NEWS PROVIDED BY
Quatrefoil Society
Dec. 21, 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 21, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- "It is with regret that we notify you that the Honor Policy & Referral Committee has voted to dismiss you from membership in Phi Mu."
This is the message five women, initiated into Phi Mu Fraternity for Women, received after voicing their religious beliefs in a private Facebook group. Different statements, different threads and different comments but each repeating their belief in the Christian Bible, love of God and the bonds of sisterhood.
Fourteen sisters ranging in age from 25 to 67 received emails stating they had been referred to the Honor Policy and Referral Committee (HPRC) for "Contributing to the impairment of the welfare or prestige of the Fraternity" on July 19, 2023. The fourteen sisters are all members of the Quatrefoil Society Facebook group.
Michele Bunker, from South Carolina, was one of the sisters receiving the email. She started a private Facebook group, to honor the traditions and history of Phi Mu. This group became the Quatrefoil Society, a private group for sisters who honor the Christian principles which have guided the forming of the ritual and traditions present in Phi Mu for over 100 years. The private ritual and the public creed of Phi Mu mentions God on multiple occasions.
After waiting 62 days, nine sisters received notice their cases were dismissed and five were to defend themselves based upon review of the HPRC. Four sisters asked to meet with the committee.
Zoom meetings were scheduled. Each sister felt like they were being challenged due to their spiritual beliefs and felt like they were involved in a kangaroo court vs an open conversation.
"I can say with sincerity I have never been treated so badly by a group of people as I was by the Honor Policy and Referral Committee," stated Bunker.
After the meetings, four members were dismissed of their membership and one was put on probation.
The probationary sister was required to attend diversity, equity, and inclusion training; take Harvard Implicit Bias Test; listen to certain podcast episodes, and then write a reflection paper. She completed all tasks and participated in required meetings with National Council members. Her membership was revoked in December 2023.
The letter dismissing all memberships included this passage:
"It is the Committee's responsibility to address actions that may contribute in any manner to the impairment of the welfare or prestige of the Fraternity. That can include actions that are the outward expression of speech or religious beliefs. It is how one chooses to share their opinions and beliefs, and the impact of those expressions that merit being addressed through Phi Mu's Honor Process."
Michele Bunker and Hayden Darnelll (the sister given the probation) are available for interviews. Please contact Terrie Lee at 704.360.0856 to schedule.
Links:
www.saveourphimu.com – Quatrefoil Society web page
SOURCE Quatrefoil Society
CONTACT: Terrie Lee, 704-360-0856, terrie@quatrefoilsociety.org
