Keep your chapter safe and sound

Plan ahead for your spring bill

In early January, SigEp will send out the Spring Liability Insurance Bill.  The per-member fee and chapter base fee will remain the same at $130 per member and a $550 base fee (SECs less than two years old are only billed at half the rate of the per-man and base fees).   Fortunately, the premium rate has remained stable for five years.  We also want to take the opportunity to thank all of our chapters for paying their fall bill in a timely manner.  As of November 13, 2012, we have collected over 89 percent!  

Always designate a sober driver 

Designated driver programs are a smart choice for preventing people from driving while intoxicated. However, chapters need to consider some of the liability implications associated with sponsoring such programs.  Chapters do not want to be seen as promoting a platform for unsafe drinking.  However, it is responsible to provide safe options for transportation to and from chapter sponsored events. 

Chapters should not single out new members to handle this responsibility, since this creates an environment of servitude which is unacceptable and can be viewed as a form of hazing.  Also, when you assign someone to drive, you should know that the driver has a valid license, a good driving record, adequate insurance coverage, a car that is safe and in good condition,  can handle the distraction of a car full of people, and is willing to commit to remaining 100 percent sober.  This can be a challenge.  Statistics show that male drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are the highest risk group. Auto accidents are the second highest cause of fraternity tragedies, with alcohol playing a role in many of these accidents. 

SigEp recommends that chapters use professional, public transportation if at all possible, such as taxis, shuttles, buses, and campus safe ride programs. The chapter may want to print wallet-sized cards with taxi service numbers.   If this service is not readily available, then the chapter can organize a VOLUNTARY program where members volunteer to stay sober and provide rides and distribute their numbers to members.  

Fraternal Property Management Association Fall Newsletter

The Fraternal Property Management Association's (FPMA) newsletter is a great resource for keeping your chapter house safe and sound. Highlights from the most recent edition include:

• Keep the bedbugs from biting
• IRS posts automatic revocation list: Are you still exempt?
• Workers compensationn and in-kind compensation

Case Study

Several members drove from El Paso, Texas to attend a party sponsored by SigEp and another fraternity at the University of New Mexico. The driver, who committed to being the sober driver, ended up consuming alcohol at the party. After the party, the group went to the SigEp house to hang out some more and then out to eat before driving back to El Paso in the early hours of the morning. On the way home the driver fell asleep and crossed the center line, striking another vehicle. The other driver was killed and two other passengers were seriously injured. A lawsuit was filed against the driver, the chapter, and the national Fraternity, and a substantial settlement was paid out. Never ride with someone who has consumed alcohol.