PIN ETIQUETTE
& RITUAL
Prepared by the Chapters and Charters Committee
1994, Updated 2015
KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA, INC.
Pin Etiquette and Ritual
This Key is intended to teach members when, how, and where to wear your Tri Kappa badge
(official pin) and other jewelry. Also included are the sources for all the beautiful and memorable lines
from the "Book of Ritual."
Official Jewelry
Two Types of Badges for Members
A new member badge was adopted at the State Convention in the spring of 1989. It is a
gold triangle with jewels in the corners and the word KAPPA on each side surrounding a
single carnation and crossed keys. It shall be employed only as a badge and worn only by members.
The jewels can be synthetic ruby or sapphire, genuine pearl or cubic zirconium.
The badge used previously can still be worn at Tri Kappa functions. It is a gold skull over crossed
keys which shall be employed only as a badge and worn only by members. The bows, that is, the rings
of the keys, shall be nearer the skull, the wards of the keys shall turn outward and downward, the eyes
shall be jeweled, and the forehead shall bear the Greek letters for Kappa Kappa Kappa.
Either badge can be worn by members of Tri Kappa; it is never appropriate to wear more than one
membership badge at a time! Members should be given or encouraged to purchase an official badge
when they are initiated.
Logo Pin
The logo lapel pin is a replica of the official logo on a stickpin. It can be worn anytime on a lapel or
collar. It is also available as a charm/lavaliere. It is not to be worn as the official badge.
The logo has a state outline since Tri Kappa is an Indiana organization. The carnation
represents the caring each Tri Kappa feels for others. Including the words "since 1901" (in
script to simulate the Ohio River) was meant to show how many years Tri Kappa, like the Ohio
River, has been a constant force in giving and activity in Indiana. The words "Tri Kappa" were
used rather than "Kappa Kappa Kappa" because more people recognize the name "Tri Kappa."
The words are off-set to signify that all our work is done within the state of Indiana.
Chapter President Badge
The President of the chapter wears a badge which is passed from one Chapter President to the next.
It is presented to the new President at Installation.
The Chapter President badge may also have a guard with the chapter's Greek letters
attached to it.
The badge of a chapter President shall be the original badge superimposed on a background
of polished gold in raised effect. A new chapter President badge was adopted at the State Convention in
the spring of 2007. It is a gold sunburst background with crossed keys and gavel. Either chapter
President badge may be worn; it is never appropriate to wear more than one President badge at a time!
PER - p. 1
Pin Guards
Guards can be worn for past offices held. They can be worn in any order, although usually the most
recent guard is worn at the top of any other guards. All, some, or none may be worn, as preferred. They
can be attached to the badge or chained together by a jeweler. The newer badges have a piece that can
be removed from the stem and the chain of the guard attached. The piece is then replaced and holds the
guard in place.
Gavel guards can be purchased and presented to past Chapter Presidents. These
guards can be attached to the Tri Kappa badge to signify that the member is a past
President.
Greek letter guards can be attached to the President's badge, signifying the
chapter the President represents. It can also be worn with a member's badge to
designate her chapter.
Anniversary guards can be given to members who have reached milestone
anniversaries of 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 50 years of membership.
There shall be an appropriate guard pin for any person who serves as State Historian,
Parliamentarian, Province Officer, or Cross Keys staff. This guard shall be presented to each person
when she takes office.
Multiple guards, if applicable, may be attached to an official guard holder available at Central
Office. This holder would then be pinned to the garment.
Pledge Pins
The Pledge pin shall be a badge in the form of crossed keys which shall be worn only as a
badge and which shall be worn only by Pledges. It shall be supplied by the chapter and
returned to the chapter upon the date of Initiation.
Council Badge
The badge of any person who has served as a Council member shall be the original badge of this
organization with red eyes superimposed on a black triangle, surrounded by fifteen (15) pearls, five (5)
on each side and with the greek letter K in each corner. This badge shall be presented to the person
when she takes office. The Council member keeps her badge after serving on Council and can wear it or
her Tri Kappa badge.
When to Wear Your Pins
The official badge can be worn for Tri Kappa functions, private or public.
The Pledge pin may be worn by Pledges for Tri Kappa functions until they are initiated.
The logo stickpin and other jewelry can be worn anytime.
How to Wear Your Pins
PLEASE
NOTE…
The badge should never be worn on a collar, lapel, or as costume jewelry. The
badge is worn over the heart. As a general rule, the badge is worn on the garment
closest to your body. If a jacket or sweater will be removed, the badge should be worn
PER - p. 2
on the blouse. If the jacket or sweater will not be removed, the badge may be worn on the outer
garment.
The logo stickpin can be worn on a collar, lapel, or as costume jewelry.
