Just as the high pi doesn't pay to be an alumni advisor and guide to the chapter, a High Xi can be nominated with the same ability.

However, not to say anything against alumni, but sometimes an active chapter might want to take the chapter in a different direction and keeping the promotional materials outta the hands of the alumni while maybe a technical challenge for some, might at least keep pressure off the local chapter from alumni who try to control how the chapter is perceived.

Also, another idea is that while we would still elect a High Xi we could add him to the promotions committee (High Theta/Beta) where he would basically be the person in charge of maintaining what should go on the site, not neccessarly in charge of physically updating the content (especially in cases where the servers are not editable by the active brothers).

jonsagara · #5 03-05-2003, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Just as the high pi doesn't pay to be an alumni advisor and guide to the chapter, a High Xi can be nominated with the same ability.

Touche.

Quote:

However, not to say anything against alumni, but sometimes an active chapter might want to take the chapter in a different direction and keeping the promotional materials outta the hands of the alumni while maybe a technical challenge for some, might at least keep pressure off the local chapter from alumni who try to control how the chapter is perceived.

But why does this necessitate the creation of a new Zeta office? The actives can achieve this by starting their own active-chapter Web site.

Quote:

Also, another idea is that while we would still elect a High Xi we could add him to the promotions committee (High Theta/Beta) where he would basically be the person in charge of maintaining what should go on the site, not neccessarly in charge of physically updating the content (especially in cases where the servers are not editable by the active brothers).

If he's not even going to update the Web site, then definitely do not create a new office. In either case, the Theta/Beta can appoint a committee member to gather the Web site content and deliver it to the Web master, or they can do it themselves. This is not a difficult job, and I suspect that the elected person might resent this position as grunt work.

Another problem with having a High Xi is keeping up with the Standards. Chapters that don't have a Web master will receive poor standards ratings by the ELC. A thriving chapter that meets all other standards should not be punished because they don't have the know-how to create a Web site.

I really, really like this idea, but I think it should be pushed in the direction of establishing guidelines that local chapters can take and implement how it best suits them. In order to have a successful Web site, you have to have a member with a strong passion for Web design and the technical know-how to back it up. Along with that passion, he must have time to actually work on the site. Web design and implementation, if done thoroughly, is a very time-consuming process. He also must have a lot of "stick-to-it-iveness" so that he will keep the site current. I am willing to wager that most chapters do not have such a man, thus making it difficult to implement this office. (Take a quick tour around the existing Web sites - the majority are stale: http://www.chops.org/lcaintl/zetas.php) Sure, if HQ mandates that each chapter must have a Web site, then everyone will put one up. But what would you rather have, quality or quantity?

Hence, I believe this office is better left to the local Zeta to create and administer.

----------------------------------

In our chapter, the office is called the "High Chip." He is responsible for the Web site and the in-house LAN. He is not, however, a tech-support whipping boy.

jonsagara · #6 03-05-2003, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Jon, great idea for that! mdshoreboy, not to down play you idea either as it shows some thought about web sites!

I wished to hell I could do one for LXZ. The main one we have is the Alum Site but The Brohter is having a hard time keeping it updated!

Jon, FYI, I contacted John H to contact IHQ to see about working with them to get site up to snuff! He has not had time, but said he will check on it and get back to me!

Damn I do miss not being to get on Digi site as do otehr Brohters!!!!!

Right on. I keep checking back to see if it's online again, but I keep getting that darn message from Chad Tino. I hope it is as good or better than the previous incarnation.

JonoBN41 · #7 03-06-2003, 01:32 AM

I'm glad to see this subject brought up on GC. Last fall I (as president of our alumni association) trashed the existing bylaws and re-wrote them from scratch.

With some helpful advice, I included two new positions:

1) Director of Data Management (keeping track of e-mail and physical addresses).
2) Director of Online Communications (keeping the website up-to-date)

These are alumni positions, which promises to be a little more stable in the long run than active offices.

Is it working? YES. Well, we're working on it!

In ZAX,
Jono

Tom Earp · #8 03-06-2003, 06:21 PM

A Web Site is very important to have data updated with out a doubt. one only has to look at LXA site to see how much we all miss digi thread! I know I do!

Jon/Jono, you are right, it needs to be in the hands of someone who has the time and knowledge to keep it updated. Time I have, but the knowledge to write one NOT!

There may or may not be a member of the Chapter who can do this and that is the problem!

It is a two edged sword, an active who is in the position who cannot do it or an Alum who can and has the time!

I dont think and Alum who is doing it is going to try to be over bearing as he is doing it for one reason:

Love of LXA and the Zeta of which he is a Brother! He is trying to help His Zeta which in turn helps LXA!

Jon, come to Kansas TOTO and learn me this stuff!

boz130 · #9 03-08-2003, 10:03 AM

At Northwestern's Alumni Assn., we've designated the brother in charge of computer wizardry as the "High Tech". It's not an official Greek letter designation, but it works!

ZAX,
Bill Foltz
BO 130
Illinois State '77