PR Writing

Project Introduction

At the beginning of this course, each student chose an organization that we would be working with for the rest of the semester. I chose Gamma Sigma Sigma, UGA’s service sorority, where I was a member. I corresponded with the President of GSS and worked on a comprehensive media guide throughout the semester for the organization. These included a situation statement and multiple deliverables such as a fact sheet, a biography, a media list, a press release, a pitch and a blog.

The skills I learned throughout this course are vital to being successful in the communications field, and I truly feel that I am a better writer than I was prior to taking the class. I also learned how to work with a client and properly present a pitch, which are skills that will help me in the future.

Situation Statement Client overview

• National service sorority
• Founded in Oct. 1952 by eight college representatives at a constitutional convention at Beekman Towers in New York City

Symbols and motto 

• Garnets and pearls 
• White rose 
• Shepard’s hook and Omicron
• Maroon and white
• “Unity in Service”
• 53 active collegiate chapters and 18 active alumni chapters in the U.S.

Service Partners

• Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes & National Coalition of Homeless Veterans

Requirements to be a sister

• Sisters must attend ⅔ rush days, induction, initiation and weekly chapters 
• Sisters must pay dues: $250 initially and $90 each subsequent semester
• Each active sister must complete 20 hours of service per semester
  

UGA Chapter

• Established at UGA on March 20, 1958
• Chi Chapter (Southeast)
• Current President: Logan Norris
• Approximately 200 active sisters

Statistics for the 2018-2019 school year 

• 10,598.56 hours completed by UGA sisters
• $21,061.70 raised by UGA sisters
  

Target Audience:

• College-aged women at the University of GeorgiaThis demographic is who GSS is trying to recruitDespite inclusivity, GSS has always been all-girls

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths

• Non-exclusivity 
• Price Requirements are less intense
  

Weaknesses 

• Lack of awareness
• People assume it’s just service and not social events as well
• Doesn’t advertise for events
• Assume sisters will tell enough people to attend

Opportunities 

• Men and people of other genders
• Tabeling and more PR for events 
• Connecting with people in other service organizations who might be interested in joining GSS
• Partnering with those organizations for events and fundraisers

Threats

• Panhellenic sororities
• GSS is thought of as a “lesser” option

Key Messages:

• Gamma Sigma Sigma values unity, leadership, diversity, partnership & compassion
• Members have a commitment to service and have greatly impacted Athens and its surrounding areas
• GSS offers sisterhood and community

Mission Statements: 

“Gamma Sigma Sigma commits to creating and engaging in opportunities to serve on campuses and in the community to address local, national, and global needs.” Source

“…to assemble college and university students in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendship among students of all races and creeds.”

Fact Sheet:

Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at UGA Fact Sheet

HISTORY 

In 1952, representatives from eight colleges and universities met for a Constitutional Convention at Beekman Tower in New York City with the goal of establishing a nationally based service organization. During this meeting, Gamma Sigma Sigma, a nonselective service sorority, was born. 

SYMBOLS ASSOCIATED WITH GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA

• Colors: Maroon and White
• Symbols: Shepherd’s Crook and Omicron 
• Flower: White Rose
• Jewels: Garnets and Pearls 

MISSION STATEMENT AND VALUES

Gamma Sigma Sigma follows the motto “unity in service,” and is founded on three pillars: service, friendship and equality. Gamma Sigma Sigma values diversity and encourages the forging of friendships through a shared goal of serving humanity. The Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at UGA hopes to impact the University of Georgia’s campus and communities nationwide. The Chi Chapter at UGA has its own member-selected motto: “sisters in service.” 

WHAT SETS GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA APART

Gamma Sigma Sigma is one of the few sororities on college campuses nationwide that is not Panhellenic and is nonexclusive. Gamma Sigma Sigma’s dues are less costly than those for Panhellenic sororities, with the Fall 2019 Semester dues being $90. Unlike Panhellenic sororities, each sister in Gamma Sigma Sigma must complete twenty hours of community service each semester; however, members also enjoy all of the perks of Panhellenic sororities, such as semi-formals, formals and other social events. Standing service includes volunteering at organizations such as the Athens Humane Society and the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, but members can petition hours from other volunteer opportunities they participate in.  

NATIONAL CHAPTERS

Gamma Sigma Sigma has 53 active collegiate chapters and 18 active alumni chapters. 

