For what are you proudest of your GLO? AND what should your GLO be proud of you for?

[SWTXBelle]

Well, there is an implied criticism of other GLOs in the way you worded your entry. Our colors changed, but I'm proud of the reason why - to recognize an individual who contributed to the growth and development of our sisterhood.
You might wish to edit out the bit about other sororities only because I understand why you are proud of your ritual, but it does, at first glance, seem to imply a superiority to those rituals which were changed, or had outside help in their development. You can be proud of the great job I assume your founders did with the ritual without seeming to criticize others. I know that was not your intent, and am offering up my opinion in the panhellenic spirit.
You can also be very proud of your beautiful headquarters in Tennessee - it's a gorgeous building, and everyone I met there was just as gracious and hospitable as can be.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Well, there is an implied criticism of other GLOs in the way you worded your entry. Our colors changed, but I'm proud of the reason why - to recognize an individual who contributed to the growth and development of our sisterhood.
You might wish to edit out the bit about other sororities only because I understand why you are proud of your ritual, but it does, at first glance, seem to imply a superiority to those rituals which were changed, or had outside help in their development. You can be proud of the great job I assume your founders did with the ritual without seeming to criticize others. I know that was not your intent, and am offering up my opinion in the panhellenic spirit.
You can also be very proud of your beautiful headquarters in Tennessee - it's a gorgeous building, and everyone I met there was just as gracious and hospitable as can be.

I'm not implying superiority at all. I don't know the significance of any of the items I mentioned for these other groups. I just know that AOII's founder were four young women who were able to write our ritual without any outside help, and it hasn't changed in 100 years. I don't think it is better than any other group, but you have to admit that for young women to write something of great importance to so many women that has not changed a single bit in 110 years is fairly remarkable. I can be very proud of that. I'm sure every other sorority is also understandably proud of their founders and their ritual for their own reasons. Do I think it's less important that Gamma Phi Beta changed their original colors to honor Dr. Brown who helped so much to start your sorority? No. I'm sure he is very respected in your sorority, but I think you'd have to admit that the significance of your prior colors must have been important to your founders as well.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I know this stuff not because I know their rituals, but because they advertise it in their own histories. Some NPC groups chose colors that they just liked and added significance later, picked letters they thought looked good together, had professors write their rituals, changed their rituals over time, changed their colors (whether or not they have significance I don't know.) I know that every aspect of AOII was chosen after the ritual was written and not written into the ritual for another purpose. I like that. I'm not saying doing it the other way is wrong or bad. I just think it's special that AOII's founders did it this way!

What you say may be true of some sororities, although of all the sorority histories I have read (which is quite a few), I don't ever recall any claiming that letter were initially chosen "randomly." Some may say the the meaning has changed, but that's different than "random." Same with color selection just because the colors were someone's favorite. SWTXBelle and you have both referred to a situation where colors were changed for good reason. What does that have to do with any colors being "someone's favorite." Its those phrases -- "letters chosen randomly, colors chosen because they were someone's favorite" -- that do indeed imply superiority.

But I really don't think that you can reliably say that any of this is true of "most" sororities, which is what your statement ("Not many sororities . . . ") certainly implied. Unless you know the rituals and ritual histories, you just don't have enough info to make such a claim, I don't think.

As far as official histories go, tread carefully. Yes, I know that there are histories out there that say something along the lines of "we originally picked the letters ABC because of ____; the deeper meaning conveyed in the ritual was added later." But when it comes to esoteric material, all such claims should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt, since some groups just aren't going to put the real info out there for public consumption.

[SWTXBelle]

I think you've missed my point, but that's okay.

It is very remarkable that you were able to contact so many of your pledge sisters - I couldn't even find all of my chapter members from 20 years ago!

