Delta Kappa Gamma song to sing at induction ceremonies jcwbl0h3a9k3cvj/dkg.song.eflat.mp3 http://publication.dkg.org/dsweb/Get/Document-322/DeltaKappaGammaSong.mp3
Celebration of Life
Music: Appropriate music is suggested but not required.
Instructions: This ceremony may be used to celebrate the life of a deceased member. An officer may read the service and someone who knew the member very well may present the eulogy.
President: The celebration of a person’s life recalls the person now gone who has left us with wonderful memories. These women we honor today have lived a full life as professionals and as members of Delta Kappa Gamma. They were educators who changed the lives of the children, parents and professionals with whom they came in contact. They were educational leaders. They will be missed, but have they left us with nothing but tears? No, they have left us a legacy that we must embrace, the mission of our Society, to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Speaker 1:
Guiding Memories
You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and wish that she’ll come back or you can open your eye and see all she’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember only that she’s gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. by David Option It is suggested that her personal life as an educator, member and friend be described by someone who knew her well. After this eulogy, the presider continues.
Speaker 2:
Remembering
In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember her. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember her. In the opening buds and in the warmth of summer, we remember her. In the rustling of leaves and the beauty of autumn, we remember her. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember her. When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember her. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember her. When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember her. So long as we live, she too shall live, for she is now a part of us as we remember her.
Author Unknown
At its conclusion, the president places a rose in a vase.
Contemporary Initiation Ceremony
Because many current members will not attend the orientation for initiates, it is important that some of the information shared with the initiates be included in the initiation ceremony in order that all members can hear it and also benefit in “Pride in the Big Picture.”
As ceremony begins, person responsible for ceremony enters room and introduces initiation candidates:
Membership Chair:
Madam President: I present to you these/this key women/woman candidate(s) for membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. They are/She is: (Chair or Sponsor of each initiate reads names of each and may choose to tell a brief fact about each initiate. This may be the first time many members have seen the initiate(s).
President:
We are honored to receive you as members/a member of (Name) Chapter of the (Name) State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. You are here today because a member of this chapter recommended you for membership, believing that you are outstanding – a respected member in the education field. Your chosen profession in life – education – has focused on others, helping them to develop their talents and reach their highest potential.
First Speaker:
You have received an orientation to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and gained an overview of “the big picture,” including the organizational structure of the Society and the responsibilities and benefits of membership.
You, too, can take pride in a Society with approximately 90,000 members worldwide. You can take pride in the many benefits you will share with them: scholarship and grant opportunities, leadership training, community programs, worldwide projects, conferences, networking contacts, technological opportunities, face-to-face learning, and support from your fellow members.
Second Speaker:
You have an appreciation of the honor of membership. Someone • noticed your work; • noted your standards; • believed in your potential; • sought your association; • held you in high esteem; • honored you by sponsoring you for membership.
First Speaker:
Members of (Name) Chapter are honored and pleased that you have made the decision to join us. We value you and the talents and skills you bring to our chapter and the Society. We know that you will find our Society to be outstanding, too, and that you will take pride in our organization.
(Optional)
Speaker:
In 1929 when Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and her colleagues established the first chapter, they had a distinct vision in mind. At that time, women educators faced many hardships including unequal pay and the lack of freedoms we enjoy and take for granted today as women educators.
Contempory Initiation Ceremony (second option)
Just as a new school community selects a mascot and a slogan, in order to build community spirit and a sense of belonging, Dr. Blanton and her colleagues selected colors to symbolize their courage and loyalty in the face of opposition, symbols, a key pin, a motto, a song, and Purposes to bind them together with a common focus.
Much has changed in our world since 1929: our mode of dress, modern conveniences, technological advances, and more. Much has changed in Delta Kappa Gamma as well. Our Society is well established, with approximately 90,000 members and 2,600 chapters in 17 countries. We focus less on the colors and symbols and more on the values they represent: courage, loyalty, learning, perseverance. However, we are still bound together by a common vision: bringing together qualified and diverse women educators serving in a broad spectrum of educational fields, strengthening them, and pursuing worthwhile projects that make a difference in communities around the world.
Speaker:
The original purposes are just as appropriate today as they were when Delta Kappa Gamma was established. You, our initiate(s), are encouraged to commit to the Society’s programs, projects; mission and vision, and to the fulfillment of these seven Purposes:
(In place of a single speaker, seven members in the audience may each stand to say a purpose.)
1. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship; 2. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education; 3. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education; 4. To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators; 5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators; 6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members, and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action; and 7. To inform the members of current economic social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
President:
By your being here, you have signified your willingness to assume responsibilities in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. You will contribute to the Society by participating; sharing your interests, talents, and professional expertise; and seeking opportunities to grow personally and professionally. If this is your desire, please signify by saying, “I will support this organization.” (Initiates state, “I will support this organization.”)
