Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America
Initiation Ritual

1968

General Instructions
 
It is compulsory that all meetings open and close in ritual form in accordance with this ritual. Since this ritual is to be followed at all legal meetings, all members should be familiar with all forms of participation. The President should make certain that everyone is informed on the current procedure. Officers having speaking parts or active parts in the ritual should memorize them thoroughly.
The Emblem Club salute and the Salute to the Flag of the United States of America, are made by placing the palm of the right hand flat against the body, over the heart, the thumb and fingers close together, with the fingers pointed toward the left shoulder This Salute is used at all times during meetings, when passing by or at the Altar, before and after addressing the President, before and after being escorted by the Marshal, and whenever the salute is required in the ritual.
The Marshal will salute with her right hand at all times, even when holding the baton on her left arm. While carrying Flags one does not salute. The Marshal does not salute while walking.
The President does not salute first - President addresses officer and pauses, officer rises, salutes President and President returns salute. Then President gives instructions to officer.
A member entering or leaving the room while the meeting is in session must go to the Altar, salute the President and await her response before proceeding. During recess members are not required to salute the President as they pass the Altar.
Standing at attention shows respect to the Flag of the United States of America, and conversation or other movement at that time is not in order. The hands should be empty when giving the Salute to the Flag.
No member may pass between the Altar and the President’s station at any time while the Flags of our Country are stationed at the Altar.
Nothing may be placed upon the Altar except the altar cloth and the Bible.
Marching music is played at all times whenever Marshal and/or Assistant Marshals are on the floor Sacred music is played as Marshal escorts Chaplain to and from the Altar. The Star Spangled Banner is required.
Formal Entry and Seating of Officers may be conducted prior to the Opening Ritual; Formal Exit may be conducted following the Closing Ritual.
 
