[Zillini]

In my experience fining doesn't work and especially if you're not enforcing collection. It's brings negativity when you are trying to create sister/brotherhood. It's really unfair too unless everyone in your house is in a similar financial situation. Those fortunate members whose families are well off don't care because daddy will write a check. Then there are those members who are in school on scholarship, loans, working tons of hours, etc. Giving them even a minimal fine might be the straw that broke the camel's back.

We've gone to a positive point system and it works well for us. It's a positive reinforcement system to provide incentives rather than punishments for members to participate in different areas of involvement including the chapter, on campus, and in the community. Mandatory points are earned by participating in day-to-day activities of the chapter such as attending weekly chapter meetings, attending philanthropy events, grades (X number of points times their previous semester's GPA), completing study hall hours, etc. Supplementary points are given to members who benefit the chapter by their extra activities, including sisterhood building activities, serving as an officer, writing Rec Thank You's, being in an honorary society, paying dues on time, working a job, etc.

Each member must have a certain percentage of the total Mandatory points offered in order to attend a social function. By the end of each semester any member who has below a certain percentage may face disciplinary action. (FYI - We've rarely if ever had to do this.) We use point totals to determine who can live in the house and the order for room picking. We also give out awards to some of the highest earners throughout each semester.

Members aren't penalized if they are unable to attend an event because they can make up the points in other ways. But I'll warn you it takes alot of work to keep on top of things. All events/activities must be assigned values and the Exec Committee has to approve the amount. We have a Points Chair who keeps track of the points and posts totals weekly. Someone needs to take attendance at various events (like Panhellenic speakers, SGA rallies, etc.) in order to award points only to those members who actually attend. You have to make sure no one abuses the system by awarding points for something that wasn't actually done.

All in all our members really like this system as opposed to fining and declaring events as mandatory. They feel they can now control their own schedule and it alleviates alot of guilt. It also increases participation dramatically, especially when there's a party coming up.

The biggest plus though is the fairness. Everyone has the same opportunities as everyone else to earn points. Frankly we offer so many ways to earn points that there's no reason why anyone should not be able to attend a social function due to lack of points. It's their own fault then if they can't attend. They know what is required and it's their responsibility to achieve it.

There are a few exceptions where we do still fine. We've made those fines pretty stiff so that even daddy might think twice about cutting a check because his little girl decided to blow it off. Mostly this is for Recruitment, Recruitment Workshop, Initiation, and other activities that are absolutely critical to the chapter.