CHAPTER RITUAL WORKSHOP
Successful and award-winning Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapters regularly practice and perform all eight ceremonies within the Fraternity’s Ritual. Members can only learn so much by attending and witnessing these ceremonies, therefore, it is helpful to reflect on the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Ritual – deconstructing its words of inspiration and eloquent language – finding the deeper insightful messages within.
To this end, a suggested Ritual Workshop is designed to provide an open inspirational interpretation and discussion of the Fraternity’s Ritual led by a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother who spends a significant amount of time with the Ritual, such as a Ritual chairman, Preceptor or another brother of the chapter’s choosing. This role can be filled either by an alumnus or members of the chapter collegiate.
Introduction
A Brother other than the Eminent Archon or presenter should perform Opening Ceremony.
The ground rules for the workshop should be explained. The workshop should last no more than one hour. This is to be a discussion and inspirational interpretation of the Ritual, not a practice or review. That being said, it is important that everyone attending the Ritual Workshop participates. In other words, the facilitator should not keep the “floor.” He should simply guide the conversation through the following suggestion points.
Introductory Questions:
1) What is a ritual?
a.Something done routinely (e.g., shower, put on shoes and socks, eta, etc)
2) What is Ritual?
a.Ceremony that is instructive in nature, conveys our values and beliefs.
3) Why do fraternities use ritual?
4) When should ritual be used?
5) Why is ritual important to Sigma Alpha Epsilon?
6) What are the values of our Fraternity?
7) What values do we promote in our chapter? Through our words?Through our actions?
8) Does our Ritual serve as a handbook for academic, professional and personal success?
9) Is it worthwhile to interpret and understand Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Ritual?
Opening Ceremony
Once again, a Brother other than the Eminent Archon or presenter should perform Opening Ceremony for a second time, but have the Brothers attending stay seated.
1) What does the Ritual’s Opening Ceremony say about how to conduct a meeting and participate as Brothers?
2) Why is it important to hear these words before each meeting?
Meaning of the Insignia
The Preceptor, Ritual chairman or Ritualist should discuss the following aspects of the Fraternity’s
Ritual, in order, within the Initiation Ceremony:
Four Quarters;
Purple border charged with 22 fleurs-de-lis;
Fimbriated cross of silver;
Casque of purple plumes and crest surmounting the escutcheon
Inescutcheon representation;
Badge
Minerva and the lion sitting docile at her feet; and the
Unwritten forms of Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s laws and Ritual.
The history of “The True Gentleman” may also be reviewed:
written by John Walter Wayland (The Baltimore Sun), but unattributed when discovered by
Judge Walter B. Jones (Alabama Baptist Quarterly), sent to
John O. Moseley (Leadership School), then attributed back to John Walter Wayland by
Joseph Walt, upon reading the U.S. Naval Academy “Blue Book.”
John Walter Wayland was posthumously initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon during the Fraternity’s 66th Leadership School following ratification by the Orlando Convention (2001). Wayland was initiated as an 1899 member of the Virginia Omicron Chapter at the University of Virginia, which was selected because he had completed his masters degree at that institution in 1901.
Closing Ceremony
Have another brother perform the Closing Ceremony with all the brothers seated. In other words, do not perform with the grip circle. If possible, have a brother who does not normally perform a Ritual role in the Initiation Ceremony.
1) Taking the Closing Ceremony line by line, what does it have to say about the Sigma Alpha
Epsilon Fraternity experience?
2) How could your and personal experience be more valuable if you lived these words?
3) What does the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Ritual promise you if you pull your weight and give the
Fraternity your all?
Conclusion
Encourage everyone to continue to immerse themselves into Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Ritual by maintaining an open forum of interpretation and discussion amongst chapter members.
Conclude the Ritual Workshop with the Eminent Archon performing the Closing Ceremony, this time with the grip circle.
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