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Campaign '02:
The Road to International Office
By Jennifer Westbrook
At the 84th International
Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, chapter voting delegates will elect
five new International Officers: International President, Division I Vice
President, Division II Vice President, Division III Vice President and
Division IV Vice President. For a map of the new Divisions, visit www.ptk.org/society/newregalignment.htm.
International Office
is the highest position of leadership in Phi Theta Kappa. 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, the largest honor society in higher education.
If you’re considering
a campaign for International Office, below you’ll find answers to some
frequently-asked questions about the campaign process.
Who is Eligible
to Run for International Office?
Any
Phi Theta Kappa member who is in good standing with his/her local chapter
and who is EXCLUSIVELY enrolled in an associate degree program at a two-year
college. All International Officers must continue to be EXCLUSIVELY enrolled
in a two-year college and must take at least 6 associate degree credit
hours for two terms during their one-year tenure in office.
How Do I Receive
a Candidate Application?
Submit
a request IN WRITING by email, fax or mail to Director of Programs Jennifer
Westbrook at 601.984.3508, or Center for Excellence, 1625 Eastover
Drive, Jackson, MS 39211. Please include your name, complete mailing address,
email address (if applicable), daytime telephone number, chapter, college,
and the office you plan to seek. Candidate Application Packets are available
now until February 15, 2002.
When are Applications
Due at International Headquarters?
All
completed Candidate Applications must be RECEIVED by 5:00 pm on February
22, 2002.
Can a Member Campaign
Before the International Convention?
Phi
Theta Kappa Headquarters is no longer monitoring campaign activities prior
to the International Convention. However, candidates are still discouraged
from pre-Convention campaigning in order to keep campaign costs to a minimum.
On Monday, March 18, 2002, Phi Theta Kappa will post photos and essays
of the International Officer candidate applicants on the Society’s official
website at www.ptk.org.
Who May Serve as
Campaign Manager?
It
is not a Headquarters requirement that each candidate has a campaign manager;
however, if one is appointed, he/she must be an active member of Phi Theta
Kappa (currently enrolled in a two-year college). An alumni member or
former International Officer may not serve in this leadership position.
However, it is acceptable for alumni and former International Officers
to support the candidate as a member of the campaign team.
2002 Campaign
Events
Below are highlights
of the 2002 Campaign to be held at the International Convention in Nashville,
Tennessee, April 4-6.
Candidate Orientation
International
Officer candidates must attend the Candidate Orientation at the Gaylord
Opryland Resort on Wednesday, April 3. The Orientation begins at 1:00
pm. Please Note: One campaign manager per candidate may also attend
the Orientation.
Candidate Caucus
Each
candidate will be interviewed one-on-one by the Society’s Executive Director
Rod A. Risley. The Candidate Caucus is videotaped on Wednesday,
April 3, and is broadcast via closed-circuit television in the hotel rooms
at the Opryland Resort. A viewing room will be set aside for Convention
delegates who are not staying at the Convention hotel.
The Political Rally
The
Political Rally on Thursday evening gives Convention delegates an opportunity
to meet the candidates face-to-face. Candidates may distribute ONE campaign
information piece during this event, which immediately follows the Opening
General Session.
The Elections
The
first election takes place on Friday afternoon, narrowing the field to
the top two candidates for each International Office. The run-off election
is held on Saturday afternoon.
Honors Study Topic
Candidate Speeches
Convention
attendees will also hear the 10 candidate finalists speak on the 2002-04
Honors Study Topic, “The Dimensions and Directions of Health: Choices
in the Maze” at Saturday’s Fifth General Session.
Conversations
with Candidate Finalist in the Academic Marketplace
Candidate
Finalists are required to campaign on Saturday at special tables set up
in the Academic Marketplace. Only the candidate and campaign manager may
be stationed at the table.
Installation of
New Officers
The
2002-03 Phi Theta Kappa International Officers will be installed at the
conclusion of the exciting Hallmark Awards Gala. The new International
President will formally accept the gavel and dismiss the Convention.
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