[AOII Angel]

In response to both of you, SWTX and Mystic...pride is a feeling of superiority by definition. Sorry if you take offense about what I find pride in. But I take offense at being told that I should not feel pride about the stability of AOII's values over 100 years (might I add that as Americans we often find pride in the stability of the constitution!) and that I should, instead, be most proud of a generic 12 year old building that has no significance other than the fact that it houses our International Headquarters! As for the random statement, MysticCat...if you have read all of the NPC organizations histories, there is one that randomly picked their letters because they liked how they looked together. If you are sensitive that the colors changed, SWTXBelle, then get over it. I never implied that change is bad. I just implied that AOII staying the same was good!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

In response to both of you, SWTX and Mystic...pride is a feeling of superiority by definition. Sorry if you take offense about what I find pride in. But I take offense at being told that I should not feel pride about the stability of AOII's values over 100 years (might I add that as Americans we often find pride in the stability of the constitution!) and that I should, instead, be most proud of a generic 12 year old building that has no significance other than the fact that it houses our International Headquarters! As for the random statement, MysticCat...if you have read all of the NPC organizations histories, there is one that randomly picked their letters because they liked how they looked together. If you are sensative that the colors changed, SWTXBelle, then get over it. I never implied that change is bad. I just implied that AOII staying the same was good!

You're being told to be proud of your sorority without ripping on others. Truly secure pride doesn't require you to disparage someone else just to make yourself sound good.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I am proud of AOII because our ritual was written solely by our founders with every symbol, color, letter etc having specific and special meaning elicited from our ritual. Also, it has not changed a single bit since it was written in 1897.I'm proud of the job our founders did.

I hope AOII is proud of me for achieving every goal I set forth for myself educationally and professionally. Also, I recently found nearly my entire pledge class for our 50th chapter reunion...5 months of work with only 2 women unfound!!

Look, I edited it for you and it shows exactly how proud you are without tearing others down.

[AOII_LB93]

Well, I guess there is no point in her editing it now since it's been done for her and you've all quoted it for posterity. Have we ever thought that sometimes on the internet, that maybe what was meant to come across is not always a snide remark?

* I'm proud of the fact that AOII thinks all of her members are special enough to not need a famous AOIIs section of our website.

* AOII would be proud as I do my utmost to live our ritual on a daily basis. I'm also a charter member of the Life Loyal program.

[rhoyaltempest]

I am proud that Sigma Gamma Rho was founded by women who were good friends before they founded the sorority together. They attended the same high school and all but one of them went to the same Normal school before they went to college together.

I am also proud that the founders and the first initiates were so intelligent and creative. I'm a writer and their words and poems still move me today along with the creativity they expressed in creating and defining everything from our motto, choice of mascot, flower, shield, etc. There is nothing that was an accident or that wasn't well thought out.

As for me, I hope Sigma is proud that I never shy away from being a leader. If something needs to be done, I will gladly volunteer.

[SWTXBelle]

quote - I am proud of AOII because our ritual was written solely by our founders with every symbol, color, letter etc having specific and special meaning elicited from our ritual. Also, it has not changed a single bit since it was written in 1897. Not many sororities can claim this having letters chosen randomly, having rituals written by outside sources and colors picked because they were someones favorites. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm proud of the job our founders did. - unquote

