Most Meaningful part of creed, mission, symphony, etc.

[DDDlady]

Our purpose was one of the first things that really spoke to me when I joined Tri Delta. It summed up what I wanted out of a sorority experience.

THE PURPOSE OF DELTA DELTA DELTA shall be to establish a perpetual bond of friendship among its members, to develop a stronger and more womanly character, to broaden the moral and intellectual life, and to assist its members in every possible way.

One of the other things I have always loved is from the story of our founding.

Although there were three women's groups represented at Boston University in 1888, Sarah Ida Shaw saw a need for a group which would be different from the others. She said to her friend, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, "Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

[jennyj87]

Originally Posted by DDDlady

"Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

I love that quote. Its one of my favorites. The first time I ever heard it I got chills.

My favorite part of our motto is 'to assist its members in every possible way'. I've really gotten that out of the sororites at times. Literally one time my car was dead and my chapter president handed me her keys cause I needed to go to my house. No "put gas in it. be careful' or anything. I cried.

[txpacer]

Creed:
I Believe in Alpha Delta Pi.
I Believe that my sorority is more than a ritual or a symbol; that it is a way of life.
I Believe that the principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring attributes, exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood.
I Believe that our motto, "We live for each other" expresses the true spirit of fraternity; and that by living this motto my life will be enriched by true friendships and by unselfish service to mankind.
I Believe that the privilege of membership in Alpha Delta Pi brings the responsibility to do my best in whatever I undertake, always remembering that leadership requires confidence tempered with humility and courage blended with tolerance.
I Believe that I must strive to become a well-balanced person by following the dictates of the four points symbolized by our diamond-shaped badge: first, strengthening my own character and personality; second, watching my attitudes toward my fellow-beings; third, recognizing the value of high educational standards; and fourth, developing faith and loyalty.
I Believe that these four guide-posts, guarded by the stars and friendly hands clasped in the Adelphean bonds of fellowship, will lead me to achieve a rich and useful life.

*sigh* I tried not to highlight virtually all of it, but I did.

Purpose:
The society shall be called Adelphean, and shall have for its object the mental, moral, social, and domestic improvement of its members.

I love all of it. Our creed spoke to me in so many ways when I first read it, and it means even more now.

[ColdInCanada11]

To gain understanding that wisdom may be vouchsafed to me.
To develop and prize health and vigor of body.
To cultivate acquaintance with many whom I meet.
To cherish friendship with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.
To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world's work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied.
To honor my home, my country, my religious faith.
To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable.
To covet beauty in environment, manner, word, and thought.
To possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them.
This shall be my purpose that those who know me may esteem Alpha Gamma Delta for her attainments, revere her for her purposes, and love her for her Womanhood.


I love our entire Purpose, but I think the two lines that stand out the most for me are "To cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships", because it shows that all good relationships take time, and "To possess high ideals and attain somewhat unto them" because that can apply to anything!

[AGDAlum]

I've been an Alpha Gam for nearly 40 years. At one time or another each element of the Purpose has mean something special. Contributing to the world's work has steered me toward involvement in many civic activities. Cultivate acquaintance/cherish friendships took me a while to fully comprehend; I certainly get it now.....whether people identify me with Alpha Gam is doubtful, but if they do know that I am one, I hope they will have a positive image of the fraternity.

Alpha Gam's slogan is "women with Purpose." In recent issues of the Quarterly there have been essays by sisters about how they exemplify the Purpose in their daily lives.

[AGDAlum]

(The previous post was getting long.) I am also a P.E.O., so in addition to the AGD Purpose, I have another set of precepts to guide me. My favorite phrases now are in bold.

The Objects and Aims of this sisterhood shall be general improvement, which shall comprehend more thoroughly the following points:

To seek growth in charity toward all with whom we associate and a just comprehension of and adherence to the qualities of Faith, Love, Purity, Justice, and Truth.

To seek growth in knowledge and in culture, and to obtain all possible wisdom from nature, art, books, study, and society, and to radiate all light possible by conversation, by writing, and by the right exercise of any talent we possess.

To aim at self-control, equipoise, and symmetry of character, and temperance in opinion, speech, and habits.

It shall be the chief duty of each member to consider thoughtfully the full import of P.E.O. This will include a sincere regard for our influence in the community, a careful consideration of feeling when speaking, and a determination to do all we can, at all times, and under all circumstances to express a loving concern for each sister.

[AGDAlum]

And not to forget: the Collect of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. It was written by Mary Stuart of Longmont, Colorado, in 1904.

Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness: let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding, and leave off self seeking.
May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face, without self pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.
Let us take time for all things: make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straight-forward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things that create differences, that in the big things of life we are at one.
And may we strive to touch and to know the great common human heart of us all, and, Oh Lord God, let us forget not...to be kind!