OPENING FRATERNITY IN MY COUNTRY!!!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

- ceremonies a.k.a. rituals. Ritual is "simply" something you do on a regular basis (each meeting, once a year, etc.). The purpose of any ritual may be to commemorate or celebrate something, like the introduction of new members, anniversary of your founding date, how you start or your meetings (do you say your creed together? shake hands? bow? how do you ask for agreement? raise hands? snap fingers?) etc.

- methods of inducting new members - for example, do you have a ceremony in which you give a new member a pin? Some groups may give new members flowers, recite a creed or poem, sing a song. You might incorporate items that are special to your group or purpose - like reading from a bible or document, planting a tree, lighting a candle, or even dancing.

Good points, but to clarify: In most fraternal organizations of which I'm aware, ritual is typically not "simply" something done on a regular basis. Ritual is primarily an esoteric (that is, "hidden" or "secret") initiation ceremony, where new members learn what the various secrets and symbols of the group are/signify and see the "teachings" (values, ethical principles) of the fraternity placed in a context that gives meaning and coherence, and in which the take solemn oaths of loyalty to the organization and those teachings. Such rituals often utilize myth or legend to provide that context. And in many fraternities and sororities, the specific secrets (such as the meaning of the letters) are never written down; they are passed along orally.

All other ceremonies -- opening and closing of meeting rituals or founders day ceremonies, for example -- typically grow out of or are related to the primary initiation ritual and serve to underscore what is taught in the initiation ritual or renew the bonds created in the initiation ritual.

Here is an excellent resource into understanding Ritual from a sorority perspective; it might help the OP see how rituals function in fraternities and sororities generally: Sorority Rituals: Rites of Passage and their Impact on Contemporary Sorority Women; a Dissertation by Mari Ann Callais