Rho Delta Rho

Infobox Fraternity
letters = PΔP
name = Rho Delta Rho
crest =
founded = Birth date and age|1990|09|22
birthplace = Greenlanes, San Juan, Metro Manila, PHL
type = Social Brotherhood Organization
emphasis = Youth/Middle Class;
scope =
mission = Strength with Intelligence, Freedom with Responsibility, Camaraderie with Loyalty.
vision =
motto = "Recreo (Rise),
Defendo (Defend),
Regno (Rule)"
maxim =
colors = ████Black, ████Grey, ████White
symbol = Swords and Shield
flower =
jewel =
publication =
philanthropy =
charterdate =
chartercity =
chapters = PHL = 100+ Philippine Colleges, Universities and Community Based Chapters,
USA = 1 Active
flag|Qatar = 1 Active
members =
lifetime =
factoid =
free_label =
free =
address = 4th Level, Skybowl
city = Robinsons Galleria
state = Manila
country = Philippines
homepage = http://rhodeltarho.ning.com
footnotes =

("Commonly known as RDR, Rhodelta, or Rho Delta Rho, Philippines")
Rho Delta Rho - (PΔP) is a Philippine-based Brotherhood established as an Organization, rather than a Fraternity and Sorority. It is defined as a Social/Youth movement that participates and operates in various colleges/universities, high school, and communities in Manila and various provinces in the Philippines. The organization has been, through the years, misinterpreted as a Fraternity and on several occasions also misidentified as a street gang in the Philippine society. However the misconception, similarities in practice, and bearing a Greek name, Rho Delta Rho operates in a manner uniquely in its own, and practices a system of organization that is neither a Fraternity by definition, and most specifically far from being classified as a street gang.

RDR was founded by four (4) Founding Fathers, three (3) of whom are the organization is named after. The entire organization structure is governed and administered by the centralized 5- member National/High Council (based in Manila, Philippines) which holds jurisdiction over all its constituent chapters and members (both locally in the Philippines and internationally abroad) , with respective Presidents (elected or appointed) to manage each Chapter.

It is a youth-oriented organization aimed in gathering young men and women to form an elite class of people uniting in the spirit of brotherhood. Founded in September 22, 1990 in the Philippines, where Greenlanes was the very first established community chapter until the main chapter is moved in Galleria Chapter (Robinsons Galleria) in 1991. Galleria then became RDR's Main Chapter and seat of the High Council - Situated at the heart and center of the interlocking cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City.

Today, RDR is evolving from a youth based organization (with primary emphasis on young urban social groups/ communities and students), to a more dynamic and multicultural institution with its influence and members expanding to young professionals, politics, modern sub-culture, and inclining more to social awareness and civic activities. With members actively participating around the world, RDR is a force to be reckoned with in the coming age.

History

The Beginning of Rho Delta Rho was founded to promote dignity, reliability and respect towards the organization, to oneself, towards each member who embodies Rho Delta Rho as one and towards the community. It was founded on September 22, 1990 and was officially established in Greenlanes, San Juan, Metro Manila, where the founders frequents with their close peers and social group (who were respective members of other known fraternities at the time). Immediate recruitment from the founders' close circle were initiated upon the founding of the organization with the simple principle in mind that they wanted to have something more than friendship that can bind them as family, regardless of membership or affiliation with other fraternities (even rivals), it wouldn't matter because Rho Delta Rho was now an entity to unite them all. This was the first step into conceiving a brotherhood that did not impose the standards and practices of the fraternity system, and it wouldn't matter who they were or where they came from. This is how and why Rho Delta Rho started.

Greenlanes era

Greenlanes is the glorified mother chapter of RDR and where its roots and foundations were established in 1990. Greenlanes is practically not a Chapter since no chapters ever existed during that formative year, rather an identity of all those men and women who first laid down the grounds on which the entire RDR system now stands. It is home to the Founding Fathers, the very first Council members, the famous Gunners, and basically the first 100 or so members of RDR prior to the establishment of Galleria. Many of whom are the ones popularly called today as the "Senyores" within the organizational ranks.

