When Not To Post:

How Social Media Can Make or Break a Chapter’s Reputation

Tj Peck & William Crandall

Overview

 Why we are here today

 Reputation
 Consequences of Social Media
 Social Media as a Tool
 Successful Social Media
 Takeaways
Google Exercise

 Take out your phone

 Google yourself
 Google your chapter
 (Example. Sigma Kappa at Western Carolina University)
 Google your national organization (possibly add social media to the end)
 (Example. Sigma Gamma Rho social media)
What did you find?

 What did you find about you?

 Anything surprising about you?
 About your chapter?
 About your organization?

 How easy was it to find out this information?

Instagram

 Haley Barber posted a video on her

"FINSTA" using racial slurs
 She was reported to the university
 She posted a follow up video using more racial
slurs
 Haley has been expelled from University
of Alabama and is no longer a sister of Alpha Phi
Snapchat

 Alpha Phi at George Washington

University
 All three members, two seen, and
photographer, have been expelled from
sorority
 A petition is being compiled asking for
sororities removal from George
Washington University
Twitter/Snapchat

 Alpha Kapp chapter of Theta Chi

 Used a racial slur toward a black waitress
at a night club and lounge
 Facing punitive action from the school
 No longer a brother of Theta Chi
Facebook

 Pi Kappa Alpha at Florida

International University
 Private Facebook was leaked after
someone forgot to log out on private
computer
 Fraternity was suspended and was
investigated, leading to more finding
on the page
Groupme

 Kappa Sigma at University of

Louisiana Monroe
 Racist remarks that were screenshot and
shared
 Led to Kappa Sigma's suspension at the
university
Rules of reputation

Live as though your family is watching

Common sense is not that common
Integrity and Reputation are now one
Praise publicly, criticize privately
It takes 20 years to build a reputation & 5 minutes to
ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things
differently

-Warren Buffett
How do your actions affect your chapters
brand

 What is a brand?
 What do you want independents to think when they see your letters?
 Your brand should represent your organization's values
 Are your members social media accounts representing your chapter accordingly?
Name the company
What do you think about when
you see these?
Poor Choices on Social Media has
Multiple levels of effect

 International/National
 Charter could be removed based off one
individuals actions
 Chapter
 School could no longer recognize a
chapter based off one individuals actions
 Individual
 Removal from organization
 Removal from institution
 Legal consequences
What employers are looking for
Employer
Exercise
How to manage your online presence

 Make sure everything you post is as clean as possible

 Edit before you post/send
 The "3 second rule"
 Picture are worth 1,000 words
By-law update

 By-Law XIX- Technology and Internet Groups

 Section 1. Brothers, Neophytes, and Associate Members that wish to create an internet posting that reflects the Theta-Eta Chapter
or Sigma Pi Fraternity International must first give a written notice to the Sage. The Sage will approve or deny the request, with the
advice of the Chapter Director.
 Section 2. Chapter email, Facebook, Twitter, Listserve, and any other accounts.
 The Executive Council members and the Chapter Director will stay moderators of the group.
 The Chapter will establish a Technology Chair who will help facilitate all technology groups.
 Nothing inappropriate may be posted on these groups.
 The Facebook group for the Active Chapter will be limited to active, dues paying members, the Chapter Director, and the Alumni
Board Chancellor.
 Alumni, Executive Board members, and Honorary Brothers, or Sweethearts of Sigma Pi Fraternity will only be allowed membership
to any other social media or internet groups that are not limited to Active or Potential members. To gain membership a Brother
must have been fully initiated Brothers approved membership by the Executive Council and Chapter Director.
How do your chapters utilize
social media?

 Create a designated social media/PR chair in your organization

 Have policies in place to make sure your pages represent your organization's values.
 PNMs will always look up your chapter online
 Hold your brothers/sisters accountable for their posts
 Have posts highlighting individual members on your chapter pages
How do your chapters utilize
social media? Continued.

 Advertise your philanthropy events

 Keep you alumni engaged. Have dedicated alumni groups
 Promote Greek unity
 Keep your pages up to date
 Create a social media contract for your chapter
Finishing Questions

 Do you personally have any questionable posts?

 Do any of your brothers or sisters have questionable posts?
 What are you doing to hold your member accountable?
 Does your organization have a national social media policy? Chapter?

 Any questions?
Contact Info

 William Crandall  TJ Peck

 wcrandall@email.wcu.edu  tpeck@email.wcu.edu
 Twitter: @WillCrandall  Instagram: tjpeck43
 Instagram: williamcrandall