[honeychile]

Okay, why I asked the specific questions.

When I was in school, our Alumnae Association invited all of the graduating seniors to a Jewel Degree Luncheon at a local (nice) restaurant. There were about 30 alumnae, and I think 10 seniors. It was lovely! After we finished dessert, the servers cleared the tables, and left us alone, at which time Jewel Degree was conferred - all alumnae either in the appropriate "costume" or a Jewel Tone. It was stressed to us that Jewel Degree was our invitation to becoming full alumnae, complete with the responsibilities of Alumnae Associations, and serving as Advisors or other positions. I'm happy (and somewhat proud!) to say that everyone with whom I received Jewel Degree is involved Alpha Delta Pi on some level, even to this day!

Fast forward to the past 10 years. The local pattern lately has been something like this: The Chapter Advisor gets a call from the chapter saying exactly when Jewel Degree will be conferred (always in the Suite), before there's even a chance for Alumnae to find a good date or arrange a luncheon. Then, after she's told a date & frantically arranges 5-10 alumnae, the date is changed to a date when as little as TWO alumnae are available. Since the Guard is somehow unavailable and the ritual equipment that the Chapter retains is locked up (even though it has been requested!), the graduating seniors get a bare-pipe-racks version
of what I consider our most beautiful ritual. Once, the three Alumnae who did show up waited for 3 hours for one senior to show up (someone told her the wrong time), and due to time restraints, we went without her - only to get castigated later.

From what I understand, arrangements for a good date were in discussion for months this year. I made plane reservations - and because of the changed date, missed it.

This has become a VERY sore topic among the local Alumnae, who are considering a boycott of conferring Jewel Degree until the Chapter's Active in charge of Alumnae Relations gets her act together!


So, I wanted to see how other chapters went about the introduction of Jewel Degree. As it is NOT a mandatory ritual, should the Alumnae plan it (with chapter input) so that it can be done properly, or is it proper for the Actives/Deltas to demand the date, time & place? Feedback?