An Aspirant is someone who is just beginning on their path. As an Aspirant, you are expected to attend three Sister events and our monthly business meetings (of course we have meetings, how else would we plan our outfits?), and begin the time of watching the behind-the-scenes work that goes into being a Sister or Guard. This is intended to give you an idea of the level of time, energy, and emotional commitment that being a Guard or Sister will take. If you feel that you can handle it, seem like a good fit, and you have met the requirements, you would be evaluated, and put up for a vote to move to Postulant.

A Postulant is where the fun starts. For a minimum of three months your task is to learn about the Sisters and the Abbey. You choose a Big Sister or Big Brother to guide your journey, and start "manifesting" with a painted face and wearing a Postulant's Habit (white clothing with a grey and white scapular and headpiece). As a Postulant, you may paint your eyes, but you keep your lips painted white, without any color. Symbolically this shows that you are learning through observation (the painted eyes), and can talk about your OWN personal journey, but are not yet qualified to represent the Order yet (no color on your mouth). On a practical side, this gives you an opportunity to practice your make up skills, since everyone looks at your eyes first, you'll need it. When you have met the requirements, you would be evaluated, and put up for a vote to move to Novice. At this point, you can decide if you would like to continue as a Novice Guard or a Novice Sister.

A Novice Sister is now a level away from their lifelong vows. For at least the next six months, just having learned about the Sisters, you now learn how to be a Sister. There is a visible change as well. Gone is the Postulant's headpiece and outfit and in its place is a French Hood and white Veil that we like to call our "Wish Dish. Also, a Novice Sister begins to make their own clothing decisions with the help of their Big Sister. And, not to forget, you now have a mouth, and you will need it, 'cause you're gonna put on a SHOW! Actually, maybe not a show, but each Novice Sister is required to produce a Novice Project. This is an event, fundraiser, outreach, or educational project that teaches you how to utilize the resources of the Order so that when you become a Fully Professed Sister you will be a one nun fund/awareness/hell-raising machine. When you have met the requirements, you would be evaluated and put up for a vote, then it is time for you to take your lifelong vows to be a Fully Professed Sister.

A Novice Guard is now a level away from their lifelong vows. For at least the next six months, having learned about the Sisters, a Novice Guard begins their journey in learning how to assist and support the order. Like a Sister, a Guard can be of any sexual orientation or gender identity, but instead of outward community facing ministry, they provide the internal assistance it takes to make the work we all do possible. They can often be seen working to physically set up/tear down an event, protect personal items during a performance, provide security, and other aspects of what the Order may need. Although the help a Novice Guard provides may be a little more stealth than a Novice Sister, their importance and voting rights are equal to a Sister. Instead of the Veil and "Wish Dish," they wear a white hat. Like a Novice Sister they are required to produce a Novice Project, but instead of having a focus on the outward community, it would have a focus on fulfilling or developing a solution to an internal need of the Order. When you have met the requirements, you would be evaluated and put up for a vote, then it is time for you to take your lifelong vows to be a Fully Professed Guard.

A Fully Professed Member or FPM, is a full member of the international Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. You will pledge your lifelong vow of service to the community, the Order, and each other. This progression also means that you are qualified to represent every other member of the Order and are able to support your community to the best of your abilities and talents. Once you are a Fully Professed Member, you are a member for life.