My chapter added to our by-laws a limit on what bigs could spend on littles. I don't remember the amount - maybe $100? - but it definitely wasn't anything outrageous. If you took a little, you knew that you'd have to put up at least a little cash. Comes with the territory.
We also received our paddles and jerseys at initiation (already covered in our new member dues) - the jerseys were a big deal. Even though we could wear letters during our new member period, getting your jersey (and finding out your nickname) was huge. We also made a lot of things in my chapter - lettered shirts, jewelry boxes, etc.
And we had a secret sister program running all year, and each new member class participated as well, so they would give each other little gifts throughout the semester.
All of this combined made even $100 seem like a lot of money to spend.
And here's a great idea that summer_gphib posted about just a couple days ago in the Bid Day Pics thread:
Quote:
Originally Posted by summer_gphib
Not really a bid day pic, but the new nm class, ZD at Southeast Mo State. We started the Crescent Sister Program, a new program this year for Alums to volunteer to "adopt" a nm. We each donated a certain amount of money, and they each got one of these cute tote bags and a letter from us. Then at initiation our money will go to buy them each a "crest" t-shirt! Anyway I thought this was a cute picture!
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Something like this would help defray some of the costs for the big, ensure that at least some of the gifts for the littles were the same, get the alumnae more involved, and allow the new members to interact with them in a small way.