Lambda Alpha –
Initiation Ritual
1982
Candidates
lined up alphabetically on left side of room, table with keys and certificates
laid out.
Installing
Officer: Guide, who are the
candidates?
Guide:
The candidates for admission into our fraternity of Lambda Alpha are: ….
Installing
Officer: Do these candidates
know the ideals for which
Lambda Alpha stands?
Guide:
These candidates have come here with a known interest in land economics, and are
aware of the ideals for which our Fraternity stands.
Installing
Officer: Will our Historian
briefly review the origin of Lambda Alpha for the candidates?
Historian:
The name of our fraternity, Lambda Alpha, represents the two Greek words logos
agroikos, meaning "learning of land" or the science of land
utilization.
Lambda Alpha was
organized as a land economics Fraternity in the fall of 1930 at
Originally an
undergraduate fraternity whose members wished to pursue their interest in land
economics beyond the classroom, the organization was soon broadened into an
honorary professional Fraternity whose members were chosen from the community at
large. Selection was based on some outstanding contribution in the field of land
economics and real estate, either theoretical or applied.
The
What is the
Fraternity's concept of land economics? Probably two of the Fraternity's more
distinguished Brothers, Homer Hoyt and Arthur Weimer, define land economics best
as dealing with the social organization for the utilization of land resources in
the attainment of the objectives that the community as a whole sets for itself.
Installing
Officer:
Will our Scribe briefly state the purpose and activities of Lambda Alpha for the
candidates?
Scribe:
Lambda Alpha is designed to bring together, in a common bond of fellowship,
persons of stature, accomplishment, and responsibility, engaged in various
aspects of land economics. Included are individuals who have done outstanding
work in architecture, engineering, appraisal, construction, planning,
mortgage-lending, development, marketing, and other phases of land use.
We seek to promote a
higher degree of association between the theory and the practice of our work. We
seek to raise ethical standards
in all aspects of land utilization, and to raise the standards of scholastic
endeavor in this field. The Fraternity endeavors to bring into a bond of
fellowship those from the private, public and academic sectors to help foster
mutual understanding and respect.
We encourage
cooperation between members for their mutual enlightenment. We seek the welfare
of our community in all things relating to land use, knowing well our
responsibility in utilizing our land─one of our most basic resources.
We meet from time to
time at dinners, luncheons, and other activities, at which we discuss our own
particular problems, the problems of the group, and those of the community. By
means of both discussion and research, we try to be of assistance in solving
those problems,
Installing
Officer: Guide, will the
candidates before us be an asset in furthering the purposes and activities of Lambda
Alpha? Do they meet the standards
for membership?
Guide:
Their activities, their character, and their achievements have all been
carefully examined. They have been approved by our members. They desire to share
in the Association and friendships we enjoy, and to cooperate in the work we do.
Installing
Officer: What have these
persons done to deserve membership in Lambda Alpha?
Guide, please read
their citations.
Guide:
As I call your name please step forward.
Citations
are read.
Installing
Officer: Candidates, your
accomplishments make you worthy for membership in Lambda Alpha. You have heard
the purposes and ideals of our Fraternity. Is it still your desire to affiliate
with us? If so, answer by saying, "I do."
Candidates, please
raise your right hand and repeat after me:
"I pledge myself
to perform all the duties and obligations/imposed by the International
Fraternity of Lambda Alpha/so far as they do not conflict with my personal sense
of rightness./ I further pledge that I will strive/ to exemplify through my own
conduct/ the ideals and principles of Lambda Alpha/ as well as to support the
programs of my Chapter/ and that I will unselfishly strive/ to perpetuate the
ideals and principles of this fraternity./
Installing
Officer: You may lower your
hands, I congratulate you.
You are now
“brothers” in our honorary land economics fraternity. You have each been
formally elected to membership because of your notable achievements and
contributions to one of the fields allied to land economics.
President … and
Past President … will now present each of you with your citation award and the
gold key of Lambda Alpha.
Call
the names individually, and congratulate each person as he or she receives his
or her citation and key.
President's
closing remarks: I Greet and
welcome each of you as a “Brother” in Lambda Alpha:
Would each of you,
your spouse and/or guest, please join with us in a reception in the card room,
which is to our right at the end of the hall.