From Bid Day to Initiation: What happens?

[KitKat58]

I really enjoyed the thread "From Pref Night to Bid Day: What happens?" So I thought this topic might answer more of my questions.

What happens after Bid Day? Do most chapters go on a retreat?

Is it days, weeks, or months before initiation?

[FSUZeta]

Chapters on retreat: It varies. Some new member classes go on retreats, and I have heard of the entire sorority going, but neither happen on all campuses.

Initiation: Again it varies, because it is determined by the sorority chapter as well as their headquarters.

[KSUViolet06]

A LOT happens!

Note: this varies widely by chapter and if you get a bid, your assigned NM Educator will provide you with exact details of your NM period.

After your Bid Day (in the next few days following), you'll have a new member ceremony of sorts which celebrates you/your class joining the sorority.

The time period between bid day and initiation varies by sorority. For example: Tri Sigma's NM period is anywhere from 8-10 weeks. Others are 6-8. There is one which lasts the entire semester.

New membership comes with EXPECTATIONS for you as well.

Each week, your NM class will have NM meetings with the VP of NM Education. You will learn about the history, founding, policies, etc. of your new sorority. It is important that you attend these, as your initiation is typically contingent upon that and participation is required.

Additionally, you will attend weekly chapter meetings with all of the initiated members where you hear about important upcoming events, have educational programs, etc. Again, attendance is important.

There will also be FUN stuff held for you guys to get to know each other like ice cream parties, etc. However, that shouldn't be the only avenue for getting to know your new sisters. Talk to them. Take initiative to invite some of them to do something fun. A common misconception among NMs is that everyone is going to magically be your best friend. False, you need to take time to get to know them and be proactive about meeting people.

In addition, there will be service/philanthropy events to participate in. Even though you are a NM, it is encouraged for you to attend these and even get INVOLVED with them. If someone announces a committee for say Anchor Splash planning, sign up! That's how you meet people and get started in leadership roles. Every chapter President started with a committee or small role!

Small note: most sororities have participation requirements for all members. Being an NM does not make you exempt from that. So just know that being an NM doesn't mean "show up when I feel like it." You are preparing to become an active, membership is a privilege so it is important to recognize that privilege by showing up on time, being positive, and participating fully in any event.

There is also Big Little Week, where you will receive some sort of gift every day and clues as to who your Big Sis is. Chapters usually reveal them in some sort of fun game/activity at the end of the week and it's a really fun time.

Retreats may vary. Some have retreats at the very beginning of the NM period while others have them toward initiation. At some point, you will probably be part of a retreat, either with your class or the entire chapter.

Depending on the sorority, there may also be a membership exam. Remember all the stuff you're learning in your NM meetings. Some sororities have an exam over that information, that must be passed in order to proceed to initiation.

Finally, pending that you have met all requirements for initiation (grades, participation, any tests) you are initiated and become an active member.

[DubaiSis]

What does NOT happen between pledging and initiation is a marchingband and girls screaming with happiness every time you show up at the door. You will always be welcome, but after rush themembers go back to their lives. Many pledges misinterpret this as not being liked or not being treated as well as the other pledges. The actives SHOULD go out of their way to make you feel welcome but don't take it as a snub if they don't. It just means you have to pick up the slack.

[BraveMaroon]

You may have a total moment of "What have I DONE???" panic. This is normal.

You may not like every single person in your pledge class. This is normal.

You may not feel an instant love for every sister you meet. This is normal.

You might look at girls in other sororities and wonder if they're having more fun than you. They're not, and this is normal.

You may get door chants from other houses stuck in your head at strange times. Even 20 years after the fact, this is normal.

You may freak out about some of the following: your roommate, your classes, your grades, your lack of privacy, your insane schedule, lack of sleep, your parents, finances. This is normal.

If I could offer one piece of advice to any young woman entering college today, it's this...

If you need help, ask for it.

