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Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences
International Honor Society in Social Sciences
Pi Gamma Mu®
International Honor Society
in Social Sciences
1001 Millington Street, Suite B
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-3128
EMAIL

Initiation Ceremony

THE RITUAL FOR INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS

[The following scripts can be assigned singly or in any combination to a student officer or any other appropriate individual, most notably the chapter President, Vice-President, Faculty Sponsor (Secretary-Treasurer), Faculty Co-Sponsor, or other designated individual, such as a past president, an academic or division head.]

PRESIDENT [or OFFICER 1]: Pi Gamma Mu is an international social science honor society. The name refers to the first letter of three Greek words that denote “the study of the social sciences”*, and it is to that end that the interdisciplinary honor society is dedicated. More specifically, the Society aims to reward interest and achievement in the study of social sciences by the conferring of membership upon those who have thus distinguished themselves, and who accept the Society’s aims and ideals.

*The Greek letters of Pi Gamma Mu stand for the words Politices Gnoseos Mathetae

VICE-PRESIDENT [or OFFICER 2]: Pi Gamma Mu has several meaningful symbols. The first is the Society’s key. [It would be helpful to refer attendees to a picture of the key at this point.) The wreath at the bottom suggests that social science is the outgrowth and fulfillment of natural science. The running figure is reminiscent of the ancient Greek torch race and symbolizes humanity bringing knowledge to the solution of its own problems and passing on the light from generation to generation. The Society’s colors are blue and white. These two colors are symbolic of truth and light. The motto of the Society is the precept of the Master Teacher, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

SECRETARY (SPONSOR) [or OFFICER 3]: Pi Gamma Mu has seven ideals: Scholarship, Science, Social Science, Social Idealism, Sociability, Social Service and Sacrifice

Scholarship - it is basic to all the rest. We are committed to the disciplined and open-minded pursuit of truth, in the firm expectation that it will ultimately bring to humanity what we passionately desire: peace, prosperity, equality and true freedom of both body and mind.

The second ideal is Science. We need and admire the spirit of science – the firm belief that the problems that confront humanity can be solved if we will search out the facts and think clearly on the basis of those facts.

The third ideal is Social Science. In our commitment to the truth, we are open to all sources of knowing, but we rely on the scientific method, with its careful observation and logical thinking, to produce valid and reliable social facts, including knowledge of human motives and behavior, the nature of past and present human association and social institutions, and social problems and responses to them.

OFFICER 4: The fourth ideal is Social Idealism itself. “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Our vision embraces the creation of an ever more compassionate, wise, just, and tolerant society and world system with freedom and equal opportunity for all. We aspire to maximize human potential in all regards, promoting individual and collective fulfillment and well-being.

The fifth ideal is Sociability. Specialization makes us narrow. Our social problems are complex. They will never be solved without the cooperation of all the social sciences and of those who study them.

The sixth ideal is Social Service. The pursuit of our ideals requires giving freely, fully, and joyously of our time, talent, and energy. The fruit of our scholarship, science, and idealism is reaped through service to others for the benefit of all humanity, and this, in turn, requires the cooperation, dedication, passion and participation of all people and of all the social sciences.

The seventh ideal is Sacrifice. We are engaged in the greatest and finest of all the arts, the building of human society. Giving freely of means, time, talent, energy, and passion contributes to the fulfillment of our other ideals.

PRESIDENT: To all candidates for membership assembled here, having heard the ideals of this Society, do you accept them as your own? If so, say, “I do”.

CANDIDATES: I do.

PRESIDENT: Sponsor, in your capacity as the faculty secretary and monitor of our chapter, have all the candidates here assembled met the stated qualifications for membership in this Society?

SECRETARY (SPONSOR): Yes. Their records have been examined, and they have been certified as meeting all local and international qualifications for membership. I recommend them to you individually for membership by the reading of each candidate’s name.

PRESIDENT: Candidates, as your name is called, please come forward and receive the credentials of membership* and sign the chapter roster/light your candle**.

*Membership certificate, membership card, key pin

**Chapters are encouraged to secure a bound book of blank pages as a ceremonial record of candidate pledges. If desired, this act of registration could replace the following ritual of reciting the Society’s motto. Also, of a ceremonial candlelight component is desired, the following or some variation can replace the above: “Candidates, as your name is called, please come forward, (sign the roster), light the candle you are given with the one on the table to represent your willingness to stand in the light…(and then collect the items of membership [and/or] recite the Society’s motto…”).

[President instructs the candidates to remain standing as a group until all have received the certificates (and signed the roll) and then continues with the following:]

By reciting the motto of Pi Gamma Mu you pledge to honor the Society’s ideals and purposes. Repeat after me: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

NEW MEMBERS: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

[Alternatively, the recitation of the motto could be omitted, the President could substitute the following for the above: “By signing the roll you pledge…” Or both acts could be requested and the following could be substituted: “By reciting the motto of Pi Gamma Mu and by signing the roll, you pledge…”]

PRESIDENT: (May the truth indeed make you free and this freedom make you strong and your strength set others free.) I declare to all present that these initiates are now and henceforth members of Pi Gamma Mu and as such are hereby invested with all the rights, privileges, honors and duties connected therewith. Congratulations to all.