ACTIVE MEMBERS IN THE GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA CHI CHAPTER AT UGA

• Approximately 200 

SERVICE PARTNERS

• Alex’s Lemonade Stand, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society & the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Website: www.gammasigmasigmauga.com
• Facebook: Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at UGA

• CONTACT FOR THE MEDIA:

• PR Coordinator: Maggie Dunn PR.gammasig@gmail.com

HEADQUARTERS

• PO Box 248 Rindge, New Hampshire USA

GAMMA SIGMA SIGMA CHI CHAPTER AT UGA LEADERSHIP  

• President: Logan Norris
• Service VP: Lindsay Huizer 
• Service Co-Chair: Estefania Ramirez
• Membership VP: Grace Gilbert
• Membership Co-Chair: Emma Roberts 
• Social Chair 1: Lexi Long
• Social Chair 2: Rileigh McDonough 
• PR Coordinator: Maggie Dunn Recording
• Secretary: Sydney Hutto
• Corresponding Secretary: Abby Palazzo
• Treasurer: Maelyn Ehrman
• Financial Secretary: Megan O’Reilly 
• Alumni Liaison: Kathryn Buchanan 
• National Representative: Lauren Tang
• Parliamentarian: Jessica Wenclawiak
• T-Shirt Chair: Lily Guthrie
• Sustainability Coordinator 1: Nishka Malik
• Sustainability Coordinator 2: Sami Snider
• District Director: Meredith Gray
• Chapter Advisor: Emily Clary

Last Updated 8/28/19

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Biography:

Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at the University of Georgia

Logan Norris serves as the president of the Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at the University of Georgia. As president, Norris assures that the executive board functions as effectively as possible and helps maintain positive relationships within the sorority. In her presidential campaign, Norris said that she aims to be “professional, approachable, and accommodating” in everything she does. Her goal as president is to create a safe-space that fosters open communication and bonding opportunities so that Gamma Sigma Sigma can be a unified collaborative chapter. 

Norris began her leadership in Gamma Sigma Sigma when she served as service vice president for the 2017-2018 school year after deciding to rush as a sophomore. Norris officially became part of GSS after her initiation in November of 2017. Her favorite service activities include volunteering to be a reading buddy at Barrow Elementary School, working at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and volunteering at a local speech therapy clinic. Norris currently works at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes and The Speech Key Inc. 

Norris is a 4th-year communication sciences and disorders major and human development and family sciences minor. She left Mountain View High School in her hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia, to begin her journey at the University of Georgia in the fall of 2016. 

When she is not doing service, Norris enjoys watching “Game of Thrones,” listening to “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships” by The 1975 and going to concerts. Some of Norris’s passions include disability advocacy, social justice and working with kids. She loves changing her hair, baking, singing and doing hand lettering/calligraphy in her free time. 

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Last Updated 9/4/19​​​​​​​

Media List:

Gamma Sigma Sigma

Media List 

CHANNEL: The Red & Black 

CONTACT: Collin Huguley 

TITLE: Editor in Chief

EMAIL: editor@randb.com 

PHONE: General number for The Red & Black: 706-433-3000

SOCIAL:  Facebook 

NOTES: The Red & Black is the largest college newspaper in Georgia and distributes print papers both on and off campus. The Red & Black also uploads published articles onto its website. I think The Red & Black would be a good contact to reach out to because it has written about Gamma Sigma Sigma in the past. An article by Taylor West from 2013 explains how Gamma Sigma Sigma stands out among other sororities and fraternities because it focuses on service. According to The Red & Black’s website, it distributes “10,000 copies of the print edition both on and off campus, reaching nearly 45,000 students, faculty and staff.” This means that many students will receive information about Gamma Sigma Sigma’s mission and its rush dates if they were addressed in this paper. 

CHANNEL: Flagpole

CONTACT: Pete McCommons

TITLE: Editor & Publisher

EMAIL: 706-549-9523

PHONE: pete@flagpole.com

SOCIAL: Facebook

NOTES: Flagpole Magazine is a locally owned online and print newspaper that reports on activities, events and news in Athens, Georgia. Flagpole distributes its free print edition at more than 300 hundred locations in Athens, including on UGA’s campus. On Flagpole’s website, it describes the magazine as “a common point of reference for townie kids and city fathers, UGA students and their professors, waitstaff and their customers, movers and shakers and the moved and shaken.” This means it’s a great place to spread information about Gamma Sigma Sigma’s special events and rush dates and give general information about the organization because many UGA students and Athens residents will be read this paper.   

