Ceremonies Committee
The Ceremonies Committee promotes an appreciation of the heritage and traditions of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. (Texas State Rules, adopted 2018). It is the task of this committee to act as a resource to chapters as they prepare and present various ceremonies throughout the year. This committee has access to a large archive of ceremonies for induction, installation, recommitment, and remembrance. Also available are programs for celebrating Founders Day and chapter birthdays. The Ceremonies Book (2011) contains the new, more contemporary ceremonies along with traditional ceremonies.
When thinking of your Chapter's Birthday, Tribute to the Founders, Induction of new members, Memory of a lost sister, and other times the Ceremonies committee is in charge of providing meaningful programs, don't forget to think about the "small stuff." This includes flowers, candles, brass, and when these should happen. The link below is a helpful timeline that you can use to plan ceremonies for your chapter.
Ceremonies Timeline
Ceremonies Timeline
Oldies but Goodies
One of the many privileges of the State Ceremonies Committee is to present a birthday celebration and a tribute to the Founders at the State Convention and other large gatherings. Another privilege is accepting and archiving ceremonies from chapters across the State. As the Ceremonies Chair you are given many ceremonies performed at State Conventions, Regionals, International, Coordinating Councils, and on the chapter level. Some of these date back to the early 1960s.
We will be highlighting some of these programs in a section we are calling Oldies but Goodies. Chapters are encouraged to use these ceremonies and to make modifications that will make them useful and meaningful for your chapter’s use.
Listed below are a few ceremonies considered to be appropriate for the Founders’ Tribute, Recommitment, and use in the induction ceremony. We will be updating this list and encourage you to refer to it often. Some of the names are very familiar and you will be interested in their “early work.”
If you need a ceremony for an event that is not posted, please let Dr. Barbara Derrick know as ideas can be pulled from these wonderful archives in the Ceremonies File.
If you have created a ceremony and feel others would benefit from using it, please send it to Barbara. We would love to add to these files. Plus, what do educators do best? Share!
We will be highlighting some of these programs in a section we are calling Oldies but Goodies. Chapters are encouraged to use these ceremonies and to make modifications that will make them useful and meaningful for your chapter’s use.
Listed below are a few ceremonies considered to be appropriate for the Founders’ Tribute, Recommitment, and use in the induction ceremony. We will be updating this list and encourage you to refer to it often. Some of the names are very familiar and you will be interested in their “early work.”
If you need a ceremony for an event that is not posted, please let Dr. Barbara Derrick know as ideas can be pulled from these wonderful archives in the Ceremonies File.
If you have created a ceremony and feel others would benefit from using it, please send it to Barbara. We would love to add to these files. Plus, what do educators do best? Share!
Rededication Ceremony
All of us have had members who have left the organization for one reason or another. Some due to aging parents, some due to busy/active teenagers who need chaperoning, some their own or family member health issues, some returning to school to obtain an advanced degree, having too many commitments at school and home, and the list goes on and on. It should be our goal as a chapter to keep up with these members and encourage them through these difficult times. Inviting them to chapter meetings and special events is one way to keep in touch. Sending cards and emails is another. Once things have settled down, now is the time to ask them to return to membership. Once they have committed to returning you may choose to conduct a Rededication Ceremony. Below is a ceremony that has been adapted from one that can be found on the international website; dkg.org. Feel free to adapt it to fit your chapter and the member/members returning. Many just need encouragement and a warm smile to convince them to rejoin our chapter and experience full membership.
Recommitment Ceremony
As many members across the State return to their first meeting of the year it is the perfect time for members to reflect on their membership. The perfect way to facilitate this reflection is through a recommitment ceremony. But where do you start?
Members of the Ceremonies Committee have some suggested ideas below. Feel free to use any of these or combine them to create a ceremony that appeals to your chapter.
International also has some ideas. Search Ceremonies or Recommitment on the international website (www.dkg.org).
If you create a recommitment ceremony, we would love to add it to our Resources. Please send it to State Ceremonies Chairman Dr. Barbara Derrick.
Other perfect times for a recommitment ceremony is the first meeting in January or as a part of the induction ceremony.
Members of the Ceremonies Committee have some suggested ideas below. Feel free to use any of these or combine them to create a ceremony that appeals to your chapter.
International also has some ideas. Search Ceremonies or Recommitment on the international website (www.dkg.org).
If you create a recommitment ceremony, we would love to add it to our Resources. Please send it to State Ceremonies Chairman Dr. Barbara Derrick.
Other perfect times for a recommitment ceremony is the first meeting in January or as a part of the induction ceremony.
Virtual Recommitment Ceremony (For Zoom users.)
Birthday Celebration Ceremony
Who doesn’t love a birthday party? Did you know that each year it is customary for all DKG chapters to celebrate when they were founded? This practice goes back to Founder Mamie Sue Bastian and the first birthday celebration created by her. Today chapters continue to honor the beginning and founding of their chapter. Birthday celebrations come in all forms and fashions. As Ceremonies Chair, you can decide how you want to celebrate this milestone for your chapter. Do what your members will like. Mix it up and do something formal and lighthearted.
We would love to showcase your Birthday celebrations. Please send them to Chair Dr. Barbara Derrick, [email protected].
And, Happy Birthday!
We would love to showcase your Birthday celebrations. Please send them to Chair Dr. Barbara Derrick, [email protected].
