Pledge worried about small fraternity

[dnall]

There is a difference between financial difficulty and buying power.

Quick math lesson, X dollars times 20 guys is less than X dollars times 20+anything, especially X+50 which is where he said the other fraternities are.

At any location, dues rates are not just set randomly, they are normally within a range of what the market will bear. In other words, if you raise dues another $100/yr it would lose you more members than the increased income would replace.

As a social fraternity you need Y number (normally 14-20/yr) and Z quality (locally defined) of events to show your members their monies worth in social events. That costs X money. Your competitors for recruitment & social market share have presumably 200% more than you. That doesn't mean you fail, it means you have to be twice as good as them to stay competitive.

If they pay you 1000/yr dues, and 400 of it goes to social, you need to make that 400 seem like it was worth 1000 to the guy. If you don't do that, then you will have trouble retaining guys &/or collecting dues. That's not particularly hard to do, but it takes hard work and creativity. If you are a small chapter versus a couple other larger chapters, then you won't be able to out compete them financially in social events. You can only lean harder on the hard work/creativity and take fun classy guys.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by dnall

There is a difference between financial difficulty and buying power.

Quick math lesson, X dollars times 20 guys is less than X dollars times 20+anything, especially X+50 which is where he said the other fraternities are.

At any location, dues rates are not just set randomly, they are normally within a range of what the market will bear. In other words, if you raise dues another $100/yr it would lose you more members than the increased income would replace.

As a social fraternity you need Y number (normally 14-20/yr) and Z quality (locally defined) of events to show your members their monies worth in social events. That costs X money. Your competitors for recruitment & social market share have presumably 200% more than you. That doesn't mean you fail, it means you have to be twice as good as them to stay competitive.

If they pay you 1000/yr dues, and 400 of it goes to social, you need to make that 400 seem like it was worth 1000 to the guy. If you don't do that, then you will have trouble retaining guys &/or collecting dues. That's not particularly hard to do, but it takes hard work and creativity. If you are a small chapter versus a couple other larger chapters, then you won't be able to out compete them financially in social events. You can only lean harder on the hard work/creativity and take fun classy guys.

Is he serious?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by dnall

If you are a small chapter versus a couple other larger chapters, then you won't be able to out compete them financially in social events.

And here I thought it was about brotherhood. My mistake.

Once again, the values of your fraternity that you tout so much are completely at odds with what you're posting.

[jflynn]

Originally Posted by 33girl

And here I thought it was about brotherhood. My mistake.

Once again, the values of your fraternity that you tout so much are completely at odds with what you're posting.

This. SO MUCH this.

My chapter is not particularly large, but I wouldn't trade the bond I have with them for the world. Certainly not for ever-fluctuating numbers.

[sigtau305]

My Chapter currently has 25 members with three associate members right now for this semester. I agree with the majority in this thread that numbers doesn't mean much. As long as you enjoy yourself bonding with your future brothers, it's all good.

[lucgreek]

Originally Posted by dnall

If you are a small chapter versus a couple other larger chapters, then you won't be able to out compete them financially in social events.

Maybe if you attend a giant state school where massive socials and parties are the norm. A small group of 10-15 might not be able to have the social calendar of the 10 other groups of 100 guys.

But groups at my school all had comparable social events and mixers, regardless of their size. Your school and your greek experience are not reflective of greek life as a whole, every where else.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by lucgreek

Your school and your greek experience are not reflective of greek life as a whole, every where else.

Just in case dnall didn't see this.