And help came. From far away in Oregon, Phi Theta Kappa member Staci Harp shared the experiences of her chapter at Clackamas Community College. "Our chapter contacted a school directly and set up a tutoring program... we then sought volunteers... they have helped so many children," she wrote in her Forum message.

Leah Arnold,a chapter president at Oakland Community College in Michigan,was concerned about improving member participation. She also needed advice on induction procedures. Leah asked for suggestions through the Forum. Answers were posted from Texas, Nevada, Illinois.... and even from one of the Society's most distant chapters, on the Pacific island of Guam. Among those responding with helpful ideas was International Officer Brandi Bates, from Ivy Tech State College in Indiana.

Dianna Schneider, chapter president at New York's Suffolk County Community College, needed ideas to help  her small chapter to achieve success in the Five-Star Program. One of the responses to her Five-Star question on the Forum came from ' way down south. Robin O'Neal, chapter president at Florence-Darlington Technical College in South Carolina, had faced the same challenge, yet the chapter reached the Five-Star level two years in a row ! Robin's answer included practical advice plus good luck wishes.

Suzan, Leah and Dianna are among a growing number of Phi Theta Kappa members and advisors taking advantage of the Society's newest technological advantage, the On-Line Forum. Through the Forum, Phi Theta Kappa members are "talking" about recruitment and orientation procedures, the Journey Challenge, fundraising ideas, motivating a chapter, fiscal issues, regional issues, the Hallmark Awards Program...the list goes on and on.

Logging on the Phi Theta Kappa Forum puts you in touch immediately with members around the nation. You can exchange news and views on Society programs, request and give advice and report on new ways of meeting challenges that proved successful for your chapter or region.

It's a 24-hour a day, seven-days a week communication exchange, open on weekends and holidays! This newest service to Phi Theta Kappa members is just two months old, and already its popularity, and its effectiveness, are guaranteed.

Moderated live Forum events on Phi Theta Kappa issues will also be scheduled. I hope you were among the many members and advisors who signed on for Phi Theta Kappa's first live Forum, a three-hour marathon discussion devoted to enhancing new member recruitment and orientation procedures. International President Thomas Jordan and International Headquarters staff members fielded questions concerning ways to ensure that all students eligible for membership in Phi Theta Kappa have a thorough understanding of the benefits of membership.

But if you missed it, you still can benefit by reading the entire Forum dialogue! Live forum transcripts will continue to be posted on the Forum site.

Our Phi Theta Kappa world is constantly growing, with new chapters being chartered, new members being inducted, and stronger programs being implemented - but from a communications point of view, our Phi Theta Kappa world is shrinking. The information revolution which brought us closer with e-mail and the World Wide Web has now reached new heights of connection with the Phi Theta Kappa On-Line Forum. Log on, get connected and let the enhanced communication begin!