The sorority cost/money/financial thread.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I wouldn't really worry about telling a freshman PNM that in 5 years she may have annual alumnae dues that cost less than a Costco membership.

YES!

When I was told how much alumnae dues were when I graduated, I was like "That's it?"

[Titchou]

Our new members and graduating seniors are informed that they should pay their national per capita dues when they are alums. This amount is tied to an index so it can vary from year to year. Each alumnae group sets their own dues and can change them annually so that specific information is not possible to pass on.

Fifty year members do not have to pay any dues...but certainly may, if they want.

[unarose]

We're not NPC, but our alumnae dues and collegiate dues nationally are both currently the same ($35/year). New Member (MIT) pledging fee is currently $50, and Initiation is $250 and includes the regulation semi-crown pearl vermeil badge. The upgrade to the full-crown 10k badge is $80 extra on the Initiation fee. That upgrade is actually the only new member related thing that has changed in the last three years since my own initiation. It was $50 when I opted for it myself.

As for chapter dues, each chapter (alumnae and collegiate) set their own local dues just like other orgs do. Also, our International Chapter (for sisters who don't live near another active chapter) has its own yearly dues, which are currently $20 a year.

[KSUViolet06]

Bumping this for Fall 2015!

PNMs, know what this is going to cost you and make sure that you are prepared!

[KSUViolet06]

Bumping.

[KSUViolet06]

Bumping. Because being Greek is not fun if you have to depledge because you "didn't think it was going to be so expensive."

[AXiDfromKSU]

As our chapter's financial advisor, I thank you for putting this out there. Again.

[BabyBlue91]

Another alum here! Other things to consider:

• Clothes/shoes (may be required for initiation/rituals, events, formals), as well as hair and/or makeup
• Conferences/retreats above the local level (registration, transportation, hotel, meals)
• Mandatory training/certification for those seeking leadership positions in the sorority (e.g., background check)

Will add more of these as I think of them. Sorority membership is absolutely a luxury ...

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by BabyBlue91

Another alum here! Other things to consider:

• Clothes/shoes (may be required for initiation/rituals, events, formals), as well as hair and/or makeup
• Conferences/retreats above the local level (registration, transportation, hotel, meals)
• Mandatory training/certification for those seeking leadership positions in the sorority (e.g., background check)

Will add more of these as I think of them. Sorority membership is absolutely a luxury ...

Some of the items you listed may be organization or even chapter specific.

[HQWest]

Again, if you have to work to help pay for rent or tuition, maybe sorority life is just not for you? This is something to think long and hard about BEFORE recruitment. Especially if you are on a campus with big houses and higher dues.

There are lots of activities, and it is just no fun if you can never go to them if you have to study or go to work. There are fines if you miss recruitment or workshops or philanthropy events, too.

Some chapters are more friendly about excusing absences for work or for SGA or athletics and some are not. This is something to ask your friends in sororities about BEFORE recruitment.

Finally, if you have to drop because of money, you cannot come to events. You cannot wear letters. Anything you bought with the crest or letters on it, you are supposed to give it back to the chapter. (Although I suppose you could sell it on ebay.)

[clemsongirl]

And if you KNOW you'll have to work to pay tuition and you KNOW you want to go Greek at some point in your undergraduate career it may be wise to look at sorority costs while deciding on a college. I am not an advocate of going to college just to go Greek but if School 1 is going to cost $10k a year to be in a sorority and School 2 will cost $1000 and they both have the same program you want, that is something to consider.

[KSUViolet06]

The most important thread you will ever read!

[Weaver D]

From the "Dad" perspective, I really appreciated the financial obligation form my daughter received before she joined her sorority. It gave a complete break-down of all the expenses and my daughter and I were able to have an adult conversation about the "investment" she was about to make and how much she was willing to contribute to her lifelong commitment. The university she attends provided a pretty broad range of what students and parents can expect. After she accepted her bid, she received the 8-page legal contract again outlining her financial obligation and level of commitment. I made her read it and ask questions before I signed it. So glad the chapter included the parents as part of the awareness.

This is a challenge for the fraternity I advise at a much smaller campus (annual dues less than $1,000 for active members, around $1,200 for pledge year), but guys still pay late or not at all before suspended or they flunk out. We ask the men to share the info with their parents, but many don't for fear of parents not letting them join....different conversation for a different day. This fall, the chapter finally instituted a contract to help with the collections problem.

[clemsongirl]

The difference between how fraternities and sororities collect dues boggles me, honestly. My friends in IFC fraternities routinely complain about brothers not paying dues or being behind and then not having funds to do things, but in ADPi you've got 30 days to pay or your membership is revoked. No dodging the treasurer with us.

[Weaver D]

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

The difference between how fraternities and sororities collect dues boggles me, honestly. My friends in IFC fraternities routinely complain about brothers not paying dues or being behind and then not having funds to do things, but in ADPi you've got 30 days to pay or your membership is revoked. No dodging the treasurer with us.

The chapter has always had the option to send paperwork to HQ to financially suspend a member, but they are hesitant to anger or ostracize a member because he "has financial problems" - they still don't get that running a chapter is like running a business and you need a positive cash flow to run the organization so they can do "stuff". I get the one off member that truly has a financial crisis, but for the most part, the dead beats are prioritizing buying beer over paying dues. Last year, I followed up with the president and treasurer at the first of the month with the AR report and banged my head against the wall when they say they don't have funds for anything...no duh! Only 1/2 of the chapter was current with dues. Very frustrating. I'm hoping the current officers learn from the mistakes of last year. Only 1 month in and only 3 guys owe from last year and so far most of the chapter is current.