what does this mean....

[juliebug]

I went to the ADPi hall last night and got inducted into Alphaship last night... it was nerve-racking, but really nice. I was the only girl getting inducted.

Anyway, i got my pin last night (i guess its my pledge pin ? ) and it has BUA writting on it. They told me what it says but i dont remember. They also said it symbolized the statment "we live for eachother". So can someone give me some more incite on this?

[honeychile]

I pm'd you, Julie!

[juliebug]

i didnt know that this wasnt appropriate to ask on the boards for various reason... dont mind me

[adpiucf]

Julie, for a new member, you're very wise to be thinking like that already-- it takes a lot of us awhile to adjust to what is appropriate to say about sorority stuff Violets!

[Blue Violets]

Welcome to ADPi, Julie!!

However, I also have a question.

I thought all of the things they taught you pre-initiation were not secret/ritual. Did I imagine that? For example, what the pledge pin means, the sorority history, our psalm, etc. etc. etc....maybe I am confused though.

(Don't worry, I haven't shared any of this info w/ anyone, I'm just curious!)

[ASUADPi]

Julie, welcome to ADPi.

Well, it's been a long time since I was initiated (5 years), so I honestly can't remember.
But it just seems to me that things I would consider private, some don't. (Hope that makes sense).
The only time I talk about my alphaship and initiation in detail is with other sisters. I only spoke of very brief and general things to non sisters (friends, family).
what I mean by things I consider private, an example would be our blessing. On the regular GC board someone started a thread asking about chapter blessings. People willingly posted theirs. An ADPi posted ours, but I somehow felt that it shouldn't have been posted and that the other chapters shouldn't have posted theirs. Maybe it is just me but it seems to me that a chapters blessing should be kept private.

Julie, if you have questions at all, my best and only advice is to go to your new member educator. She is there to help you out, to answer any questions you might have. Of course we will also answer anything too.

Brianna

[Blue Violets]

Originally posted by ASUADPi
Julie, welcome to ADPi.

Well, it's been a long time since I was initiated (5 years), so I honestly can't remember.
But it just seems to me that things I would consider private, some don't. (Hope that makes sense).
The only time I talk about my alphaship and initiation in detail is with other sisters. I only spoke of very brief and general things to non sisters (friends, family).
what I mean by things I consider private, an example would be our blessing. On the regular GC board someone started a thread asking about chapter blessings. People willingly posted theirs. An ADPi posted ours, but I somehow felt that it shouldn't have been posted and that the other chapters shouldn't have posted theirs. Maybe it is just me but it seems to me that a chapters blessing should be kept private.

Julie, if you have questions at all, my best and only advice is to go to your new member educator. She is there to help you out, to answer any questions you might have. Of course we will also answer anything too.

Brianna

Definitely use your N.M.E.--she/they are there JUST for you! They spend all year getting ready for those super cool Alphas!

About what you posted Brianna--I wasn't even aware we had a chapter blessing/grace until I saw it posted. Where would someone learn something like that? I am an initaited, regular Delta member of my chapter but none of my (immediate) sorority friends or I knew our grace/blessing! It was definitely not something I recall from our N.M. binder or initiation.

[ASUADPi]

I learned it as an alpha. It might have also been that my chapter of initiation (Delta Gamma) has a house. Every Monday before chapter we would meet at around 5:30 for dinner. Prior to dinner we did blessing. My NME I'm pretty sure taught us it, otherwise it was one of the actives that taught me it.
I'm assuming that non house chapters probably don't know the blessing. I say this because Gamma Rho (ASU) doesn't have a house and whenever we do blessing, let's just say, it's not to pretty cause they don't know it.
Like I said, I just think a lot of things about a persons sorority should just be kept to the members itself. That's just how I feel. Other people are going to feel completely different than me and I welcome that.
Brianna

[polarpi]

Originally posted by ASUADPi
I'm assuming that non house chapters probably don't know the blessing. I say this because Gamma Rho (ASU) doesn't have a house and whenever we do blessing, let's just say, it's not to pretty cause they don't know it.

Nothing against ASU, but not all non-house chapters don't know the blessing. Our chapter sings the blessing anytime we get together in our CR for any type of eating. We've even sung it with PNM's in the room, so I don't think there's too much concern with non-members hearing the words to our blessing. I understand what you're saying, Brianna, I just think that there are women out there that are proud of our blessing and want to share it with others....it's a nice benediction for anyone to hear!

