There’s a special energy on campus in the fall—changing leaves, Homecoming, game days, and reuniting with friends. For sorority women, the excitement runs even deeper. Primary Recruitment kicks off on many campuses, bringing sisters together for workshops, training, and time spent living their values.
But recruitment isn’t just about the formal process. In learning more about college women through the Amplify Sorority’s Women’s Research, we know that the formal recruitment process may not be for everyone. For chapters with open spots, Informal Recruitment, or Continuous Open Bidding (COB)—an oft-overlooked opportunity can be a transformative and unique option for women looking to find their sorority home.
In the world of Panhellenic, there are several data points to indicate a chapter’s status in recruiting. For chapter leaders, understanding campus total is critical.
Campus Total is the maximum allowable chapter size on a campus. If a chapter has a gap between their membership number and campus total, those are recruitment opportunities.
Alex Chacon (Gamma Eta–USF) serves as the Membership Growth Manager in the SDT National Office. To her, COB is exciting.
“When a chapter’s numbers are under campus total, that’s not a setback—it’s an opportunity,” Alex said. “More room to welcome new sisters, more energy, more ideas, more memories. Every spot is a chance to add someone amazing to your sisterhood.”
Some SDT sisters who became members through COB offer their perspectives on the benefits and importance of COBing to total.
Ali (back row, center) with her Beta Tau chapter sisters.
Alumna and national volunteer, Ali Devine Welch (Beta Tau–Rutgers) is the Membership Experience Coordinator for Region 5. She’s served on the Beta Tau Housing Corporation since 2015, staying on as an advisory member alongside the Capital Corporation when Beta Tau transitioned to their services in 2021.
All of her love and dedication for SDT started with COB.
“It’s really a powerful way to hand–pick amazing sisters for your organization,” Ali offered to chapters who might be nervous about the undertaking. “So much of the COB process is making those connections on campus and in classes, which most people are already doing.”
Current senior Audrey Alsop (Alpha Zeta–Pitt) wholeheartedly agrees.
“While COB seems daunting because it is a lot more relaxed than formal recruitment, it can and should be just as fun and exciting as Primary Recruitment,” Audrey said. “COB is so special because the class size tends to be a bit smaller, allowing for such a unique connection between sisters, PNMS, and the new member class.”
Sister Jules Lingrell (Gamma Phi–York) describes the COB process as, “The best thing I ever did!” She withdrew from Primary Recruitment last year over financial concerns and anxiety about the structured process.
“Formal recruitment can be a lot for some people, and that’s ok,” Jules said. “If you even have an ounce of interest or curiosity, take the risk and get outside of your comfort zone. COB helped someone like me, whose anxiety can be debilitating, find their place.”
The COB process on Jules’ campus revolves around members inviting PNMs to chat with members 1:1 or in small groups about sorority life, including their respective organizations. After the small dates, women who are still interested may attend more structured events at the eligible chapter houses, “to help girls find their homes–literally and socially,” Jules said.
Jules’ coffee date went so well that she couldn’t wait to attend the event at the SDT house. “There, I met even more inviting and friendly sisters and knew that I wanted Sig Delt to be my home,” Jules remembered.
Ali experienced a sense of belonging among the SDT sisterhood too. During a “Meet the Sisters” event her first year, she felt an immediate connection.
“I instantly met people I meshed well with and knew that these were the type of women I wanted to connect with not just on campus, but in life,” Ali said.
In Ali’s case, her transition to college led to some struggles academically. She was academically ineligible to participate in Primary Recruitment during her freshman and sophomore years, but she worked hard to get her GPA on track and kept expressing her interest. By spring of her sophomore year, Ali was eligible, and SDT offered her a bid through COB before Primary Recruitment in Fall 2009.
“It’s not easy, but keep showing up and meeting new people,” Ali advised. “You never know who you’ll be paired with when you walk in the door and that connection may be the one that sparks your journey in sisterhood.”
Audrey was surprised and relieved to find her place in a sorority. Though she was always intrigued by the idea of sisterhood in a sorority setting, she was too nervous to tackle Primary Recruitment.
“If I am totally honest, I never thought a sorority was something I would “belong in” or “fit the image for,” Audrey said. “When I was still struggling for a place to belong at the start of my sophomore year, I received a DM from our Panhellenic advertising the COB process.”
Even in a smaller setting, Audrey said she experienced nerves, but she embraced the chance to try something new.
“I remember specifically sitting down on the couch in our suite during SDT’s first COB event and immediately feeling comfortable being myself,” Audrey remembers. “The COB process was significantly more relaxed – allowing me to approach recruitment in a way that showcased the best aspects of myself.”
