The Journey
    A newsletter for Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.  

Spark a Fire of Enthusiasm Among Members with Enhanced Membership

What worked for Phi Theta Kappa's Most Distinguished Chapter of 1998 can work for your chapter, too!

When the chapter at Cedar Valley College in Texas considered establishing an Enhanced Membership Program, the chapter advisors were skeptical. The chapter, whose members included part-time students, feared that the program would create an exclusive group for full- time students. This was not the spark their chapter was looking for.

Two years later, the chapter has grown as a result of implementing the program. "I think the Enhanced Membership Program has made more students aware of what Phi Theta Kappa is on our campus," says advisor Dr. Tommy Thompson. "The program helps students see possible involvement in the four hallmarks. Overall, I'm very positive about our Enhanced Membership Program and feel that it does not exclude any student from participating on any level that they want or can participate on."

Apprehension about the program was similar for the 1998 Most Distinguished Chapter at Houston Community College. "We thought offering an Enhanced Membership Program would significantly reduce the number of members who were active," recalls advisor Susan Hult. "What happened instead after we introduced the Enhanced Membership Program was an increase in the number of active members -- and an overall membership that tripled!"

As these chapters attest, an Enhanced Membership Program can provide the spark a chapter needs to light the fire of enthusiasm among members. The voluntary program offers incentives to members who participate in chapter activities without punishing members who are unable to participate due to personal or professional commitments. This program supports the Society's mission by offering chapters the opportunity to invite deserving students to accept membership based on their scholastic achievements rather than their ability to participate in chapter activities.

"The mission of Phi Theta Kappa clearly states that the Society exists first and foremost to recognize scholastic achievement of two-year college students," said Executive Director Rod A. Risley. "Secondly, the Society is to provide opportunities for promoting scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship."

An Enhanced Membership Program helps chapters effectively communicate that participation in chapter activities is not a requirement for membership. At the same time, the program provides special rewards to thank members who actively participate, thus generating enthusiasm for chapter activities.

What Makes the Program Tick?

At an orientation, new members are offered a choice of membership types: standard or enhanced.

Standard Membership provides a student with full membership, but recognizes that the student can only participate occasionally. Standard members receive all membership benefits provided by Headquarters. By selecting this option, students indicate that they will attend the induction ceremony and participate in chapter programs whenever possible.

Enhanced Membership provides a student with all the benefits awarded to standard members plus special incentives for actively participating in chapter programs. By selecting this option enhanced members agree to participate in chapter activities for at least one full semester or quarter.

Opportunities for enhanced members to participate should be highlighted during the orientation. Many chapters create a system which has several different levels of participation. Awards are then given based on the level of participation achieved.

At the end of the orientation members should indicate whether they choose standard or enhanced membership.

Chapters who have implemented the Enhanced Membership Program agree that flexibility is the key element necessary for the program to succeed. It is important to offer alternatives to students when special situations arise.

A simple honor system can be established allowing enhanced members to document their participation by writing their activities on a monthly report form. The program chairperson or officer would then simply calculate the member's participation level.

An Enhanced Membership Program is an effective way for chapters to encourage participation while upholding Phi Theta Kappa's mission of recognizing outstanding scholars regardless of their ability to participate in activities.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
Center for Excellence
1625 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS  39211
800.946.9995