Frequently Asked Questions about Primary Recruitment

This page contains information about Pi Beta Phi’s recruitment practices. If you have questions not addressed here or on our website, please email recruitment@pibetaphi.org.

How do I recommend a Potential New Member (PNM) for membership in Pi Phi?

Alumnae members or Alumnae Clubs may sponsor a PNM via the Recruitment Information Form (RIF), Pi Phi’s “recommendation” form. RIFs are not required by Pi Beta Phi and if a PNM does not receive a RIF from an alumna, she will be sponsored by Grand Council.

We do not encourage sending additional information, like resumes, photos, letters of support, packets, etc., to collegiate chapters. Chapters are receiving information about PNMs from their College Panhellenics via the recruitment registration process and therefore additional information sent by alumnae is duplicative and can be burdensome to our chapters.

Many alumnae are utilizing the online RIF, which can be found at www.pibetaphi.org/recruitment. Once submitted, the information will be sent to the chapter and you will automatically receive a confirmation of receipt via email when you submit the form which will serve as the RIF Acknowledgement. A paper version of the RIF can also be found and downloaded from the same webpage.

You must be logged in to the website to gain access to the form. If you do not have or cannot remember your login information, click here and follow the steps to set up or reclaim your account. We highly encourage you to take the time to update your personal information, like your address and email, in your account as well.

What qualifies a PNM as a legacy of Pi Beta Phi?

Per Pi Phi’s Constitution and Statutes, a daughter, sister, or granddaughter of a current, initiated member shall be considered a legacy of the Fraternity. Chapters may add in their own bylaws to include step relationships and great granddaughters as legacies. Keep in mind that not all NPC groups have the same definition of a legacy; this definition is specific to Pi Phi.

Please note that following the legislative vote outcome of Convention 2021, Pi Phi chapters no longer provide special considerations to legacies in the recruitment process and no courtesy invitations are offered to legacies

How do I introduce a legacy to a chapter?

A PNM may indicate her legacy status on her primary recruitment application through her university Panhellenic. There may be cases in which legacy status is not requested on Panhellenic recruitment applications. A PNM is welcome to share her legacy relationship with the chapter members she meets during recruitment.

The Fraternity no longer administers the Legacy Introduction Form (LIF).

If my legacy or a PNM I know is not invited back to Pi Phi, will I receive a phone call letting me know?

No. Chapter members and alumnae advisors are not permitted to discuss why a PNM was released because membership selection is private chapter business, happens under Ritual and is strictly confidential between the current members of that chapter.

May I send the chapter a gift from a PNM before, during or after Primary Recruitment?

No. Our Policy and Position Statements and NPC policy also state that gifts should not be sent to the chapter on behalf of a PNM. Chapters can receive repercussions from their College Panhellenic if gifts are accepted.

Can I contact a chapter with a question or concern during or after Primary Recruitment?

If you have a concern or question, we ask that you contact headquarters by phone (636-256-0680) or at recruitment@pibetaphi.org rather than the chapter.

Both the chapter and alumnae are bound by National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) policy and College Panhellenic recruitment rules. According to Pi Phi’s Policy and Position Statements, alumnae may not assist with or be present for recruitment activities, may not contact collegiate members during recruitment to discuss recruitment progress or the status of a PNM, or be present during a membership selection meeting (except for Alumnae Advisory Committee members, visiting Fraternity officers or staff).

Where can I find my Member ID number?

A university may allow a space for alumnae Member ID numbers on PNM recruitment registration forms to help chapters confirm the PNM’s legacy status. Please know that Pi Phi chapters cannot use member IDs to look up members on our website nor do they verify legacy statuses during recruitment, so this is an unnecessary step for Pi Phis.

If you’d still like to provide it, your Member ID number can be found on the back of your copy of The Arrow® or in your user profile on pibetaphi.org. If you have trouble locating your Member ID number, please contact Headquarters.