PHI ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY
INITIATION CEREMONY
PRESIDENT:
Welcome both old and new Phi Alpha Members, Social Work Faculty and
Staff and all family members and friends.
I am proud to have each of you here to share in this special day. We are here for the purpose of inducting new
members into the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha. The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to
provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian
goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social
workers and invites into membership those who have excellence in scholarship
and achievement in social work. Phi Alpha’s slogan
that embraces their purpose is “Through
Knowledge-the Challenge to Serve.” I
would like to introduce to you __________ who will share with you the history
of Phi Alpha.
_____________: The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of
undergraduate social work students at Michigan Sate University in 1960.
Investigation revealed that local chapters existed at three schools. Those
three schools along with a few other schools formed a National Honor society
Committee in November 1960. For more than a year this committee worked on the
constitution and other administrative matters. The name Phi Alpha and the key
were adopted from the local chapter which existed at Florida State University.
The constitution and formal organization were completed in 1962, and six
chapters quailed to become” charter chapters.” They were Florida State,
Michigan State University, Ohio Northern University, Central State College,
University of Dayton and the University of Tennessee. Over 110 chapters are now
in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing. The University of
North Carolina at Wilmington was formed in 1998.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Reggie York, the interim Chair of the
Social Work department.
(Dr. York speaks)
PRESIDENT:
Thank you Dr. York. Could all new
members of Phi Alpha please come to the front?
(new members come
to the front and are given candles)
VICE-PRESIDENT: The highest honor that one can receive in Social Work at UNCW is being extended to you now because you are a proven candidate for initiation and have met all the requirements of our organization.
We have chosen to call this society Phi Alpha which means “love of humanity,” and we have adopted the colors blue and gold.
You have been selected by the local chapter to become members of the National Social Work Honor Society because you have evidenced an interest in the profession of social work; you have attained academic excellence not only in social work education, but also in all other academic areas; and we believe you are dedicated to the idea of service to humanity. You have also demonstrated a commitment to the standards, ethics, and goals of the social work profession. Deb Bowen, could you please join us and guide us in the lighting of the peace candles?
(Deb Bowen
explains the Peace Candle and instructs members on lighting.)
SECRETARY: Madame President, I have the honor of presenting to you the following candidates who have earned membership in Phi Alpha Honor Society.
These candidates have been examined and found qualified for membership under our Constitution. They have been elected by this society on the basis of their scholarly achievement and interest in social work.
PRESIDENT: I congratulate you and welcome you into the Eta Omega Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society.
PRESIDENT: You have chosen and are now about to be
given the charge and purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society. If you agree to these charges and purposes, please answer “I do” after
I have read each statement.
Do you agree to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among the
students who are majoring in Social Work?
Please answer “I do”
Do you agree to improve and further the goals and objectives of Social Work by: Encouraging objectivity and awareness of current developments and practices in the various fields of social work?
Please answer “I do”
And also further these goals by stimulating research in preparation for a career in social work?
Please answer “I do”
Repeat this pledge after me: Now that I (state your name) have become an active member of Phi Alpha Honor Society, I will uphold its dignity and promote its goals and high ideals as a student as well as in professional life. I will actively participate in meetings and chapter projects and endeavor to maintain a high scholastic average.
You may now please extinguish your candles. (Officers collect candles)
After your name is called, please come forward and accept your Phi Alpha certificate from Dr. Blundo, the Advisor for theEta Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha.
________________: (Calls the names from the program)
PRESIDENT: Congratulations on your newly acquired membership. May you encourage its growth through your continued association and assistance, and may you also uphold the charges and purposes to which you have just agreed.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING OUR NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE ETA OMEGA CHAPTER OF THE PHI ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY!!!
The World Peace Flame
The
Mother World Peace Flame burns continually in
The candle you are holding is lighted
from my World Peace Flame candle, which was itself lighted from a candle
lighted from the original. You, too, are
now a Guardian of the Flame and of Peace.
You, as members of Phi Alpha Honor Society,
represent the brightest and best in the field of Social Work. Always use the intelligence and scholarship
you hold as ways of honoring all life.
When you light your candle, please hold in your heart and mind the
intention of World Peace. The act of
lighting the candle brings peace to you and to others just by your
intention. Light the candle, take a deep
breath, and imagine that you send Peace throughout the world when you
exhale. Also, please light many, many
candles for others and pass along the flame of peace!
For more information, visit
www.worldpeaceflame.org.