Pi Beta Phi Meeting Ritual

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.

Grand Council 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.

IMPLEMENTATION

As our chapters and clubs resumed their meetings and operations in Fall 2025, our evolved meeting Ritual and New Member meeting Ritual were distributed to all 131 active chapters and more than 100 alumnae clubs.  A team of volunteers and staff have met regularly to ensure that all groups felt supported through this transition, from new educational resources to in-person visits. The implementation phase of this process has been exciting and meaningful, and we look forward to our members continuing to connect over this evolved Ritual into the future.

Chapters

9,026

meeting Ritual copies distributed

3,774

New Member meeting Ritual copies distributed


Clubs

1,917

meeting Ritual copies distributed

1,875

New Member meeting Ritual copies distributed

*The number of meeting Ritual and New Member meeting Ritual copies distributed is accurate as of October 20, 2025.

“
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

“

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

history of meeting ritual

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. Learn more about its origins and the information that led to the evolution in 2025.

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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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