Beta
Gamma Sigma
Initiation
Ritual
1998
Members
of the chapter are seated in the rear of the room; the officers, in their
respective positions at the front of the room.
President:
Members of Chapter of Beta
Gamma Sigma, we will now proceed with the induction of newly elected members.
(Selected Chapter Officer), you will present the candidates.
The
prospective new student members are escorted into the room in single file,
alphabetical order. Prospective faculty members may enter earlier with the
officers, but must subscribe to the pledge with the other new members. The
prospective new student members are formed in a line, semicircle or compact
square facing the chapter members. The inducting officers stand at one side,
between the chapter members and the prospective new members.
Selected
Chapter Officer: Mr. (or Ms.)
President, I present … number
candidates for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. They are … names in alphabetical order.
President,
to candidates: Do you desire to
be admitted to Beta Gamma Sigma? If so, say "I do."
Each
Candidate: I do.
President:
You have been honored by an
invitation to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. Because of what you have achieved
in scholarship and service, we are honored to have you join us. Beta Gamma Sigma
is the scholastic honor society dedicated to principles and ideals essential to
a worthy life as well as to a commendable business career.
The
The principles of
Beta Gamma Sigma are represented by three Greek words, the initials of which
form the name of our Society. BETA pause
GAMMA pause
SIGMA pause.
Hear now what BETA
means to us.
Statement of Beta
The
speaker who presents the explanation of BETA faces the inductees.
BETA
Representative: Beta is the
initial letter of the Greek word BEBAEOS, which signifies honor. Honor is
personal integrity and excellence of character. It is an enduring quality found
in all persons who deserve to lead others.
All honorable persons
conscientiously seek to recognize, to uphold, and to encourage that which is
ethical and that which is just. With humility, they acknowledge human failings
which tend to induce the sacrifice of lofty ideas for base gains. They are aware
of the difficulty of distinguishing right from wrong when confronted by a
variety of alternative goals and a multitude of pressures and means to achieve
those goals.
But their honor is
coupled with resolute courage. They may falter and they may fail. Yet they rise
with renewed determination to do what is right. Their reputations are their most
priceless possessions.
All honorable persons
recognize their duties before they demand their rights. They respect law and
promote order not because of a negative fear of sanctions but because of an
affirmative conviction that a good society requires the stability which order
provides.
Worthy members of
Beta Gamma Sigma consciously seek to act honorably at all times. Thus they
confidently pursue peace of mind and happiness for themselves even as they serve
as an exemplar for others.
Honor is a guiding
star which encourages altruism, enlightened social responsibility, and service
rather than selfishness.
I ask you to accept
Honor as an ideal to be translated into reality in your conduct every day of
your life.
President:
Listen now to the explanation
of GAMMA.
Statement of Gamma
The
speaker who presents the explanation of GAMMA faces the inductees.
GAMMA
Representative: Gamma is the
initial letter of the Greek word GNOSIS, which means wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge
tested by experience and tempered by discerning judgment. It abhors prejudice,
it insists upon freedom of thought and expression.
Truly wise persons
are aware of their talents and achievements and do not deny or belittle them
with misplaced modesty. However, they are also acutely aware of their own
limitations and are sympathetic to the shortcomings of others. They are quick to
acknowledge their profound dependence on masters who have gone before them. They
laud those who have laboriously built earlier civilizations and they gratefully
accept the rich intellectual and cultural heritage they have provided. They are,
moreover, thankful for contributions to their development made by family and
friends, by superiors and subordinates, by associates and antagonists.
Persons of wisdom
constantly seek a better comprehension and more fruitful application of what is
known.
They are also
endlessly engaged in a quest for an understanding of what is unknown. Although
the fund of human knowledge has literally multiplied in recent decades, the wise
person happily anticipates a future which promises to provide a geometric
expansion of this treasure store. Confronted by a veritable flood of facts and
concepts, the person of wisdom exercises special discrimination to select, to
arrange, to relate, to interpret, and to apply. This is a challenge worthy of
the finest mind.
I ask you to continue
your quest for Wisdom. Nurture it and utilize it in your conduct every day of
your life.
President:
Listen finally to the
explanation of SIGMA.
Statement of Sigma
The
speaker who presents the explanation of SIGMA faces the inductees.
SIGMA
Representative: Sigma is the
initial letter of the Greek word SPOUDE, which means earnestness. Earnestness is
enthusiasm measured by achievement, disciplined by reason and ennobled by
sincerity. It is that dynamic quality which is essential for all great
achievement.
Earnest persons
reject both temerity and timidity. They have courage to match their convictions.
They inspire confidence, invite action, and generate progress.
Without Earnestness,
both Honor and Wisdom lose much of their potential effectiveness. Noble
purposes, defined with wisdom and upheld with honor, remain evanescent dreams
without the driving power of sensible enthusiasm. The greatest personal
achievements are tributes to the blending of honor, wisdom and earnestness in
the minds and hearts of those who lead. Rewards for the individual and progress
for society surely proceed from this wholesome union of qualities.
To each of you, much
has been given in mind and body and spirit. Of each of you, accordingly, much is
expected. Earnestness will help provide the perseverance that dispels weariness,
the forward thrust that overcomes opposition and the resilience that rebounds
from reverses. To the earnest person, problems become opportunities for service
and profit.
I ask you to accept
Earnestness as a guide and stimulant in your personal conduct every day of your
life.
President:
You have heard the principles
which members of BETA GAMMA SIGMA endorse and strive to uphold: HONOR, WISDOM
and EARNESTNESS. Do you accept these principles as your own? If so, say "I
do."
Candidates:
I do.
President:
Please repeat after me a
statement in which you formally accept the principles of Beta Gamma Sigma.
If
any candidate objects to taking an "oath" or "pledge," that
candidate may be excused at the discretion of the chapter.
I pledge myself to
maintain and uphold / the ideals and principles of Beta Gamma Sigma, / the
scholastic business honor society. / I will guard and cherish Honor; / I will
strive ever to acquire Wisdom / and use it for the betterment of mankind; / I
will cultivate Earnestness in all my undertakings. / As a member of this chapter
of Beta Gamma Sigma, / I will recognize my obligation to assist and cooperate /
in the development of its purposes. / I will seek by all honorable means / to
advance the interests of the College/University, / of my community and of my
nation.
President:
Do you affirm this pledge? If
so, say "I do."
Candidate:
I do.
President:
In recognition of your
accomplishments and of your pledge to high ideals, we will now present to you
the key of Beta Gamma Sigma. This key is a symbol of the ideals of Honor, Wisdom
and Earnestness which you have accepted.
Selected
Chapter Officer presents the keys to candidates as their names are read by the
president.