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

[speedsters]

my favourite part of the ZTA creed is:

to learn those things that will ever enrich and enoble our lives

everything we do somehow makes an impact on ourselves and others, and i try to make decisions that will enrich my life and make it better.
i also love the last line, - remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, "the greatest of all things"

since college i have keet a copy of the creed in the back of my planner, and it is nice to see it and remind yourself of it once in a while.

[SWTXBelle]

Thank you, everyone for sharing - these are really very inspirational. Isn't it great the way our founders were able to enunciate these precepts in such a way that decades later they still speak to us?

[MysticCat]

I've noted this on GC before, but Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia does not have an official creed as such. However, the quote shown below is familiar to all Sinfonians -- learned by probationary members (pledges), quoted by brothers, used in various publications and other contexts (including signatures in forums like GC) so I guess it could be considered an unofficial creed or statement of our standards and goals. It came to us as the closing paragraph in a letter to the Brotherhood from Ossian E. Mills, "Father of Sinfonia" and Honorary Grand Supreme President for Life, in the 1912 FMA Annual. Many of us find it be a very meaningful standard, truly words to live by.

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!

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

these are really very inspirational. Isn't it great the way our founders were able to enunciate these precepts in such a way that decades later they still speak to us?

SWTXBelle, I agree. Maybe we have become so used to business like mission statements, shallow slogans designed to sell something, and techno-jargon passing for literature that we are somewhat starved for the evocative wording and unashamed sentiment found in our mottos, creeds, symbols and symphonies.

I originally registered on GC to become "up to date" when I joined a chapter advisory board. I stay because it is both fascinating and inspirational to learn about the different organizations. This is an interesting thread.

[DEVODUDE]

ZBT mission statement......"To foster and develop in its membership the tenets of its Credo: Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity and Brotherly-Love in order to cultivate Leadsership and Service within their communites."

ZBT: Inspiring Todays College Men to Become Leaders Of Tomorrow."

[Kevin]

The Creed of Sigma Nu

by Walter James Sears


TO BELIEVE IN THE LIFE OF LOVE; to win in the fresh morning of our youth the loyal love of faithful friends, who will go with us unmmoved into the darkening shadows of life's closing day; and so to seek and to find, to have and to hold the friendships that will abide. To think of God as the common father of all men, and all men as a common brotherhood, thus recognizing the continuity of the Divine and the solidarity of the human life. To build somewhere in the wide world the sheltering walls of a home, however humble and obscure, where Love shall glorify the wife, Duty enshrine the mother, and Affection ennoble the child. To keep green the sainted memory of our loved and lost, their faults forgotten, their virtues enshrined in our hearts forever. To try bravely to do unto our fellowmen as we would they should do unto us, reckoning not their lineage nor their wealth, but esteeming their manhood above their badge of rank. To let our lives be led by the spirits of Gentleness, Justice, and Mercy. And so to be true to the Knighthood of Love.

TO WALK IN THE WAY OF HONOR; to exalt the fundamental virtues of the race; and, prizing every noble impulse, to realize so deeply the baseness of deceit, that no obligation will be more binding than our plighted word. To be steadfast in the performance of every trust, and, spurning the gaudy gifts of greed and power, to be content to live by our knightly vow that our honor is dearer to us than our lives; and so to esteem the man's character first, his culture second, and his pedigree not at all, unless he be worthy of it. Emulating the chivalrous deeds of courtesy, and sealing not our hearts against the torch of tenderness, to win the love and care of some incorruptible woman. And so to be loyal to the Knighthood of Honor.

TO SERVE IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH; to open wide, Life's windows to the revelations of heaven and earth. Avoiding the Phariseeism that belittles the soul and scorning the bigotry that blights the mind, to respect every altar of faith built in God's name, by every sincere worshiper to whom, if we cannot give our sympathy, we shall not deny the kindness of our manly silence; and, whatever our creed, to reverence the Christ as the Divine Compassion for struggling humanity -- a compassion that, giving the world its gospel of human service, saves men to the end that they may serve their fellowmen.

To seek in nature, the meaning of the Infinite Truth; to understand that the laws of growth are the laws of God to believe that the melody of birds, the laughter of children the unmeasured sacrifice of motherhood, and the ceaseless yearning of all men for a wider outlook and a nobler existence are prophetic of the perfect joy and love of another world and so believing, to find rest, as in the shadow of a great rock, against all the storms that beset us; catching from the silence of the starlit nights, the peace of the autumn days, the solemnity of the boundless seas, that spirit of Hope and Faith which soothes hurt of grief, heals the wound of wrong, and calms the fever of doubt.