CHANNEL: WUOG 95.5 FM

CONTACT: Claire Torak

TITLE: General Manager

EMAIL: gm@wuog.org

SOCIAL: Twitter, Facebook

NOTES: WUOG 95.5 FM is a noncommercial college radio station at the University of Georgia that is operated by students. I think WUOG would be a great way to publicize Gamma Sigma Sigma’s events and recruit new members because its audience is mostly students who attend UGA. It’s also important to have media outlets that aren’t just written because many students prefer to get their news through other means like the radio or social media. WUOG would appeal to a different segment of Gamma Sigma Sigma’s target audience that isn’t reached by newspapers. 

CHANNEL: Stall Street Journal 

CONTACT: Diane Trap 

EMAIL: dtrap@uga.edu

PHONE: General number for the UGA Libraries: 706.542.3251

NOTES: The Stall Street Journal is a flyer that is created by the UGA Libraries and posted in bathroom stalls in the MLC, the Main Library and the Science building on UGA’s campus. I think reaching out to Diane Trap would be a good idea because the Stall Street Journal’s target audience is students. Since the flyer is posted in bathrooms where many people filter through every day, it will get a lot of impressions. This means that even if a student doesn’t seek out news by reading the paper, they will still see it. If the Stall Street Journal includes information about Gamma Sigma Sigma in its publications, students will become more aware of its mission and events, and learn how to become involved.

CHANNEL: Athens Banner-Herald (OnlineAthens) 

CONTACT: Kevin Clark

TITLE: General Manager

EMAIL: kclark@onlineathens.com

PHONE: (706) 208-2280SOCIAL: Twitter

NOTES: The Athens Banner-Herald is a local newspaper targeted towards residents of  Athens-Clarke County and its surrounding areas. This newspaper features many articles about UGA, and even has a whole tab dedicated to news about UGA. Many of the articles about UGA talk about organizations, their missions and what they’ve done for the community, so writing about a service sorority seems like something they might be interested in. 

Press release:

Rushing to Rush: The Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at UGA Kicks off Fall 2019 Recruitment

ATHENS, Ga.– This week, the Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at the University of Georgia begins its annual rush event that lasts from Sept. 18-20. Gamma Sigma Sigma is one of few sororities on UGA’s campus that is non-exclusive, meaning anyone who completes the rush process is welcome to join. The national service sorority starts its rush process more than one month after Panhellenic rush and aims to educate new pledges about GSS and introduce them to current sisters. 

“Our rush event is an opportunity for sisters and the leadership board to advocate for Gamma Sigma Sigma and show pledges how the spirit of service can unite us,” said Logan Norris, the president of GSS at UGA. “The prospect of expanding our Gamma Sig family is something we look forward to every fall.”  

On Sept. 18, Gamma Sigma Sigma sisters and recruits will meet in Tate Theatre at 7 p.m. for an informational session about the history of the organization and its values. From this meeting, pledges can decide if Gamma Sig is the right fit for them. Leading the event will be membership vice president Grace Gilbert and membership co-chair Emma Roberts. 

The learning process will continue on the second day when sisters and recruits will gather in Memorial Hall at 7 p.m. to begin their involvement in community service at rotating workstations. Pledges will be able to bond with others by working side-by-side with them during these service activities. The final day, Sept. 20, is Wee-Oop Day, which stands for “we opt out” of Panhellenic customs. This is Gamma Sig’s version of bid day. Wee-Oop Day features a different theme each year, this year’s being “music festival,” and consists of eating food and playing games on Herty Field. Each recruit will be paired with a sister who will provide guidance and answer any questions the recruit might have.  

For more information about Gamma Sigma Sigma’s fall 2019 rush event, please visit www.gammasigmasigmauga.com or email gssuga@gmail.com. 

About Gamma Sigma Sigma: Gamma Sigma Sigma is a national service sorority founded by a group of eight college representatives during a Constitutional Convention on Oct. 12, 1952, at Beekman Towers in New York City. For the past 60 years, Gamma Sigma Sigma has worked hard to embody its motto, “unity in service,” by instilling in its members a commitment to helping others and improving their leadership skills.

