Hi and help please

[Wonderer]

Hello!

I found this forum when I was googling questions I had.
I'm currently president of my sorority, and I'm having to withdraw from my Uni. I rushed my freshman year and made it. My sophomore year while I was hospitalized some stuff happened and everyone quit and everyone blocked everyone, I still have no clue what happened. I came back to being in this sorority by myself, I continued to try for a year and a half to get us back together and get new members. My Uni told me I was not allowed to participate in pledge season this year and last year due to the other sororities voting no. At this point, I have some personal issues going on in my life and I'm withdrawing from school. What do I do with all of the sorority stuff? We are not a national chapter as that's a rule at my school. I know I can't throw everything away. But I am moving from Texas to Germany and I can't take it with me. Do y'all know anything I could do?

[Kevin]

Talk to your school's FSL office, maybe they'll take the stuff? Do you know any alumnae? But honestly, sounds like your organization is no more.

[honeychile]

You will still have a lifetime to enjoy opportunities with your sorority with alumnae groups. Look into those - most major cities have at least two associations.

[Wonderer]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Talk to your school's FSL office, maybe they'll take the stuff? Do you know any alumnae? But honestly, sounds like your organization is no more.

I talked with them today. They said to ask the alumni and if they don't take it then I have to keep it. I physically can't keep it, so idk what to do now.

[Kevin]

By stating her organization isn't a "national chapter," I'm assuming she's in a Local.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by honeychile

You will still have a lifetime to enjoy opportunities with your sorority with alumnae groups. Look into those - most major cities have at least two associations.

Originally Posted by Kevin

By stating her organization isn't a "national chapter," I'm assuming she's in a Local.

I'm sorry, Kevin. I missed that part.

[Kevin]

Toss it or give it to any other member who still exists. Apparently, your organization did not survive COVID.

[navane]

What kind of “stuff” is it? Can you be more specific?

[33girl]

I’m assuming plaques, banners, stuff of that nature. And no, do not toss it unless you are literally a founding member. Post on your school’s main Facebook page that you are searching for alumnae of (insert your sorority here) and go from there. PM me if you want to brainstorm some more ideas.

Kevin did you not read her posts? This has nothing to do with covid.

[Wonderer]

Originally Posted by navane

What kind of “stuff” is it? Can you be more specific?

I have 3 boxes of every single shirt we've ever ordered, 3 boxes of scrapbooks, 2 boxes of random photos, 2 boxes of party supplies, 2 tents, 2 ice chests, etc.

I did go to the alumni office and they said they couldn't give me the address or numbers of alumni due to security reasons, I then asked if they could call or mail something to them and they said I needed the alumni's permission.

I am looking for the Dean's email currently to talk with her. Thank y'all for helping me so much.

[PhilTau]

One other thing. The odds are pretty good that your sorority has some type of state-issued charter within your state. Go to your state's secretary of state website and do a corporate name search. If your organization was issued a state charter, there should be a "registered agent" which was likely unchanged since your organization was formed. Even if the organization's state charter has already been revoked, there still should be the name and address of a registered agent. Usually, the registered agent is some law firm. But in a local sorority's case it will likely be a name of someone in your organization that, at the time of formation, was a very responsible person. Track this person down and ask for their help.

The importance of tracking down one of the founders is that they (and others) may want to continue your organization even if the school no longer recognizes it. You should at least give them the chance to do this. Hopefully, there is no rush.

[navane]

Originally Posted by Wonderer

I have 3 boxes of every single shirt we've ever ordered, 3 boxes of scrapbooks, 2 boxes of random photos, 2 boxes of party supplies, 2 tents, 2 ice chests, etc.

Honestly? If it comes down to it, and you've made every good faith effort to find an appropriate resolution for the group's property, I would dispose of the items. If at all possible, I recommend you retain the scrapbooks and photos. Is there any chance they could be stored in a relative's garage?

As for the rest of the stuff, it's not of any particular historical or monetary value. Once you've exhausted all other efforts (attempting to Facebook alumnae, etc), I suggest donating it all to someplace like Goodwill. Obtain a donation receipt in the name of the sorority and keep it in your files in case you need to explain yourself later. Do not use the donation as a personal tax write-off. If I understand you correctly, you are the last remaining officer of this organization. It sounds like you are the only authorized individual left to make a decision. Similarly, if you have any money in a banking account, you can donate the money in the name of the sorority to your sorority's preferred charity and then close the bank account. Again, keeping the donation receipt to prove that you appropriately managed the money to the final closure.

Without knowing the particulars, I am saddened to hear that the other sororities voted "no" to letting your organization participate in recruitment.

Best of luck to you.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Wonderer

I have 3 boxes of every single shirt we've ever ordered, 3 boxes of scrapbooks, 2 boxes of random photos, 2 boxes of party supplies, 2 tents, 2 ice chests, etc.

I did go to the alumni office and they said they couldn't give me the address or numbers of alumni due to security reasons, I then asked if they could call or mail something to them and they said I needed the alumni's permission.

I am looking for the Dean's email currently to talk with her. Thank y'all for helping me so much.

If it doesn’t have letters on it or isn’t sorority specific give it to Goodwill. The other stuff, keep trying to contact alumnae via the methods I and others mentioned.

[naraht]

You may also want to talk to your school's Library/Archives. They may be willing to store/preserve.

[PhilTau]

My chapter temporarily closed in the mid 80s and, in the mid 90s, an alumni found some of the chapter's composites being sold at a garage sale. By shear luck, they were saved.

I suggest going through the material that you have. There should be some documents, composites, etc. providing names of members and founders of your sorority. Jot some of the names down and contact your college's alumni office and get their addresses and phone numbers and just call them and ask them for help in winding up your organization, including taking the memorabilia and storing documents and material.

If your organization was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation or was formally organized as an association, you may have some legal obligations regarding dissolving the organization and retaining records for a period of time. Get legal help and advice about this. Your college may have an attorney on staff to give legal advice to students - take advantage of that. If they don't, go in and see the dean of students and ask for assistance and advice on what you need to do legally to wind up your organization. In other words, since your college has decided to terminate your organization, they should be willing to help you do this in a proper manner. If the dean will not help, try to get some advice from the professors at your business school on what to do, assuming there is a business college. As a first resource, it is almost certain that one of your sorority's alumna is an attorney. Find out who she is and ask her to help and advise, preferably without charge.