Whether it's from another sister who is a whiz with a glue gun, a classmate who seems to get it quicker than you, a Professor who offers office hours, or someone in Counseling Services who can help you sort through your feelings; ASK. FOR. HELP.

It's normal.

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

You may have a total moment of "What have I DONE???" panic. This is normal.

You may not like every single person in your pledge class. This is normal.

You may not feel an instant love for every sister you meet. This is normal.

You might look at girls in other sororities and wonder if they're having more fun than you. They're not, and this is normal.

You may get door chants from other houses stuck in your head at strange times. Even 20 years after the fact, this is normal.

You may freak out about some of the following: your roommate, your classes, your grades, your lack of privacy, your insane schedule, lack of sleep, your parents, finances. This is normal.

If I could offer one piece of advice to any young woman entering college today, it's this...

If you need help, ask for it.

Whether it's from another sister who is a whiz with a glue gun, a classmate who seems to get it quicker than you, a Professor who offers office hours, or someone in Counseling Services who can help you sort through your feelings; ASK. FOR. HELP.

It's normal.

Love this. Also: you may have dreams about recruitment. They may never end.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

You may get door chants from other houses stuck in your head at strange times. Even 20 years after the fact, this is normal.

From midnight memories of choruses of "Oh, Pat" and rhythmic clapping; Good Lord deliver us. [sung Anglican chant]

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

Love this. Also: you may have dreams about recruitment. They may never end.

Not even 31 years later.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

What does NOT happen between pledging and initiation is a marchingband and girls screaming with happiness every time you show up at the door. You will always be welcome, but after rush themembers go back to their lives. Many pledges misinterpret this as not being liked or not being treated as well as the other pledges. The actives SHOULD go out of their way to make you feel welcome but don't take it as a snub if they don't. It just means you have to pick up the slack.

Quoted for TRUTH. As much time as recruitment took for you, it took MORE for the active sisters, and many of them will be catching up on, well, everything else in their lives.

[Shellfish]

Isn't this poster a mother from last year, not a PNM?

[KDCat]

I forgot how much fun my pledge period was.

We started classes. The actives started classes. I started sitting with one of my pledge sisters in my huge chemistry lecture and we teamed up for lab partners.

Actives decorated my dorm door.

We started having pledge class meetings and pledge education sesssion. (I'm old enough that I was a pledge, not a new member.)

We started meeting people. We were assigned a pearl sister, an emerald sister, and a diamond sister (one each week) -- she was an active who invited us out and introduced us to people. One of them took me to some parties. Another one took me out for a Blizzard. Another one just had me over to watch TV with some other actives.

We had two pledge retreats - one at the house and one off-campus.

We were encouraged to do things with our pledge sisters and we did. We went to games. We went to campus movies. I was in the campus play and my class came to my play. (Still makes me go "Aww!")

We participated in chapter philanthropy event.

We all made sure we went to "formal" dinner at the house once a week.

We had got our Big Sisters.

We were seranaded by a couple of fraternities during formal dinner.

We had a very special week, the week before initiation.

[KitKat58]

ss
I thought this board was here for q & a.

[DubaiSis]

They used to call it hell week, but even nearly 40 years ago it was more like Christmas than hell. Parties, lots of bonding moments, late nights...

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

They used to call it hell week, but even nearly 40 years ago it was more like Christmas than hell. Parties, lots of bonding moments, late nights...

White Rose Week.

It wasn't a hell week. We didn't get hazed. We had some ritual and some bonding activities.

[Missouri Ivy]

Ours was called I Week/Inspiration Week. Presents from your big, sisterhood activities, a very special ceremony the night before initiation, and a pledge class slumber party in the chapter room. It was the one time you were allowed to have food in the chapter room.

[DubaiSis]

one of my (now ex)office mates is in her 70s and an active DG alumna. I swear every time I see her I think d.e.lta do delta. G.a.double ma go ga double ma...