GSS’s mission is to provide members with service opportunities both on campuses and in local communities nationwide. Gamma Sigma Sigma values unity, leadership and partnerships with its local and national service partners. It also promotes diversity and compassion among its members who have contributed millions of hours to service projects throughout its history. 

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Pitch: 

Rational: I think that this story is a good fit for the reporter because Kiley Roache is a sorority member at Stanford and columnist for The New York Times’ section “on campus.” The majority of the readers of this column are parents and students, which is the audience that GSS wants to reach. Roache is also the author of a book called, “Frat Girl” about a young woman who joins a fraternity. Roache recently wrote an article in 2018 for The New York Times called “The Future of Frats” that discusses the lack of diversity in Greek life and the issues of hazing. Gamma Sigma Sigma answers the call to many issues that Roache says should be fixed, such as having a nonexclusive rush process and various anti-hazing laws. 

To : Kiley Roache

Cc: Logan Norris

Subject: A beacon of inclusivity within Greek life on college campuses

From: Kaila Marcus

Hi Kiley:

I recently read your article “The Future of Frats” on The New York Time’s website and found your analysis of the inclusivity and hazing within Greek life compelling. I particularly enjoyed your inquiry into the lack of diversity of members in sororities and fraternities. 

The Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at the University of Georgia is a nonexclusive service sorority, meaning that anyone who rushes will be accepted. I think that this organization addresses many of the issues you bring up about Greek life in your article. GSS’s policies mean that it is more diverse than many Panhellenic sororities and fraternities and is open to all including people of all genders. In addition, GSS has very strict rules in place regarding hazing, and even has an anti-hazing hotline as a resource for members. Gamma Sig also stands by its values, focusing on the betterment of the community and the cultivation of friendship among its members. I think your readers will find it fascinating to learn about this organization since Gamma Sigma Sigma stands apart from typical fraternities and sororities. 

If you’re interested in covering a story about GSS, I can provide you with an interview with Gamma Sig at UGA’s president, Logan Norris, high resolution images from events and any other resources you may need. I will call you on Thursday to follow-up on this email. 

Thanks,

Kaila Marcus

On behalf of the Gamma Sigma Sigma Chi Chapter at UGA

516-668-0001

Twitter: @kailazoe

kzm00428@uga.edu

Blog:

Five Great Ways to Serve the Athens Community
10/16/19

Athens, Georgia is more than just a college town. Nicknamed “Live Music Central,” Athens is a place with an eclectic subculture, but more importantly, its downtown apartments and quaint suburbs are a place that many people call home. For those who want to give back to this unique city there are tons of great opportunities to lend a hand. Here are some local businesses and organizations in Athens that are looking for service volunteers. 

Athens Area Humane Society

The Athens Area Humane Society is a private nonprofit organization and one of the few no-kill shelters in Athens. It describes itself as “a group of animal welfare activists.” For the past 25 years, the Humane Society has been helping decrease euthanasia rates by rescuing more than 5,000 animals each year, including feral cats.

Its programs for adoption and pet retention as well as its spay and neuter clinics have had a great impact on the Athens area. The Humane Society finds homes for approximately 1,000 animals in Georgia and other regions annually and spays and neuters over 4,000 animals each year. In addition, the Humane Society vaccinates over 1,500 animals annually and strives to educate the public about issues concerning animal welfare and pet owner responsibility. 

Because the Humane Society does not receive any government funding or funding from any national humane organizations, it relies heavily on volunteers who help expand its impact. A popular volunteer role at the Humane Society is helping socialize the cats and dogs by playing with them, walking them and brushing them. Volunteers can also help in the spay and neuter clinic by wrapping surgical packs, sanitizing surgical equipment, unfolding newspapers and doing laundry. General shelter volunteers can help with needs such as answering phones, cleaning cages and doing dishes.

To sign up to volunteer at the Athens Area Humane Society visit here. 
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West Broad Farmers Market and Garden

The West Broad Market Garden was created by the Athens Land Trust in 2012 at the vacant West Broad School, which has stood as an important cultural symbol of the historic African American neighborhood located there for almost 150 years. Through the creation of the farmer’s market garden, the Athens Land Trust aimed to empower the community and carry on the agricultural legacy of the West Broad School’s principal who set up garden plots for students to grow their own food and taught cooking and nutrition courses for adults in the early 1900s. Today, the garden is a Certified Naturally Grown agricultural site and practices sustainable farming. 