 
Opening
 
Guards close doors as soon as they reach their stations, during Formal Entry of Officers. At completion of Formal Entry, President gives one (*) rap of gavel to seat officers who have remained standing at their stations. When officers are seated, President gives one (*) rap of gavel, which opens the meeting as follows:
PRESIDENT, *: Sister First Guard, pause, First Guard rises, salutes President. President returns salute, then speaks: Are all members qualified to remain for the meeting?
FIRST GUARD: Madam President, salutes President. President returns salute the members are properly qualified and all present are entitled to remain.
First Guard salutes President. President returns salute. First Guard is seated.
JR. PAST PRESIDENT, rises, and says: Madam President, salutes President, President returns salute what are your duties?
PRESIDENT: To preside over meetings, to be fair and impartial, disregarding all personal feelings, to enforce the constitution and bylaws, and to act ex-officio on all appointive committees. Jr. Past President salutes President. President returns salute. Jr. Past President is seated.
PRESIDENT: Sister Vice President, pause. First Vice President rises, salutes the President. President returns salute and speaks: What is the significance of our club from your station?
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: It signifies truth.
PRESIDENT: What are your duties?
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: To act as chairman of the Sick Committee, to preside over the meetings in the absence of the President, to attend all meetings and to make a special study of all laws governing the club. First Vice President salutes President. President returns salute. First Vice President is seated.
PRESIDENT: Madam Junior Past President, pause, Jr. Past President rises, salutes President. President returns salute What does your station signify?
JR. PAST PRESIDENT: It signifies charity.
PRESIDENT: What are your duties?
JR. PAST PRESIDENT: To help preserve order at meetings, to be the representative of the advisory board, and to assist the club officers. It is also incumbent upon me to be a voting member of the supreme emblem club and thus avail myself of every opportunity to protect the interests of my own club and the endeavors of the supreme emblem club. Jr. Past President
salutes President. President returns salute. Jr. Past President is seated.
PRESIDENT: Sister Chairman of the Board of Trustees, pause, Chairman of Trustees rises, salutes President. President returns salute What does your station signify?
CHAIRMAN OF TRUSTEES: It signifies Justice.
PRESIDENT: What are your duties?
CHAIRMAN OF TRUSTEES: To represent the trustees at our club meetings, to take counsel with my associate members at all times and to see that the club property is carefully conserved and safeley invested. Chairmen of Trustees salutes President. President returns salute. Chairman of Trustees is seated.
PRESIDENT: The Marshals will now station at the altar the flags of the United States of America, which we have adopted as the official emblem of our club.
PRESIDENT: ***.
All present will rise.
Organist plays marching music.
The Assistant Marshals, with Marshal leading, will proceed to the altar.
All three Marshals salute the President. President returns salute.
All three Marshals proceed to Trustees’ station, again with Marshal leading.
They will stop in front of Flags, the Marshal two steps behind the Assistants.
Assistants take one step forward, salute the Flags and remove Flags from standards in unison. The Marshal and the assembly will assume the Flag Salute as the Assistants touch the Flagstaffs. Assistant Marshals will carry Flags tipped forward at a 65º angle.
Marshal does not salute while walking. All Marshals will turn, Marshal drops her salute. With Assistant Marshals leading, they will return to the Altar, the Marshal stopping behind the Altar and assuming the Flag Salute as she stops. The Assistant Marshals will not stop but move forward and station the Flags slowly and impressively in unison in the standards being careful not to allow the Flags to touch the Altar or themselves.
At the moment the Assistant Marshals remove their hands from the Flagstaffs, the Marshal and the assembly will drop their salute.
After placing the Flags in the standards, the Assistant Marshals will salute the Flags, then step back beside the Marshal.
All three Marshals will salute the President. President returns salute.
MARSHAL: Madam President, salutes President. President returns salute The flags of the United States of America have been stationed in accordance with your instructions. Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
PRESIDENT: Pledge of allegiance to the flag, followed by the Star Spangled Banner. Salute to the Flag at the President’s right, is given in unison with the President and is held until the close of the playing and/or singing of the National Anthem. All drop salute in unison with the President. Organist will rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESIDENT: Sister Chaplain, pause, Chaplain turns to face President, salutes President. President returns salute you will now offer divine prayer.
Chaplain salutes President. President returns salute. Chaplain turns to face front.
Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal proceeds to Chaplain’s station, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain salutes Marshal. Marshal returns salute.
Marshal steps forward beside Chaplain, turns and faces front.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal proceed with heads erect in a slow march to the Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain drops Marshal’s arm, turns and faces Altar, taking one step forward. At same time Marshal takes one step back.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
Chaplain opens Bible reverently and slowly, using both hands; then will place Bible in center of Altar.
CHAPLAIN: Let us pray. Chaplain and members will fold hands at waist, right hand cupped in left hand, palms up. All bow heads in unison with Chaplain. We beseech thee, o Lord, to enter this meeting room. Dwell herein to keep peace, and may thy spirit be with us in all our undertakings. Amen.
MEMBERS: Amen. Chaplain and members drop hands and raise heads in unison.
Chaplain steps back one step. Marshal steps forward one step.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal turn and proceed slowly with heads erect, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals, to Chaplain’s station.
At her station, Chaplain turns to face Marshal. Chaplain salutes Marshal. Marshal returns sa1ute.
Organist resumes march music.
Marshal returns to Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals, salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal steps back in line with Assistant Marshals.
PRESIDENT: I now declare this meeting of … Emblem Club No. … duly opened, and ask Sister Marshal to make proclamation.
MARSHAL, steps forward to Altar, raises Baton horizontally over the Altar, at a slight angle with head of baton at eye level: Sisters, this assembly of our Emblem Club is duly opened for the transaction of business.
Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal steps back in line with Assistant Marshals.
All three salute President. President returns salute.
Marshals proceed to their stations, with Assistant Marshals leading and Marshal three steps behind the Assistants. As they reach their stations, the Assistant Marshals will halt one step back, turn to face each other and salute the Marshal as she passes between them to her station. Marshal returns the salute.
All three Marshals turn in unison to face assembly.
PRESIDENT: *.
 
