Looking for a way to add a
little spice to your next regional meeting? If so, try some of these newsworthy ideas
creative Phi Theta Kappa regions have incorporated into their regional programs:
Oklahoma/Arkansas Region: At the recent Oklahoma/Arkansas
Regional Leadership Conference, Phi Theta Kappans hit the street to promote the America
Reads Challenge, the Society’s International Service Program, by participating in the
LeFlore County Literacy Council Walk-a-thon. All chapters were invited to gather donations
for the Literacy Council and participate in the walk. The event was also used as one of
the Mock Chapter activities. Approximately 25 Phi Theta Kappa members participated in the
walk and raised over $500.00. Marianne Miller, president of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at
Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma, is a certified literacy tutor and organized
the event. Miller adds, "Hopefully it inspired members to work with the Literacy
Councils in their hometowns, and maybe some of them will even get the training necessary
to become tutors."
Carolinas Region: An ongoing tradition at Carolinas’
regional meetings is "The Great Debate Between the North and the South." The
debate offers every Phi Theta Kappa member in the Carolinas Region an opportunity to
debate the current Honors Study Topic. While everyone does not participate as a debate
team member, everyone has the opportunity to ask questions during the last segment of the
debate. Recent debate topics on "The Pursuit of Happiness: Conflicting Visions and
Values" include "Are people as happy as they want to be?" and "Is it
okay for an individual to pursue his/her own happiness at the expense of someone
else?" Diane Mooring, Carolinas Regional Vice President for South Carolina and debate
captain for the South Carolina Debate Team, comments, "While we do not officially
declare a winner, we are all winners because of the growth experienced from participating
in such a challenging and rewarding event."
Nevada/California Region: Comedy Sportz, a professional
improvisational comedy club, returned for a second year to the Nevada/California
Leadership Conference. Comedy Sportz is comprised of two teams of 3-4 members each. Phi
Theta Kappa members created the scenario and Comedy Sportz performers provided the rest.
Rigorous training is needed to perform improvisational comedy. Phi Theta Kappa members
were broken into groups of 25-30 people to experience similar training. Through a variety
of games and activities, members learned about leadership and team-building. Charlie
Klein, chapter advisor at DeAnza College in Cupertino, California, said, "The
leadership aspect is to come up with an idea and go with it; don't dwell on it. You should
go with your first thought, because the first thought is usually the best thought. The
concept is to go with your instincts and not make value judgments."
New York Region: Hungry anyone?? The New York Region has found a
fun and filling way to support the America Reads Service Program by collecting General
Mills "Box Tops for Education." As Regional Coordinator Leanne Jardine explains,
"The project appealed to us because of the need, it was easy to do, and something all
chapters could easily contribute to." Each chapter has a goal of collecting 1,000 box
tops, and the regional goal has been set at 50,000 box tops. The project will benefit two
New York State schools. Progress will be recorded on a Box-Top-O-Meter which was presented
at the Regional Leadership Conference.
