Towson Colony Membership Education Plan

Rush We will have a one week long rush period. During this time we will hold at least
two social events (ex: dinner, movie night, bowling, Wii night) during which we will get
to know the possible candidates. These will count as an informal rush where we will
describe our organization, why we serve, whom we serve, and what we do. We will also
hold a formal rush that consists of a question and answer period between possible
candidates and the colonists.
Bids After the formal rush, the colonists will vote on the possible membership
candidates. The people that receive positive votes will receive a personalized, typed
letter expressing our desire for that person to become a membership candidate. The bid
letters will be personally delivered by hand by the VPM. The potential Membership
Candidates will have a week to accept their bids. Any person that expressed a desire to
become a Membership Candidate, and was not chosen to receive a bid must be given
some sort of explanation as to why he or she did not receive a bid.
Requirements for Membership Candidacy All potential Membership Candidates
must be participating in at least one band credit each academic year. They must have a
Towson University GPA of a 2.5 or higher to be accepted. This means that incoming
freshman will not be able to become Membership Candidates until their second semester
at Towson University. Exceptions may be made for transfer students on a case by case
basis.
Bigs For a colonist to be considered in receiving a little, they must be an active member
in good standing with the chapter. They must have a Towson University GPA of 2.0 or
higher. They must submit to the VPM a copy of their GPA and schedule for the semester
so the VPM can ensure the colonist will have time for a little. The colonist must also
write a letter to the VPM explaining why they have expressed interest in becoming a Big.
The VPM will ask the colonists which Membership Candidate they would like to be their
little. The VPM will take these requests into consideration and then place each

Membership Candidate with a colonist. The Bigs will be presented to the Membership
Candidates directly following first degree.
Membership Candidate Process The Membership Candidate process will be 9 weeks
long. Rush week will be held two weeks before the Membership Candidate process
begins. The process must be finished at least one week before finals begin. The first
degree will be held the Sunday after the bids are accepted. Second degree will be held at
the beginning of the fifth week of the Membership Candidate process. Third degree will
be held on the last week of the process.
Membership Candidate Activities
1st Degree (Membership Candidates are given ribbons)
After First Degree, the Membership Candidates will be taken aside by the VPM and
given their books. They will be told that they are encouraged to decorate them by the
first meeting. The VPM will explain the importance of the books and answer any
questions they have about the ritual and make sure they understand what just happened.
The VPM will then lead the Membership Candidates back into the ritual room where they
will be paired with their Bigs.
Week 1 Membership Candidate meeting

Introduce everyone
Candy Icebreaker: Pass out candy. For each piece of candy taken, the
Membership Candidate is asked to share a fact about themselves.

Membership Candidates pick a class president

Explain interview assignments

Go over anti-hazing policy and illegal substance policy

Explain Big/Little contracts and study logs

Go over information on first test:

o

Mission Statement

Color, Motto, Flower, Flag, and Coat of Arms

Chapters Installation Date (Original and Reinstatement), Big Sister

Chapter, and Advisor

Greek Alphabet

Make T-Shirts that say TBS MC and decorate tote bags

Week 2 Membership Candidate meeting

Take First Test

Explain service, social, and fundraising project responsibilities

Go over information for the next test:

o

TBS Founders and Founding Date

All colonists & the offices they hold

5 qualities

7 Types of membership

5 chapter statuses

Week 3 Membership Candidate meeting

5 qualities relay race:

Split off into two teams; bigs on one team and littles on the other.
The VPM will be across the room with 10 sets of index cards. Each set of cards
will have all of the words and punctuation for one of the 5 qualities on them. Each
team will send a member over to the VPM to receive the first set of index cards.
The player will run back to their team and together they will place the cards in order
to make the first purpose. A colonist will verify the validity of the ordered cards
and send another Membership Candidate to get the next set of cards. This will
continue until the first team has properly assembled all 5 sentences.

Take 2nd Test

Go over information for next test:

o 8 Essential Factors
o Alpha and Beta chapters: who, when instated, and why Oklahoma State is
Alpha chapter
o Founders of Eta Sigma (initial and recharter founders)
o Chapter Designations of the Southern Precincts

Make sure interviews are going smoothly

Check on the progress of service, social, and fundraising projects

Week 4 Membership Candidate meeting

8 and 5 sit down:

Have all the Membership Candidates sit in a circle. Go over the 8 and 5 with
them. Ask them what these qualities and factors mean to them. Have them reflect
upon the 8 and 5 to see if they possess these qualities.