[juliebug]

Originally posted by ASUADPi

Julie, if you have questions at all, my best and only advice is to go to your new member educator. She is there to help you out, to answer any questions you might have. Of course we will also answer anything too.

Brianna

of course... i consider her the oracle of knowledge right now... but i got home and i couldnt call anyone b/c i dont have any numbers and i had just forgot what it all meant - being that night was filled with information. So i thought i was ask yall... then i was informed that it might be to ritualistic to post about. I am not sure about these rules... but i want to try and be as respectful as possible.


I thank everyone for you great advice. Yall are awesome!

[WLFEO]

I really agree with you, Brianna! I think a lot of things posted on the ADPi section of GC are not appropriate and do not belong on the World Wide Web for everyone to see. Sometimes it feels like this is our own little ADPi world here, but actually anyone can see it, including PNMs! I feel very uncomfortable with some things- I haven't seen anything about ritual posted, but I feel that some issues discussed would be better discussed on Pride Online (of course the message board there needs an overhaul). Many PNMs could think that the problems/issues in one chapter are the issues at all ADPi chapters and not be able to distunguish (we all do that in some ways- tending to think all the XYZs have this quality or the ABCs look a certain way). I know one purpose of GC is to break down stereotypes and I think if only initiated Greeks could read the boards, they'd understand, but from a PR/Marketing perspective, some things aren't the best ideas to post. I know some with disagree, but that's just my own little opinion.

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by Blue Violets


I thought all of the things they taught you pre-initiation were not secret/ritual. Did I imagine that? For example, what the pledge pin means, the sorority history, our psalm, etc. etc. etc....maybe I am confused though.

(Don't worry, I haven't shared any of this info w/ anyone, I'm just curious!)

I did it! I posted our blessing! The blessing is not ritual. If you have been taught that it is a ritual, please go back to the person who told you this and immediately correct them.

What is open: Our blessing. Our songs. The ADPi Creed. The history of our founding, our lion and his name "Alphie," the woodland violet or diamond, our colors and their meaning, our original name, our diamond circle and 25 year anniversary ceremonies, and our Founders Day ceremonies. The Mother Ceremony and the meaning of the Mother Pin. What our Pride Program is All ABOUT. What TME is. What goes on at an education meeting (unless that education meeting is a sorority ritual review). Our nomenclature for officers and phases of membership. (FYI-- we're trying to get away from calling our alumnae "Pi" members. Also, a female alum is an alumnA. Female alum together are AlumnAE. AlumnI are plural male alum or a coed crowd of alum. A single male alum is an alumnUS.) Our closing in a letter to another ADPi is "Loyally"-- this is not ritual or a secret, either.

There are open meanings for "Alpha Delta Pi" as Greek Letters and the alpha badge that may be shared with non members. These open meanings are often shared with PNM's during recruitment to help them understand ADPi and feel the connection. The fuller meaning of these are learned in the ritual ceremonies during Diamond Days.

What DRIVES ME CRAZY: The little sayings our chapters make up like PATA or OBIC, etc--- are not ritual and have never been ritual, and are not part of the Alpha Delta Pi international teachings or way, contrary to what your chapters may have taught you. I tell you this with ONE-THOUSAND PERCENT security and certainty. I know you will tell me I am wrong, will be upset--- as I practically caused a riot on here a couple of months ago when I dropped that "bomb" on you. PATA came out of a keynote speech at a convention many years ago-- It meant Pi's Are Totally Awesome. PATA came back to the chapters as this new "secret" and chapters made up their meanings for it. OBIC followed, and almost every chapter has made up their own nonsense words. THIS IS NOT AN ADPI THING. Even if it is a local tradition with your chapter, it is the equivalent of making up your own ritual. ADPi chapters do not have that privilege. KD has AOT. Alpha Xi has TFJ. Let's quit having Acronym Envy. ADPi DOES NOT have secret acronyms. We have plenty of other interesting ritual secrets though that do need to be kept quiet.

