One of the most important and significant elements of the chartering process is preparing for and coordinating the chartering ceremony. The ceremony should reflect the seriousness of a formal event and provide an opportunity for all members of the college community to join together in a celebration of academic excellence. Below is an outline of the typical chartering ceremony.

• Greeting and seating of guests by ushers. Ushers may be members of the executive committee, candidates for induction, faculty, or leaders of student organizations.
• Processional and seating of candidates for induction. Candidates, carrying unlighted candles (preferably blue) are led into the room by a faculty member or association advisor carrying a lighted candle (preferably gold). Candidates are seated in a special section near the induction table. The induction table is usually situated in front of the head table. On the induction table are the Candle holder, Charter Certificate, membership certificates, a sign of the Phi Theta Kappa Key (if you have one), and a white rose (optional)
• Processional of special guests and participants conducting the chartering ceremony. Members of the executive committee, guest speakers and chapter advisors having a part on the programs should be seated at the head table.
• Welcome and introduction of special guests extended by master of ceremonies. Master of ceremonies may be the chairman of the executive committee, chapter advisor, college president or an individual selected by the chapter advisor.
• Guest speaker presentation.
• Headquarters Representative will make a brief speech on the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa (a mini orientation for audience members). Following the speech the representative will present the college president with the official charter and appreciation plaque for the chapter.
• Induction begins.

INDUCTION CEREMONY SCRIPT
__________________________ ASSOCIATION

PROCESSIONAL

The processional will be led by __________, Advisor of __________ Association. (Phi Theta Kappa song during processional optional)__________, President, will be followed in alphabetical order by the chapter officers and guest speakers. Phi Theta Kappa inductees will follow the stage guests in and be seated on the front row of the auditorium.

CHARTERING CEREMONY

• __________ will begin the ceremony by saying a few words of welcome and introduce the presenters and speakers.
• __________ will give greetings to the honored guests and inductees.
• __________ will introduce the evening’s speaker __________.
• __________ (Guest speaker) will address the inductees and guests.
• __________ (Headquarters Representative) will speak concerning the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa Alumni.
• __________, __________, __________, __________ will move next to the induction table to conduct the induction ceremony.

INDUCTION CEREMONY

• __________ will proceed to the podium and make the following statement:

“I am pleased to present these alumni for our Society. These students have fulfilled all requirements for membership and have chosen truth and service as their Hallmarks. I acknowledge them as Phi Theta Kappa alumni and recommend their acceptance into the __________ Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.”

• __________ will proceed to the podium and make the following statement:

Our ideals may be expressed in the words of Sir Francis Bacon in his essay On Studies ‘Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in the privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability is in the judgment and disposition of business. Read not to contradict and confuse; not to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.’”

• _________ will come forth and pick up the large candle from the induction table and come forward to the podium and make the following statement:

“I have in my hand a torch, symbolic of knowledge, which is the servant of wisdom which dwells with prudence and leads in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment.”

• __________ will approach the podium and make the following statement:

“I have the white rose typifying purity and beauty of light, with its white buds signifying new intellectual association.”

(Inductees are motioned to stand.)

“Now that the standard and ideals of this organization have been fully revealed to you, you come to complete the pledge….Please repeat after me:
I __________(state your name) do solemnly promise on this ______ day of ____ 20__, to uphold the standards of Phi Theta Kappa and to make this object and aim foremost in my mind, and I do solemnly pledge allegiance to my fellow members and promise to aid them in all worthy endeavors.

• __________ will then say:

“__________ will call out each inductees name. When your name is announced, please come to the induction table, receive your certificate of membership (if you have one), and light your candle.”

• __________ will call out each student’s name and major. Each member will come forward as his/her name is announced
• __________ will congratulate each inductee and present him/her with a membership certificate (unless certificates were sent to students’ home addresses).
• __________ will congratulate each inductee and present each with a white rose.(rose optional)

When this is done, all members will return to their seats with all their candles lit. (Candles will remain lit throughout the Recessional)

• __________ will the approach the podium and make the following statement:

“It is my pleasure to welcome you as Alumni to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the lively fellowship of scholars it affords. I salute you for your accomplishment; I charge you to explore always the truth and to dedicate yourselves to the cultivation of the well-reasoned life, a prelude to service and honor.”

• __________ will sing/play the Phi Theta Kappa song.

INSTALLATION OF CHAPTER OFFICERS

• __________ will approach the podium. The officers to be installed will stand in a semi-circle, facing the podium.

• __________ will say:

“You are charges with the responsibility of learning the duties of your office and executing those duties to the best of our ability. Repeat after me:” I, __________ (state your name), do solemnly promise to fulfill to the best of my ability my duties as an officer of __________ Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa.”

• __________ will say:

“You are duly recognized as the executive officers of the __________ Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa. We pledge the support of the members of this chapter to you.

RECESSIONAL

The recessional will be led by __________, followed by students just inducted and finally the platform party. (Phi Theta Kappa song played during recessional is optional)