Why I never went through recruitment

With classes winding down for the summer most chapters are thinking ahead to the fall recruitment (aka "Rush") season where they sign the lions share of new members. This article in the WebGreek blog, written by a staff member at WebGreek.com, explains why he did not go through the recruitment process and didn't join a fraternity. Now that he is working with fraternity members and alumni his opinion has changed.

I think that, if the so-called Greek movement wants to enhance its relevancy and increase its numbers, it needs a cultural shift toward connecting with the community at large. I recall my close friend Tova, a sister at AEPhi, who often found it difficult to escape the house and come hang out. I think that people should be encouraged to live their lives as much as possible. This would demonstrate that joining a fraternity or sorority won’t take all your free time, freedom, etc. As I mentioned, one of the reasons I bristled at the thought of recruitment originally had been the perception of homogeneity. And anyone who knows me will tell you: I’m fiercely independent.

I understand now that belonging to a brotherhood or sisterhood can foster individuality as much as it can hamper it (two sides of the same coin). I also realize, of course, that fostering diversity needs to be balanced with chapter meetings, service days, and whatever other activities are necessary to build unity. Just be wary of the line between unity and conformity.

The obvious question: How can you find potential members who think like this guy? By that I mean the people who would make solid, committed members, but they have not seen how the Greek experience can enrich them. Is your campus image serious, or are you the "party frat"? Does that image match what you actually do?

Why I Never Went Through Recruitment

New HQ site!

Our HQ site has undergone a major makeover. I haven't gone over it in depth yet, but the "look and feel" is definitely more dynamic and inviting.

So what do you think? To borrow from a post from a few days ago, does it enhance our brand?
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity - Building Balanced Leaders for the World's Communities

Why marketers have trouble with full-duplex social technology

My fellow Tennessee Alpha brother Steve Johnson is a leader in the field of product management. His blog is often funny, always informative and usally downright insightful.

This week he found an article on why folks charged with marketing "stuff" have so much trouble with the kind of two way communication that web 2.0 apps and sites use so well.

Great quotes:

The problem is simple. Marketers don't understand channels where you have to talk and listen at the same time.

and

The marketing industry's idea of a two-way communication is to put an 800 number or a web address in an ad and take orders.

and

Your company has a chance to turn its email list into a two-way communication. Except that most mass emails from companies are "do not reply". "We want to talk to you," they say. "But we don't want to hear back from you. Unless you want to place an order, and if so click here."

Hmmm...
If you substitute "Richmond," "HQ," or "Nationals" for "Marketers" does it still ring true?

I would have to say "not as much today as it used to." The recent Conclave web site was a help, as was the reference to Twitter tags like #sigeporlando09 as well as Flickr photo sites, Facebook and other ways to share information. They still have a ways to go, however. So Kudos for the progress, and "what's next"?

ProductMarketing.com: Why marketers have trouble with full-duplex social technology

Chapterspot - Network and Communication SigEp style

Bro. Brendan (LA Alpha - Tulane) asked us to plug his new venture.

ChapterSpot is a free organizational tool for fraternities & sororities. We help SigEps organize themselves online and maximize chapter communication. We do this by offering them a way to...

• Increase dues collections by using electronic billing & accepting online payments
• Send mass text-messages & email blasts
• Create a free public site for parents/alumni
• List classifieds (furniture, books, sublets)
• Create an events calendar and automatically send SMS reminders in advance
• Use polls, surveys, & sign-up lists
• Organize chapter discussions on message boards
• Maintain a recruitment list

One of the objectives of ChapterSpot (in addition to improving communication) is to help SigEps save money via bulk order discounts. Joe and I compile these bulk orders and reduce the costs of each purchase for the chapters (on merchandise such as t-shirts, gifts, composites, etc.).

Thus, the more chapters that use the site, the better the discounts they will have on their orders. Our small company can then make a profit by taking a small cut of the discounts for having setup a relationship with retailers. Overall, I think you'll see that our project demonstrates the power of collaboration and the mutual benefit of helping others that SigEp symbolizes.

