Category:Initiation

Out of respect for the future innitiates, practice the ceremony in private, multiple times before it is performed.

The purpose of this section is to provide suggestions which past experience has shown add to the effectiveness of the presentation of the Ritual.

Some of the ideals and principles of the Fraternity, and its secrets, are first presented to a new member through the initiation ceremony. To make these meaningful, the ceremony must be presented in a dignified, impressive manner. To do this, the initiation ceremony must be rehearsed in advance with all seven ritualistic officers participating. To enhance the presentation, each chapter should have the complement of equipment and regalia listed in the Ritual. It is recommended that the officers wear official Theta Tau robes. Dark business suits or equivalent should be worn by other members present. If a chapter does not have robes, it should begin by purchasing a single robe for the Regent, then eventually acquire the entire set. Information on price is available from the Central Office. Selected alumni may be asked to donate a robe apiece. Such a gift may be recognized by a nicely lettered label sewn in the back of the robe, in addition to mention in a newsletter, and a letter of thanks to the donor.

Prior to the date of initiation, the prospective initiates should be told the schedule of the day. Two hours should be allowed for the ceremony (including probable late start and subsequent review session). Schedule should include a banquet or dinner afterward. Initiates should wear a dark suit or equivalent; and to wear the insignia of no other organization on that day, but to bring the pledge insigne to be turned in prior to initiation. Initiation fee and badge cost must be paid by initiate prior to initiation. Prior to the initiation day, initiates should be assigned a logical order for the initiation; and Roll Book Pages (obtained from the Central Office) should have all blanks except signature lines completed in advance (preferably by laser printer, or by typing, or carefully lettered in ink), including full name below initiate's signature line. Secret material in the Ritual must be decoded in advance. Short phrases should be memorized; longer phrases and interchanges between the Marshal and the Guards may be on cards or post it notes for use during rehearsal and initiation only, then destroyed. Although it should not be necessary to do so, all members should be reminded in advance to wear their badges to the ceremony.

The chapter room should be arranged as shown in the Ritual. The use of soft chairs for members should be avoided. Adequate ventilation should be provided, and the room temperature should be low enough at the start to allow for a rise during the ceremony when members and initiates are present. A badge must be borrowed in advance from a member for each initiate. These should be carefully arranged in a jewelry case so that it is known which member's badge is lent to which initiate. Just prior to the initiation, the Regent should remind the members present that there is no smoking during the ceremony; that the chapter replies in unison "aye," and "we all do," at specified times, and "amen" following the prayer and oath. He should further remind them that the officers will lead members in filing past to welcome initiates at the close of the ceremony. Guards should sit together inside the door during most of the ceremony, prevent interruptions, and admit latecomers only while initiates are not in the room. Telephone ringing should be prevented. With the initiates gathered in a nearby room, the Marshal should cover these points: 1) Each should silence their cell phone; 2) Initiates should be arranged in a column in initiation order; 3) Other insignia on coat or shirt should be removed; 4) Pledge pins should be collected.

If members for whom the Vice Regent cannot vouch are present, the procedures in the Ritual for "Visiting Members," must be followed. The meeting is opened without initiates being present. The usual opening prayer is not used. It should be noted that separate parts of the Ritual are provided for the cases of initiating student member(s), an honorary member, or the installation of a new chapter. Further, the arrangement of the initiate(s) during the oath varies with the number involved. The Centennial Edition (2011) of the Ritual provides detailed instruction and diagrams to assist each chapter in conducting a high quality ceremony.

Following the ceremony, after the new members are welcomed, the visitors and those vouching for them are to be noted in the meeting minutes. Those serving as Regent and Scribe during the ceremony sign the roll pages as witnesses. The Adviser and any current or past national officers present also sign the roll pages. Detailed instructions in the Ritual should be followed, including the holding of a closed conference during which the secrets and principles of the Fraternity are reviewed for the new initiates by the Regent. All cards, post-its, or other material showing used should be safely burned immediately.

Promptly after an initiation, the Treasurer submits to the Central Office a fully completed Initiation Reportfollowed by payment of all initiation fees and badge costs via US Mail to the Central Office or via online payment. When all procedural details are complete, the Executive Director will place orders for shingles and jewelry ordered for the new initiates.