TKE CEO Announces the 2013 - 2014 Fee Schedule

Chief Executive Officer Shawn A. Babine announced today the approval of the 2013 – 2014 Fee Schedule for the fraternity that will become effective June 1, 2013.

Fees include TKE's New Member Fee, the Late Payment Penalty Fee, Honorary Initiate Fee, Annual Membership Fee, Annual Risk Management Fee, the Chapter Assessment Fee, Alumni Association Chartering Fee, and Chapter Chartering Fee.

In his announcement, Frater Shawn reported that after a thorough analysis of The Black Book, and review of TKE's operating budget and executive policies he concluded that the Fraternity would, generally, "hold the line" in keeping fees neutral. As prescribed by TKE's governing document The Black Book certain fees are approved by the Grand Council annually while others are set by the Chief Executive Officer.

New Member and Late Payment Penalty Fee

All candidates must pay this non-refundable fee, which is due within 14 days of bid acceptance. The candidate should register, and pay, using the on-line registration system. After 14 days, the chapter or colony becomes responsible for the Candidate Fee even if the candidate drops out before initiation. Chapter officers should use the TKE Chapter Module to monitor which candidates have paid their fee to the Offices of the Grand Chapter.

As prescribed in The Black Book that the if the initiation fee is not paid to the Office of the Grand Chapter within 15 days of becoming a member, then an additional fee equal to 40% of the membership fee shall apply.

Honorary Initiate Fee

Honorary membership is a means of extending the privilege of membership of Tau Kappa Epsilon upon men of “sterling character and staunch uprightness” who are not enrolled as students at a campus where TKE has an active chapter or colony. Honorary Members enjoy all the rights afforded alumni members of the chapter into which they are initiated.

Honorary Members have included Past Grand Prytani Sophus Goth, William Reeve, and Ralph Williams. And… continue with Lawrence Welk, Elvis Presley, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Boxing Champion Roy Jones, Danny Thomas and Steve Forbes. Consistent with TKE values that every man is equal, the price for Honorary initiates will increase to $300.00 and equals the total new member fee.

Annual Membership (AMF) and Late Payment Fees

The best option is to pay your AMF in full for the year, due by October 1. The chapter or colony will save $30 per man by paying in advance for the full year. If choosing the split option, the first installment of $90 per man is due October 1 and the second installment of $90 per man is due no later than March 1. Graduate students have the option to be active members of a TKE chapter or colony.

Any graduate student wishing to be an active member must pay Annual Membership Fees. Graduate students include all students who have received a bachelor's degree but are still taking classes at a college or university. All returning active members of TKE chapters and colonies are obligated to pay this fee.

Annual Risk Management (ARM) Fee

Since 2012, James R. Favor & Company has been TKE’s premier risk management services provider. JRF & Co an authorized underwriting agent for Lloyds of London underwrites TKE’s insurance coverage. As our broker JRF & Co bill and collect the Annual Risk Management Fee assessment.

TKE and the Offices of the Grand Chapter is responsible to set the fee rates annually. In 2012 TKE used 4 criteria to set that rate:

1. the number of members reported active at your chapter or colony for the prior academic year,
2. the total new members from the prior academic year, less
3. the average attrition rate for the Fraternity, and
4. TKE assigned a chapter or colony risk assessment of high, medium or low

Many chapter officers and volunteers have questioned “How and why am I rated ________?”, (you insert your own rating). Your feedback is important and we have listened and in 2013, TKE will eliminate the fourth criteria (e.g. rating the chapter high, medium, or low) in determining your annual risk management fee.

The fact is determining if Chapter X is a high risk or low risk has been an unscientific based assessment. The traditional norms in identifying riskier behavior is evolving quicker than we can often react to. However, what TKE concretely understands is the cost of risk management and risk education for our fraternity and when we take that expense. and project it out to our total membership we can calculate a “One Rate – One Fee” rate of $230.00.

Here is a simple calculation and a budget calculator for you to calculate your chapter’s annual risk management fee:

Each chapter and colony receives an invoice directly from James R. Favor & Company prior to August 31. A chapter must make full payment to JRF & Co. any time prior to October 15.

Chapter Assessment Fee

Implemented in 2012, the chapter assessment fee is an annual fee each chapter pays to support the TKE Nation ensuring dependable access to fraternal services and resources. In 2012-13, the Chapter Assessment Fee totaled $780.00 and was billed in two equal installments, one due November 1 and the second due March 11.

In 2013, our Chapters have two options:

1. a single payment paid in the Fall and due n November 1 for $500.00. or
2. two equal payments of $390.00 and due on November 1 and the second due on March 11.

Conclave Savings Plan

Conclave installment payments of $250.00 is unchanged from prior years and are due no later than November 30 for the Fall semester and April 30 for the Spring semester.

Collegiate Chapter Chartering Fees

Colonies planning to charter must pay a Chapter Chartering Fee that covers the purchase the chapter’s ritual equipment, the professional printing of the Charter and other expenses related to the installation of the Chapter. Although the fee does not cover the entire cost of chartering and installation, the Chapter Chartering Fee for 2013 is unchanged at $1,750.00.

Biennium Alumni Association Chartering Fee

Alumni Associations play an important part in our fraternal experience. They are the chapter’s networking channel that connects the men to real-world, often local, businessmen who can assist in the social and moral development of a recent graduate who is just entering the workforce.

Like collegiate chapters, Alumni Associations are approved by the Grand Council and have annual reporting requirements for continue chartering recognition. In return, TKE offers the Alumni Association resources to support their association, including website hosting opportunities, access to member information, and other ancillary benefits.

Additionally, the Alumni Association must file an annual report with the Office of the Grand Chapter that provides us with an active roster, a list of officers, and general information on the success of the association.

Approved and recognized Alumni Association have certain rights and privileges. Pursuant to The Black Book [Chapter XVII, Sec 4, Biennial Certification] “each alumni association which have been charted may be granted one vote in the Grand Chapter if the meet…” certain criteria.

For nearly the last decade, the Alumni Association Fee schedule was tiered to recognize early renewals, standard fees, late renewals and an application fee. All fees were assessed on the biennial.

In 2013, TKE will transition to a single fee structure with two options: a biennial fee of $200.00 paid every two years, or a “One-Time | Life-Time” Fee of $1,000.00. However, some restrictions apply. An Alumni Association wishing to select the One-Time | Life-Time Fee must meet all minimum reporting requirements during each biennium. Failure to provide those reports will cause the Association to lose its credentials as a “Life Time” charter, and will be required to pay either the standard rate or repay the Life Time fee in the next reporting cycle.