The Rainbow Submission Guidelines

Alumni and undergraduates can now make submissions to the Rainbow Editor via the website. The report must be submitted by December 1st to be included in the March issue or May 1st to be included in the September issue.

Simple Guidelines for Submission Preparation

1. The Rainbow magazine is printed four times a year. Chapter news is printed in the March and September issues. When writing your report, please remember that the information will actually not appear for at least two months so write about future things as if they had already happened.
2. As you write your chapter report, think about an outsider reading the final piece. You know exactly what you are writing about; but to someone who is not in your chapter, a program or community service effort may sound foreign. Some programs need a brief explanation as that same programs may not be available in another state. You may want to have a non-Delt read your final report to check for comprehension before submitting. The goal is to make the chapter reports less redundant (each chapter discussing the same things each issue) and more informative (information from which other chapters can benefit).
3. If you are submitting your report electronically, it is important that you still forward three pictures to the Central Office for inclusion in the September issue. Make sure each is labeled with the school, chapter and brief description of photo.
4. If the Rainbow reports are not submitted using the website form, they must be typed and preferably emailed to Chris Martz . Faxed transmissions of handwritten reports are impossible to read and will not be included!
5. Check your copy for accuracy and clarity. Sign your name and give your title and year.
6. Date a copy of what you submit and file it. Pass this on to your successor.
7. Examine previous issues to get the feel of your job.
8. Names must be accurate, spelled correctly and indicate the member's class. Use proper names in first mention of members.
9. Space does not permit listing of new members or new initiates, but you can mention outstanding athletes, scholars, and those who have Delt relatives. Mention special or VIP guests only, if applicable to story.
10. Photos - Plan them: Undeveloped film and negatives cannot be used. Slides and color and black-and-white photos are acceptable if they are sharp and clear. Most color photos will be printed as black-and-white, but an exceptionally good photo could be used in the color section. Avoid using paper clips on face of photos, and be careful NOT TO write on the back.
11. The magazine goes into homes, to many college officials, libraries, offices of Delta Tau Delta, to other fraternities and sororities. It must be representative of Delta Tau Delta. No distasteful chapter reports, photos or photos portraying drinking will be printed.
12. Be cautious about writing "We're tops (or first, etc.) on campus" unless you can back it up by showing you are first or second in scholarship, intramurals, recruitment, size of chapter, or campus activities.
13. We like to run photos of coeds, including beauty or popularity queens, if there is a direct Delt tie-in, such as chapter-elected sweetheart or a campus queen sponsored by Delta Tau Delta.
14. Social programs and intramurals have a proper place in your report, but they should be kept in proper perspective and not dominate your story.
15. Remember that your report is for alumni of all ages, not to chapter members. Write with that objective in mind.