Smart chapters know that one of the best ways to receive support is to give support. The next time your chapter representatives meet with college administrators, instead of asking for what you can have, try offering what you can give.

Administrators always have special events where they could use volunteers. Whether it be serving guests at the statewide college presidents' dinner your college is hosting or giving campus tours to visiting high school students, there is always somewhere your members can lend a helping hand.

"If you want the administration to support you, you need to support them. Volunteer at special events, serve as ushers at graduation where you are visible to the administration and the board of trustees," suggests Gloria Hines, chapter advisor at Valencia Community College's East Campus in Orlando, Florida. "We recognize a department that has helped us each month. The president and his staff are always on our list sometime in the session. They love to have a fuss made over them in a professional way. Show them your best, and they will give you their best."

When the chapter at Macomb Community College's South Campus in Warren, Michigan, wanted to get noticed, they did so by blowing their own horn. To garner more attention on campus, the chapter established a "Promotion Committee." The committee encouraged all members to help spread the word about the chapter by introducing themselves in their classes as Phi Theta Kappa members. Members were also encouraged to use Phi Theta Kappa activities as subjects for speeches, projects and papers required in their classes.

Phi Theta Kappans at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada, have won the support of the college with their "Give Them a Hand" program. Last spring the chapter distributed over 1,200 "hands of appreciation" to individuals whom the chapter believes make their school great. Each hand was individually drawn, cut, addressed and distributed to the college's administration, staff, faculty, student employees and foundation members. This was the chapter members' way of saying thanks to these important people for making their educational experience a great one.

The chapter at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, has the college faculty wrapped around their little finger - when it comes to supporting the chapter that is. The chapter has designed a Terrific Learning Coach of the Month program. The program has turned the head of the college president who makes the monthly presentation of the TLC Award in the largest class of each TLC Award winner. The chapter also recognizes the Terrific Learning Coach of the Year during the spring commencement ceremony, and the winner's picture is also placed in a special honors display case near the president's office.

The support for the chapter at Caņada College in Redwood City, California, continues to grow, as the chapter continues to provide vital services to the college. This year the chapter designed a calendar which features Phi Theta Kappa chapter members in action as well as a listing of dates, deadlines and events which apply to the entire college community. In the future, the chapter plans to sell advertising space in the calendar and use it as a chapter fundraiser. First, they needed a sample to show potential investors, so they printed this year's calendar as a freebie.

The chapter's vice president of communications, Kara White, explains, "We did not sell the calendars to anyone. We wanted these calendars to be a gift for Caņada College, so we printed 4,000 of them to distribute on campus and at college events." According to White the calendar project has dramatically increased the chapter's visibility. What a great service to provide to students and faculty members alike!

Implementing projects like these will provide you with prime opportunities to not only solicit much-needed administrative support for your chapter but also educate your administration, faculty, staff and students on what an asset Phi Theta Kappa is to your college.