 
Initiation

Marshal and Assistant Marshals are instructed to retire and conduct the candidates and their escorts, if used, into the room. Escorts according to procedure of individual club; escorts may be sponsors, big sisters, etc.
Guards will rise and open door(s) for Marshal and Assistant Marshals; then will close door(s). They will reopen doors for entry of Marshals and candidates, and immediately upon their entry will close doors again, and take their stations.
Marshall will lead line, First Assistant Marshal next, then candidates and escorts if used, and last the Second Assistant Marshal.
PRESIDENT gives * * * upon entry of Marshal and candidates. Members will rise. Marshal will present candidates in a line at the Altar - at least two feet back of Altar.
MARSHAL: Madam President, salutes President. President returns salute. I present to you these candidates who are desirous of becoming members of Emblem Club No. … of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America. Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
PRESIDENT: My friends, you have signified your willingness and desire to become members of an organization truly worthy of your patronage and support; members of … Emblem Club no. … of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America, and I trust that your future course will be such as to prove that our confidence in you has not been misplaced. Having proceeded this far on the road to membership, you will be called upon to make a few statements. Are you willing to proceed?
CANDIDATES: I am.
PRESIDENT: You will repeat after me: I recognize and respect the American flag - which is the emblem of our country – and our order. - I will support the constitution of … Emblem Club No. … - and the constitution and statutes - of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America.
I will assist in every charitable work – that we may be called upon to undertake. - if, at any time, I should consider myself aggrieved - by this club or any of its members, - I will submit my case to a board of arbitration.
Pause.
Chaplain will now invoke divine blessing.
Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal proceeds to Chaplain’s station, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain salutes Marshal. Marshal returns salute.
Marshal steps forward beside Chaplain, turns and faces front.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal proceed with heads erect in a slow march to the Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain drops Marshal’s arm, turns and faces Altar, taking one step forward. At same time Marshal takes one step back.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
CHAPLAIN: Let us pray. Chaplain and members fold hands at waist, right hand cupped in left hand, palms up. All bow heads in unison with Chaplain. We ask Thee, o Lord, to direct these our sisters in their undertaking, that with us they may work for thy greater glory. Amen.
MEMBERS: Amen. Chaplain and members drop hands and raise heads.
Chaplain steps back one step. Marshal steps forward one step.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal turn and proceed slowly with heads erect passing between the Altar and Assistant Marshals, to Chaplain’s station.
At her station, Chaplain turns to face Marshal. Chaplain salutes Marshal. Marshal returns salute.
Organist resumes march music.
Marshal returns to Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals, salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal steps back to place at head of line of candidates.
PRESIDENT, *: My sisters, we hope you understand that our club promises you a great deal in return for a small expenditure. The Emblem Club is formed to unite all Emblem Clubs and members of Elks’ families and to do charitable work in this community. We meet to further good fellowship among members, and to protect and promote the interests of clubs. In the first place, you are expected to give your cooperation to any enterprise that the club may inaugurate. When you wish to offer any remarks, always arise and respectfully address the chair as Madam President.
A member may not address another member during the meeting without first addressing the President and requesting permission to do so.
A member entering or leaving the room while the meeting is in session will go to the altar, salute the President and await her response before proceeding.
When a member or officer is escorted by the Marshal at any time during the meeting, she should salute the Marshal before being seated.
No member may pass between the altar and President’s station at any time while the altar is guarded by the flags of our country.
For further instruction you will pay careful attention to the Marshal.
MARSHAL, steps forward, facing candidates, and illustrates the following remarks: The salute is made thus: … Demonstrate salute by placing right hand over heart, palm flat against body, fingers pointed toward left shoulder, then drop arm to side. This should be given before the altar, when entering or leaving while the club is in session, and when addressing the President.
The membership card will be presented later and will serve as your means of identification, and should be carried with you at all times, as without it you will not be admitted to the session of any affiliated club.
The gavel is the emblem of authority.
PRESIDENT: *.
MARSHAL: One rap calls the assembly to order, seats it when standing.
PRESIDENT: * *.
MARSHAL: Two raps call up the officers.
PRESIDENT: * * *.
MARSHAL: Three raps call up the entire assembly.
Marshal now resumes her position at head of line of candidates.
PRESIDENT: And now, by the authority in me vested, I declare each of you to be a member of … Emblem Club no. … of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America, and entitled to all its rights and privileges, as well as having imposed upon you all the duties and responsibilities of membership.
PRESIDENT: *.
PRESIDENT: Sister Marshal, Marshal salutes President. President returns salute. Please introduce the new members, after which you will escort them to their seats.
Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
Marshal introduces new members by name, and leads line to area where seats are reserved for new members and escorts if used. After the new members are seated, the Marshal returns to .the Altar, all salute the President. President returns salute.
Marshals return to their stations, with Assistants leading and Marshal three steps behind the Assistants. As they reach their stations, the Assistant Marshals will halt one step back, turn to face each other and salute the Marshal as she passes between them to her station. Marshal returns the salute.
All three Marshals turn in unison to face the assembly and are seated.
 
