MISCELLANEOUS - Unique Chapter Programming

RITUAL EDUCATION Ritual Education

Gamma Mu – University of Washington

Brief Overview:

Our ritual education at Gamma Mu has just been redeveloped and introduced in the past spring quarter after a whole house agreement in a desire to learn more about the rituals but a lack of a proper system. As a solution, we now hold ritual education courses each quarter IN ADDITION TO BRIEF RITUAL EDUCATIONS AT EVERY FORMAL CHAPTER AND RITUAL EVENT. The course is required for new members, and older members are highly encouraged to attend (and most do). At the end of the quarter there is a mandatory test for all members on the material covered over the meetings held during the quarter. The test results are a pass if above 85% resulting in a reward in house points if passed. Failure results in negative house points. The past year no members failed the exam. The meetings are held by our Guide McKinnon Williams.

Chapter Meeting Education

All formal chapters do the monthly discussions in the white book and the informal chapters will feature a ritual fun fact from the back of the white book. Formal Chapter begins on the second (2nd) Monday of the Quarter and is held every other week. Informal Chapter begins on the first (1st) Monday before the Quarter begins. The cycle repeats throughout the Quarter and begins again at the beginning of the next Quarter. The education program is open to all members at informal chapters, while Ritual Education on the Secrets and Mysteries is reserved for Formal Chapter and presented only to all active and Neophyte members.

September Formal Chapter: The Formal Pledging Ceremony

• New members are blindfolded in each of our ceremonies. Why do we blindfold our new members before bring them into any of the ceremonies? • Why were Greek letters chosen to represent nearly all college-letter social fraternities? • What was it about the contribution of the Greeks that compelled our founders to honor them by using Greek letters for a name? Do the ideals of Greek society continue to this day? • On the altar, three candles are positioned in the shape of a triangle; what does this represent?

September Informal Chapter: History of our colors

October Formal Chapter: The Rite of Iris

• Light plays a large role in the Rite of Iris. We begin in semi darkness and by the end are brought to full light. How does this reflect the new member education period? How does this reflect a member’s experience as a Delt throughout college? How does this reflect a member’s experience through-out his lifetime? • The concept of the rainbow as a symbol of promise dates to Greek mythology and other religions. For Delta Tau Delta what is the promise? What promises do we make to the Fraternity? What promises does it make to us? Why is the Rainbow a fitting image for this ceremony? • The ancient Romans admired the arch for its strength. Many arches built by the ancient Romans still stand even today. Who builds the foundation of the arch? Where do the new members enter the Arch? Why is it significant that the arch cannot be completed without new members and active members? Based on this imagery how should we treat our new members? As a chapter, do we practice that?

October Informal Chapter: The Eye on the Badge vs. The Eye on the Coat of Arms

November Formal Chapter: The Oath of a Delt

• One of the commonalities around all ceremonies of Delta Tau Delta is reliance upon a greater being. This was discussed earlier during the review of the pledging ceremony, but what does the presence of God mean to a Delt? • How might we honor and observe Delta Tau Delta’s customs outside of the chapter hall? What is the essence of the lifelong commitment of a Delt? How will each man specifically remain committed for a lifetime? • What does it mean to follow the Oath in letter and in spirit? How can being familiar with the difference between the two help you make better decisions?

November Informal Chapter: History of the badge

December/January Formal Chapter: Symbols and Symbolism

• What significance does the direction of travel have in the chapter hall? Why is it important for a Delt to not retrace his steps? How does this relate to hesitation, equivocation, or mental evasion? What would this practice look like in your chapter if followed? • Why might the star on the Coat of Arms have been chosen to have seven points? What does it mean when we say the “blending of our virtues” represents faith; what does that imply? If we are faithful to our values, what does that look for us as members? o All 10 discussion questions since spread over 2 months. December/January Informal Chapter: The Coat of Arms

February Formal Chapter: The Journey

• In Greek mythology, Hermes was a messenger from the gods to humans. An interpreter who bridges the boundaries with strangers is a hermeneus. Hermes gives us our word “hermeneutics”, the study and theory of interpretation. Hermes often helped travelers have a safe and easy journey. Many Greeks would sacrifice to Hermes before any trip. How is the Ritual a “journey”? What role does Hermes play in the Ritual? How is this connected to the Greek mythology? • When we discuss the “blue and measureless deep” in the journey, it is similar to “wine-dark deep” which Homer uses in the Odyssey and the Iliad. This, of course, represents the ocean. Why do you think the Founders decided to use the ocean to compare truth? • Chevrons appeared early in the history of heraldry. Why did the Founders associate the chevron with courage? What are some examples of courage being demonstrated in your chapter?

