Delta Tau Alpha
Initiation Ceremony
1981
The
ceremony has been designed as a guide, rather than an absolute model for local
chapters to adapt to their unique situation and traditions in initiating new
members Setting:
Candidates
for initiation are seated in an ante-room with one member serving as guide who
will escort the candidates to the door of the initiation room, and if desired,
one or more members will escort the candidates through the initiation ceremony.
The
initiation room should be large enough to allow comfortable seating space for
all members, advisors, and candidates for membership. In addition, there should
be room for six (6) stations for
candidate instruction. Each station should be labeled with the chapter
officer’s position and the qualities represented as per the following section.
Arrangement:
The
stations are indicated on the room diagram. Yellow chrysanthemums are
placed
at each station together with a candle or lighted which is lighted before the
ceremony
starts. It is suggested that the
containers for the chrysanthemums be painted.
The
emblem may be attached.
Station
#1: Entrance Door, Reporter.
Station
#2: Scholarship, Faculty Advisor(s).
Station
#3: High Ethics and Character, Treasurer.
Station
#4: Service and Cooperation, Secretary.
Station
#5: Leadership, Vice-President.
Station
#6: Profession of Agriculture, President.
Procedure:
The
Guide seated with the candidates will arise and accompany the candidates to the
door of the initiation room.
The
Guide knocks on the door of the initiation room. The Reporter opens the door.
Reporter:
Who knocks at the door?
Guide:
I knock to seek admission of … number
candidates who have been investigated and found to be qualified for membership
as stated in the National By-Laws of the honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha.
Reporter:
Enter with the
candidates and have them as a group face the six stations of light.
Guide
and candidates enter and the door is closed.
Ladies
and gentlemen, this ritual is designed to impress upon you in a quiet and
dignified manner the objectives of the Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha. These
objectives are Scholarship, High Ethics, Character, Service, Cooperation,
Leadership, and the Promotion of the Profession of Agriculture. Now will all of
you, in unison, please repeat after me:
‘I
(repeat your full name) desire to be further initiated into the honor Society of
Delta Tau Alpha.’
Thanks you. Now listen to the words of our
advisor on scholarship.
Advisor:
Remember, that
your scholarship must be of benefit to man for it to merit admiration. It is
your duty to use the knowledge you obtain to the best advantage for yourself and
for the benefit of society.
As you
go about your studies, remember that a scholar must take application of his or
her knowledge to obtain the true value. Strive to develop yourself in other
desirable character traits as well as obtaining knowledge. You need to be able
to associate with and work with people. Now our treasurer will speak to you on
the ethics of character.
Treasurer:
Two objectives of
Delta Tau Alpha are to promote high standards of character and ethics among its
members and to encourage these same high standards in the agricultural
professions. These are notable and highly desirable traits, but we sometimes
have difficulty describing these objectives. Let us strive for the qualities of
moral vigor and firmness, especially as acquired through self-discipline. There
are certain principles that you as a member of this organization should work
toward. These are honesty, strength of character, unselfishness, friendliness,
and humility. These principles should be the guiding light in your development.
Now our secretary has some advice on service and cooperation.
Secretary:
There may be doubt
in your mind as to the value of the service and cooperation in this work of
mechanized independence. You seek your fortune in
Agriculture. This is
clearly shown by your presence before this society and your enrollment at … college or university. As you seek
out the virtues of knowledge and understanding, do not depend entirely upon
knowledge alone because it has neither heart nor soul. Exchange your ideas with
your fellow students and instructors. Always be willing to help a person when
they seek your advice. While these years of study and preparation are achieving
their purpose, bear in mint that only by helping and receiving help can the tree
of life grow with unceasing riches. The virtues of leadership will now be
discussed by our vice-president.
Vice-President:
You possess the
traits o f a leader. This is shown by your previous
record. But these
traits will not bring forth the well-molded figure of a leader unless they are
careful cultivated by a strong, determined mind. It will benefit you to remember
that in order for you to become a leader among men you must have:
1) an unreserved belief in the importance
of agriculture to the nation:
2) a large vision of the work to be done,
3) indomitable courage to stand for that
which is right;
4) grim determination to see that the task
is completed;
5) a contagious enthusiasm that inspires
local leadership,
6) unquenchable optimism in spite of all
discouragements,
7) infinite tact in overcoming obstacles,
8) endless good nature in the face of all
trials,
9) the ability to lose gracefully and to
rebound after each defeat, and
10) a saving sense of humor when nothing
else will meet the situation.
Set your
sights on these attributes and yield to no one, and the rewards of a leader will
be yours. Please listen carefully to our president’s concluding remarks.
President:
It is imperative
that we strive to grow. Indifferent, effortless people do
not grow. Three of the
aspects of growth for one who is engaged in agriculture are the learning
principles and practices of agriculture, the development of an ability to
further the goals of agriculture, and the development of high personal and
social qualities. We must make a special effort to improve ourselves while
becoming skilled in directing the learning process of others. We must recognize
the importance of goals and the value of planning definitely for our achievement
of these goals.
Ladies
and gentlemen let us remember that the great objectives of our organization are
the duties of Character, Scholarship, Leadership, High Ethics, Cooperation,
Service, and a cultivation of the responsibilities we owe to our chosen
professions. Strive to apply these attributes which will lead to the advancement
of agriculture for the benefit of mankind.
The
President, Officers and those present congratulate the candidates with a firm
handshake and welcomes them to Delta Tau Alpha.