From Bid Day to Initiation: What happens?

[misscherrypie]

Let's see.

We spent so much time together. Lots of meetings, ritual and just spending time together. If I wasn't in class, I was with some (if not all) of my sisters almost all of the rest of the time, except when I went home to sleep. Not kidding.

The week before pledge ritual and chapter initiation (the latter is not a Beta thing, its a chapter thing. ) we had a retreat in San Francisco for two days, went to Virginia City for the day....and did a lot of bonding together in between.

I still look back on that period with a smile. It was a memorable time that I'll never forget. Ever. :-)

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

Let's see.

We spent so much time together. Lots of meetings, ritual and just spending time together. If I wasn't in class, I was with some (if not all) of my sisters almost all of the rest of the time, except when I went home to sleep. Not kidding.

The week before pledge ritual and chapter initiation (the latter is not a Beta thing, its a chapter thing. ) we had a retreat in San Francisco for two days, went to Virginia City for the day....and did a lot of bonding together in between.

I still look back on that period with a smile. It was a memorable time that I'll never forget. Ever. :-)

I think the OP is speaking of NPCs (I don't think BSPhi has a bid day?)

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I think the OP is speaking of NPCs (I don't think BSPhi has a bid day?)

Sorry. I didn't read the question completely. I thought that everyone was talking about what happens during the NM period in their sororities.

*swerves back into own lane*

[AnchorAlumna]

Hey it's all good.

For NPC sororities, approx. 8 weeks between pledging and initiation.
Depending, of course, on the campus.

[CaseyBat]

What happens if you have to miss initiation? Can you be initiated at a later date? Bid Day is August 17th and my sister's wedding is the last weekend in October. I am so scared that initiation and the wedding will be on the same day! (If I get a bid of course )

Also, on what day of the week does initiation generally fall?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 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?

Originally Posted by CaseyBat

What happens if you have to miss initiation? Can you be initiated at a later date? Bid Day is August 17th and my sister's wedding is the last weekend in October. I am so scared that initiation and the wedding will be on the same day! Also, on what day of the week does initiation generally fall?

(Quoting because we've gotten out of the habit of QFP)
I would think your sister's wedding would take precedence over initiation. The chapter would have to initiate you at a later date...it could be after Christmas break. Just depends on the chapter.
Day of the week...again, depends on the chapter. The ones I'm familiar with, on a Sunday, but sometimes a Saturday...I've seen it done during the week especially for a holdover, but that's unusual. But your campus may be wildly different. The ones I know usually do it right before Thanksgiving.
I would call your Greek life office - someone on the Panhellenic side should be able to give you a little more specific info.

[AZTheta]

We have had new members who could not attend Initiation for a variety of reasons (including weddings, funerals, and illness). Separate initiation is scheduled for these new members!

I believe that the majority of NPC sororities will initiate new members anywhere from four to eight weeks after bid day BUT that's not a hard and fast time frame, people. Every sorority has its own policy! Right? Right. I know one sorority on campus that waits until after first semester ends to initiate. New members who haven't made grades won't be initiated. Pretty powerful motivation, IMO.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by CaseyBat

What happens if you have to miss initiation? Can you be initiated at a later date? Bid Day is August 17th and my sister's wedding is the last weekend in October. I am so scared that initiation and the wedding will be on the same day! (If I get a bid of course )

Also, on what day of the week does initiation generally fall?

It depends on the sorority and chapter. Our fall initiation was usually that first weekend in November (keep in mind that our recruitment was not until mid-September.)

Initiations for August recruitment could very well be in Oct. It's not uncommon for a PNM to have something like a wedding.

Rescheduling is possible. However, this is one of those things you'd talk to your NM Educator about early if you get a bid. Like, not as soon as you run to your group be like "hey, I have this wedding" but once you get settled, discuss it with her. It may be that your NM class initiation date is a non-issue (e.g. it is earlier or later than the wedding.)

However, in the event that it falls that weekend, you DON'T want to wait until (for example) the week before to be like "Oh hey I have this wedding." Many times, MN educators need clearance from HQ to postpone or reschedule an initiation for a NM, and it is a hassle for them to get it if you don't tell them til the last minute.

Sidenote: Be aware that you may not be able to control what your reschedule date is. Ex: It may have to be 2 weeks after that, on a weeknight. Also, you will probably miss out on any fun initiation weekend sorts of things held for your class (we did a lot of fun things leading up to it.) It will still be special either way, but just be aware that you may miss out on say, NM class painting the rock on campus the night before then going out to eat, etc. (but your sister's wedding trumps that!)

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by CaseyBat

What happens if you have to miss initiation? Can you be initiated at a later date? Bid Day is August 17th and my sister's wedding is the last weekend in October. I am so scared that initiation and the wedding will be on the same day! (If I get a bid of course )

Also, on what day of the week does initiation generally fall?

In the past, we have had someone with a medical emergency that was initiated the following week. We have also had someone that had to withdraw from school just before initiation for medical reasons, she was initiated at the beginning of the following semester.

We have also had to do this for someone that had a class conflict, so I would assume that we would also have done it for a family event. Basically, the big thing is that you would be missing the big party and gift exchange with your pledge class.

ETA: If you are going through recruitment with Bid Day Aug. 17th - likely initiations will be Oct. 7- 20?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

And in the case of family emergencies and stuff like that, there is ALWAYS some way to make an exception. The 4-8 weeks thing is to prevent hazing. If you go to the Greek Life office and say "Nancy NM has to be initiated in week 9 because of her sister's wedding," they aren't gonna be like "NO! RULE FINAL!"

[HQWest]

We also usually avoid the having initiation the last week in October because it conflicts with Halloween parties.

: )

ETA: and formals!

[CaseyBat]

Thank you all! I thought they might kick me out for not attending initiation, so I'm glad to know that is not the case.

[AZTheta]

Relax and think positive and keep smiling and be happy and I wish you the very best. Actually we all do, and are happy to help.

Remember that communicating (e.g. using the telephone, not just texting!) is very important and will get you far in life.