And, Happy Birthday!
84th Birthday Celebration (Adaptable for any year)
Birthday Celebration and Ceremony (Includes two interactive activities)
Celebration of Life
Remembering Our Sisters with the Rose Ceremony
When a sister passes it is our responsibility to remember her and to express to the family the importance DKG played in their lives. One special way is with the Rose Ceremony. The ceremony is brief but impactful. A member of the chapter should share brief comments about her. This should include the number of years she was a member and any special roles or positions she held in the chapter, area, state, or international level. The ceremony concludes with each DKG member in attendance placing a red rose on the casket or a place agreed upon with the family and funeral director. The last rose placed is a white rose. Someone close to the member should place this special rose.
Many members do not realize we have such a ceremony but more importantly many families do not either. It is hoped that as members we each inform our family that we want this special ceremony. Also, we should write in an important place how they can contact the chapter. Now is the time to do this.
This ceremony is usually conducted by the Necrology Committee but often the Ceremonies Committee is asked to do the ceremony as many chapters do not have a Necrology Committee.
More information can be found on the Necrology webpage under the Committees tab.
When a sister passes it is our responsibility to remember her and to express to the family the importance DKG played in their lives. One special way is with the Rose Ceremony. The ceremony is brief but impactful. A member of the chapter should share brief comments about her. This should include the number of years she was a member and any special roles or positions she held in the chapter, area, state, or international level. The ceremony concludes with each DKG member in attendance placing a red rose on the casket or a place agreed upon with the family and funeral director. The last rose placed is a white rose. Someone close to the member should place this special rose.
Many members do not realize we have such a ceremony but more importantly many families do not either. It is hoped that as members we each inform our family that we want this special ceremony. Also, we should write in an important place how they can contact the chapter. Now is the time to do this.
This ceremony is usually conducted by the Necrology Committee but often the Ceremonies Committee is asked to do the ceremony as many chapters do not have a Necrology Committee.
More information can be found on the Necrology webpage under the Committees tab.
Founders' Day
Honoring Membership
At the state level honoring members for a specific number of years as a member is the job of the Membership Committee. However, at the chapter level the Ceremonies Committee is often asked to help plan or present this tribute.
Listed below is one ceremony created to honor members who are celebrating 25, 50, or more than 50 years of membership. Feel free to adapt for the number of years you wish to celebrate.
A single red rose along with a certificate is usually given to the members. Another idea is to be sure and capture their stories for your chapter’s archival records.
Listed below is one ceremony created to honor members who are celebrating 25, 50, or more than 50 years of membership. Feel free to adapt for the number of years you wish to celebrate.
A single red rose along with a certificate is usually given to the members. Another idea is to be sure and capture their stories for your chapter’s archival records.
Time to Install
Congratulations to the newly elected chapter officers. Please accept our thanks for accepting the leadership role in your chapter. Our appreciation goes out to you as you help your chapter to continue to thrive and grow over the next two years. But first, your chapter needs to conduct an installation ceremony.
Listed below is a traditional installation ceremony often used by chapters. But International tells us, “Person(s) in charge of installation may choose procedures to follow according to chapter wishes. Delete any part of the traditional/formal ceremony which is not applicable to chapter organization". So, we have included a non-traditional ceremony that might appeal to your chapter more. Consider using the “Circle Installation” or any other. Or feel free to create your own. If you do, please share that with us so that we may share on the webpage.
Listed below is a traditional installation ceremony often used by chapters. But International tells us, “Person(s) in charge of installation may choose procedures to follow according to chapter wishes. Delete any part of the traditional/formal ceremony which is not applicable to chapter organization". So, we have included a non-traditional ceremony that might appeal to your chapter more. Consider using the “Circle Installation” or any other. Or feel free to create your own. If you do, please share that with us so that we may share on the webpage.
Ceremony Scripts, Slideshows, and Helpful Hints
To walk with confidence into the future, they must first understand our heritage. Celebrate DKG!
Below is a handy guide to all of these things as well as some tried and true hints and shortcuts. The packet, linked below, was presented in McAllen this summer by Area 4 members Frances Ziegenhals and Betty Hill. It is worth the read and I promise you will leave saying, "Why didn't I think of that?" Thank you, Frances and Betty, for sharing this great information.
"The Key" Reorientation
Committee Members
|
Katherine Bunce
Kappa Pi, Area 1 Camile Franklin Theta Psi, Area 2 Carla Meuth Lambda Sigma, Area 4 Pamela Bond Epsilon Upsilon, Area 5 Jerrie Dooley Beta Zeta, Area 6 Judith (Judy) Reinhart Alpha, Area 7 Letitia Estep Beta Nu, Area 8 Andrea Fox Nu Gamma, Area 9 Toni McCutchen Kappa Delta, Area 10 |
Virginia Bowers
Epsilon Delta, Area 11 Susan Gordon Zeta Omicron, Area 12 Sharon Daugherty Lambda Xi, Area 13 Nancy Doss Zeta Xi, Area 14 Melissa Mathews Mu Kappa, Area 15 Emily Hoffman Mu Epsilon, Area 16 Mary Lindsay Alpha Delta, Area 17 DiAnn Suggs Lambda Kappa, Area 18 Bonnie Moore, Ex Officio Eta Delta, Area 3 |
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Contact: [email protected]
Last revision: June 1, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
Last revision: June 1, 2025
