The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
November/
December 2000
Issue
Campaigning for International Office:
It’s Dedication, Not Dollars, That Makes You a Winner!
My very first Phi Theta Kappa “experience” was the 1999 International Convention in Anaheim, California, only weeks after my induction. I will never forget looking around that huge convention center. The party music poured from the surrounding speakers, balloons bounced from person to person and the feeling of energy from the cheering crowd engulfed me.
That Convention really opened my eyes to the dynamics of Phi Theta Kappa and made me proud to be “one of the family.” I remember seeing the five International Officers on stage and thinking, “I could never do something like that!” Surprisingly, one year later, I found myself running for International Office!
I decided to run because I found myself so close to Phi Theta Kappa and its purpose that I wanted to share my ideas and enthusiasm at an international level. I knew it was going to be a very big and challenging job, but as a Phi Theta Kappan, I always strive to challenge myself and continuously reach for the sun.
Campaigning for the position of International West/Northwest Vice President was one of the most rewarding and challenging events of my life. It gave me the opportunity to create my own brochure, write my own speech, design my own slogan and coordinate a campaign team. And on top of all that, I really got to know myself – my beliefs and goals, for both myself and Phi Theta Kappa. In the process of being the best I could be, I truly did forget about the idea of winning or losing. The moment before Sarah Sumner (1999-2000 West/Northwest Vice President) announced the next West/Northwest Vice President ,I felt that, no matter what happened, I had already gained so much from the whole experience that losing was not a concern.
Space does not allow me to describe all I gained from running for International Office. I had a wonderful time getting to know the 22 other candidates for the five positions. We started to feel like a family.
Overall, I realized it is how much you give of yourself, not the amount of money you spend, which will determine you the winner. So, don’t get wrapped up in an elaborate campaign table display and an expensive informational handout. Catch people’s eye with a creative and personally meaningful campaign theme...something people will associate with you. For me it was sunflowers. My theme encompassed my attire, campaign table, brochures, campaign team’s attire and even my speech!
When you are asking for someone to place their trust in you, you have to be true to the convictions of your heart. When you stand at your campaign booth, talking to voting delegates one-on-one, they can tell what is in your heart. They want to hear what you know, discover your goals and plans for Phi Theta Kappa and find out what kind of a person you are. So, be yourself! Remain professional and approachable at all times and study everything about Phi Theta Kappa. Live, breathe, hear, smell, taste and touch Phi Theta Kappa and it will touch you!
At the International Convention you will find yourself having so much fun. You will meet many new people, learn more and more about yourself and get hugged more times than you ever have in your entire life!
The whole process of running for International Office, from the initial decision to the moment before they announce the names on stage is thrilling, educational, time consuming, fun, and at times, stressful. But, if I were given the chance to do it all again, I would in a heartbeat.
So, like the sunflower, stand tall, be proud, hold your head high and face the sun. And, if it is in your heart to serve as an International Officer, I encourage you to not let fear stand in your way. Running for International Office is an experience you will never forget!
Holly Hansen, 2000-01 West/Northwest Vice President, is a foreign language communications major at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene. Contact her at holly.hansen@ptk.org.
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