Pregnant and in a sorority

ztaberry28 · #1 01-15-2008, 04:04 PM

i sent an email to our vp 3 about it asking for information to see if i have to pay dues for this semester if i wanna go early alum

violetpretty · #2 01-15-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztaberry28

i sent an email to our vp 3 about it asking for information to see if i have to pay dues for this semester if i wanna go early alum

If your chapter EC says you have to pays this semester's dues, you should appeal that decision to your chapter advisory board. If they still want you to pay, you should appeal that to your regional advisors (I'm not sure of the exact structure in ZTA). Good luck to you and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy!

SWTXBelle · #3 01-15-2008, 04:49 PM

And - should they determine that you do need to pay, see if you can work out a long-term payment plan. But I really, really think it is in everyone's best interests to let you go alum - good luck!

AOII Angel · #4 01-15-2008, 06:35 PM

when you joined Zeta, you were not pregnant so that financial burden was not present when you agreed to pay the required dues. You now have extenuating circumstances which I'm sure Zeta has encountered somewhere along the line. Fight for your right (no...not to party) to preserve your ZTA membership. ZTA for a lifetime wouldn't mean much if they and you didn't work to make it for a lifetime. Good luck getting early alum status. I think in some way you'd grow to regret your decision to drop out! Congratulations on your engagement and your future child!

KappaKittyCat · #5 01-15-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

when you joined Zeta, you were not pregnant so that financial burden was not present when you agreed to pay the required dues. You now have extenuating circumstances which I'm sure Zeta has encountered somewhere along the line. Fight for your right (no...not to party) to preserve your ZTA membership. ZTA for a lifetime wouldn't mean much if they and you didn't work to make it for a lifetime. Good luck getting early alum status. I think in some way you'd grow to regret your decision to drop out! Congratulations on your engagement and your future child!

And for what it's worth, when we had members resign during the school year, regardless of whether they dropped during the term or at the break, we made them pay dues for the remainder of the term - so you'd still have to pay dues for this term. Just a thought.

violetpretty · #6 01-15-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KappaKittyCat

And for what it's worth, when we had members resign during the school year, regardless of whether they dropped during the term or at the break, we made them pay dues for the remainder of the term - so you'd still have to pay dues for this term. Just a thought.

Those members were likely withdrawing because they no longer cared to be a member. Being pregnant and wanting early alumna status is waaaaaay different.

FSUZeta · #7 01-15-2008, 10:05 PM

i think i may be repeating myself, but please call or email one of your advisors or go straight to i.o.-most likely your vp3 nor any other chapter officers are going to have the correct answer for you.

i believe that you could quickly get alum. status, thus not have to pay collegiate dues. you would not have to join an alumnae chapter, thus not have to pay alumnae dues(which by the way are usually around $35/40 per year). any time in the future that you wanted to join an alumnae chapter, you would be able to. we alums. never ask "where have you been for the past 10 years"-we are just happy to have you active when it works into your life.

i have given you advice via pm and in this thread. i do know what i am talking about-i have been an advisor for over 15 years . you are getting the same advice from members of other sororities. now it is up to you to act on that advice.

KappaKittyCat · #8 01-16-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Those members were likely withdrawing because they no longer cared to be a member. Being pregnant and wanting early alumna status is waaaaaay different.

I know. What I meant was that if she resigned because of money, she might still have to pay for the semester. She would've if she'd been in my chapter.

TSteven · #9 01-15-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

And - should they determine that you do need to pay, see if you can work out a long-term payment plan. But I really, really think it is in everyone's best interests to let you go alum - good luck!

For what it is worth, I know of two different sorority members who worked out a payment plan with their respective chapters when they went alum. Both chapters were thrilled to have the extra cash flow versus nothing. And I am sure they were even more thrilled to retain their sisters as members for life.

Quote:

1. I think it would be best for me and my fiance agrees

Is your fiance also going early alum?

DaffyKD · #10 01-16-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztaberry28

i sent an email to our vp 3 about it asking for information to see if i have to pay dues for this semester if i wanna go early alum

The purpose of Early Alumna Status is so that a young lady can stay a member of the organization, but not have a financial burden. You should not have to pay the dues for this semester, but you will also be unable to participate in any of the activities with the collegiate members.

I would really like to encourage you to take Early Alumna Status vs. turning in your pin. You will still be a member of the organization, your daughters will still be legacy, you will still be able to join an alumnae group at any time in the future. Joining a sorority is for life, not just while you are in school. Embrace your alumnae sisters. You will find that many have kids the same age as your kids, you will find that some others took Early Alumna Status for the same reason. When you join an alumna group, they are so happy that younger members are joining that no one gives you any hassle "ooooh, you were pregnant while still in school." They care about you and love to share in the stories of your childrens' accomplishments. They will cheer you on some day if your daughter goes through recruitment.

Please talk to a member of your alumnae advisory board about going Alumnae Status, they are very versed in the requirements, and will encourage you. Please don't rush to turn in your pin, which is a decision you may come to regret someday.

DaffyKD