Editing Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer

{{Short description|Statement of professional ethical obligations made by Canadian engineers}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox recurring event
|name              = Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
|image             = 
|image_size        = 
|alt               = 
|caption           = 
|status            = Active
|genre             = Ceremony
|date              = <!-- {{start date|YYYY|mm|dd}} "dates=" also works, but do not use both -->
|frequency         = <!-- Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-annually, Annually, Bi-annually, 2nd Tuesday of November, etc. -->
|venue             = 
|location          = 28 camps throughout Canada
|country           = Canada
|years_active      = <!-- {{age|YYYY|mm|dd}} Date of the first occurrence -->
|first             = {{start date|1925|4|25|df=y}}
|founder_name      = [[H. E. T. Haultain]], [[Rudyard Kipling]]{{notetag|The idea to create a ceremony that emphasized the standards of ethics for graduating engineer originated from Haultain. Kipling authored the obligation that is recited at the ceremony.}}
|last              = 
|prev              = 
|next              = 
|participants      = Graduates of a Canadian engineering programs, engineers
|activity          = {{Plainlist|
*Recital of the Obligation
*Conferral of [[Iron Ring]]
}}
|leader_name       = 
|patron            = 
|organised         = The Corporation of the Seven Wardens
|filing            = 
|people            = 
|member            = 
|sponsor           = <!-- | or sponsors = -->
|website           = {{URL|https://ironring.ca/}}
|current           = 
|footnotes         = 
}}

The '''Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer''' ({{langx|fr|Rite d'engagement de l'ingénieur}}) is a private [[ritual]], authored by [[Rudyard Kipling]], in which students about to graduate from an engineering program at a university in Canada are permitted to participate.  Participation may also be permitted for Canadian [[professional engineer]]s or have otherwise qualified academically for registration as a professional engineer (such as through technical examinations). The ritual is administered by a body called [[Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer#Management|The Corporation of the Seven Wardens]].<ref name="ritual">"[http://www.ironring.ca The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer ]", ''[[#The Corporation of the Seven Wardens|The Corporation of the Seven Wardens]]'', Retrieved 4 April 2010</ref> As part of the ritual each participant is conferred the [[Iron Ring]].

==History==
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Haultain.gif
 | width1 = 133
 | alt1 = 
 | image2 = Picture of Rudyard Kipling.jpg
 | alt2 =
 | width2 = 147
 | caption1 = [[H. E. T. Haultain]] first proposed to create a ceremony emphasizing a standard of ethics for engineers.
 | caption2 = [[Rudyard Kipling]] authored the obligation that is recited at the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.
}}
The ritual traces its origins to professor [[H. E. T. Haultain]] of the [[University of Toronto]], who believed and persuaded other members of the [[Engineering Institute of Canada]] that there needed to be a ceremony and standard of ethics developed for graduating engineers. This was in response to the [[Quebec Bridge|Quebec Bridge Disaster]] in which 75 workmen died due to faulty engineering calculations and miscommunication.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marsh |first1=James H. |title=The Quebec Bridge Disaster |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec-bridge-disaster-feature |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref> The ritual was created in 1922 by [[Rudyard Kipling]] at the request of Haultain, representing seven past-presidents of the [[Engineering Institute of Canada]].<ref name="hist_finger"/><ref name="iron_ring">"[http://www.eir.ca/engineers/ironring.php?link=4 Engineer-in-Residence/ Iron Ring] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706175651/http://www.eir.ca/engineers/ironring.php?link=4 |date=6 July 2011 }}", ''[[Professional Engineers Ontario]]'', Retrieved 4 April 2010</ref> The seven past-presidents were the original seven wardens of the corporation.

{{blockquote|The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the young engineer towards a consciousness of his profession and its significance, and indicating to the older engineer his responsibilities in receiving, welcoming and supporting the young engineers in their beginnings.|Rudyard Kipling|from notes by Dr. J. Jeswiet<ref>[http://www.networx.on.ca/~njdevil/mainpage/E_Eng/Academic/jj-ring.htm  Dr. J. Jeswiet: Information Relevant to the Iron Ring Ceremony] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192330/http://www.networx.on.ca/~njdevil/mainpage/E_Eng/Academic/jj-ring.htm |date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>}}

An inaugural ceremony was held in the evening of 25 April 1925, at the University Club of Montreal, when the obligation was taken by six engineers,{{notetag|R.A. Ross, Consulting Engineer, acting as the Senior Supervising Engineer of the ceremony; J.M.R. Fairbairn, Chief Engineer, Canadian Pacific Railway; Harold Rolph, President, John S. Metcalf and Co., Consulting Engineers; N.M. Lash, Chief Engineer, Bell Telephone Co.; J.M. Robertson, Consulting Engineer; and John Chalmers, Engineer for John Quinlan & Co., Contractors.}} some of whom were involved with Kipling in its development. On 1 May 1925, three of these newly obligated engineers<ref>Dr. Ross, Dr. Fairbairn and Mr. Rolph.</ref> met at the University of Toronto with a number of the officers of the Engineering Alumni Association and obligated 14 of them in the Senate Chamber of the university becoming the first local chapter (referred to as a camp) to do so. Fairbairn met with Harry F. McLean, president of Dominion Construction and Kipling in Montreal at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel to discuss the details of the ritual. Fairbairn later visited McLean at his home in Merrickville, Ontario, to secure a sizeable donation from McLean, philanthropist, on behalf of the Corporation of the Seven Wardens, the custodian and administrator of the ritual, to ensure its survival.

