Encourage brothers to pay bills?

[TDmkr19]

I am planning on running for treasurer of my chapter and one problem we have is with financial commitment. People aren't paying things like live out dues or damage deposits. Also I don't want it to have to come to putting up peoples names who haven't paid, I feel like this is overstepping boundaries and stepping on peoples toes, which creates animosity between the brotherhood. Any suggestions are appreciated. Also any insight on the treasurer position itself would be great too.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by TDmkr19

I am planning on running for treasurer of my chapter and one problem we have is with financial commitment. People aren't paying things like live out dues or damage deposits. Also I don't want it to have to come to putting up peoples names who haven't paid, I feel like this is overstepping boundaries and stepping on peoples toes, which creates animosity between the brotherhood. Any suggestions are appreciated. Also any insight on the treasurer position itself would be great too.

Are you the only chapter of this organization? Is there an alumni chapter, regional entity, or national entity? When in doubt, always see what the practices of your organization are and see whether other chapters have had similar issues.

[Alumiyum]

First, seek advice from the previous treasurer and your advisers. Then find a way to gently remind your brothers that if they aren't financially supporting the chapter they are not being good brothers. That is part of the package and part of the commitment. If some are having genuine money problems they need to come talk to you in private and try to work out a way to pay. Otherwise, they must pay end of story.

And I'll say this...I know that fraternities are very different from sororities, but one solution is to remove privileges when people do not pay. And that is fair. Except for those that might have a real reason for not being able to pay, there's no excuse, and if they don't support the chapter financially there's something to be said for losing privileges. That may or may not work for your chapter but it's something to consider.

[Kevin]

The treasurer has to be the bad guy sometimes. You are solely responsible for the financial well being of your fraternity. And you're also one of the few brothers who can tank the chapter if he neglects his duties.

I served as treasurer. I had no problem with public shame, bringing brothers up on charges for not paying, etc. I had a better than 100% collection rate (folks paid early). And the great thing is that you can be the bad guy about the money, because that's your job, and you can let other people focus on brotherhood.

[lucgreek]

Originally Posted by TDmkr19

I am planning on running for treasurer of my chapter and one problem we have is with financial commitment. People aren't paying things like live out dues or damage deposits. Also I don't want it to have to come to putting up peoples names who haven't paid, I feel like this is overstepping boundaries and stepping on peoples toes, which creates animosity between the brotherhood. Any suggestions are appreciated. Also any insight on the treasurer position itself would be great too.

Public shaming sometimes works. The chapter has a right to know who is not fulfilling their obligations. The people who do pay their dues on-time and in full most likely resent that people get away with not paying.

Have you tried developing a payment plan? If brothers aren't paying because they use their money on booze, that's no excuse. If a brother is having issues with paying because their parents were laid off and he's working two jobs just to support his education, that's a different story.

Find out why people aren't paying.

[TDmkr19]

These are all good ideas, but how can I get liveouts to pay. A lot of them feel like they have already made their contribution to the fraternity so they shouldn't need to pay.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by TDmkr19

These are all good ideas, but how can I get liveouts to pay. A lot of them feel like they have already made their contribution to the fraternity so they shouldn't need to pay.

If they're not fulfilling their financial obligations, they need to be brought up to standards. If that does nothing, membership needs to be terminated.

Is this a national fraternity? You should have guidelines on how to handle people who aren't fulfilling their obligations.

[Gusteau]

Have them sign promissory notes for next semester's dues at the end of the previous semester. It's probably too late for next semester, but ideally you would have them bound to their next semesters dues which helps you to a) adequately budget for the next semester, and b) send them to collections if they don't pay up.

Additionally, it sucks sometimes to be the bad guy, but its necessary. This article is about being chapter president, but I think it applies to the treasurer in many ways too: http://fraternalthoughts.blogspot.co...your-turn.html

[lucgreek]

Originally Posted by TDmkr19

These are all good ideas, but how can I get liveouts to pay. A lot of them feel like they have already made their contribution to the fraternity so they shouldn't need to pay.

Paying is a part of membership. Just because they don't feel like paying doesn't mean they don't have to. Not having people pay dues can lead to financial destruction and closure of your chapter.

Tell the guys to grow a pair and man up on their obligations. Entitlement has no place in the world of fraternity finance.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by TDmkr19

These are all good ideas, but how can I get liveouts to pay. A lot of them feel like they have already made their contribution to the fraternity so they shouldn't need to pay.

Tell them that's not how it works.

My sorority had payments for those not living on the hall, and those were part of the bylaws. People complained constantly, but the reality is that the chapter can change bylaws. If that's the case for your chapter, remind them that if it's a really big deal to them they can change that. In the meantime, this is what they signed up for, end of story. Be the bad guy...it's your job. Part of taking on jobs like treasurer is realizing people will get mad at you, but what you're doing is for the good of the chapter. That's the bigger picture.

Being a good member means living up to ALL obligations from activities to finances. Tell them that if they have a real problem financially they can come work something out with you, but otherwise they are not being a brother. Having a house requires money. That's all there is to it. Those that don't live in probably come hang out and participate in parties, right? That's what those extra dues are for. They shouldn't get to use the house if they aren't supporting the chapter.

You can take away privileges from those that don't pay (cannot come to non required events, cannot vote, cannot buy t-shirts etc.). Again, I know fraternities are structured differently from sororities and that that won't be a good solution for every chapter, but it seemed to work well for mine. Those that didn't meet their obligations (unless they had good reason...it's certainly important to accommodate members that are having a genuine financial crisis) lost social privileges, for instance, and that was a big motivator.

[excelblue]

I'm in an unhoused chapter, and even we have dues. After all, events aren't free; if there's a party, the cups have to come from somewhere. There are fees from nationals so the ultra-helpful chapter consultants can eat. Recruitment also eats a good part of the budget; hosting websites and printing flyers do cost money.

In fact, with my chapter's current situation, we currently have an unofficial house where several brothers share. Almost all events are hosted there, and there have even been talks about getting all brothers to subsidize part of the rent.

Public shame is OK if you've given them enough notice. If someone is not paying their dues, they're not being a good brother, and everyone deserves to know.

[DomerPyle]

put the debtors on probation or somesuch if they don't pay within a specified timeframe, and, if all else fails, send them to collections. you won't get the full amount owed, but some is better than none, especially if alumni still owe dues and such.

[Kevin]

If the problem is pervasive, you could consider suspending all social (or other types) functions until everyone is either paid in full or on a payment plan. Post the list of names somewhere all can see, encourage brothers to help out individuals who are having financial issues (e.g., find them a job). Those who are paying should resent those who are not because those who are not paying are having a free lunch on their brothers' dime.

The chapter I advise always aspires to have a 30/90 day policy in that you are suspended at 30 days past due and expelled at 90. That hasn't always worked out, but for the most part, it has, and expulsions don't really happen because everyone pays.

[lucgreek]

Originally Posted by DomerPyle

put the debtors on probation or somesuch if they don't pay within a specified timeframe, and, if all else fails, send them to collections. you won't get the full amount owed, but some is better than none, especially if alumni still owe dues and such.

If alumni still owe dues they should have their membership revoked, in my opinion. Not having people pay dues can really mess up a chapter's budget big time.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by lucgreek

If alumni still owe dues they should have their membership revoked, in my opinion.

That's a bit extreme. I think alumni who still owe dues are more the fault of poor chapter management.