What is ritual and secret from non-members: the meaning of our coat-of-arms, the meaning of Alpha Delta Pi as it is learned in the initation ceremony (there is an open meaning that is shared with non members), our secret motto as it is learned in initation (Our open motto that is shared with non members is We Live For Each Other), anything you learn in alpha ceremony, neophyte ceremony, diamond days, initation, Jewel Degree (alumnae initation), our membership selection process during sorority recruitment, the way the chapter votes in a meeting, the opening to the chapter meeting, the closing to the chapter meeting, the "ritual paraphernalia" you see at any chapter business meeting, alpha ceremony, initation ritual, etc.

You should not discuss the business discussed or presented in chapter with a non-member. (However, if it was announced in chapter that ADPi will play KD in intramural football on Tuesday at 5 PM, it's ok to spread the word! Things like that...) I have heard back and forth on our psalm that it is secret vs open. I would advise if you are not certain of something, please don't repeat it outside of ADPi.

Also, if you feel a post by a member of GC is inappropriate, please PM them and share your feelings. That member can go back and delete her post, or if she initiated the thread, she can delete the thread without a moderator's assistance. GC does not seem to want to help us traffic the boards b/c they will not give us moderator access, so we must make up for this by helping one another.

I agree we all need to utilize Pride Online. Perhaps we can do this-- if you have a chapter concern, post a note on GC-- ADPi's please go to Pride Online to read a sister-sensitive post. I would appreciate your input. Perhaps we come up with a code--- for Example. Sisters, The Lion is Roaring at Pride Online; Board: Recruitment; Subject: Panhellenic at XYZ University. If the Pride Online option does not sound appealing, we could begin a Yahoo! Groups email list for the GC ADPi's where members can email the group about a problem they are facing in their chapter and get sisterly feedback over a secure channel.

Nothing our members post on GC is intended to humiliate or reveal ADPi secrets; I think we are so comfortable in our GC community, we forget that there are other groups and others who are non-Greeks on the boards, who, as much as we admire them and like them, are not members of ADPi and shouldn't be privy to our "dirty laundry."

Ok, is this post long enough? Have I offended anyone with this post? I truly hope not. I have the utmost care and concern for everyone of my sisters, and for Alpha Delta Pi as an organization. I'm happy to know all of you in the GC community and I look forward to our continuing to grow together as sisters.

Pi Love to All!

Edited to add: The ONLY things that should be kept secret from our ADPi new members are opening and closing meeting ritual and what is learned at initation. New members can wear letters, hold office in the chapter, vote and are considered SISTERS--- they do not have to work to prove themselves. Before any intro to a ritual, they will be downloaded on what to expect and how to prepare. If you're unsure of something to give to or tell a new member, please run it by the NMC. If she's not sure, she will talk to the MEVP. If any confusion remains, the TME adviser/chapter adviser/CPD or TME director will clear it up. Keeping things secret like the dates of initation, or the date of the international exam are not cool at all, and is seen as hazing. And ADPi doesn't haze So treat your alphas like the gems they are, and you will be rewarded with happy new sisters who are active and want to do everything with ADPi!

[WLFEO]

Good post, adpiucf! I like your "The Lion is Roaring at Pride Online" idea! Should we adopt it?

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by WLFEO
Good post, adpiucf! I like your "The Lion is Roaring at Pride Online" idea! Should we adopt it?

WLFEO (by the way, now that I know what your SN stands for--- our open motto-- We Live For Each Other--- I just want to tell you-- that is so adorable! I love it!)

My chapter back in the day used "The Lion Is Roaring" as a discreet way to say, "Hey sister, we're in public and you need to remember you're an ADPi." (if a sister was forgetting for a moment to act like a lady or about to make a potentially bad decision) I think we could apply it here.

[ASUADPi]

awesome post adpiucf. You cleared up a lot of things for me personally. Some of the things you mentioned that are 'public' for some reason I thought were 'private'. Maybe it was just how my NME broached the subjects or what not. (I was also initiated 5 years ago, so things might have change, in fact I know they have, in those years).
As for PATA, I was actually not allowed to know what the phrase meant until I was initiated. Now this was my chapters choice to do this. But because of that decision I totally thought PATA was something I shouldn't share with people who aren't ADPi. I also learned a different version of PATA. The version DG chose to say was 'Pi's Are Together Always'.

Again, thanks for the info.

Brianna