Pi Beta Phi Meeting Ritual Evolution

In 1867, twelve visionary young women came together at Monmouth College to form what we now know as Pi Beta Phi. Founded as I.C. Sorosis, their sisterhood reflected the values of their college, which was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

While meeting Ritual was not written by our founders, from the start, it has set a unifying tone for Fraternity business, connecting sisters through a shared experience. Over time, collegians and alumnae have expressed they feel disconnected from our meeting Ritual or have faced challenges in practicing it. While some chapters follow it exactly, others adapt it or omit it entirely. In fact, 35% of members surveyed say they do not consistently use the meeting Ritual as originally written, offering thoughtful feedback on how it could better reflect their beliefs or their club and chapter culture.

The Decision to Evolve Meeting Ritual 

Grand Council has made the decision to evolve meeting Ritual. This decision was not made lightly; It reflects two years of thoughtful research, feedback and meaningful dialogue among leadership, collegians and alumnae. Evolving meeting Ritual doesn’t mean letting go of our cherished traditions. Instead, it is an opportunity to honor them in a way that ensures every Pi Phi feels connected, welcomed and valued in their experience today.

The purpose of meeting Ritual remains unchanged—to establish a tone for the business of the Fraternity through a uniform opening and closing for meetings across our organization. As our sisterhood grows and evolves, we remain rooted in the values that guide our actions and connect us as sisters.

Grand Council believes meeting Ritual should be a moment that brings all members closer—to each other and to the shared values that guide us as Pi Phis. While meeting Ritual is central to our sisterhood, we now have an opportunity to ensure it serves every sister in the way it was originally intended: to connect all members in a shared purpose and foster a consistent experience for all Pi Phis. Together, we can honor this tradition while evolving it to reflect the vibrant membership that defines Pi Phi today.

Evolved meeting ritual language 

Led by Pi Beta Phi Archivist and Historian Fran DeSimone Becque, New York Alpha, the writing committee approached this responsibility with deep care, thoughtfulness and reverence for our sisterhood. Their work reflects a strong commitment to preserving the heart of Pi Beta Phi while ensuring our meeting Ritual continues to resonate with today’s members and generations to come. 

“
Bravo!!! I want to compliment the writers of the new meeting Ritual. It is lovely and really speaks to the depth of our organization. I appreciate everything about it especially the guidance for preparing for a meeting. I look forward to saying it proudly.

California Delta, Initiated 1975

“
Great work on this. I will miss some of what was in the one I've always known and loved, but feel like you captured the essence in the evolved meeting Ritual. I appreciate your hard and respectful work on this!

Colorado Gamma, Initiated 1998

“
I must admit that at first I couldn't wrap my mind around changing meeting Ritual. I will have to say ... I think the committee nailed it! I am 100% on board and ready to spread the news that we all need to get behind it, even though it will be much harder to memorize at 60 than it was at 18!

Tennessee Beta, Initiated 1984

“
Congratulations on a job well done. Our meeting Ritual always bothered me, and in my years at Pi Beta Phi the language made me feel excluded. I remained silent during so much, feeling it was not for me. Thank you so much for helping our sisterhood evolve into a more inclusive organization. I’m proud to wear the wine and blue today."

Washington Alpha, Initiated 1992

Hear the voices and perspectives of fellow Pi Phis, as they reflect on what this evolution means for our sisterhood

History of our meeting Ritual

The Fraternity’s first constitution called for meetings to begin with a devotional exercise, often including a reading from Emma Brownlee’s bible and a prayer, to help set a meaningful tone for their time together.

It’s important to remember our founders did not write our meeting Ritual. It wasn’t until 23 years after our founding, then Grand Secretary Emma Harper Turner recognized the need for all members to use the same words to open and close meetings, creating a shared experience for the entire sisterhood. She envisioned a tradition that would connect all members in a shared purpose and foster a consistent experience for all Pi Phis, regardless of where they gathered. Her vision of strengthening our bonds through intentional words and practices led to the creation of the meeting Ritual we know today.

Since 1893, Pi Phi’s meeting Ritual has been a meaningful part of our Fraternity’s traditions. What began as a simple devotional exercise evolved into the thoughtfully crafted meeting Ritual written by Anna Hazleton and introduced under the leadership of Grand Secretary Emma Harper Turner, whose vision was to create a shared experience for all members, no matter where they gathered. As our sisterhood has grown and evolved, so must our meeting Ritual. It is more than words—it is a reflection of who we are, and a connection to all who have carried Pi Phi forward for more than 150 years. Meeting Ritual should be meaningful and relevant to every member while honoring the legacy of those who came before us.

Meeting Ritual Research Committee Efforts

Established in January 2023, the Meeting Ritual Research Committee (MRRC) began a thoughtful, year-long research initiative to understand the impact meeting Ritual has on our members. This effort was driven by a desire to listen, learn and ensure our members feel connected to the traditions we share.

To gather meaningful insights, the MRRC launched a survey, inviting feedback from collegians and alumnae. This outreach was followed by 28 focus groups, which brought together 200 members for deeper conversations.

In total 6,974 surveys were started and of them:

  • 77% of participants completed the full survey. 
  • 21.3% of respondents were collegians, representing the voices of our current chapters.
  • 3.6% of respondents were undergraduate alumnae members.
  • 39.7% of respondents were alumnae affiliated with an Alumnae Club.
  • 35% of respondents were alumnae not affiliated with an Alumnae Club.
  • Pi Phis from all 50 states, five provinces and one Canadian territory were represented, ensuring a wide range of perspectives.
  • At least one member from every open Pi Beta Phi chapter participated in the survey.

