Chapter Chartering Ceremony Script

(1)

Chapter Chartering Ceremony Script

I. Introduction [Welcome]

Honor Society Representative:

Hello and welcome to the American University of Beirut Hariri School of Nursing Honor Society chapter chartering and induction ceremony. My name is __________ (name and title) and we are delighted you are part of this occasion. I would like to begin this event by introducing you to (chartering officer’s name),

(chartering officer’s title) of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

<<Pause for applause>> <<Representative may return to his/her seat>>

Chartering Officer:

On behalf of Sigma Theta Tau International’s board of directors, I commend the officers and members of this nursing honor society for their commitment and effort in making possible the chartering of a chapter at the AUB Hariri School of Nursing.

<<Pause for applause>>

[Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions]

Sigma Theta Tau International, or STTI, was founded by innovative thinkers who looked forward to a profession that recognizes and uses knowledge and learning to lead in service to others.

Slide 1: Welcome

Slide 2: Founders

(2)

Founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University in the United States of America, STTI began with one chapter and six members. During the past 89 years, it has evolved to 470 chapters around the globe, with more than 130,000 active

members in more than 90 countries and territories.

Over the course of the organization’s history, the commitment to knowledge, learning and service has guided STTI in achieving many milestones and firsts in the nursing profession some of which include:

 nursing research grants

 scholarly nursing journal, known today as the Journal of Nursing Scholarship

 philanthropic campaign and resultant Center for Nursing Scholarship where STTI is headquartered

 electronic library of nursing research and knowledge

 international peer-reviewed evidence-based practice journal, Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing

As one of the most distinctive organizations in professional nursing, STTI influences and changes the health of people by engaging the intellectual capital of nurses around the globe. By developing and building connections with diverse people and entities, we enable nurses to collectively and individually develop, create, use and apply their knowledge to make a difference for the greater good of people’s well being. This is our vision and mission.

[Foundational Values/Principles]

Founded to advance the knowledge, learning and service of nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International focuses on scholarship and leadership in its social and ethical

Slide 3: Milestones Slide 4: Flags Slide 5: Beliefs

(3)

commitment to excellence. As an innovative, forward-looking organization, STTI is continually changing to fulfill its mission and vision. Yet it values its heritage.

Our founders chose the organization’s name for the words in the Greek language meaning love, courage and honor. They believed these to be enduring values that are at the root of the nursing profession—the foundation upon which the art and science grows and is used.

These enduring values come alive today through our collective pursuit in knowledge, leadership and service. We are committed to building a global community which is focused on the creation and application of knowledge and leadership to make a difference for others. We value the diversity of nurses around the world and work to enable relationships, collaboration and partnerships. These are our strategic

directions.

Our crest symbolizes these enduring values. The eye represents wisdom and discernment. The stars are in recognition of our six founders. The scroll is that of learning and bears the Greek letters, Sigma Theta Tau. The pillars of stone at the right and the left denote service, professional endeavor and strength of leadership. The lamp represents the lamp of knowledge. The motto on the banner is Sigma Theta Tau.

The key reminds us of our charge to uphold love, courage and honor, and is a symbol of scholarship. The chartering of a chapter and induction of members serves as recognition of nursing excellence and a commitment to these values.

<<Pause >> Slide 7: Global Slide 8: Crest and Key Slide 6: ΣΘΤ

(4)

II. Charter Presentation [Presentation and Response]

Your nursing honor society at AUB Hariri School of Nursing has demonstrated its commitment to nursing excellence, met the requirements for establishing a chapter, and was approved to become a STTI chapter.

Will the following nursing honor society representatives please come forward:

(name), honor society president

(name), honor society (officer position)

As representatives of your nursing honor society, do you know and accept the purposes of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International?

Honor Society Representative:

Yes, we the members of this nursing honor society have studied the purposes of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and we accept them as the model for our own endeavors.

On the recommendation of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau

International Board of Directors and House of Delegates, and by the power vested in me as the chartering officer, I am pleased to announce your chapter will be known as Chi Iota Chapter, chapter number 511 of the honor society.

<<Pause for applause>> Slide 9:

Official Chapter

(5)

First, I present to you a replica of the top portion of the charter. Following this ceremony, your chapter will receive its official charter with charter members’ names inscribed.

Second, I present your chapter’s coat-of-arms plaque, which symbolizes the ideals of STTI and is inscribed with your chapter’s name and chartering date. Your chapter may choose to display the charter and coat-of-arms as a symbol of its continued commitment to nursing excellence and the honor society’s purposes.

Honor Society President:

On behalf of the prospective members, I am honored to accept this charter and coat-of-arms plaque for the Chi Iota Chapter at the AUB Hariri School of Nursing. We are proud to become a chapter and pledge our commitment to nursing excellence and STTI’s purposes.

<<Pause for applause>> <<Representatives may return to their seats>>

[Congratulations]

Will Dr. Huijer , Director of the School of Nursing please come forward and

recognize those persons wishing to congratulate the Chi Iota Chapter for receipt of its charter and coat-of-arms.

<<Dean/Director should present a congratulations message from the nursing school or college/university. Dean/Director should also allow brief congratulatory messages from others. Dean/Director should then return to his/her seat.>>

Slide 10: Charter Slide 11: Coat-of-Arms Slide 12: Dean/ Director

(6)

Thank you, Dr. Huijer. Please join me in congratulating this new chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

III. Membership Induction [Induction Pledge]

At this time, it is my pleasure to welcome and congratulate the candidates for membership. You are among a distinguished group of nursing students and

professionals who have met or exceeded rigorous standards and have demonstrated the ideal qualities of leaders and scholars. You truly deserve our congratulations.

