Girl Scout JUNIOR

Investiture Ceremony Sampler

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

5601 North Allen Road Mableton, GA 30126

770-702-9100 www.gsgatl.org

MARCH 2013

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in·ves·ti·ture (noun)

1. The action of formally investing a person with honors or rank. 2. A ceremony at which honors or rank are formally conferred on a particular

person.

Girl Scouts of all ages are officially welcomed into the Girl Scout and Girl Guide family at a special ceremony, called an investiture, where they make the Girl

Scout Promise and are invested with the symbols of Girl Scout membership – the Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins. Many traditions have grown up around the

investiture ceremony, but there is no “one right way” for girls to be invested, as long as each girl has a chance to make her Promise and receive her pins.

Typically, every Girl Scout ceremony has three parts:

the opening, which begins the ceremony

the main part, which is the reason for having the ceremony, or the focus of the ceremony

the closing, which ends the ceremony. Some of the resources girls might choose from as they plan the parts of their

ceremony are songs; music (recorded or performed live); poems, stories, essays and other readings; girls‟ own thoughts; flag ceremonies; skits and short plays;

campfires; candle-lighting.

SAMPLE CEREMONIES…

If girls and adults are new to Girl Scouting and are having trouble envisioning a ceremony,

these samples may help – but remember, they are only examples, not requirements! Girls

may see ideas they like, and they are welcome to use them, but if they want to substitute their own ideas, songs, and words – even better!

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“Little Stars” Investiture Ceremony You will need: tablecloth or table decorations, as chosen/made by girls; 13

candles and holders; lighter or lit taper

Opening: flag ceremony, song, poem, invocation or other, as chosen by girls; welcome.

1st Speaker:

“When Juliette Low first met Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Movement, she told him that compared to his, her life had been wasted.

He told her, „There are little stars that guide us on, even when we do not realize it.‟ Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting became the stars that led Juliette Low to the purpose of her life: „something for the girls of Savannah, and all America and all the world.‟”

2nd Speaker: “Tonight (today), we honor the memory of our Founder, Juliette Gordon Low, by

making our Girl Scout Promise and committing to the Girl Scout Law. Each candle we light represents a part of the Promise and Law – which are the little stars that

guide us.” [If possible, dim house lights.] Traditionally 13 candles are used to represent the three parts of the Girl

Scout Promise plus the 10 parts of the Girl Scout Law. However, girls may choose to light one candle for the Promise, one for the Motto (”Be

Prepared”) and one for the Slogan (“Do a good turn daily”) and one for each of the 10 parts of the Law.

Girl might choose to have one girl light the candle while another girl says a part of the Promise and Law; or they may prefer to have the same girl speak and light the

candle. When all the candles are lit and lights are still dimmed…

3rd Speaker: “‟Juliette‟* was written by Melinda Carroll as a lullaby tribute to Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Tonight

we would like to close our Ceremony by singing/reading this special song: [If reading, you could have a different girl read each verse.]

Juliette of the vesper plains Every Girl Scout knows your name.

Your light shines through the shadows of the cold dark night. Juliette, our guiding star,

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Shining down from where you are, For every girl who follows on the star dust of your dreams.

The sky is full of stars tonight, A million billion twinkling lights.

There is a special one

Shining round the world, With a love that she left to remind every girl.

She was a dreamer brave and free.

A little ship, a great big sea. She sailed to light the way, The journey we've begun,

And someday may our lights shine together as one.

Juliette of the vesper plains Every Girl Scout knows your name.

Your light shines through the shadows of the cold dark night. Juliette, our guiding star,

Shining down from where you are,

For every girl who follows on the star dust of your dreams. We'll shine our light and follow on the star dust of your dreams.”

1st Speaker: “At this time, we invite every girl who is ready to follow on the star dust of Juliette Low‟s dream by becoming a Girl Scout, to come forward… [each girl makes her Promise and receives her pins]

We now ask every past and present Girl Scout here tonight to stand and rededicate

themselves to the Girl Scout Promise. [makes Girl Scout sign] “On my honor, I will try…”

Closing Speaker:

Measure Me Sky!, by Leonora Speyer

Measure me sky! Tell me I reach by a song

Nearer the stars; I have been little so long.

