Gamma Iota Sigma
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Initiation CeremonyFOREWORDA candidate for membership in Gamma Iota Sigma should be introduced to the purposes of the fraternity within an atmosphere of dignity and formality. First impressions are lasting impressions. Whether a candidate will become an enthusiastic member and thus strengthen the chapter may well depend upon first impressions, those made during the initiation. It is recommended that chapter officers select the members of the initiation committee with due regard for the ability of each committee member to speak clearly and forcefully and to act the part he is to play on the team. The initiation is to conform with the initiation rules and regulations of colleges and universities. There shall be no bodily harm nor humiliation. The ritual of Gamma Iota Sigma introduces the candidate to four ship officers: the Captain, the First Mate, the Navigator, and the Helmsman. The candidate is introduced to each officer by the Chapter Guard. The initiation can be most effective if the four ship officers occupy four stations at each side of the square. The Guard will escort the candidate or group of candidates to each officer in turn. As each officer finishes his or her presentation, the Guard directs the candidates to the next station, until all stations have been reached. INITIATIONCHAPTER GUARD - "Insurance is the transfer of risk. In ancient times Chinese and Phoenician merchants lost heavily in raids made upon their caravans. When shipments were made by river and sea, cargos and ships were lost in storms or destroyed by warring nations and pirates. No single merchant could stand repeated losses of merchandise and some device had to be found to spread the risk. This spreading of risk among many where losses could be distributed between several ship owners and merchants was the beginning of insurance. Lloyds of London later became the first commercial example of professional risk bearing, insuring ships and cargo." "Because the first insurance transaction appears to have had its origin in travel by sea, Gamma Iota Sigma has chosen ship officers to be members of the initiation team. You will now come with me - your guard - and be introduced to these officers." The Chapter Guard escorts the candidates to the station of the Navigator. Addressing the Navigator, the Chapter Guard announces: "Sir, I bring before you (announces name of each candidate), interested in learning more of Gamma Iota Sigma." THE NAVIGATOR - "You have made application for membership in Gamma Iota Sigma and your request for admission to membership has been accepted by the trustees of the Grand Chapter." "Prior to advancing to full member status, you will be instructed in the symbols of Gamma Iota Sigma." "Within these symbols lie the foundations of Gamma Iota Sigma and the future of this fraternity." "In England during the early days of fire insurance, the use of fire marks came into being. The fire marks were used to identify those risks accepted and insured by the fire insurance companies. These fire marks bore the trademark of insurers. Two of the oldest of these were the 'Hand in Hand Fire Insurance Society' and the 'Friendly Insurance Society.'" "The fire mark was molded of metal, generally iron, and secured in a prominent place to the exterior of insured buildings. The purpose of the fire mark was to identify an insured property which in the case of fire would be served by a specific fire fighting company. The fire mark was evidence that the 'marked' property was insured." "The Hand-In-Hand Fire and Life Insurance Society fire mark, consisted of two clasped hands emblazoned upon a shield. This fire mark identified the property as that of a member of the society. The clasped hands, signifying a contract, was adopted by Gamma Iota Sigma as a symbol of marking the beginning of friendship, the beginning of a pledge." "You, as a candidate of Gamma Iota Sigma, have expressed your interest in insurance through study and matriculation in an insurance discipline. Your desire for knowledge and your acceptance into Gamma Iota Sigma signifies friendship . . . which is symbolized by: one hand knowledge - the other friendship - in clasped hand union." (Navigator extends hand for hand-shake with Guard.) "The Helmsman will explain to you the triangle emblem of Gamma Iota Sigma." GUARD TO HELMSMAN - "I bring before you (call names of candidates)." HELMSMAN - "You have been instructed by the Navigator in the significance of the clasped hand. It is my duty to escort you further into the ritual of Gamma Iota Sigma and instruct you regarding the symbolic triangle surrounding the Greek letters Gamma Iota Sigma." "The triangle or shield is an inverted triangle with rounded points. These three points of the triangle represent friendship, knowledge and integrity." "The Greek letters Gamma Iota Sigma represent the letters C.I.S. for Collegiate Insurance Society. Gamma Iota Sigma, however has a more complex meaning. These letters in Greek spell earth. Inasmuch as all life, all material things, subject to insurance have their origin in earth. Gamma Iota Sigma is well dedicated to the insurance industry." "For example, this emblem could be worn on the left breast of your jacket on occasions designated by your chapter." (Helmsman displays blazer patch.) "The First Mate will now instruct you in the symbolism of the Fraternity Key." GUARD TO FIRST MATE - "Sir, I bring before you (call names of candidates)." FIRST MATE - "It is my privilege at this time to instruct you in the badge or key of Gamma Iota Sigma." "You have been instructed in the clasped hands of Knowledge and Friendship, the triangle of Knowledge, Friendship, and Integrity. I now add to these, Fidelity, which is continuing faithfulness to an obligation." "The Union Insurance Society was organized in London, England, in the year 1714. The fire mark of this society was composed of Four Clasped and Crossed Hands. Some of these fire marks portrayed crossed left hands. One of these, perhaps the oldest of all other such marks, portrayed Four Clasped Right Hands. Gamma Iota Sigma selected its emblem from this fire mark of The Union Insurance Society. These four clasped hands signify the four purposes of the Fraternity - Knowledge, Friendship, Fidelity, and Integrity. The four clasped hands are molded to a golden shield and this shield signifies Protection. Being of gold, the shield signifies Durability." "The Guard will now introduce you to the Captain who will present your certificate of membership." GUARD TO CAPTAIN - "Sir, I bring before you (names of candidates)." CAPTAIN - "Your initiation voyage is about to end. May I congratulate you on this step in your academic progress. Insurance is a social science, designated to assist mankind in overcoming the potential losses inherent to civilization. It has contributed to his further advancement. The services the industry may yet render will be born in research. The study of insurance will continue to open new avenues of thought, new assists to progress. You are encouraged by Gamma Iota Sigma to study, engage in research and to advance in all fields of insurance endeavor. Your membership in Gamma Iota Sigma is only the beginning, and the associations you make here, and in the years to come, will contribute greatly to your progress." "I now present you with your Certificate of Membership." (The Captain will now call before him each candidate by name, and present his/her membership certificate.) (Captain welcomes the new members and extends invitation to join other members of the chapter.) |