ChapterSpot is planning to make an appearance at Conclave this August. We're hoping to get a lot of our SigEp brothers to sign-up then and to meet some of our current users in person.

Licensed Stuff for SigEps, by SigEps

Gary Darna and Mike Gardner, two SigEps from Kentucky Eta (Northern Kentucky University) have started "SigEpic.com" a SigEp focused online clothing and apparel store. All the designs are officially licensed and they are all striking and unique.

The opening screen of their web site notes that 8.5% of all proceeds will be donated to the Sigma Phi Epsilon National HQ and an additional 10% will be sent to the chapter's account at the Educational Foundation. For more information you can go to their web page or Facebook page

Late news is they will have a booth at Conclave in Orlando.

SigEp Ed. Foundation Sponsors Spelling Bee

How do you Spell Sponsor? - "S-I-G-E-P"

Set your Tivos, it is time again for the best kids event this side of the Little League world series - the Spelling Bee!

The Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation continues its successful sponsorship of the National Spelling Bee by once more offering a $5000 college scholarship to the winning speller.

You can catch the edge-of-your-seat action and suspense at the following times on ESPN and ABC:

• Preliminaries: Wed. May 27: 1:15pm EST - espn360.com
  
• Semifinals: Thur. May 28: 10:00am - ESPN TV
• Finals: Thur. May 28: 8:00pm ABC TV

The winners have been welcomed to the last two Conclaves and I expect they will be there again this year.
(Can you tell I am "buzzed" about it?)

Where in the world is CLA?

One of our intrepid correspondents has taken the time to plot the cities for the "new & improved" version of Carlson Leadership Academy (CLA) as specified by the National Leadership Committee (NLC).

As he puts it:

If you draw a circle around the 5 cities they booked (brown circles) that is about 250 miles(5 hours drive) you see where the chapters who get screwed by the CLA Change.

The problem becomes less if you add locations to Omaha or Kansas City, Roanoke, and Memphis (blue circles). All cities where we have hosted CLAs in the past.

Supposedly the staff ran the numbers to calculate that the average chapter only added 2 hours to their drive. I think that number skewed because of the chapters who are located around NY and Atlanta. I really feel bad for the chapters from ND through KS.

Let's all pray for good weather in mid-February. It's going to be a looooong drive for some chapters.

Recruiting to Win - 50 Steps to Successful Recruitment

We found this recent post in a forum about, oddly enough, recruiting. Most of the posts are looking at the corporate variety, but this fraternity (SigEp) related one slipped in somehow. It has good stuff. Here are the first 3 points:

1. RECRUITMENT STANDARDS. Set high standards for joining. Keep standards articulate and quantifiable. Strong chapters recruit men smarter than the "average" student. Set your GPA standard higher than the all-student GPA for upper classmen and above the average incoming student GPA, SAT, and/or ACT for freshmen. SigEp is not an "average" fraternity experience, and is intended for outstanding men. Increase standards over time to ensure the chapter’s strength is improved. Be sure all brothers know chapter recruitment standards.

2. ASK QUESTIONS FIRST. Get to know a potential member by asking questions about him before talking about SigEp. Find out about his attitude. Is he committed to getting the most out of college? Does he value academics? Athletics? Fitness? Diversity? The more you find out about him, the better you can talk about SigEp in a way relative to what he finds valuable.

3. BE ARTICULATE. Make sure all brothers know HOW to talk accurately about the SigEp experience. Does everyone in your chapter know how to discuss Sound Mind, Sound Body? SigEp’s cardinal principles? The activities your chapter has accomplished or is planning that men may find attractive? Don’t allow SigEp to be just like everyone else. The things your chapter VALUES and DOES sets you apart from competitors. Talk about what makes you different, a cut above.

...And there are 47 more. This may be straight out of the HQ playbook, but it is worth reading and using.

From the home office - SPRI partner

Another partnership deal announced by HQ.

SigEp SPRI Partnership
11/19/2007 8:39:23 AM

Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp), a national fraternity committed to “Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities,” Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp), a national fraternity committed to “Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities,” has partnered with SPRI Products as their sole provider of rubberized and core equipment.