Weigh me, high wind! What will your wild scales record?

Profit of pain, Joy by the weight of a word?

Horizon, reach out!

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Catch at my hands, stretch me taut. Rim of the world:

Widen my eyes by a thought.

Sky, be my depth, Wind, be my width and height, World, my heart‟s span;

Loveliness, wings for my flight.

“Good night, Girl Scouts and Girl Scout friends and family!”

* For the story of the song “Juliette” go to Melinda Carroll‟s Web site,

http://gsmusic.com/storyofjuliette.html. The song is on the CD “Girl Scout‟s Greatest Hits, „We Change the World‟” (Vol. 1) by Melinda Carroll.

Junior or Cadette Investiture or Rededication Ceremony

Thanks very much to Wendy Baker for posting this idea to the Guide Mailing List!

Materials needed:

Large globe of the world (if your ceremony is at a school, see if you may

borrow a globe) 1 large white candle (Promise) 1 large blue or green candle (Mission)

10 small white candles (Law) 2 or 3 small blue or green candles (Motto, Slogan, plus one more if you want

to honor the memory of Juliette Low) Play-Doh® or small candle holders Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins

Ceremony:

1. Globe is placed in the center of a table. Horseshoe (semi-circle) is formed. A girl lights the large white candle placed on one side of the globe, and the Girl Scout Promise is said by the entire troop

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2. As the large blue candle is lit on the other side of the globe, a leader recites the Girl Scout Mission (“Girl Scouting grows girls of courage, confidence, and

character, who make the world a better place”.)

3. New Girl Scouts who are being invested will have the small candles. They will take turns reciting each part of the Law - as a part is read, a white candle is lit and placed in the Pla-Doh; when finished, the candles will encircle the

globe.

4. The same is done with the Motto and Slogan - a blue candle is lit and placed to the side of the white candles.

5. Once all the candles are lit, proceed with the investiture of the new members - this looks really nice if you are able to turn off the lights in the room.

When all of the girls are invested with their pins:

Leader: As the candles circle this Globe of the World, so does Guiding and Girl

Scouting. Each small candle represents a part of our Law, our Motto and our Slogan [and the memory of our Founder, Juliette Gordon Low], leading towards the

achievement of meeting our Mission and the keeping of our Promise. Let these flames show you the way.

Closing: "On My Honor" or “Whene‟er You Make a Promise”

“Ribbons And Candles” Investiture and Rededication

Opening: Flag ceremony or song; welcome to family and friends; recognize any distinguished guests.

1st Girl (or adult): “Tonight we are here in to invest those who are joining Girl

Scouts for the first with the symbols of membership. We are also here for each member, new and old, to rededicate her (or him) self to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. These are the ideals by which Girls Scouts try to live.”

[A taper with collar – to prevent drips - is lighted; house lights are dimmed].

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2nd Girl (or adult): " Before you, you see a golden flame. This flame symbolizes a Girl Scout's honor, which should never be dimmed. When a Girl Scout makes a

promise on her honor, she is promising on her good name, her integrity, and the principals she believes in. Making the Girl Scout Promise on one's honor is a serious

thing. "

3rd Girl: "From this golden flame we light the flame of service to God and country" [light small candle and say:]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to serve God and my country

4th Girl: "We light the flame of service to people." [light second small candle and

say:]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to help people at all times

5th Girl: "We light the flame of commitment to our values." [light third small candle and say:]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to live by the Girl Scout Law

Use 10 white candles, each tied with specified color ribbon as noted. Each girl reads

her line then lights the candle.

All: “I will do my best to be:”

Girl #6: “Honest and fair . The blue ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's commitment to tell the truth, play fair, and do her work honestly. A Girl Scout can

be trusted with the money and belongings of others. She keeps her word and can be trusted to do what she says she will do.

