The Iron Ring

Introduction

Canadian engineers who have participated in the ceremony of the "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer", sometimes referred to as the Kipling Ritual or the Iron Ring Ceremony, may wear an engineering Iron Ring. The engineering ring is a sign that the engineer has undertaken an obligation to adhere to a high standard of professional conduct. Participation in the ceremony is entirely voluntary. The ceremony is not associated with any university or any provincial association of professional engineers. The ritual is not a religious ceremony. The ceremony and the ring are uniquely Canadian. There are currently 25 camps which administer the ceremony. There is only one camp in Manitoba, Camp 8.

Background to the Ceremony

"The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer" ceremony was developed by the late Rudyard Kipling during the early 1920s. The ritual was the result of a request by a number of Canadian engineers to find some way of binding the members of the engineering profession in Canada more closely together.

The object of the ritual is simply a means of directing young engineers towards a consciousness of their profession and its significance, and indicating to the older engineers their responsibility for welcoming, assisting and supporting the younger engineers as they enter the practice of engineering.

Where and When

In Manitoba, the ceremony is usually conducted twice a year at the University of Manitoba; once in the spring, when anywhere from 100 to 200 candidates may be obligated, and once in the fall when there are usually fewer than 50 candidates. The ceremony is open to camp members, candidates and guests of the candidates.

This year's spring ceremony will be held at 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 23, 2010. The ceremony will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room, Second Floor of the UMSU Centre, (Bldg 26), at the University of Manitoba, unless otherwise posted. All camp members, candidates and their guests are welcome, however, candidates are requested to contact Dave Ennis at (204) 453-8363, or ns2@mts.net, prior to March 5, 2010 to confirm their attendance and receive further instructions for the ceremony.

This year's fall ceremony will be held at 8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 23, 2010. The ceremony will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room, Second Floor of the UMSU Centre, (Bldg 26), at the University of Manitoba, unless otherwise posted. All camp members, candidates and their guests are welcome, however, candidates are requested to contact Dave Ennis at (204) 453-8363, or ns2@mts.net, prior to November 5, 2010 to confirm their attendance and receive further instructions for the ceremony.

Wardens

The seven wardens for Camp 8 are:

1. B.T. (Bryan) Weber, P.Eng., (Chief Warden)
2. D.A. (Dave) Ennis, P.Eng. (Camp Secretary/Treasurer)
3. J.R.C. (Jay) Doering, P.Eng.
4. H.S. (Halina) Zbigniewicz, P.Eng.
5. D.W. (Doug) Ruth, P.Eng.
6. J.M. (Mal) Symonds, P.Eng.
7. M.D.C. (Maria) Muzyka, P.Eng.

The alternate wardens for Camp 8 are:

1. E.S. (Elan) Swatek, P.Eng.
2. M. (Marcia) Friesen, P.Eng.
3. R. (Roger) Rempel, P.Eng.
4. R.L. (Robyn) Page, P.Eng.
5. D.S. (Digvir) Jayas, P.Eng.
6. J.A. (James) Blatz, P.Eng.
7. A.G. (Grant) Koropatnick, P.Eng.

The honorary wardens for Camp 8 are:

1. R.E. (Ray) Scouten, P.Eng.
2. C.R. (Charlie) Bouskill, P.Eng.
3. W.G. (Bill) McKay, P.Eng.
4. R.A. (Dick) Johnson, P.Eng.
5. C.R. (Clyde) McBain, P.Eng.
6. N.P. (Pat) Feschuk, P.Eng.
7. M.J. (John) Frye, P.Eng.,
8. G.A. (Glenn) Morris, P.Eng.
9. W.L. (Les) Wardrop, P.Eng.
10. D.C. (Dave) Sexton, P.Eng.
11. W.M.A. (Bill) MacDonald, P.Eng.
12. L.A. (Len) Bateman, P.Eng.
13. K.A. (Ken) Buhr, P.Eng.

Lost your Iron Ring?

Call Malcolm Symonds, P.Eng.
at (204) 474-9820
or, mal_symonds@umanitoba.ca