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The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/
March 2003
Issue
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A ‘Health’ Check-up:
Chapters Learn and Serve for the Honors Study Topic and International
Service Program
By
Jennifer Dockstader
Honors Topic Provides
Many Dimensions and Directions for Implementation
Mental Health Fair
The “crazy” Phi Theta Kappa members at San Antonio College in Texas
recently sponsored a community Mental Health Fair called “Me, Myself,
and My Mind.” To kick off the fair, the United Way conducted a seminar
on “Suicide Prevention,” which was followed by a presentation from the
Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital on “Coping Strategies.” Students
shared stories about “What It Is Like to Live with a Mental Illness” and
participated in a discussion session on drug abuse. Participants even
had the opportunity to meet and converse with a group of people afflicted
with schizophrenia, visiting from the National Alliance for the Mentally
Ill.
Healthy Living
Workshop
In Kirtland, Ohio, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Lakeland Community
College conducted a Girl Scout Healthy Living workshop. During the
workshop, members helped the Scouts complete requirements for their “Eat
Right, Stay Healthy” and “Healthy Habits” badges.
Bone Marrow Program
The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Tarrant County College - Northeast in
Hurst, Texas, provided a feast of information at a luncheon to raise awareness
of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Forty students and faculty
enjoyed sandwiches, chips, and drinks while listening to keynote speaker
Renetta Wright of the NMDP explain the truths and fallacies of enrolling
in the bone marrow registry. Twenty donors registered at the luncheon,
and 33 more enrolled within the next two weeks, an 800 percent increase
over the previous year’s enrollment!
A Day in the Life
“It is really awesome to see all that can be accomplished in a mere 24
hours!” says Laura Davis, the Phi Theta Kappa public relations
officer at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Florida. The chapter
has implemented a project called “A Day In the Life,” which allows members
to pledge 24 hours of service to community programs of their choice. “Not
only are the students becoming more aware of the communities’ health needs,
but they are spreading the word about HIV testing, cancer screenings,
and vaccinations,” Davis said. “I am absolutely sure that this program
has opened the eyes of many college students to how they can help shape
the health status of their communities in the future.”
A Wellness Challenge
The Greater Northwest Region is challenging the Rocky Mountain-Cascade
Region to a Wellness Challenge that incorporates spiritual, mental,
and physical aspects of health. Each member has eight weeks to earn points
for their region by accomplishing certain tasks. For example, if a member
does not drink caffeine or eat candy for a day that member receives two
points. Participants can earn up to eight points a day and may compete
for bonus points. The challenge truly enables members to incorporate into
their lives the knowledge they gain from the Honors Study Topic.
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