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Eta Sigma Gamma

Initiation Information & Resources

Typically, chapters hold an initiation ceremony once a year, and some chapters conduct a ceremony in both fall and spring semesters.  The following information may be helpful in preparing your chapter for a successful initiation ceremony:

Requirements to be Initiated into National Eta Sigma Gamma

National ESG requires the following criteria* be met in order for an student members to be initiated:  

  • Be enrolled in a health education or similar academic program that aligns with NCHEC’s Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists and/or is CEPH accredited. 

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.7

  • Commit to upholding the ideals and ethical standards set forth by Eta Sigma Gamma and the health education profession.

Preparing for an Initiation Ceremony

  • Identify students to be initiated**

  • Choose a date, time, and location for your initiation ceremony.

  • Complete the Initiation Request Form and email the completed form to nationaloffice@etasigmagamma.org a minimum of two weeks prior to your planned initiation ceremony date.

  • Collect initiation fees from students if the chapter has determined that individuals are responsible for their own fees. The student initiation fee is $50; however, there are new fees that allow students to obtain a discount for the initiation and membership into ESG. See Membership Levels for more details. 

  • Upon receipt of the Initiation Request Form, the National ESG Office will generate an online invoice for the initiation fees (one invoice per chapter ceremony; invoices for individual initiates will not be generated). Please pay this invoice within a week of the ceremony date.

  • The National ESG Office will mail certificates, lapel pins, and ESG swag to the Chapter Advisor that will be used and given to initiates at the ceremony. 

*Please note that individual chapters may add to this criteria list, but they may not remove or reduce the criteria set by National Eta Sigma Gamma.

**There is no minimum number of student initiates required to hold an initiation ceremony.  Additionally, students are only initiated one time and do not need to be re-initiated each school year.



Pictured: Beta Kappa Chapter, Minnesota State University - Mankato Fall 2023 Initiation 

Pictured: ESG Lapel Pin



Pictured: Epsilon Xi, Salisbury University at Initiation

Materials Needed for an Initiation Ceremony

  • Certificates and lapel pins provided by the National ESG Office for each ceremony.

  • ESG Chapter Tablecloth. 

  • Lamp of Learning.

  • Battery operated candles - one per initiate. 

  • Chapter Roll Sheet/Book and pen.

  • Powerpoint of initiation.

  • Ceremony Script.

Recommendations for Initiation Ceremonies

  • Hold the ceremony in a conference room or well maintained professional space that includes a computer, projector, and screen, as well as a podium and/or tables that can be set up at the front of the room.

  • Purchase a nice journal for the Chapter Roll Sheet/Book that can be used for each initiation ceremony.

  • Make sure the student leaders facilitating the ceremony have rehearsed the program and are familiar with their speaking parts in the script.

  • Display the chapter’s original charter certificate and any awards or recognition certificates/plaques that the chapter has received over the years.

  • Design and print a ceremony program that includes the date and initiate names

  • Provide refreshments and/or cake before or after the ceremony.

  • Invite program faculty and support staff, as well as department chairs or deans who support the chapter’s work.

  • Chapter Advisor delivers congratulatory remarks at the end of the ceremony, notes chapter highlights and successes from the academic year, and hopes for the future.

  • Take lots of photos! We would love to see your chapter.

Electronic Files for Chapter Initiation Ceremonies - Coming Soon!

Below are some resources for chapter initiation:

  • Initiation Request Form
  • Powerpoint to Display During the Ceremony
  • Ceremony Script
  • Code of Ethics
  • Chapter Roll Sheet/Book 


Welcome to the #GamFam! We are so happy to have you and your chapter as members of ESG! 

Eta Sigma Gamma National Office ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Address: PO Box 3919, Muncie, IN 47307

nationaloffice@etasigmagamma.org

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