The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.
February/March 2000 Issue
Last-Minute Tips for the Hallmark Awards Competition
Year after year, quality Hallmark Award applications are disqualified as a result of simple yet costly mistakes – mistakes that can be avoided. As you prepare your entries, follow these common sense reminders to avoid disqualification:
Sign Before You Seal!
Make sure your advisor signs the appropriate entry cover sheets contained in the 2000
Hallmark Awards Program Guide. This signature is crucial because it assures the judge that
the information included in the entry is an accurate account of the chapter's activities
and that the work cited is primarily the work of the chapter members. Certainly advisors
will be involved in chapter activities, but remember that Phi Theta Kappa is a student
organization; therefore, the students should be ultimately responsible for writing and
assembling entries for the competition.
Bright Idea! |
| The First Draft Is
Finished…but You're Not! Once you or your chapter "team" has finished writing an award essay, take a break, and then read over it when you're feeling fresh. Critique your essay by asking the following questions: Does the essay contain a clearly stated thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion? Does it include action verbs and vivid, descriptive words that help make your essay interesting to read? Helpful Hint: Try reading the essay out loud. This will call attention to any sentences or paragraphs that sound choppy and awkward. |
Don't Leave Anything Out!
Make sure that entries include all of the required elements. Include two copies of each
entry. This means two copies of every portion of the entry – the cover
sheet, the essay, the chronological list, letters of recommendation...even optional
materials such as photos, fliers, and newspaper clippings. Everything.
To avoid accidentally omitting an item when the packages are assembled for mailing, make a list of each entry's contents. When the copies have been made, ask someone else to double-check your package against the list before mailing. Often a fresh eye can catch mistakes that you might ordinarily miss.
Some Assembly Required…
Guidelines for the assembly of your packets are included on each award
entry cover sheet. For example, for the chapter awards for Scholarship, Leadership,
Service and Fellowship, the packets should be assembled as follows:
- First Copy should include the cover sheet, essay, chronological list and optional material bound together by a staple, paper clip, or rubber band.
- Second Copy should include the cover sheet, essay, chronological list and optional material bound together by a staple, paper clip, or rubber band.
Just due it!
Entries should arrive at Headquarters on or before the deadline of March 10,
2000. Unfortunately, some Hallmark Award entries continue to arrive after the
deadline. Late entries are not judged.
Please note that international Hallmark Awards entries must be received, NOT POSTMARKED, by March 10.
It is very important to understand that some mailing services do not guarantee delivery by a certain date.Check to make certain that the service is guaranteed before using it. Many chapters are located in rural areas that do not have access to overnight delivery options – sometimes the fastest service available is second-day delivery. The best advice is to check shipping options before you are down to the wire and need to mail the package overnight.
Don't be left holding your entry when D-Day arrives. Remember these tips, and your chapter will be well on its way to Hallmark success!