As you are welcomed into this community, I applaud the current and future roles you now play and will play as clinicians, administrators, researchers, educators, or

consultants. You live out your role with integrity, intelligence, caring, and courage. You embody leadership, excellence, and scholarship in the nursing profession. For this, we welcome you into this worldwide community of nurse scholars with the expectation of learning—learning from you, learning about you, and learning with you.

Now it is time to receive into membership these outstanding new members. Will all of the candidates please rise?

<<Note: Transfer and multiple members should not rise because they should not be inducted again into the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. They will receive recognition later.>>

Slide 13: Our Members

(7)

<<For the following pledge, chartering officer should break the pledge into sections. Even though the pledge is on the Power Point presentation, chartering officer should have people repeat only a small portion at a time.>>

Please accept the privilege and responsibility of membership in the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, by reciting the pledge shown on the screen:

“I accept membership in Sigma Theta Tau International, and I pledge to fulfill its commitment to nursing excellence, knowledge, service, and leadership throughout my career.”

Please help me congratulate these new members with our applause.

New members, please be seated.

Will Dr. Huijer and members of the Chi Iota Chapter board of directors please come forward to sign your name in the chapter’s signature book and receive your ribbons as your name is called?

<<If the Dean/Director or members of the board of the directors are multiple or transfer members, their membership status should be recognized at this time. They should sign the signature book, but will not receive a membership certificate. The Dean/Director may now read new inductees’ names and members of the board of directors may assist inductees in signing the signature book, pinning on ribbons, and receiving their membership information.>>

Transfer and multiple members, when your name is called, please come forward to sign the chapter’s signature book and receive your ribbons.

Slide 14: Pledge

Slide 15: Chapter Board

(8)

<<Dean/Director reads transfer members’ names and their former chapters’ names first, then reads multiple members’ names and their other chapters’ names. Your chapter may also show members’ names on the screen.>>

New members, when your name is called, please come forward to receive your membership certificate and ribbon, and sign your name in the chapter’s signature book.

Dean/Director:

This concludes the induction of members. Congratulations to all of you. <<Lead applause>>

<< Dean/Director returns to his/her seat>>

Along with your membership certificate, you have been provided with a “Design Your Membership Experience” brochure. I encourage all of you to take some time to review the vast amount of benefits and resources you now have access to as members of STTI. The brochure is divided into four areas: Honor, Community, Service, and Knowledge Solutions. As a new member, there are numerous opportunities to grow, develop, and contribute. As you begin to design your membership experience, take time to:

 Celebrate your achievements and commitment to excellence.

 Experience nursing through relationships and partnerships with colleagues around the world.

 Balance your professional pursuits through honor society activities and opportunities including community service and volunteering at the local, regional, or international level.

Slide 16: Member Benefits

(9)

 Enhance your professional growth through career assistance, research, and member publications.

As a member, you are part of a worldwide community of nurses that can help you keep in touch with the reasons you became a nurse. Membership is more than

recognition for your academic or professional success—it is an experience you create throughout your career. Use the resources that membership offers to create the

experience that is right for you.

Congratulations to you, the charter members of Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.

<<Pause for applause.>>

IIV. Installation of Officers

Leading you as members of the Chapter at the local level will be an elected group of officers. The following persons have been elected as the first group of officers for this chapter. As your names are called, please come forward:

President President-Elect (optional) Vice President Secretary Treasurer Counselor

As set forth in the chapter’s bylaws, the duties of the officers are as follow: o The president, as executive officer, administers all business of the chapter and

serves as chief representative of the chapter at inter-chapter activities and as an Slide 17:

(10)

ex-officio member of all committees except the Leadership Succession Committee.

o The president-elect assists the president in providing leadership for this chapter and succeeds into the presidency.

o The vice president performs the duties of the president in the president’s absence. o The secretary prepares and distributes meeting minutes and correspondence. o The treasurer is the custodian of the chapter’s funds and proposes a budget to the

board of directors.

o The counselor oversees the membership eligibility process.

If your duties are fully understood, please answer “yes.” <<Chapter officers answer “yes”>>

<<The chapter may or may not have individuals elected as directors. If there are no elected directors, skip down to >>

Will the member (s) elected as director(s) please come forward. Director

Director

The director(s) facilitates the goals and purposes of the chapter through service on the board of directors.

If your duties are fully understood, please answer “yes.” <<Director(s) answers “yes”>>

<<For the following pledge, chartering officer should break the pledge into sections. Even though the pledge is on the Power Point presentation, chartering officer should have people repeat only a small portion at a time.>>

(11)

Will the board of directors (officers and directors), elected by the members, please repeat after me, in unison:

I pledge to fulfill the duties of my position <<pause for repeat>> to the best of my ability <<pause to repeat>> and to work for the purposes of Sigma Theta Tau International <<stop to repeat>>.

I now recognize , president of Chapter.

Chapter President:

We, the board of directors, appreciate the confidence our members have placed in us, and we realize we have an obligation to serve the interests of our membership, our chapter, and the honor society. We look forward to our work in promoting nursing excellence and the honor society’s purposes.

<<Pause for applause>> <<Board of directors may return to their seats>>

In closing, I challenge each of you to view this chartering and induction as a beginning— a beginning of thinking differently about yourself, your impact, and your contribution to the nursing profession and global health care.

The foundation of your STTI membership is a combination of honor, community, service, and knowledge. Your pursuit of nursing excellence has earned you this honor and the opportunity to build your career and your membership experience throughout your lifetime.

You represent the future of nursing and STTI and your chapter are here to assist you along your journey. We look forward to being there along the way.

I congratulate you on the chartering of your chapter and induction of members! This concludes our ceremony – thank you for attending.

Slide 19: Chapter Board Slide 18: Oath Slide 20: Your Journey Slide 21: Congrats