The partnership will grant over 270,000 lifetime and undergraduate SigEp members with direct access to the latest in health and fitness information, products, news, and events. SigEp members can also receive favored pricing on featured SPRI products.

The mission of Sigma Phi Epsilon is based on the Balanced Man Ideal of Sound Mind and Sound Body. Members do not simply participate in intramural sports but are encouraged to sponsor annual physicals that measure cholesterol, blood pressure, and screen for different types of cancer. Members are empowered to live their best life… a large component of which is developing a healthy lifestyle through strength training, proper nutrition, and cardiovascular fitness.

SPRI is well known in the fitness industry because of quality and their focus on helping people aspire to healthier lives. SPRI has been the pioneer in the areas of rubber resistance training by utilizing medical technology to introduce the stability ball and rubberized tubing to the fitness industry over 25 years ago. Products are designed with all people in mind, young and old from amateur to professional athletes.

Adam Zwyer, SPRI’s Marketing Manager, states, “SPRI has a commitment to continue to improve our products as technology allows. We intend to continue to lead the industry by producing new and innovative products to help people achieve their health goals allowing them to live healthier, happier, and more mobile lives. SPRI does not simply produce fitness accessories; we produce solutions.”

Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but what is it exactly that we are getting out of this deal? Other than being a target audience, I mean. The various partnerships and associations may well be good for all concerned, but would it hurt to have just a bit more transparency?

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity • News Release

UNK Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter Earns Top National Award for Third Time

Publicity - better late than never.

This is a good recap of the chapter's accomplishments. The article not only points out the Bucannan Cup, but goes on the note various community service projects and other related honors and awards.

This is the third year the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has received one of the highest ranking national awards for their chapter.

The UNK Chapter has been awarded the Buchanan Cup, which is given to those Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities that rank in the top 10 percent in the nation. Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest college fraternity nationally with more than 14,000 undergraduate members at 260 chapters across the United States. Of the seven fraternities on the UNK campus, the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter is one of the largest.

If your chapter has someone who is good at putting this type of PR together you have a valuable asset. If not you should look into finding or training someone.

UNK SIGMA PHI EPSILON CHAPTERS EARNS TOP NATIONAL AWARD FOR THIRD TIME

"Coastal Tradition" neckties

We got a nice letter from "Spencer" at Coastal Traditions today. They have a line of neckties with a fraternity theme and wanted some exposure.

SigEp is prominent, but they also have SAE, Sigma Chi, KA, ATO, Kappa Sig, and others. They have a license 'bug' on the site so one may assume they are legit.

These guys get one free ad. After that they'll have to buy space.

Our story began in 2007, when two friends took the few dollars in their pocket and decided to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. It was time to leave the classroom and get to work.

With a commitment to superior quality and styles that people love to wear, Coastal Tradition was born in Columbia, South Carolina.

While the influence and foundation for our concept reaches to the history of the southeast shore, Coastal Tradition was envisioned out of personal necessity. We wanted to find fine clothes perfect for any occasion, whether it’s the beach or the boardroom. Our aim is to construct an exceptional product that our friends and family would enjoy wearing, and we hope that you would too.

We strive to provide excellent customer service for our classic designs, and we hope that you wear our apparel with pride and confidence.

Since our formation, we have been having the time of our lives! We hope that Coastal Tradition will bring that same enjoyment to your home as well.

Coastal Tradition is tailored for your lifestyle. And it's not merely a style, it's a way of life.

We particularly like the "Gameday" ties incorporating school colors. Wish we had seen that in time to order for homecoming!

(Shameless self-promotion alert...) When you order - tell them you saw it here. Maybe they'll send us a freebie!)

Coastal Tradition About Us

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award - UCA Today

Here is an excellent example of how a well written press release can get "good ink" for your chapter.

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award

The Arkansas Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Central Arkansas was awarded the highest individual chapter honor during its 52nd biannual Conclave in Atlanta, Georgia. The Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award recognizes chapters that excel in all areas of chapter operations, including academics, recruitment, finances and member development.

