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OMICRON TAU THETA
THE CEREMONY OF INITIATION OF OMICRON TAU THETA
GRADUATE HONOR SOCIETY IN CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
(Revised 1993)
All persons taking part in the initiation ceremony must
be members of Omicron Tau Theta. Academic gowns may be worn by initiating
officers and/or by candidates for membership.
PRESIDENT:
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(Rap gavel three times.)
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Would the candidates for membership into Omicron Tau
Theta please rise. (P A U S E)
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The initiation ceremony for candidates for membership
in Omicron Tau Theta, ( ) Chapter, will begin. The candidates for
membership are . . . . (President reads the names of each candidate
starting with Honorary Members, if any, first.)
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Have you declared that your primary professional interest
is to foster the welfare of career and technical education? If you so believe,
please answer, "I do."
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(The candidates respond together, "I do.")
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PARLIAMENTARIAN:
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As career and technical educators, we need the skills, knowledge,
behavior, and attitudes to accomplish our unique role in education.
We can fulfill our commitment to career and technical education through professional
leadership in teaching, research, and service.
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Please be seated.
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SECRETARY:
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Candidates for membership, as secretary, I will read
the purposes of Omicron Tau Theta. This organization shall seek
to improve career and technical education by striving to:
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promote leadership in career and technical education.
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encourage research in career and technical education.
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foster closer relationships in the career and technical community,
including schools, government, business, and industry.
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promote awareness of the benefits of career and technical
education to the individual, society, and work.
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further the general welfare of those in the profession
of career and technical education.
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HISTORIAN:
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Candidates for membership, as historian, I will briefly
review the historical development of career and technical education:
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The history of career and technical education dates back to
those individuals who sought to teach productive skills to youth
and adults for an improved quality of life and to increase the
chances for survival.
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Apprenticeship training, cooperative education,
and other modes of education for the world of work have existed
in all societies.
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The history of education for vocations is marked
by many achievements. career and technical knowledge has stimulated the
world-wide linkage of many nations and perhaps, in the future,
career and technical education will be the common thread to bridge the ideas
of peoples, the goals of societies, and the philosophies of governments.
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(P A U S E)
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A vision of the future mandates that leadership
in career and technical education rests with you--the initiates of Omicron
Tau Theta. Being here today ranks you as a leader. As leaders in
career and technical education, "we are now at the point where we must
educate people in what nobody knew yesterday, and prepare in our
schools for what no one knows yet but what some people must know
tomorrow." (Margaret Mead)
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VICE PRESIDENT: (Secretary point to Seal)
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Omicron (P A U S E) represented by the
circle, signifies the cycle of human resources in society. The circle
of Omicron is the cycle of life, including the Alpha and the Omega--the
beginning and the end. It is human resources that are most valued
to us as educators and are a paramount resource in the world of
work.
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Tau (P A U S E) represented by the "T,"
signifies the truth each of us must maintain when working with learners.
The value of "truth" within our decisions is of highest
importance. We must be true to the goal that career and technical education
must provide equal opportunities for all people. No program of career and technical
preparation should be assigned to a class of people because of their
handicap, their background, or other unique characteristics that
will limit their horizons.
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Theta (P A U S E) represented by the
circle and centered banner, signifies you, the individual. You are
the Theta, who is needed to assure that Omicron, the cycle of human
resources, and Tau, the maintenance of truth are assured for future
generations.
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PARLIAMENTARIAN:
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This is the symbolism of the crest:
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Acanthus leaves signify leadership and growth. The
burning torch represents a quest for enduring knowledge. The circle
represents the environment of human resources. The bridge signifies
our mission in career and technical education to bridge the individual with
society through the productive contributions that each individual
can share with neighbors.
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PRESIDENT:
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Omicron Tau Theta, as a graduate honor society in
career and technical education, pledges itself to professionalism within the
structure of education, communities, and governments. As a member
of Omicron Tau Theta, do you pledge yourself to uphold the professional
standards to which Omicron Tau Theta is committed? If so, please
answer, "I do."
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(Candidates respond "I do.")
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Will the candidates and members please rise. Will
the candidates please repeat the following:
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"I . . . (give your name in full) . . ./ do accept
the leadership responsibilities/ and, consistent with the goals
of Omicron Tau Theta,/ promise to promote leadership in career and technical
education;/ encourage research in career and technical education;/ foster
closer relationships in the career and technical community;/ promote awareness
of the benefits of career and technical education;/ and further the general
welfare of those in the profession of career and technical education.
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Please be seated.
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TREASURER:
Candidates for membership, we are pleased to welcome you
into the fellowship of Omicron Tau Theta. Please come forward to sign
the membership registration book and receive your membership certificate.
I will announce your name so that all present will hear and note the name
of a career and technical education leader.
(Treasurer reads all candidates' names and presents membership
certificates to each.)
PUBLICATIONS EDITOR:
Congratulations on your acceptance of a leadership commitment.
To paraphrase Charles Prosser (1913), the American school will become
truly democratic when we learn to educate all kinds of people, in all
kinds of ways, for all kinds of things. Let it hereby be known to all
that you rank among those career and technical educators who have helped to build
nations. The fellowship that you extend to your neighbors around you will
be your leadership key.
PRESIDENT:
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This concludes the initiation ceremony. (President
may wish to make some closing remarks or announcements.)
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ITEMS NEEDED FOR INITIATION
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Table cloth
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Candles and holders
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Banner
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Gavel
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Registration and book and pen
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Flowers
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Certificates and membership cards
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Payment of initiation fees and dues
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