COB
 

So, I put in my application for COB in January and found out that a sorority was colonizing at my university. I signed up for their recruitment, super excited about being in a colony but then, two days before Orientation, they cancelled, saying they wanted to get more recognition on campus before doing any type of recruitment.

Obviously, I was super bummed and didn't think I was going to be contacted from any other sororities because my Greek Affairs office told me that no other sororities were going to be participating. Then last night I got a text from the recruitment chair of XYZ inviting me to a V-Day Crafting get together! I was so happy but now I have no idea what to do. I have some of the XYZ sisters in one of my classes tonight so I'm going to talk to her before the event tomorrow.

Anyone have any tips for me?! I could really use some advice!

1) Accept the invitation.

2) Make sure that when you talk to your classmate, you tell her that you were super happy to get the invitation.

3) Ask your classmate what to wear. Dress slightly nicer than what she tells you to wear.

4) Search around here for information on open recruitment and read those threads.

5) If you get a bid, accept it. Don't wait on a colony that may or may not happen.

Awesome, thanks for the advice, KDCat!

Conversations matter a lot during open recruitment. These two threads are about formal recruitment, but it have good tips. Open recruitment is more relaxed, though.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=99720

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=30758

One thing I'd point out here: If you get a bid AND you feel comfortable with the group, accept it. You may go to XYZ's recruitment events and feel that the fit just isn't there.

But on the other hand, if you like them but wonder if going through formal rush would open more doors for you, take the offer in front of you. I would only decline it if you really think you would be unhappy there. Turning down a bid in favor of the unknown is best only if you would prefer not to be Greek than be Greek with that group of women.

Triple Amen!

Thanks for all the advice. I went to the event on Thursday and had a really good time, all the girls were great. Sometimes I felt a bit alienated because they were talking about what boys they were bringing to their date party and I didn't know the guys. I did ask about the date party and the theme but they kept bringing up the guys. Definitely tried to keep up with the conversation and ask questions.

Once I was ready to leave, I went to say goodbye to the recruitment chair and she said she wanted to invite me to their event on Sunday (tomorrow) and would text me the details. So, I waited until today and there was still no information so I texted her, asking her for the details so I cold come. It's been 7 hours with no reply so, I'm guessing that I'm no longer invited? Just wish there could have been a reply back or no invite to the event at all.

There are five other sororities in COB so, I guess I can hope to get another invite or wait until fall recruitment.

Now I'm curious, should I reach out to any of the other houses participating in COB?

How do you know they're participating? If there are flyers advertising events, then go.

For the chapter you attended already, do you know anyone else that may be able to give you details for tomorrow?

I was sent an email from the Greek Affairs office giving a list of all the sororities that are participating in COB this semester but there are no flyers. I'm pretty sure that everything is invite only but I wasn't sure if emailing them or something would be a good idea to grab their attention.

I have two classmates that are in the chapter that I visited but I won't see them until Monday. The only contact I have is the recruitment chair who didn't text me back.

A lot of times sororities that are listed as participating in COB actually only have 2 or 3 spots, which they fill with people they already know. But I would suggest that you e-mail them saying, "Hello, the Greek Life office told me that Alpha Alpha Alpha sorority is participating in Continuous Open Bidding. I just want you to know that I am looking for a sorority home and would love an opportunity to meet the sisters of AAA. My contact info is..."

If they don't reply, you'll have to let it go. You gave it a shot.

As to the text that wasn't answered, can you call this person? Since she gave you a verbal invitation, I would think they do want you to come. There are all kinds of texts and e-mails aren't received.

I am afraid that I don't really see this as a firm invitation. If she said exactly what you wrote, I ca see this as just kind of being polite. She may have been shot down by other chapter members when it came to actually issuing the formal invitations to the next party. It certainly would have been courteous for her to reply to your text, letting you know what your status is currently. Sometimes people have a really hard time delivering bad news.

I definitely agree that if other chapters are doing COB, send them a nice email to see if there is any opportunity with those chapters. Good luck.

I went ahead and emailed the 5 other chapters participating in COB and already got another invite to an open house! The original sorority I went to was having invite only sisterhood events, then interviews to extend bids. I believe the sorority I was invited to tonight is having a more structured recruitment that will go throughout the week though it is still invite only. Hoping that this one goes a bit better than the last!

Once again, thanks for the advice everyone! I'm really glad I emailed the sororities about my interest in COB. :]

Good luck to you!