How much is too much?
 

While attending a rush this past weekend, the Sorors mentioned how much one would have to pay. I was :eek:ed.

My question is...

Is there a limit on how much you are willing spend to become a member of an organization? Would you ever say..."man, I want it, but not THAT bad?" From some of the prices I've seen...whoah! :eek:

Honestly, no. I've been a sisterfriend for far too long to be deterred by a dollar amount. Plus, I've been saving up for as long as I've been interested.

Yes, there is a limit
 

One of my friends was selected for membership last fall, unfortunately, she had to say "no" because she found out some of the financial assitance she was counting on for that semester fell through and she had to pay in order to stay in school. In cases like this, where it's basically, "I either pay to go to school, or pay to be a member," I think you have to make a decision. I personally think that if you are going to be in debt, don't do it...it may be a sign that it's not your time right now.

I had this convo the other day with sorors. I too was astonished at the recent amount someone interetested in this chater would have to pay. However if you are serious there is no way you would get selected and not have the money. I have NEVER heard of that happening.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Anything over .....
 

I really can't believe how much these people are paying. I brought this issue up in another forum a couple of weeks ago -- I had a friend that wanted to become XYZ (grad). He told me the cost was $2500....I just looked at him. I was like, you must be kidding!

Undergrad as well as grad is rather 'pricey' these days -- to me! But I guess that's not for me to examine....since I'm already 'in'. Like I always say to my friends/parents/sibling when we are shopping for stuff and someone says that they 'want something'... but yet, they choose the item that is less expensive, 'If I can afford it, I'd get what I want. Price is no deterrant'. All this to say prospects...if you want something bad and you are able to pay for it, why not!

(sidebar...anything over $200 would be too expensive for me -- Smile, AKA2d!:D .....Just kidding). I know...inflation....

Good luck ladies!;)

Re: How much is too much?
 

Once again, I think it comes down to sacrifice, and if you really want it. I used to feel that way, but I figured, If I can spend alot of money, buying clothes, and extra things I buy on whim, that could go towards me paying for membership in the org that I want to join. So I started a savings specifically for that, Because to me that just showed how much I was willing to sacrafice, to save the money, rather than just saying, shoooooooooot that's too much for me, that's okay i'll join, when it's cheaper. I've always been the person, to buy what I WANT. I may not get it when I WANT IT, But I will get it.

Now see, THAT is too much!!!
 

I couldn't see this. At least not right now.

Too Much?
 

Well, Imperial...He was actually willing to pay such. But as I started thinking about it...If it is something he really wants...why not. Its just like with affluent people....'us' poor folk think it may be too much to have a 20 bed-room mansion, 50 cars and etc. But if the person 'wants' such and can afford it.... why not.


Too much is relative....

I guess to each his/her own. You have to prioritze and make sure you will be able to handle your finances after your intake.

My membership dues were quite costly(even for Grad.),but we were told the break down of our money. This included such things as dues paid for x amount of years, x amount of chapter functions and assessements paid for in advance etc. etc.etc. I don't think that is a bad ideal for I don't have to worry about how I am going to come up with certain monies for x amount of years.(I also feel that this helps to keep sorors active with that chapter for that's where their money is)

Now if said monies due can't be justified then there is a problem. But one must let their heart and mind be their guide. Only you know what you can handle.;)

Re: Anything over .....
 

Smiling...;)
Inflation my...:rolleyes:
Girl, whoooooo? OVER $200 gurrrrrllllll puhleeze :eek: double, triple, quadruple :eek:

LMAO!

When I was on line, our big sisters used to tell us that the SORORITY is a luxury, and if you can't afford it, then we needed to make that determination before we became members.

Joining the sorority is not a neccesity, one can always do community service without it, make lifelong friends without, be involved in college life without it, etc. The gentlemen whose chapter costs were $2,500 were trying to make a point, if someone said they were a member of that chapter, the correct assumption would be 1) he's got bank! 2) those guys do alot of things in the community 3) he's got bank!

