It seems like only yesterday members were singing this tune and looking forward to a summertime break. How time flies! Now it's time to head back to school and back to Phi Theta Kappa.

The start of a new academic term means a new beginning for your chapter! Following are tips, ideas, and tried-and-true strategies designed to help you make this year your chapter's most successful yet!

Start with a game plan.

Before a football team can score a touchdown, the players must have a plan of action. The same holds true for a successful Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Goal setting is crucial for a chapter because it helps the chapter identify its objectives for the coming year.

"Our chapter used May and June for goal setting and brainstorming and then July to set the calendar," says Dr. Carole Gavin, chapter advisor at Burlington County College in Pemberton, New Jersey. "August is for rest and vacation, and then . . . let the games begin! It's a roller coaster once the academic year starts and without goal setting and a good calendar with clear objectives in mind, it would truly be a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants year. Not fun at all!"

The chapter at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee, also knows the benefits of planning ahead. "This advanced planning has allowed new officers to set viable and existing programming but still have flexibility to respond to new plans and ideas as they arise," says chapter advisor Patricia Bishop. "We have found that goal setting, planning and program assessment have allowed the chapter to grow and become more successful."

If your chapter has not done so already, make plans soon to gather officers and advisors together to map out the chapter's plan of action. Also remember throughout the year that executive and chapter meetings provide prime opportunities to evaluate where the chapter stands in meeting its goals.

Attitude is everything.

The importance of an enthusiastic officer and advisor team cannot be overemphasized. Energetic leaders help set the tone for an active chapter and an enthusiastic membership. Set personal goals now to be an officer who works well with advisors, encourages fellow officers and motivates members.

Velma Jesser, advisor at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, says a good rapport between chapter officers and advisors tops her priority list for a successful chapter. "If you don't have that, it's just a battle."

To establish a cooperative working relationship from the very beginning, Jesser takes advantage of the officer orienation/planning meeting held each summer to have a one-on-one session with the new officers.

She asks new chapter leaders for their goals and objectives not only for the chapter but also for themselves. Such questions as "Why are you involved?" and "What would you like to learn that I can help you with during the year?" help her establish a smooth working relationship with each new officer from the beginning of their term of office.

Tap your best resource.

New members can be just that. In 1998, the Society's International Officers launched the Journey Challenge, a program which encourages chapters to increase their membership by 20 percent during the 1999 calendar year. Meet the challenge by effectively communicating the benefits of membership to all who are eligible. Most students who turn down membership do so because they do not understand the benefits of membership. Use the Journey Challenge promotional materials and college newspaper articles to launch an awareness campaign to educate potential members.

It only takes a spark.

Build on the excitement surrounding the chapter's new member induction by getting your chapter's newest recruits involved in chapter activities right away. Jane Presta, president of the chapter at Cañada College in Redwood City, California, says, "Start calling them to help with things within a week or two after they are inducted. This hooks them and they realize how much fun it is and that they really can find the time."

Let the stars be your guide.

Phi Theta Kappa's Five-Star Chapter Development Program is designed to lead chapters on a step-by-step journey to success. Advisors and chapter presidents receive the Five-Star Chapter Development Program Guide following their regional convention each year. Participating in this program proved to be a pathway to success for the Society's Top 100 Chapters of 1999. Of the chapters recognized in the Top 100, 94 percent participated in the Five-Star Program and 95 percent of those participating were also Five-Star chapters.

Showcase your success.

Chapters that follow the heirarchy of the Five-Star Program will implement programs related to the Society's hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. Let these activities do double duty for the chapter. Take good notes of the chapter's projects throughout the year, then use this information to prepare a Hallmark Award entry which showcases the chapter's hard work. Award-winning chapters will receive recognition among their peers at the International Convention in Orlando, Florida. Begin preparing now by reviewing the Hallmark Awards Brochure found in the 1999-2000 Chapter Officer and Advisor Resource Packets.

Implement these and other back-to-school ideas found in this issue and prepare to sing the praises of your chapter's accomplishments in the year to come.