Delta Kappa Gamma
Initiation Ritual

 
2011

Instructions for Initiation
 
The initiation into The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International should be an impressive and meaningful event.
The chairman of the Initiation Committee or other person(s) responsible for the initiation should assure that all necessary materials are assembled and ready. A practice session will help everyone to feel more comfortable with the procedure.
Materials
The materials needed in an initiation are:
1. The Delta Kappa Gamma scarf;
2. Three tall red candles and candlesticks;
3. A small candle and candleholder for each initiate or one large candle and holder for all initiates;
4. Matches to light large candles before the initiation begins;
5. Official Initiate Register with dated page ready for new signatures;
6. Pen for initiates to use in signing the register;
7. Arrangement of red roses (real or silk);
8. Picture of Key and/or Crest;
9. Current membership certificates;
10. Song cards with "The Delta Kappa Gamma Song";
11. Copies of initiation script for all officers;
12. Song sheets for the membership if they will be asked to sing other songs;
13. Bible (optional);
14. White tablecloth.
The Delta Kappa Gamma banner and national or state flags may be displayed in the area where the initiation is held.
Each chapter should have an Official Initiate Register which contains blank pages for signatures of initiates. The date and place of each initiation should appear above the signatures. The president is responsible for keeping this book.
Impressiveness may be added through:
1. Uniformity of dress for those who conduct the initiation;
2. Appropriate dress for the occasion;
3. Adequate rehearsal to ensure a good initiation service.
Arrangements for Initiation
Escorts seated in a reserved area.
A. Three tall, read candles in candlesticks
B. Small candles in holders (or one large candle, if preferred)
C. Picture of Key and/or Crest (on table or on easel)
D. Bible (optional)
E. Official Initiate Register
F. Arrangement of red roses
G. Current membership certificate(s)
H. Song cards with "The Delta Kappa Gamma Song"
Optional Arrangement: The table may be placed at an angle. Initiates and escorts may stand so that their backs are not to the audience.
Arrangements
On a large table, place the official red scarf with the gold letters. The presider stands at the center of the table facing the initiates. The presider may be the chapter president, visiting state or international officer or other designated person. Other participants stand with the presider.
On the table, at the presider's left, is an arrangement of red roses, Official Initiate Register for each initiate's signature, a pen for this purpose, the membership certificates and song cards. To the presider's right, near the front of the table, are three tall candles in candlehoders. Beside the three large candleholders place the small candles for the initiates to light during the initiation or one large candle if this is to be used for all initiates.
To the presider's right, nearer the back of the table or on an easel, may be placed a picture or other representation of the Society's Key and/or Crest.
Membership certificates should be completed and ready to be presented to the initiates.
Suggested Procedures
1. Arrangements for dues payments and purchase of Society keypins should be completed prior to initiation ceremony. (Responsibility of president and treasurer.
2. Assemble initiates and their escorts in the desired order in a room other than the place of initiation. (A sponsoring member should be the escort for each initiate.)
3. Play suitable background music.
4. At the designated time for the initiation to begin, the presider and other participants assume their places.
5. The chairman of the Initiation Committee leads the initiates and their escorts into the room and takes her place. When the initiates facing the presider are in place in a semicircle, the escorts may be seated.
6. The presider should instruct members to remain seated during the entire ceremony.
7. At the proper time, the chairman hands each initiate a small candle to light. If one large candle is used for all initiates, the chairman may light this.
8. The secretary presides over the signing of the Official Initiate Register. She hands the pen to each initiate and after the signing, gives each initiate her membership certificate.
 
 
Initiation of New Members
 
(Option) Prelude from Song Book VI.
Chairman of Initiation Committee: Madam President, I present to you these women as candidates eminently worthy of membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
They are … names. The chairman or sponsor may choose to tell something about each initiate.
Presider: We are honored to receive these women as members of … Chapter Name Chapter of … State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. We recognize their service to education and invite them to continue to further the highest ideals of the teaching profession and of humanity.
Initiates, you have been recommended by your friends and co-workers as respected professionals in the educational community. You have received an orientation to the history and heritage of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, the organizational structure of the Society and the responsibilities, obligations and opportunities of membership. These are Seven Purposes of the Society:
First Speaker: To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship
To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education;
To advance the professional interest and position of women in education;
To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators;
To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators;
To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action; and
To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
Presider: All members on the chapter, state and international levels are expected to give their full support to the implementation of programs of work and policies for the fulfillment of these Seven Purposes. This commitment binds our members in cooperative, continual and consistent efforts to strengthen and sustain our Society. Do you subscribe to these Purposes and offer your cooperation in the united effort to realize them?
Initiates: Yes
Presider: You have signified your willingness to assume the responsibilities of membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Let us share with you the meaning of our symbols.
Second Speaker: Our key is a golden ellipse. Across its center are the Greek letters. Above them a wreath of laurel leaves symbolizes the distinction which those who wear this key have achieved. Below the letters is a cup which represents knowledge.
Our coat of arms consists of a red shield with a band of gold. Three Tudor roses on the band symbolize the Society's ideals of friendship, loyalty and helpfulness.
The flaming lamp and the open book on the shield signify scholarship and knowledge. The laurel sprays are the traditional symbols of achievement.
Optional Pledge
Presider: You will now repeat after me the pledge of loyalty and cooperation: I promise that as a member pause for initiates to repeat of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International pause I will be loyal to the policies, pause participate in the activities of the Society pause and pledge a commitment to the Society Purposes pause.
Presider: The name, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International signifies key women educators. Before us stand three tall candles. Will you now light your candles from these flames and place them within the triangle which represents loyalty, cooperation and the ideals of the Society. The chairman may hand the small candle to each initiate while the presider reads the name.
May the light from our candles remind us as educators of our responsibilities to lighten the darkness of ignorance and spread knowledge and understanding.
If there are many initiates, one larger candle may be placed in the center to represent all initiates. The chairman may light this, saying "I light this candle for you from these flames and place it..." The presider may read the name of each initiate as the chairman lights the candle.
To complete your initiation into membership please sign our Official Initiate Register and accept your membership certificate. Secretary may hand pen to each initiate for signing, then present song card. Presider may present membership certificate. Presider greets each member by name.
If roses are used, a rose may be presented to each initiate.
Presider: Welcome to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Enter our Society with all its privileges; be a member of our Society team and share our friendships, hopes and goals.
Initiation closes with singing "The Delta Kappa Gamma Song." It is also appropriate at the
conclusion of the ceremony for those present to congratulate the new members.