Speaking of Convention
 

The XB is rolling out the new Life Loyal AOII program at convention. However, I got a letter today explaining about it and I think that I might join it. Has anyone else gotten a letter yet and are you thinking about joining?

A little background, AOII used to have an option of paying a one-time fee for lifetime international dues. IIRC, it was done away with in the 70s. This new program, similar to other groups, is tweeked somewhat. This new one-time fee covers the international operating fee and To Dragma subscription for life. Beginning in Fall 2007, only collegians, Life Loyals, AC members and subsciption holders will recieve 4 issues of To Dragma. Life Loyal members will also receive discounts from partnered vendors for services or products including the Emporium.

I got mine today and have it ready to mail back. I think it's a brilliant idea and hope it's very successful for AOII.

I hope I get one! I think that is a great idea. I never understood why we didn't have dues to IHQ!

Hope to get my letter soon, too.

i've already emailed kathy and told her to count me in. the life loyal will be awesome for AOII.

tasha

Re: Speaking of Convention
 

Wait a minute here....I was told when I was initiated years ago that my To Dragma fee was for a life subscription. Was I told incorrect information? In a certain respect, it seems rather unfair. Not saying I won't join, but I think it's not cool if that is what they are going to do.

Re: Re: Speaking of Convention
 

If only those fees WOULD cover the costs associated with the publishing of To Dragma, etc for your entire life. Unfortunately those costs keep going up and basically the fees paid by collegians are going towards more and more of hte opperating expenses than programming. If EVERY AOII Alumna were active, paying dues either to an alumnae chapter OR through the AOII Always, Rose Member or other such program then there would not HAVE to be a change because those fees would help cover everyday operating expenses of our Fraternity. I'm surprised the change hadn't been made sooner!

I got my letter today and turned around and sent back the form. Without an alumnae chapter in my area (YET!), this is my way of supporting the fraternity - and there is going to be a discount at the Emporium!!! LOL Now, to talk Shelley into having something I can wear while I'm in Germany (Bandana, etc - since I'll be wearing the same 4 t-shirts the entire 2 weeks or so I'm there volunteering!).

Sarah

Re: Re: Re: Speaking of Convention
 

I'm thrilled to have an alum chapter nearby again, but I'll still support Life Loyal now. Yes, I love getting To Dragma in the mail. Yes, I also know that I was told that I'd get it for life with my initiation fees, but costs have gone way up. Sometimes, AOII has to make some hard decisions for our continued success. I'm guessing that this was one of those times, Honestly, when it comes to To Dragma, it's a big change for us but it's not like everyone who isn't an active, dues paying alum chapter member, or Life Loyal will never get or be able to read To Dragma again. It'll probably be on the website, just not in the mailbox.

If this change can get more alumnae back and actively involved with AOII in some capacity on the local level I'd be thrilled. No, not everyone has an alum chapter nearby and Life Loyal is a way for those alums to stay involved.

Discounts are nice, but until we get a few items to fit us full figured alums I probably won't be too concerned that way. (Sarah, get the flip flops and a ball cap for Germany!) I just see the new program as a way to put my money where my mouth is :) What better way to support AOII than to contribute toward our future? Life Loyal lets us do that and more.

Re: Re: Speaking of Convention
 

I understand costs have gone up, and know that this is necessary, but I have to agree with AOII_LB93 - this is also my gut reaction. My husband's fraternity did the same thing earlier this year. Unfortunately, he decided that paying the money really wasn't that worth it to him (they don't have strong alumni programs for people who move, the alumni chapters are specific to the collegiate chapter).

By the way, for those of us who haven't gotten the letter yet can you tell us how much it is to join?

I think this is a great idea. Knowing how much it costs for printed material these days and how much in my lifetime postal costs have gone up, I'm willing to pay to have To Dragma sent to me.

I know we've received numerous feedback on whether we'd read it online or if we should simply do away with it altogether. I'm happy that we have this alternative to keep the printed magazine available not only for those of us that wish to have it in our hot little hands but also for those women who aren't online or who have trouble reading long articles online.

There is a great thread on Ask the XB on My Community on this very subject. Check it out!

Re: Re: Re: Speaking of Convention
 

It costs $299. You have the option of paying it out right by check or credit card or installments by credit card. I figured that it would definitely save me in international operating fees (IOF) over the years. If you belong to an AC, you still have to pay AC dues and some international fees but the money that you pay will decrease over time. Instead of me paying $50 to my AC for all fees, I will now only pay $34 (fees minus IOF). If the IOF goes up again in 5 years but all the other fees remain the same, I still pay only $34 while non-Life Loyals may pay $56. Make sense?

I was thrown when I first heard about the To Dragma subscriptions but as has been pointed out, a lot of other groups do charge for their magazines. One group has it free only for collegiate members. Another offers you a choice on the number of issues that you would like to receive. Another group went from 4 issues per year to 2.

My cousin is a Tri Delta and they have this same type of program. If you go to the Tri Delta web site, you can read all about what they offer.

Hi Everyone:

Look for me at Rituals during Convention! I won't say on here what I'll be doing but just look! FUN TIMES! I'm getting excited! I'm going home this weekend to the big New Orleans to go shopping for some new outfits for convention!

:)
-KKM

CONGRATS! Although I'm afraid I'm a wee bit jealous :)

Hugs and Roses--of course!!!

Congratulations!

My dad called today to sign me up for one of the tours and guess what they cancelled it be/c I was the only one who would have signed up for it and they need 12 people. Most of the other tours are still going but the one I wanted to do was going to Mary Mac's Tea House; I went to their website and it looked so fun! Anyway, if this tropical storm gets worse I won't be able to go home to the MS Gulf Coast to go shopping either for new convention clothes.