Chapter Histories

What...I thought we were done with Chapter Histories for the semester? Chapter Histories for the Spring Semester were due on July 1st...if you haven't sent them in yet-send them on-better late than never!
I wanted to talk to you about collecting information about the Chapter History all year long. Many of your chapters are now doing online histories with programs such as Picaboo and Scrapblog. I think this is great-way to embrace technology and also to save your chapter some money. Plus, almost all pictures are digital these days anyways so it is easy to get the pictures to your computer!
Another way to help you document throughout the year is to start a Chapter History Blog...that is what the LA Alpha chapter has done. Check their blog out at http://louisianaalphachapterhistory.blogspot.com/ . This would be great project for your Fraternity Heritage Committee! An added perk to doing this is that it can be shared with alums and used as alum communication-it is always great to get two things accomplished at one time!
Remember, when writing a History Blog you should focus on the things going on in the chapter. You can look at the Chapter Historian's Guide on the Pi Phi website for an extensive list of what to include but basics would be:
Your chapter:highlight officers, pledge classes, NMs
Membership:recruitment, NM program
Chapter Scholarship: scholarship program, banquets
Fraternity Heritage: Founder's Day, Cookie Shines
Philanthropy:events you attend, events the chapter plans
Senior Programming
Values Programming
Important Visitors: LDCs, Regional Specialist visits
Campus Life: important people on campus, campus traditions like football for the fall
Chapter Brag Sheet: has your chapter received an award-tell us about it

You don't have to wait until after events happen either-tell about them before hand and you might even get some extra people to show up at your Founder's Day or Philanthropy Event!

Another blog to look at would be the MO Alpha Chapter Blog. I know they aren't in our region but this blog is another great one to look at!