Active Member

An initiated member of a chapter. 

Alumna

An initiated sorority member who is no longer active in a collegiate chapter.

Badge

An insignia of sorority membership worn only by initiated members. Each chapter has its own unique badge that can be decorated in different jewels and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Bid

A formal invitation to join a chapter.

Big Sister

 A collegiate member who is paired with a new member to act as a mentor.

Bump Group

A group of women (typically 3-5 members) within a specific chapter that rotate through or "bump" in and out of conversations with potential new members during a recruitment round. 

Chapter Total

The allowable chapter size as determined in alignment with NPC Policy.

College Panhellenic Council (CPC)

The cooperative campus organization of collegiate members of NPC sororities.

Disaffiliation

Occurs when a Rho Gamma temporarily separates herself from her chapter during the recruitment process to act as an unbiased resource for members participating in recruitment. After the recruitment process, she rejoins her chapter.

Dry

An event is alcohol free.

Dues

Charge of joining a chapter. Covers costs of operation, formal events, activities and other events; varies by chapter.

Initiation

A traditional ceremony that brings a new member into full membership of a chapter. Once you are initiated into an NPC chapter, you are ineligible for membership in any other NPC chapter.

Intentional Single Preference

When a PNM attends more than one preference event but limits her membership selections by not listing all her chapter options on her MRABA. Some call it “suicide bidding,” but is no longer the correct verbiage for this act.

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the local organization of the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC), serving as the umbrella group for all member fraternities. IFC guides, supports, and develops the fraternity system through coordination of recruitment; maintenance of high social and moral standards; promotion of scholarship, philanthropy, and community engagement; and to serve as a forum for discussing questions of mutual interest and concern.

Legacy

A person whose family member is an alumna or active member of a sorority. 

Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA)

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) is a binding, one-year contract signed by potential new members (PNMs) after the final preference round of recruitment. It signifies a commitment to accept a bid from any chapter listed, prohibiting the signer from joining another NPC organization for one year if they receive a bid.

Mutual Selection

The term used to describe how potential new members (PNMs) receive invitations during the Recruitment Process to select chapters. While PNMs may prioritize one chapter over another, if a chapter does not extend them an invitation, they may receive invitations from chapters who a PNM prioritizes lower than another.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)

Made up of 26 women’s-only inter/national member organizations, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the world’s largest trade association specifically charged with advancing the sorority experience. NPC is the coordinating body for the 11 sororities within the Illinois State University College Panhellenic Council, and provides guidelines for CPC operations. 

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) serves as the coordinating body for the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities collectively known as the Divine Nine. Founded in 1930 at Howard University, NPHC continues to advance leadership, educational excellence, service, cultural heritage, and social impact. 

New Member

The period when a woman joins a chapter, but is not yet initiated into the chapter.

Philanthropy

A national and/or local charity that a chapter sponsors, donating time and money through service to promote human welfare.

Potential New Member (PNM)

A student who is interested in becoming a member of a chapter, and has registered for the formal recruitment process. 

Recommendation Letters

A letter written by alumnae members of sororities recommending a potential new member for membership. Not a requirement for membership into a chapter at Illinois State University, and not typically used.

Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma)

Panhellenic members who disaffiliate their own chapter during recruitment and guide potential new members through the recruitment process.

Ritual

The private traditions and practices of a chapter deeply rooted in the shared values and purpose of the members. Ritual serves as a reminder to each member of her responsibilities and inspires her to fulfill them. Rituals connect the past with the present and the future.

Quota

The number of women a chapter may take during primary recruitment.

United Greek Council (UGC)

The United Greek Council (UGC) serves as a governing body that seeks to maintain high standards in the life of culturally-based fraternities and sororities by addressing, coordinating, and developing strategic programming.

Values-Based Recruitment

Focusing on how your values, such as academics, equality, inclusion, and service, align with different chapters’ values during recruitment.

Work Week

The week before recruitment in which active members of the chapters on campus prepare for recruitment.