Masterminding Your Next Chapter Project
It's no secret that planning quality chapter projects requires creativity, ambition, and a lot of persistence. Learning the process is not difficult. Practice, imagination, and a desire to make a difference can lead your chapter to programming success!
Chapter goals come first.
Begin by setting goals for your chapter's Hallmark programs. Determine which areas of the International Service Program are most important to your chapter, college, and community. Plan how you will incorporate the Honors Study Topic into your scholarship programming. Consider how your chapter will assume leadership roles in the college, community and region. Make the effort to develop a clear and concise set of objectives for your chapter programs, and set goals that are meaningful to a wide variety of chapter members. Putting your intentions on paper right from the start sets your course in the project planning process.
Design projects to meet your goals.
Once your chapter's objectives have been outlined, begin putting together a comprehensive program of projects and activities that will meet your Hallmark goals. Take a look at the variety of Phi Theta Kappa programs and initiatives, and determine how your chapter will include them into your pursuits. While it's not necessary to participate in all of the Society's programs and events, it's important to remember that a wide variety of projects is more likely to spark the interest of a wide variety of chapter members. Also, consider the fact that a single project can address more than one Hallmark. Double dipping - planning activities that meet the goals of multiple Hallmarks - is a great way to utilize your chapter's resources and participation to maximize your results.
Utilize your resources.
All activities require a certain amount of resources. However, projects don't need to cost your chapter a lot of money in order to be effective. While planning an activity, consider what resources you can have donated and what resources the chapter can provide. Your college and community can also offer valuable resources for chapter projects. Teaming up with other campus organizations can lighten the load on your chapter members and your chapter budget. And remember that while some businesses may willingly contribute funds, many others will gladly donate products or services. These in-kind donations can be much more valuable than cash, oftentimes opening up opportunities for projects that would be impossible for your chapter to fund on its own.
Focus on impact.
While planning an activity, think about the impact it will have on the target audience. The most effective projects are those which truly make a positive difference in the lives of others. Consider the benefits of extending the project beyond the chapter and into the college, community and region. Several Phi Theta Kappa programs are essentially community-oriented initiatives, such as Project Graduation and the International Service Program, Operation Green: Improving Our Communities. Involvement in these programs will ultimately expand the scope of your chapter and greatly increase the potential benefit not only for those touched by the project, but also for the participants themselves.
Keep good records.
An often overlooked step in project planning is keeping complete and accurate records of the process itself. Take good notes throughout the goal-setting, planning and implementation phases. Review the records periodically to ensure that details are not being overlooked. Not only will the records help with keeping projects organized, they will also contain vital information for inclusion in your chapter's Hallmark Awards entries.
Get more help on the web.
To help chapter leaders with the important process of planning chapter projects, the Chapter Project Planning Model is available at www.ptk.org/chapters/planning.pdf. Don't forget to report your chapter's successes by submitting the Best Practices Chapter Success Form at www.ptk.org/chapters/success.htm. And if you have questions about planning a chapter project, contact Chapter Officer Coordinator Tom Rowden at 601.984.3580.