 
Closing
 
PRESIDENT: I will now proceed to close this meeting, and the officers will please rise. * *.
PRESIDENT: Sister Chaplain, pause. Chaplain turns to face President and salutes President. President returns salute and speaks: What is your duty at this time?
CHAPLAIN: To invoke divine blessing. Chaplain salutes President. President returns salute. Chaplain turns to face front.
PRESIDENT: The members will please rise, and the Chaplain will perform her closing duty. * * *.
Marshals proceed to Altar, Marshal leading.
Reaching Altar, all three salute President. President returns salute.
Marshal proceeds immediately to Chaplain’s station, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Marshal steps up beside Chaplain, turns to face front.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal proceed with heads erect to Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain drops Marshal’s arm, takes one step to Altar. At same time Marshal steps back one step.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
CHAPLAIN: Let us pray, All fold hands at waist, right hand cupped in left hand, palms up. All bow heads in unison with Chaplain. We thank Thee, o Lord, for the blessing of this evening. Grant, we beseech Thee, that the members of this club shall enjoy health and happiness. Guide and protect us until we meet again. Bless our country, our homes, our families and our friends. In Thy Name we ask it. Amen.
MEMBERS: Amen. Chaplain and members drop hands and raise heads in unison.
Chaplain will reverently and slowly close Bible, using both hands, and place Bible in center of Altar.
Chaplain takes one step back. Marshal takes one step forward.
Chaplain and Marshal salute President. President returns salute.
Chaplain takes Marshal’s arm.
Organist plays sacred music.
Chaplain and Marshal turn and proceed slowly, heads erect, to Chaplain’s station, passing between altar and Assistant Marshals.
Chaplain turns at her station to face Marshal, and salutes Marshal. Marshal returns salute.
Organist resumes march music.
Marshal returns to Altar, passing between Altar and Assistant Marshals, salutes President. President returns salute. Marshal steps back in line with Assistant Marshals.
PRESIDENT: Sister Marshal, Marshal salutes President. President returns salute. What are your duties?
MARSHAL: To assemble the sisters, to receive and conduct candidates, to introduce visitors, make proclamations at the opening and closing of club meetings, and to obey the instructions of the president. Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
PRESIDENT: The flags of our country which guard our altar will now be removed.
All three Marshals salute the President. President returns salute.
Assistant Marshals step forward to stationed Flags.
Assistant Marshals salute Flags in unison.
Marshal and assembly assume Flag salute as Assistants touch the Flagstaffs. Assistant Marshals will carry Flags tipped forward at 65° angle.
Assistant Marshals turn and lead to Trustees’ station.
Marshal drops salute and follows Assistant Marshals.
All Marshals face Flag Standards, Marshal stops three steps back and assumes salute.
Assistant Marshals place Flags in standards.
As Assistant Marshals remove their hands from Flagstaffs, members and Marshal will drop the salute.
All Marshals turn, and with Marshal leading return to Altar and salute the President. President returns salute.
PRESIDENT: Sister Marshal, Marshal salutes President. President returns salute. You will make the closing proclamation. Marshal salutes President. President returns salute.
MARSHAL steps to Altar, raises baton horizontally over the Altar, at a slight angle, head of baton at eye level: I now declare this meeting of … Emblem Club no. … of the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America, duly closed. Marshal steps back in line with Assistant Marshals. All three salute the President. President returns salute.
Marshals return to their stations, face each other and salute the Marshal as she passes between them to her station. Marshal returns their salute.
All three Marshals turn and face the assembly.
President: *.
Guards will open the door(s).
Officers retire in accordance with customary individual club procedure.

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