INVESTITURE CEREMONY

Introduction:
Welcome to our investiture/ ceremony. 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 confirm or reaffirm our belief in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Girl Scout Promise and Law are the foundation of all Girl Scouting. The Promise is like a basket that holds flowers. Flowers have always played an important role in human life. From the very earliest times, they have been given as tokens of love and respect and have served in ceremonies and rituals of all types. The flowers we mention in this ceremony symbolize the ten parts of the Girl Scout Law.

Leader: Where are the girls who want to be a Girl Scout Daisy? Girls: (standing up out of audience) Here we are! Leader: Welcome girls!

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 wisdoms ways you wisely seek, Five things observe with care, To whom you speak, Of whom you speak, And how and when and

where." 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 dont 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) Daisy #4:

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. Lets 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; Thats how long Im 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 Lows nickname was Daisy. You are following in her footsteps as you become a unique and caring influence in today and tomorrows 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: Im a Daisy, Daisy Girl Scout. And Ill tell you something too. Im a loyal lil Girl Scout And my color is true blue.