Eta Sigma Gamma
Initiation Ritual
2002
The
candidates for initiation into Eta Sigma Gamma will remain outside the room in
which the initiation ceremony is to take place. It is here that they will be
given any necessary instructions about the ceremony. When
the initiation ceremony is to begin, the candidates will be led (alphabetically)
into the room by the Guide. The candidates will form a semi-circle about the
initiation team. The initiation team will be seated around the table with the
Lamp of Learning candle illuminated in the center.
Everyone
will rise as the candidates are led into the room. After the candidates are
positioned and everyone is seated the chief installing officer shall speak about
Eta Sigma Gamma.
Opening
Ceremony
PRESIDENT:
The Sergeant-At-Arms will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
leads everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
In
addition, a prayer may be given if it is deemed appropriate
Challenge
PRESIDENT:
Are you an Eta Sigma Gamman?
VICE
PRESIDENT: I am.
PRESIDENT:
What makes you a worthy member of Eta Sigma Gamma?
VICE
PRESIDENT: By
upholding the ideals of teaching, service and research individually and
collectively through our professional honorary, I am a worthy member of Eta
Sigma Gamma.
PRESIDENT:
What is the main objective of Eta Sigma Gamma?
SECRETARY:
The main objective is to further the professional competence and dedication of
the individual members in and for the discipline of health education.
PRESIDENT:
How is this objective to be achieved?
SECRETARY:
The main objective is achieved in several important ways:
A. By
facilitating communication and discussion between individuals and groups through
the exchange of ideas on the content and process of health education.
B. By
motivating and recognizing service and academic achievement.
C. By
developing and implementing new educational strategies, materials and programs
to further the profession.
D. By
conducting and stimulating others to conduct research.
E. By
upholding and developing high professional standards and ethics for members of
the profession.
PRESIDENT:
What comprises the ideal concept of health?
TREASURER:
It is the composite of dynamic interactions of heredity, personal behaviour and
environment that an individual experiences throughout his/her life. These
interactions are continuous and ever changing. It is not merely the absence of
disease but rather one's ability to function effectively and happily in one's
environment. Health involves knowing, believing, valuing and doing those things
which make one effective day to day, throughout life.
PRESIDENT:
What comprises the health education discipline?
TREASURER:
The health education discipline is an applied discipline utilizing basic
natural, physical and behavioral sciences for the purpose of preventing disease
and promoting healthful living. It is characterized by a process with
intellectual, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions related to
activities which increase the ability of people to make informed decisions
affecting their personal, family and community well-being. It is a process based
on sound scientific principles which facilitate learning and necessary
behavioral change. Health education is more than the provision of information.
While it includes acquiring knowledge about health matters, its purpose is the
use of that knowledge. It addresses the formation of values, the acquisition of
decision-making skills and the adoption or reinforcement of desirable health
behaviors. It honors the individual's right of privacy, his/her right to
meaningful information and his/her right to make his/her own choices.
Initiation
Ceremony
PRESIDENT
TO PLEDGES: You
see on this table the Eta Sigma Gamma symbol. The triangle in this symbol
represents the three specific contributions of Gammans, as well as of the
profession: Teaching, Service and Research. The tri-dimensional concept is
embodied in a triangle surrounded by three joined circles. The triangle is
divided into four equilateral triangles, each containing a symbol. A lamp of
learning is in the center triangle, surrounded by the others containing an open
book representing teaching, a microscope signifying research and an outstretched
hand representing service. These three elements form the basic purposes of the
organization and the words teaching,
research and service
are recorded directly beneath each
symbol. The unifying element of these basic purposes is symbolized by the lamp
of learning, since it is through the learning process that each purpose is
achieved and carried forth. The tri-dimensional concept of the organization is
further emphasized in the selection of the official flower, the trillium, a
beautiful wild flower with three leaves, three white petals and a gold center.
You see it pictured on the table as well. Each of the three purposes is distinct
in its operations but unified in the ultimate goal of furthering competence,
dedication and progress in the health science profession and its members.
Do you
wish to become an Eta Sigma Gamman? If your answer is yes, say: Yes I do.
CANDIDATES:
Yes, I do.