February Informal Chapter: Evolution of the Ritual

March Formal Chapter: The Working Customs

• The password is never to be written or spoken aloud or unguardedly. That will not change in this manual. However, the chapter should discuss the password. Why did we choose the word we did? Why do we honor the man we do with our password? • The salute was originally a necessary custom due to the extreme secrecy fraternities had to keep. The salute could be used on campus was known only by the initiated. How do we preserve the tradition of secrecy today? Is it necessary in the 21st century to maintain the secrecy surrounding the Ritual? Why do you think we maintain secrecy even though no one lives in fear of expulsion for being a fraternity man today? • The sign is nearly an identical representation of the position which you were in when you took your Oath. Right hand is up, palm to the front with the left hand below. Why do we think the founders thought it necessary to include a sign only used within the chapter hall (that is, not in public)? How is the sign used in the chapter hall when the chapter is in session? What does this signify?

March Informal Chapter: Review of the columns and their meanings

April Formal Chapter: The Charge

• How should you as a member commit to the care or management of the Fraternity? How can you demonstrate this through your actions? • The Charge discusses our strengths and our weaknesses; the Fraternity claims both. It would be convenient to only claim our strengths, but the Charge goes further. Who is there to help you overcome your weaknesses? What must you do if you become aware of a weakness? How could failing to act injure the Fraternity? • “As you advance, remember that other follow.” This is arguably the seminal line in the entire Ritual. As a membership organization we are only as strong as our next generation. What obligation do we have to the future of Delta Tau Delta? How can you apply the ideals of the Charge to ensure the prophecy of future growth and greatness is achieved? How will you honor those who follow? • What is the imagery behind a throne? Why would the Fraternity’s throne lie in the heart? What is the imagery of the scepter? Why would this image be placed in every Delt’s hand? Is there power in the Fraternity and power in the member?

April Informal Chapter: Review of symbols in the chapter room

May Formal Chapter: The Deceased Brother Ceremony

• The Deceased Brother Ceremony was purposefully written to reflect the symbolism of the Pledging Ceremony. How does the idea of having a disjointed triangle in the Pledging Ceremony differ from the concept here? How is it similar? How will the triangle of the Fraternity remain complete as members pass to the Chapter Eternal? • Where else have you heard the phrase “mysterious solemnities of life and death?” What other solemnities of life do you feel you may face alone? How can your brothers and the Fraternity help you through those times? • As the saying goes, “a torch can light a thousand others without diminishing its own flame.” How have your actions as a brother lit the “fire” of others? How has your flame been lit by those who preceded you? How will you see your fire burn in those younger than you?

May Informal Chapter: Review of the roles in the Ritual

Ritual Education Course

Ritual Education Syllabus – Spring 2018

Instructor: Brother Williams

Office Hours: Wed. & Fri. 2:30pm – 4:50pm Rm. 310

Course description:

This course is designed to improve your understanding of our fundamental values, and the representations and reasoning behind our ritual. Ritual is what sets us apart from all other fraternities on this campus, and unites us with other chapters nationwide. It was the founders’ intention that our fraternal values and principles serve as a guide for each member on their journey through life. Concrete understanding and surefooted application of these lessons will better prepare you for your duties in life, both within the fraternity and without.

Textbooks and Instruction Materials:

• The quiet and solemn sanctuary of your own soul. • New Member books are not required.

Course Grade:

1. Meeting attendance (50%)

2. Final Exam (50%)

Participation, Classwork and Attendance:

All new members are expected to attend the meetings. Upperclassmen are welcomed but not required to attend. Each meeting is worth 1 house point with the final test counting for the other 5. If you absolutely cannot attend a session let me know beforehand and we will set up a time later in the week for you to make up the day’s lesson. If you do not pass the final exam you will receive 0 ritual house points for the quarter. The final will be cumulative. There will be a review session before the final if I feel like you are dull enough to need one.

Policy regarding cell phones and computers:

Please turn off your cell phone when you come to class. Simply using the “vibrate” function is still distracting to other students. Additionally, the use of electronics of any kind is not allowed in the classroom. Access and Accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to us, and it is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you experience barriers based on a disability or temporary health condition, please seek a meeting with DRS to discuss and address them. If you have already established accommodations with DRS, please communicate your approved accommodations to your instructor at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. Disability Resources for Students (DRS) offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or [email protected] or disability.uw.edu.