Speaker turns to audience and says, (If desired, guest dignitary may administer this oath of support.)
Members, will you offer your cooperation, encouragement, and friendship to our new member(s) and promise to help them in carrying out the purposes and projects of the Society? If so, please respond with “I will.”
(Members state, “I will.”)
Membership Chair:
It is our hope that you will take pride in the big picture of our Society: that you will realize the intrinsic value of membership, including making life-long friends; that you will enjoy the support our members show for one another’s passions, personal triumphs and sufferings, professional accolades, and difficult decisions; that you will benefit from the personal opportunities for scholarships, grants and leadership training; that you will experience DKG’s educational impact, in the community, state, province, country and world.
(Optional: If desired, candles and roses may be used in the ceremony. As each person signs the initiates’ book, she may be presented with a rose.)
President:
As your name is called, we ask that you step forward to sign our initiates’ register and accept your membership certificate. Your signature will join those of the Founders who initiated this practice in 1929.
(Names are called; initiates sign book and receive certificates.)
Many challenges lie ahead for educators. You are pioneers/a pioneer for that future, and your signature confirms your commitment to support the Purposes of this Society.
Welcome to (Name) Chapter of (Name) State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Enter our company; share our friendships, our hopes and our goals.
We offer you hearty congratulations and warm wishes as you begin exciting and fulfilling experiences as a result of your membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Options for closing: • Sing The Delta Kappa Gamma Song; • Meet members informally; or • Have a receiving line.
Traditional Initiation Ceremony
Person responsible for the initiation: Presider: First Speaker: Presider:
Person responsible for the initiation:
Madam President,
I present to you these women/this woman as candidates/a candidate eminently worthy of membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. They are/She is (Names). (The chair or sponsor may choose to tell something about each initiate.)
President:
We are honored to receive you as members/a member of (Name) Chapter of (Name) State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. We recognize your service to education and invite you to continue to further the highest ideals of the teaching profession and of humanity. You have been recommended by your colleagues as respected professionals/a respected professional in the educational community. You have received an orientation to the work of the Society and opportunities and benefits of membership. There are Seven Purposes of the Society:
First Speaker:
To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship;
To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education;
To advance the professional interest and position of women in education;
To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators;
To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators;
To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action; and To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
President:
All members on the chapter, state organization, and international levels are expected to give their full support to the implementation of programs, projects and policies for the fulfillment of these Seven Purposes. This commitment binds our members in cooperative, continual and consistent efforts to strengthen and sustain our Society and to promote excellence in education. Do you commit to these Purposes and offer your cooperation in the united effort to realize them?
Initiates:
Yes
President:
You have signified your willingness to assume the responsibilities of membership in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Let us share with you the meaning of our symbols.
Second Speaker:
The colors of Delta Kappa Gamma are crimson and gold – red for courage and gold for loyalty to our members and to the ideals of our Society. Our flower is the red rose, a beautiful creation from nature that reflects beauty of mind and spirit.
First Speaker:
Our keypin is a golden ellipse. Across its center are the Greek letters. Above them a wreath of laurel leaves symbolizes the distinction which those who wear this keypin have achieved. Below the letters is a cup which represents knowledge. Our coat of arms consists of a red shield with a band of gold. Three Tudor roses on the band symbolize the Society’s ideals of beauty of spirit, tradition of loyalty, and dedication to excellence. The flaming lamp and the open book on the shield signify scholarship and knowledge. The laurel sprays are the traditional symbols of achievement.
(Optional Pledge) President:
You will now repeat after me the pledge of loyalty and cooperation:
I promise that as a member (pause for initiates to repeat) of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (pause) I will be loyal to the policies, (pause) participate in the activities of the Society (pause) and pledge a commitment to the Society Purposes. (pause)
President:
The name, The Delta Gamma Society International, signifies key women educators. Before us stand three tall candles. Will you now light your candle(s) from these flames and place them/it within the triangle that represents loyalty, cooperation and ideals of the Society. (The chair or person responsible for the initiation may hand the small candle to each initiate while the presider reads the name.) May the light from our candles remind us as educators of our responsibilities to lighten the darkness of ignorance and spread knowledge and understanding. (If there are many initiates, one larger candle may be placed in the center to represent all initiates. The chair or person responsible for the initiation may light this, saying, “I light this candle for you from these flames and place it…” The presider may read the name of each initiate as the chair lights the candle.)
To complete your initiation into membership, please sign our Official Initiate Register and accept your membership certificate. (Optional: Secretary may hand pen to each initiate for signing, then present song card. Presider may present membership certificate. Presider greets each member by name. If roses are used, a rose may be presented to each initiate.) Welcome to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Enter our Society with all its privileges; be a member of our Society team and share our friendships, hopes, and goals.
(Initiation may close with singing “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song.” It is also appropriate at the conclusion of the ceremony for those present to congratulate the new members.)