Several common themes emerged from the survey and focus group: 

  • Members appreciate meeting Ritual for its ability to connect sisters and act as “the tie that binds us.” 
  • Our meeting Ritual reflects Pi Phi’s deep history, tradition and legacy. 
  • An overwhelming majority of members expressed their love for the Creed and its enduring message.
  • Some members find meeting Ritual language challenging to understand or feel that it doesn’t fully reflect their beliefs and experiences.
  • Many shared that, as meeting Ritual is rooted in Christian language, it can make non-Christian and non-religious members feel excluded or uncomfortable.
  • While a significant portion of members initially expressed strong feelings against revising meeting Ritual, many shared that conversations with sisters and an understanding of how minimal changes could make it more welcoming to all—while still preserving tradition—helped shift their perspective.

These findings highlight both the beauty and the challenges of our meeting Ritual. It’s clear that it holds deep meaning for many, yet there is an opportunity to ensure it resonates more fully with all members, creating a shared sense of connection.


Informing a Decision

Over the course of a dedicated two-year feedback and study process, Grand Council carefully reviewed, analyzed and reflected on the next steps regarding meeting Ritual. With great care and respect for the traditions we hold dear, they considered the impact of keeping meeting Ritual as written or embarking on changes to better serve our sisterhood. Ultimately, Grand Council made the decision to evolve meeting Ritual.

Guided by the voices of our members—through surveys, focus groups and personal stories—Grand Council prioritized listening and understanding. They also conducted a thorough financial impact and risk analysis, ensuring every aspect of this decision would support the wellbeing of our sisterhood. This process was informed by the lessons we’ve learned from past policy changes, helping us anticipate how either decision could impact the future of Pi Phi.

“

I was always a little bit uncomfortable with the religious references in meeting Ritual. Although I identified as a Christian, I knew we had members of other religious affiliations, and I think meeting Ritual would be much stronger if it were more inclusive. I applaud the Grand Council for making changes!"

California Eta, Initiated 1974

“

We are an organization made up of diverse women. Meeting Ritual needs to be applicable and welcoming to all."

Alabama Gamma, Initiated 1993

“

I believe our chapter will support the evolution because it will better reflect their individual beliefs."

Pennsylvania Gamma, Initiated 2023

“

I love meeting Ritual, but I know it doesn't resonate with others the same way it does with me. This will be helpful to show that we see those members."

Florida Beta, Initiated 2022

“

My chapter will appreciate the updated wording, as New Members have expressed discomfort with the religious language. I'm excited for them to feel more comfortable and united as a chapter."

Wisconsin Epsilon, initated 2023


What’s Next on the Road to Evolution

Pi Phi has approached this evolution with care and intention to make sure it’s a positive step forward for our sisterhood. We will begin using the evolved meeting Ritual in Fall 2025. More information will be shared in the coming months.

This decision does not impact Pi Beta Phi Initiation, which remains the ceremony we use to initiate all members.

“

Our chapter has had a lot of discourse and different ideas about meeting Ritual. This evolution will bring a lot of excitement. I, personally, was taken aback when I heard meeting Ritual for the first time."

D.C. Alpha, Initiated 2024

“

I love that we're keeping the 'whatsoevers.' I am thrilled we are changing meeting Ritual because it felt exclusive."

Arizona Gamma, Initiated 1993

“

Although I am a Protestant, I believe meeting Ritual should be more inclusive of other faiths.”

Texas Beta, Initiated 1968

“

I loved meeting Ritual from the first moment I stepped into Pi Beta Phi. However, I completely agree with the notion of updating the words of meeting Ritual to better serve our diverse community within Pi Beta Phi. I want everyone who steps into the role of a Pi Phi to feel at home with their chapter or alumnae club."

California Nu, Initiated 2014

“

I am both excited and relieved by this evolution. As a collegian, I was surprised by meeting Ritual—I hadn’t realized it included references to Christian traditions. My chapter created a committee to adapt the meeting Ritual in a way that felt meaningful to us, and now, the chapter I advise is doing the same."

Ohio Lambda, Initiated 2016

“

At the time, the idea of women getting together and making a fraternal organization and having a Ritual was a very radical thought. The evolutionary feeling the founders felt may be comparable to what we feel now with evolving meeting Ritual. This is a very natural evolution."

Massachusetts Gamma, Initiated 2010

“

Meeting Ritual is meant to unite our sisterhood in a deeper way, and this change acknowledges that sisters don't connect to meeting Ritual now.”

Tennessee Delta, Initiated 2022

Thank you, MRRC!

The Fraternity sends its deepest gratitude to the Meeting Ritual Research Committee for their thoughtful work and dedication throughout this process. This committee engaged in discussions with more Pi Phi sisters than any other past Ritual effort, gathering valuable insights and perspectives from across our sisterhood. Their efforts to honor Pi Phi’s traditions while reflecting the needs of today’s members mean so much to our Fraternity.

Meet the MRRC

Questions?

Should you have questions, please send an email here or review the list of frequently asked questions below.

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Pi Phi History

In 1867, 12 courageous young women at Monmouth College came together to form a sisterhood rooted in shared experiences, enduring values and Sincere Friendships. Today, more than 150 years and 350,000 members later, we continue to celebrate our founders' vision as sisters of Pi Beta Phi.

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