Is This Common?

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by iheartlife

Has anyone ever heard of a sorority that makes the women going through the membership process plan and throw their own induction ceremony and after-ceremony dinner?


What is the problem with having an after-induction dinner?


I thought this was done by the chapter's big sisters for their little sisters?

Who cares "who" throws the party? Who told you that dinner is a Big/Little thing? The group may not even give you a big sister, or give them weeks later, or any other possibility.

Also, I was told what the cost would be to join, but nothing about where the money was to go. Like, X dollars to national dues, X dollars to chapter dues, X dollars toward a handbook and sorority t-shirt (or something else with the sorority's letters on it) after induction, etc.

I'm sure they can give you a list of areas covered (decorations, food, celebrations, rentals, misc.), but chances are, they might not say "$1.00 for decorations and paperplates for sister events, $0.50 per person for room rental for a ceremony, $0.06 per person to buy new candles for the pledge ceremony, $6.00 for bid day shirt". And anyway, some of the stuff may not be privy to non-initiates because some things are a surprise.


This organization is real, and has been around for a long time. But, it's not a member of any national councils or umbrella groups. So, it's not a question of legitimacy. Just one of common vs uncommon practices, I would think. But, if I really knew I wouldn't be on GreekChat asking would I?

If you pay dues, it's a COMMON experience to have a variety of things covered. The better question to ask is WHAT ISN'T covered by dues, so that you can prepare. I think that is an appropriate question to ask.

I probably didn't get some terminology right, so my apologies for that in advance. I'm looking into a sorority and found out that they do this, but I have no idea if this is common or not. I know every organization is different, but I've lurked here enough to know that some things are pretty common across the board. I just have no idea, so I'd like some input.

Only THE SORORITY you are interested in can give you INPUT. ASK THEM. Some groups' dues cover "everything" from all meals at the house to event items to mixers; others cover some stuff and leave other stuff (like optional event t-shirts, formals, off-campus events, etc.) a-la-cart, because not everyone wants an event t-shirt or can attend the annual formal.

Thanks in advance.

Don't base the possible experiences on what any other group does. There are differences even among the 26 NPC groups, and even among different chapters of the same group. Do your research on THIS group and don't worry what other people do.