My letters were not chosen randomly, my ritual was not written by outside sources, and my colors were not picked because they were someone's favorite. But even if they were, that wouldn't change whether or not I should take pride in it. However it has evolved, I am sure every GLO's ritual, letters, colors, etc. now mean a great deal to the members. The how and why of a ritual is not nearly as important as the what.
You state that you are proud that nothing has changed, but I find it telling that don't take pride in the ritual itself - in the founder's beliefs or the meaning of the ritual. You state that you are proud that it hasn't changed. You mention nothing in your original posting about unchanging values, which have nothing to do with whether or not the ritual has changed. In fact, it may be that a ritual was changed to better reflect the values of the GLO.
Why should you be proud of your headquarters? How about because of the effort on the part of hundreds of women that it undoubtly took to build? I assure you, those who work there are very (and justly) proud of it.
No one has told you that you shouldn't take pride in whatever you wish. We just think it is not necessary to do so at the expense of any other GLO.
And pride is not related to superiority - from Webster's -" Pride - dignity and self-respect. satisfaction in something done or owned." That is what I meant when I said what are you proudest of - but I think you took it to mean the alternative meanings "an unduly high opinion of oneself" and "haughtiness. arrogance."
Please note - nothing about superiority! I love my sorority, but I also am proud to belong to the NPC. I started this thread to enable others to post what they took pride in, so that we could all learn and celebrate each other.
The LAST thing I wanted was petty one-upmanship. If that's what you need in order to feel good about your GLO, then okay. But don't get on your high horse when you are very politely told that you are coming across as snotty and self-satisfied. Instead of saying "Oh! That's not what I meant" you defend your original post. I can only assume that what we thought was an unintentional slighting of other GLOs was not a mistake.
Drolefille, I'm so impressed. Not only can you translate the incomprehensible, you can rewrite the snarky. Thanks!
I'm not interested in generating conflict, so I'd like this to drop so the thread can get back on track.

eta - AOII LB 93 - THAT is how it done. I think the fact that you take pride in living your ritual every day is great - something we should all emulate. And I wish Gamma Phi Beta would start a Life Loyal program.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

quote - I am proud of AOII because our ritual was written solely by our founders with every symbol, color, letter etc having specific and special meaning elicited from our ritual. Also, it has not changed a single bit since it was written in 1897. Not many sororities can claim this having letters chosen randomly, having rituals written by outside sources and colors picked because they were someones favorites. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm proud of the job our founders did. - unquote

My letters were not chosen randomly, my ritual was not written by outside sources, and my colors were not picked because they were someone's favorite. But even if they were, that wouldn't change whether or not I should take pride in it. However it has evolved, I am sure every GLO's ritual, letters, colors, etc. now mean a great deal to the members. The how and why of a ritual is not nearly as important as the what.
You state that you are proud that nothing has changed, but I find it telling that don't take pride in the ritual itself - in the founder's beliefs or the meaning of the ritual. You state that you are proud that it hasn't changed. You mention nothing in your original posting about unchanging values, which have nothing to do with whether or not the ritual has changed. In fact, it may be that a ritual was changed to better reflect the values of the GLO.
Why should you be proud of your headquarters? How about because of the effort on the part of hundreds of women that it undoubtly took to build? I assure you, those who work there are very (and justly) proud of it.
No one has told you that you shouldn't take pride in whatever you wish. We just think it is not necessary to do so at the expense of any other GLO.
And pride is not related to superiority - from Webster's -" Pride - dignity and self-respect. satisfaction in something done or owned." That is what I meant when I said what are you proudest of - but I think you took it to mean the alternative meanings "an unduly high opinion of oneself" and "haughtiness. arrogance."
Please note - nothing about superiority! I love my sorority, but I also am proud to belong to the NPC. I started this thread to enable others to post what they took pride in, so that we could all learn and celebrate each other.
The LAST thing I wanted was petty one-upmanship. If that's what you need in order to feel good about your GLO, then okay. But don't get on your high horse when you are very politely told that you are coming across as snotty and self-satisfied. Instead of saying "Oh! That's not what I meant" you defend your original post. I can only assume that what we thought was an unintentional slighting of other GLOs was not a mistake.
Drolefille, I'm so impressed. Not only can you translate the incomprehensible, you can rewrite the snarky. Thanks!
I'm not interested in generating conflict, so I'd like this to drop so the thread can get back on track.

eta - AOII LB 93 - THAT is how it done. I think the fact that you take pride in living your ritual every day is great - something we should all emulate. And I wish Gamma Phi Beta would start a Life Loyal program.

