The Value of Tradition
Karen Hickman, Theta (DePauw U), Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee
According to Merriam-Webster, a tradition is “an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom).” Even if not highly defined and set in stone, everyone – every group, every organization, every family – has traditions of one sort or another that are meaningful and often continue over time. These traditions may stay the same, change into something more meaningful for the individual or group, or even cease to exist if they are considered worthless at some point.
What AOII traditions do you value? Each member has their memory of “I love when we (fill in the blank with your personal favorite activity, event or idea)!” AOII Conventions are filled with traditions such as the Friendship Circle and the Epsilon Chapter Song, participating in Candle lighting, or hearing the PIPs continue the tradition of sharing the Founders’ love for storytelling. There are Founders’ Days, AOII Days or State Days, which include but are not limited to: the Ritual or Service to Welcome Collegiate Seniors to Alumnae Status, a Jingle Bell Run or a Strike Out Arthritis! event. The tradition of alumnae chapters gathering monthly keeps AOII fresh in our minds. There are pins to commemorate 25, 50 and 75 years of membership in the Fraternity that pair with the Service to Honoring Membership Anniversaries.
What tradition did your chapter, region or network have when you were a collegian? What did it mean to you and/or your chapter sisters at that time? Do you still see value to it? Take a minute to reflect.
Many chapters celebrate milestones or successes (making quota during recruitment or achieving a higher GPA) with a banquet or event. While some collegiate chapters do this often, some chapters have never incorporated a candle pass into chapter culture. Did you learn of a sister’s commitment to her partner, whether a “pinning” or a marriage engagement, via a Candle lighting or passing? Did your chapter have a particular song for this or did the honored sister select it? Are you young enough to have learned AOII’s hand sign as a collegiate? Thoughtful alumnae might gift a collegiate chapter a new robe, or a piece of crystal or silver, to acknowledge a collegiate chapter’s achievement, milestone or installation.
There are more traditions we often overlook. Badge draping, whether in red for a new chapter or black for a sister joining the Alpha Omega Chapter, is a long-time tradition. In addition to the Epsilon Chapter Song, the Fraternity values AOII Grace, Once More United, campus and/or community involvement.
This list goes on and on as long as you live Ritual in your daily life. It is never ending. ALAM.
You may contact the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee (RT&J) about anything Ritual-related at RT&J@alphaomicronpi.org