Treasurer's Role With Members In Debt

Should a student member's account become a month overdue, the Treasurer (and later, if necessary, the Adviser and other chapter officers) should counsel with him regarding the problem. The Bylaws, Chapter VII, Part A, Section 2, provides that house privileges shall be refused in such a case, until full settlement is made. In his attempt to collect a delinquent account, the Treasurer should get the member's written acknowledgment of the amount owed, and they should mutually agree upon a date when the total will be paid, or upon a reasonable repayment schedule. The chapter might be able to aid a brother with financial problems by helping him to find a part-time job, or with a loan from individual members (not from the chapter as a whole).

If delinquency continues with payment date(s) not met, the chapter should have an established policy to follow. The delinquent member should be sent a certified letter detailing his indebtedness and reminding him of the date it was due. Further discussion of the problem should be suggested, and a deadline established for discussion or payment, before the matter is brought to the chapter for disciplinary action (Appendix, item 22), or to the Small Claims Court for settlement. Such action should then be the last resort.

Delinquent members who deliberately refuse to pay their debts should be expelled. Every member should pay his account in full before leaving college or at the end of each school year. If he cannot, he should be required to sign a promissory note (Appendix, item 29) payable within a year. (Bylaws, Chapter VII, Part A, Sections 3 and 4). The Treasurer should list for the Scribe any brother ceasing to be a student member who is indebted, and any previously indebted alumnus discharging his financial obligations, so these may be reported to the Central Office on the next Membership Status Change Report.