The glossary below should answer most of the questions you have about any unfamiliar words within this homepage, or many other fraternity or sorority homepages. It's where to go when it's all Greek to you...

Active Member	--an undergraduate member of a chapter who is in good standing. An active member may be an associate member or an initiate.
Alumni Advisory Board	--a group of alumni who advises and guides a chapter and its officers.
Alumni Association	--a group of alumni from a particular chapter or region who meet regularly to enjoy brotherhood, friendships, and fun.
Alumni Conference	--an auxiliary to the General Assembly that elects up to 18 alumni delegates to the Assembly.
Alumnus	--a member of Lambda Chi Alpha who is no longer enrolled in undergraduate studies. Plural is alumni, meaning more than one alumnus.
Annual Fund	--the annual campaign that produces funding to support educational and leadership programs of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member	--a member who has joined Lambda Chi Alpha but has not been fully initiated. The term "pledge" is not used to refer to a new member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member Ceremony	--the ceremony which newly associated members undergo to become official associates in the Fraternity. Also one of the five open rituals of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member Pin	--a pin having a gothic arch which creates the Greek letters Lambda, Chi, and Alpha. This arch is superimposed upon four equilateral triangles taken from the badge of Theta Kappa Nu, a fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha absorbed during 1939. This pin is worn only by Associate Members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Badge	--a crescent shaped pin worn only by initiated members of Lambda Chi Alpha. A miniature version can be worn by a brother's mother, wife, sister, or fiancee.
Bid	--an invitation for membership.
Big Brother	--the person who serves as a special guide (or Pedagogue) and counselor for a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Big Brother Coordinator	--a member of the chapter fraternity education committee who coordinates the activities and program for big brothers.
Board of Councilors	--past members of the Grand High Zeta.
Bylaws	--a document written by each chapter that specifies its local policies. Bylaws are subordinate to the Constitution and Statutory Code, which governs all of Lambda Chi Alpha.
"Calepa Ta Kala"	--an "open" or non-secret mottoe which translated from the Greek means "Naught, without Labour".
Chapter	--a group of undergraduate members, officially chartered and recognized by Lambda Chi Alpha, at a given college or university.
Charter	--an official document that grants full authority for a chapter to function.
Chi Omicron Alpha Zeta, XOAZ	--one of the four "closed" or secret mottoes of Lambda Chi Alpha. It is only known by initiated brothers.
Closed Mottoes	--the four secret or "closed" mottoes of the fraternity. Their meanings are known only by the initiated members. They are Lambda Chi Alpha, Zeta Alpha Chi, Delta Pi, and Chi Omicron Alpha Zeta.
Closed Ritual	--the "closed" or secret ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha; the Initiation Ritual.
Coat of Arms	--a heraldically correct depiction of symbols or emblems which pictorally defines the principles for which a family or organization stands. Lambda Chi Alpha is both family and organization and our Coat of Arms is the symbol which heralds the beliefs we hold and defend.
Cole Award	--Warren Albert Cole Recruitment Program Award, presented annually to chapters that have innovative and comprehensive year-round membership recruitment programs.
Colonization	--the establishment of a new colony of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Colony	--the status of a new group of undergraduate members at a given college or university prior to meeting the standards for chartering and becoming a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Conclave	--a region of Lambda Chi Alpha in North America, and an annual leadership conference of the Fraternity held within each region, usually during the spring semester.
Constitution	--one of the documents which contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A three-forths vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Cross & Crescent	--a primary symbol of Lambda Chi Alpha (then called the Crescent in the Cross) and also the Fraternity's quarterly magazine.
Delta Pi, DP	--a "closed" or secret mottoe of Lambda Chi Alpha. It's meaning is known only by initiated members.
Distinguished Service Award	--presented to alumni brothers for outstanding contributions at the International Fraternity level.
Duke Flad Award	--Cyril F. "Duke" Flad Outstanding Undergraduate Award, presented annually to Lambda Chi Alpha's most outstanding undergraduate member.
Educational Foundation	--Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation Inc. is a separate corporate entity that assists the Fraternity by providing scholarships and funding for leadership and educational programs. Lambda Chi Alpha maintains foundations in Canada and the United States.
Educational Leadership Consultant	--a Lambda Chi Alpha professional staff member who travels to chapters and provides counseling for officer programming and chapter operations.
Executive Committee	--the judicial body of the chapter which is responsible for enforcing the laws of the Fraternity and performs special administrative duties.
Expansion	--the process conducted by the professional staff to identify colleges and universities to cultivate interest in starting new colonies of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Faculty Initiate	--a man who is a faculty member at a college or university who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
Founder's Day	--the official commemoration of the Fraternity by chapters and alumni. The official Founder's Day is March 22 because it was the date which Brother John E. "Jack" Mason had his letter presented to the second General Assembly to recommend a change in the initiation ritual. This date is therefore considered the spiritual refounding of the Fraternity.
