[22996] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Proposal Question: B-02-035 & B-02-036: Raise Initiate Fee
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ken Hunter)
Tue Oct 22 11:38:32 2002
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 10:38:27 -0500
Reply-To: Ken Hunter <kwh_apo@HOTMAIL.COM>
From: Ken Hunter <kwh_apo@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Two Points to Add/Respond to:
1. Regarding the financial capabilities of our membership. Obviously, the
minimal cost currently associated with becomming a Brother are used as a
selling point. Not only for the purpose of being inexpensive, but also for
the fact that it goes along with our principle that friendship is not
something that is "bought," as is often the case in joining a social.
If the overall activation package (pledging fee + initiation fee) is
increased to $100 per member (as could be the case), our fraternity will
still be at or near the bottom on most campuses with regard to these fees.
Obviously, we will be near the top in terms of fees for service
organizations (as we probably are now), but we are not just a service
organization.
I have seen the issue of "affordability" from different perspectives. My
chapter charged $75-$100 per semester to actives, which I know is high in
comparison to most. Some of our members couldn't really afford it, but they
worked it out over payments. Other "said" they couldn't afford it, but this
was only an excuse to spend money elsewhere.
We do need to be careful to keep fees in a range where interested, committed
members can meet their obligations without going into bankruptcy. However,
my experience finds that those who are committed to being Brothers of Alpha
Phi Omega, who belive in its purpose and principles, will meet their
obligations in full. It is those who are not as committed who you have to
worry about, and as far as I am concerned, getting rid of "deadwood" is
never a bad thing.
Maybe the maximum threshold for the present is $75, or maybe it is $100?
Regardless, it sounds like a good idea to front-load our fees to Nationals.
2. Removing the dues component of the AAMD appears to be part of a larger
planned reorganization of the annual rechartering process. There is another
amendment that would require submitting Spring and Fall National Service
Event reports in order to qualify for rechartering. It was submitted by the
National Service & Communications Committee (B-02-022). Their rationale is
that this information is necessary for the success of our national
partnerships, enhances our national exposure through the availability of
more information, enables chapters to evaluate their service programs, and
increases the currently pitiful reporting rates on Spring and Fall Service
Days/Weeks.
It is possible that over time, the rechartering process will focus more on
gaining information from chapters and less on collecting money. The greater
accessibility of information will enable the National Office, National Board
and Committees, and regional and sectional staff to better identify
strengths and weaknesses of chapters, both in aggregate and individual
analyses. (okay, sounding way too much like an MPA major)
In L, F, and S,
Kenneth Hunter
Alum, Tau Epsilon Chapter, Tennessee Technological University
Graduate Student, University of Georgia (Master of Public Administration)
Section 70 Secretary/Treasurer
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