Actually, NPC has had such a form for at least four years. It is considered the script for the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (the official name for the form signed after Preference and used in Bid Matching.)

It outlines all of the choices the women has as well as the consequences (list all, list one or less than all choices, or list zero and not sign, etc.) Many Panhellenics provide this explanation at more than one time (before Pref, in Recruitment Counselor groups, at Pref.)

If campuses are still not using this, they should. It really helps! In various capacities, I have worked with the Preference event at four different schools (types, numbers, atmosphere, location in country, etc.) and all are using this script in some form. Most even have a shortened version on the paper or computer screen that the PNM signs so that it is right there with her regular or electronic signature.

Sometimes they just DO NOT listen. I had explained to my little group in particular one year EXACTLY what happens when they sign that pref card.

I repeatedly said that unless they hated their other choice, they should list them. But IF THEY WOULD CRY ON BID DAY because they got their second choice then they should consider only listing their first choice, with the understanding that that would make it more likely that they will not get a bid since a no-match would result in them getting dropped. (We don't go into COB unless they specifically ask as some see that as a second option).

Guess what one of the girls did? Yep. Cried on Bid Day.

Sometimes they just DON'T listen.

We have started using, this year, a form which outlines all specifications and possibilities very explicitly and the Panhellenic Advisor goes step-by-step through the process. Not only are they getting it from their Rho Chi's, but they're getting it from the Advisor as well...and the sheet of paper they sign.

When I went through I single-preffed, but I wasn't even told I could. I guess I either had a lot of balls or was really dumb. I'm not as against it as some are...I understand why it should not be encouraged but am always frustrated when it is intentionally not mentioned. That would eliminate the crying-on-bid-day scenario.

Is there something like a pref night card for COB? I don't think chapters do a Pref Night for COB since it's informal...

Edit: Just wondering how accepting bids work for COB cause I know the same rules from FR apply to COB.

No, there are different rules for COB. During informal, a PNM can theoretically be offered a bid to each chapter participating. She is not bound by a chapter merely offering her a bid. She is bound to a chapter for a year once she signs a chapter's bid to accept it.

The "pref card" (Membership Recruitment Acceptance Agreement/MRAA) is only used in formal recruitment. It discourages SIPing to place as many women as possible. Once PNMs rank their chapters after preference and sign their MRAAs, they are bound to whichever chapter they match with for a year. The "accepting or declining" on bid day is a formality.

Thanks for the clarification. At my school, very few chapters participate in COB, but I am still interested in checking them out. Even though I will be participating in COB, I am wondering if it would be best to not accept a bid (if I do receive a bid) and wait for FR. Most chapters don't do COB here, which is the disadvantage of participating in COB because I would love to see all of the chapters, but is not accepting a COB bid a missed opportunity? More than half of the PNMs receive bids during FR, but there is still a significant amount that end up bidless.

As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Should you get a COB bid from a group you love, with whom you can TOTALLY see yourself being a part of and sisters with - take it. No need to second guess yourself if you feel you have found your home.

If you are unsure, then you can always go through formal recruitment.