Contemporary Installation of Chapter Officers
Installing Officer (To audience)
Members of (Name) Chapter, the officers you have chosen to lead this chapter for the next two years stand before you. It is a privilege to be selected by one’s peers, to be acknowledged for one’s leadership skills.
(To incoming officers)
Newly elected officers, you are aware of your impending responsibilities. In accepting the offices for which you have been selected, you indicate your commitment to the chapter, your enthusiasm for the Purposes and work of the Society, and your willingness to perform your duties to further chapter success.
Outgoing (President)
(Name) you have accepted the office of president of (Name) Chapter. As the responsibilities of the office have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept the leadership of (Name) chapter for the next two years?
Response: I will.
Outgoing First or only Vice-President:*
(Name) As the responsibilities of the office have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will.
Outgoing (Second Vice-President), . (Name) you have agreed to become second Vice-President. As the responsibilities of the office have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will.
Outgoing Recording Secretary:
(name), your have agreed to become recording secretary. As the responsibilities of the office have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will.
Outgoing Treasurer :
(Name), you have been appointed to become (continue as) treasurer and will be a member of the executive board. We are confident that you will perform the responsibilities of this office with leadership and commitment as described to you by the nominations committee.
The recognition of the treasurer may be omitted if this officer is continuing in office. Note: Chapter treasurers are “selected by the chapter executive board” (Constitution and International Standing Rules Article VI Section A.3) and are, therefore, frequently not installed. The treasurer may be recognized, especially if the she is newly appointed. Consult
Outgoing Parlamentarian:
(Name), you have been appointed to become (continue as) parliamentarian and will be a member of the executive board. We are confident that you will perform the responsibilities of this office with leadership and commitment as described to you by the nominations committee.
The recognition of the parliamentarian may be omitted if she is continuing in office. Note: Chapter parliamentarians are appointed and "serve as a member ex officio, without vote, on the respective executive board." Therefore, the parliamentarian is frequently not installed. She may be recognized, especially if she is newly appointed. Consult your Chapter Rules for specific information.
INSTALLATION CEREMONIES - CHAPTER
Installing Officer:
(to audience) Members of (Name) Chapter, you have witnessed the installation of our (dates of biennium) officers. In order to ensure chapter success this biennium, you must cooperate with and support these new leaders. Will you accept your responsibility?
Outgoing President:
(Name), your have accepted the office of president of (name) Chapter. As the responsibilities of the office have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept the leadership of (name) chapter for the next two years?
Response: I will.
Outgoing (or only Vice-President)
(name), You have agreed to become first vice president. As the responsibilities have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will.
Outgoing Recording Secretary:
You have agreed to become recording secretary. As the responsibilities have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will.
Outgoing Corresponding Secretary:
You have agreed to become corresponding secretary. As the responsibilities have been explained to you by the nominations committee, will you accept this leadership position?
Response: I will
Outgoing Treasurer:
(Name), you have been selected by the chapter executive board to Treasurer:† become (continue as) treasurer and will be a member of the executive board. We are confident that you will perform the responsibilities of this office with leadership and commitment as described to you by the nominations committee.
XX The recognition of the treasurer may be omitted if this officer is continuing in office. Note: Chapter treasurers are “selected by the chapter executive board” (Constitution and International Standing Rules Article VI Section A.3) and are, therefore, frequently not installed. The treasurer may be recognized, especially if the she is newly appointed. Consult your Chapter Rules for specific information.
Outgoing Parlimentarian
Name), you have been appointed to become (continue as) parliamentarian Parliamentarian:†† and will be a member of the executive board and advisor to chapter officers and members. We are confident that you will perform with leadership and commitment the responsibilities of this position as described to you by the nominations committee.
XX The recognition of the parliamentarian may be omitted if she is continuing in office. Note: Chapter parliamentarians are appointed and “serve as a member ex officio, without vote, on the respective executive board.” (Constitution and International Standing Rules Article VI Section C.10) Therefore, the parliamentarian is frequently not installed. She may be recognized, especially if the she is newly appointed. Consult your Chapter Rules for specific information. Excerpt from DKG Ceremonies 2012
Installing Officer:
(to audience) Members of (Name) Chapter, you have witnessed the installation of our (dates of biennium) officers. In order to ensure chapter success this biennium, you must cooperate with and support these new leaders. Will you accept your responsibility?
Members: We will.
Installing Officer:
Newly installed officers, you have assumed responsibility for the success of (Name) Chapter for the next two years. Each of you now has power to strengthen the chapter. Your members believe in you. You can rely on their cooperation and gain strength from their support as our Society—chapter, state organization, and international—become stronger through your leadership.
Installing Officer: Members have expressed their/our confidence in your abilities and your commitment to leadership. We welcome your service to (Name) Chapter as you lead us to greater success within The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. (Turning to audience) Will you join in offering your congratulations and commitment to your (dates of biennium) officers? (She leads.)