June/July 2001
Issue

Developing a slate of activities that introduce members to the Society’s Hallmarks begins with planning and an understanding of a few Hallmark buzzwords. Start with these fundamental guidelines and finish with competitive level programs that make a difference.

Start With Comprehensive Programs. Comprehensive programs are well-rounded programs that include activities within the chapter, on campus, in the community and on the regional level. By taking your programs beyond the comforts of your own chapter, you have an opportunity to meet new people, uncover new ideas and share the spirit of Phi Theta Kappa with a variety of people.

Start With Double Duty. When planning your activities, remember that one activity can address many Hallmarks at once. For example, your chapter can subscribe to Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Study Topic Satellite Seminars and invite local high school students to join you for the broadcast and discussion to follow. With one activity, you have incorporated the Hallmarks of Scholarship and Fellowship and gotten double mileage from one event.

Start With Scholarship. Activities designed to implement the Scholarship Hallmark should focus primarily on the 2001-02 Honors Study Topic, "Customs, Traditions and Celebrations: The Human Drive for Community." In addition to incorporating the Honors Study Topic, scholarship activities should also promote scholarship for students and faculty.

The chapter at Rio Salado College in Tempe, Arizona, put scholarship first with a multitude of activities. They focused on the Honors Study Topic with a campus-wide lecture series and educational summer field trips for underprivileged youth. With their Pursue Excellence program they also shared with area high school students the importance of higher education and the role Phi Theta Kappa can play in college life.

Start With Leadership. Activities designed to implement the Leadership Hallmark should create opportunities for the development of leadership skills for members, officers, fellow students and members of the community. Chapters should also design activities that will allow them opportunities to assume leadership roles within the Society, the college and the community.

The chapter at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina, led the way this year with its sixth annual Leadership Workshop for middle and high school students in their area. The chapter coordinated everything from the program content to t-shirt design to meals and snacks to make this event an opportunity to train the leaders of tomorrow. They even reached out to sister chapters to include them in the fun!

Start With Service. Service Hallmark activities should center on the International Service Program, America’s Promise. Additional activities include those that provide service to the college or community and activities that stress to others the value and need of providing service.

The chapter at Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio, made a promise to serve. Members organized a program designed to bring local elementary students to the college campus for a series of programs focusing on the 5 Promise Areas of America’s Promise. Among the events, the chapter designed a Health Fair for the children which promoted good nutrition and exercise. Activities included blood pressure screenings, education on hand washing and the food pyramid, and fun exercise routines for all.

Start With Fellowship. Fellowship activities should promote chapter development among less active chapters, facilitate communication between chapters, and provide opportunities for chapters to gather together and discuss chapter programs. Fellowship activities can also include those that develop campus and regional unity or showcase the chapter as a participant in the college and community. The best fellowship program offers a balance of social and scholarly events.

The chapter at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, knows about fellowship. During the 2000-01 academic year, they invited a sister chapter to join them in touring an environmental center where they attended a lecture on water quality studies. They also assisted a neighboring chapter with fundraising that enabled them to attend the International Convention in Denver.

Finish Big With Success. Follow these guidelines in planning your chapter’s Hallmark events and you are guaranteed a big finish with chapter success. You can take pride in the difference your chapter has made on the chapter, college, community and regional levels. You may even be surprised with a Hallmark Award in Nashville next spring!

For more information visit the Hallmark Awards Program, including samples of award-winning essays or contact Director of Chapter Programs Tracee Walker at 601.957.2241, ext. 524.

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