What will Phi Theta Kappa be like in the new millennium? That's the question Phi Theta Kappa hopes to have answered by Society constituents through its long-range planning initiative called The Alpha Project: Traditions, Assessment, and Progress (TAP!). The project will present members and advisors a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Phi Theta Kappa, the only internationally acclaimed honor society serving two-year colleges.

The first leg of the multi-pronged project began last spring at the 81st International Convention in Anaheim, California, with Convention delegates completing "mock surveys." These initial surveys allowed Phi Theta Kappa to gain input and clarity on the types of questions that should be asked in a formal survey. From that input, the final survey has been developed.

This survey, to be mailed in early October, will allow more members, advisors, alumni, college presidents and other education leaders to participate in the process. Questions will address membership, scholarships, publications, technology and various other points of interest.

Facilitator for The Alpha Project is Dr. George Vaughan, a professor in the doctoral program on community college education administration at North Carolina State University. "Dr. Vaughan brings to the project credibility, as he has an outstanding national reputation among the community college presidents," notes Rod A. Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. "We felt involvement and support of the community college presidents in The Alpha Project was critical. Having Dr. Vaughan to lead the project will help ensure that needed level of involvement."

You may be wondering why you should take time out of your busy schedule to get involved. "Phi Theta Kappa members who are enrolled in the two-year college this year will actually set the agenda for the next decade and that's rather exciting," said Risley.

Lynda Dodgen, an alumna of Phi Theta Kappa and advisor of the Society's chapter at North Harris College in Houston, Texas, also points out the advantage of participation. "It is critical that everyone has a vote because my philosophy is everyone needs to be involved. This is an awesome opportunity."

Throughout this next year, members are encouraged to sign on frequently to the Phi Theta Kappa web site at www.ptk.org to let us know what you think about issues related to The Alpha Project. These responses will be tracked and tabulated in addition to the survey responses.

Texas Regional Coordinator Dr. Mary Hood adds, "Members should take this very seriously and make any contributions they feel strongly about. We have a lot of good ideas here and this helps give the kind of direction we need for the future that will benefit the most people."

This global thinking project will be taken on the road this fall as Dr. Vaughan facilitates "Town Meetings" in each of the four geographic regions of Phi Theta Kappa (New England/Middle States, North Central, Southern and West/Northwest). An International Officer will also participate in each Town Meeting.

Risley will facilitate three additional meetings in order to allow more chapters to benefit from the experience. The Town Meetings, which will take place during regional conferences beginning in September, "will serve as a brainstorming session on the future of Phi Theta Kappa," said Risley.

Another way you and your chapter members can get involved in this project is to conduct local Town Meetings. Here are sample topics:

• Identify services and programs Phi Theta Kappa should provide its members;



• Identify those traditions that have made the Society strong and which should be retained;



• Provide an assessment of the programs and services presently offered; and



• Present ideas of what Phi Theta Kappa's goals, programs, and services could be in the future.

Highlights from your local meeting should be forwarded to Risley at Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters for review.

International President Stephanie Wright will participate in The Alpha Project Commission meeting scheduled for January 2000 in Washington, D.C. The Commission will assemble opinion leaders from various education and business organizations to recommend priorities for the Society in the next decade based on the survey data and feedback provided from Town Meetings.

A summary of The Alpha Project's findings are slated for release at the Presidents Breakfast during the American Association of Community Colleges Convention on April 10, 2000. The final goals and strategies will be unveiled at the 82nd International Convention in Orlando, Florida, April 20-22, 2000.

Florida Regional Coordinator Allen Hamlin, who has a 31-year association with Phi Theta Kappa as a member and advisor, is enthusiastic about this first-time initiative. "It's good to take stock and see what the potential for the future will be; where we've come from and where we're going," says Hamlin. "Education is changing and that will change what we do as a Society."