^^ Active members can drop too.

It was more of a discussion thing for me, since I have had to deal with termination of membership before in many organizations, not just GLOs, and most of the time it has been handled fine. I am curious, however, as to what others do or say in such a situation. This was actually intended for "all lanes", so DrPhil's response was just as interesting as those of you who were addressing solely NPC's. It would be great to get some input from other orgs like professional/service frats... or social frats in general. Obviously I'm not an expert in how all your orgs are run; this is some great conversation and I'd love to keep it going.

In terms of giving back all letters, etc. I also find that a common courtesy. If you're not going to remain a member of my organization, then you have no right to wear my letters. It's like participating in the qualifying rounds for Miss America, deciding to drop out, and then continuing to wear your sash as if you were continuing. It's misleading and disrespectful to those who -are- continuing in the chapter.

The OP is talking about pledges AND initiated members. If a pledge wants to drop, I'd still ask those same questions from my first post in this thread, but probably not get as bent out of shape about it if they didn't want to be there. The point of pledgeship is (well, should be) a trial period to see if Greek life is for you or not.

The posts of mine and alumiyum's you quoted, we were referring to initiated members.

Well obviously money is a huge factor, but it's not the only factor. When you're trying to expand your numbers and members are dropping off, citing "Greek life isn't for me," it really doesn't matter how much money you've leeched off of them if you're a frat left with only 5 individuals.

Yea, I know. I thought those posts were referring to pledges/NMs.

Got it.

My chapter has only had one person resign membership in our history, but he had no qualms returning his paraphernalia and ritual. Most actives don't turn in letters -- they stop being financial. And, like DrPhil said, our goal is to get them to become active again.

Five members can still run a chapter ;)

But I understand where you're coming from.

Interesting, our actives who "stopped being financial" would eventually have been expelled from the chapter.

Yea, that's been my understanding.

Just as an FYI (not necessarily to you) -- members can stop being financial after graduating, as well. When I say our goal, I mean the national organization.

At the collegiate and alumnae/alumni/graduate levels. :D Don't I know it.

I also understand where she's coming from because small chapters aren't common in many GLOs; and they aren't common at many NPHC/LGLO/MCGLO/etc chapters. If you have a chapter that operates with 40+ members, it takes restructuring when you have fewer members.

At the same time, there are 50+ membered collegiate and alumnae/alumni/graduate chapters where only 10 people do the work. Different topic. Different thread. :)

Aye I thought about adding a line about alumnae but kept it to collegiates for the sake of the discussion.

Yep and alumnae are mostly what my very first post about Reclamation was in reference to. Alumnae Sorors have different reasons for being nonfinancial/inactive. For those who don't wish to disaffiliate altogether, our goal is to reach them and bring them back.***

Reclamation works differently for collegiate Sorors who are nonfinancial or inactive because I think collegiate inactivity BY CHOICE may be less common and the reasons for inactivity tend to be different than for alumnae.

***Such efforts can also be extended to Sorors who are financial but don't participate in anything; and Sorors who are Members-at-Large but not affiliated with a chapter.

Not entirely related, but it fits under reaching out...I've noticed that when the NPHC chapters hold events on campus usually their brothers/sisters from other chapters in the area come to support and/or participate. At least on our campus there's not so much of that with the NPC/IFC chapters. And I wish there was. It says a lot about being loyal to both your chapter AND your national/international organization.

Interesting thread. I have some questions. If someone wants to disaffiliate and HQ says no, what happens if they still refuse to pay dues? I mean seriously, can that really be enforced? Why not just take them off the rolls?

Many organizations have you sign a document stating that you are aware the organization will use debt collectors if necessary for money owed.

Well, I don't know how much the dues are, but it seems it would cost more to go into debt collection.

Debt collectors usually work for a percentage of the debt owed. Or will buy the debt for a percentage, either way. It's not really the ideal way out.