Missouri State

University
MEMORADUM
To: John Turner
From: Alison Wootten
Subject: Internal Proposal for Client-Based Project
Date: June 26, 2015
The purpose of this memo is to gain approval for my client-based project
Summary of Proposal
I propose that the Gamma Mu chapter of Alpha Delta Pi ceases the fining of members of the chapter
for not attending events, meetings, and other chapter activities. Instead of fining for failing to attend
each event the chapter holds, the members of the chapter should be required to attend a percentage of
the events before receiving punishment.
Qualifications
Going into my third year as a member of the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, I feel qualified to
present this proposal. During my time in Alpha Delta Pi I have been on a number of different
committees while serving as the chairmen of the Public Relations Committee. During my time as a
member of the sorority I have held two jobs and have been financially responsible for paying for my
membership. Because of this I know the struggles that go along with paying to be a member and
finding time to participate in all the events.
Hope to Gain
From this project I hope to learn how to find a problem and address it in a successful manor. Since
becoming a member of Alpha Delta Pi I have felt the fining was excessive. Every year since joining I
have grown even stronger in my belief. I have always known this was an issue within our sorority but
never addressed it. This project is teaching me how to use everything I know about a topic and change
it for the better in a professional way.
Client and Need
Client Background
Alpha Delta Pi was established in 1851 and was the first national sorority. The Gamma Mu chapter of
Alpha Delta Pi was established at Missouri State in 1949. The chapter consists of 213 women who are
1

dedicated to the pursuits of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and enriching ones self. The Gamma Mu
chapter of Alpha Delta Pi runs off a set of bylaws that are created and upheld by all members of the
chapter. The current bylaws of the Gamma Mu chapter specify that failure to attend mandatory events
will result in the fining of the member.
Client Need
Over the past four years the retention rate of members within the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta
Pi has dropped 6 percent. The current chapter advisor, Molly Davis, attributes the drop in retention
because of the increase of costs associated with being a member of the chapter. The current cost to be a
member of the chapter already puts it in the top 3 most expensive sororities offered here at Missouri
State University. On top of the already expensive dues, the chapter also fines for failing to participate
in events throughout the year. Of the 213 women who were members of the Gamma Mu chapter for
the 2014/2015 school years, 72 percent of those women held jobs. 18 percent of the women claimed to
be fully responsible for paying for their sorority dues. Because of the high dues and percentage of
members who work to pay for their dues, the added fees brought on due to failure to attend activities
causes several women to be unable to financially afford to stay.
Below is a chart with the description of payments needed for an In House Resident of Alpha Delta Pi
Per semester.

Added Fees:
Recruitment Clothing ($120-$200)
Philanthropy Clothing ($20-$40)
Missed Meeting Fines ($10 for your first meeting then increases in increments of $10 for every
meeting after)
Missed Sisterhood Event ($10)
Missed Ritual Event ($50)
Miscellaneous expenses
Solution and Benefits
Solution:

I feel like the solution to this existing problem is to eliminate the fining of members for failure to
attend each of the meetings and events held by the chapter. Instead of mandating that each of the
members attend all events and meetings, the chapter should set a percentage of activities the member
must attend before being fined. (I.E. the member must attend 80 percent of all chapter meetings, 90
percent of all ritual events, and 60 percent of all sisterhood events). This change will give the members
flexibility to fit the events into their schedule without fear of getting fined for missing an event.
Member Benefits:
The members will no longer have to worry about getting finned after missing one event if they have to
work or study when they attend a majority of the events. As a whole Alpha Delta Pi values making
oneself a better and more well rounded human. By forcing all members to attend each event it is taking
away from time they could be spending bettering themselves somewhere else. Members will now have
the freedom to get more involved on campus and in other aspects of their lives.
Chapter Benefits:
The issue of retention can be addressed through the change in bylaws. Each of the girls knows the
exact amount it costs to be a member of Alpha Delta Pi as they go into recruitment. What the girls are
unaware of are the hidden fees. This plays a huge factor in the reason for women dropping the sorority.
If we eliminate the added fees I feel the retention rate would go up making us a stronger sorority.
Project Plan

Define the
problem

Evaluate
alternatives

Phase 1

Identify any
constraints

Phase 2
Gather statistics

Review Bylaws

Examine other
chapter's bylaws

create a strategy

Schedule a
meeting to
propose bylaw
changes

Phase 3

Propose change in bylaw to the

executave board

Vote on the change in bylaws

Resources:
3

 Access to experts on the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi

i.
I have notified the president of the Gamma Mu chapter and the chapter advisor of
my plans to research this topic. They have committed to assisting me with
background and statistics I will need for the project.
Library Sources
i.
I will need to find other information from previous sororities in like situations. I
have a base of information started, but I will need to find more as my project
continues.
Access to Alpha Delta Pi Gamma Mus Current Bylaws
i.
The chapter advisor and president have already given me a copy of the current
bylaws.
First hand reports from other sororitys at Missouri State University
i.
I seek to find first hand reports from members of other sororities at Missouri State
to examine how they handle their members missing events and meetings.
First hand reports from members within the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi
i.
I have already asked several of the members of Gama Mu about how they feel the
current issue of fining affects them and what they would do differently.
There are no personal expenses needed for this project.
Potential Problems:
The biggest problem I could see going into this project is the fact that the advisor and executive might
rule against voting on this proposal. The executive board and advisors have the final say if the chapter
votes a proposed change in the bylaws on. The board might feel as if the current way things are
handled helps to keep the members involved and helps raise money for the chapter. My hopes are to
present the argument that instead of helping the chapter the current method is actually hindering the
chapter.
Timeline
Task
Internal Proposal
Review Bylaws
Collect statistics
Collect info on other
chapters
Collect info and
statistics on chapter
Progress Report
Client Based Project

Start Date
June 22, 2015
June 30, 2015
July 5, 2014
July 10, 2015

End Date
June 28, 2015
July 3, 2015
July 7, 2015
July 13, 2015

Due Date
June 28, 2015
NA
NA
NA

July 10, 2015

July 13, 2015

NA

July 17, 2015

After Approval

July 22, 2015

July 24, 2015

July 24, 2015

July 28, 2015