Our Terminology
Fraternities and sororities have a lot of vocabulary that might be confusing to someone who isn't a member of a Greek organization. Click on these common words & phrases for the definition, and to make sure you know some of the lingo you'll hear during recruitment and as a member of our community!
ACTIVE MEMBER
A sorority member currently in college who has been formally initiated by her chapter and who is currently participating as a member.
ALUMNA
An initiated sorority member who is no longer active in a collegiate chapter who has either graduated or changed academic status.
BADGE
The sorority membership insignia.
BID
A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER
Active member assigned to be the personal mentor for a new member.
CHAPTER
A local group of a national organization, designated by its own Greek letter name.
CHAPTER MEMBER
Typically weekly meetings where members gather conduct all official chapter business.
COLONY
A new fraternity or sorority being formed by their national organization.
CROSS-AFFILIATED MEMBER
An individual who represents all 17 chapters, making them an unbiased leader and confidant for women going through the formal recruitment process.
CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING (COB)
Continuous Open Bidding is an informal recruitment process that Panhellenic sororities can participate in once formal recruitment has concluded. Not every chapter on campus participates in COB and not every chapter that does participates in the same manner. All Florida State women are welcomed to participate in COB, as long as they have not signed an MRABA during the current years formal recruitment.
FORMAL PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT
A membership recruitment period during which a series of organized events are held by each National Panhellenic Conference on the respective campus, organized and implemented by the Panhellenic Association.
INTAKE
Also referred to as Membership Intake, is a process through which NPHC and MGC sororities select new members.
INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL (IFC)
The Interfraternity Council at Florida State University is the governing body for men’s only fraternities on campus. The Interfraternity Council is dedicated to the academic and social development of its respective fraternities and their members.
LEGACY
Each organization has its own definition of a “legacy.” It is generally defined as an immediate family member of an initiated member, such as a sister/brother or daughter/son. Some sororities also recognize extended family members as legacies as well.
MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION
This refers to educational sessions where a new member might learn about the founding of the sorority, open mottoes, founders, colors of the organization, and more.
MRABA
Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreemner: A document that each Potential New Member completes immediately following the preference round of parties stating her membership preferences. The Potential New Member ranks the sororities she would accept a bid from in preferential order. This is a binding agreement, stating that the PNM is willing to accept a bid from any sorority she lists.
MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL (MGC)
The Multicultural Greek Council is the governing body for the culturally-based fraternities and sororities on campus. These organizations all strive to benefit the FSU community through philanthropy and community service, while celebrating the diverse identities of their members.
NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL (NPHC)
The National Pan-Hellenic Council consists of nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities. These organizations are committed to scholarship, community service, and cultural enrichment.
NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE (NPC)
Founded in 1902, NPC provides support and guidance for 26 member inter/national sororities/women’s fraternities and serves as the national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. The Panhellenic Association at FSU has 17 of the 26 chapters.
NEW MEMBER
A woman who has accepted a sorority bid, but is not yet an initiated member.
PHILANTHROPY
A national and/or local charity that a sorority sponsors, donating time and money through service in order to promote human welfare. Potential New Member: A student who is not yet affiliated with a chapter and is interested in becoming a part of the fraternity and sorority community
RECOMMENDATION LETTER OR REFERENCE
A written letter or statement from an alumna on the sorority’s official recommendation form introducing and recommending a Potential New Member for membership. It is NOT necessary for a PNM to have a recommendation in order to go through formal recruitment.
RECRUITMENT COUNSELOR/RHO GAMMA
A cross-affiliated representative from the college Panhellenic community who guides and supports the PNM through recruitment.
RITUAL
The ceremonies that bring together the beliefs and standards of a fraternal organization
SILENCE PERIOD
A period of time after the end of membership recruitment events and prior to the distribution of bids when there is no communication between potential new members and sorority members.
VALUES-BASED RECRUITMENT
A recruitment style that focuses on meaningful conversations between collegiate members and potential new members with the goal of recruiting women who will have a positive impact on chapters and the College Panhellenic community. Nonessential features such as skits, elaborate decorations, and costumes are removed from the process, and the focus is on the values, benefits, and obligations of membership for each organization.
