The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/
March 2001
Issue
Giving
& Receiving
John F. Kennedy once said: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” We, as Phi Theta Kappans, might just as well say today: “Ask not what your college can do for your chapter—ask what your chapter can do for your college.”
When your college sees your chapter’s work and the benefits that the members are receiving, it will be hard for the college not to embrace your chapter. Here are a few suggestions to promote a supportive relationship between your chapter and your college administration.
INVOLVE YOUR ADMINISTRATION
Always invite administrators and faculty members to your chapter’s events.
Special events such as orientations, inductions, or symposia are great opportunities to make a positive impression. Furthermore, ask your college president or chancellor to speak occasionally at your events. By doing so, you show your chapter’s high regards for your college’s leadership and build your chapter’s exposure.
INFORM YOUR ADMINISTRATION
Make a presentation to your school board. To obtain funds from your college,
to increase the funds you are already receiving, or to keep your funding
from being cut, present your chapter projects, explain how the money was
used, and promote the recognitions received. You want your college’s board
and those who make monetary decisions to realize that the money was well
spent. Routinely write a report to the Dean of Student Services or College
President with details about your chapter’s activities. Even if your college
does not support your chapter financially, other support may be derived
from your efforts to keep them informed.
ASSIST YOUR ADMINISTRATION
Any time your college calls upon your chapter for help, commit, follow
through, and do a good job. Even though your college may wait until the
last minute to ask for your chapter’s assistance, respond promptly and
with a helpful and positive attitude. For example, if your college needs
two student proctors to assist, go the extra mile with three or four volunteers.
SEEK DEPARTMENTAL
SUPPORT
Write a proposal. If your chapter is planning an event and lacks sufficient
funding, ask the Dean of Student Services or the specific Department Heads
for their assistance. If, for example, you are hosting a poetry reading,
approach the English Department about making the event a joint venture.
English faculty members could attend and read from their writings. This
type of collaboration could lead to the department providing funds for
the event.
ASK OTHERS FOR
ADVICE
If your Phi Theta Kappa chapter receives very little or no funding, contact
your surrounding chapters for advice. Ask those chapters from schools
of the same size how they manage to obtain support. You may be surprised
at some of the innovative ways administrations support their Phi Theta
Kappa chapters.
OFFER FINANCIAL
COMMITMENT
Sometimes it’s best to meet the administration halfway. When traveling
to Phi Theta Kappa events, submit a proposal that lists the expenses members
are covering (hotel and registration fee, for example) and ask the college
to cover the cost of travel. This “matching” funds strategy proves chapter
members are not asking for a handout, just a helping hand.
SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION
Consider inducting supportive college administrators as honorary members
into your chapter. Nominate your college president or chancellor for regional
or international awards. Also, as an individual chapter, establish an
Award of Appreciation, which you formally present at your chapter’s enhanced
member/awards banquet. During such an event, you can also hand out awards
for special friends of the chapter. Show your appreciation to your most
ardent supporters by hosting a small dinner once a year. Do not hand out
paper certificates but invest in inexpensive, small plaques as personalized
awards that read “In appreciation of your support for the XY chapter in
2000-2001.” Supporters can display these plaques in their offices and
regard them as thoughtful return on a successful investment.
“WE CAN’T THANK
YOU ENOUGH”
Another simple, but powerful way to say thanks, is by sending “Thank You”
cards. Any time a member of the faculty or administration helps out, follow
up with a handwritten, personalized “Thank You” card from one of your
chapter officers. If your college assists in any little way or just attends
part of one of your activities, show your appreciation.
These suggestions will help your chapter achieve a positive give-and-take relationship with your college administration. By showing what your chapter can do for your college, your college in turn will support the traditions of excellence that have made Phi Theta Kappa the prestigious honor society it is today.
Barbara Wolf, 2000-01 Southern Vice President, is an English major at Houston Community College in Houston, Texas. Contact Barbara at barbara.wolf@ptk.org.
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