Safety Net or Springboard?
By Robin Lee Beltramini, Iota Chapter (U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Rituals, Traditions and Jewelry Committee
Hopes, goals, dreams, and ambitions. We all have them but where do we look for guidance? What steps do we take to achieve them? Luckily through Alpha Omicron Pi, we have a sisterhood of resources to help us be successful and are surrounded by sisters who believe in our courage and commitment to achieve our greatest aspirations.
AOII’s Founders designed this organization for us to support one another in friendship. Like our Founders, each of us is unique. We come from different backgrounds—economically, culturally, and geographically. Our sheaf of wheat symbolizes many becoming one while also valuing individuality. Our Founders accomplished their goals while supporting each other’s dreams, within AOII and beyond. Look at their accomplishments! Books, plays and poetry were written. Young minds were influenced by smart, caring and well-situated teachers. Political changes were made because of advocacy and candidacy. The judicial system was used wisely and effectively.
As a comprehensive source of inspiration and guidance for our lives, we have our rituals and the foundations revealed therein. It doesn’t matter which ritual, ceremony, service, or portion of any of them you may reference. You will find they are all full of “advice” on how to manage our lives and achieve our dreams. For instance, if we have questions about communicating and discipline—look no further than the messages of self-control, sweetness, tolerance of others, and our shared single purpose. If all else fails, there is always what I call the “What would Stella do?” question. Our Founders did not merely provide recommendations regarding how to interact; they modeled behavior.
As time evolved, our Executive Boards developed AOII’s Culture Principles that define how AOIIs can lead and serve the Fraternity and one another. Accountability and Ownership encourages us to be who we are and accept and amend our mistakes as well as keep our word; Collaboration reminds us to work with others to achieve our dreams and those of the entire group; Engagement prompts us to participate both actively and intellectually; Innovation inspires us to add a new dimension or be of value in a new way; and Open and Honest Communication persuades us to have those crucial conversations and to be an authentic sister for both ourselves and our group.
We all have hopes, goals, dreams, and ambitions. AOIIs have a built-in support system along with Rituals and principles to guide us. Recalling back to our beloved sheaf of wheat, each of us is important to the whole, yet the whole is as important for each of us to succeed. In AOII and in our personal lives, AOII’s lessons CAN BE both a safety net and a springboard.
You may contact the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee (RT&J) about anything Ritual-related at RT&J@alphaomicronpi.org