[13169] in APO-L
Re: The letters, Crest, rituals and pledges
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Roger Lee Stearns Jr.)
Thu Nov 2 14:34:14 1995
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 13:32:12 -0600
Reply-To: "Roger Lee Stearns Jr." <rstearns@COMP.UARK.EDU>
From: "Roger Lee Stearns Jr." <rstearns@COMP.UARK.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199511021643.KAA28580@comp.uark.edu>
On Thu, 2 Nov 1995, Jeffrey N Woodford wrote:
> If we tell the pledges everything up front, then what would be the
> significance of becoming a brother?
Some brothers have made valid points; one was a progression of their
education. A second which was made to me from an alumni and dear friend
from my own chapter, where we have them draw the crest during their
pledge program. Is so that they can learn the what the various parts are
of our symbols without distrcation, being told that they will be explained
later in the program what each part means and that we want them to get
acquainted with each piece that makes up our symbols.
A point that has been brought up publically and in private posts to
myslef is that:
1. Its those secrets that we have in our activation ritual that make us
a fraternity.
2. What would be the significance of becoming a Brother.
Let me answer the first one. It is not what we keep secret that makes us
a Fraternity. It is the common bond, the unity, of individuals coming
together pledging themselves to the ideals and goals of our Fraternity,
that make us a Fraternity. It is a COMMITTMENT to these ideals, our
cardinal principles, and our willingness to be there for one another.
This is what makes us a Fraternity. Not our secrets.
As far as what is the significance of becoming a brother? The ritual is
a Rite of passage, a graduation so-to-speak, it is the ceremony in which
we celebrate the accomplishment of the pledges,and honour them in being
committed to the same ideals, So what is teh significance in becoming a
brother? That's something that each of us needs to answer for ourselves.
In Brotherhood,
Roger Stearns
Beta Rho Chapter
U of A, Beta Rho
