Sigma Zeta Initiation of Active Members

INITIATION OF ACTIVE MEMBERS INTO SIGMA ZETA

Summary: At the initiation meeting of a chapter all regular business is
ordinarily suspended and the officers of initiation preside. These
officers are: Chairmain, Recorder, and Conductor. The Conductor presents
the candidates for initiation to the Chairman, who gives the response of
welcome and explains the responsibility of membership. The Recorder
explains the symolism of the key. The chairman then presents the
certificates. At the conclusion of the initiation, the new members are
welcomed by each member of the chapter.

CONDUCTOR: Mr. Chairman, and members of the Chapter of Sigma
Zeta, it is an honor to present Mr. (Miss, etc. - list of names)
as (a) candidate(s) for initiation as (an) active member(s)
of our chapter.

CHAIRMAN: It is a pleasure to welcome you. Your achievements in
scholarship and interest in science make you eligible for membership
in this chapter.

Our society has two major purposes--first, the encouragement of scholar-
ship in science; and second, the recognition of creditable attainments
in this field. As active members of the society, you will be expected
to work toward the fulfillment of these aims.

RECORDER: Before presenting to you the certificate of membership in our
society, I would call your attention to the symbols which appear on the
key.

The key itself symbolizes your opportunity to unlock the doors which
lead to "Truth." The form of the key seems to suggest the open book of
nature, the source of all scientific learning. A book is open to
indicate that no knowledge is closed to anyone who diligently seeks it.

The closed books represent accumulated scientific knowledge, to be
studied as a record of the past and as a guide to the future. The three
volumes standing together illustrate the division of science into the
life sciences, the earth sciences, and the physical sciences. The fourth
volume, supporting the others, is symbolic of mathematics, the
foundation and basis of science.

The retort and tripod are symbols of an ancient process by which pure
substances were separated from their impurities. To us, they typify the
experimental methods in our various fields. The flame used to heat the
retort represents the motivationg forces of science that direct and
inspire scientific achievement.

Also, the books and retort stand for two great sources of scientific
advancement--first, a study and knowledge of man's accomplishments up to
this time; and second, further experimentation with sources of new
"Truth."

The Greek letters, SIGMA and ZETA, designate both the Society and its
motto: "SEEK DILIGENTLY TOGETHER FOR TRUTH."

(At the conclusion of the formal ceremony, the chairman may present each
new member with some symbol of the society. The initiates are then
informally welcomed by the members of the chapter.)

1. Officers of initiation may be the usual chapter officials or may
be members appointed for the special work of initiation.

2. It is desirable that each officer of initiation memorize his portion
of the ritual ceremony.

3. If there is only one initiate or if there is a group, the proper
form of nouns and pronouns should be used.

4. In case the membership certificate has not been received from the
National Recorder-Treasurer before the initiation, the chapter should
prepare a temporary certificate to present to the new members during the
initiation.

5. While it is desirable that each member obtain a pin, as is now the
custom in several chapter, investment in the pin is optional.

6. A table may be placed at the front of the room in which the
initiation meeting is being held. On this table may be a tripod, a
retort, and several books arranged as indicated on the key. In
addition, the Greek Letters and , made quite large, should be
displayed, preferably by some method allowing illumination. (Some other
suitable arrangement may be made.)

7. Faculty members may be selected to present the certificates. Some
appropriate comments could be made about each student being initiated.

8. Following the more formal part of the initiation it is desirable to
present to the new members certain other material relative to the
Society. Some of this would be:

Most of this information is included in the pamphlet on the History and
Constitution of the society which is available in any quantity, without
charge, from the National Recorder-Treasurer.

9. This ritual is also appropriate for the initiation of faculty
active members.