Solemn Promise, Motto and Rules of Young Pioneers
Solemn Promise, Motto and Rules of Young Pioneers. There were at least one pre-1967 revision, 1967 revision and 1986 revision of them.
The Solemn Promise
On the day a child joined the Young Pioneer organization of the Soviet Union, he or she would have to recite the following Solemn Promise in front of a group of other Pioneers (1986 revision is presented below). After reciting, the new member had the Pioneer's scarlet tie tied by an older Pioneer, and thus, becoming a full-fledged member of the organization.
I, (last name, first name), joining the ranks of the Vladimir Ilyich Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization, in the presence of my comrades solemnly promise: to passionately love and cherish my Motherland, to live as the great Lenin bade us to, as the Communist Party teaches us to, as require the laws of the Pioneers of the Soviet Union.
(Russian: Я, (фамилия, имя), вступая в ряды Всесоюзной пионерской организации имени Владимира Ильича Ленина, перед лицом своих товарищей торжественно обещаю: горячо любить и беречь свою Родину, жить, как завещал великий Ленин, как учит Коммунистическая партия, как требуют Законы пионеров Советского Союза)
The Motto
The motto of the Young Pioneers of the Soviet Union consisted of two parts, the summons and the answer or response (1986 revision is presented below).
Summons - Pioneer, to fight for the cause of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, be prepared! (Russian: Пионер, к борьбе за дело Коммунистической партии Советского Союза будь готов!).
Response - Always prepared! (Russian: Всегда готов!).
This, like other rituals and customs of the organization, reflected its origin in the Scouts movement (their motto is "Be Prepared").
The Rules
The latest revision of official Rules of the Young Pioneers of the Soviet Union was in 1986, it is presented below. The Rules often appeared on many children's items, such as school notebooks.
Russian
- Пионер — юный строитель коммунизма — трудится и учится для блага Родины, готовится стать ее защитником.
- Пионер — активный борец за мир, друг пионерам и детям трудящихся всех стран.
- Пионер равняется на коммунистов, готовится стать комсомольцем, ведет за собой октябрят.
- Пионер дорожит честью своей организации, своими делами и поступками укрепляет ее авторитет.
- Пионер — надежный товарищ, уважает старших, заботится о младших, всегда поступает по совести.
- Пионер имеет право: избирать и быть избранным в органы пионерского самоуправления; обсуждать на пионерских сборах, слетах, сборах советов отрядов и дружин, в печати работу пионерской организации, критиковать недостатки, вносить предложения в любой совет пионерской организации, вплоть до Центрального Совета ВПО имени В. И. Ленина; просить рекомендацию совета дружины для вступления в ряды ВЛКСМ.
English translation
- Pioneer is a young builder of communism, labors for the welfare of the Motherland, prepares to become its defender.
- Pioneer is an active fighter for peace, a friend to Young Pioneers and workers' children of all countries.
- Pioneer follows the communists' example, prepares to become a Komsomol member, leads the Little Octobrists.
- Pioneer upholds the organization's honour, strengthens its authority by deeds and actions.
- Pioneer is a reliable comrade, respects the elders, looks after younger people, always acts according to conscience.
- Pioneer has a right to elect and be elected to Young Pioneer self-government institutions, to discuss the functioning of the Young Pioneer organization on Young Pioneer gatherings, meetings, gatherings of Soviets of Young Pioneer detachments and Young Pioneer groups, in the press; to criticize shortcomings; to submit a proposal to any Soviet of the Young Pioneer organization, including the Central Soviet of the V. I. Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization; to ask for a recommendation of the Soviet of Young Pioneer group to join the VLKSM when on the right age to join.