In 1991, the seat of power of RDR was moved to Robinsons Galleria after its construction. During RDR's rapid expansion up to the present day, no Chapter can be assembled nor can be named in, or after, Greenlanes.

Expansion

When community and school chapters first emerged, RDR grew tremendously in population that prompted to expand from Greenlanes to Galleria. This also led to the establishment of a centralized administration as a governing body, and the positioning of Chapter Presidents to head the growing Chapters of the organization. The idea is to keep the organization's primary principle of having a single united body to operate, even if numerous chapters already exist.

The High Council

The Rho Delta Rho High Council- also referred to as the National Council (pertaining to its symbolic role as both a "National" entity with authority in all parts of the Philippines, and the single centralized administration "High Council" of the entire organization as one globally). In 1990, it was established as a seven (7) - member Council with a President as head of both the Council and the Organization. Taking in effect the roles and authority of the Founding Fathers separate in essence from the Council. This is one of the organization's unique attributes, in which RDR has created an exclusive organizational structure of its own. During the unprecedented expansion of RDR in the mid 90's, and the creation of various Chapters, it was eventually decided to limit the council to membership of five (5) and also dropping the executive position of the "President". In effect, the five (5) members now hold equal executive authorities individually, but simultaneously dependent on each. All decisions and policies now go through a vote and mandate of the majority of the five (5) is needed to execute a directive, rather than a single decision of a higher authority. This paved the way to a more democratic (yet still maintaining a centralized administration), as the presently five (5) Council Members are positioned in equality. No one from the five is higher than the other. This eliminated the tendencies for classic despots to arise within the ranks.

The Council serve the most vital and critical role in the entire organization and the RDR system. It serves as the law-making body creating laws and policies for the entire organization, the judiciary that settles all its domestic disputes, and the executive that implements the authority. The council also initiates and facilitates all annual events and organization's programs (civic, charity, non-profitable). They also reach out as elders to their family which is Rho Delta Rho. The High Council consists of FIVE (5) COUNCILORS, all of whom are evenly hand picked and selected by the Founding Fathers, the eligible Seniores’, and the Incumbent Council members.

Organizational Structure

The Organizational Structure of RDR has a graphical representaion where exclusive members can only understand its unique nature. Like a political spectrum, the whole structure is guarded around by all members of RDR that embodies the entire system in all sides. It is strengthened by the equal support of the Founding Fathers, the Seniores, the Chapter Presidents, and the appointed Advisers. At the heart and center is the High Council that binds and unites the whole structure of Rho Delta Rho.

Membership

RDR caters membership for both men and women, making it coeducational, and imposes no age restrictions. Informally, at least 13 years old as the youngest, covering the age for high school students (freshmen). Although Filipino in nature and base of operations, RDR does not restrict nor require specific nationality, race, or ethnicity. Generally, RDR implements a list of criteria to assess prior membership and would require to at least have two (2) or more of the following aspects:

* pleasing personality and character
* communicates/ relates efficiently with people/ good public relations
* connected or related to political/ influential families and entities
* studies in/ graduate of exclusive or private school/ college/ university
* belongs (at least) to the middle class

RDR Members are formally and officially called Rhodeltans (in general or as a group) or a Rho Deltan (as an individual); publicly and amongst themselves. Colloquially and informally, they are more popularly known to be called and addressed as simply Rho (Rho members), or Rhodelta (as an individual member, not as the name of the orgnanization).

Mission Statement of Rho Delta Rho

To be able to stand on his own and to practice leadership amongst peers.

Mission

We commit ourselves to the full human formation of the young within the context of the brotherhood system, providing a socially aware environment that leads them to become:

* Educated persons bred in a culture of excellence, and who are benchmarks in the service of society.
* Strong advocates of freedom of development.
* Authentic Filipinos in character and aspirations.
* Informed and enlightened individuals who are critical and open to the truth.
* Who use their nurtured gifts and expertise to improve the quality of life of the people and build a more just and humane Philippine society.

