National Window Glass Workers
Ritual
Opening Prayer
1910
Our Heavenly Father, we come into Thy presence at this time in the attitude
of humble prayer, and we beseech Thee, kind Father, through the merits of Thy
Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour, to vouchsafe unto us Thy blessing. We pray that
fairness and true brotherly love may characterize all our deliberations and may
Unionism, in its purest and truest sense, be exemplified in our lives, and may
our solemn obligations be ever held sacred in our memory. We pray for Thy
blessing upon all our officers and members and courage for every emergency in
life, which we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
Chairman, gives one rap: I now declare this meeting open for the
transaction of business, as provided by the by-laws.
When a candidate shal1 be proposed for membership, a committee of three shall
be appointed, two by the Chairman, and one by the Vice Chairman. It shall be
their duty to investigate the eligibility of the candidate and report at the
next regular meeting.
Balloting for Candidates
The Inspector will prepare the ballot box and submit it to the inspection of
the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, then placing the ballot box on the pedestal
in the center of the room. The Chairman will give the name and occupation of the
candidate, also the report of the Committee of Investigation and then declare
the ballot open. The members will step forward and cast their ballot,
(remembering the usual precaution that white balls elect and black balls
reject), after which the Chairman will declare the ballot closed.
In balloting for candidates, a majority of white balls shall elect.
Initiation
The Inspector shall retire to the ante room and ascertain if there are any
candidates in waiting, and if so, ask their willingness to become members. Upon
reporting their names and occupation to the meeting, if the candidates shall
have been duly elected, the Chairman shall appoint two guides, whose duty it
shall be to retire to the ante-room and escort the candidates in a dignified
manner and introduce them into the meeting, for obligation.
The Chairman will then ask: Who have we here?
The Inspector will then answer: A fellow workman who wishes to
attain the dignity of brotherhood in our organization.
The candidate will place his left hand on his heart and his right hand on the
Bible and take the obligation: I, ..., of my own free will and
accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and the Brothers assembled, believing
in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man, do solemnly promise on my
honor, that I will faithfully obey all laws and lawful summons of the National
Window Glass Workers, and that I will do all in my power to assist the officers
in the performance of their duties and I agree to report to the proper officer
any violation of the Working Laws and Rules, that may come under my observation,
so help me God and may He keep me steadfast.
The Guide will proceed to the Chairman with the candidate, who will instruct
him in the secret work of the organization.
The Chairman says: To gain admittance to the meeting room after
the meeting has opened, you will approach the outer door and give any alarm to
attract the attention of the outside guard.
The inner guard will open the wicket, when you will give your name in full,
also the inner
password, which is ....
The inner guard will report to the Vice Chairman, and with his permission,
you will be admitted.
The voting sign for or against a question is ….
The sign of caution is to be used when you hear a member talking of the
affairs of the association in public where other than members can hear. Should
you hear a member talking thus, you will attract his attention and give the Sign
of Caution, which is given thus ....
The member seeing this sign given will cease talking at once. Should the
member persist in talking of the affairs of the Association, you will give this
sign …, which means ‘I will prefer charges against you if you do not stop
talking at once.’
Proposition for Membership
Any known glass worker may be proposed for membership upon paying the regular
fee in full. Such proposition shall be read at the next regular meeting of the
Local and a committee of investigation shall be appointed.
Closing
Chairman: And now by the power in me vested, I declare this
meeting regularly closed until ... at ... o'clock, but should a special meeting
be necessary each member will have due notice. Give one
rap.