Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process used by student fraternities to accept new members outside of the formal main recruitment period, which usually takes place in the fall.
Purpose: COB is designed to give fraternities that have not met their quota or their chapter’s total membership after formal recruitment the opportunity to make offers to prospective new members (PNMs).
Features of Spring COB
Informal nature: Unlike formal recruitment, COB is much less structured. Events may include informal gatherings such as movie nights, coffee klatches, or dinners, rather than the structured rounds of formal recruitment.
Eligibility: Not all sororities participate in COB, only those whose membership falls below their chapter’s total (the total number of members a chapter has ever brought in). PNM’s are eligible to participate if they are full-time students, have not yet been initiated into an NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) sorority, and, in some cases, maintain a minimum grade point average.
How it works: During the spring COB, sororities can approach women they know are interested or have expressed interest through a COB interest form. This is more about getting to know each other in person than it is about a series of formal events.
Event Activities: COB events can vary widely, from small group activities to one-on-one conversations. They are designed to provide a fun, social environment for both PNMs and sisterhood members.
Key Points
No Guarantee: Filling out a COB interest form or attending COB events does not guarantee an application. It is simply an expression of interest and gives sororities the opportunity to extend invitations or applications.
Flexibility: COB can take place anytime during the spring semester if a sorority is authorized to do so, and the timing can vary from chapter to chapter.
Cultural Impact: For PNMs, it is an opportunity to join Greek life in a more relaxed environment, which can be beneficial for those who find formal recruitment intimidating or for those who missed recruitment in the fall.
Diverse experiences: Spring COB can attract a diverse group of students, including those who have transferred schools or have decided to join a sorority later in their college career.
How COB differs from the normal recruitment process
Continuous Open Bidding (COB) and the formal recruitment process in the sorority world differ in a number of ways. Here are the main differences:
1. Structure and Formality:
Formal Recruitment: This is a highly structured process that often lasts for weeks and is divided into different phases, such as Open House, Philanthropy, Sisterhood, Preference, and Bid Day. There are set rules, timetables, and codes of conduct set by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the local Panhellenic Association.
COB (Continuous Open Bidding): COB is much less formal and structured. It is a flexible, often more spontaneous process that usually takes place after formal recruitment. There are no fixed rounds or schedules; the events are more informal, like coffee get-togethers, game nights, or eating meals together.
2. Participating Sororities:
Formal Recruitment: All NPC sororities at the university generally participate in formal recruitment unless they have a specific exemption or are not yet cleared for recruitment.
COB: Only those sororities that are under their chapter total (the maximum number of members a chapter can have) are allowed to participate in COB. This means that not all sororities perform COB every season.
3. Registration and Participation:
Formal Recruitment: Prospective New Members (PNM) must pre-enroll and often attend a recruitment seminar before they can participate. There are sometimes fees and a formal registration.
COB: Enrollment can be easier. Often there is a COB interest form that you can fill out, or you can simply show interest through personal contacts or by attending informal events. There is no formal registration fee or set registration process.
4. Goals and outcomes:
Formal recruitment: The goal is to fill the chapter with new members to reach the set quota. The results are formally announced on Bid Day, and there is a clear distribution of members.
COB: The goal is to bring in additional members to reach the chapter total. There are no set quotas, and bids may be offered at various times throughout the semester, without a large, shared “bid day.”
5. Atmosphere and Interaction:
Formal Recruitment: Interactions are often formal, with prescribed conversation topics and a certain etiquette. There is a lot of protocol that must be followed.
COB: The atmosphere is much more casual and personal. It is about getting to know the true personalities and interests of the PNMs and current members, without the rigid structure of formal recruitment.
6. Timing:
Formal Recruitment: Usually takes place once a year, often at the beginning of the fall semester.
COB: Can take place at various times throughout the academic year, especially in the spring when sororities need members to reach chapter total.
What you should do if you want to join via the COB of a sorority:
1. Inform yourself:
Do your research: Look at the COB processes at your university. The Panhellenic Association often has a website or organizes information events.
Understand sororities: Find out what values and interests the different sororities have. What do they do?
2. Show interest:
COB forms: Fill out the COB interest form, if there is one. This shows that you are interested and allows the sororities to contact you.
Direct contacts: If you know someone in a sorority, tell them that you are interested. Recommendations or acquaintances can help.
3. Participate in COB events:
Attend events: These events are often laid-back – coffee get-togethers, game nights, that kind of thing. Be open and talk to people to get to know them.
Be authentic: Show the real you. They are looking for people who fit well into the team.
4. Preparation and presentation:
Self-confidence: Work on your self-confidence. Even though COB is more informal, you still want to make a good impression.
Ask questions: Ask questions about the sorority, its activities and life there. This shows that you want to get involved.
5. Stay tuned:
Patience: Not all sororities do COB at the same time, and it may take a while before you hear anything. Stay patient.
Follow up: If you’ve been to an event and haven’t heard back yet, it doesn’t hurt to politely follow up.
6. Learn and get involved:
Learning: Use the time to learn more about Greek life. It’s not just about becoming a member, but also about what it means to be part of a sorority.
Openness: Be open to different sororities. Sometimes the best connection is not the one you expect at first.
7. Application and Acceptance:
Applying: When you receive an offer, you have a choice. Some sororities give you time to decide, while others want a quick answer.
Accepting: If you accept the offer, follow the instructions for the next steps, such as your induction into the sorority.
Tips:
Networking: Whether you’ve made up your mind or not, get to know people. This will help you make the right decision.
Self-reflection: Consider why you want to join a sorority and what kind of community you are looking for. This will help you ask the right questions and find the right sorority.
COB is a great opportunity if you missed formal recruitment or do better in a more relaxed environment. While formal recruitment is a structured, official way to bring in new members, COB offers a flexible and informal alternative that allows sororities to bring in new members even after the main recruitment period. Both methods have their place in the recruitment process and serve different purposes and cater to different moods of PNMs and chapters.
