Initiation

This initiation planner is intended to help students outline tasks for an induction and help those who struggle with how to plan the event. The only ask we have is for students to be initiated. We neither mandate nor judge where and how this happens. Some schools have a very elaborate induction with an audience, while others have the induction during the school day with their staff. This decision is yours to make. We make no judgment on the type of initiation.

This step-by-step process is intended to help with planning. Some items may not be applicable to all situations. For those who opt for the “regular” or “complex” initiations, additional instructions are at each step as needed. Please remember, the timing provided is an estimate and not a guarantee.

When to start:

At least three months out if doing a more complex initiation. If you’re doing a simple one, this can be done as new members are identified.

Step 1: Establish the type of induction preferred

Some questions to ask:

If applicable, how were students inducted last year? What went well and what would students like to change?
What is the induction target date? How much time do we have to plan?
Are you allowed to have candles at the event?
How much time will we be able to allocate for the initiation?
Where will we have the event? (Make arrangements to reserve the area if necessary.)
Will we have a speaker? If so, who would we like to ask?
Who else might we invite? Parents? Other students? School dignitaries such as a principal and/or assistant principal(s)?
Is it at the journalism banquet or other honorific event?
Are we going to have cake or other food items?
Which induction script will work best with what you have already discussed?

Answers from the above will help determine the complexity of the induction ceremony. If students want a more complex ceremony, they should help with the planning of the event.