Step #1: Identify eligible members
In accordance with our National By-Laws, active members must meet the following requirements:
Article III. Membership
Section 3. Active Membership.
Active membership shall be limited to college students who have demonstrated high scholarship in general and excellence in the academic study of Spanish. Specifically, they must meet the following requirements:
1. Each must have completed three years of study of college-level Spanish (eighteen semester credit hours) or the equivalent thereof, including at least three semester hours of a course in Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization at the junior (third-year) level. A student may be admitted to active membership while still enrolled in the second junior-level course if all other requirements have been met and if the instructor of the course certifies that the student’s work is of “B” or “A” quality.
2. The candidate for active membership must have a minimal grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale in all Spanish courses taken.
3. The candidate must rank in the upper 35% of his/her class–sophomore, junior, or senior–and must have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college work.
4. Graduate students who have been unconditionally admitted to a degree-granting program may be elected to membership upon completion of two graduate courses in Spanish with an average which, if continued, will make them eligible for a graduate degree.
5. Sigma Delta Pi shall not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law.
Additional information for alumnus or honorary membership can be found in Article III of the National By-Laws.
Step #2: Set Deadlines and Dates
The adviser should set the date for the initiation ceremony and secure a location at least two months prior to the event.
Step #3: Establish a Timeline
Set a deadline for students to pay membership fees and a date for sending payment to the national headquarters for materials.
Advisers must pay fees to the national headquarters prior to receiving materials, therefore fees should be collected one month prior to the ceremony and fees sent to the national headquarters shortly thereafter. Processing and shipping are handled as quickly as possible, but final delivery of ordered materials can take up to two weeks.
Step #4: Notify Eligible Members
Notification can be sent by email or letter and should include the deadline for payment of fees.
Step #5: Collect Payment from Students
Click Here for Price List and Shipping Charges
Step #6: Initiation Materials
Materials for ceremonies can be purchased at our online store. Additional optional items can be purchased through approved online vendors that can be found at the bottom of our adviser resource page.
Step #7: Gather Ceremony Paraphernalia:
The former chapter adviser should be able to pass along some of the following items for an induction ceremony:
For the ceremony table, two red candles approximately ten inches in length and a taller candle, larger in diameter, to serve as the “madre vela” are needed. This “madre vela” candle should be retained after the ceremony and used for future inductions. Official candle holders as well as an altar runner and registry may be purchased at www.honorgrads.com; the ceremony banner can be purchased through the national headquarters.
For each initiate, purchase a smaller red or yellow-gold candle approximately six inches long. The red candles should be tied with a gold ribbon, the yellow ones with a red ribbon. Use ribbon about one-half inch in width. Other smaller candles may be needed to illuminate the reading material for those who conduct the ceremony. Dripless candles are recommended. Also, for each initiate purchase a red carnation to be distributed at the indicated time (per the Ritual) during the initiation ceremony.
Step #7: Check Materials and Prepare Certificates
Mistakes happen. We suggest verifying receipt of all materials ordered as soon as the shipment arrives. Also, replacement certificates are available (for an additional fee) if mistakes are made printing, but time must be allowed for shipping. Instructions for preparing certificates are on the Certificate Preparation Instructions page.
Step #8: Enjoy Honoring Excellence at Your Institution
Please contact Sigma Delta Pi if any questions arise during the planning process. Every chapter should have a successful first ceremony, and we will do all possible to assist accordingly.
*Additional information can be found at Preparaciones para una instalación de capítulo. This is a password-protected page with information for planning a ceremony for the installation of a charter on campus that will guide advisers planning their first ceremonies. Contact the Executive Director for a password to view this page.