In May 2013, the West Broad Farmers Market opened in the West Broad School’s courtyard to provide Athens residents with access to locally grown food that is affordable and healthy. The market also aims to provide locals with opportunities to sell their agriculture-based products. 

The Athens Land Trust describes the Farmers Market as “a community-driven, education-oriented, weekly farmers market that supports local economic development & community wellness. Volunteers can expect to learn about farming, engage with your community, and meet other folks who share your passions!” 

According to the West Broad Farmers Market’s website, from May 4 through Dec. 14 there will be volunteer opportunities every Saturday. Volunteers can assist with set-up and breakdown, staffing the welcome booth, supervising kids activities and helping with educational programming.

Volunteers can also assist with gardening at the West Broad Garden by completing tasks such as planting, weeding and harvesting.

Sign up to volunteer by clicking on a shift on this calendar. Send any questions to volunteer@athenslandtrust.org. 

Books for Keeps 

Books for Keeps is a program whose mission is to give books to children in low-income families who might not have access to them at home. BFK has given more than 500,000 books to children in pre-K through 12th grade since 2009. Each May, BFK gives away all the books they’ve collected, inspected and sorted for the past eleven months. The books that BFK are unable to use are sold at its annual “BFK Book Sale” each August.

One of BFK’s main programs seeks to end “summer slide,” or the learning loss suffered by many children during the vacation months. Those without access to books over the summer, such as children from low-income families, are disproportionately affected by this loss, and by middle school, they may be up to three grade-levels behind their peers. According to research, this gap can have a negative impact on their chances of graduating from high school.

Books for Keeps prevents this gap by providing students with high-quality, exciting books. “It’s a strategy proven to have a similar impact to attending summer school, but at a fraction of the cost,” according to the Books for Keeps website.

BFK is searching for volunteers to help pick up books, which requires the ability to lift heavy boxes. It is also looking for people to assist with the BFK Book Sale, distribution and sorting books in its warehouse. Sign up for volunteer opportunities by visiting BFK’s GivePulse dashboard. If you have a special skill that you’d like to lend Books for Keeps, such as bookkeeping, accounting, grant-writing or marketing, email Program Manager Justin Bray at Justin@booksforkeeps.org. 

Project Safe 

Project Safe is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in Athens, Georgia. Project Safe says that its mission is to “end domestic violence through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their children, and advocacy/ systems change work in our community.” 

Project safe has expanded tremendously since its start as a network of safehouses and now has both short-term and long-term services ranging from hotline crisis counseling to support through its Follow Up and Rapid Re-Housing programs. Project Safe also educates the public through presentations on domestic violence and local resources and training sessions on dynamics, lethality factors and safety planning. Project Safe also has a thrift store where all of its clients can shop free of charge, and the proceeds directly fund its services. 

“Volunteers make it possible for Project Safe to provide victims and survivors of domestic violence with more extensive services than our small staff could provide alone, and volunteers bring energy, enthusiasm, diversity, and new skills to our team,” says Project Safe.  

Project Safe has many volunteer positions available, ranging from tutors for adults and children, children and teen mentors and thrift store workers. Volunteers in direct service positions are required to take a background test and complete formal domestic violence training through sessions that are scheduled on a needs basis. 

Volunteers can check this regularly updated list for position openings. Click here to download a Project Safe Volunteer Application. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 

Founded in 1992, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is a 501(c)3 that began with the goal of ending hunger in 14 counties. For more than 25 years, it has served these 14 counties by distributing more than 11 million pounds of food to their service areas each year with the help of more than 225 partner organizations. 

According to the Food Bank’s website, after it gathers donated items and purchased food surplus, the food is processed, stored, and distributed back to people in need. The Food Bank distributes food to families through local, regional and national product partners such as smaller nonprofits and other human-service agencies. Mobile pantry events and community programs such as childhood and senior hunger programs are just some of the ways people in the community receive food. 

People can assist with the packaging and sorting process by signing up to volunteer. According to the Food Bank’s website, volunteer opportunities are broken into two categories, walk-in hours and call-in hours: 

Walk-in hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m. -4 p.m. Call-in hours: Monday and Friday 9:30am-noon and 1pm-4pm.

To reach the volunteer department or schedule a time email: Volunteers@foodbanknega.org or call us during regular business hours.