Class Schedule (Tentative)

Week 1 (April 8): Pledging Ceremony / Rite of Iris

Week 2 (April 15): The Oath

Week 3 (April 22): The Journey

Week 4 (April 29): Working Customs

Week 5 (May 6): The Charge

Week 6 (TBD): Final

Final Exam: Delts Dining Room TBD

STUDY GUIDE

Pledging Ceremony

• What shape do we form during the pledging ceremony? • The ‘fraternal triangle’ is not yet complete as the bottom is composed of new members, not initiated brothers. • 3 candles represent the creed Rite of Iris • Center Candle: Aspiration • Man’s highest duties to himself: Courage, Self-Control, Honor • Highest duties to your fellow man: Loyalty, Understanding, Brotherly Love • Iris – the rainbow, symbol of promise (Promise to uphold these 6 duties) • The last candle, placed by the new member, represents the keystone. This is the strongest and most important piece of the arch, without it the whole thing could crumble.

The Oath

I, (your name in full)/ in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses/ do most solemnly and sincerely/ affirm, declare, promise, and swear/ that I will maintain inviolate/ the secrets and mysteries of ______fraternity;/that I will honor and observe its customs/ and obey its rules;/ that I will never knowingly or intentionally/ wrong or injure the fraternity/ or any member thereof;/ that I will give to ______/ lifelong allegiance/ service/ loyalty/ and love;/ To the faithful performance of these obligations/ without hesitation/ equivocation/ or mental evasion/ fully accepting the same/ both in letter and in spirit/ I pledge my faith/ my voracity/ and my sacred honor./ So help me God.

The Journey

• The Prophecy • “The time is coming when our colors of purple, white, and gold will be the recognized standard of creative leadership and excellence among all college fraternities.” • Pillars/Nomes of the Coat of Arms • Notia – South - Blue – Truth • Dusia – West - Red – Courage • Borea – North - White – Faith (Black shield on coat of arms) • Atlantis – East - Green – Power • Hagion – Shrine wherein you sweat the sacred oath. Defined as sacred; pure temple. Square is a symbol of moral equity and divine justice (all sides are equal). • “Columns are a symbol or durability and permanence.” This exemplifies our unwavering commitment to each of them, and the belief that they will continue to exist and guide future generations after we are gone.

Working Customs

• The knock (-- - --) Syllables of our house • We travel clockwise, following the path of the Apollo and the sun (light of knowledge) • Crescent moon promises future/continuing growth. Symbolizes dispelling the darkness of ignorance and embracing the light of knowledge. • The sign signifies “I hereby reaffirm my sacred oath.” Position in which you first took your oath. • Officer Names o Anax[Onyx] – President – King, Lord, Master of the House o Hermes – Guide – Messenger of the gods o Satrap[SAY-trap] – Chapter advisor – Viceroy, Protector of the Realm o Phulax[FOO-lox] – Sergeant at Arms – Gatekeeper, Guardian o Heiros – Vice President – Sacred, Holy, Divine o Karnea –National Conference – Festival of Apollo • The Challenge

The Badge

• Badge typifies the hagion (that’s why it is square) • 4 stars represent the 4 columns • Central letters represent the altar • The eyes represents the priestly office of Hieros • Crescent is the crescent

The Charge

• Administered by chapter advisor (Paul Son//Satrap) • Colors o Gold represents summer sun of youth. Your time here in the fraternity. o Purple haze of manhood is your time after graduation. o White road of life, “smoothed by love of newfound brothers.” ROAD programming got its name from this. These programs are built to prepare us for the purple and for our time after we leave the house. • “Her throne in each ____’s heart, her scepter in each ____’s hand” o Throne is where judgement is passed. Placement in the heart suggests that each decision must be made through your strength of character o Scepter placement in the hand signifies that it is the work of each member that brings glory to the fraternity, and therefore themselves

Ritual Test A

1. What are our four fundamental principles and the colors associated with them (The four pillars)?

2. In the Rite of Iris, what are the values represented by the 6 candles (Man’s highest duties to himself and his fellow man)? [Name 3]

3. What is the name of our sacred shrine?

4.What do we call the vice president in the Ritual?

5. Who recites The Charge?

6. Which way do we travel in the chapter hall? Why?

7. Write the Oath:

8. Can you spell? [The Challenge]

Then, spell.

Speeker1

Speaker2

Speeker1

Speaker2:

Speaker1

Speaker2:

9. Which line of The Oath stands out to you the most? Why?