The History and Light Hearted Ideals of Red Hatting

The RHS Mission Statement (2008):

"We are a global society of women approaching the age of 50 or beyond that connects and supports women in their pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom and Fulfillment.
Fun...to celebrate life at every age.
Friendship...to solidify and expand the bonds of sisterhood.
Freedom...to discover and explore new interests.
Fulfillment...to fully realize our personal potential.

By maintaining a thriving social community, and offering a variety of services and group experiences, the Red Hat Society encourages its members to get the most out of life."

 

The following IDEALS have been generated from many sources.

The RHS Ideals and Vows were originally fashioned from the "Statement of Purpose". Along the way each chapter adds a little personality of their own to make the frivolity or pomp and ceremony fit their group. the fundamentals came from the original STATEMENT OF PURPOSE  written by (EQM) Sue Ellen:
"The RHS began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humour and élan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."

 

MOTTO to Live by (versions)

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…  “Wow, what a ride!” 

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in hand, strawberries in the other, totally worn out and screaming - What a ride!"

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!!!!"

MEMBERSHIP - The founder is the Queen who may select and assign “Offices and Titles” on her Royal Court (or request that her members choose a suitable title or position for themselves). Membership may be limited by Order of the Queen. This is usually determined by the make up of the group and the events planned.  (It is sometimes easier to organise for a small number and in other cases a large membership can be successful if events are more "come what may".) There may be a need to offer money to help cover the cost of Official registration and the “purple purse” may also be passed around to provide a "fun & frolic fund” to pay for extra expenses incurred by the group. All members can be titled Goddesses (Baroness, Contessa, Dame, Damsel, Diva, Duchess, Empress, Goddess, Her Highness, Her Royal, Lady, Madam, Mistress, Viscountess etc…… and of course the “Princesses” - Pink Hats).

PINK HATTERS - Ladies who have not yet reached the magic “50 years”.

REQUIREMENTS OF A CHAPTER - All chapterettes shall have certain fashion expectations at gatherings.  The ABSOLUTE requirement is that each member MUST wear the proper attire or Regalia at each and every event. Those who have attained the magical age of 50, shall wear a red hat and purple clothing, as well as all additional manner of red and purple accessories. If under 50 one wears a pink hat and a lavender outfit.

At the gatherings that occur during the month of the chapterettes birthday, she may reverse the ensemble colours. Referred to as "Au Contraire", this should not be construed to mean that she will wear her clothes inside out or backwards, but rather that she may wear a purple hat and red dress, or a lavender hat and a pink dress. This rule is permissive rather than mandatory.

Queens can also decree a Reverse Colour Day at any particular gathering, e.g. to celebrate Valentine's Day.

ROYAL IDEALS

Be particular. Make waves.

Love people out loud.

Do one thing that scares you every day.

Make visible what, without you, might never have been seen.

Moisturize.

Do not arrive too early or too late.

Be generous. Be kind.

Celebrate yourself - You are a phenomenal woman.

Live with intention and abandon.

(The Queen can change any of these rules at her whim.)

COMMUNICATION - By email, post or phone. Some groups have chapter newsletters to keep in touch. At all times members are encouraged to “mind their manners” and RSVP in a timely fashion.  The RHS has a laissez-faire spirit.  In keeping with that spirit; there is no roll-call at gatherings. But RSVP is mandatory – yea or nay! 

RED HATTERS MEMBERSHIP LIST CIRCULATION - In the spirit of friendship and fun and frivolity sometimes members wish to contact other members to keep the new-found friendships going.  Although members ask if a membership list with names and e-mail addresses can be circulated, there may be some members who want their privacy, so it is necessary to determine names that don’t have a veto on them before contact details can be shared. (Detail, of course, are treated as private and confidential.)

