Investiture

The Pathfinder Investiture Service is the annual service where Friend through Master Guide pins are presented. At most Investitures, the AY Honors from the last quarter are also presented plus other awards such as Reading Course Certificates, Good Conduct Ribbons, and Pathfinder of the Year Awards. Most clubs present honor patches as they are completed throughout the year (first quarter honors in are December).

Investiture is usually held in the spring when Pathfinders have had a chance to finish their AY Class Work. Contact your County Coordinator to set a date. It is to be held no later than fifteen days prior to the Fair Date to qualify for points. Investiture can be held during church, on Pathfinder Day, or during the week.

A Club director or his/her designee may officiate; however, a Master Guide MUST do the actual investing. It is mandatory that a Conference representative and/or County Coordinator be present. The Conference Youth Ministries Department reserves the right to designate a representative in his/her place. Most clubs ask the visiting official to give the charge.

The Pathfinder Investiture Service is a good time for public relations. You are encouraged to have the Pathfinders demonstrate skills and show items they have made. Display completed projects and pictures of club activities.

Before purchasing or obtaining AY honor patches or AY class work insignia, a director, teacher, or individual must turn in a completed requirement card for the Pathfinder director’s signature.

An Investiture Report Form is to be completed and received at the conference office no later than fifteen days before the Fair.

For additional information seeThe Pathfinder Staff Manual, pages 126-127.

Organizing an Investiture

When planning your Pathfinder Investiture, be sure to go over every detail so that the program will flow as smoothly as possible.

Invite special guests to be a part of your program. You may invite a world or former world Youth Leader, North American Division Youth Leader, Union Youth Leader, or Conference Youth Leader. These individuals are very busy but you may be pleasantly surprised when one will be in your area and able to attend your special program.

If you have invited a special guest, be certain that they are aware of the responsibility you would like them to perform for your program such as speaker or music. Make the best use of time, with no wasted moments, so your invited guest will have as much time as possible to share with your Pathfinders and invited guests.

Start ten minutes before the program with music. This may be Pathfinders playing instruments or singing, or a regular song service. Start the program at the appointed time with all aspects of your program following smoothly in order. Your program will flow smoothly ONLY when you have spent time and energy to see that it is well organized. Practice so participants know what is expected of them and when they should rise to do their part. If you video your practice, you will quickly know what needs to change so as not to waste precious moments.

Be certain that each guest has a copy of your program so they will know when they are to speak. Your staff must also be aware of their responsibilities and the order of service.

By organizing all your materials you will have each item ready at the proper time and will not have to waste time searching for the correct honor or pin. The following may help you in preparing an organized service. Take the pins, emblems, and honors for each individual to be invested and staple them on ribbon of corresponding colors to the class they will be invested in. When the Friends are called forward each one will receive their blue ribbon including all completed honors and awards. The same with each progressive class that is to be invested, ending with Master Guides.

Forms and reporst are found in the document center.