Alumni Dues

[pshsx1]

I didn't know of alumni dues before I became a member of GC. So, I have a few questions:

Firstly, why are the dues necessary? Also, do dues from alumni support specific programs or just become a part of the general budget? Finally, what happens if you stop paying your alumni dues?

Personally, I don't pay any dues for being an alumnus. I'm assuming because my Fraternity is so large, the need for alumni dues isn't as high as other organizations, but I could easily be wrong.

[AOII Angel]

Fraternities may function differently than sororities. I can only speak for AOII, but alumnae that are members of alumnae chapters pay dues to IHQ. Those dues pay for various budgeted expenditures from education to convention to the still controversial technology fee. Alumnae dues are very low compared to collegiate dues and the number of dues paying alumnae members is significantly lower than collegiate dues paying members. However, we financially support the services that alumnae chapters receive from our organization.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Fraternities may function differently than sororities. I can only speak for AOII, but alumnae that are members of alumnae chapters pay dues to IHQ. Those dues pay for various budgeted expenditures from education to convention to the still controversial technology fee. Alumnae dues are very low compared to collegiate dues and the number of dues paying alumnae members is significantly lower than collegiate dues paying members. However, we financially support the services that alumnae chapters receive from our organization.

Pretty much this for my sorority, as well. Dues are $40/year and are optional if you're a "regular alumna." If you're a member of an alumnae chapter, an advisor, or if you're serving on National Council (or if you're actively involved with the sorority in any way, I imagine) you're required to pay.

I'm not exactly sure if the money goes to a specific place, so to speak. I would think it's just pooled and becomes a part of what makes the organization run on a daily basis.

If you don't pay, then you're still a member of the organization. You just simply can't hold any position within the sorority.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I think I pay $40/year, but it's optional, and the amount is so small that I don't even know if I am quoting the right figure.

[AGDee]

Our international alumnae dues are $40 a year and are optional. The money goes to general operations- IHQ staff, traveling consultants, communications department, IHQ building expenses, etc. When they were first instituted, there was a presentation that noted 95% of our membership are alumnae but something like 85% of our funding comes from the collegians. That just doesn't make sense logistically.

My alumnae club's annual dues are $30.00 and most of that money remains local to cover our basic expenses.

[Titchou]

Our per capita dues are $25 for alumnae and that goes to the Fraternity to fund national programs. First year alums and 50 year members do not have to pay. Local alumnae dues vary from chapter to chapter and are used to fund local programs and events and things we do for our local, if any, collegiate chapters. My alum chapter has a tiered dues system - bronze, pink, blue and anchor levels. Nothing happens to you if you don't pay either local or per caps other than you can't hold office or be an adviser or house corporation board member.

[DGTess]

As part of becoming a full member of the organization, DGs promise to pay dues for the first 50 years of their membership.

Do most members remember this after the day they enter the rolls? Perhaps not. It's not something that would make a big impression on a collegian. But I consider it part of my oath, and my responsibility even if it *weren't* necessary.

[FSUZeta]

ZTA alumnae dues are optional if you are not a member of an alumnae chapter, but if you join an alumna chapter, you pay dues. Dues may vary per chapter, but I would say the average is around $35/year. Often new alumnae pay lower dues their first year.

[LouisaMay]

In ASA, alumnae chapters require their members to pay dues, but there are no other dues to be paid by alumnae at large. We are all encouraged to give to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation as we are able.

[Kevin]

Our alumni chapter charges dues. We have our own programming and events and occasionally spend some of that money on helping actives go to formal, etc.

[pshsx1]

I actually just got this in an email today: "Dear Texas, When you joined SigEp at Michigan Theta, your membership fees covered a lifetime subscription to the Journal."

I just found it kind of funny since I created this thread when I was reading the other thread about newsletter/magazine subscriptions.

I guess I wouldn't mind paying dues as an alumnus, especially if that would bring back some of the bigger programming that was removed or consolidated due to budget constraints.

But outside of dues, we are encouraged to donate our resources back to our home chapter and to various endowment funds.