Take 3rd Test

Go over information for next test:

o Preamble and first purpose
o 7 districts
o 14 states that make up the North East District
o North East District officers
o Northern Chapter designations

Week 5 Membership Candidate meeting

Take 4th test

Go over information for 5th test:

o 2nd and 3rd Purpose
o TBS National Officers
o TBS headquarters and shrine
o Central Chapter designations

Check on the progress of interviews and social, service, and fundraising projects.

2nd Degree (Membership Candidates are given their candidacy pin)

A vote will be held by the active colonists of the chapter present in-between the
formal interview and second degree to determine if the Membership Candidates are
suitable for entrance into the sorority.

Week 6 Membership Candidate meeting

Discuss 2nd degree and what it meant to them

Take 5th test

Go over information for 6th test:

o 4th and 5th purpose
o Roberts Rules

o 4 types of American Fraternities

o TBS Newspaper and Magazine

Check on the status of service, social, and fundraising

Week 7 Membership Candidate meeting

Play Jeopardy Review Game

Take 6th test

Go over information for 7th test:

o Outstanding Service to Music Award
o Wava Banes Turner Award
o National Intercollegiate Band
o KKY Facts, including shrine and founding date

Check on the status of service, social, and fundraising

Week 8 Membership Candidate meeting

Take 7th test

Explain Final

Building a Feast (Final Review)

o Stations will be set up on the 3rd floor of the Center for the Arts Building.
At each station a colonist will be present. The Membership Candidates and
the VPM will start in the meeting room where the VPM will give a brief
explanation of the activity. The VPM will then lead them to the first
station.
o At Station 1, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 1st test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a food tray.
o At Station 2, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 2nd test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a plate.
o At Station 3, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 3rd test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a cup.

o At Station 4, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information

from the 4th test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a fork.
o At Station 5, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 5th test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a knife.
o At Station 6, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 6th test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a spoon.
o At Station 7, a colonist will ask the Membership Candidates information
from the 7th test. After completing this station the Membership Candidates
will receive a napkin.
o At the completion of the stations the Membership Candidates will be led
to the starting room where the remaining colonists will have a feast
prepared. The entire colonies will then sit down and enjoy the feast.
o This activity is symbolic; each of the utensils signifies fundamentals of the
sorority. The fundamentals are the building blocks of the sisterhood and
represent the tools that each Membership Candidate will need to succeed
in Tau Beta Sigma.
Week 9 Membership Candidate meeting

Take final

3rd Degree
Requirements for Membership Candidates Membership Candidates will be given a
Big/Little contract. They will be asked to sign the contract expressing their agreement to
become a Big/Little pair and to follow the guidelines set forth by the VPM. The will be
asked to meet with their Bigs at least once a week for an hour study session. They are
also encouraged to keep a log of these sessions in their binders. Membership Candidates
are strongly encouraged to wear their membership pin every day, from 8am-8pm. They
are also strongly encouraged to carry their membership binders on their person from
8am-8pm. This represents a visible sign of dedication to the sorority. If a Membership

Candidate is seen by a colonist without binder and/or pin they will notify the VPM who
will record the incident and bring it up to the active colony at the next meeting. The
continuation of the Membership Candidates process may be called into question. All
Membership Candidates are asked to refrain from any alcohol or illegal substances during
the times in which they are encouraged to wear their pins. All Membership Candidates,
as a class are expected to plan and complete a service project, fundraiser, and social
event. Membership Candidates are encouraged to include the entire colony in their
projects. Membership Candidates are also asked to complete interviews with all the
active sisters, five active brothers, our sponsor, and five sisters from other chapters. They
will be asked to attend a weekly Membership Candidate meeting, attended by all
Membership Candidates, their Bigs, and the VPM as well as attend the regular colony
meetings.
Tests Each Membership Candidate will take seven tests and a cumulative final. All
tests are in written form. Each Membership Candidate must receive a 90% to pass. In
the event that a Membership Candidate fails a test, each Membership Candidate is
allowed to retake without contest, one test. If a second test is failed, the Membership
Candidate status will be brought up in front of the colony to be voted on. The final will
consist of information that the Membership Candidate learned throughout the process.
Continuing Education Pass the Rose has been started in our colony. Each meeting,
a different colonist is recognized for exceptionally portraying one or more of the 8 & 5 by
being given a rose. The rose is brought back the next meeting to be given to someone
else.