Insider Tips for Winning Entries:
Meet the Rubrics. It's not a mystery what the judges are looking for in top-quality entries. The rubrics provide you with the specific set of criteria that judges use to evaluate award entries.
Go for the Goals: Set goals for your chapter's Hallmark programs that are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic and Timely. Involve chapter members in the goal-setting process so they are more likely to have a vested interest in participating in the chapter's activities.
Program Power! In order to be competitive in the Hallmark Awards, your chapter should implement Phi Theta Kappa programs. While it is NOT necessary to participate in ALL of the Society's programs and events, it's important to remember that each chapter award category has a primary and a secondary focus.
The Scholarship Hallmark's major focus is the Honors Study Topic. The Honors Study Topic Program Guide provides a full overview of the topic as well as ideas for chapters to implement. The Honors Study Topic for the 2010-11 Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise.
The secondary focus of the Scholarship Hallmark is tutoring, mentoring, and recognizing scholarship of faculty and students.
The Leadership Hallmark encourages chapters and their members to take on leadership roles on campus, in the community, and within Phi Theta Kappa. The secondary focus of the Leadership Hallmark is to provide leadership development for members, students, the community and/or region.
The Service Hallmark's primary focus is the International Service Program. For 2006-10, the International Service Program is Operation Green: Improving Our Communities, a partnership with Keep America Beautiful. An International Service Program Guide provides information on the four focus areas of this Service Program as well as ways to get involved.
The secondary focus of the Service Hallmark involves any type of service that is unrelated to the International Service Program.
Focus on Impact. Judges are looking for chapter projects that made a positive difference in the lives of others. Well-rounded programs that include activities within the chapter, on campus, in the community and on the regional level or beyond have a greater impact. By taking your programs beyond the chapter, you have an opportunity to meet new people, uncover new ideas and share the spirit of Phi Theta Kappa with a variety of people.
In writing the award entries, be specific in describing the impact of your programs: who was helped, the lessons learned by chapter members, how your chapter made a difference. If you're writing about an individual for an individual award, give specific examples of what the nominee has accomplished rather than "Amy is a great chapter president."
Double Dip. When planning your activities, remember that one activity can address more than one Hallmark. For example, your chapter can organize a recycling program on your campus and recruit other campus organizations to assist in maintaining it. With one event, your chapter has incorporated three Hallmarks - Leadership, Service and Fellowship!
Stand Out in the Crowd. Many chapters will conduct similar activities, such as participating in the Honors Satellite Seminars and picking up litter. Consider adding creative elements to your chapter's programs to make them stand out in the crowd!
Resources:
- Find complete information, including entry forms, at www.ptk.org/hallmarks.
- 2006-08 Chapter Resource Manual gives an overview of the Society's Hallmarks.
- 2006-10 International Service Program Guide features ways to get involved in the Service Hallmark.
- 2009 Five Star Chapter Development Plan Guide provides step-by-step activities to help your chapter become competitive in the Hallmark Awards.
For questions, contact chapter.programs@ptk.org.
[Return to Hallmark Awards Index]