ROYAL GATHERINGS - The members of the Royal Court shall gather at the event that the Queen or the designated member selects. Special "planning gatherings" may be called at the discretion of the Queen.
The Queen, assisted by her Court can conduct an assortment of ceremonies. Be it Pledges; Coronations; Naming and Sashing; members or RHS Birthdays; Chapter Anniversary; Chapter Transference (and other events as listed in “RHS Ceremonies”) That is, whatever takes their fancy. The royal throne and decorations are usually transported in a purple chalice and she, the Queen, most always, is dressed in full queenly regalia (ceremony or not!). 

The biggest, best, most glorious celebratory Royal Gathering will be the one for the Pink Hat on the day she becomes a Red Hat. This event is called a REDuation.
Planning events does not always fall on the Queen alone - even though some Queens considers it a pleasure! It is most possible that each member will be offered the task of planning an event of her choosing for the group during her membership.
RHS chapters prefer to make public appearances, but it is a great idea to occasionally plan a potluck or a pyjama breakfast at someone’s home. This is a good way to get to know fellow members, discuss future ideas and keeps everyone in touch.

BRIM BRUSHING  - Hatters love to hug, but with those wonderful big hats, it can be hard to do. So we “brim brush”. Reach out to hug your fellow hatter gently, only allowing your hat brims to touch. Air kissing is a perfect accompaniment to Brim Brushing!

THE ROYAL WAVE  - Is used to wave at our adoring public or to acknowledge gawkers as you stroll by. Cup your hand, fingers up and swivel your wrist from side to side with grace and elegance. (Like you’re screwing in a light bulb.)

HAPPY TALK - Red hatters gather for one sole purpose and that is to have fun and for "Happy Talk", Gatherings are opportunities to let our inner child run free, to celebrate sisterhood, to laugh and giggle and play dress-up and blow bubbles and play on kazoos and to sing! We all need to vent - but not at RHS events.

MISSIONARIES TO THE MATRIARCHAL MASSES (MMM) - The term used to describe all Red and Pink Hatter’s who spread the word about the RHS either by word, by chatting, by cards, T-shirts, license plates, bumper stickers, web sites, brochures, and handouts, etc.

DIVA OF THE DAY “HIGH FIVE” - Since some sisters don’t know each other well, at meetings a “Diva of the Day” (DotD) can be honoured. This Diva will stand up and tell the gathering a little about herself, whatever she likes to share. Then they have a few minutes of Q&A time where the sisters may ask her anything else. New members can be automatically subject to a “DotD High Five”. (The DotD IS of course permitted to refuse to answer if her esteemed royal self deems any questions too personal).

THE RHS SIGN - The Hearing Impaired invented a sign for the RHS. Crossing the pointer and middle finger is the sign for red, and the tapping of the head is the sign for hat. Therefore, we can use the sign as an official greeting for our hearing impaired members and also for each other when we are in public and NOT wearing our regalia. It allows us to be playful even when we are in a serious setting such as the workplace or church. So the next time you see a Red Hatter outside of a meeting, cross your fingers and tap your head in a Red Hat greeting.

BIRTHDAYS - Chapters develop their own special ways of celebrating birthdays by singing, playing or kazooing  “Happy Birthday for member’s birthdays.  Although it is not "required", it is a Red Hat tradition that ladies wear reverse colors during their entire birthday month. At the gathering the birthday girl(s) can be encouraged to recite, sing a song or do a little performance.

GIRLFRIEND’S DAY - 22nd July, being EQM Sue Ellen's birthday (1944) when cards and greetings are shared. 

RED HAT SOCIETY DAY - 25th April as this was the date of the first meeting of the founding chapter in 1998. Groups gather for a special celebration on or around that date.

CORONATION  - The ritual of inducting the chapter Queen into her self-proclaimed royalty title of Queendomship. Crowning the Queen is a serious event and is best carried out during or just before the eating of a decadent desert and/or following the consumption of an alcoholic beverage. The ceremony can be grand or simple and can include crowns, scepters, royal robes, flowers, bubbles, music etc. Or just lots of food!

