Tau Beta Pi
The Engineering Honor Society
Chapter Initiation Resources
Model membership process schedules:
12-Week | 12-Week Alternate | 10-Week | 10-Week Alternate
Several sample invitation letters are available to use as templates :
Dean's Letter to Parents | Dean's Letter to Students
Letter/Email to Eligible Candidates | Follow up Letter/Email to Those Who Missed Intro Meeting
We also strongly suggest that our Introductory Brochure be enclosed with the dean's letters and the letter to students, so you will need to include them in your Candidate Packet order when completing your Report of Eligibility.
Begin by having an advisor or officer make contact with your dean's office staff to discuss how they might assist you with this project. Offer to have members perform some sort of volunteer service for your college of engineering in exchange for help with the letters. Ideally, the dean's office would agree to take care of the entire process (printing the letters, obtaining the dean's signature, and mailing them). Most likely though, they will provide the dean's stationery and your chapter will print and mail the letters. In any case, you will need to prepare the letter for the dean and also provide names and addresses of the candidates' parents.
The Steps of Election & Initiation
General Initation Process Schedule
- Get the List of Eligible Candidates
- Hold activities to build your brand early in the semester
- Send out Eligibility Letters and hold Information Sessions
- Elect Candidates
- Initiation Ceremony
Detailed Schedule for Election and Initiation
According to Section B. I. of the Officer Handbook, a full initiation schedule can be broken down into a 13-step process, highlighted as follows:
- Plan meeting times & schedule for the upcoming semester.
- Obtain names of eligible candidates from the registrar. Determine scholastic eligibility (See Obtain Eligibility List).
- Submit Report of Eligibility (See Membership Reports)
- Evaluate each candidate's character.
- Receive email confirming Headquarters has received Report of Eligibility. Start booking an initiation room and securing resources.
- Elect candidates at an election meeting.
- Send a notice of election (electronic, letter, etc.) to each candidate.
- Submit Report of Election (See Membership Reports).
- Receive email validating Headquarters approves your chapter initiation.
- Receive keys, membership cards, and certificates for electees.
- Hold a formal Initiation Ceremony. You should never hold an unapproved initiation!
- Submit Report of Final Election along with Roll Book signatures.
- Receive email confirming Headquarters has received Report of Final Action (See Membership Reports).
Initiation Fees, Billing, and Payment Information
Initiation Fee
The current Association fee is $55, which includes:
- $10.00 - Engraved Membership Key
- $4.00 - Official Membership Certificate
- $1.00 - Official Membership Card
- $12.00 - Four-year BENT magazine subscription
- $2.00 - Copy of Constitution, Information Booklet, etc.
- $10.00 - Annual Convention Assessment
- $16.00 - Expenses of the Association
Loans are available for students who cannot afford the initiation fee. No student should decline membership because of cost! A life subscription to The Bent is $95, and the remaining portion of a 4-year subscription can be applied to a life subscription to the magazine. An electronic only (receive in PDF or DigiMag format) subscription is $45.
Billing Process
Initiation fees are due to HQ within two weeks after initiation. Contact
if your school requires an invoice or statement prior to releasing these funds. You can also order supplies and materials from HQ and have the items billed to your chapter account. Monthly statements/invoices are emailed to each chapter treasurer, president, and chief advisor showing all charges, credits, and balance due.
Chapter Payments
Promptly pay HQ each month after receiving your chapter's invoice/statement. You can pay your balance by check or credit card. When paying your initiation fees, send a SINGLE check; do not send individual checks or cash. A $25 returned check charge for lack of funds will be billed to your account. The Association has a new email address for any chapter billing, payments, statements, or accountng questions. Contact TBP HQ at