Wait, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't all NPC sororities participate in formal recruitment? If there's one that doesn't, wouldn't they be an associate member or something? If that's the case, wouldn't it be the case that they're not NPC but just part of the college panhellenic association?

Hmm...

Maybe I'm slightly ignorant, but I don't actually know how this all works. :p Could someone who's figured out where Hogwarts is explain the situation without actually giving away the school name? I'm curious to know, actually.

I know what chapter and school this is. It is NPC, and they are a part of panhellenic, but they currently do not participate in formal recruitment. Instead, they hold their own informal recruitment right after formal has finished.

Good luck, melindawarren! I have enjoyed reading your story.

There are some cases where an NPC chapter, with the approval of their (Inter)National, does not participate in formal recruitment. They are still full members of the collegiate panhellenic. They are usually a much smaller chapter or perhaps do not have a house when all the other chapters do and usually feel that the money and time spent participating in formal recruitment would be better spent in informal recruitment efforts.

Exactly. You do not *have* to participate in formal rush to be a full member of Panhellenic. I'm sure they pay the same dues as every other chapter does, though.

My understanding of this particular chapter is that they are building up their membership so they may participate in the future.

Correct

And yes.

Fantastic, fun story. You've got a great attitude, Bellatrix (wow, does it feel strange to type that...), and I wish you much luck!!

Melindawarren, just when I think you couldn't impress me more you show us even more of your kind heart and level head.. I truly hope you find a home with the daughters... any woman would be lucky to have you as a sister!

Remind me, those of you who keep up with the rules. If Parvati depledges ("de-new-members"?) can that chapter COB immediately?

This does depend some on school rules, but if the chapter would be below total by her withdrawing, the chapter could COB. Ususally, a chapter would wait until the next semester to COB if they were that close though.

If the chapter made exactly quota (no quota additions) and she quit prior to going through the new member ceremony/ritual/pinning, the chapter may "replace" her by offering a new bid to someone, even if they are above total. II don't think my holiday-weekend-haze has worn off yet-'m fuzzy on if they could "replace" her if she had already gone through the ceremony; someone else will have to clarify there, but I think the answer is yes? But, if the chapter is over total and received quota additions, they cannot extend new bids unless the number of new women quitting puts their total number of NMs below quota. So, if they are over total and received one quota addition and one woman drops, they cannot extend a new bid.

^^^^ yes this is my understanding.

Here's the quote from the Manual of Information (aka "Green Book")

Vacancies in Quota
When a woman negates her signed Membership Recruitment Acceptance
Agreement and refuses to accept her matched bid at the conclusion of
membership recruitment and does not participate in a ribbon or formal New
Member Ceremony, this space in the chapter’s pledge Quota was not filled.
Therefore, the chapter may immediately bid and pledge another woman,
even if the chapter is over Total. However, if the chapter has received quota
additions, the chapter may only pledge additional women to the established
pledge quota and not to the quota plus quota additions. Example: If quota is 25
and a chapter receives quota (25) plus 2 quota additions for a total of 27 new
members and three new members do not accept their bids the chapter may
pledge 1 new member to fill to quota of 25.

The good news: I had a ton of fun in Hogsmeade! The girls and I really had a great day!
The awesome (to me!) news: I got my Pottermore invite last night!
The not-quite-as-exciting news: informal sorting is not over for another week and a half, so keep checking in for updates!

Re: Parvati, she did the new member ceremony and THEN dropped.