Girl #7: “Friendly and helpful. The yellow ribbon on this candle represents a Girl

Scout's commitment to build strong friendships, to learn to understand and appreciate people who are different from her, and to help where she is needed. She uses friendly words and actions, does her share of the work, and gives service

without thinking about being paid or rewarded.”

Girl #8: “Considerate and caring. The green ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of commitment to kindness, thoughtfulness, and the well-being of

others. She shares what she has and gives to those who are in need. She tries to protect animals from cruelty and neglect.”

Girl #9: “Courageous and strong. The red ribbon on this candle represents a Girl

Scout's commitment to do the right thing, to be faithful to her family and friends and what she believes in. A Girl Scout tries to be calm in difficult circumstances because it helps her see s way out of her own difficulties and help the other people

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involved. She is active and adventurous, willing to try new things, and takes good care of her body.”

Girl #10: “Responsible for what I say and do .” The orange ribbon on this candle

represents a Girl Scout's commitment to use words and actions that help, not hurt. She owns up to her mistakes and promises not to do them again. A Girl Scout does

her daily jobs cheerfully, and she doesn‟t stand around and complain when she can do something about a problem.

All: “I will do my best to:

Girl #11: “ Respect myself and others.” The purple ribbon on this candle

represents a Girl Scout's commitment to take care of her body, stand up for what is right, be true to her personal values, and to show consideration for others, although their ideas, ways of living and beliefs may be different from hers.”

Girl #12: “Respect authority. The white ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's commitment to cooperate with others when their directions concern the health, safety, and security of herself and others, or the management of her troop.

She obeys the laws of her community and the requests of those who are responsible for her and her well-being. “

Girl #13: “Use resources wisely. The brown ribbon on this candle represents a Girl

Scout's commitment to be careful with life‟s resources. She uses her materials, money, time, and energy wisely so that she may have them when she needs them and have some to spare for others. She protects and conserves the Earth‟s natural

resources.”

Girl #14: “Make the world a better place. The silver ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's commitment improve her world. She is ready to help to

the best of her ability. Whether it is her home, school, meeting place, community or campsite, a Girl Scout leaves a place better than she found it.”

Girl #15: Be a sister to every Girl Scout. The gold ribbon on this candle represents

a Girl Scout's commitment to her sister Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world. A Girl Scout is always ready to accept more friends into her ever widening circle. She treats all of her sisters with kindness, acceptance, and warmth.

Troop Leader: “Will all our new members please come forward to make their

Promise and be invested with their Girl Scout pins.”

[Girls line up or make a horseshoe, facing the speaker and candles]

“Do you know what it means to make a promise?”

[girls nod, say, “yes” or otherwise indicate they understand.]

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“If you are ready to make the Girl Scout Promise and live by the Girl Scout Law, please make the Girl Scout Sign when I come and stand in front of you.” [right

hand at shoulder height, three middle fingers up, thumb holding the little finger down.]

“The three fingers of the Girl Scout sign remind us of the three parts of the Girl

Scout Promise. This sign is used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world. Tonight you will also receive your World Trefoil pin, reminding us that we are

part of the large family called the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.”

[Moves to first girl and makes Girl Scout Sign. Girl should also make sign. Speaker might ask, “Are you ready to make your Promise?” or, if girl seems unsure, ask, “Do you promise on your honor that you will try…” When girl makes promise, pin on

Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins (or pins on tab) and give Girl Scout handshake. “Welcome to the worldwide family of Girl Scouting and Girl Guiding.”]

“We now invite all other Girl Scouts to stand and renew their Girl Scout Promise.

[Make Girl Scout Sign.] On my honor…”

Closing: “Please join us in singing „Taps‟ (or other song, such as “When „Ere you Make A Promise.‟) Thank you for being part of our investiture and rededication

ceremony.” If you posted the colors in an opening flag ceremony, retire the colors as the last thing you do, then dismiss the audience.

