:D kay. All is good.

My idea of how we would create the ritual was to go with MysticCat's idea to keep it public. It would be similar in concept to the Rite of Iris of Delta Tau Delta or the actual public ritual of Delta Upsilon. We would invite the entire Greek community so that they can see what it is we do and so that they don't think that we are competing with them.

As far as sharing symbols with another fraternity I don't see this as a big issue. Like MysticCat said there are so many GLOs that already share things. So basically our group is coming up with things that match our group and if they are the same as someone else's, oh well. For example we have decided that our colors will be tie-die to represent the colors of all of the fraternities involved.

I'm hoping that the traditions and symbols can be built on over time by new members being added to the group so that it will be a conglomeration of all of our members.

We've also decided that because we are on a small campus that we will be co-ed and try to have a representative on both the IFC and PanHel. The IFC has already agreed to meet with us to discuss our case.

We've also discussed the idea of nationalizing like a normal fraternity. Ohio University is 40 miles away and would be a prime location for a Beta chapter.

But yes, whatever our ritual turns out to be and whatever our symbols/secrets are, our organization will respect and nurture the pledges taken and only seek the betterment of the individuals and the bonding of the group.

^^^ Sounds like you've got a plan that will work for you. Best of luck!!

Can I throw one other bit of food for thought at you? Hermes was the god of those who travel and cross bounderies. He might be an appropriate patron for an organization of those who have transferred from one school to another, and he might provide some useful symbols -- winged traveler's hat, winged sandals or rooster. (Kappa Sigma does use the caduceus as a symbol, though historically the caduceus seems to be associated more with Hermes's Latin counterpart, Mercury. In ancient Hellenic art, Hermes carries a kerykeion.)