What is open bidding in a sorority?
Question: What is open bidding in a sorority?
Answer:
Open bidding in a sorority is a recruitment process that occurs outside the traditional formal recruitment period. It allows sororities to extend membership offers, known as bids, to potential new members throughout the academic year. This flexible approach enables chapters to maintain their membership numbers and provides opportunities for interested students who may have missed formal recruitment.
During open bidding, sororities typically host informal events or meet-and-greets to connect with potential new members. These gatherings allow both the sorority sisters and interested students to interact in a more relaxed setting, fostering genuine connections.
The process is often less structured and time-intensive compared to formal recruitment, making it appealing to students who prefer a more laid-back approach or have busy schedules.
Once a sorority decides to extend a bid through open bidding, the potential new member can choose to accept or decline the offer. If accepted, the new member usually participates in a modified new member education program to learn about the organization’s history, values, and traditions.
Open bidding offers a pathway to Greek life for students who may not have initially considered joining a sorority or those who want to explore their options beyond the formal recruitment period.