Avoiding the cookie batch cliché

Lately I came across a website called “Chapter Talk”. It describes itself as “News and advice for Successful Fraternity and Sorority members”. What fascinated me the most is how multi-faceted the site is—it covers topics such as Alumni Relation, Finances, Ritual and History. Even though its aim is to reach Greek collegiate audiences, it is extremely well written and does offer some valuable advice that both, Greek (and Non-Greek) organizations should read up on.

After browsing through some of its articles, I checked out the “Public Relations” section.

The first article that caught my eye actually addressed the issue of Public Relations work. The article is titled “Public Relations: Improve Your Image on Campus”, although quite frankly, a more fitting title would have been:  “Mass Communications to better your chapter.”

The article is a great read because it offers specific ideas to improve Public Relations beyond the now cliché batch of cookies. Some of these ideas are unique because they advocate for Greek Unity, a concept that is sometimes hard to promote in Greek Life because of rivalry between the houses.

It  describes:

• Ways to increase visibility (Attend university Events as a Chapter)
• Damage control (Keep Drama within the House)
• Marketing (Throw events Geared Toward Younger Students)
• Networking (Pledge/New Member Mixers, Encourage involvement in Non-Greek organizations)
• Advertising ( Sport Your Letters!, Attend ALL Fraternity and Sorority Events)
• Public Relations, both internal and external! (Go Above and Beyond for Other Chapters, Don’t forget Brother/Sisterhood)

Truth is, if chapters want to be  successful, they have to concentrate on various aspects of Mass Communications. Whereas once upon a time, there were clear lines dividing Public Relations from Advertising, Broadcasting and Journalism,  they have slowly blurred out.

In order to succeed in today’s professional world, one must be able to perform tasks that years ago would have been “some else’s job”. (That little tidbit I accredit to my wonderful Mass Communications Professor at the University of South Florida, Dr. Golombisky).

To check out Chapter Talk, visit http://www.chaptertalk.com/