RITUAL Of The ALPHA PHI 1. The name of this organization is the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., and its monogram is composed of the Greck Ieuters “AoA”. 2. The first symbol “A” of the monogram stands for the word “Alpha” and for us means “first” in the sense cf time and “loader” in the sense of service and im- portance; the second symbol “O” stands for “Phi” and for us means “Phrater” or “Brother” and “Phratries’ (of “Brotherhoods"; the last symbol "A" stands for the first letter, Alpha, in the Greek spelling of the word Ethiopians”, i.e. ,"Aiottes” or “Aethiopes”. 3. The name, Alpha Phi Alpha, and the monogram, AOA, as originally established meant “the first and leading brotherhioed of the Ethiopians” but, in addition, now means, “the first and leading brotherhood of the Ethiopians to open its portals to the fellowship of all mankind” 4. We have chosen this name for the following rea~ son: The word Ethiopians refers to a people who are among the oldest inhabitants of the earth, the fathers of Egyptian civilization and religious culture 5, The SPHINX of Gaza in Egypt. particularly its hed, is our emblem, We have chosen it for the follow- ing reasons: 3. The SPHINX of Gzza is the oldest. the largest, and the mest magnificent statue of its kind in the world and thereby typifies the history, the size and the position of out Fratemity, by. The SPHINX is carved of one sole and unmoved, piece of sione and thereby typifies the spirit of solidarity and unity which are outstanding ideals of our Fratern The SPHINX has the body’ of a lion which sym- bolizes strength and the head of a man. which symbolizes wisdom, another of the cherished ideals of our Fraternity 4. “The head of the SPHINX is of Ethiopian cast. theteby symbolizing the ancient and honored jpeoples of mankind. The Fthiopians were the leaders in their day.” 6, We have adopted the motto “FIRST OF ALL, ALPHA FRATERNITY, Inc. SERVANTS OF ALL, WE SHALL TRANSCEND ALL” for the following reasons: 4, Because we feel that it epitomizes well the spirit and idesls set forth in the previous statements concerning our origin and our goal b. In the dawn of civilization the Ethiopians were widely held to be the special favorites of the ods, ©, Because We ore hetrs t0 the laudable traditions that cluster about the name Ethiopians 4. As the Ethiopians were the finst and the leaders in the brotherhood of nations in the world, 60 fare we among the first college men in the modern world 10 bind ourselves together for the purpose of promoting culture, fellowship, and justice to all mankind & The Sphinx has stood silently and expectantly facing the East and the sunrise for thousands of years, it is thus a sentinel of the ages and a Keeper of their cherished secrets, thereby sym- bolizing the mysteries of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, CHALLENGE, 7. The CHALLENGE of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY consists of four significant words, COLLEGE, FRATERNAL, UPLIFT, and SPIRIT, ‘occurring in conversation in the order named. The conversation in which the challenge takes place should bbe approached subtly, The Brother challenging another Brother or suspected Brother should use the word COLLEGE”, then, in the course of conversat Brother should employ the words and “UPLIFT.” The other Brother should then use the last significant word, “SPIRIT.” SHIELD 8. The SHIELD of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRA- TERNITY shall be the SPHINX HEAD, ALPHA PHI ALPHA, FASCES, TORCH IN HAND, AND A DOVE. The SPHINX HEAD is our emblem; ALPHA PHI ALPHA means “The first and leading brotherhood of the Ethiopians to open its portals to the fellow-ship of mankind.” The FASCES signify suength due to union, THE TORCH IN HAND symbolizes intel- Jigence and enlightment to the world. THE DOVE is a symbol of purity and peace. RIP 9. The GRIP is 2s communicated to the Chapters by their respective representatives to the General Con- vention, Care should be taken Jest the grip become con- spicuous, HAILING SIGNAL 10. The Brother wishing to hail another, places his right hand upon his necktie and moves it up and down in such a way as will attract the attention of gone but a Brother. AS an answering signal to the hailing signal, the righe hand will be placed inside the coat around the region over the heart as if ceaching for a pencil RAP OF ADMISSION IL. This is communicated to the Chapters by their representatives to te General Convention. PASS WORD 12, This is to be communicated to the Chapters by their representatives to the General Convention, We must be ever mindful of the fact that the PASS WORD. is never spoken above a whisper. PASS CARD 13, The PASS CARD is the official material means of identifying Brothers and is issued in accordance with the provisions of the General Constitution, RITUAL COMMITTEE 14. Each Chapter shall appoint a RITUAL COM- MITTEE whose duty it shall be to instruct all BROTHERS in the RITUAL and examine the brothers from time to time in their knowledge of the Ritual. SEAL, 15, Each individuel Chapter shall have a SEAL. bearing the name of the Fraternity, the year of birth of the Chapter, and its own Chapter name, This SEAL shall be kept with the Ritual and Charter of the Chap- ter by a responsible officer or individual designated by the Chapter. The SEAL shall be af ficial documents and correspondence, SECURITY 16. The RITUAL, CHAPTER SEAL, CHARTER ang all important Chapter doc: be kent together in a heavy metal box wiich shall not be smaller in size than the Charter (in vertical and horizontal positions). This box should be placed in the custody of a responsible officer or individusl designated by the Chapter. SELECTION AND PLEDGING OF NEW MEMBERS Section 1, A. No official or semi-official approach shall_be made to any prospective candidate for the Fra- teraity until after such person shall have ma- triculated in a College or University, B. It shall be the duty of the Rushing Committee, appointed by the Chapter President, to interview the candidates to be admitted to the SPHINX Lub. Section 2. A. Upon majority vote of the Chapter, after a period of observation, a Chapter test on Alpha fun damentals shall be given by the Rushing Com- mittee one weck belore the designated date set by the Chapter to voie upon the candidates to be pledged B, The Rushing Commiittee shall report the results of the Ritual Tests to the Chapter at the time of the voting upon the candidates for pledgeship. ©. The Rushing Commitios may recommend for Pledgeship those candidates who have satisfac- torily passed the Ritual Test. Section 3. The exact form of the Ritual Test shall be such as to require the candidate to answer the Following ques- tions: A. Is the candidote's attitude towards fraternities favorable? B. Taking the preamble as a standard, is the Can- didate’s character such as would make him desirable as an ALPHA PHI ALPHA man? ©. Are the candidate's financial resources sufficient to meet the obligations that will be imposed ‘pon him, should he acquire membership in this body? If so, is he willing to meet these abliga- tions? The foregoing questions must be answered favor- ably, or the candidate cannot be admitted, Minor questions, which are intended to give an idea of the desirability of the candidate, but which may or may not be answered favorably, shall be determined by the individual Chapier. Section 4. The President of the Chapter shall proceed with the provisions of By-Law 5 Codified Constitution, 1967,