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Dear Brothers,
I felt compelled to begin this series of Discussion Forums with the Province Polemarch in 2017 to discuss various matters of protocol within the fraternity. Some items are solidly etched and written in our Protocol and Etiquette manual. Some items will be more “opinion” than long-standing rule. However, I hope these forums will inform some, educate others, and create a healthy dialogue to ensure that the protocol and etiquette of our fraternity is not lost. The first of several forums will begin with a topic on Founders’ Day since it is only a few days away.
Section IV of the Protocol & Etiquette Manual speaks on official fraternity observances. One such observance noted in Part D is Founders’ Day. Here is the direct excerpt from the manual:
Founders’ Day
This is an observance that should be held annually by every chapter or clusters of chapters as nearly as possible to the founding date of the Fraternity. The celebration is an observance and should appropriately dignify and commemorate this most special day in our history.
Founders’ Day Banquets should be formal and closed to all but members with all amenities as quoted elsewhere in this Guide. Any other Founders’ Day activity should be in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.
I make specific note of this because in recent years many brothers have chosen to shorten the term Founders’ Day to simply “J5”. The “J5” moniker was developed by some creative brothers around the timing of the 100th anniversary of our founding. It was a great way to promote our 100th founding on social media and in marketing events surrounding our Founders’ Day. Six years later we are still using the moniker as a marketing tool that is very effective. However, albeit a great marketing tool, (IN MY OPINION) it should never be used as a replacement in greeting brothers or wishing members of our fraternity a Happy Founders’ Day.
In recent years, I have simply seen brothers texting, emailing or posting on social media “Happy J5”. We are not celebrating the date of January 5th, we are celebrating our Founders’ Day. I know typing 2 characters vs. 19 with spaces is easier, but I think the founding of the greatest fraternity ever deserves the full recognition. I feel more compelled to write this because members initiated since 2011 may think that the “J5” moniker is an official method of recognizing our founders’ day because they hear that more than the actual words.
The “J5” phrase is a great marketing tool for us and I do encourage the use on social media in promoting events or hash tagging posts. However, I encourage you to not shorten your congratulatory text messages or posts to brothers by simply saying “Happy J5”. Please join me in typing “Dear Brother – Happy Founders’ Day” because that is what it is officially called.
Please feel free to comment to this post or ask additional questions if you have them.
Yours in the Bond,
K. Kyles
Northern Province Polemarch
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