Leaving Fraternity

[DSTCHAOS]

You initially spoke so definitively, Psi U.

Now you're conceding the point as the personal opinion of an undergrad whose chapter taught him that membership is for life. I thought you were atleast telling us how your org's IHQ handles disaffiliation. Guess not.

The general rule is that no organization can make members honor their life commitment, when it comes to this topic. Policies differ but quite a few orgs would rather give you a "pep talk" to see where your heart is and then, if that fails, go through the necessary steps to show you the door. There's a great deal of necessary housekeeping when folks disaffiliate. My personal opinions of NPHCers who want to disaffiliate aside, I tell those sucky NPHCers who I encounter to contact NHQ if they are drifting from inactive status to wanting to disaffiliate/depledge. Don't just put your ritual and other info on the front porch for the mailperson to pick up.

[Tom Earp]

seersucker,

I hope our talk did some good.

Either way you decide, I wish you nothing but the best.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

seersucker,

I hope our talk did some good.

Either way you decide, I wish you nothing but the best.

It's never not funny when people make these kinds of announcements.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It's never not funny when people make these kinds of announcements.

No you are absolutely correct!


While in talking with this young man, I found out the problem and we discussed his options.

There is a way for him to deactivate, but, that is between him and his Brothers only.

Whether he makes that decission, that is his and his only!

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Zillini, I am not sure where your post came from about a lawsuit but wonder how ignorant you seem to be?

If you do not know, then let it go!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Zillini, I am not sure where your post came from about a lawsuit

She meant if an organization tried to collect fees and otherwise keep a member involved, even when he had tried to resign in the proper manner and notified the national office of his intentions, the organization would most likely be sued.

It would be like if you phoned, emailed, and wrote multiple letters to the gas company asking them to turn off your service and they kept on billing you.

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Just because someone decides they no longer want to live in their current apartment does not mean they can disregard the lease. They may still have to fulfill their legal obligations (i.e. rent).

It seems that if there are financial obligations, IHQ and/or the chapter would have similar legal grounds to go after the guy. If the guy was simply allowed to turn in his pin and quit - without some sort of legal termination by IHQ - then it seems like he might be able to claim he no longer is responsible for any money owed. Simply because he is no longer a member.

Now if IHQ and/or the chapter elects to forgo any of the obligations (i.e. write-off the financial obligation) just to be rid of the guy (i.e. trim the fat), then there are no obligations on either side. And frankly, I would venture to guess that as long as there isn't a lot of money involved, the guy would be cut loose.

Originally Posted by 33girl

She meant if an organization tried to collect fees and otherwise keep a member involved, even when he had tried to resign in the proper manner and notified the national office of his intentions, the organization would most likely be sued.

It would be like if you phoned, emailed, and wrote multiple letters to the gas company asking them to turn off your service and they kept on billing you.

Exactly 33girl. Thank you.

In addition, I never said the chapter/GLO in question was or wasn't entitled to the dues from an initiated yet resigned member since s/he did make an obligation. I merely stated that I anticipate a resigned member to file a lawsuit if s/he continues to be billed. The outcome of that lawsuit would be up to a judge and based on the interpretation of the GLO's membership agreement/obligation. But, it's worth pointing out that the resulting bad press that comes about would probably far outweigh any potential recouped finances.

As for TSteven's apartment lease analogy, true. It is a legally binding contract that one cannot simply walk away from if s/he changes their mind. However, a landlord is also expected to try to mitigate the loss by attempting to re-rent. If succesful, they may only sue the lease breaker for the actual lost rent and any costs incurred to do so (i.e. advertising, apartment showings, repairs, etc.)

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

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Zillini, I am not sure where your post came from about a lawsuit but wonder how ignorant you seem to be?

If you do not know, then let it go!

My post came from being threatened by lawsuits from too many sorority members and parents over the years, often over things that were far more piddly than this. Ignorant? Not hardly.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by 33girl

She meant if an organization tried to collect fees and otherwise keep a member involved, even when he had tried to resign in the proper manner and notified the national office of his intentions, the organization would most likely be sued.

It would be like if you phoned, emailed, and wrote multiple letters to the gas company asking them to turn off your service and they kept on billing you.

Good analogy. And applicable to the member "in good standing" (i.e. paid up). And apologies for not being clear. I too feel that the member should not be billed for dues moving forward. And frankly, I have never heard of that happening.

However, just like the gas company has every right to go after the dead beat for past due amounts, so does the GLO have the right to collect dues owed them. Most often, the issue has to do with the chapters being screwed and not IHQ. As such, until all financial obligations are settled with both the chapter and IHQ, the IHQ may wait to legally terminate membership if it is in their (or the chapter's) best interest to do so.

ETA: Zillini, I think we are in general agreement. Continued billing is bad. Collection of what is owed, "good".