Please, any info on how to expand..

[AOII Angel]

I'm not sure how you go about fundraising in order to run a sorority. The purpose of dues is not to "buy friends" but to pay for the events supported by the group and any incidentals incurred, ie. insurance

Your founders, as idealistic young women, may not have for seen these real needs for dues. It's unrealistic to ask others, ie non members, to contribute to your sorority so that you can pay for parties and insurance. Essentially, they are paying your dues for you. When having a fundraiser, what do you tell you donors that the money will be benefiting? If you say charity, then divert it to operational funds for your group, that is unethical. Save the fundraising for your charity work and pay your own bills like everyone else does. There is no shame in it, and as a local, your dues could still be significantly lower than any of the NPC groups.

Additionally: have you guys shopped around a little for insurance? $6000 sounds pretty steep for such a small group. Try negotiating what you can agree to in order to get a lower price.

[pearl14]

I would like to clarify about the fundraising we do. We are ALWAYS truthful about where the money is going. When we fundraise for our philanthropy we say so, when we fundraise for ourselves we say so. We do A LOT of bake sales and raffles of electronics/baskets. We are always on the look out for places to hold car washes, garage sales, and other opportunitues. The people pay because they get something back.
It's a lot of hardwork, but we always feel like we've accomplished something when we finish. We have recently raised enough to cover our first insurance payment. It's a great relief and something to feel proud of. And we work together through it all, so it's another bonding experience.

As for expanding, we have tabled that dicussion for the time being. I am still interested in what you all have to say about insurance. We are currently on a joint plan with other locals, set up by our school. Next year we need to find our own insurance. After talking to locals from other schools in the area, we are hopeful that the cost will be less than the six thousand we had originally anticipated. I would appreciate if anyone could point us in the right direction.

[DrPhil]

If there are other criteria for membership, why aren't dues just seen as an additional criteria instead of seen as "paying for friends/sisters/brothers."

I rarely advocate changing founding policies and what the founders wanted but this may be one place where the founders weren't forwardthinking. What made sense 10 years ago doesn't always make sense forever. That happens sometimes. I would normally not chime in on another GLO like that but this member came to GC for advice for some reason.

Originally Posted by pearl14

I would like to clarify about the fundraising we do. We are ALWAYS truthful about where the money is going. When we fundraise for our philanthropy we say so, when we fundraise for ourselves we say so. We do A LOT of bake sales and raffles of electronics/baskets. We are always on the look out for places to hold car washes, garage sales, and other opportunitues. The people pay because they get something back.
It's a lot of hardwork, but we always feel like we've accomplished something when we finish. We have recently raised enough to cover our first insurance payment. It's a great relief and something to feel proud of. And we work together through it all, so it's another bonding experience.

There seems to be a sense of imbalance here. The real sweat should come from service to others. Always breaking a sweat to raise money for yourselves seems to outweigh breaking a sweat to raise money for and help others. That doesn't mean that you aren't helping others but there isn't but so much time and energy.

You should be happy that you are wherever you are. There are some campuses and communities where people would eventually stop donating after hearing that you all don't pay dues. I hope that never happens to you all.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by pearl14

As for dues, like I mentioned before we were founded on the premise that no one should have to pay in order to be a sister.

This situation is a perfect example of why paying dues for operational expenses =/= paying for friends.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The purpose of dues is not to "buy friends" but to pay for the events supported by the group and any incidentals incurred, ie. insurance

Your founders, as idealistic young women, may not have for seen these real needs for dues. It's unrealistic to ask others, ie non members, to contribute to your sorority so that you can pay for parties and insurance. Essentially, they are paying your dues for you.

They may have also bought into the idea I mentioned a moment ago. It sounds like this obstacle will require changing more than just the constitution.