What You Need to Know Now
Have you heard?
The Hallmark Awards Program has undergone sweeping changes that were unveiled during the International Convention in April. Recognition opportunities have been increased for chapters and members, the entry process has been streamlined and the judging system has been more clearly defined.
While the changes are dramatic, it is important to note that chapters do not have to restructure their programs entirely in order to compete in the new Hallmark Awards Program. What has changed is the way chapters report their information to Headquarters.
Nomination Forms Replace the Essays
Chapters will now respond to specific questions instead of writing an essay for their award entries. This doesn't mean that good writing skills are no longer required. On the contrary, good writing is critical in conveying the information the judges need to score your entry. Adequate space will be provided for chapters to respond to the questions.
To be competitive in the Hallmark Awards Program, it's important to focus on goal setting, effective strategies to meet your goals, Phi Theta Kappa programs, outreach to others and the overall impact of your programs. For example, the following questions are pertinent to those chapters who plan to compete in the Scholarship Hallmark category.- What are your goals for the Scholarship Hallmark?
- List up to four activities implementing the Honors Study Topic.
- List up to three ways your chapter promoted Scholarship outside the Honors Study Topic.
- Who will your activities target?
- What are the anticipated results of your activities?
- What Phi Theta Kappa program(s), initiatives and/or events will you include?
- Do any of your projects incorporate more than one Hallmark? If so, which Hallmarks and how?
Keep a Paper Trail
Award entries no longer require a chronological list, and supporting material will not be allowed. However, chapters will still need to maintain thorough records of their chapter activities so that they will be able to write about them in their entries. Make notes about your projects as you go along - and hang on to flyers, press releases, newspaper articles, thank-you letters, etc. that pertain to your chapter's good work. This documentation will also preserve your chapter's history, creating a foundation for future leaders to build upon.Meet the Rubrics
What are rubrics? Specific criteria used to evaluate student work. The Hallmark Awards rubrics will allow judges to score more consistently, and chapters will know particularly what the judges are looking for. Review the judging rubrics for each category online at www.ptk.org/hallmarks.Work Smarter, Not Harder
One chapter project can relate to more than one Hallmark. Plan programs that make the best use of your members' time and resources by making your projects multi-dimensional. Planning a cancer awareness program (Service)? Take a Leadership role by organizing it from start to finish and ask other organizations on campus to learn more by getting involved (Fellowship).For More Information Visit www.ptk.org/hallmarks or contact Director of Chapter Programs Brandi McNeil at 601.984.3524.