Hallowe'en Enrollment (Investiture)

From Shelagh Walsh - Guider/Arts Trainer, North Vancouver, BC, Canada (Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada

Towards the end of our Hallowe'en party, the girls' parents arrive. This is our signal to usher the new girl(s) out into the hall. Parents are seated opposite the door she

will be re-entering, so they can see everything. We make two lines of orange and black crepe paper on the floor for her to walk between (like a runway). There are two paper bag luminaries at the start of the runway, with trefoils cut in them. At

the end of the runway is a table with a lit Jack-o-lantern, a lit candle and four paper bags labeled: Dragon's teeth, Goblin brains, Dried worms, & Ogre skins. (The table

has a Hallowe'en tablecloth and cobwebs already from the party.)

We line up outside the crepe paper lines, facing inwards (there are 6 of us, 3 on each side). With the lights out and appropriate music playing (quietly),

the first person opens the door for the girl being [invested] to enter.

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As she walks in each of us reads a line of a poem, and hands her the card it is written on. As each person has read their line, they toss a tissue ghost at

her. After the last person (me) has read her card, the 2nd to last person (my co-

Guider) has another turn, because there are 7 cards and only 6 of us. The two lines are now a "V" as each girl has taken a step forward or turned accordingly as the enrollee walked by. Now she is holding 7 cards, and is at

the table. On the back of each card is a Guiding Law with one word "missing." It is actually written in lemon juice (invisible ink). She holds each

card over the flame to decipher the last word. Here is the [Girl Scout version of the] poem, a line of which is on each card:

10 black cats

10 black bats 10 fine witches in 10 black hats The Girl Scout Law

For you to learn Hold over the flame

Don't let them burn!

The reverse says:

I will do my best to be (honest and fair, in invisible ink) I will do my best to be (friendly and helpful, in invisible ink)

You get the idea.

After she has read each Law, I say, "In one of these bags is a treasure rare, find it

now, if you dare". She has to feel in the bags to find her Girl Scout (and World Trefoil) pin. Once she has found it, my co-Guider pins it on her, and I ask her if she is ready to repeat her Promise, which we then do. "Welcome to Girl Scout troop..."

etc. I like to sing something at this point, maybe "Make New Friends".

A Trefoil Candlelight Promise Ceremony

The original of this ceremony was conducted out of doors and after dark, but it could be adapted to an indoor setting as long as it was either dark outside or the

room/hall was well curtained.

Equipment needed : Outdoors: tea lights – we used 100; matches; flashlights (for the girls to get to and

from the site); sit-upons; Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins.

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Indoors: tea lights, metal tray or suitable table top, matches, Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins.

Prior to the ceremony the tea lights are laid out in the shape of a large trefoil*;

since we were outdoors we simply scratched an outline shape in a patch of bare earth and laid the tea lights out in double row about an inch apart in each row, with

the two rows “staggered” in the gaps (see below) – this schematic diagram shows 56 tea lights but you can use however many you have and make the trefoil as big

as you can.

If your ceremony is indoors, lay the tea lights out on a stable and flame-proof surface.

*This ceremony was created by Girl Guides in the United Kingdom so the pattern below in the Girlguiding UK trefoil. Girl Scouts in American could use the green

trefoil, below.

Ceremony:

This is easily adapted for a new troop, where everyone is being invested‟

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The girl(s) to be invested and their patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders (or two friends or supporters) stay outside or away from the ceremony area,

preferably out of sight but still within earshot. The rest of the troop gathers in a circle around the candle trefoil, leaving a

gap at the “stem” end of the shape for the girls to enter by. When everyone is ready the candles are lit, the lights (if any) are turned out

and the PLs / supporters are called to bring the girls to be invested.

They make their Promises one by one, the PLs / supporters first introducing them to the troop leaders and presenting them for investiture.

After they have made their promise, received their pins and been welcomed into the troop and the wider family of Girl Scouting and Guiding, the rest of the girls and troop volunteers all renew their Promise together.

When we first did this, everyone then sat in a circle around the candle trefoil and we sang “Make New Friends” followed by Taps and then everyone drifted away slowly, singing “Go well and safely” leaving the candles burning – we returned when

all the girls were safely in to blow the candles out and tidy up.