SigEp has consistently ranked first in academics and membership among all UCA fraternities. Most recently, the chapter's cumulative grade point average was 3.25, which exceeds by 0.4 points the University’s interfraternity council average of 2.85. With over 100 members, the chapter maintains active campus and community involvement, serving in active roles with student government, with the University’s new student orientation program, and in philanthropic efforts to raise money for the Fraternity’s national charity, YouthAIDS.

Founded in 1901 in Richmond, Virginia, Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest collegiate fraternity with more than 14,000 undergraduate members at 260 chapters nationwide. With its commitment of "building balanced leaders for the world's communities," the national fraternity devotes nearly $1 million annually to support its educational and developmental programming.

Note how the specific reason for the notice is first, followed by more general information about the chapter, and finally the standard "boilerplate" - one paragraph of the history and distinctive characteristics of the national fraternity.

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award - UCA Today

FraternityLive Features Private Network at 50th Sigma Phi Epsilon Conclave

I had a chance to visit with the FraternityLive people for a few minutes at Conclave. The service looks like it has all the right "hooks" to work well in a campus or alumni environment. They put out this press release about their presence. (They also were at the Teke, Pike, and Beta Theta Pi conventions.)

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 26, 2007 -- Sigma Phi Epsilon's 50th Conclave was recently held in Atlanta, where attendees were invited to explore the free FraternityLive.com communications network. As the largest private online Greek community in the world, FraternityLive is attracting attention as a tool to strengthen chapters in their organization, communication, and overall success.

With this year marking their 50th Conclave, over 1400 members of Sigma Phi Epsilon gathered to commemorate this milestone in the Fraternity's history. Both undergraduates and Alumnae were in attendance to celebrate the continued strength of their Fraternity, and discuss initiatives in chapter leadership and management. In line with these initiatives, the FraternityLive network presented their online applications which promote chapter organization and communication. Designed specifically for the Greek community, the free online applications offer social features combined with financial tools, demonstrating a powerful means of further strengthening Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters.

With their landmark 50th Conclave, Sigma Phi Epsilon is gearing up for a busy Recruitment season this Fall. However with the powerful social and financial tools offered by FraternityLive, which already serves over 200 active members of the Fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon stands ready to take their chapters to new heights of excellence.

For copy, demo or additional information about FraternityLive contact Corina Newby or visit www.tsotinc.com.

About TSOT Inc.:
TSOT is the owner and manager of the innovative online applications FraternityLive and SororityLive. These applications are designed for the Greek community, helping chapters all over North America to stay organized and connected while maintaining the privacy and integrity of their network.

Contact:
Corina Newby
TSOT Inc.
305-14 Prince Arthur Ave.
Toronto, ON M5R 1A9
Phone: (416) 640-6144 ext.229
http://www.tsotinc.com

I have a few general concerns, not just about FraternityLive but about the growth models used by so many of the new networks. Like many of the social networks that are springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm this one is insular and there are few if any connections to the outside.(They have announced a Facebook connection applet, though.) That means that one must be a member to get any benefit. The other side of that is there is little "connection synergy" until a sufficient subset of the target group has signed up. If an IFC decided to champion this for a campus so all the chapters could share information it could be awesome. They would still need to get a 'critical mass' of members signed up, though.

FraternityLive Features Private Network at 50th Sigma Phi Epsilon Conclave

U Washington's Calendar Sparks Debate

(And wouldn't you know, there's a Sig Ep connection!)

"Women of UW" calendar pulled
By Nick Perry
Seattle Times education reporter

Jeatt Walker, a University of Washington math student and aspiring model, thought she'd gotten her big break when she was named cover girl on the "Women of UW" calendar dreamed up by a group of business students.

But when Walker's proud mom went to the University Book Store last week to buy copies, she was turned away. The calendar had been pulled from the shelves.

Bookstore Chief Executive Bryan Pearce declined comment Tuesday night on what caused the about-face after the store earlier bought nearly 300 copies.

Part of the reason may lie in an e-mail campaign started by some students who say the calendar objectifies women.

The whole episode has yielded some surprising lessons about business and about life for the five students who produced the work for their entrepreneurship class.

