Communication Builds Support
"How do we convince our college administrators that supporting our chapter is a wise investment?" Let's face it: every campus club and organization competes for their administration's backing. Sometimes there can be as many as one hundred different groups on one campus vying for support. So, what can chapters do to set themselves apart from other organizations? Regional officers recently sounded off on this topic on Phi Theta Kappa's Regional Officers Forum. Let's hear what some had to say.
A close working relationship with your college administration can be vital to receiving support. Debbie Pham, New England Regional Co-Vice President Southern Division, says, "I believe you should make a point to meet your college president. The president can be a powerful supporter. Whenever we are able, we try to let our president know what is going on within our chapter and in the region."
Along with meeting the college president, it is helpful to recognize the president for the work that he or she does, especially if that work is with Phi Theta Kappa. "To get the president of the school behind Phi Theta Kappa, try nominating them for awards or give them recognition any time you can. Everybody loves to receive attention," says Bruce Achord, Colorado Regional President.
Sometimes just being available will endear your college president to your Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Cheryl Chase, Texas Regional District III Vice President, says, "We all make it a point to be available whenever he [the president] needs us. We ask him what Phi Theta Kappa can do as a college project that he would like to see done. If you work hard on the areas that are important to your president, he or she will take notice." Use the college project from level five of the Five Star Chapter Development Program as a valuable opportunity to show your college president that Phi Theta Kappa is committed to the success of the college.
Make sure your college administrators fully comprehend the mission of Phi Theta Kappa. Your chapter can accomplish this by keeping your administration involved as Julie Sproul, Akron District Representative from the Ohio Region, attests, "I think involving the school president in as much as you can is important. Even if it's just sending them updates to keep them informed, this makes them feel a part of the Society and that their support position is very appreciated whether that role is financial or facilitative."
By keeping the president involved with your chapter, members will be able to demonstrate the value of the local Phi Theta Kappa chapter. According to Chase, "We knew that we were going to have to prove ourselves to our college president and administration this year. In doing this, we gained the president's approval, and thus gained his trust. Now he is ready to financially support us, without our even asking him for help."
"When approaching your college for funding, it is important to ask not what the college can do for your chapter, but what your chapter can do for the college," says Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley. Adopting this servant-leadership mentality will set your chapter apart, and the work your chapter does for the college will be well worth the financial backing that the administration provides. A little bit of work for your college truly goes a long way!