American Girl Scout trefoil:

Investiture For One Girl

Thanks to Wendy Baker for this touching ceremony!

Buy a roll of yellow crepe paper (the streamer kind). Cut it into 16-inch pieces and

when the girls come into the meeting, pin a steamer on each girl‟s left shoulder.

Once you have formed your opening horseshoe, have girls pin themselves together, all except the girl to be investied and her patrol leader (or the troop president, the friend who brought her to Girl Scouts, etc.) Have the patrol leader bring the girl

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forward to make her Promise and be invested with her Girl Scout and World Trefoil Pins.

If you wanted to add a candle to the ceremony you could have one candle on the

table and light it saying, "This flame is the spirit of Girl scouting and Guiding. May its warmth be a reminder to you of the love which is in the Promise you are about

to make tonight." Ask the girl being invested to light a smaller one. Then have her stand holding her candle while the group sings "On My Honor" or "When'ere You

Make a Promise.".

When the girl has been invested and received her pins, the troop leader says: “You are now a link in the golden chain of world friendship. It is your duty to keep your link bright and shining clean.”

The girl and her patrol leader/friend/etc. join the rest of the troop, and the adult

leader pins her and the patrol leader together and with the rest of the group to form a circle. You can then sing "Make New Friends" or if you know it, "Weave"

would be nice too.

Then have one girl read the following:-

“Lady Baden Powell once said:

„In a world fraught with uncertainty and fear our Movement shines out as a golden chain against a dark background. The links in the chain are forged out of the finest

gold, our Promise and Law. Each has its special characteristic, to enrich and beautify the whole. The chain is getting longer with each new link and stronger as

each country increases in spirit and in numbers.‟

“We are glad that _____________ has joined this chain of friendship tonight. “Welcome to Girl Scout Troop ________________.”

“We're All Part Of The Puzzle” Investiture Ceremony

Ahead of time: Girls write out the Promise, Law and Motto on bright Bristol board

or poster board, then cut the Bristol board up in enough jigsaw puzzle pieces for each girl and adult volunteer to have one. They put double-sided tape on the back of every piece.

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Ceremony name tags are made for each new troop member: puzzle pieces painted blue or green with the girl's name written in marker and glued to a flat-backed pin;

gold and silver ribbons are attached to remind the new girls of old and new friends

Opening: (girl or adult) Welcome guests and explain what an “investiture” is.

Girl: Explain to the guests that we are all part of the Girl Scout puzzle and each piece is important. Girls to be invested receive their “puzzle piece” name tag.

Troop Volunteers: each tells which piece of the Girl Scout puzzle they think is the

most important – service, friendship, honesty, respect, etc. (it doesn‟t have to be what‟s on her puzzle piece) - then stick their pieces of the puzzle to the wall or

easel.

Girls: Each girl then takes her turn putting her piece on the wall or easel.

The group forms a horseshoe or circle. Once all are in the horseshoe/circle the guests are asked to stand to show support since they are needed to help keep our

promises.

Girls: make their Promise and say the Law. Troop volunteers/leaders invest them with their Girl Scout and Word Trefoil pins, and welcome them to the Girl Scout and Girl Guide family with the Left Handshake (Girl Scout Handshake.)

Girls: End the ceremony with “Whene‟er You Make A Promise”, “On My Honor,” “We Change the World,” “Taps” or other appropriate song.

The giant Promise, Law and Motto puzzle can be displayed in the meeting place or in another suitable location.

“The Girl Scout Flame” Investiture Ceremony

This investiture ceremony requires one large candle (any color the girls like,), one

white taper candle with a holder for each adult leader, one white (or blue or green) candle with a holder for each girl not being invested, and one gold candle with a holder for each girl being invested. The large candle is set in the middle of a table

with lots of room on both sides. The room lights are low.

The adult volunteers carry in lit candles and each tells what is the greatest gift she would like to share in Girl Scouts.

Then, all together, they put their candles to the larger one to light it and set their candles to the left of it.

