[13166] in APO-L
Re: The letters, Crest, rituals and pledges
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Loren Chassels)
Thu Nov 2 12:30:41 1995
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 08:27:23 YST
Reply-To: Loren Chassels <lchassels@ARCTIC.NSBSD.K12.AK.US>
From: Loren Chassels <lchassels@ARCTIC.NSBSD.K12.AK.US>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
I think that is just about the last thing that has been left secret about our
fraternity. Are you trying to make us into a club with neato gimmics that
we can make cool t-shirt out of? There are several traditions that my
family (both blood-relatives, and fraternity family) has that I would not
insult by writing to newsweek or time to tell about them. Instead, people
who wish to learn about my family must take part in family activities, and
eventually, they are adopted into the traditions. This is like our
fraternity.
Another example: The Inupiaq families here in Barrow live off the land in
what is known as "subsistance survival." This is not something that the
people take lightly. To be invited along is like being asked to join the
family. Of course the reasons for this have to do with life and death
survival, but the meaning behind it is powerful.
If we were to automatically tell people everything about our fraternity,
including the interesting symbolism of our sacred letters crest, pin, etc.,
we will be reducing the close unity of brotherhood.
Sven
----------------------[Reply - Original Message]----------------------
Sent by:"Roger Lee Stearns Jr." <rstearns@COMP.UARK.EDU>
This is just my personal feeling on the meaning behind our name and
our
crest. The pledges see these all throughout their pledging, its
everywhere. But we don't tell them what it means until the activation
ceremony.
Personally I think that is wrong. I think we should be telling them what
the ritual says it means, so they can learn and reflect upon that while
they are pledges. I think we'll all agree that it is a very important
part of the Fraternity. So why don't we cover this in the pledge program?
Are there any Board members reading this? Chris, Neal, David, Gerry do
you
have any opinions on this?
In brotherhood,
Roger Stearns
Beta Rho Chapter
U of A, Fayetteville
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