[Chapters are permitted to innovate their own ritual, by, for instance, shortening the above. For an example of such, see the following “Brief Ritual”.]

A BRIEF RITUAL FOR THE INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS

PRESIDENT [or OFFICER 1]: Pi Gamma Mu is an international social science honor society. The name refers to the first letter of three Greek words that denote “the study of the social sciences”, and it is to that end that the interdisciplinary honor society is dedicated. More specifically, the Society aims to reward interest and achievement in the study of social sciences by the conferring of membership upon those who have thus distinguished themselves, and who accept the Society’s aims and ideals.

PRESIDENT: Sponsor, in your capacity as the faculty secretary and monitor of our chapter, have all the candidates here assembled met the stated qualifications for membership in this Society?

SECRETARY (SPONSOR): Yes. Their records have been examined, and they have been certified as meeting all local and international qualifications for membership. I recommend them to you individually for membership by the reading of each candidate’s name.

PRESIDENT: Candidates, as your name is called, please come forward to receive the items of official membership (and sign the chapter roster). Then please remain standing. [When all have received their certificates, etc., continue, as follows:] By reciting the motto of Pi Gamma Mu you pledge to honor the Society’s ideals and purposes (and will thereby complete all requirements for official membership).

[Alternatively, the President could substitute the following: “By signing the roll…” or, “By reciting the motto of Pi Gamma Mu and signing the roll…”]

Repeat after me: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

NEW MEMBERS: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

PRESIDENT: I declare to all present that these new initiates are now and henceforth members of Pi Gamma Mu and as such are hereby invested with all the rights, privileges, honors and duties connected therewith. Congratulations to all.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

The Installation Ceremony ordinarily will be carried out by the retiring president, but mat be conducted by the faculty sponsor, or by any other person appointed for this purpose. The Installation Ceremony may be preceded by a farewell address by the retiring president followed by an acceptance address by the incoming president.

OFFICER: Members of Pi Gamma Mu, we are now ready to install the new officers of this Chapter. The following persons have been duly elected to the following offices:

Secretary-Treasurer: ___________________________________

Vice-President: _______________________________________

President: ___________________________________________

OFFICER: Will those whose names have been read step forward?

OFFICER: ______________________, you have been chosen Secretary-Treasurer of this Chapter. I charge you to exercise your office with accuracy, efficiency, and integrity. If you will perform these duties to the best of your ability, raise your right hand and say, “I will.”

SECRETARY-TREASURER: I will.

OFFICER: ______________________, you have been chosen Vice-President of this Chapter. I charge you to fulfill this high office with prudence and vigor and so to aid the President and this Chapter in the discharge of responsibilities. If you will perform these duties to the best of your ability, raise your right hand and say, “I will.”

VICE-PRESIDENT: I will.

OFFICER: ______________________, you have been chosen President of this Chapter. Exercise your role of leadership with care and responsibility so that this Chapter will grow and flourish and achieve the expectations of Pi Gamma Mu. If you will perform your duties to the best of your ability, raise your right hand and say, “I will.”

PRESIDENT: I will.

OFFICER: Inasmuch as these members have been duly chosen and have accepted their duties and responsibilities, I now declare that they are hereby inaugurated and now constitute the regular officers of the Chapter.

INSTALLATION OF NEW CHAPTERS

The installation of a new chapter of Pi Gamma Mu may be conducted by any international, regional, or provincial officer, or by the official organizer of the chapter, or by someone appointed by the organizer or by the International Executive Director or President. The installation Ceremony should be preceded by the Initiation Ceremony and the Installation of Officers, both conducted by the person in charge of the Installation Ceremony, assisted by any members in the institution and by any visiting members of the society who may be invited in for this purpose. In the absence of any who are already members, the organizer and other prospective members appointed by the organizer may perform the various functions, initiating and inaugurating themselves along with the other members and officers.

OFFICER: I ask all of the members of this Chapter to come forward and arrange themselves before me in the form of a solid square. This solid square symbolizes the strength of the Chapter as a unit – to stand and work for the principles of Pi Gamma Mu. Do you, the members of this new Chapter, accept and adopt these principles as your own?

ALL: We do.

OFFICER: Are you in harmony with the purpose of Pi Gamma Mu to advance the study of social science and the application of the results of that study to the needs of all people?

ALL: We are.

OFFICER: Will you accept, support and be loyal to the Charter and Constitution of Pi Gamma Mu and the constitution or determinations of this Chapter?

ALL: We will.

OFFICER: Inasmuch, therefore, as you, the members of this new Chapter, have subscribed to the purposes, ideals, and objectives of Pi Gamma Mu and pledged your support to its Charter and Constitution, I hereby proclaim that this Chapter is constituted an integral unit in Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society in Social Science, and as such is entitled to all of the privileges, rights, honors, and obligations of such a Chapter. May the standing, work, and loyalty of this Chapter be a credit to you, its members, to this your alma mater, and to the great Society of which you are now a part. May the principles of Pi Gamma Mu enrich your lives and enable you to better serve the present age. May the truth make you free and this freedom make you strong and your strength set others free.