Ritual Equipment lists - Public?
 

Doing a web search for a Fraternity that merged into a current NIC member, I ended up on the page on the NIC Fraternity website that allows chapters to order the equipment used in the Fraternity ritual. While seeing that list is fascinating (mostly in the volume, there are more than 30 items which can be ordered and ordering them all would cost more than $2,000(!)), I'm surprised that the list itself is on a public web page.

So for your fraternity/sorority would the Equipment list be something that would be public? (Yes, I know there may be more needed for the ritual than the items on the site such as candles)

For my fraternity (non-NIC), Alpha Phi Omega, while there isn't an order form of what's for the ritual, I have seen the contents of the kit necessary for ritual described at banquet for an area conference and there were non brothers in the room at the time. The kit was being given away as a door prize based on the brothers who came to the seminar on proper presentation of the ritual.

Because I'm in a silly mood, this reminded me of another thread: Piggyback Question RE: Ritual "Things". Thank you, KillarneyRose!

The ONLY thing that's available publicly is the order form for catsuits and sequined hose. Because we've had to outsource those and our suppliers are desperate for business from other GLOS so they insisted on publicizing their merchandise.

You outsource your catsuits??? We have an alumna make them, based on a pattern drawn up by our founders way back in 1851. Rumor has it that Phi Mu's catsuits are based off of our pattern, but you'd have to ask them.

I have seen that website, too, and I found it quite surprising.

Nothing exists like that for any NPHC org I know of, but I have seen public/semi-public lists of appropriate ritual attire. But again, not for properties.

What? You wear cat suits and sequined hose too?

And both of you two??????

Back in my day...

- Ritual items that you could pick up at any store (e.g. green and white ribbons for new members) could be publicized. The NMs are going to be walking around in public with the ribbons, after all...
- Certain ritual items (e.g. the white catsuits and green boas ;) ) must be ordered through nationals, and the specifics are not publicized.

Some things have to be purchased locally, as they need to be "fresh".

What I'm saying is, we *could* order the rodents to feed our Initiation Snakes from HQ, but it's easier to go to the pet store and pick up few dozen mice.

That said, local vendors who are paying attention might pick up on trends. The Tri Psis just ordered 60 pounds of rainbow glitter and a crate of oranges again? Must be I-Week.

Yes....no one wants to perform a ritual with stale goat's blood.

Don't forget Murphy's Oil Soap to polish up the wood coffin for initiation. That is easily available in the cleaning aisle.

We buy our bananas and Vaseline at the closest grocery store.

Oooh! Good idea! We've been getting our bananas through mail order, but I bet the grocery store is cheaper.

We source ours from a local farmers market.

It's always a good idea to support your local small businesses.

Equipment?
 

This post inspired me to do a search for "fraternity ritual equipment". Jeez, I don't want to know what some of you all must be doing.:) Our ritual "equipment"? Candles, and maybe a nice green tablecloth. All we've needed for nearly 200 years.

For some reason, this thread reminded me of my all time favorite article from The Onion: http://www.theonion.com/articles/new...all-the,28697/

Somewhat similar for my fraternity. Give me the ritual books, access to the National website, a color printer and a $100 gift card to Michael's craft store and I'll give it a try...

Very happy to hear that fraternity members don't wear catsuits!

I didn't say that, I said that we don't wear them during rituals. :)

As George Takei might say, "Oh myyyy."

Just don't tell everyone about how we do our rituals covered in blue and gold body paint and nothing else... :D

*cross references Sigma's handbook, whistles*

I 100% feel like this is about my org. Anyway, there's a website that a lot of NPC, NIC, and a few professional GLOs get their Ritual supplies from. A lot of the stuff doesn't have pictures, so you, as a member, need to know what you're buying.

I've never thought of it as a big deal since seeing a bit of the equipment doesn't remotely reveal the significance.

Nope, not about your org. Yes, NIC, but not Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Several years ago DU went completely un-secret so I'd assume it's them.

I guess I've always assumed that since the cat suits have to be ordered that all the NPC rituals are probably remarkably similar. But since there's no way to find out without being THAT WOMAN, I will just have to live with my assumptions. Plus, I don't care.

But, I am having a lousy day and reading about goats blood, bananas and Vaseline definitely gave me a much needed chuckle.

Nope *not* DU.

And while "dessert" bananas may be traditional, *plantains* make a much larger impression on the pledges. :)

When I was an active, some sisters would joke to the girls about to go through initiation that they needed to bring bananas and Vaseline. It was an obvi joke, but at least one person would bring it. lol Never failed. When I was a big, I warned my littles about it so they wouldn't be *that* pledge. :D

Now even joking about it would probably be considered hazing since some dingdong wouldn't get the joke and be horrified about her impending assault.

I'm thinking/hoping that ADPi is going to open up the Violet Volcano as a fund raiser. Sigh.

Thank you to the moderator(s).