Fraternity	--an organization of college students and alumni, from the Latin noun "fraternitas" meaning "brotherhood".
General Assembly	--the legislative body of Lambda Chi Alpha, where undergraduates and alumni determine the laws and policies of the Fraternity; normally convenes once every two years during the summer.
General Fraternity	--organization consisting of all the active bodies of Lambda Chi Alpha, including chapters, colonies, alumni organizations, Grand High Zeta, Student Advisory Committee, and the professional staff.
Good Standing	--the status of a chapter or member who is not presently under a disciplinary status.
Grand High Alpha	--the international president and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Alpha Award	--Lambda Chi Alpha's most prestigious chapter award, presented for overall excellence in chapter operations over an extended period of time (six semesters with consecutive excellence ratings).
Grand High Beta	--the international vice president and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Delta	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Epsilon	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors that is selected by the elected members of the Grand High Zeta to serve a two year term.
Grand High Gamma	--the international secretary and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Iota	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Kappa	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Phi	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Pi	--the international chancellor, the chief judicial officer of the Fraternity, and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Rho	--a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors that is selected by the elected members of the Grand High Zeta to serve a two year term.
Grand High Sigma	--chairman of the Student Advisory Committee and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors. He serves a one-year term as the undergraduate voting member of the Grand High Zeta.
Grand High Tau	--the international treasurer and member of the Lambda Chi Alpha International Board of Directors.
Grand High Zeta	--Lambda Chi Alpha's International Board of Directors. Composed of nine officers elected by the General Assembly to serve four-year terms, two selected by the elected Board members to serve two-year terms, and one appointed by the Student Advisory Committee to serve a one-year term. The interpretation of Fraternity laws and policy decisions are executed by the Grand High Zeta between General Assemblies. All members of the Grand High Zeta are alumni volunteers, with the exception of the Grand High Sigma who is an undergraduate.
Greek	--term applied to members of fraternities and sororites.
Greek Advisor	--fraternity system adviser, a professional administrator who is hired by the college or university to advise the fraternities on campus.
Hazing	--any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce physical discomfort or mental discomfort by embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing is strictly forbidden in Lambda Chi Alpha.
High Alpha	--the president of the chapter
High Beta	--the vice president of the chapter.
High Delta	--the membership recruitment chairman of the chapter.
High Gamma	--the secretary of the chapter.
High Iota	--the risk manager of the chapter
High Kappa	--the fraternity educator of the chapter.
High Phi	--the ritualist of the chapter
High Pi	--the chancellor and official alumni advisor of the chapter. Appointed by the Grand High Pi, he serves as the chief judicial officer of the chapter.
High Rho	--the alumni secretary of the chapter.
High Sigma	--the scholastic chairman of the chapter.
High Tau	--the treasurer of the chapter.
High Zeta	--the chapter's committee of officers, composed typically of 11 annually elected undergraduate members and one appointed alumus.
Honorary Initiate	--a man, not enrolled in college, who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
House	--a chapter's living or meeting facility.
House Corporation	--the entity of alumni members that manages the operations of a specific Lambda Chi Alpha chapter house.
House Manager	--an appointed or elected chapter officer, responsible for managing the daily operations of a chapter house.
Inactive Member	--a member who is an initiated undergraduate at an institution other than the one where he is currently enrolled, and who does not contribute to the support of the chapter in the form of regular dues. Also refers to a member who has been granted inactive status by the Grand High Zeta, has paid dues for each of eight full semesters, is married, or is classified as a graduate student.
Initiate	--a member who has participated in the Initiation Ritual or Lambda Chi Alpha.
Initiation	--the act of being initiated or initiating, the ceremony of admission into brother status of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Installation	--the establishment and chartering of a new Lambda Chi Alpha chapter.
Interfraternity Council	--a group of fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
International Headquarters	--the building that houses the Office of Administration and the Mason Library and Museam. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lambda Chi Alpha, LCA	--the name of the International Fraternity; also, one of the "closed" or secret mottoes whose meaning is known only by the initiated members.
Legacy	--a relative of a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
North American Food Drive	--Lambda Chi Alpha's international philanthropic project, typically held on the first Saturday in November.
National Interfraternity Conference	--the association for 63 international and national men's fraternties that promotes the Greek movement.
National Panhellenic Conference	--the association of 26 international and national women's fraternities that promotes the Greek movement.
National Pan-Hellenic Conference	--the association for nine international and national men and women's fraternities that promotes the historically African-American Greek movement.