That being said, chapter membership dues $$$, being a member of ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., ...priceless

You only live once
 

I am a sisterfriend and I know I would go to great lengths to make sure I had more than enough to meet my financial requirements. No monetary price is too high...it is the emotional reaction one has when paying the price that may be too high.

I for one am d:mad: termined so I am planning on how I will pay if I am given the oppurtunity to do so.

We were told the same thing. I'm not a baller by any means, but I coughed up the money because it was something I really wanted.

On the other hand, $2500 is a bit outlandish. :eek: I KNOW for a fact I couldn't come up with that much money... probably wouldn't have anticipated it being that much! If it was an astronomical amount like that, I would definitely have to wait or rethink.

Re: Anything over .....
 

But how about the people that drop that kind of money, join the organization and then DISAPPEAR!!! or complain that dues are "too expensive" after paying all that money to "pledge"?
I REALLY can't figure that out:confused:

I'm thinking I could have kept the $2500, if I'm not going to get any benefit out of membership after the first year. What's the point?

People need to remember greekdom is an INVESTMENT and a LIFETIME COMMITMENT!!!!

The $2500...
 

BTW....I believe he also stated that the dues were not only for joining, but also for 2-3 years worth of dues....

Would that make a difference?

And I agree with Vitural Violet....not even when you pay that much money....Sorors/Greeks who disappear after crossing undergrad that pay 400-600....you never see them anyway....Grad chapter is even more crazier because the costs are usually significantly more...but to each his/her own. There's nothing we can do about it....people do what they want to do when they want to do it.....so if they want to waste their money...then they will.

Yeah it's priceless Soror Jody, but how did YOU ALL back in 1982 make your $$$ to do the stuh ya'll did and to get what you all needed? ;) (rhetorical)

When folks are ENTERING the organizations they are paying house notes, balloon payments on leased cars, and stuh...lmao.

Yeah, it's amazing how the cost to ENTER has increased, but like Soror Happydays said, I guess it's inflation...;) :p (yeah right!)

I'm like you Virutal Violet, folks pay the big bucks to ENTER, but disappear... That pisses me off too! :mad: What IS the point? I know if I spent $2500 JUST TO ENTER, my a$$ would be out there getting my money's worth by participating, participating, and participating.

I feel ya!! Then you meet these people, and its like they are stuck in a time warp...they only know information at the point in time they joined. They can't tell you who the current national leadership is, can't tell you what our current national initiatives are, and have no idea where or when national convention/or regional conference is held! It just ANNOYS me:mad:

But let them catch you with the latest paraphenalia on!! They get real interested in you then!!

Soror AKA 2D'91, I pledged as an undergraduate and did what all undergraduates do, I asked my parents for the money! LOL, our chapter dues weren't that much and I don't think our National dues have increased since I pledged!

It's not the National dues that cause heartache, it's the chapter dues...(when we were in undergrad sorors used to tell us that you don't want to pledge grad chapter because they haze your pocketbook!)

Now the only chapter that I think that I couldn't afford to be in is that "Hollywood" one...Sorors Star Jones, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Yvonne Lee Bowser...and if the Honorarys change their status Jada Pinkett Smith, JoMarie Noble, Bebe Moore Campbell.... those chapter dues would be in the STARS!

I gotcha, Soror! :D ;)


LMAO@ Hollywood chapter. Girl, they have all the money, so their dues probably isn't that much. :D LMAO! They can fundraise with all the other stars and stuh, $500 dinners and such...:rolleyes:

No cost would deter me. If the dues were not affordable while seeking membership, I'd have to wait it out, save more, and try again. Piggy backing off of Memberfriend Jody, membership is priceless.

Once knowing/deciding your organization of choice, setting aside a little bit of money weekly, or even monthly sounds like a good idea. I too have a savings plan in effect:D

Too Much
 

I am neither a member nor an interested party of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated...But the problems many students face is not the amount of money it was they told the chosen ones $800+ and that the money was due in 3 days.

I have savings set aside as well, however, if I was blessed with an invitation to join today :) and the cost was $2,500 :eek: , I would have to:

(a) sit this one out to save more money and PRAY that I will be granted another opportunity to join

or

(b) try and borrow the difference from family.

