The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
November/
December 2000
Issue
International Officers: Soaring To The Summit Of Leadership In Phi Theta
Kappa
At every International Convention, chapter voting delegates elect five new International Officers: International President, New England/Middle States Vice President, North Central Vice President, Southern Vice President and West/Northwest Vice President.
If you’re considering a campaign for International Office, below you’ll find answers to some frequently-asked questions about the campaign process.
Who is eligible
to run for International Office?
Any Phi Theta Kappa member who is in good standing with his/her local
chapter and who is EXCLUSIVELY enrolled in an associate degree program
at a two-year college. All International Officers must continue to be
EXCLUSIVELY enrolled in a two-year college and must take at least 6 associate
degree credit hours for two terms during their one-year tenure in office.
How do I receive
a Candidate Application?
Submit a request IN WRITING by e-mail, fax or mail to Director of Programs
Jennifer Westbrook at jennifer.westbrook@ptk.org,
601.984.3508, or Center for Excellence, 1625 Eastover Drive, Jackson,
MS 39211. Please include your name, complete mailing address, e-mail address
(if applicable), daytime telephone number, chapter, college, and the office
you plan to seek. Candidate Application Packets are available now until
February 9, 2001.
When are applications
due at International Headquarters?
All completed Candidate Applications must be RECEIVED by 5:00 p.m. on
February 16, 2001.
Can a member campaign
before the International Convention?
NO. To maintain equity, objectivity and fairness in the campaign process,
communication about a member’s candidacy prior to the International Convention
is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. This should be interpreted to mean that candidates
(or any representative of the candidates) should not distribute any campaign
materials, letters, e-mail messages, etc. prior to the International Convention
in Denver, Colorado, March 29-31, 2001. Communication with Phi Theta Kappa
constituencies who will be officially serving on a candidate’s campaign
team is acceptable.
Does this mean
members cannot tell anyone of their plans to campaign?
Members are allowed to “announce” their candidacy in publications such
as chapter and regional newsletters as well as on chapter and/or regional
web sites. However, any communication about a member’s candidacy featured
in a newsletter or web site may ONLY include the candidate’s name, college,
chapter and the office he/she plans to seek. No other biographical information,
qualifications or other form of campaign promotion may be included.
On Monday, March 5, 2001, Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters will post photos and brief biographical information of each candidate on our official web site.
When should candidates
arrive at the International Convention?
The Candidate Orientation, the first MANDATORY event for all candidates,
begins at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel
in Denver. Many candidates arrive on Tuesday evening to allow ample time
to settle in before the first campaign event. Please Note: One campaign
manager per candidate may also attend the Orientation.
What type of campaign
handouts are allowed?
Only ONE distributable information piece may be used by each candidate.
The “distributable information piece” may be a brochure, newsletter or
flier which will be dispersed to delegates during the International Convention.
2001 Campaign Events
Below are highlights of the 2001 Campaign to be held at the International Convention in Denver, Colorado, March 28-31.
CANDIDATE ORIENTATION
International Officer candidates must attend the Candidate Orientation
at the Adam’s Mark Hotel on Wednesday, March 28. The Orientation begins
at 1:00 p.m., and will be followed by an official group photo session
at 2:30 p.m.
CANDIDATE CAUCUS
Each candidate will be interviewed one-on-one by the Society’s Executive
Director Rod A. Risley. The Candidate Caucus is videotaped on Wednesday,
March 28, and is broadcast via closed-circuit television in the hotel
rooms at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. A viewing room will be set aside for Convention
delegates who are not staying at the Convention hotel.
THE POLITICAL RALLY
The Political Rally on Thursday evening gives Convention delegates an
opportunity to meet the candidates face-to-face. This event will be held
in the Convention’s Academic Marketplace immediately following the Opening
General Session.
THE ELECTIONS
The first election takes place on Friday afternoon, narrowing the field
to the top two candidates for each International Office. The run-off election
is held on Saturday afternoon. After Friday’s primary election, the caucus
session will be edited to include only the candidate finalists. The caucus
of these top 10 candidate finalists will be broadcast before the Saturday
run-off election.
CONVERSATIONS WITH
CANDIDATE FINALISTS IN THE ACADEMIC MARKETPLACE
Candidate Finalists are required to campaign on Saturday at special tables
set up in the Academic Marketplace. Only the candidate and the campaign
manager may be stationed at the table.
HONORS STUDY TOPIC
CANDIDATE SPEECHES
Convention attendees will also hear the 10 candidate finalists speak on
the 2001-2002 Honors Study Topic, “Customs, Traditions and Celebrations:
The Human Drive for Community” at Saturday afternoon’s Fifth General Session.
Final balloting takes place immediately following this General Session.
INSTALLATION OF
NEW OFFICERS
The 2001-2002 Phi Theta Kappa International Officers will be installed
at the conclusion of the exciting Hallmark Awards Gala. The new president
will formally accept the gavel and dismiss the Convention.
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