Pi Beta Phi Meeting Ritual | Pi Beta Phi Fraternity For Women

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.

While the exact language of the evolved meeting Ritual has not yet been written, its purpose 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.

With this purpose in mind, Grand Council has created seven guiding principles that will shape the evolution of our meeting Ritual, providing a foundation for the next chapter in our sisterhood’s story:

The Creed (the portion with statements beginning with "Whatsoever") remains unchanged and will continue to be used in the closing.
References to Christ, God and the Trinity will be removed.
The evolved meeting Ritual will connect to Pi Phi’s values.
The tone, cadence and elevated language will be maintained.
Meeting Ritual will remain simple, short and memorable.
The original purpose of meeting Ritual will be upheld.
Its historical significance will be preserved.

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.

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 is approaching this evolution with care and intention to make sure it’s a positive step forward for our sisterhood. Our goal is to begin using the evolved meeting Ritual in Fall 2025. Achieving this goal will require dedication and care, and several initiatives are already underway, including providing support for collegiate chapters and engaging with alumnae and clubs. Our evolved meeting Ritual is currently being drafted by a talented group of Pi Phi women, led by our Historian, Fran Becque.

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 email the Ritual Inbox or a list of frequently asked questions can be viewed 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.