Sororities: Something of value

[AGDAlum]

Though I'm still miffed about the new AGD logo (bring back the buff rose!), I really like the emphasis on "women with Purpose." Many years ago I was in a personal-exploration workshop that included an exercise on "writing your personal creed." I finished quickly because I used the Purpose.

I used to think that "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" was the best phrase -- that's why I do what I do, professionally and civically. But a few years ago the lightbulb went on and I truly understood "to cultivate acquaintance with many whom I meet" which must be coupled with "to cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships."

Though it won't work for your column, my favorite phrase in the P.E.O. Objects & Aims:
"to aim at self-control, equipoise, and symmetry of character" -- equipoise ranks right up there with vouchsafed!

[psusue]

Originally Posted by AGDAlum

Though it won't work for your column, my favorite phrase in the P.E.O. Objects & Aims:
"to aim at self-control, equipoise, and symmetry of character" -- equipoise ranks right up there with vouchsafed!

So many good words that we don't really use anymore, I agree.

[thetygerlily]

I'm way late, but... Kappa doesn't have a creed or symphony. Our mission statement is relatively succinct in comparison:
Kappa Kappa Gamma is an organization of women, which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development, and an understanding of and an allegiance to positive ethical principles.

I like your idea about using what we have in our signatures though! One of my favorite songs in Kappa starts with: On the heart of each sister / lies one key that binds us / a badge that reminds us / of Fraternity days

And after lyrics about friendship outlasting collegehood days & not needing to be concealed, the end of the song is in my signature... And in the years after with tears or with laughter we'll always remember our dear Kappa days.

For me that last line completely sums up my collegiate- and alumnae- experience. Life isn't all about the easy, happy moments. Growth isn't always easy or fun, so there have definitely been tears shed... but I've learned from each and every one of those experiences and they've made me who I am today- hopefully a better person! But to balance those "learning opportunities", I also have some fantastic joyful moments that I will always treasure. Especially with my chapter sisters, every time we get together that spark is rekindled.

[SWTXBelle]

HE DIDN'T PRINT MY COLUMN! I don't know why - I've got an e-mail into him asking if it was too long - if so, I'll have him reprint last year's much shorter column. SO FINE - Here it is:
Sororities offer lasting value - Badge Day 2012

For over 150 years, women have been joining the groups of the National Panhellenic Conference. So what is it that has drawn generations of women into the bonds of sisterhood? Why will thousands of women wear their sorority badges in honor of International Badge Day this upcoming Monday, March 5? It's because some things transcend time. When sororities began members were wearing corsets and hoop skirts. Today's members may have shortened their skirts and cut their hair, but what spoke to those early members still resonates in the hearts of today's sorority women. They continue to exist because they offer something of lasting value.

My 12 year old niece Maura, perhaps a future sorority member herself, asked me what the purpose of sororities is. The quick answer is they support educating women, developing them into leaders and supporting their communities through philanthropic activities. The longer answer requires us to look at what those founders put down into the creeds, symphonies and purposes of their groups. Reading those stirring words help spell out the lofty goals which have enabled those groups to grow and thrive. They answer the question, "What do those Greek letters and badges mean?". If you thought of sorority women as flighty debutantes thinking of nothing more important than parties and shoes - prepare to have your stereotypes shattered. If you know of your own sorority's values, prepare to be inspired by your NPC cousins' core values.

In their Symphony Alpha Chi Omegas pledge "to see beauty even in the common things of life.To shed the light of love and friendship round me. To keep my life in tune with the world that I shall make no discords in the harmony of life.To strike on the lyre of the universe only the notes of happiness, of joy, of peace. To appreciate every little service rendered."



Alpha Delta Pis state in their creed that they " 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."


Alpha Gamma Delta's purpose includes "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."


The mission of Alpha Epsilon Phi is "to inspire and support exemplary women dedicated to friendship and a lifelong commitment to Alpha Epsilon Phi while building on the vision of our Jewish founders." Alpha Omicron Pi's values include "Contributing time, talent and financial resources;Promoting integrity; Developing leaders;Striving for excellence;Encouraging innovation and creativity;Using teamwork and collaboration;Acting philanthropically;And being a living example."



Alpha Phi's creed includes these words about their sorority": I believe in its earnest drive for good scholarship, moral character, and
genuine culture. I believe in it as a shrine of international sisterhood wherein I may find love, loyalty, sympathy and understanding, inspiration
and opportunity.I believe in it as a creator of good citizenship helping me to do my work well, to live in harmony with others, and to serve my country and to trust in God."

Alpha Sigma Alpha states they will " promote{s) high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among our four aims of intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development." Alpha Sigma Tau's purpose " is to promote the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members, specifically:to develop the character of each member through a study of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships sincerity, honesty, love and understanding."

Alpha Xi Delta has a Symphony which affirms " These things do we earnestly desire: A clear vision of life, that with gracious and kindly hearts we may share both joy and sorrow, and bring into living reality the sisterhood of women, An appreciation of real merit and worth, steadfastness of soul, that without bitterness or defeat we may encounter misfortunes and with humility meet success." Chi Omega's Symphony aspires "To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be, in the best sense, democratic rather than "exclusive", and loveable rather than "popular"; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demands; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never."