This is what I mean about defensive. My post stated that some organizations state in their histories that they may have picked letters that they thought looked good together, changed colors for any reason, changed their name from an original non-greek name, the list can go on and on. In no way did I rip on any other group. Does Phi Mu care that they used to be known as the Philomathean (sorry if I spelled this wrong) Society...no, they actually are quite proud of it. Does Gamma Phi Beta feel less "proud" because they had the help of Dr. Brown? I don't think so...in fact, y'all seem to honor him as he deserves. Did I say that other groups don't have a meaningful ritual? Did I say that every group picked letters, colors, names, flowers, etc for no reason other than their inherent loveliness? No, I most certainly did not. I said that from its inception, AOII picked symbols to represent the ideals or "values" of our sorority that have not changed over time. Did I say there was a problem with changing things that may have needed updating? No, I simply pointed out that it is very hard for a 100 year old organization to stay unchanged for 100 years, very hard for a group of very young women to plan ahead without any help. I was merely suggesting that our founders did a good job. If you want to take offense to that, then you're reading something into my statements that simply aren't there. If other groups are embarrassed about the way they chose their emblems and rituals, then why do they publicize them? I am surprised that anyone would be offended by mentioning a difference from what other organizations are proud of in their own histories. If you still find offense at may statements, then ! Lastly, I am a greek life scholar...I enjoy reading the histories of the organizations. I find it fascinating that these women were so creative and insightful. If you think I was insulting these groups that I highly respect, you are indeed wrong. I suggest you actually go back and read some of the organizations' history pages, which I periodically do on a regular basis. I'm not going to tell an organization that needed to change it's name because someone else was using the name first that they are less than AOII because we didn't have to. I'm just proud that the same things my founders first put on paper are the same things AOIIs are doing today. And in no way is that haughty or self-satisfied.

[AOII Angel]

Please refer to my original post...I updated it to hopefully clarify my point. I do not mean to be haughty, and if you go back and read what I wrote without assuming that I have any intention of trashing any other group, then I think you'll see my point. I do see your points as well, but they are based on an incorrect assumption.

And SWTXBelle...I didn't say I was proudest about my ritual because it is implied. Everyone believes in their own ritual. By saying I was most proud of our beautiful ritual, I am sure the next second I'd be accused of saying that AOIIs ritual is superior to all others, which I obviously don't believe. For all I know, your ritual could be the most profound and wonderful ritual ever conceived by man (er...woman)...I'll never know because it's not mine.

[texas*princess]

I don't see why everyone is getting up in arms about AOII's post.

This coming from someone whose group was *GASP* not originally greek letters!!!

OH TEH HORROR!!!!!!!!

The greek letters in my groups name still stand for something very special.

I think some people need to stop taking the internet so seriously

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I don't see why everyone is getting up in arms about AOII's post.

This coming from someone whose group was *GASP* not originally greek letters!!!

OH TEH HORROR!!!!!!!!

The greek letters in my groups name still stand for something very special.

I think some people need to stop taking the internet so seriously

Thanks texas*princess...I didn't think it was so terribly offensive. Actually, I enjoy the Macon tradition of Society names. It's pretty. But, I think it is very interesting to see the thought process behind some of the groups in the NPC. By the way, I'm not offended that you implied that Phi Mu and Alpha Delta Pi are superior to other NPC groups by saying that y'all are the "first and finest!"

[MellySK]

Just as an Fyi, Sigma Kappa's rituals were all written by our founders, I sort of thought that was the norm?

I'm proud of the fact that my sorority was founded by the first 5 women to enter Colby College. They were trailblazers indeed, and what a world that must have been, to be the only 5 women amongst men that did not want you there?

[Senusret I]

I am proudest of Alpha Phi Alpha for being the architects of the Black Greek letter movement. We mixed brotherhood with service and social action and gave birth to a new paradigm of fraternalism.

I hope my fraternity is proud of me for living up to the objective "to destroy all prejudices" by living my life openly and proudly.