Initiation
Planning and Conducting a Successful
Initiation Process
April 5, 2008
District Seven Conference
Notify Eligible Members
(Candidates)

Letter to Candidates
– Formal sample letter on web
– “Invitation to Orientation” note card
– E-invitation

Letter to Parents from Dean
– Sample letter on web

Phone calls
Elements of an
Orientation Meeting

Opportunity to meet “The Family”
– Deans & Advisors
– Chapter officers
– Current / Alumni Members

Communicate “What is Tau Beta Pi?”
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TBP History Video / CD
Brochures
Flash presentation / PowerPoint slides
Own chapter history slides / video
Elements of an
Orientation Meeting

Discuss election criteria / character
evaluation

Discuss cost of membership
– Breakdown of one-time fee
– Cost should not be a deterrent!

Timeline of initiation process

Let candidates ask questions
How to evaluate
character?

Listed in your
chapter bylaws
– Informal discussion
– Get-acquainted
meeting
– Resume / Essay
– Interviews
– Departmental
caucus
– Project work

Possible project
work
– Bent polishing
– Engineering
Futures sessions
– Group service
projects
– Signatures of
members / faculty
TBP CD
Each chapter should have one
Available from HQ
April 5, 2008
District Seven Conference
New Member
PowerPoint
Available on web site under Chapter
Resources
April 5, 2008
District Seven Conference
Election Meeting


Election to membership in Tau Beta Pi
remains an explicit act taken by
deliberate chapter action.
Election is not accomplished by
"automatic" means by lack-ofobjection assumptions or by default of
chapter action
Election Meeting

Quorum of members is required
– 3/4 members
– Members may be deemed inactive, but
not suggested solution to this issue


Affirmative vote of ¾ of quorum is
required to be elected
If member is rejected on first vote, a
second vote should be taken
Election Methods

Traditional
– Individually considered
– For small chapters

Group
– For large chapters
– Read all names to be considered as a group
– Member may request for individual to be
removed & voted on separately
Election Results: Chapter

Elected

Rejected: Select the reason code
– Reason "A1": Candidate known to have no interest
– Reason "A2": Candidate did not respond
– Reason "B": Candidate does not meet the exemplary
character requirements
– Reason "C": Candidate is not technically qualified because of
transfer-student rule or other restrictions
– Reason "D": Candidate was on Co-op or below chapter
deadline and was not contacted
Notify Candidates of
Election

Letter to Electee
– Formal sample letter on web
– “Invitation to electees” note card

Letter to Parents from Dean
– If not used earlier for candidates

Phone calls
Election Results: Electee

Accepted Election

Refused Election
Initiation Ceremony

Invitations to other Tau Betas
– Deans
– Faculty
– Alumni that are Tau Bates
– Current members
– Your District Director :-)

Possibly hold 2nd ceremony for guests

Reception / dinner following ceremony?
Rules for the Ceremony

Be sure your kit works and is complete!
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
Check 2 weeks prior to ceremony
Look at ceremony text – are all pages there?
Check kit for safety issues (wiring, lighting)
Have extra parts on hand! (flashlights!)
NO ONE gets in after the ceremony starts!
– Post people at the door!!
– This included everyone, from initiates to DD’s to
the Dean to EC members
Rules for the Ceremony

Tell electees about “oath” BEFORE the ceremony

Be sure everyone is dress appropriately

No cell phones!

Discuss what to do if someone refuses at the oath

Be sure everyone knows when their part will occur

Read through your part several times
Image for Projection
Replaces Light Box
Guest Presentation
Available on web site under Chapter
Resources
April 5, 2008
District Seven Conference
What if someone misses the
ceremony?

Are there any ceremonies close to
you?

Is the person a graduating senior?

Postpone the electee