Phi Theta Kappa
The Engaged Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa was founded to recognize academic excellence among two-year college scholars. The Society has always acknowledged that a scholar's intellectual abilities carry an inherent responsibility to accept leadership and be an active force for good. Phi Theta Kappa has a long history of providing programs that encourage good citizenship through opportunities for community service and leadership development. Members who participate in these programs benefit through their own personal growth and development, but also become architects for public good.
Engaged Programming
Civic engagement entails the active participation in the public life of a community, in an informed, committed and constructive manner, with a focus on the public good. Higher education is a key force in teaching the civic skills that connect students and others to the community. Scholars are called upon to be civic stewards, committed to actively working for the betterment of society and to reinvigorate our civic vitality. As an engaged Society, Phi Theta Kappa serves to advance the civic mission of higher education through its programs that take members, students, faculty, and staff of a community college outside of the college and into the communities.
The benefits of such programs extend far beyond funds raised or donations obtained. Participants in programs that promote civic engagement are learning that their education is connected not only to the advancement of their own personal goals, but also to the advancement of the very communities in which they live.
During the 86th International Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Executive Director Rod A. Risley announced the Society's commitment to join the national efforts to promote civic engagement in higher education. "In reality, it is something that the Society has been doing for years," said Risley. He cited the Phi Theta Kappa members making an impact in hundreds of communities. "Look at Project Graduation this year. One chapter alone at Rose State College in Oklahoma collected some 29,000 books and food items. Phi Theta Kappa is the engaged honor society. We're not just focused on our own individual development. We're selfless and hope that our collective talents will improve the stock of our diverse communities."
Reflection
Duane Oakes, chapter advisor at Mesa Community College in Arizona, notes, "As we look at what civic engagement is, members have the opportunity to look at the why of issues and hopefully start changing the cause of them." Oakes considers reflection to be a critical component of successful engagement. "Reflection is the process we use to connect the community service members do to the learning that needs to happen and can happen from service."
Often chapter members become entangled in the details of completing a successful service effort and do not set aside time to consider the nature of the issue their work is addressing. Reflection gives service even more meaning and creates a sense of accomplishment that is deeply personal and often life changing to everyone involved.
Your chapter can take advantage of this by scheduling a time soon after a service activity has been completed - maybe at a chapter meeting - to analyze what happened during the activity. Questions can include: What populations were affected by the service rendered? What were the most and least exciting aspects of the experience? How did the experience affect members personally? How did the community receive the members' work? There are many other probing questions that can be asked. The key is to have an open discussion about what happened and what was learned. This aspect of civic engagement is healthy and really brings your chapter together.
For more information, visit the Society's Civic Engagement website at http://civicengagement.ptk.org/
