OmegaFi

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I haven't been a treasurer since sometime around 2001. That said, IIRC, their commission was based on a formula. The more the chapter was paying through Omega Fi, the lower the percentage was.

So in other words, the smaller chapters - who, it can be argued, need this service even more since their members likely have multiple offices and since they have less $ to work with - have to pay more, while large chapters pay less?

That's not really fair. If they don't want to work with smaller chapters, then they should just say they need a minimum of x members to take on the account, not gouge people.

[TGTKPinkWhalepq]

Originally Posted by 33girl

So in other words, the smaller chapters - who, it can be argued, need this service even more since their members likely have multiple offices and since they have less $ to work with - have to pay more, while large chapters pay less?

That's not really fair. If they don't want to work with smaller chapters, then they should just say they need a minimum of x members to take on the account, not gouge people.

Oh dear, well this could bode ill for us then.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

So in other words, the smaller chapters - who, it can be argued, need this service even more since their members likely have multiple offices and since they have less $ to work with - have to pay more, while large chapters pay less?

That's not really fair. If they don't want to work with smaller chapters, then they should just say they need a minimum of x members to take on the account, not gouge people.

It's not gouging, it's a business model. The chapter can just say no. Alternatively, the chapter can ask their HQ to negotiate better terms across the org.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

It's not gouging, it's a business model. The chapter can just say no. Alternatively, the chapter can ask their HQ to negotiate better terms across the org.

That's what I was going to ask/hope most HQs would do. TGTKPinkWhalepq - I would check and see if your HQ has done this.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

So in other words, the smaller chapters - who, it can be argued, need this service even more since their members likely have multiple offices and since they have less $ to work with - have to pay more, while large chapters pay less?

That's not really fair. If they don't want to work with smaller chapters, then they should just say they need a minimum of x members to take on the account, not gouge people.

This is probably because (and this is speculation, but it seems reasonable) there are certain fixed costs associated with servicing each account, so smaller chapters aren't going to be as profitable, therefore, they'll pay more.

Also, with larger chapters, when we're talking about funneling hundreds of thousands through Omega Fi rather than tens of thousands, there's a lot more money to be made.

Omega Fi does a very good job, when I was using them about a decade ago, our chapter was very small, less than 20. We're a lot larger now, but it was a good deal then and it's a good deal now.

[TGTKPinkWhalepq]

33 Our HQ does recommend using OmegaFi. I'm not sure how much pull they have with them. I just got a response from one of their reps and will be gathering the necessary details for her today. We have to get this ok'd by our Alumni Board and simple majority of the chapter too.

Also in Bylaws Committee we are proposing an increase in dues as well. If I never post again after next Sunday the chapter may have resorted to mob violence.

Kevin, what kind of action did your chapter take to improve in numbers? We are training our Recruitment Committee this month with some Phired Up reps that the school paid for and some Alum are helping us with a freshman scholarship program

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by TGTKPinkWhalepq

If I never post again after next Sunday the chapter may have resorted to mob violence.

I like this person

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by TGTKPinkWhalepq

Kevin, what kind of action did your chapter take to improve in numbers? We are training our Recruitment Committee this month with some Phired Up reps that the school paid for and some Alum are helping us with a freshman scholarship program

It's not just in recruitment, it's in retention. Both work hand in hand. You have to build an organization that people want to be a part of to the exclusion of others and that they want to stay a member of. And for that, it's all about creating a great first impression, creating a distinct image on campus and about building an internal culture to match that image. It's easier said than done.

[TGTKPinkWhalepq]

Originally Posted by Kevin

It's not just in recruitment, it's in retention. Both work hand in hand. You have to build an organization that people want to be a part of to the exclusion of others and that they want to stay a member of. And for that, it's all about creating a great first impression, creating a distinct image on campus and about building an internal culture to match that image. It's easier said than done.

We make an awesome first impression is what most of our recruits have told me, whether they joined or not. The main problem we have is having a distinct (favorable) image and an internal culture that is consistent with that. The friends I made recruiting that went elsewhere always pointed out that we sell something different from every chapter on campus, but we're not living up to the image we sell, and that became apparent as they got to know us over time.

Do you know any chapters that have dealt with this issue?

We're the smallest chapter on campus so we have a great chance to align ourselves with the image we want. Average size on campus is 45+, and we'll have 17 or 18 going into this fall.