How to Purchase Jewelry
All jewelry except the Greek letter or anniversary guards may be purchased from
Central Office or at Province or State Conventions.
Charms or lavalieres of the logo, crest (½" in size), and a ¾" round charm disc with crest can
also be purchased by members. These items make nice gifts for new initiates, secret pals,
officers, and committee chairs. They can also be given as awards to honored members.
Greek letter guards and anniversary guards may be purchased through Central Office. These are
special orders and take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to receive. Contact Central Office for details.
"Book of Ritual"
The "Book of Ritual" contains ceremonies for:
Pledge Ceremony
Memorial Services
Initiation Ceremony
Installation of Active Chapter
Affiliation Ceremony
Installation of Associate Chapter
Installation of Officers
Official Song, Verses, Prayer
Each ceremony must be conducted as described in the "Book of Ritual."
It also includes the Official Song, Verses, and Prayer.
The following two pages are the sources of the quotes used in the "Book of Rituals." Many are familiar
quotes from the Bible or other well known works. However, the quotes from the Ritual must never be
cited as part of our Ritual ceremonies when quoted or written. Any questions or suggestions should be
directed to the Council Adviser who serves as Chair of the Ritual Committee.
PER - p. 3
Tri Kappa Ritual Sources
Most of the ritual quotations have been derived from the classics, which is logical since the original
members of Tri Kappa were students of May Wright Sewall at the Girls' Classical School.
PLEDGING
Ritual Quotation
Source - Title Author
Pledge Song
A Pledge
Lorena Sloan Chastain
Orleans Eta
"Self is the only prison. . ."
The Prison & the Angel
Henry Van Dyke
(Amer. 1852-1933)
"The ideal Tri Kappa chapter. . .
"Probably edited by the
original members of Tri Kappa.
"She doeth little kindnesses. . ."
My Love
James Russell Lowell
(American 1819-1891)
"The secret of being loved. . ."
Possibly a paraphrase of,
"That you may be loved. . .
Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid)
(Roman 43 B.C. - 17 A.D.)
"To thine own self be true. . ."
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
(English 1564-1616)
"Cheerful temper. . ."
The Tattler #271
(a newspaper concerned
chiefly with moral teachings)
Joseph Addison
(English 1672-1719)
"He loveth best. . ."
Possibly a paraphrase from
an aphorism on Moderations,
"Let moderation on thy passions
wait who loves too much, too
much the love'd will hate."
Robert Herrick
(English 1591-1674)
"We expect to pass through
this world but once. . ."
H.L. Mencken's Book of
Quotations, p. 630
Etienne de Grellet
(French 1773-1855)
"Life has loveliness to sell. . ."
Barter (the first two lines of
our ritual taken from Barter's
1st verse; second two lines of
ritual from 3rd verse.)
Sara Teasdale
(Amer. 1884-1933)
"Our Pledge. . ."
Edited by original members
of Tri Kappa
Official Song
To Tri Kappa
PER - p. 4
Twanette Nutter Fleming
Martinsville Alpha Psi
Tri Kappa Ritual Sources (continued)
INITIATION
Ritual Quotation
Source - Title
"We come with all lowliness. . .
" The Bible
Ephesians 4: 2,3
Author
The ritual from this point up to the SOLO was originated by the first members of Tri Kappa.
Solo
To Thee Tri Kappa
Helen Corcoran
Washington Beta Zeta
"The ideal Tri Kappa. . ."
Probably edited by the
original members.
"They talk about a woman's
sphere. . ."
"The Sphere of a Woman"
The Heart Throbs, 1905.
C.E. Bowman
"Four things a man must do. . ."
Four Things
Henry Van Dyke
(Amer. 1852-1933)
"The aim of Tri Kappa is. . ."
Ten Times One is Ten
Edward Everett Hale
(Amer. 1822-1909)
Solo
My Task
E.L. Ashford
"To be glad of life. . ."
The Footpath To Peace
Henry Van Dyke
(Amer. 1852-1933)
The ritual from this point up to "Finally..." was originated by the first members of Tri Kappa
"Finally, whatsoever. . ."
The Bible
Philippians 4:8
Official Song
To Tri Kappa
Twanette Nutter Fleming
Martinsville Alpha Psi
(Closing Verse is from The Bible, Psalms 19:4)
This research was completed by Jean Reed, Hobart Epsilon Zeta in 1962.
She was aided by: Francis Weaver, Historian, Valparaiso Iota
Peg Elliott, Council President, Muncie Delta Phi
Frances Eagleston, Greenfield Upsilon
Peggy Ahlbrand, Shirley Dudey, Margaret Ferkinoff, Hobart Epsilon Zeta
Later additions:
Fran Ray, Historian 1985-87, Carmel Epsilon Mu
Debby Rodney, Historian 1991-93, Plainfield Delta Pi
PER - p. 5