Online Initiations

Chapters are encouraged to conduct Online Initiation Ceremonies for candidates elected to membership when in-person initiations are not possible due to outbreaks, restrictions, or other necessitating factors. This page provides the resources you need to successfully conduct an Online Initiation Ceremony.

Reporting Process

Submit your Reports of Eligibility and Election as you normally would. Candidates should complete catalog cards as well. If you need suggestions on conducting Exemplary Character Evaluation, Virtual Meetings, or Virtual Voting, check out the resources in the Documents Section. You will receive initiation approval by email as usual.

Online Initiation Ceremony Request

A chapter officer must complete the Google Form to request a copy of the Online Initiation Ceremony. Officers are requested to submit the form at least one week prior to the scheduled online ceremony, but the goal of Headquarters is to respond within 24 hours. Access information will be provided by email while passwords will be sent via text message.

Conducting an Online Ceremony Request

The key to a successful Online Initiation Ceremony is practice! Make sure to schedule an hour to practice the ceremony including timing, queues, reading, and using the online meeting system your chapter has selected. You may use whatever system you would prefer, but Zoom and Google Hangouts Meet have been successfully used. All chapters are encouraged to read the Best Practices document prior to conducting your ceremony.

Roll Book Signatures

In lieu of signing the chapter's roll book, an Online Initiation Electee Form has been created. This form should be distributed to electees prior to the ceremony. They can then print, sign, and return the form electronically to a chapter officer. The signatures can be cut and pasted into your chapter's roll book. A copy of the roll book or a compilation of the submitted forms can be submitted to Headquarters with your Report of Final Action.

Initiation Fees

Headquarters has setup a system where electess can pay their initiation fee directly to Headquarters. The Association's $55 fee is deducted from the amount paid, and the remaining portion is credited to the chapter's account at Headquarters. A chapter can request the amount be disbursed at any time.

While Headquarters can let you know who has paid, chapters are encouraged to have electees forward their store receipt email to an appropriate chapter officer to minimize the number of emails Headquarters needs to respond to. A chapter officer may review the list of candidates who have paid using this list which is updated several times per day.

To request this process be setup for your chapter, complete the Google Form listed above or contact Alex Cross at ccross@tbp.org. The payment pages can be access here:

• Initiation Fees (Alabama - Kentucky)

• Initiation Fees (Louisiana - North Dakota)

• Initiation Fees (Ohio - Wyoming)

Additional Resources

If you have questions about the Online Initiation Ceremony, contact Headquarters by emailing chapters@tbp.org. A number of additional resources are available to your chapter to use:

• Chapter Officers Letter from the Executive Director

• Candidate Letter from the Executive Director (included Information for Electees)

• Information for Electees Information Sheet

• Excel template for listing initiates, readers, and guests

• Best Practices (also listed above)

• Online Initiation Electee Form (also listed above)