Preserving Your Chapter's History
An old adage states, "You must know where you have been in order to know where you are going." This holds especially true for Phi Theta Kappa chapters. Understanding your chapter's past achievements can give you ideas on how you can make the most of your campus and community resources, as well as information on how active or inactive your chapter might be in the upcoming year. An example would be if three years ago your chapter was a one star chapter and has increased by one star each year thereafter to put you at the three star level last year. Having this type of knowledge readily available will give you an idea of where your chapter could be headed during your term of service. In this case, your chapter might set a goal of four or five stars to keep up the momentum.
Chapter history maintenance consist of three main factors: understanding past accomplishments and failures, using past information to meet new goals while maintaining accurate records, and passing on the chapter's legacy to the incoming members. Successful chapters understand that maintaining an accurate chapter history is a necessity, not an option. Take a look at these creative and fun ways to keep track of your chapter's ongoing story…
Make a Video.
Many chapters have found that visuals work best! Bringing along a camcorder to
chapter activities will not only provide lasting documentation of your projects, but
also inspire members to be fun and lively. Michelle DeZiel, Vice
President of Scholarship, at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon
Rapids, Minnesota, explained that this year her chapter decided to put a fun spin on
the video concept. They plan to tape the outgoing officers giving a wrap up of the
chapter year, as well as saying their farewells. Yearly, they will add new officer
farewells and exhibit the video at spring induction ceremonies. For more information
on this chapter's project contact Michelle at m_deziel@hotmail.com.
Create a Scrapbook.
Add a new twist to your chapter's yearbook by creating a scrapbook or collage that
isn't bound by rules. Your chapter can decide to make it as scholarly or as
imaginative as you would like. The personality of your chapter can be demonstrated
in your book by the different sections and photos. By displaying your book to
prospective students at your orientation, you will show how fun and creative your
chapter truly is!
Create a Hallmark Award Storybook.
Whether your chapter has been submitting Hallmark Award essays for several years or
this year was your first try, why not begin your chapter's very own Hallmark Essay
Storybook? The book could be divided into the different award category sections and
include that year's winnings and rankings- Top 100 in Leadership, etc. It will be a
great way to see award-winning projects from the past and areas for improvement.
Best of all, your chapter's history will be written in essay form and function as a
historical story for all to read. What a literary gem!
Archive your Website.
If your chapter keeps an up-to-date website, you might have a complete chapter
record and not even realize it. Your website should be the spot where your chapter
presents information on past, ongoing and future activities. By archiving the
website you will keep accurate records without having to rewrite the information.
You'll also save on the cost of supplies needed to put together a physical document.
So both time and money can be saved with this history maintenance idea! Chapter
President Chrystal Miller of Central Florida Community
College in Ocala, Florida, confirmed that preserving history is a main
objective for her chapter's membership. Maintaining a website archive is one of the
many resources they utilize to achieve their history goals. For more information on
this chapter's history maintenance ideas contact Crystal at kappanu2002@aol.com.
These ideas are just a few of the ways that your chapter can preserve its extensive and significant history. Don't let your work be forgotten! Find a fun and accurate way to maintain your chapter's story. Remember, if we don't know our history, we are doomed to repeat it, or in some successful history cases, not repeat it!
