GA06 (from a $$$ perspective)

[boz130]

Hey, guys: I'm heading back to my alma mater this weekend to celebrate Founders Day (March edition) & I have a question. With the cost of everything going up, how many chapters have the financial backing of their alumni when it comes to a conference like GA?

I bring it up because I'm presenting a proposal to my AA this weekend on this subject. Basically, I'd like to see the alums provide "scholarship funds" to the attendees to help them offset the rising costs of the conferences, transportation, etc.

Since most UG's work during the summer, it's a real financial burden...not only are they gone from a week of work (and missing that week's wages), but they have to pay for the meeting.

Granted, IHQ's picking up their tabs for lodging, but the majority of the UG's are flying into this year's meeting. Not an inexpensive proposition, to be sure.

So, how many of your alumni groups are providing financial support for this sort of conference? If you are, what's the amount per person or conference allotted? Let's hear what's happening out there in Lambda Land...

In ZAX,
BF

[GammaZeta]

Interesting post. I'd like to see the results of how much the average alumni donation is today.

Back in my day, the alumni didn't have a fund or anything setup, so I would have to guess near nothing.

However, that will SOON change...

[john1082]

Fullerton does not have an alumni group. HOWEVER, I cash in some Frequent Flyer miles and cover a plane ticket or two for the undergraduates. Will also do this for a Brother from Berkeley this year.

BTW, if we succeed in pulling a rabbit out of our hat, I'll have a Berkeley story to share after GA.

[Tom Earp]

It is a very interesting Point and Post!

Alum Associations are maybe far and few between as We all know.

A lot would depend on the situation for each Zeta.

I know Gamma Zeta, Beta Nu Zeta, and LX Zeta and what is going on with them and I understand.

As many know and I have discussed this about The High Rho Officership, that if Alums are kept informed, more will be interested in doing things. High Rho should be a much more important Office and stressed by IHQ.

We as Alums many times do for Our Zetas and gladly so for the betterment and Our Love.

We have an Alum who gives a $250.00 Scholarship Yearly to a New Young Man for outstanding work and merit. It is selected by a Peer Group of His Brothers.

So I guess, the point I am making, make the Alum Associations more important and it will help!

Bill Great Post!

[JonoBN41]

Bill.

I think you have a great idea there, and it CAN work!

Our alumni association used to collect dues on a rather hit-or-miss basis (usually at our Founders' Day), but it wasn't until I initiated the practice of formally "billing" the alumni in the form of a duesletter every January that the money really started rolling in.

Over a five year period - during which I became president of the association - our revenues increased from about $1,000 to over $5,000 per year. Our last approved budget (fy 2004-2005) was $5,778.92.

For the 2004 G.A. in Indianapolis we allotted almost $2,000 to help pay expenses for the one official delegate, two other undergraduates, one new alumnus, and even myself! We covered 75% of everyone's expenses (including airfare) that wasn't already taken care of by IHQ or in some other way. In off-years we budgeted $1,000 to the chapter for the Summer Leadership Conferences.

During the fiscal year we also gave similar amounts to the chapter to help with their liability insurance payments and for putting on Founders' Day.

With just a little organization and cooperation, it can be done. You need only one person to send out the bills. During the years, either the treasurer or I did them. We sent out about 350 duesletters at the beginning of the calendar year. They generally included a short newsletter, a plea for dues ($25) and a return envelope (it does not have to be stamped).

Although we asked for only $25, many of the alumni sent in greater amounts. Just show them what it's being used for. Deposit the checks in a timely manner. Make a list of contributors and thank them either individually via e-mail or in a newsletter. And it certainly helps if the chapter expresses its appreciation!

It may take two to three months to receive all the donations. So ask for dues in January, wait for them to come in, and formulate a budget starting with the school year in the fall. Make alumni membership in the association for a calendar year, but budget for a fiscal year. Then when the undergraduates return to school, you can send them a check right away to help with their dues or insurance premiums. Assistance for the G.A. or L.S. would be for the following summer, but already be budgeted.

Unfortunately, I am no longer president and am not sure what our current situation is like. It's getting towards the end of March now, and I still have not received a duesletter. In fact no newsletters at all, not even electronic ones, have been produced since I left office. I have a feeling things are deteriorating rapidly.

In January I sent a donation directly to my chapter. The check was deposited but I received no word of thanks or even acknowledgement, so I'm not sure how they're doing either.

Please e-mail me your proposal and I'll take a look at it. I'm sure we can make it work for you!

In ZAX,
Jono

[EM1843]

Our housing corp pays 1/3, the chapter pays 1/3, and the individual pays 1/3 at UF, Epsilon Mu. This is deciving though because the houseing corp takes it's budget from our dues.

[JoinerLxa]

Georgetown's AA started an "Endowment Fund" about 3 years
ago...currently it has about $15-20,000 in it I think.

To make donations tax deductible, revenues from the fund
can only be spent on scholarships and educational purposes.
The first intent it to offer 'scholarships' to AM's to pay for
their insurance, and the second goal is to pay for more
UG's to goto leadership seminar and GA.

Unfortunately revenues from the endowment won't be issued
until it has $25,000 in it....until then, all the interest goes
back into the endowment itself. So as of yet, the UG's haven't
seen any benefit.

But soon it should kick in, and will be providing $1,000-$1,500/yr
...not alot at first, but you gotta start somewhere!

FYI