Ali, Audrey, and Jules all agree: the opportunity to COB with SDT was life-changing.
“I don’t feel a single difference [having joined through] COB rather than going through Primary Recruitment,” Jules said. “My sisters are my biggest supporters and best friends.”
Jules is also experiencing leadership development in a supporting environment.
“In less than a year, I have held two positions, including Vice President of Membership Recruitment this semester,” she said. “I am very proud to be a COB and very proud of how far I’ve come since becoming a sister.”
SDT transformed Audrey too. She serves as the Chapter President for Alpha Zeta. In three years, she has shone brightly. “My chapter transformed me from the girl who was too scared to try recruitment, to the sister who is now awaiting a new PC as Chapter President.”
Audrey (far right) with her sisters from the Alpha Zeta chapter.
“Sigma Delta Tau has given me everything, not just my lifelong friends, professional connections, and irreplaceable experiences, but the space to grow into the leader I am today,” Audrey said. “I would not be where I am today without the COB process, and I would not be who I am today without Sigma Delta Tau.”
Ali’s connection is as deep now as it was when she accepted her bid.
“Since my time as a collegiate, SDT taught me the importance of service, integrity, and sisterhood, and those values now influence every part of my adult life,” Ali said.
“I continue to volunteer because I believe in giving back to the community that gave me so much,” Ali said. “Volunteering allows me to support and empower the next generation of members, helping them grow and thrive just as I did. It’s also a way for me to stay connected to the mission and values of SDT, and to make a lasting impact by contributing to something larger than myself.”
For all of her service, Ali has grown too.
“I’ve built lifelong friendships, developed leadership skills, and found a space where I feel seen and supported by strong, driven, and compassionate individuals,” she said. “SDT has pushed me to become a better version of myself.”
COB isn’t a backup plan—it’s a powerful path to sisterhood. For Ali, Audrey, and Jules, it sparked confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships.
If your chapter is under campus total, now is the time to open the door and welcome future sisters. Fall is about new beginnings—make sure yours includes giving women the chance to find their home in Sigma Delta Tau.
Here are some quick tips for success this recruitment season:
Tip #1: Work Smarter, Not Harder
From Rebecca Lipschutz (Alpha Iota–Tulane), National Vice President
Before any COB planning, have sisters brainstorm women they know throughout campus. Send flyers or emails to different campus organizations to develop your interest list. It’s okay if everyone on the list isn’t a perfect fit for your chapter; PNMs might bring friends or roommates who are! Sometimes it takes a little extra effort to find and meet the women who would make great sisters. Names generation is an important part of the COB process.
Also, incorporate recruitment into the activities you’re already hosting as a chapter. Utilize chapter events like sisterhood and philanthropy to invite PNMs! Encourage sisters to bring a non-affiliated friend to lunch with sisters, dinner, or movie night at the chapter house.
Tip #2: Create Meaningful Moments
From Jules (Gamma Phi–York):
“Make PNMs feel seen and heard. Ask them what made them go through COB and what helped them decide to put themselves out there. Most importantly, ask your sisters who went through COB what they would’ve wanted to hear from an active sister! I hope everyone going through COB finds their home this semester.”
Tip #3: Shine as One
Our tagline, Shine as One, speaks to the beauty of each sisters’ individuality. The contributions of each and every member make us who we are, and allow us to make a difference on our campuses and in the world. Through our sisterhood, the world shines brighter. Explore ways to demonstrate this idea through COB events and initiatives. Ex: Charm bracelet making or mocktails & charcuterie boards
Tip #4: Less Script, More Heart
Don’t start with the questions we ask each other every day. You can connect over your current binge shows later. Have prompts available for both you and the PNM to really get to know each other. Go for the important stuff: dream job, passion projects, favorite people, prized possessions, etc. Meaningful prompts spark real connections—and those are what PNMs remember most.
Tip #5: Stickers, Snacks, and Sisterhood
There’s something magical about life’s simple joys—stickers, coloring, temporary tattoos, pajama parties, or a movie night with candy galore. Create a space where PNMs can tap into that carefree energy, laugh freely, and feel at home. Nostalgia has a way of breaking the ice and letting everyone connect with ease.
“COB isn’t just about numbers,” said Alex. “it’s about building a brighter sisterhood. Open the door, welcome the next wave of leaders and friends, and Shine as One.”
Sister Jules Lingrell (Gamma Phi–York) describes the COB process as, “The best thing I ever did!” She withdrew from Primary Recruitment last year over financial concerns and anxiety about the structured process.
