Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority
Initiation Ritual

1959

The obligation, etc., must be committed to memory and be delivered in a respectful and
impressive manner.

Opening Ceremony

President: Sisters, I now declare … Chapter of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority duly and properly opened. We will join in singing our Pep Song Dream Song optional, to be followed with
prayer by Sister Chaplain.
President raps twice /or everyone to stand.
Pep Song
Delta Sigma Kappa!
Give her your best,
She'll do the rest.
Give her a smile,
Boost all the while
Delta Sigma Kappa.
Speak a good word for her,
Best hopes confer,
Long live her name–
Delta Sigma Kappa!
Delta Sigma Kappa!
We're strong for you,
We're all for you
Always and Forever.
Dream Song
Let us dream of the days spent with you
And the memories of Sisters true.
Let us dream once again
Of those old days of yore
When we are together once more.
Let us dream of the friendships so dear
We recall with a sigh and a tear.
Let us dream once more
Of the old days of yore–
Delta Sigs, we are dreaming of you.
Chaplain: Our Father, we thank Thee for the opportunity of meeting here together. Lead us to do Thy will–be Thou our guide. Be very gracious to our absent Sisters and all who are dear to us by any tie. May we today overlook no opportunity to reach out a helping hand; to speak a kind word; to show sympathy. O Thou, Who art the Father of us all, bless us according to our necessities. And now, unto Thee, our Father, Who art the giver of all things, be honor and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.
President: Sister Conductress, you will give me the password and grip, after which receive the same from those present, reporting those who fail to answer properly.
Conductress: Sister President, I find all members with the proper password and grip.
President seats Chapter with one rap of the gavel. President then calls upon each officer, who must arise and repeat her duties from memory and remain standing until all officers have spoken.
Vice-President: Sister President, what are your duties?
President: Sister Vice-President and members of … Chapter of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority, the duties of my office require me to preside at all meetings of the Chapter, to preserve order and to require a strict compliance with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations for Chapters, Ritual and Chapter By-Laws.
President: Sister Vice-President, what are your duties?
Vice-President: Sister President and members, it is my duty to assist the President in the performance of her duties and to act in her absence.
President: Sister Recording Secretary, what are your duties?
Recording Secretary: Sister President, my duties require me to keep correct minutes of each meeting; issue and sign all warrants; issue all summons for special meetings; keep a record of all pledges and a complete list of membership.
President: Sister Corresponding Secretary, what are your duties?
Corresponding Secretary: Sister President, my duties require me to conduct all official correspondence, keeping carbon copies of same, and notify Supreme Corresponding Secretary of all changes in admission, withdrawals, etc., of members or officers of this Chapter.
President: Sister Treasurer, what are your duties?
Treasurer: Sister President, my duties are to receive all monies of this Chapter and pay out the same only on order properly signed by the President and Recording Secretary.
President: Sister Conductress, what are your duties?
Conductress: Sister President, it is my duty to conduct candidates for initiation and take up the password and grip.
President: Sister Chaplain, what are your duties?
Chaplain: Sister President, it is my duty and privilege to conduct the devotional exercises of the meetings.
President seats the officers with one rap of the gavel.

Pledge Oath

I hereby pledge my loyalty to Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority. I agree to assume all responsibilities with sincerity, to carry out all instructions given by those in authority and to ever remain a true and faithful member of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Meaning of Pledge Pin

The pledge pin of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority is a triangular Delta-the same as the outstanding pearled Delta of our Sorority emblem. This Delta is almost hidden by darkness and the pledge is allowed to see only the golden rims of the Delta and the two golden keys which always keep our secrets locked. These golden keys will unlock our secrets to the pledge when she is finally accepted as a true Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority member.

Meaning of Pin

The Delta represents our motto, with the sides of the triangle formed by the words, Love One Another.
The twelve stones in the Delta symbolize the twelve Charter members, with the three rubies at the corners standing for Honor, Unity and Power.
The Sigma represents our Supreme Honorary Mother, who was also a Charter Member.
The Kappa stands for the officers. The perpendicular line divided at the center is the President and Vice-President, and the two diagonal lines are the Secretaries and Treasurer, showing the close relationship between the officers, each being helpless without the other.

Meaning of Crest

The Supreme Council, with spreading wings, is seated on the shield. The shield is divided at the center by our Cross, meaning our Christian Faith.
The stars in the upper left hand section represent the Officers; the bars in the lower half, the thirteen Charter Members; and the pen in the upper right hand section, the Secretary's pen, keeping the history of the Sorority securely locked with the key.
On this secrecy, as our foundation, we are resting.

