MEETING RITUAL

HiSTORY OF 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.

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, our meeting Ritual has too. 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's evolution

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.

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 was an opportunity to ensure it could resonate more fully with all members, creating a shared sense of connection.

MEETING RITUAL NOW

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. 

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.