What do you do when a Brother makes a mistake?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I was shocked to learn in a Risk Management workshop I recently attended, that (at least in my org) money problems is the number one RM issue. I don't think students should be treasurers, I think it is something advisors or student life should take care of.

It depends on what you think the purpose of your organization is. I'm personally grateful for having been able to serve as treasurer. It wasn't much fun at the time, but for me and anyone else who served as a treasurer (and didn't steal), it's always a great experience -- hounding people for dues and basically being solely responsible for the financial success of your organization.

With appropriate oversight from the executive board, the membership and alumni as well as by adopting certain accounting practices, a lot of theft issues can be averted.

Having a treasurer is part of the fraternal experience. It's an opportunity for collegiates to get a little taste of what it's like to run a business.

[Cutie_Hootie]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Having a treasurer is part of the fraternal experience. It's an opportunity for collegiates to get a little taste of what it's like to run a business.

I totally agree. As a member of an advisory board where everyone lives at least an hour from campus, we can't be responsible for the day to day expenses. What we can do, however, is look over the budget carefully, email and phone a great deal, and expect the same from our treasurer.

Perhaps even more important is what occurs during elections. We discuss the position of treasurer a great deal and make sure the sisters understand the expectations. They always seem to choose a sister who is perfect to be treasurer--very attentive to detail, above reproach in respect to values and ethics, and who has a good mind for business and math.

Plus, we take major steps to avoid problems--like the others have said, no cash, two signatures on checks, all reimbursements must have the proper paperwork completed (and must have itemized receipts!!), and every exec board member and her advisor looks over the budget very very carefully.

[boz130]

There was a running joke during my UG days that the newly-elected treasurer always seemed to get a new car shortly after taking office. Nothing hinky happened (it was strictly a timing thing), but we always kept a close eye on our checkbook.

If someone's stealing from the chapter, they s/b prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and automatically bumped to alum-in-bad-standing status. There's no place for this sort of activity in a GLO (or any other organization, for that matter).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Cutie_Hootie

They always seem to choose a sister who is perfect to be treasurer--very attentive to detail, above reproach in respect to values and ethics, and who has a good mind for business and math.

That's the problem. There isn't always one of those. And sometimes there is, but he/she doesn't want the responsibility.

[Cutie_Hootie]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That's the problem. There isn't always one of those. And sometimes there is, but he/she doesn't want the responsibility.

Well, in that unfortunate case, our financial advisor would have to step in and work more closely with that sister. If the financial advisor was unable to do so, I guess another advisor would. Luckily, the girls also work with a CPA, so that person would probably notice (I hope!?!) if something majorly shady was going on.