PRESIDENT:
Do you believe in the objectives of Eta Sigma Gamma as presented in the
challenge before you and as stated in the constitution of our organization? If
so, you will answer, I do .
CANDIDATES:
I do.
PRESIDENT:
Are you willing to strive for excellence in the ideals of teaching, service and
research as represented in the honorary symbol? If so you will answer, I do.
CANDIDATES:
I do.
PRESIDENT:
To signify your commitment to these objectives and ideals you will now come
forward individually and light your candle from the lamp of learning and place
it in the candleboard around the lamp of learning, receive your pin and
certificate and sign the chapter roll book. Having solemnly pledged yourself to
Eta Sigma Gamma, this is an outward token of your pledge.
PRESIDENT
will read the candidate's name.
HISTORIAN-EDITOR
will observe candidates signing the roll book.
TREASURER
will put the pin on the candidates.
CANDIDATES
come forward one by one, light their candle and place it around the lamp of
learning, receive their pin, sign the roll book and return to their places.
PRESIDENT:
We are now ready to present to you the formal charge of Eta Sigma Gamma.
Formal
Charge
HISTORIAN-EDITOR:
Having solemnly pledged yourself to this worthy organization you are now duly
initiated members of Eta Sigma Gamma. The full rights of membership in our
honorary are now open to each one of you. You shall benefit from the collective
design and achievement of our organization in the following ways:
FIRST,
your professional competence shall be enhanced because of your associations with
other colleagues in health education.
SECOND,
your communication with indiv iduals, groups and agencies shall be significantly
aided by the dialogue made possible through Eta Sigma Gamma.
THIRD,
your dedication, service and academic achievement shall be encouraged and
recognized through our organization.
FOURTH,
your scientific research aspirations shall be facilitated and promoted by the
dictates of this honorary.
FIFTH,
your orientation to recent developments in the health education discipline will
be greatly facilitated.
These
are some of the benefits you will receive as members of Eta Sigma Gamma. You
must remember that these benefits imply a responsibility on your part. As
members of Eta Sigma Gamma your responsibility is threefold as follows:
FIRST,
to uphold the high character of your chapter.
SECOND,
to develop an effective local program which will be a source of pride to Eta
Sigma Gamma and to … (institution).
THIRD,
to elevate the standards, ideals, competence and ethics of professionally
trained men and women in the health education discipline.
Will you
always continue to put forth your best efforts to fulfill this responsibility?
If so, you will say, I will .
CANDIDATES:
I will.
Closing
Ceremony
PRESIDENT:
As new members of Eta Sigma Gamma, a national professional honorary for men and
women in the health education discipline would you join with all of the current
members
in reciting our pledge.
ALL
MEMBERS: I, … name of member, as a professional
member of the Health Education discipline, hereby dedicate my abilities and
talents to the betterment of all people through the ideals of Eta Sigma Gamma,
and as a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, I dedicate myself to uphold the ideals of
TEACHING, SERVICE and RESEARCH in my individual life and to continue this
collectively through our professional honorary.
I
further pledge to:
A.
Exhibit cordiality and friendliness in individual and group relations.
B.
Encourage and tolerate opinions and philosophies of others.
C.
Maintain a sense of personal and professional responsibility, honor and honesty.
D.
Respect persons of a different race, gender, creed, language and social or
economic position.
E. Show
respect for all members of the honorary.
F.
Attend all chapter meetings and support all chapter activities.
G.
Cooperate with the university administration in promoting the realization of the
standards of honesty, integrity, citizenship and other campus goals.
In all
these things, I pledge my commitment to and my support l of our National Health
Education Honorary.
PRESIDENT:
As president of the … Greek
name
Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, I hereby welcome you to membership in Eta Sigma
Gamma. As a symbol of your membership we have presented you with a recognition
pin to be worn on all professional occasions; and, as a reminder of the pledge
you previously made, we presented you with a membership certificate and
membership card.
Finally,
fulfilling an old Eta Sigma Gamma tradition, I ask the family and friends of our
new members to stand so that they may be applauded for their efforts and support
of our newest Eta Sigma Gammans.
Applause.
PRESIDENT,
a prayer may be offered if deemed appropriate:
This meeting for the
initiation
of new candidates into Eta Sigma Gamma is now officially adjourned.
Congratulations!
This concludes our official ceremony.