Industrial Workers of the World
Initiation Ritual
Opening
1905
When the hour of meeting arrives, the President shall take the chair, rap
twice with his gavel and the Union shall at once come to order.
PRESIDENT: As we are about to open this union of the Industrial
Workers of the World, I would respectfully ask all who are not members of our
organization to retire. Brother Conductor, you will examine the membership books
of all present and report any person not entitled to remain. Brother Warden,
guard well our entrance and allow none to retire without permission, nor admit
any without the membership book, unless so ordered by the President.
Should all present be correct the Conductor will respond as follows:
CONDUCTOR: Brother President, I find all present in good standing
and entitled to remain.
PRESIDENT: Brothers, we have gathered here to deliberate on
matters that pertain to the welfare of the workers, and any business you wish to
bring before this union shall receive our careful consideration previous to
adjournment.
The President shall then refer to the Constitution and conduct the meeting
according to the Order of Business printed therein.
Initiation Ceremony
PRESIDENT: Brother Conductor, you will please retire to the
ante-room and introduce the candidate for initiation.
When the Conductor withdraws the President shall address the union as
follows:
PRESIDENT: Brothers, we are about to have introduced to our
Organization for initiation a fellow worker. Please observe strict silence
during the ceremony that is about to take place, and assist as far as possible
in aiding to create a favorable impression on the candidate’s mind.
When the Conductor raps three times at the door the President will instruct
the Warden to admit him. Simultaneously with the opening of the door the
President will rap three times with his gavel, when all present will arise to
their feet.
CONDUCTOR: Mr. President, I have a pleasant duty to perform in
introducing to our organization a fellow worker who has shown himself worthy to
be admitted to membership.
President’s Charge
PRESIDENT: Fellow workers to a man of honor an Obligation is
always sacred and binding, and as our organization admits none but honorable
members to our union, it is safe to presume that this obigation will be
remembered by you as long as you are engaged as an Industrial Worker. It has
been said that man lives not by bread alone, Association with his fellows,
education for his advancement and organization for his protection and final
emancipation are as necessary to him as bread to
eat and water to drink.
The necessity of organization must become apparent to us when we recollect
that the wealth of the world is the product of labor and that by far the greater
portion of that wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. The inventions and
improvements in machinery and the consequent displacement of labor make it
imperative that we should unite for our own protection, for the protection of
our homes and those who are clear to us as life itself. Our organization shall
in no way interfere with your religious or political duties. All we desire is a
pledge from you to assist the sick and distressed of our Industrial Union, to be
upright and honorable in all your dealings, and to do unto others as you would
have others do into you.
Brother Conductor, you will now escort the candidate to our Past President,
who will administer the obligation.
PAST PRESIDENT: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me
the following obligation, using your own name where I use mine.
Obligation
I, …, do solemnly and sincerely promise to do all in my power to advance
the interests of our organization; to help build up and strengthen this local
union to abide, at all times by the Constitution, laws and usages of the
Industrial Union; to assist our unemployed members to obtain employment, and to
be charitable in judging our fellow members. I further promise to acquiesce in
the will of the majority at all times; to make every possible effort to attend
the meetings of this organization, and to be faithful to it in adversity as well
as in prosperity. To all of this I pledge my sacred word and honor to hold this
obligation binding upon me as long as I remain a
member of the Industrial Workers of the World. Do you thus promise?
Upon receiving an affirmative answer.
PAST PRESIDENT, taking candidate by the hand: Brother, I welcome
you to our union for mutual protection, and trust you will be an efficient
worker in the good cause and weary not its well doing. Brother Conductor, you
will introduce our brother to the Vice President, who will give him further
instructions.
At the conclusion of the obligation the President will rap once with his
gavel and the members will be seated.
VICE PRESIDENT: When you want to obtain admission to this union
you will rap twice at the door, thus: * *. The Warden will then open the wicket,
when you will show to him your membership book, which is …. You will then be
admitted to the meeting. Previous to retiring, permission from the chair must
first be obtained. A clearance card, with your membership book, will at any time
admit you into any union under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Workers of the
World. The Conductor will now introduce you to the Financial Secretary, who will
give you your card of membership on payment of at least one month’s dues.
Immediately after the Vice President’s instructions the business of the
union will be resumed.
Closing Ceremony
PRESIDENT: There being no further business to dispose of at this
meeting we will proceed to close. He will
rap three times and the members will rise to their feet. Brothers,
our labors for this evening are ended, but much still remains undone. Let us
forget not the obligation we all have taken, remember your duty to each other,
and, above all things, let what has transpired at this meeting remain secret.
And now, as President of this organization, I declare this meeting duly
adjourned until … evening at … o’clock, when every member should endeavour
to be present.