SPECIAL TITLES AND AWARDS - All participants have permission to bestow titles on each other and on themselves as well.  So why not give ourselves and each other awards too?  

HIGH-Society TEA  - High Tea is a traditional ceremony of life, time and elegant living and is held in high regard. Appropriate dress is required, as well as proper manners. Settings used for the "High Tea" must be fitting for such an occasion. The table is adorned with an elegant tablecloth and napkins and the proper utensils used (a tea pot). High Tea means choosing the appropriate tea for the occasion, letting it steep and then sipping it slowly and enjoying it. This is usually accompanied with some wonderful scones, sandwiches and sumptuous sweet treats. It makes the world go slower for a moment or two.

FEATHERS  -Feathers stand for Love/Red and Hugs/Purple and when they “molt” it mean you are leaving love and hugs around.

RED SASHES  - Can be use to display royal names, along with the vast collection of pins that Red and Pink Hatters collect. Copied after the Queen of England's Red Sash/Banner, it's just another ritual to display more pomp and circumstance. All members are entitled to a sash.  The “Red Sash” or “Royal Banner” ceremony may be celebrated. Sashing could be done with the use of a scarf.

KAZOOS  - Are the official RHS instrument for its ease to play, small enough to carry and no practice is needed.

Kazooing Safety Rules: 

Never stick the kazoo up your nose. Do not inhale through the  kazoo.

In cold conditions use only plastic kazoos since metal could permanently affix to lips or tongue.

Have a cover for your kazoo so as to keep it free of purse or pocket fuzz.

Prevent lip fatigue by adhering to short practice sessions, lengthening them only when your embouchure muscles have achieved shwartznegerian definition.

Directly before an important performance abstain from substances such as beer, chili, garlic or other dyspeptic fools UNLESS hiccoughing is a desired effect of the recital.

Directly after performances, the kazooist becomes - in all respects- a bon vivant indulging in a great array of food, beverages and types of social interaction.

A KAZOODLE - Is a large group of Red and/or Pink Hatters.

BUBBLES - Since bubbles bring our "inner child" back to life; they are a tradition of the Red Hat Society.  They can be used anytime just to add to the gaiety.

SCARLET SPARKLES - Is the term that relates to those special, warming, magical and the most serendipitous moments and things that occur among the RHS. May also be known as "Red Hat Magic" or "Sparkly Moments".

The SPIRIT AWARD - Given to a member/s, voted by The Court, who has excelled in something special.

RUBY REDHAT  - The first and Official mascot of the RHS. She represents the spirit of the little girl who is alive and well inside each of us! Chapter MASCOTS can be varied.  They may be anything you could possibly imagine, quaint creatures that joins in all the fun.

RED WAX LIPS   - Was first posted as "Hot Lips" photo under Fun Stuff on the RHS web site in 2002. The lips were the solution to the problem of our red lipstick wearing off. The wax lips have become a Red Hat trademark.

DESSERT FIRST DECREE  - Since the RHS chapters gather for fun, frolic and laughter, it only makes sense that the scrumptious dessert should be eaten first. After all, we deserve it.

DING DONGS - An official yummy dessert. This is a tower of small individual wrapped cakes with red and purple ribbon that are stacked on a plate to make a towering cake for special celebrations.

SPITTING - Yes it may be part of the poem so a symbolic spitting action is more acceptable - in fact suggested! (Or one can particiapter in seed spiitting comps - they can be lots of fun).

OFFICIAL FLOWER OF THE RHS  - The Drama Queen Poppy. It combines red and purple in one flower.  

THE ISSUE OF MEN -
The RHS is a ‘girl thing’. So if a Red Hatter's partner wants to accompany her to a gathering he certainly may do that.  But generally he will not be able to participate in any part of the scheduled activities. This being said, it is important to express our gratitude and admiration for the many men who have shown good-hearted support for their partners’ involvement in R/Hat activities.

And of course as we can always bend the "ideals" at times and invite the males to join in on some special occasions.