Sample Induction Format
This information last updated: November 25, 2009 5:48 PM
- Ushers, usually chapter officers, members, alumni or faculty, greet arriving guests.
- Soft background music plays as guests are seated by ushers and continues during the processional of new members, special guests and faculty.
- Processional and seating of new members, who carry unlighted blue candles and are led by a chapter officer carrying a lighted gold candle. New members are seated in a special section near the induction table and the candle is placed on the induction table.
- Processional of special guests, faculty and administrators. Faculty often dress in formal regalia and are led by a chapter officer to reserved seating.
- Processional of participants conducting the induction ceremony. Chapter officers, guest speaker(s) and chapter advisor(s) having parts on the program should be seated at a head table or on stage.
- Welcome is extended by the Master/Mistress of Ceremonies, who may be a chapter officer, advisor, college president or other individual selected by the chapter. The Master/Mistress of Ceremonies should give a brief statement of the purpose of the Society and the induction ceremony, and introduce members of the head table to the guests.
- A brief presentation about the history of Phi Theta Kappa and the chapter by a chapter officer. Many chapters play the New Member Recruitment Video. Alternatively, a chapter officer may present a brief history of Phi Theta Kappa, a summary of which is available at www.ptk.org/about/.
- Introduction of the guest speaker and presentation.
- Induction begins. After completing the pledge of membership, soft background music is played as the following takes place:
- Inductee’s name is announced.
- Inductee steps to the induction table, signs the Chapter Record Book and lights a blue candle. (The chapter advisor maintains the Chapter Record Book, but if it cannot be located, contact the Recognition Services Department to purchase a book for a nominal fee.)
- If the chapter chooses to present membership certificates during the ceremony, the inductee receives the certificate and is congratulated by the college president, dean or chapter advisor. Optionally, the new member may also be presented with a white rose.
- Inductee returns to seat and remains standing with candle lit. If this creates a problem with college fire codes or if there is an extremely large number of inductees, candles may be extinguished as inductees return to their seats, battery-operated candles may be used or the candles may be eliminated from the ceremony.
- Inductees receive a charge from the advisor.
- Inductees extinguish candles and take their seats.
- Installation of chapter officers.
- Singing of the Phi Theta Kappa Song with all standing. The song was written by members of the Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, and adopted in 1923 as the Society’s official song. Still today, the song is often sung or played during induction ceremonies. A printable PDF of the song is available at http://www.ptk.org/supplies/songptk.pdf.
- Soft background music is played as the recessional of the head table, faculty and administrators, and new members takes place. A reception may follow.
