Membership by Invitation Only?

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by PsychTau2


BUT...unless I'm still misinterpreting this...we are all (NIC/NPC/NPHC) "membership by invitation only". You can't become a member unless you're invited to be a member. Whatever happens before that (recruitment event or not) doesn't constitute a membership invitation. Just some conversation and refreshments !

I agree! I was just wondering if any organizations used this lingo in their recruitment process.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
I agree! I was just wondering if any organizations used this lingo in their recruitment process.

Maybe not the exact phrase, "membership by invitation only", but something similar.

As an example, here is how the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity (Sam Houston State) describes invitations (bids).

Bid Sessions. After rush parties are completed the active members of the fraternity meet for a bid session. At this time each man who has expressed interest in pledging Sigma Chi is discussed by the chapter. If the chapter decides to offer a bid to a rushee, he will receive an *invitation* to pledge at the appropriate time designated by the Interfraterity Council.

Invitation to Pledge (a Bid). A bid is a written *invitation* to pledge a fraternity. If a man chooses to accept the bid from Sigma Chi, from that point on he is considered a Sigma Chi pledge and may wear shirts, etc., with the words "SIGMA CHI" or "SIGS" but not the Greek letters Sigma Chi (a national regulation).

ETA: The above definitions are generalizations. The actual process may differ.