Quote:
Originally posted by polarpi
This is just *my* opinion, but since the ceremony is primarily directed by alumnae members, I feel that the alumnae should have probably the "most" say in when Jewel Degree is conferred. Our chapter's Alumnae Relations chair worked with the advisors to organize the date (because at the time I was a collegiate, we didn't have a *very* local AA nearby to conduct the ceremony) and then the graduating seniors were sent invitations inviting them, and they needed to RSVP to the Alumnae Relations chair who in turn let the advisors know how many would be there. I understand wanting to give the graduating seniors every opportunity to participate in going through Jewel Degree, but because the alumnae have to organize it and conduct the ceremony, the date and time needs to work for more than just three alumnae members.
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PolarPi-- you'll be happy to know that seven Eta Psi seniors were put through Jewel Degree by many of our former chapter advisors, who are mostly now the executive board of the new Northwest Indiana Alumnae Association!
The night of the 14th, Friday, Eta Psi chapter was closed by our Grand President. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I'm very glad I was able to be there. (I went through my local sorority initiation in that room, through ADPi alpha, delta, and jewel degree ceremonies in one day in that room, through jewel degree from "the other side" in that room, and finally through the chapter closing ceremony in that room...)
Anyway, the morning and afternoon of May 15th, the NIAA held its first official event since being chartered in January. It was a lovely alumnae luncheon in a room downstairs at the Hilton Garden Inn in Chesterton. The food from the hotel was delicious, and the cake from the alumnae was yummy! There are alumnae from Valparaiso, Merrillville, Chesterton, Crown Point, and other nearby areas. (Some of them never knew Valpo had a chapter! Oh well. Too late now.)
After the luncheon we did the Founders' Day ceremony, then cleared the room and had the Jewel Degree. (It was kind of funny, since there were two alumnae who graduated in the 1950s, who ended up being on the "alumnae" side of Jewel Degree and then realizing that they'd never been through it from the "initiate" side. Oh well!)
Anyway, the alumnae basically set up the luncheon and ceremony, which was nice, since previously it was the chapter advisor borrowing stuff and us alumnae who came to Founders' Day in our chapter room trying to put it all together that day. I really like having it as part of a Founders' Day ceremony, held whichever weekend before or after the 15th works best for both the alumnae association and the chapter.