June 2000 Issue

During my term as New Jersey State President, I was challenged by one overwhelming problem: How could I possibly reach out to each individual chapter as a regional officer? Moreover, how could I provide them with the necessary support they deserved? I finally concluded that it was simply impossible for one person to do so much.

After the startling realization that I was not Superwoman, I decided that I needed the support of my team. That team included the active state chapters who were willing to assist other chapters. Over the summer months we called a special conference and invited two officers from each college to attend. It was then that we created the Adopt-A-Chapter program.

The concept was certainly not a new one. Many chapters throughout Phi Theta Kappa engage in sister chapter programs. Sister chapters share ideas, attend each other’s induction ceremonies and work together on service and honors projects.

What made this program unique for New Jersey was that the chapters who were active both regionally and internationally guided the other chapters whose activities were limited to their own campuses. Our goal was to share with the less active chapters the many opportunities that Phi Theta Kappa offers.

Why is this program important for regional officers?
One of the biggest challenges regional officers face is communicating effectively with chapters in their region. Communication is often challenging because of the constant turnover of chapter officers each year and for some chapters, each semester. Add to this challenge, chapters who do not report newly-elected officers to Headquarters and those who never return phone calls, and it’s easy to understand why regional officers get discouraged.

However, don’t let the unresponsiveness of one or two chapters stand in the way of your efforts to reach out to those who could use a helping hand. An Adopt-A-Chapter program could be just the networking tool you need to engage all of the chapters in your region!

Has the program been successful?
Yes indeed! Through the Adopt-A-Chapter program, we were able to make contact with almost every chapter in New Jersey. Furthermore, the program has resulted in a better ability to energize new chapters. Two incredible examples of this have been Atlantic County Community College and Salem County Community College. Atlantic County Community College had not been active outside their college for quite some time. This year, however, the chapter attended both the Regional and International Conventions.

Salem County Community College had never been active regionally. For the first time, Salem County participated in the Five-Star Program. They also had four people attend our Regional Convention. Moreover, the chapter opted to oversee the Middle States Regional Web Site. Needless to say, this one small chapter, in southern New Jersey, is contributing to the success of the entire region!

What happens if you still aren’t able to make contact?
Recently, one of the chapters in New Jersey said to me, “We tried all year to make contact with our adopted chapter, but we weren’t successful. Should we continue to contact them?” The answer is, “absolutely!” Progress is sometimes slow and even though last year’s executive board may have been unresponsive, this year’s chapter officers may be eagerly awaiting your phone call and assistance.

How can a region implement the Adopt-A-Chapter program?
Implementing the Adopt-A-Chapter program may seem daunting, but it is actually quite simple. First make two lists: One for the active chapters and another for the inactive chapters. Next, contact the chapters to get an accurate list of currently-serving chapter officers. Then log on to the Chapter Directory at Phi Theta Kappa’s web site to see if Headquarters’ records are up-to-date. Often, these chapters miss out on important resources and publications, such as The Journey newsletter, simply because they have never been reported to Headquarters!

Finally, promote the Five-Star Chapter Development Program as a guide for a chapter to use in helping a less-active chapter reach its star potential. The Five-Star Program is a wonderful way to help chapters set – and achieve – realistic goals. Visit the Five-Star Program section on Phi Theta Kappa's website for more information.

For many of us, it is difficult to truly convey the impact Phi Theta Kappa has had on us. Many of our Phi Theta Kappa journeys have included someone who has reached out and touched our lives in a profound way. The Adopt-A-Chapter program is a great way to create new friendships, help others recognize the opportunities Phi Theta Kappa affords, and touch the lives of others in a powerful, even life-changing, way.