Honestly, I have a nice sum saved, but not $2,500 :eek:

Nonetheless, it would not deter me from wanting to obtain membership. I would just look at it as maybe it just wasn't in GOD's plan for me to join today. Delayed does not mean denied!:D

All I will say is if there is a will there is a way!

And there is always a way y'all! (OK, maybe not a 2500 dollar way but that is exCESSive)

Re: Too Much
 

I've heard of cases like that, too. But, if you want it, you want it...And I'll bet you those sister girls had that money order/cash whatever, didn't they in the form of their loan refund check(fraud), etc?

Sidebar: Have you graduated yet? I see that your location now reads Utah...:confused:

Saving IS important...
 

I hope ya'll don't mind me posting.

Saving IS important, but priorities are too. Grant you, you are NOT suppose to have everything... especially right now. If you know that you want to be a member of a BGLO organization, then you should at least try to save a year (the sooner you make your decision the better) in advance. My advice is that you save at least double what dues are. This way, you can anticipate any "emergencies" that require immediate funding. I'm just going to use $1000 (that's dues times 2) as the standard, if you start saving early, the interest will have time to grow and by time you are ready, you will have more than enough for dues and the other GOOD stuff.

Now back to what I'm saying about priorities; sometimes, you do find that things come up that will make you break into your "I Want To Be A ABC Fund." That's called LIFE. In that case, spend the money on that Educational or Familia emergency and just build it back up. If that means waiting another year (and I speak on experience with this one) then you will have to do that. The reality is, if you want to be a ABC, then it SHOULD NOT matter when you do it. Besides, if you choose paying for ABC before paying for part of your tuition, that is a good way to make sure that your school does not approve of you joining a BGLO.

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Re: Too Much
 

I can't speak for the ladies of AKA, but in DST aspirants are told the exact amount of fees as well as the amount of time the funds will needed upon notification. This informatioon is given to them up front at the rush, BEFORE they apply. Therefore, it is up to each applicant to BUDGET if they want to pursue membership.

AND it is an indication that they should expect to CONTINUE TO BUDGET if they should be lucky enough to join the sorority of their choice.

Have I graduated?
 

No, I haven't graduated, I just realized that my tag said Utah. I am still where I have always been...

But about what I said. It wasn't about getting the money, but if I may speak candidly, the ladies in question were made to wait almost two months before they were notified of anything and things start to come up, that you need to do with your money...but even that's besides the point, sometimes it's just plan hard to get mommy and daddy to wire you money on such short notice especially if they were like mine and had no idea what is going on that end of my life... but all in still you're right if you want it you will have it some way some how. :D

I am not interested in Delta Sigma Theta either
 

Re: Virtual Violet

I am in a delicate situation and I will leave it at that!:cool:

Re: I am not interested in Delta Sigma Theta either
 

I didn't think you had to be interested in DST either, and I wasn't inquiring about that at all. I can only speak about what I know, which is why I brought up DST.

In any case, my point was, anyone who is interested in a GLO should expect to spend some money to join, and should save accordingly. Some organizations, such as DST, let applicants know in advance what the cost is to join. So in light of your delicate situation, if you are interested in any organization, save your money because it is a lifetime commitment and a lifetime investment.

FYI, those who apply to Alpha Kappa Alpha are required to know prior to that decision making time how much will be needed.

And if you are 'chosen'....
 

And if you are one of the 'chosen few'....you know way before that ;) ....smile my early '90's sorors.....


Just kidding....I will delete later....

But yeah....I think you are given enough (a couple of weeks) time prior to the monies becoming due as to what amount you will will need......

LMAO
:p
folks really have jokes today! :D ;)

Right, soror.

I think 2500.00 is excessive BUT it would be well worth it. I have been waiting a long time and if the time comes 2500.00 would not stop me. I would go right into my purse and write the check that second...

- In other words Save, Save, and Save.. You never know when you will get the opportunity. I knew one girl who was invited by a distant friend and was given a very short notice. Also you need to have lots of money set aside for dues, etc. I don't know exactly how much but I do know it can become costly.....