Report Of The Public Relations/IT Committee

Report of the Public Relations/IT Committee Gamma Pi Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. August 2, 2014

Committee Members: Brett Blake; Charles Casteel, Jr.; Donald Cook; Lawrence Dukes; Clinton Green; Wesley Jarmon; Ken Jones; Roland Jones; Anthony Kelly; Reggie Pickett; Courtland Smith; Teddy Taylor; Steve Walls; Marcus Whitfield; Dr. Al Williams, DDS; James Alexander, Jr., Chairman

Meeting Date: 2nd Thursday every month @ 8 p.m. via teleconference/in-person

The Public Relations Committee appreciates the support of the entire chapter during the 2013-14 Fraternity year. Not since we created a new Gamma Pi website have we undertaken such a series of important communications projects for the chapter.

We successfully and enthusiastically integrated 4 new tools into the chapter’s communications arsenal in the current Fraternity year:

 Mobile app (Gamma Pi Mobile) – has been very successful and now has more than 1100 installations on both iPhones and Android along with the Amazon Kindle. This has surpassed our expectations and is going to be a very critical communications tool for the chapter going forward. May want to try it with some specific Gamma Pi programs.

 Flipboard Digital Magazine – has been a successful endeavor and it gives Gamma Pi a new dimension that combines print and online and allows us to draw from all our digital information sources. Will be promoting more heavily going forward. We have posted 3 versions of the magazine and it is being updated regularly, with a new cover coming highlighting Bro. Rodgers’ election to GKRS. Will be positioned more up front on the Gamma Pi website and in other Gamma Pi venues to generate more interest and electronic sharing. www.tinyurl.com/gammapifocus

 “5 Minutes with Gamma Pi” (video series) – We have initiated this with the first prototype video completed and it is being prepared for release/posting. But we see the end to extend this project into the coming year and elevate the priority. The prototype highlights the chapter’s community work with our seniors, via the June Seniors Banquet. Expect to have several posted by the time the new Fraternity Year starts, including some for a category that the committee recommended for highlighting Brothers in business.

 Instagram account – We added this platform to our social media tools and it has even very popular. More than 700 followers representing an additional point for Gamma Pi patrons to stay connected with the chapter. Also a great place to promote upcoming events and highlight current projects, initiatives and events.

2015 Fraternity Year Goals:

 “5 Minutes with Gamma Pi” (video series) – Developing and promoting this project will be our primary goal for 2015. We want to create a collection of these short TV show interview style videos about our community service work and about who the Brothers of Gamma Pi are. We want to have a strong collection of digital videos of people praising Gamma Pi and its work. To this end, we are asking each committee to give us 2 external people from their work that we can track down and get on video this year in conjunction with committee projects. For example, Project ENRICH is providing a parent and a student. The Scholarship Committee could offer two recent scholars who have gone on to college with Gamma Pi support. Bro. Courtland Smith will lead this effort. www.tinyurl.com/gammapivideo

 Maximize Our Relationship with CTV/”Food for the Soul”. This project marries with our “5 Minutes” effort to make this upcoming year the Year of the Video: Making Gamma Pi Seen and Heard. Bro. Basileus Brian Long was interviewed on the program in June and it was broadcast throughout the community in July. Bro. Clinton Green, who works at the station, has brokered a dialogue where the chapter and the station will be meeting to discuss collaborative programming going forward, possibly a periodic show for Gamma Pi. That interview was the first step.

 Marketing Package/Initiative. Last year the committee assembled a “dummy” marketing package that is updated with Gamma Pi’s priorities and activities. Bro Charles Casteel developed led this effort and will do so going forward. Package is business-focused to possibly solicit sponsorships for some of our activities and programs according to a “Gold/Silver/Platinum” concept. Since we are not set up as a 501 ( c ) 3 and cannot provide tax write-offs, we can offer exposure. For example, Staples can be a Gold sponsor of one month of Project ENRICH or maybe “IHop” can be a Silver sponsor of Mardi Gras (come eat with us after the party). The packet is geared to the business community and explains and promotes Gamma Pi. Would

2 develop a digital version as well as a media version that is more “promotional and informative.”