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Each new girl comes up with one or more older girls as escorts. The escorts offer their 'gifts' to the new girl and then light their candles from the larger

one. The new girl lights her candle from the older girls' candles. They set the

candles down to the right of the large candle. This is repeated until every new girl is done.

Everyone says the Promise [and Law] and new members are pinned with the

Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins. An older girl or adult leader reads the following poem:

The Girl Scout Flame The Girl Scout flame burns bright and strong

Faithfully giving a sparkle to our souls. Bright and plentiful are the colors that dance there, A spectrum that echoes our diversity.

Warmth is generated in a unique way Reminding us that we need never be lonely.

Flickering shadows flash before us And we see where our promises are kept. Gleaming, the glow touches each of us

And we look deeper into ourselves. Together we create a marvelous light

Illuminating our adventurous pathways.

“Hands Around The World” Investiture Ceremony

This is a great ceremony for girls working on the Agent of Change Leadership Journey. Girls could use ideas and examples from their Journey book. It could also

be used as part of a World Thinking Day ceremony.

Ahead of time: Each girl and troop volunteer cuts out the shape of her hand from Bristol or

poster board. Each person puts her name on the back and her wish for the

world on the front of the hand. Tape a bamboo skewer to the back of the hand. The pointed end of the

skewer should be facing down. Place a world globe on a table and surround it with thick Styrofoam covered

in an appropriate color of tissue paper.

At the ceremony: Girls are in a horse shoe/half-circle formation.

Opening: Flag ceremony or other opening of the girls‟ choice; include

WAGGGS flag if possible.

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Welcome guests; explain what an “investiture” is. Explain the meaning/symbolism of the two pins that will be presented, and what

WAGGGS is. An M.C. introduces each person as she approaches the table; girls and adults

reads out their wish and stick their “hand” in the Styrofoam with the wish facing the audience, then return to their place in the horse shoe.

Everyone says the Promise and Law, and Girl Scout membership and World

Trefoil pins are pinned on the girls. Leaders welcome girls with the Girl Scout Handshake.

Closing: Play or sing ”The World Song,” "We Are the World" or “It‟s a Small World" as the group parades out.

A Basic Candle-Lighting Rededication Ceremony

Girls stand in a horseshoe formation, either indoors or out, with a table or tree stump (or log) in the open end of the horseshoe. On the table/stump/log are three

candles, in holders, and either matches or a lighter

Opening

Visitors, if any, are welcomed, and girls begin the ceremony with a song or poem of their choice; or with a fire-lighting or campfire opening if the ceremony is part of a

campfire.

Rededication:

1st Girl: “Because we are always growing and learning, each year we are Girl Scouts we understand our Promise and Law in a more grownup way. We also

have a better understanding of what it means to make and keep a promise.”

2nd Girl: “Today [tonight] we are rededicating ourselves to the Girl Scout

Promise and Law, and honoring the memory of our Founder, Juliette Gordon Low, who, over 100 years ago, brought Girl Scouting to the USA.”

3rd Girl: [lighting candle] “This candle represents the Girl Scout Promise. Girl

Scouts and Guides all around the world are united in making this Promise.”

4th Girl: [lighting candle] “This candle represents the Girl Scout Law. Our

Law is the way Girl Scouts agree to act toward each other, and it tells other people how they can count on Girl Scouts to act.”

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5th Girl: [lightning candle] “This candle is lit in memory of Juliette Gordon Low, who brought the idea of Girl Scouts to America and started the first

troop in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912.”

6th Girl: “Please join me now in renewing your Girl Scout Promise and your commitment to the Girl Scout Law: [Makes Girl Scout sign and leads the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law – or, another girl can step forward to

lead saying the Law]

Closing: 7th Girl: “The Girl Scout Friendship Circle represents the unbroken circle of

friendship of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world for over 100 years. Let‟s make a Friendship Circle as we end our ceremony.” [Girls and visitors form a circle,

crossing right hands over left.] “As I start the Friendship Squeeze around the circle please send thoughts of love and friendship to our sister Girl Scouts who have also renewed their Promise in celebration of Girl Scouting‟s 100th Anniversary.”