I. Icebreaker

II. What is Phi Theta Kappa? A complete history of the Society is available at www.ptk.org/about/. Watch the Chapter Resources DVD to gain a clear understanding of membership benefits, and Society programs and opportunities. The advisor should have a copy of this DVD. Additional DVDs are available at recognitions.ptk.org or by calling 800.946.9996. Material from the DVD may be accessed online at www.ptk.org/campaign/.

III. Communication Review the three levels of the Society – local, regional and international – and discuss communication on these levels. Officers should know how and when to contact:

Local: officers, advisors, and college faculty, staff and administrators
Regional: Regional Officers and the Regional Coordinator
International: International Officers and Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters Staff

Discuss chapter communication methods: procuring phone numbers, email guidelines, bulletin boards, online message boards, website, newsletter, phone trees, etc. Establish a plan for scheduling executive meetings and chapter meetings.

IV. Officer Responsibilities Discuss the role and duties of each officer as covered in the chapter bylaws. Each outgoing officer should individually review responsibilities with his or her successor. Explain how to form committees and the function of any current committees. Discuss delegation of responsibilities as a time management tool and an opportunity to develop and take advantage of each member’s unique strengths. Evaluate, as a group, how well the officers functioned during the previous year. Note any suggestions for improvements or recommended changes in officer duties. Inform new officers of their resources and benefits including benefits or resources provided by the chapter or the college. Outline a clear transition period for outgoing and incoming officers. Encourage new officers to view their responsibilities as a challenge, and stress the rewards of service through leadership. Outgoing officers should provide their successors with any chapter-related materials, such as treasury records and the official Chapter Record Book.

V. Phi Theta Kappa Programs Review the programs section of the Phi Theta Kappa website. Conduct an overview of Phi Theta Kappa programs. Make this information more pertinent by discussing the chapter’s history of participation in programs. Discuss the in-depth programs information available on the Phi Theta Kappa website, www.ptk.org.

VI. Leadership Development Important leadership topics for chapter officers include team building, goal setting and delegating. Group exercises are especially effective for communicating these concepts. Incorporate lessons from the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies Program if the chapter advisor is a certified instructor. Alternatively, the college’s student activities department and the internet can be additional resources for activities to build leadership skills.

VII. Chapter Planning Outgoing officers should explain the procedures involved in planning for a successful year. Use the Five Star Chapter Development Program as a guide to plan your chapter’s level of involvement for the upcoming year. The program helps chapters effectively organize and prioritize everything from basic chapter operations to involvement in a choice of the Society’s many programs. Discuss any yearly or traditional events, as well as the chapter’s opportunities for getting involved in new programs.