Office of Administration	--the central office of the International Fraternity which consists of the professional staff. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Officer Installation Ceremony	--an "open" or non-secret ceremony where the newly elected High Zeta officers are formally challenged with the duties of their offices and are publicaly sworn into office.
Open Mottoes	--there are three "open" or non-secret mottoes which the Fraternity has. "Per Crucem Crescens" (a Latin mottoe) is translated "The Crescent in the Cross" or "Growth through the Cross". "Vir Quisque Vir" (another Latin mottoe) is translated "Every Man, a Man". The last is "Calepa Ta Kala", a Greek mottoe which means "Naught, without Labour".
Open Rituals	--there are five open rituals of Lambda Chi Alpha. They include the Associate Member Ceremony, the Ritual for a Deceased Brother, the Officer Installation Ceremony, the Ritual for Conducting Business Meetings, and the Table Grace Ritual. Open rituals may be viewed by any non-members.
Order of Achievement	--an award presented to alumni members who have distinguished themselves by outstanding success in their career fields.
Order of Interfraternity Service	--an award presented to men and women who have contributed lengthy and outstanding service in the betterment of all college fraternal organizations.
Order of Merit	--an award presented to alumni members for exceptionally lengthy and dedicated service to Lambda Chi Alpha, particularly at the local chapter level.
Panhellenic	--refers to college or alumnae groups representing women's fraternities, established to promote the Greek system and maintain relations among all Greek organizations.
Pan-Hellenic	--a group of historically African-American men and women's fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
"Per Crucem Crescens"	--an "open" or non-secret mottoe of the fraternity which is translated from the Latin to mean "Crescent in the Cross" or "Growth through the Cross".
Phoenix Award	--presented to chapters having outstanding improvements in chapter operations over an extended period of time.
Pledge	--a solemn promise or agreement. Also, the name given to non-intiated members of many other fraternities and sororities. The term is not used for new, non-initiated members of Lambda Chi Alpha. New members are called Associates. The Associate System replaced the pledge system in August of 1972 for Lambda Chi Alpha.
Plourd Award	--Lewis A. Plourd Fraternity Education Award, presented annually to chapters that have outstanding operations in fraternity education, big brother programming, and associate member orientation.
Pre-Initiation	--a period of heightened fraternity activities prior to the Initiation Ritual.
Prospective Member	--a student considering membership in Lambda Chi Alpha, or a student that a chapter is interested in becoming a member.
Recruitment	--the process of replenishing the membership of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Regional Leadership Director	--a Lambda Chi Alpha professional staff member who advises and supports chapters and alumni organizations within a region of North America consisting of approximately 45 chapters.
Ritual	--an official ceremony of Lambda Chi Alpha which is intended to turn ideal behavior into actual behavior. One of the documents which contains the laws of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A three-fourths vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Risk Management	--the process of minimizing accidents and liable situations.
Ritual for Conducting Business Meetings	--an "open" or non-secret ceremony where the regular business meeting of the chapter is opened and closed with a ritualistic ceremony.
Ritual for Deceased Brothers	--an "open" or non-secret ceremony where tribute is paid to an initiated or associated brother of the fraternity. It may be performed at the individual's funeral with the request of the family and it may be altered depending upon the particular religious beliefs of the family of the deceased. It is also appropriate to perform this ritual annually in memorial of a chapter's deceased members.
Sorority	--a women's fraternity, from the Latin word "soro", meaning "sister.".
Standards for Chapter Excellence	--a program of evaluation, goal setting, and implementation that allows members, officers, and chapters to track improvement in all areas of chapter operations.
Statutory Code	--one of the documents which contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A majority vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Steward	--the chapter officer responsible for kitchen operations.
Student Advisory Committee	--a committee of 12 undergraduate members representing each of the conclave areas who advise and assist the Grand High Zeta and professional staff in their duties and decisions.
Table Grace Ritual	--an "open" or non-secret ceremony. It is appropriate to perform this any time the chapter members eat together. The ritual is a possible selection of blessings/prayers which may be done prior to the meal.
Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity	--founded on June 9, 1924, this national fraternity merged with Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939.
Tozier Brown Awards	--Tozier Brown Public Affairs Awards, presented annually to chapters having outstanding programming in public affiars and community service.
"Vir Quisque Vir"	--an "open" or non-secret ceremony mottoe which is translated from the Latin to mean "Every Man, a Man".
ZAX Sessions	--ritual education or program sessions outside the formal ceremonies that increases the understanding of Fraternity principles and helps turn our ideals into actions.
Zeta	--a term used to refer to individual chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Zeta Alpha Chi, ZAX	--a "closed" or secret mottoe whose meaning is known only by initiated members.