Meeting Ritual Update

From the devotionals read at the beginning of chapter meetings in the 1800s to the lyrics of the Pi Phi songs we still sing today, words have always held a special place in our sisterhood. They help us create meaning, foster connections and honor our traditions. Words set the tone for how we gather as Pi Phis: with intention, unity and love for each other.

This summer, members stood together at our 75th Biennial Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and spoke an evolved version of our meeting Ritual for the first time. These words were written with intention and immense care to reflect the diverse, vibrant sisterhood we share today. While the language around our meeting Ritual has grown, the purpose remains the same: to connect every Pi Phi in a shared experience, grounded in values that transcend time.

The Fraternity’s first constitution called for meetings to begin with a devotional exercise, but the execution was left up to each chapter. As a result, Pi Phi meetings varied in how they were opened. When D.C. Alpha EMMA HARPER TURNER served as Grand Secretary in the 1890s, she saw a Fraternity that was growing, but also in need of cohesion. Emma thought our sisterhood deserved something stronger—something that could unify members and standardize their experience across the country. She set out to replace the devotional exercises with a consistent meeting Ritual that all Pi Phis could share, no matter where they were.

To bring her vision to life, Emma turned to fellow D.C. Alpha and collegian ANNA S. HAZELTON to write the meeting Ritual. In a letter written decades later, Anna recalled, “I did not have any assistance in writing it. It is entirely my own composition, but to Miss Emma Harper Turner should be given the credit for originating the idea.”

In 1890, Anna created the meeting Ritual that would be formally adopted at the 1893 Grand Alpha—now known as convention. What began as an effort by Emma and Anna to unify our meetings became one of our most enduring traditions.

But meeting Ritual has never been a static tradition. Throughout Pi Phi’s history, members have engaged in ongoing conversations about its role and relevance. In the 1960s and 1970s, Ritual was formally studied, and members were surveyed about how it shaped their experience. At the 1975 Convention, a member expressed that while some members had been suggested to remain silent during parts of meeting Ritual that conflicted with their beliefs, she believed it should feel inclusive and meaningful to every sister.

These important conversations continued into the 1990s and 2000s. Around Pi Beta Phi’s 150th anniversary, Grand Council received multiple requests from chapters seeking options or alternatives for meeting Ritual. Some proposed to use the Symphony, others suggested minor word changes and a few chapters said meeting Ritual hadn’t been a practice within their chapter in decades.

More than 130 years after its adoption, Pi Phi continues to grow. And with that growth comes the responsibility to make sure our meeting Ritual remains relevant and resonant for today’s members.

In January 2023, the Fraternity formed the Meeting Ritual Research Committee (MRRC) to explore how members experience meeting Ritual today. Extensive research was done to gather a wide range of feedback from members of all ages, demographics and chapters.

Nearly 7,000 Pi Phis—representing all 50 states and Canada—made their voices heard through surveys. Every Pi Phi chapter with living members had at least one member represented, and more than 200 sisters participated in comprehensive focus groups to share their perspectives.

The findings were heartfelt and honest. Many members described meeting Ritual as “the tie that binds us.” The Creed stood out as a beloved element, resonating deeply with members across all beliefs and backgrounds. Others shared that certain language— particularly religious references—felt exclusionary. Moreover, some members expressed that while they valued the meaning behind meeting Ritual, they found the words challenging to understand or not fully representative of their experiences. In fact, 35% of survey respondents shared they did not consistently use the meeting Ritual as originally written.

What emerged from these conversations was not division, but care. Many members initially expressed hesitation about changing something so cherished, but open dialogue with sisters—and a better understanding of how thoughtful updates could make meeting Ritual more welcoming to all—helped shift perspectives. Time and time again, members expressed a desire to preserve the sacred nature of meeting Ritual, while ensuring every Pi Phi feels included in its meaning and message.

After two years of research, listening and reflection, Grand Council made the decision to evolve meeting Ritual. This choice was made with the utmost respect for our Fraternity’s traditions and in alignment with our core values. Evolving Pi Phi’s meeting Ritual is not about abandoning what makes it meaningful— it’s about bringing the meeting Ritual forward in a way that remains rooted in our values, reverent of our history and inclusive of every sister. The evolved meeting Ritual no longer includes references to Christ, God or the Trinity—reflecting our desire to create space for members of all faiths and beliefs.

The evolved meeting Ritual reflects both continuity and growth. Members will recognize familiar language at its heart—most notably the Creed, which remains unchanged. But woven throughout the new words are updates that connect to who we are as Pi Phis today. There are intentional references to our symbols and colors, subtle allusions to light (referencing ‘LUX’ on our crest) and echoes of the promises we make during pre-initiation and throughout our member experience. Each of the six sections ties directly to one of our core values and reinforces the purpose of meeting—to set a tone of unity and shared intention. The result is a meeting Ritual that embodies the sisterhood we’ve always been, as well as a bright future we are building together.

The evolved meeting Ritual was crafted by a dedicated group of Pi Phi women, led by Fraternity Archivist and Historian FRAN DESIMONE BECQUE, New York Alpha. Thousands of members’ voices sharing their hopes, concerns and aspirations for Pi Phi’s future guided their work. The updated version will be implemented in Fall 2025, accompanied by resources and support for collegiate chapters and alumnae clubs to adopt it with confidence.

At its core, our meeting Ritual has always been about connection, the thread that bonds Pi Phis across space and time. Today, we carry that connection forward. This evolution is more than a change in words; it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to one another. It’s a celebration of what it means to be a Pi Phi in every generation. Because while our words may evolve, our shared purpose remains the same.

Guided by Fran, and with deep respect for our heritage and a commitment to lasting relevance, the writing committee has ensured our meeting Ritual remains a source of inspiration and unity for Pi Phis today—and for generations to come.

MEETING RITUAL WRITING COMMITTEE

• Fran DeSimone Becque, New York Alpha

• Mikayla Briskey, Michigan Alpha

• Alison Pilgrim, South Dakota Alpha

• Lori Poveromo Haight, Virginia Eta

• Beth Torres, Illinois Zeta