Little Ideas to Get Your Chapter Noticed in a BIG Way
When your chapter is known on campus for always taking on leadership roles, doing interesting projects that promote service learning and scholarship, and having a lot of fun, it soon becomes the organization in which everyone is excited to accept membership. It also becomes the organization that faculty and administration support, encouraging students to strive to become Phi Theta Kappa members. Making your chapter visible on campus and in the community in a positive way will help you stand out, and get your college's students, faculty, staff and administration excited about their Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
Increasing Chapter Visibility on Campus:
- Wear Phi Theta Kappa clothing on meeting days and when you're doing projects.
- Speak at new student orientations, so students learn about Phi Theta Kappa right away. Consider a provisional membership program for interested students who have not yet met membership requirements.
- Meet with your college administration to share your goals and ideas for projects, including a College Project supporting your campus.
- Display the Good as Gold Posters, available from Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters.
- Show the Good as Gold Chapter Resource DVD to the entire campus. The chapter at New River Community College in Virginia set up a monitor and speakers facing a window in a busy hallway where students congregate between classes. The DVD continually loops, playing throughout the day.
- Maintain a bulletin board with chapter photos and information on the Honors Study Topic, International Service Program, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships, and upcoming projects.
- Make your induction ceremony a special event on campus. Invite administrators, faculty and staff, and ask the college president or another administrator to speak. Invite a popular faculty member to speak about the Honors Study Topic. Honor a supportive administrator or faculty or staff member during the ceremony.
- Have successful Phi Theta Kappa alumni share their experience with potential members or your college faculty and staff.
- Showcase your members at graduation, by providing Phi Theta Kappa regalia for all members and posting photos on your chapter's bulletin boards.
Increasing Chapter Visibility in the Community:
- Call the community newspaper when you are doing a newsworthy project. Let them know that you represent the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges.
- Write press releases and take photographs for community and campus newspapers before and after events or trips. Publicize awards received by the chapter or members.
- Ask about speaking at Rotary, Jaycees, Lions, or other community group meetings. Show the Good as Gold Chapter Resource DVD, explain what Phi Theta Kappa is, and have members talk about chapter projects and their personal growth.
- Publicize events for the community through the newspaper, radio stations and public access television, if available.
- Network with community leaders and take leadership roles in projects such as community clean-up or recycling efforts.