Pledge Service

The President and Chaplain to President's right stand back of the Altar, on which is placed the open Bible and lighted tapers in the Sorority colors.
The Chapter members form two sides of the Delta around the Altar with the point back of the President, the Recording Secretary and Treasurer at the foot of the lines, leaving the base of the Delta open for the candidates.
When the pianist begins march, the Conductress enters with candidates, and instructs them to leave purses, etc., on a table inside the door. On this table should be one lighted taper and one small candle in a holder for each pledge and the crossed golden keys. The Conductress gives each pledge an unlighted candle and after they are distributed, she lights the candles from the lighted taper.
When the small candles are lighted, the pianist changes to Lead Kindly Light. The Conductress, carrying the crossed golden keys and followed by the pledges, form the lower line of the Delta, on a line even with the Recording Secretary and Treasurer completing the Delta.
Conductress: Sister President, I bring friends who have found our golden keys and wish to be admitted into the secrets of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority.
President: Sister Conductress, do you vouch for these friends?
Conductress: I do.
President: Sister Conductress, you will place the golden keys on the Altar and allow the candidates to approach the Altar.
Conductress stands to left of President during ceremony.
President: Friends, you have discovered our golden keys and have followed the gleam to the Altar of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority; and we open wide our portals and bid you welcome. We have been favorably impressed with your conduct and you have been accepted for membership in our Chapter.
Further progress involves an obligation. It has been taken by each pledge who has gone the way before you. It contains nothing inconsistent with your normal conduct. Are you willing to take our Pledge Oath as all pledges have clone? If so, answer 'I am'.
Candidates: I am.
President: Place your candle on the Altar; your left hand over your heart, raise your right hand Heavenward and repeat after me:
'I hereby pledge my loyalty to Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority. I agree to assume all responsibilities with sincerity; to carry out all instructions given by those in authority and to ever remain a true and faithful member of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority.'
We want you to deal justly, live truthfully and strive for harmony in all things.
This is the pledge pin-formed on a Delta, the same as the pearled Delta of our Sorority emblem, except that this Delta is almost bidden by darkness and the pledge is allowed to see only the golden rims of the Delta and the two golden keys which always keep our secrets locked. These golden keys will unlock our secrets to you when you have been accepted as a true Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority Member.
Sister Conductress, you will place the pledge pins on the pledges and escort them to the Recording Secretary's desk where they will sign the Pledge Oath and receive the written instructions for their pledge work.
Pledge Oath should be in the front of the Recording Secretary's permanent record book.
Sister Conductress, you will escort the pledges once more within the Delta.
Form the same line as at first, with the Recording Secretary and Treasurer back at the two points.
Sister Chaplain will lead us in prayer.
Chaplain: Our Father, we thank Thee for the privilege of meeting here together and pray Thy blessing rest upon these pledges who have just accepted their obligation. May they always remain faithful to our vows; give them patience and understanding and through the Journey of Life lead them. Grant us all Life Everlasting. Amen.
President: We will all join in singing our Dream and Pep Songs.
 

Initiation Ceremony

The lighted emblem is placed back of the Altar, which is prepared with Altar Cloth, Bible, Charter, Pins, Constitutions, Membership Certificates, roses, candles, etc.
Conductress instructs Candidates to leave purses, etc., on a table inside the hall so their hands will be free to take the obligation; removes their pledge pins and escorts them through broken Delta around the Altar or through the Arch of Roses to within two paces of the Altar, where President and Chaplain wait. Members join hands to form Delta around group at the Altar, while obligation and prayer are given. When using drill team, follow instructions under Drill. Suitable soft music should be used.

