The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.

Promise Keepers
Phi Theta Kappa's Million Hour Pledge to America's Promise

Jackie McEuen is Phi Theta Kappa’s 2001-02 Southern Vice President and a member at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. Jackie is pursuing a degree in communications.

As Phi Theta Kappans, we are a united force encompassing the United States, Germany, Canada, Japan, and the U.S. territories. On our campuses, we are the ambassadors for our colleges and the motivators in the classroom. Most importantly, though, we are the hands of the community that reach out to build a stronger foundation. In order to facilitate this need to make a difference in our communities, Phi Theta Kappa has taken on an initiative to shape the lives of young people through America's Promise -- The Alliance for Youth.

My fellow International Officers and I were compelled to show our complete dedication to this cause and further our involvement during the second year of our International Service Program by making a Million Hour Promise. This Promise was conceived by the Theta Chi Chapter at Pensacola Junior College in Florida and endorsed by the 2001-02 International Officer Team.

Though a million hours can seem rather intimidating at first, we have the numbers to back it up. Since our Society boasts of more than 1,000 chapters, we can distribute the hours among many members to reach our commitment of the Million Hour Promise. To meet our goal, all it takes are 10 members from each chapter completing 100 hours of service toward America's Promise. (Guidelines and a form to report hours are at www.ptk.org/sprogram/ampromise/ap_millionhr.htm.)

At a time when our world is facing a crisis never before seen to this degree, we need to diligently work to strengthen our future through our children. By helping to fulfill the Five Promises, we are helping children to find the tools they need to become responsible adults.

Promise One, an ongoing relationship with caring adults, allows children to have a positive role model to guide them. With Promise Two, safe places with structured activities during non-school hours, children are given a place where they can continue to learn while protected from harm.

In Promise Three, a healthy start, children's physical and emotional needs are met. Promise Four, marketable skills through effective education, gives children the skills they need to be successful in the future. And Promise Five, opportunities to give back through community service, provides children a lesson in the rewards of service. By dedicating our efforts to these Five Promises, we are ensuring a bright future for us all.

Since most youth are thirsting for attention and approval of adults, taking time out of your day to simply spend time with them can make all the difference in their lives. On Thursday afternoons during lunch, I take 30 minutes to help an elementary student improve her reading skills. Although we only spend 30 minutes together, she has already begun to trust me on a deeper level than just to help her pronounce words. Each meeting is started with a warm hug that she initiates, which shows that our time is about much more than vocabulary words. She, like most children, just wants a little time where she can feel special and important.

I strongly encourage you to find a way to give one or even a handful of younger students your undivided attention to help them overcome whatever obstacles they may be facing. Through the Million Hour Promise, let's work together to set a positive example not only for children, but also for other organizations on the power of unity.

Questions and concerns? Contact Jackie Mceuen.

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This page last modified -- Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:00:20 CST (cwe)