To welcome the achievements of art and science, religion and learning, labor and law, under whose radiant banners battle the hosts of progress; honoring every honest student as the benefactor of his race, and every consecrated school as a bulwark of the Republic; and so to be loyal to the American university, as the home of American liberty, democracy, religion, and culture.

To guard with jealous care not only ancient rights of human freedom, in whose name we shall destroy all wrong and oppression, but also the newer rights of social service, the ultimate purpose of whose ministrations shall be to give to every life, the opportunity to enjoy the earth in the fullness of its beauty and grace, its comfort and good cheer; holding fast to the conviction that whatever sweetens our natures, uplifts our ideals, strengthens our character and disenthralls our spirits will bring us in the end into the full stature of a noble manhood; and, so inspired, to cling to the visions of our youth, and, despite the sordid struggles of the selfish world, to practice every day, as lads in college, and men in the world, the Faith of our Fraternity, thinking of it not only as the inspiring Ideal of a militant Brotherhood, but also as a creative force for the spiritual development of men, whose lives it shall dedicate to Love, glorify with Honor, and conquer for Truth. And so to be faithful to the Knighthood of Truth.

TO BELIEVE IN THE LIFE OF LOVE,
TO WALK IN THE WAY OF HONOR,
TO SERVE IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH
This is the Life, the Way, and the Light of Sigma Nu - This is the Creed of our Fraternity


-- eerily similar to Phi Mu's creed, isn't it?

[Musicwalksuhome]

Originally Posted by Kevin

The Creed of Sigma Nu
TO BELIEVE IN THE LIFE OF LOVE,
TO WALK IN THE WAY OF HONOR,
TO SERVE IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH
This is the Life, the Way, and the Light of Sigma Nu - This is the Creed of our Fraternity


-- eerily similar to Phi Mu's creed, isn't it?

Yeah it is. Love, honor and truth are good ideals to live your life by

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by Kevin

The Creed of Sigma Nu
-- eerily similar to Phi Mu's creed, isn't it?

Incredibly similar! I've wondered for years if there was any connection, but even after talking to several current and past National Officers and reading our last two history books, I've found nothing. There's gotta be something, though, and I intend to keep on digging.

[deezeelove]

The Delta Zeta Creed

To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always:
To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;
To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;
To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;
To my mind,
Growth;
To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.


the whole thing is so meaningful, in every walk of life. for me, the most meaningful part is the part that's bolded. i might end up getting some form of that tattooed on me, just because it's THAT meaningful for me.
also, at every meeting we say the creed and do it in sign language, which makes it EVEN MORE meaningful, considering you really have to think about what you're saying.

Sorority Purpose

The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters.

i really love all parts of that. i mean, every chapter should rise to the challenges that are given with these mission statements and with the creeds we're given....i absolutely love everyone's creeds, missions, and symphonies : ]

[twhrider13]

Originally Posted by deezeelove

The Delta Zeta Creed

To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always:
To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;
To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;
To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;
To my mind,
Growth;
To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.

My favorite part is the beginning: "To the world, I promise temperance and insight and courage, to crusade for justice, to seek the truth and defend it always." It's all good stuff, though.

[Scandia]

"The white rose for its purity"

I have liked white roses before I had even heard of Theta Phi Alpha. And no, it is not a reason why I chose my GLO. But this part of the creed means a lot to me for many reasons.

[PANTHERTEKE]

We have an entire declaration of principles thats pretty long, but the most important paragraph is the 9th one:

We believe that the essential elements of true brotherhood are love, charity, and esteem; love, that binds our hearts with the sturdy chords of fraternal affection; charity, that is impulsive to see virtues in a brother and slow to reprove his faults; esteem, that is respectful to the honest convictions of others and that refrains from treading upon that which is sacred to spirit and conscience; these are the triple obligations of every brother in the bond.

As a pledge, your expected to learn this inside-out. Its the most important part of our DoP.

[SMUalphachi]

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
to see and appreciate all that is noble in another
be her badge what it may
and to let my lyre send forth the chords of love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.

All of it. I really can't choose... but if I must, I love the first line. I consistently try to live like our symphony.

[Hopeful_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by SMUalphachi

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
to see and appreciate all that is noble in another
be her badge what it may
and to let my lyre send forth the chords of love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.

All of it. I really can't choose... but if I must, I love the first line. I consistently try to live like our symphony.

That's really pretty! I especially like the bolded part.

[SthrnZeta]

"...to find satisfaction in being rather than seeming..."

When I pledged, I found this line to be so important, especially in Greek life, because in life we so often encounter fake people that I felt it was important to live this part of our creed.

I also like:
"...to be humble in success and without bitterness in defeat..."
This line seems to be in a lot of creeds out there but I think it's a good one to live by too.