The Ritual and the conferring of the Iron Ring continues to be administered by The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./''Société des Sept Gardiens inc.'' through camps<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ironring.ca/contact.php|title=Camp Contacts - The Iron Ring|website=www.IronRing.ca|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> associated with the universities granting degrees in engineering in Canada.

==Ritual==
The ritual takes place separately at individual Camps across Canada usually situated near an engineering university. The ceremonies are separate, organised by one of 28 camps of the Corporation of the Seven Wardens for administrative purposes.

The [[moral obligation|Obligation]], which is not an [[oath]] but a solemn expression of intention, is subscribed to at the [[ceremony]]. The Obligation essentially states the duties and responsibilities of the engineer. Following the Obligation, the [[Iron Ring]] is placed on the [[little finger]] of the working hand,<ref name="hist_finger">"[http://www.order-of-the-engineer.org/?page_id=15 Order Of The Engineer-History ]", ''[[Order of the Engineer]].org'', Retrieved 4 April 2010</ref> and is worn by the engineer as a [[symbol]] and a reminder. As originally conceived, the engineer's iron ring rubs against the drawings and paper upon which the Engineer writes and even in modern times, serves as a reminder when working on a computer.

Previously, a biblical passage was quoted: [[2 Esdras]], Chapter 4, [https://thekingjamesversionbible.com/2-esdras-4-5-10 Verses 5–10]. More generally today, Kipling's poem the [https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_strain.htm ''Hymn of Breaking Strain''] is recited.

The Obligation is [[privacy|private]], though not necessarily [[secrecy|secret]].<ref name="ringceremony"/> However, it is customary for those who have gone through it to not discuss the details of the Calling with others, even engineers from other countries. The ceremony is open only to candidates, those who have already undergone the ritual and at some sites, guests invited by candidates.<ref name="ringceremony">Compiled by Dr. J. Jeswiet, "[http://www.networx.on.ca/~njdevil/mainpage/E_Eng/Academic/jj-ring.htm#4 Information Relevant to the Iron Ring Ceremony ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192330/http://www.networx.on.ca/~njdevil/mainpage/E_Eng/Academic/jj-ring.htm |date=6 July 2011 }}", 22 November 2001; Retrieved 4 April 2010</ref>
[[File:Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer Oath.jpg|thumb|left|alt=I (long dotted space for name) in the presence of these my betters and my equals in my Calling, bind myself upon my Honor and Cold Iron, that, of the best of my knowledge and power, I will not henceforward suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, Bad Workmanship or Faulty Material in aught that concerns my works before mankind as an Engineer, or in my dealings with my own Soul before my Maker. (paragraph break) MY TIME I will not refuse; my Thought I will not grudge; my Care I will not deny toward the honor, use, stability and perfection of any works to which I may be called to set my hand. (paragraph break) MY FAIR WAGES for that work I will openly take. My Reputation in my Calling I will honourably guard; but I will in no way go about to compass or wrest judgement or gratification from any one with whom I may deal. And further I will early and warily strive my uttermost against professional jealously and the belittling of my professional colleagues in any field of their labour. (paragraph break) FOR MY ASSURED FAILURES and derelictions I ask pardon beforehand of my betters and my equals in my Calling here assembled; praying that in the hour of my temptations, weakness and weariness, the memory of this my Obligation and of the company before whom it was entered into, may return to me to aid, comfort and restraint.|The obligation spoken at the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer]]
As part of the preparation for the ritual, candidates are instructed not to discuss the details of the ritual with the media. A reminder of this is provided at the end of the ceremony in the form of a written instruction that states: "''The Rule of Governance provides that there shall be no publicity in connection with the Ritual." ''<ref name="ringceremony"/>

Commemorating the 75th anniversary, the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer domestic-rate stamp was issued on 25 April 2000. Designer Darrell Freeman's "head-to-foot" layout incorporates the symbolic iron ring that is presented as part of the ceremony. The ring also visually links the four engineering achievements featured on this stamp.<ref name="comm_stamp">"[http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/collecting/stamps/archives/2000/2000_apr_ritual.jsf Commemorative Stamp-Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, 1925–2000 ]", ''[[Canada Post]]'', 25 April 2000; Retrieved 4 April 2010</ref>

The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has a very simple purpose: To direct the newly qualified engineer toward a consciousness of the profession and its social significance and indicating to the more experienced engineer their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.<ref name="camp1">{{cite web|url=https://www.camp1.ca/wordpress/?page_id=2|title=The Wardens of Camp One - The Calling of an Engineer|website=www.Camp1.ca|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref>

The ring symbolizes the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer's obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct.<ref name="camp1"/>

==Iron Ring==
{{main|Iron Ring}}
[[File:Ironring2005.JPG|thumb|[[Iron Ring]]s are presented to those who have undergone the ritual.]]
The Iron Ring may be made from either iron or [[stainless steel]]. Presently, only Camp One of the Corporation in [[Toronto]] continues to confer rings made from iron; stainless steel rings are conferred at all other locations across Canada. The Iron Ring does not certify a person as a [[Professional Engineer]],<ref name="ritual"/> which requires registration with a relevant professional organisation followed by examination and practical experience.