Drill

Number the teams so that Leader No. 1 has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in her line and Leader No. 7 has 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in her line.
The Delta must be formed according to the Ritual, but any form lor making the Sigma and Kappa is optional.
Team enters: Leader No. l from door on right side of hall; Leader No. 7 from left side of hall. Each line marches down or up side of hall; turns opposite Altar, making square corners and marches toward Altar; meets at Altar; turns and marches down center in double line to foot of hall; separates and marches in single file to side of hall; up the side and turns at top and marches toward each other across the top of the hall, with Leader No. 1 above and Leader No. 7 below as they cross. March down side to foot; turn and march to center; meet at center foot and march in double line to within four paces of the Altar; halt and form the Arch of Roses. As Conductress escorts President and Chaplain to Altar, all members stand.
Conductress enters with Candidates on her left or followed by Candidates and leads them within two paces of the Altar, facing the lighted emblem.
At a given signal from one of the leaders, the Team lowers roses in unison; turns toward Altar and marches to form Delta around the group at the Altar; faces in; extends arms while obligation is given.
Conductress: Sister President, I have the honor to present to you …, who are Candidates for initiation.
Conductress stands to left of President during ceremony.
President: Do you seek admission of your own free will? If so, answer 'I do'.
Candidate: I do.
President: Are you willing to take our obligation, which is not contrary to your civil or religious duties, which will only unite you more closely in a Bond of Friendship? If so, answer 'I am'.
Candidate: I am.
President: Place your left hand over your heart, extend your right hand toward the open Bible and repeat after me, using your name where I use mine:
'I, …, most earnestly declare that I desire to become a member of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority; I promise to abide by the laws of the Sorority; to attend all meetings, unless prevented by illness or other unavoidable cause; to be truthful in all matters; never to wrong a sister, or see her wronged, without defending her as far as I honorably can; and to keep secret from all persons, all affairs of this Sorority.'
You are now members of this Sorority and we present you with the official insignia of Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority, which should be worn over the heart.
The Delta represents our motto, with the sides of the triangle formed by the words 'Love One
Another'.
The twelve scones in the Delta symbolize the twelve Charter members, with the three rubies at the corners standing for Honor, Unity and Power.
The Sigma represents our Supreme Honorary Mother, who was also a Charter Member.
The Kappa stands for the officers. The perpendicular line divided at the center is the President and Vice-President and the two diagonal lines are the Secretaries and Treasurer, showing the close relationship between the officers, each being helpless without the other.
President, assisted by Conductress, pins on the insignia.
Sister Conductress, you will give these new members the proper password and grip, having them repeat the password to you.
Conductress: This is the grip. This is the password.
President: Our Motto is 'Love One Another'.
You are now granted all rights provided for in this Constitution. Study them well. Conductress presents each with a copy of the Constitution. This is the Sorority Flower. Presents each with a rose.
May your life be an example, as beautiful and perfect as the petals of these roses. Officers and members, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Sisters … and to present them with their Certificates of Membership. May we always be proud of their membership and their life be such that their presence will be a benefit and an honor to this Sorority.
Team: At a given signal, drop hands; turn and follow leaders to top of hall; divide at center and march to opposite sides of hall-Leader No. 1 to left wall and Leader No. 7 to right wall; down side of hall to position halfway between the foot of hall and the Altar; turn and march toward center of hall to form Sigma.
At center point, march in line at 45 degree angle with Leader No. 1 up toward left upper corner and Leader No. 7 down toward left center; both turn back toward right wall to form Sigma, so that 1, 2, 3, and 4 form the upper line of Sigma and 7, 8, 9 and 10 form the lower line of Sigma, with 5, 6, 11 and 12 forming the » with 12 at the point. Hold Sigma during singing of Dream Song.
Team: Follow leaders to right wall; up side of right wall in double line entirely around the hall to a point opposite where Leader No. l and Leader No. 7 stood in the Sigma. March on same lines which formed the upper and lower lines of Sigma, but instead of halting in Sigma formation, leaders march to the points where Leader No. l and Leader No. 7 stood in the Sigma; turn and march at 45 degree angle, with Leader No. l down toward the lower left corner and Leader No. 7 up toward the upper left corner and turn at the point where 12 stood in the Sigma so that the Kappa is formed with l, 2, 3, 9, 8, and 7 as the perpendicular line, with 4, 5, 6 and 10, 11, 12 to form the two diagonal lines of the Kappa.
President: Sister Chaplain will now lead us in prayer. Hold Kappa during prayer.
Chaplain: Our Father, author of the great fraternalism which represents Christian Brotherhood, will Thou bless these sisters who have just accepted their solemn obligation and with whom we, in turn, have invested our Sorority insignia and secret work.
By the reception of these sisters into our Chapter, may we more fully realize the true meaning of our obligation, and ever strive to preserve the spirit of friendship, kindliness and harmony, in our associations one with the other. May all our actions ever reflect honor upon Thy name and may we be ever mindful to 'Love One Another'. Amen.
Team: Leaders followed by their lines march to left wall; turn and meet; march in double line through center of hall to right wall; turn and march back to center; up center to form Arch of Roses so that Conductress may lead the new members through the Arch to foot of hall, where they form a reception line.
Conductress escorts President and Chaplain to reception line.
Team: Divide and march to opposite walls, turn and march at 45 degree angle to point where they cross diagonally alternating every other one to doors on right and left of hall.
 

Closing

President: Is there any further business to come before this meeting? If not, we will adjourn. Sisters, in closing this meeting, let us bear in mind our obligation.
Strive to strengthen our Sorority and be careful not to divulge the secrets of this meeting.
Let us arise raps gavel twice and repeat our motto: 'Love One Another'.

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