Active: A member who has been initiated into lifelong sorority membership and is active at the collegiate level.

Alumnae: Initiated sorority members who have graduated from college.

Badge: The pin of an initiated member.

Invitation to Join/Bid: A formal invitation to join a particular fraternity or sorority.

Big Sister: An active member of a sorority who serves as a sponsor, advisor, and special friend to a new member, guiding them through their new member program and initiation.
 
Chapter: A local group of the larger national organization, designated by a special Greek name.

Depledge: Terminating one’s sorority membership before initiation; those who depledge a sorority may not pledge another sorority until one year has past from the date the person excepted their bid.

Greek: Any member of a Greek-letter social or community service organization (sorority or fraternity).

Initiation: The formal ceremony that marks the beginning of the active membership. Each chapter      has a different set of requirements in order to be initiated.

Initiated Member: Any member who has completed the new member process, has gone through the initiation ceremony, and is currently enrolled in college.

Legacy: The brother or sister, son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter of a fraternity or sorority member. Each local chapter has its own policy regarding legacies. Being a legacy does NOT mean automatic membership into that chapter. Nonetheless, being a legacy does not hurt your chances at membership in any way.

Membership Recruitment: The process of mutual selection between a perspective member and active chapter
 
New Member: A member of a fraternity or sorority who has not been initiated.

New Member Program:  A period of learning about sorority life prior to initiation. This period varies for all groups.

Panhellenic: Means “All Greek”. It is an association for all Greek affiliated women. The Panhellenic Association operates under the direction of the National Panhellenic Council (NPC).

Philanthropy: A charitable fund raiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority.

Pledge:  Is not a PERSON, but Your promise to become an initiated member.

Recruitment Counselor (Sigma Rho Chi):  A sorority member who has disaffiliated herself from her chapter during Formal Recruitment.  She is specially trained to help potential new members and/or answer any questions they may have about sorority membership.

Sister: A term used by sorority members to refer to one another.

Social: A get-together with another group for a party, dinner, or another fun occasion.