Vision

We envision the young, especially the learned and of those from the middle class, as well integrated persons who are socially aware, physically and mentally strong, fully competent; and empowered to contribute to genuine human progress that is based on "strength with intelligence, freedom with responsibility, camaraderie with loyalty". Challenged by the complexity of a multicultural and stereotypical society, the young steadfastly assert moral values in the daily affairs of living, upholding the ideals of Service and the Common Good, thus bringing about a generation fully equipped mentally and physically in facing social awareness in a fast changing world.

Cardinal Principles

Rho Delta Rho is named primarily after the initials of the three (3) founding fathers. In 2001, the new leaders of RDR adapted the latin verse "Recreo Defendo Regno", that directly translates to "Rise, Defend, Rule", hence, RDR. The creed simply implies and defines in existence that Rho Delta Rho has the might to Rise from oppression...Defend its name and vision...and Rule over all...

Chapters of RDR

List of all active and inactive RDR Chapters that are established from 1990 up to the present time.

Philippines

Manila (National Capital Region)

Community Chapters

Distinction from a Fraternity

Although emphasized and defined as an organization, Rho Delta Rho is frequently listed and categorized as a fraternity/sorority. Here is a list of similarities and differences of RDR with such institutions.

imilarities

Common practices and culture that RDR shares with the fraternity system

*Rho Delta Rho bears a Greek name as an organization and presents their greek symbols in the coat of arms.
*RDR address their members as "brothers" and "sisters" / "brod" and "sis"
*The formations of community, high school, collegiate, university chapters
*The existence of a Council that administers the local chapters
*The exclusive and unique handclasp between members

Differences

The following major aspects distinguishes RDR from Fraternities:

*RDR does not practice fraternity standards in initiations, rites, rituals for its new members.
*RDR does not address new members as "neophytes"
*RDR does not affiliate with other existing Fraternities, Sororities,Greek Councils
*RDR does not have separate regional councils, regional or national directorates to direct its chapters. It only has a single centralized Council.
*RDR does not form alumni organizations as separate entities and umbrella groups for elder members. Instead, they address unofficial and informal titles as the "Senyores".

Affiliated Groups

*National Organization for Moral Regeneration ( NOMORE ) — A Youth-Oriented and Anti-Drug NGO (Philippines) founded by Ret. Capt. Virgilio M. Bacosa under the administration of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. RDR formally affiliated with NOMORE and merged its members in 1994.

Notes

*Rho Delta Rho is not a Fraternity/Sorority nor a Gang.
*Rho Delta Rho is a coeducational youth organization with established Colegiate, High School, and Community Chapters nationwide in the Philippines and in some countries abroad
*Rho Delta Rho has an estimated 5000 members (estimated total) both nationwide in the Philippines and internationally abroad.
*Misconceptions in the early 1990s that should be noted that Rho Delta Rho in the Philippines has no legal/fraternal affiliation to Delta Rho (sorority) in the US, Tau Gamma Phi and Scouts Royale Brotherhood (SRB) fraternities in the Philippines.
*Rho Delta Rho consists of people from high places and sharing the camaraderie of true "Family" bonding.
*Rho Delta Rho is "not divided" by chapters (which is a common concept in fraternities), it is "at all times" considered in unison, with the National/High Council that brings balance to the whole "family". The chapter listing is just a way to distinguish, identify, and manage its members' locations and population. Generally, all members within the organization are connected within a single structure.

External links

* [http://rhodeltarho.ning.com/ Rho Delta Rho Exclusive Online Community (Private & Restriced to members only)]
* [http://rhodeltarho.multiply.com Rho Delta Rho in Multiply]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rdrvismin/domain.htm Rho Delta Rho Visayas-Mindanao Homepage]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rhodeltasquad_01/ RDR Mendiola Chapter]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rdrnewmanila/rdr.html RDR New Manila Chapter]
* [http://www.geocities.com/sanfelipeir/ RDR Mandaluyong/Chronicles]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rdrbusko/index.html RDR Don Bosco Mandaluyong- College Chapter]

See also

*List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
*List of high school fraternities and sororities