Bid – An invitation to join a fraternity or sorority, given at the end of recruitment

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Bid Day – The last day of recruitment in which potential new members receive formal invitations to join a sorority

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Big – Nickname for big brother or sister, a mentor assigned to a new member

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Brother – Term that fraternity members call each other.

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Council – A group of Greek organizations that share similarities. Montclair currently has 6 councils:

• the Interfraternity Council (IFC)

• the Local Council (TLC)

• Independent Greek Council (IGC)

• Panhellenic Council (NPC)

• The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

• the United Greek Coalition (UGC)

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Chapter – A branch of a national sorority established at a campus, each will have a specific name designated by Greek letters. Local sororities can also be referred to as a chapter despite having one chapter. Montclair currently has 41 chapters. 

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Dues – Charge for joining a fraternity or sorority. Covers costs of all national and local operations, formal events, activities, and other events. The amount varies based on the organization.

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Inactive Member – A member who has elected to become inactive in fraternity or sorority life for various reasons

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Initiation – A ceremony where a potential new member becomes a full member of the organization. Initiation ceremonies are different for all organizations.

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Little – Nickname for a new member being mentored

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Local – An organization that is not part of an incorporated Greek organization, typically only found on one campus.

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Mixer – A party between a fraternity and sorority, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games.

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Potential New Member (PNM) – After receiving and accepting a bid, the person becomes a potential new member- formerly called a pledge.

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Philanthropy – A charity or fundraiser that the fraternity or sorority supports. It can be national, local or both.

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Recruitment – the process people interested in joining a fraternity/sorority must participate in before being given an invitation (bid) for membership

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Sister – Term that sorority members call each other.