Pinnacle Awards Offer Scholarships & Recognition
Last year, 520 Phi Theta Kappa chapters and 19 regions received more than $58,000 in Pinnacle Scholarship Awards, recognizing increases in new members inducted. Chapters and regions receiving Pinnacle Scholarships often use the monetary rewards for membership fee assistance, tuition scholarships, and travel and registration for Phi Theta Kappa regional and international events. In addition, the increased number of members benefited individual chapters - adding to their rosters of talent and potential volunteers for each project.
Besides, who would want any eligible person to miss being a Society member? The golden opportunities provided by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society include recognition for academic excellence, millions of dollars in scholarships for continuing education, and a myriad of benefits to enhance each member's life as a scholar and leader in the community and in the workplace.
Enroll your chapter or region in the 2005 Pinnacle Scholarship Award Program, check your progress and see 25 more strategies for success at www.ptk.org/pinnacle.
Increasing Membership Acceptance: Ready, Set, Grow!- Relatively Speaking
Consider sending congratulatory letters to the parents or spouses of those who are eligible in addition to notifying the potential member. Most parents or spouses will take great pride in the invitation and encourage their loved ones to accept membership, often offering to pay their membership fees. - Cast a Wide Net
Consider hosting an orientation for ALL incoming freshmen to tell new students about Phi Theta Kappa. This raises the profile of Phi Theta Kappa campus-wide, and gives new students a goal to visualize. - Put Up a Big Tent
If your college hosts a large, campus-wide event such as a festival, hospitality weekend or welcome fair, set up booths with Good as Gold posters, signs and balloons. Wear Good as Gold T-shirts and distribute Phi Theta Kappa brochures. Personalize booths with chapter photos and programs information. - Skip the Formalities
While most chapters send membership invitations and host induction ceremonies twice per year, chapters may accept membership applications from eligible students and report new members to Headquarters at any time. Invite students submitting their application and membership fees after official chapter deadlines to participate in the formal induction ceremony next semester. - Phi Theta Kappa Calling
Layer communications to potential members - don't depend upon one sole letter of invitation. Follow up with a postcard or e-mail, including orientation dates and times and a link to the online Good as Gold video at www.ptk.org. For many chapters, the most effective follow-up technique is to stage a "Phone-A-Thon," in which potential members receive a personal phone call from a current member, encouraging him or her to accept the invitation of membership. - Make it a Family Affair
Many students have families and very little extra time, so turn your new member orientation into an attraction rather than a distraction by making it fun for the whole family. Host an orientation picnic, barbeque, chili supper, or pizza party. As an added attraction, invite area representatives from four-year colleges and universities offering Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships - so prospective members immediately see that benefits are tangible.
