Three Days That Will Last A Lifetime
Pre-Conferences Maximize Your Convention Experience
Chapter advisors and chapter and regional officers are encouraged to come to Seattle early and take advantage of the pre-Convention events providing specialized instruction for Society leaders.
The Advisor Education Pre-Conference, the Chapter Officer Academy and the Regional Officer Academy are scheduled for 8:30 am - 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 19. Advisors and chapter officers may register by marking the appropriate area of the Convention registration form. Regional officers are registered by their Regional Coordinators. There is no charge for the Advisor Education Pre-Conference; officers pay an additional $75 to attend the Officer Academies.
"I thought the Pre-Conference was very useful in many ways. First, it was helpful to interact with other advisors and hear about their successes and failures. Those who spoke up were very sincere and shared experiences that were very similar to mine," said Guy Suganuma, who has served as an advisor at Central Community College in Nebraska for three years. "I like how the facilitators allowed a free flowing type of discussion among the advisors. There is nothing more valuable than real life experience sharing among our peers."
"The Advisor Education Pre-Conference is a wonderful opportunity to network and to pick other people's brains about ideas. I like the fact that I can pick up the phone and call someone I met there and bounce ideas off of them. The interaction with other individuals is great; you can't beat the experience," said Jeb Blackburn, advisor at Tallahassee Community College in Florida. "I encourage all advisors to attend the Pre-Conference and to have their students to attend the Officer Academy, because it is a wonderful opportunity for them as well."
This year's Regional and Chapter Officer Academies will place even more emphasis on leadership skills development and feature a special presentation from a college president on earning administrative support.
"The first year that I was a member, I attended the Chapter Officer Academy, and I learned an immense amount of information about Phi Theta Kappa. I also learned leadership skills, as well as techniques for keeping meetings moving forward and promoting Phi Theta Kappa on my campus," said Middle States Regional President Lynda Wright, a member at Delaware Technical and Community College. "Last year I attended the Regional Officer Academy, where I learned more about the Society, further developed my leadership abilities, and polished my skills in developing chapters in my region. I found both Academies very worthwhile and recommend them to all Phi Theta Kappa leaders."
2006 Convention Offers Numerous Educational Forums
Members and advisors attending the 2006 International Convention will have an opportunity to attend five rounds of Educational Forums, featuring topics such as Society programs, leadership development, planning for transfer and personal growth.
The Educational Forums will begin on Thursday, April 20, when two rounds will be held at 10:30 pm and at 1:30 pm. Two more rounds of Forums are planned for Friday, April 21, at 8:15 am and at 4:30 pm. Forums conclude with a final round on Saturday, April 22 at 8:15 am.
Experience Seattle in Hotels Near the Convention Center
Plan to "Reach Higher" in the city of Seattle for Phi ThetaKappa's 2006 International Convention! All events will be held in the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, located in the heart of the city's financial and business district and surrounded by fast-food and gourmet restaurants, world-class shopping and accessible transportation to local attractions.
The nearby Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers and the Westin Seattle will serve as Convention hotels. Nestled in the city's vibrant core, both hotels are just a short walk from the Convention Center.
The Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers is a AAA Four Diamond hotel offering 838 guest rooms, all with high speed internet connections.
The Westin Seattle is one of only two hotels in the city offering unobstructed views of Puget Sound, Lake Union, and the Seattle skyline.
Seattle, the "Emerald City," is surrounded by the waters of the Puget Sound and the majesty of Mt. Rainier. During free time members may explore nearby Pike Place Market, or take the monorail to the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, Experience Music Project and the Pacific Science Center.
Reach Higher! International Office is the Pinnacle of Student Leadership
Are you ready to reach higher? Challenge yourself to the Society's highest student leadership by running for an International Officer position. Each year at the International Convention, five members are elected to represent the Society as International Officers. International Officers preside at the International Convention and the International Honors Institute, present speeches and workshops at Society regional conferences and work closely with chapters in their division to promote the programs and goals of Phi Theta Kappa.
Serving as an International Officer is a serious commitment with many responsibilities, but also with many rewards. In addition to the unmatched opportunity for personal and professional development, International Officers receive a $2,000 scholarship upon successful completion of their term in office; the International Officer pearl-accented lapel pin; a $1,000 stipend to cover personal officer-related expenses; and travel and accommodation expenses to participate in Headquarters-approved travel to regional and International events.
If you are interested in running for International Office, request an application in writing from Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford by email, fax at 912.826.7005, or mail at Phi Theta Kappa Center for Excellence, 1625 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211. Candidate application requests must be received by March 3, 2006, and completed applications must be received at Headquarters by March 10, 2006.
Please note that International Officer candidates must be exclusively enrolled at a two-year college during the time of the campaign and during their one-year term in office, if elected. Direct questions about running for International Office to Jennifer Stanford at 601.984.3532.
