Ritual

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Membership selection falls under "ritual" for most organizations as well.

FWIW, I've only heard people in NPC orgs refer to membership selection as "ritual." We'd call it confidential or private, but we wouldn't call it "ritual."

I would classify ritual as the esoteric (secret) teachings of a fraternity or sorority and the ceremonies and symbols that embody or convey those teachings.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

FWIW, I've only heard people in NPC orgs refer to membership selection as "ritual." We'd call it confidential or private, but we wouldn't call it "ritual."

I would classify ritual as the esoteric (secret) teachings of a fraternity or sorority and the ceremonies and symbols that embody or convey those teachings.

Well, she's a PNM asking about sororities, so I didn't include all the awesome non-NPC orgs!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Well, she's a PNM asking about sororities, so I didn't include all the awesome non-NPC orgs!

Valid point, and tip of the hat accepted with appreciation.

But I guess it's never to early for even a PNM to learn about the awesome variety in Greek life.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

FWIW, I've only heard people in NPC orgs refer to membership selection as "ritual." We'd call it confidential or private, but we wouldn't call it "ritual."

I would say that membership selection is held to the same standards of secrecy as ritual. As with ritual, only sisters can participate, and nothing leaves the room.

To the OP, ritual would be any formal ceremony where members are given secret information about the GLO they have joined. For NPC sororities, it can include new member ceremonies, initiation, ceremonies marking the passage from active collegian to alumna, procedures for opening/closing meetings and for admission to chapter meetings if you're late, etc. In most cases, what happens during these ceremonies, and the information imparted to the new members, stays within the sisterhood.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I would say that membership selection is held to the same standards of secrecy as ritual. As with ritual, only sisters can participate, and nothing leaves the room.

Right, I'd agree about it being confidential. But I have seen members of NPC orgs here at GC say "membership selection is ritual," kind of using "ritual" as a synonym for "secret."

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Right, I'd agree about it being confidential. But I have seen members of NPC orgs here at GC say "membership selection is ritual," kind of using "ritual" as a synonym for "secret."

It's habit, and has been passed down. We called MS 'ritual' as well. Any of our formal chapters were as well, so realistically it probably refers as much to the MS as the meeting where it takes place.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

It's habit, and has been passed down. We called MS 'ritual' as well. Any of our formal chapters were as well, so realistically it probably refers as much to the MS as the meeting where it takes place.

No, I get it, and I hope I didn't sound critical about it. Just one of those phrasology things, though it did strike me as odd the first time I heard it used that way.

It's just another reminder of how, while we have many things in common, we all do things just a little differently.