Getting my dues back...
 

I was a part of a recolonization of a large fraternity at my school, but I ended up dropping a month into the semester. I was happy with it at the beginning and paid my dues in full because it was cheaper than paying 3 installments. But then things started to change and I realized it wasn't for me so I dropped.

Am I going to be able to get my dues back? At least part of my dues? My treasurer said that I signed some contract that prevents me from getting them back but neither me nor any of the other people I talked to remember signing anything... Do fraternities usually give dues or partial dues back to members who dropped or did I just lose $700...

Any insight or advice? I am really bummed out...

In my experience, you don't get your dues back. By signing on the dotted line, you agree to pay dues for the semester, whether you drop out or not.

I have never heard of refunding dues either..looks like you're SOL

Sounds like you are out $700 dollars. Not that it really matters, but were you actually initiated and decided you wanted out?

I've only been in it for a month, and I dropped right before my fraternity's first social. I also paid out of my own pocket for all the tailgates because chapter funds couldn't cover that. So all in all I really received nothing for my $700 I paid.

And not to mention, most of the dues I paid go to nationals for insurance etc., and that is the money that I want back.

No, I was a member of a colony. I wouldn't become a brother until the colony charters in late November.

I can guarantee that nationals will not be refunding money that was sent by the chapter for insurance. That money is paid as an aggregate from the chapter not as individual dues from each member. You're out of luck.

Sorry bud, you're SOL.

It's like moving out of an apartment early & breaking the lease. They don't prorate out what you paid based on the number of days you lived there.

This is why it's so important to READ what you sign, no matter what it is. Once you sign a lease/contract/bid card, you are bound to it. If you have questions before signing something, ask questions. Once you are 18, you are considered competent, and are bound to it.

It all depends on the wording of the contract/financial obligations form you signed. If you do not have a copy, ask your Treasurer for one.

My Chapter refunds a prorated portion of payments when a member voluntarily cancels their membership. This is primarily limited to the meals portion of payment since they won't be eating meals and the parlor fee since they won't be using the house. Also, if someone quits prior to intitiation we can get their badge/pin payment refunded from Inatl if the order hasn't been placed with the jeweler yet, so the timing of when the resignation is received matters.

Just know that even if you chose to pay in installments, you'd probably still owe the full amount if you dropped out early. You could have been taken to collections if you refused to pay.

By all means, ask to see the copy of the contract you signed, but I don't see you getting any of your money back.

As others have said, you are out $700. When you accepted the bid from the fraternity (or whatever the colony equivalent is), you accepted the financial responsibilities too.

What I want to know is how one day you care enough about the fraternity to put out $700 and the next decided you don't want anything to do with it.

I have a thought. Maybe when you actually "pledge" a fraternity, you could take that pledge seriously! Chances are that since it was a colonization, there wasn't any hazing going on. I'm feelin' kind of mean lately because I am sick and tired of people coming on GC and complaining that they weren't happy with their choice-so, they decided (after about a month) that they were going to QUIT! Does anyone take a pledge seriously, anymore? Is it just me or does it seem as though this is an on-going theme?

Sucks to be YOU!