==Management==
The Corporation of the Seven Wardens (French: ''Société des Sept Gardiens'') is the body that holds the rights and the duty to carry out The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer. It is organised into 28 regional branches, called ''camps'', numbered by order of establishment. The term ''camp'' is used to describe these regional branches because it conveys a smaller, close-knit sense of community.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! align=left | Camp
! align=left | Associated universities<ref name="camps">"[http://www.ironring.ca/contact.php Contacts/Camp Secretaries ]", ''[[#The Corporation of the Seven Wardens|The Corporation of the Seven Wardens]]'', Retrieved 19 January 2011</ref>
|-
| 1. [[Toronto]]
|
* [[University of Toronto]]
* [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]
* [[University of Ontario Institute of Technology]]
* [[York University]]
|-
| 2. [[Montreal]]
|
* [[McGill University]]
* [[Concordia University (Montreal)|Concordia University]]
* [[Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue]]
* [[Polytechnique Montréal]] ([[Université de Montréal]])
* [[École de technologie supérieure|École de technologie supérieure (Université du Québec)]]
* [[Université du Québec à Montréal]]
|-
| 3. [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]]
|
* [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]]
* [[Royal Military College of Canada]]
|-
| 4. Saskatoon
|
* [[University of Saskatchewan]]
|-
| 5. Vancouver
|
* [[University of British Columbia]]
* [[Simon Fraser University]]
* [[British Columbia Institute of Technology]]
|-
| 6. Edmonton
|
* [[University of Alberta]]
|-
| 7. Halifax
|
* [[Dalhousie University]]
|-
| 8. Winnipeg
|
* [[University of Manitoba]]
|-
| 9. Fredericton
|
* [[University of New Brunswick]]
|-
|10. [[Quebec City]]
|
* [[Université Laval]]
* [[Université du Québec à Chicoutimi]]
* [[Université du Québec à Rimouski]]
|-
| 11. London
|
* [[University of Western Ontario]]
|-
| 12. Ottawa
|
* [[Carleton University]]
* [[University of Ottawa]]
* [[Université du Québec en Outaouais]]
|-
| 13. Hamilton
|
* [[McMaster University]]
|-
| 14. Windsor
|
* [[University of Windsor]]
|-
| 15. Waterloo
|
* [[University of Waterloo]]
* [[Conestoga College]]
|-
| 16. Sherbrooke
|
* [[Université de Sherbrooke]]
|-
| 17. Guelph
|
* [[University of Guelph]]
|-
| 18. Calgary
|
* [[University of Calgary]]
|-
| 19. Moncton
|
* [[Université de Moncton]]
|-
| 20. St. John's
|
* [[Memorial University of Newfoundland]]
|-
| 21. Thunder Bay
|
* [[Lakehead University]]
|-
| 22. Sudbury
|
* [[Laurentian University]]
|-
| 23. Victoria
|
* [[University of Victoria]]
|-
| 24. Trois-Rivières
|
* [[Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières]]
|-
| 25. Regina
|
* [[University of Regina]]
|-
| 26. Kelowna
|
* [[University of British Columbia Okanagan]]
|-
|27. Charlottetown
|
* [[University of Prince Edward Island]]
|-
|28. Prince George
|
* [[University of Northern British Columbia]]

|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Engineering traditions in Canada]]
* [[Order of the Engineer]]

==Notes==
{{notefoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=Introduction to Engineering|url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontoen00wrig_0|url-access=registration|last=Wright|first=Paul H.|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|date=2002|isbn=047105920X|lccn=2001046541}}<!-- pages 54-55 -->
*{{cite book|title=Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience: Practice and Ethics|last=Andrews|first=Gordon Clifford|publisher=Cengage Learning|date=2008|isbn=9780176441340}}<!-- pages 98-99 -->

==External links==
* [http://www.ironring.ca/ The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192330/http://www.networx.on.ca/~njdevil/mainpage/E_Eng/Academic/jj-ring.htm#4 Information Relevant to the Iron Ring Ceremony], compiled by Dr. J. Jeswiet, 22 November 2001. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
*[https://discoverarchives.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/ritual-of-the-calling-of-an-engineer-office-of-the-camp-wardens-fonds Archival papers] are held at the [https://utarms.library.utoronto.ca/ University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services]

{{Rudyard Kipling}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, The}}
[[Category:Engineering literature]]
[[Category:Works by Rudyard Kipling]]
[[Category:Rituals]]
[[Category:1922 works]]
[[Category:Canadian traditions]]