Taking It to the Top!
What It Takes to Run for International Office
Although Phi Theta Kappa inducts nearly 100,000 students annually, only a select few will seek the Society's highest position of leadership available to members: International Office. And even a smaller number will be elected to serve.
Five International Officers - an International President and four Division Vice Presidents - are elected every year at the International Convention to serve as ambassadors for Phi Theta Kappa internationally and to promote the programs and priorities of the Society. It is an accomplishment in itself to campaign for International Office, and an even greater one to serve.
"When the campaigning was over, I sat down, took a deep breath and thought about the whole experience of running for International Office," said Preston Schmidt, who was elected 2006-07 International Vice President for Division III at the International Convention in Seattle. "I realized I had just done one of the biggest things in my life and no matter what the outcome, it was a success in my eyes. I encourage anyone who has the passion to make a difference through Phi Theta Kappa's programs to run for International Office."
If you're considering International Office, here are some things you need to know:
Getting Started…
Candidate Applications are available by submitting a written request
to Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford
or fax 912.826.7005. Please include your name, mailing address, email
address, daytime telephone number, chapter, college, and the office you
plan to seek. Completed Candidate Applications must be received at
Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters by March 2, 2007.
Campaigning…
The 2007 campaign will take place at the International Convention
on April 12-14 in Nashville, Tennessee. Headquarters discourages
candidates from sending mass communications about their campaign
prior to the International Convention. Candidates must arrive in Nashville
by Tuesday, April 10, to participate in a Candidate Orientation and other
pre-Convention events.
Candidates will be interviewed by Executive Director Rod Risley during a videotaped Caucus, and will visit with Convention delegates and distribute campaign literature from their booths in the Academic Marketplace. The top 10 Candidate Finalists will deliver a three-minute speech on the 2006-08 Honors Study Topic during a General Session. The 2007-08 International Officers will be announced and installed at the conclusion of the International Convention on Saturday evening, April 14.
Serving as an International Officer…
International Officers preside at the International Convention and
International Honors Institute; participate in an extensive orientation
at the Center for Excellence in Jackson, Mississippi; are tested on
Phi Theta Kappa history, programs and initiatives; travel and speak at
regional meetings and other conferences; write articles for publications;
and communicate regularly with constituents and Headquarters Staff.
In addition, International Officers must be exclusively enrolled at a two-year college during the time of the campaign and during their oneyear term in office.
Rewards of Serving…The personal and professional growth obtained through this oneof- a-kind leadership experience is intangible. Tangible benefits provided to International Officers include:
- Travel and accommodation expenses for all Headquarters approved travel.
- A $1,000 stipend to help cover personal Officer-related expenses (clothes, drycleaning, etc.)
- A laptop computer.
- A $2,000 scholarship at the successful completion of office. For more information on International Office, visit www.ptk.org/ directories/intofficers.htm or contact Jennifer Stanford at 601.984.3532.
