Updates: Ceremony #151 (Mar 25, 2023)
This is information pertains to ceremony held Mar 25, 2023 (in-person/physical only).
- Mar 26: If you received your ring at the recent ceremony (Mar 25th) and you are finding it still doesn’t fit properly, there will be an opportunity to exchange for a different size at the following time and location:
- Friday Mar 31st: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
- Room 1A80 Engineering (inside the Hardy Lab)
- Engineering building
- University of Saskatchewan
- Saskatoon SK
Health and Safety Protocols
Only an “in person” ceremony is being held. Any updates or requirements for health-related protocols will be posted here when available. As a minimum, you are welcome to wear a mask if you so choose.
General Information for Candidates
Note:Receiving and wearing an iron ring is a long-standing Canadian tradition. This is not directly an indication of your graduation, or your professional status. Iron rings are bestowed by Kipling Camps (not the university or the professional associations), at a special Ceremony. The qualification to participate in an Iron Ring Ceremony and receive a ring is, in part, that you have graduated (or are about to graduate) from an accredited engineering program in Canada, or equivalent. Only undergraduate degrees are accredited and accepted as academic qualification. If your undergraduate degree is not from an accredited program in Canada, we defer to the professional associations to determine equivalence. In Saskatchewan, we will consider a candidate qualified, academically, if their academic qualifications have been vetted and accepted for professional membership in APEGS (The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan) as an Engineer in Training or a Professional Engineer. Postgraduate degrees are not, in themselves, sufficient qualification to attend a Ceremony.
The Ceremony and the Obligation:
The purpose of this section is to enlighten potential candidates about the ceremony, and the purpose of the iron ring prior to participation in the ceremony. During the dismissal, the Senior Supervising Engineer (S.S.E.) of the Camp will remind you that “…while these … are no mystery, they are neither for the Public nor the Press.” I ask that you treat the information provided here in confidence for the purpose for which it is intended: to allow you to make an informed decision beforehand concerning your participation in the ceremony and your reciting of the “obligation”.
To receive an iron ring, you must participate in a ceremony conducted by one of the Kipling Camps in Canada (no rings are given in absentia). Participation is strictly voluntary; it is not a requirement of your educational institution nor the Provincial professional licensing authority, nor will it affect your qualifications or your ability to practice. The following extracts from the Camp Procedures explain the intent:
“The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the young engineer towards a consciousness of this profession and its significance, and indicating to older engineers their responsibilities in receiving, welcoming and supporting the younger engineers in their beginnings.” (Manual of Camp Procedure, V2.0, Dec 2014, p3-8)
“Their participation may increase their own moral fortitude and help to create a bond between them and the many other engineers with whom they may work during their professional careers. (Manual of Camp Procedure, V2.0, Dec 2014, p3-8)
The ceremony itself, written by Rudyard Kipling in the 1920’s, used the language and many Judeo‑Christian references common in Canadian culture at the time. It is not intended as a religious, ceremony; the language is retained merely to respect the tradition and origins of the ceremony and the spirit in which it was conceived.
The ceremony in which you would receive an iron ring involves the recitation of an obligation, somewhat akin to an oath, which you must take before receiving an iron ring. The wording of the obligation retains the original language, but should be viewed as it was originally intended, as explained above. The intent of the obligation carries no religious connotations, only that you agree to uphold the highest standard of professional conduct to the best of your ability. If you accept the intent and spirit of this obligation and the spirit in which it is taken, you are welcome to attend, participate, and receive an iron ring as a reminder of your obligation. If you are not comfortable with any part, you should feel no pressure to participate and are free to decline or to reflect on it and attend another ceremony at some time in the future. If you would like to review the specific wording of the Obligation before making your decision, please contact the Camp Secretary (see the Contact page).
For online ceremonies, confirmation of the candidates’ recitation of the obligation and participation will need to be done in non-traditional ways.
Ceremony Logistics:
Remember the time: Ceremony starts at 11:00 sharp; arrive well beforehand with enough time to pick up your ring and review any last minute instructions. It is a requirement of the Ritual that you participate in the COMPLETE Ceremony, and candidates will not be allowed to enter once the Ceremony starts or leave before it is completed. The Ceremony will conclude by approximately noon. Refreshments and social time may follow (depending on availability and health protocols), but will end by approximately 1:00 PM.
Reminder: Dress code for the Ceremony is “business formal or business professional”. Also, this is a “closed” ceremony, which means only candidates and previously obligated engineers (i.e. those who have received a ring) are allowed to be present at the ceremony. Other guests may join you for the social immediately following the ceremony.
When you arrive, please pick up your envelope with your ring and any final instructions from the tables set up outside the Ceremony room. Watch for alphabetical designations setup above the tables to facilitate this process. If you still need to be sized or to pay the fee, please watch for signage, and inform the volunteers at the tables. (Once you have been sized, place the ring in the envelope until the point in the Ceremony when you are instructed to remove it for presentation.)
Try your ring for fit, then REMOVE IT, AND RETURN IT TO THE ENVELOPE UNTIL THE POINT IN THE CEREMONY WHEN IT IS TO BE PRESENTED. Do not be too hasty to exchange your ring for a different size. The excitement of the day and the formal attire may cause your ring to feel a bit tight at first. If it is still not fitting reasonably after the Ceremony, the camp assistant(s) will be pleased to help you exchange your ring if necessary. Please make sure we record your new ring size for our records.). Should you need to exchange your ring after that, contact the Camp Secretary. Remember: your finger changes size during the day and depending on the environment, and it may take a few days experience to determine your “average” finger size. If your ring fits at all, please take some time to allow yourself to determine a comfortable fit over the longer term.
After the Ceremony: Sign the Official Ceremony Register located on tables in the Ceremony room. This is important! Don’t forget to do this.
Pick up your Certificate after the Ceremony and before you leave (from the same tables where you picked up you envelopes, just outside the ceremony room).
Subject to availability, refreshments and sweets will be served in the same room immediately following the Ceremony. You can socialize with fellow candidates, Wardens and guests. Outside guests may join you for the social.
Online Registration and Payment:
Registration (for candidates) usually opens about one month before the ceremony. Note: previously obligated guests do not need to pre-register, but may be required to register on arrival. When registration is open, the button below this frame will take you to the registration form. Click to open the registration form. After you press Submit on the form, you should be taken to a confirmation page which has instructions and links for online payments (credit card preferred; see main “Ceremonies” page for PayPal link or use the “Pay Now” link below). Electronic forms of payment are strongly preferred (e.g. PayPal, credit card or INTERAC). (Note: if you do not receive a confirmation email shortly after submitting your registration, please check i) your spam/junk folders, or ii) that your are checking the same email address you provided on the form. These are almost always the reasons. If it still can’t be found, contact us.)