Extending a Bid

The invitation to pledge should be extended to each candidate personally and privately by two or more members. The bid should be extended by mail only if it is a school rule or if the fraternity tradition on your campus dictates such. After the candidate verbally accepts the bid, it would be desirable for the Regent to send a brief letter of welcome.

When a candidate is asked to pledge, the general laws and customs of Theta Tau — local and national — should be explained, including financial obligations, membership requirements, duties, responsibility to remain a student member as long as enrolled, participation I chapter functions, etc. Any questions should then be answered accurately and succinctly.

When extending the bid, it is good practice to emphasize the aspects of membership which seem to appeal to the given candidate. However, never give a distorted picture. No candidate should be "pressured" into pledging; this often results in undesirable situations later. At this time, also, the candidate should understand that pledgeship is a period during which they learn historical and factual information about the national and local organization, get to know other pledges, students, and perhaps alumni, and learn how to become a member by participating in the chapter’s or modeling their own activities and events.

At the time of pledging, each one must complete the Online Pledge Form and pay the Pledge Fee. If a prospective pledge does not honestly intend to pursue one of the majors appearing on the Fraternity's list of eligible curricula at his school, the candidate should not be pledged. At that time, the pledge pin is loaned to the candidate and only to be kept or worn during pledgeship. The Pledge Pinning Ceremony in the Ritual is to be used to induct candidates into the pledging process. Each one is given a copy of the latest edition of the Membership Manual. This book is to be keep as long as the candidate is associated with Theta Tau (as a pledge or later as a member). Membership Manuals and Pledge Pins are available from the Central Office.

One who is depledged by the chapter should be notified of this in person, face-to-face, and never via letter, email, or text message.