Delta Delta Delta's purpose is " 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. " Delta Gamma's motto is short, but incredibly powerful - "Do Good." In their creed Delta Zetas pledge " to the world, I promise temperance and insight and courage, to crusade for justice, to seek the truth and defend it always." Delta Phi Epsilon's mission "is to develop in women a social consciousness and a commitment to think and act for the greater good."

My beloved Gamma Phi Beta has as its mission"To inspire the highest type of womanhood."The vision of Gamma Phi Beta is "We will build confident women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world around us." I aspire to live my creed of love, labor, learning and loyalty. Kappa Alpha Theta's purpose is " to support members to learn, grow, and excel, and our core values are personal excellence, friendship/sisterhood, scholarship, service, and leadership."

Kappa Delta's object " is the formation and perpetuation of good fellowship, friendship and sisterly love among its members; the encouragement of literature and education; the promotion of social interest; and the furtherance of charitable and benevolent purposes. Kappa Kappa Gamma affirms that "at its core is about an arc of qualities:leadership, scholarship and friendship." Phi Mu's creed is "Love, honor and truth." Phi Sigma Sigma asks its members to "Aim high" and has as its twin ideals " the brotherhood of man and the alleviation of the world’s pain."

Pi Beta Phi's core values are" Integrity, Lifelong Commitment, Honor and Respect, Personal and Intellectual Growth, Philanthropic Service to Others and Sincere Friendship." Sigma Delta Tau strives "to foster, maintain and instill such ideals in the hearts of its members as will result in actions worthy of the highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy and humanity." Sigma Kappa offers " time, ideas or resources to support the common good". Sigma Sigma Sigma "reaffirms its long standing core values of wisdom, power, faith, hope and love." Theta Phi Alpha's creed includes "Justice to each fellow man.Wisdom in each deed and plan, Loyalty to every friend. Faith that sorrow can transcend.Truth to God and truth to self.Honor valued over wealth."

Finally, Zeta Tau Alpha's members state in their creed " to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving,"

This International Badge Day when you see those badges being worn I hope you will reflect on the meaning behind those little bits of gold and silver. For over a century the world has been a better place because of those women striving to live their values, to incorporate their creeds in their day to day lives.

[AGDCanada11]

Wow. What a beautiful and inspiring article! Very well-written!

[SWTXBelle]

Heard from my editor - yep, it was too long. He said he would print it tomorrow "at least, most of it!" - and I told him if I didn't have all 26 groups I would be strung up. We'll see . . .

[SWTXBelle]

HE CUT IT HIMSELF - he only included the Alphas and Gamma Phi.

Oh well - I tried. http://parispi.net/articles/2012/02/...c326289526.txt

[DubaiSis]

Whew! We just made the cut. Lovely article, congratulations.

[NutBrnHair]

SWTXBelle, who is your target market for this article? Non-Greeks? Potential new members? Sorority alumnae? John and Mary Everybody?

[SWTXBelle]

Anyone who reads my column and might be interested. I cover all kinds of topics in my columns, so from week to week I probably interest different groups.

[AZTheta]

Well I think it should be published somewhere in its entirety. Maybe the NPC website?

As for your editor, he's in Big Trouble. In the corner. For LIFE.

[MysticCat]

It is a great article SWTXBelle. This non-NPCer thoroughly enjoined it. A pox on your editor.

I do have to say that this line particularly caught my eye.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

My beloved Gamma Phi Beta has as its mission "To inspire the highest type of womanhood."

We don't have a creed or the like, but one thing that we do have that sort of comes close is the closing of a letter written by our Founder and published in the 1912 Sinfonia Yearbook. It goes like this:

This it is to be a man of the highest type. To be and not seem; to do and not simply to talk; to have the right ideal, the true motive and patiently to transform conduct in accordance with it. So let it be for Sinfonia!

So I really like seeing "the highest type" in Gamma Phi Beta's mission.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It is a great article SWTXBelle. This non-NPCer thoroughly enjoined it. A pox on your editor.

I do have to say that this line particularly caught my eye.
We don't have a creed or the like, but one thing that we do have that sort of comes close is the closing of a letter written by our Founder and published in the 1912 Sinfonia Yearbook. It goes like this:

This it is to be a man of the highest type. To be and not seem; to do and not simply to talk; to have the right ideal, the true motive and patiently to transform conduct in accordance with it. So let it be for Sinfonia!

So I really like seeing "the highest type" in Gamma Phi Beta's mission.

That got me wondering, do most fraternities have some sort of open creed or something? I know of fewer than for sororities, but that may just be my own ignorance.

[DZsis&mom]

SWTXBelle, the article is wonderful.

Can you post it in a thread by itself & a mode stick it? I think it would be great for all those girls doing research on the different sororities. I worry it is going to get lost & it is too important to be wayyyyy back in the treads.

[SWTXBelle]

Thank you one and all. MC - I'm tickled too that the language tracks in both groups. DZsis&mom, I'll see what I can do.