Ritual as an Exercise

By Robin Lee Beltramini, Iota Chapter (U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Rituals, Traditions and Jewelry Committee

Ritual as an exercise?!? Really? Yes, not for your body, but for your mind and your character. Think back to the mentions of generosity, service, living with purpose, doing for others, and having compassion for those you encounter, including your sisters. Think about the rubrics for choosing your friends and your sisters carefully. The vows we make to each other. The symbols we share.

Sometimes the mechanics of ritual proceedings can seem onerous or time-consuming. In reality, the initiation of up to 40 women can take as little as 50 minutes. To gain 40 new sisters is probably well worth the extra one minute (plus) per person. That’s tolerance, patience and understanding all wrapped together. Character building.

How about the mentoring of new members or new Exec Team members? Sharing learned knowledge is a good thing—for the sharer and the one with whom the knowledge is shared. In fact, some research finds that when we share knowledge, it becomes more fixed in our brains.

Good citizenship and good social habits are shown when we comply with the rules found in our Governing Documents as well as the rules and policies within our chapter. Rules provide a strong foundation for groups that are flexible, dynamic and changeable.

College loyalty is a significant part of collegiate life. AOII requires chapters and members to be useful and loyal to the administrations under which the chapter operates. This, too, builds character through good academic performance as well as good sportsmanship.

Remember, there is great mutuality in the promises we make to our sisters and the Fraternity. We are never asked to stand alone. There is always a sister at your side, when you are making a vow (often even during weddings of AOIIs) or taking a new action. Sisters are trustworthy.

Philanthropic works are very important to our organization. However, such activities need not be huge endeavors. Acts of services may simply include a partial day sorting canned goods at the food pantry, calling a homebound senior citizen in the community. Rotate among the various opportunities to serve on campus or in the community, participating in other groups’ philanthropy projects, and inviting them to participate in AOII’s. Service can be well-documented or simply done. The goal is to have a positive impact without the need to be boastful.

The Essential Tradition in AOII is that its Rituals and promises are to be considered working principles for life, not simply emotional expressions. We can impact the world every day through actions guided by our ritual. We can study, use, explore our ritual individually and collectively and find “new muscles” to work. Exercise away, my sisters!

You may contact the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee (RT&J) about anything Ritual-related at RT&J@alphaomicronpi.org