INVESTITURE CEREMONY
Troop 6327
Farmington, CT
Props:
Petal Board: We created a
poster/cardboard with a giant size removable Daisy. The promise
is written on a round piece of blue construction laminated paper. Each
laminated colored petal has the piece of the law written on it and
Velcro is used to attach all pieces to the board. We use it at the
meetings to discuss the promise and law during circle time. Each piece
can be removed and replaced often as we practice in our regular
meetings.
Candle
Positioning:
Each girl stands in front
of their parent in a horseshoe shape facing the Daisy board. As the
petal is read by the girl and the meaning is read by their parent, the
Daisy girl will place the petal on the board surrounding the Promise
Center. Once the petal is on the board they return to their spot in
front of their parent.
Leader:
An investiture ceremony in
Girl Scouts is a ceremony to welcome new girls into Girl Scouting. In
almost all countries and cultures there are ceremonies to mark important
events in life – days of celebration, sad days, joyous days, days on
which a special commitment is made, days that mark an achievement. Girl
Scouts, too have ceremonies to mark important events and significant
days. Tonight we are here to affirm our belief in the Girl Scout
Promise and the Girl Scout Law.
The Promise was brought to
America by Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scout movement
in our country. She believed that by taking this oath, girls all over
the country would better understand their place in their community and,
in doing so, join thousands of other girls who share a common belief and
commitment. Please join in reciting the Girl Scout Promise:
Everyone:
On my honor, I will try:
To serve
God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Leader:
The Girl Scout Law is made
up of ten "rules to live by". The exact wording of the law has changed
over the years but the basic idea is still the same. We pledge to uphold
this law because we know it will make us better people and help us to
make a positive difference in our lives. So now, we dedicate ourselves
to living the Girl Scout law.
Daisy 1: I
will do my best: to be honest and fair. (Place the Daisy petal on
the board)
Parent: This
means I will be truthful, trustworthy, equal and fair in my judgment and
dealings with others, and I will honor my obligations and duties.
Daisy 2: To be
friendly and helpful. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I will
be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, I will cheerfully help
others in need without regard to personal reward, and I will help my
troop to be the best that we can be.
Daisy #3: To be
considerate and caring. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I will
consider the feelings and beliefs of others before I speak or act. I
will not spread gossip and repeat things that are not true. I will try
to remember these words: "If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek, Five things
observe with care, To whom you speak, Of whom you speak, And how and
when and where."
Daisy #4: To be
courageous and strong. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I will
have the courage to say no to my friends when I don’t feel comfortable
with what they want me to do or say and the courage to stand up for what
I believe and have been taught. I will have the strength to resist
temptation and the strength to stand by my opinions.
Daisy #5: To be
responsible for what I say and do. (Place the Daisy petal on the
board)
Parent: If I say
or do something that I regret and am asked about it, I will take
responsibility for my actions. I will try to speak and act in ways which
will not hurt others and in ways which I will feel good about.
Daisy #6: And to
respect myself and others. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I will
try to treat others the same way I would like to be treated; like the
considerate, feeling person I try to be.
Daisy #7: To
respect authority. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I will
give the respect that is due to those in charge. I will listen when
spoken to and question authority only when I feel very strongly about
something.
Daisy #8: To use resources wisely. (Place the Daisy petal
on the board)
Parent: Being a
Girl Scout means being aware of the daily bounties I am given. I promise
to use whatever resources I am given, such as craft supplies, firewood,
or water, in the best and least wasteful ways possible.
Daisy #9: To make the world a better place. (Place the
Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: I
promise to leave places cleaner and better than I found them. I promise
to help make the world a better place for others less fortunate than I
am. And most of all, I promise to make my own part of the world a better
place for me , my family, and my friends.
Daisy #10: And be a
sister to every Girl Scout. (Place the Daisy petal on the board)
Parent: As a
Girl Scout, I am a part of the worldwide association of Girl Scouts and
Girl Guides. Although we all come from different countries and speak
many languages, we are woven together by a common thread; a common
belief and commitment. We believe in ourselves and what we stand for and
we are committed to living the Law and Promise in our everyday lives.
Leader/Parents:
(Leader will light one
white candle as parents read) As your leaders, we pledge our
dedication, our commitment, and our friendship to you. This candle
stands for sunshine, the sun that warms us all. Just as the sun warms
us, may we in turn spread warmth and friendship to those we meet. Let’s
make Girl Scouting fun for all of us, but at the same time not lose
sight of the Promise and Law that we have pledged to uphold.
Leader: Please
join hands and sing, "Make New Friends".
Make new friends but keep the old,
One is Silver and the other gold.
A circle is round,
It has no end;
That’s how long I’m
Going to be your friend.
Make new friends but keep the old,
One is Silver and the other gold.
Leader:
I now
ask that parents be seated and we will begin the pinning ceremony.
Leader:
Our
Daisies have all learned the Girl Scout Promise and tonight they have
committed to living by the Girl Scout law. In doing so, they have
earned their Daisy Promise Center Patch. Please attach it to the center
of their tunic.
They
have also earned two pins tonight which we will be pinning to them in a
moment. First let me explain the meaning behind each of the pins.
World
Trefoil pin
The
World Trefoil pin is the unifying symbol of the World Association of
Girl Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGS) and is worn by members worldwide.
It was introduced in the United States at the 1949 GSUSA National
Council Session.
The
World Trefoil has symbolic meaning.
The
golden Trefoil on a bright blue background represents the sun shining
over all the children of the world;
The
three leaves represent the three-fold Promise as originally laid down by
the Founder;
The
base of the stalk represents the flame of the love of humanity;
The
vein pointing upwards through the center of the Trefoil represents the
compass needle pointing the way; and
The
two stars represent the Promise and Law.
Daisy
Pin
The
daisy is a symbol of dedication to the Girl Scout movement, which was
started by our founder Juliette Gordon Low and began in our country on
March 12, 1912. Juliette Low’s nickname was Daisy. You are following
in her footsteps as you become a unique and caring influence in today
and tomorrow’s world.
The
Daisy Pin is initially pinned on upside down. It can be turned right
side up by a parent after the new Daisy Girl Scout has completed three
good deeds. I look forward to hearing all of the good deeds at our next
meeting! Congratulations Daisies.
Pinning of the Insignia Tab
Now I
will call each Daisy by name and ask you to come forward so that I can
pin your insignia tab in its official location on your left side over
your heart. Once you have been pinned please return to your place in
line.
Leader:
Congratulations to all Troop 6327 Daisies! Let us close in song.
Everyone please join in singing the Daisy Girl Scout Song:
I’m a Daisy,
Daisy Girl Scout.
And I’ll tell you
something too.
I’m a loyal lil’ Girl
Scout
And my color is true blue.
Go to Scouting Web Home Page |