Information

About the calendar: www.womenofuw.com

"I never would have guessed any of this going into it," said junior Zach Meissner, who began as the group's financial manager — and turned into its crisis manager.

Meissner said the students intended to produce "his and hers" calendars. But despite an eager group of males willing to pose, their market research showed consumers generally sought to buy only the female version.

About 30 women applied to pose, plus some friends were enlisted, Meissner said. The calendar features 13 of them; one month shows twins.

The shots are tame compared to many publications, Meissner said.

"We wanted to show beautiful women who were very successful with what they are doing at the UW," he said.

Walker, 20, said she had no doubts about signing up.

"When I first heard about it, I thought 'This is so rad. This is my chance to get connected to the school,' " she said.

"It was classy enough that I was not embarrassed to show it to my family. It was the first big thing I've been in."

She said the calendar "displayed a really good fact that women can be smart and beautiful. The UW is full of really powerful women."

But other students weren't so taken.

"As I flipped through its pages, I became increasingly upset at its blatant objectification of UW students," some wrote in an open letter to UW President Mark Emmert.

"More importantly, I was horrified at the prominent display of the University of Washington's name and trademark logos spread across the pages of the calendar, providing the background for female students posing in provocative outfits against campus settings."

Meissner said that in all, 1,500 calendars were produced, which the team of students is selling for $15 each.

So far, about 200 copies have sold, not counting the nearly 300 disputed copies purchased by the bookstore.

Meissner said that because the calendars begin with the month of September, he expects demand to pick up in late summer.

It's not the first time Meissner has turned up in the news. In December 2005, Meissner appeared on two national television morning shows — ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today" — as president of the UW's Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity to discuss its embrace of the national fraternity's new "Balanced Man" program.

The program emphasizes clean fun, community service, strong academic performance and good etiquette. The frat discouraged a bawdy lifestyle.

DZ 'marketing effort' is "Ditzy"

The PR fiasco that came of the attempt by Delta Zeta to 'upgrade' their chapter at DePauw has me wondering. Didn't anyone at their headquarters ever takes a basic marketing course?

First problem - :By all accounts, the sorority chapter was a small but diverse group who were noted more for brains and personality than a "Barbie doll" look. The initial attempt to reorganize the chapter got off to a bad start when all but 12 women were asked to leave because of a "lack of commitment." Oddly, all the girls who were "committed to improving the chapter" turned out to be thin and white. All the brown and dumpy ones were "not committed". What would it take to show commitment - lose weight and bleach their skin? Maybe Delta Zeta should recruit Michael Jackson as a makeover consultant.

Second Problem - :After the initial shock wore off some of the newly minted "alumnae" went public with their comments and concerns and the story quickly found legs on the internet and in the mainstream media. DZ HQ responded with a defensive statement that sounded like Alberto Gonzales trying to justify firing the 9 US attorneys. The DZ National President tried to make out like they were the victims in all this mess. Puh-leeze! It sounds sort of like the boy who killed his parents, then pleaded for mercy because he was an orphan.

Third Problem - :Then, After DePauw got fed up and kicked them off campus anyway, DZ has filed a lawsuit! Thereby guaranteeing that there will be updates as the suit progresses for months or years to come. They should have just laid low, accepted the 'injustice' as a price for their incompetence. and gone on about the business of image repair.

Back to marketing. I have just finished taking a graduate level marketing course. Coincidentally, the professor is a graduate of DePauw and his wife is a DZ alumna. Somehow, the class started discussing the situation. (OK - I confess. I started it.) He told us that in his view the national organization has done everything wrong, starting with the reorganization process. He told us his wife is extremely upset and has vowed no more involvement. I believe it. If a similar fiasco had happened with my home Sig Ep chapter I would be similarly upset.

If the DZ leadership has any hope of getting past this they would do well to consider bringing in some professionals at image repair. It would probably start by 'regretfully' accepting the resignations of anyone who had responsibility for those decisions. Next I would think they should bend over backwards to demonstrate how 'diverse' and 'accepting' they can be. They could hire the same ad firm that does the "Campaign for Real Beauty"commercials for Dove.