Alumni and Ritual
 

Just wanted to post a new thread here.

Last Friday, I was able to actively participate in the initiation Ritual - a rarity for an alumni.

I would recommend that chapters have an alum (not necessarily a recent graduate either) have a means of actively participating.

One, it sure was a lot of fun for me, and two, it really will show those going through Ritual that we truly are not four years, but for life.

ZAX

S S, while I never did, we have had Alums doing it for the last 6 years.


God it is Great and the Alums really get into it!!:cool:

The new Members also get a kick out ot it!:)

My thoughts on this issue are mixed, since I am working with a small chapter, so I do participate in the ritual. However, the responsibility for the conducting the ritual is an undergraduate responsibility.

Several thoughts though...

Chapters should make every effort to invite and accomodate alumni attendance at the ritual. I think Tom Earp's experience (as posted on this website) with chapters in Florida exemplifies the great feeling that our alumni feel towards the ritual, especially in cases where they haven't seen it in a long time.

Also, we now have a Senior Ritual (both an open and closed version). One of the thoughts presented at the General Assembly last year was to have alumni conduct this ritual, as it reinforces the expected involvement of Brothers after graduation from college. I think this is a great way to get alumni actively involved with rituals for the chapters.

in ZAX,
Eric
---------------------------------------------------------
Eric D. Berger
High Pi, Alpha Zeta at Boston University

Alumni participation in ritual
 

Presentation of the ritual is an undergraduate responsibility. That being said, I must also add that if I were asked to participate I would certainly do so. The only time that I have done so was when a chapter lacked sufficient members to properly conduct the ritual. Since then nobody has asked me to to play.

The downside is that the alumnus would have to set aside adequate time to practice. Finding enough time in the day to do so without neglecting other responsibilities would be tough. Add to that the necessiity to do a perfect job and it almost becomes too much to expect.

Another question would be the willingness of the alumnus to do what was needed in the proper manner. As we know, the fraternity has evolved over time and practices that were acceptable in 1976 are no longer acceptable today. The participating alumni would have to understand that although this is the same fraternity, our methods have changed!

Some of us are fortunate because we have managed to remember what we did and how we did it. But the vast majority of alumni have forgotten the details. If someone was a quick study or really, REALLY remembered what to do then it would be a great thing!

Regards,

John Gezelius
California, '78

John, Welcome Brother to GC!!:cool:

First off, As Eric stated, if the Zeta is small it can be an undo hardship for many Brothers to to several parts.

Some of the Brothers few though it might be have and still do it each time.

I have one Brother who comes to mind is # 54. Ramsman, who can recite his part to this day!

He is so funny as he assumes his position and sites his part!!

John, by the way, what Zeta are you from?

In ZAX,

Alumni & Rx
 

First, I'm an alumnus of Mu Zeta @ UC Berkeley.

I am fortunate in that I can still remember what I said and what I did even to this day. I am confidant that I could walk in and, with a couple hours of study, perform as required. I sort of have an advantage because at Cal we did not swap responsibilities around and thus we could become very profiicient at Rx.

I find it truly gratifying when, while chatting with an undergrad about Rx, I can pull information out of the Ritual and leave the undergrad with this truly quizzical look on their face.

Chalk one up for an old fart!!

John Gezelius

John, thank you for this last post!

I especially loved the Old Fart. I am the oldest fart on thead!!:( That is my nickname via some of my adolecent Brothers espc. # 54!!!!

Again, glad to have you aboard!!!!!!!!:cool:

Mu Zeta

"In connection with the initiation of Mu Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha which took place at the home of the chapter in Berkeley it is interesting to note the enormous geographic expansion of the Society which that involved.

As there was at the time only one Brother available for conducting the important ceremonies, it was deemed advisable to initiate first a few of the officers in order that they might assist me in the programme which was to follow. Brother Barbera, who accomplished a vast amount of work for the "Skulls" in negotiating for the chapter of Mu Zeta, offered the use of his home in Oakland for the initiation. After a very excellent dinner, I administered the oath of Lambda Chi Alpha to Brothers Zumwalt, Nathan, Barbera, Sherman, Frank, Clarke, and Carey.

One week later at the chapter house, the rest of the members of the local were put through the regular order of the full ceremonies. The Ritual was adhered to as closely as circumstances permitted. The beauty and grandeur of it especially impressed all, and many repeatedly alluded to these features later. The large double room of the chapter house was filled almost to crowding, but absolute quiet and perfect decorum reigned throughout the whole performance. At the close, all adjourned to the banquet room and participated in the jolliest of feasts.

Could the sister Zetas see the spirit of genuine good fellowship which reigns here and the cordiality with which they received brothers from other colleges, they would know why we from other Zetas, even in this somewhat isolated post, feel that it is glorious to be a member of Lambda Chi Alpha."

Yours in Z A X,
Dr. Charles Barrows Bennett.
(Formerly of Iota Zeta, Brown University.)

---from the Purple , Green and Gold, July 1914

ZAX,
Jono

Once again, I must commend Brother Jono for his posts!

For you that do not know, Brother Chuck Pyser is the Unofficial Historian of International. He wrote The History of LXA. Current. Dont look for it, it is harder than hell to find!

But having met and spent part of a weekend with Brother Pyser ( U. South, Sawenee) I find that Brother Jono is also one of the most Knowledgeable of LXA Brothers.

As seen on a previous Post, Brother Jon Sagara needs Credit for his web site listing of Zetas Web Sites.

I for one Commend these Two Bothers for what they are doing because of the Love of LXA!

If you have any web sites that are not listed on Brother Sagara's site, let him know!

If you have questions about History, (Sorry Jono), get in touch with him! He is a lot better than me!:D