The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
October 2000
Issue
Sailing Through the Hallmarks with Five Star
|
New Regional Web Page Allows Chapters to Submit Five-Star Forms On Line Now available on the Phi Theta Kappa web site are regional web pages, providing cyberspace visitors with a quick-stop for all things regional. The new section, unveiled in June, contains the name, contact information and a photograph of the Regional Coordinator, a directory of Regional Officers, a list of upcoming regional meetings, a directory of chapters within the region, recipients of regional awards, the region’s status in Journey Challenge 2000, and Five-Star Program information. The site also allows chapters to complete their Five-Star Chapter Goal Forms and Chapter Update Forms on line. You may access your region’s page at www.ptk.org/regions/regions_dir.htm |
Not sure where to start this year in organizing your Phi Theta Kappa chapter? Let the Five-Star Chapter Development Program lead the way!
Without compasses, without radar, without charts or computers, ship captains can still rely on the stars to navigate their crews through the vast oceans and seas to destinations on distant shores. The stars are a constant, a tool and a guiding light.
Rather than being a separate task, the Five-Star Chapter Development Program can be your chapter’s permanent guide to organizing Phi Theta Kappa’s “sea” of benefits and programs. The opportunities Phi Theta Kappa provides for member, chapter and regional growth are numerous, yet can all be managed by utilizing the Five-Star Program.
The program incorporates all four of Phi Theta Kappa’s Hallmarks — Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship — and gives chapters a step-by-step plan to building an active and dynamic chapter. You determine how active you want to be by choosing a star level, from one-star to five-star.
Reaching the one-star level is achievable for almost every Phi Theta Kappa chapter because it involves the basic activities of a chapter: holding at least one induction ceremony per year and electing officers. As you move up the Five-Star ladder, your chapter begins to implement Phi Theta Kappa programs, to take on new leadership roles on campus and in your region, and to enjoy fellowship with other chapters.
Scholarship: Honors
Study Topic
During each annual International Convention, Phi Theta Kappa announces
a new Honors Study Topic, which gives students and chapters a vehicle
for scholastic growth. This year’s Topic, “In the Midst of Water: Origin
and Destiny of Life,” examines the impact that water has on our history,
arts, daily lives, landscapes, health and future. Beginning in Level Two,
chapters promote the Honors Study Topic by bringing awareness of the topic
to campus and community through debates, panel discussions and dramatic
presentations. This year, many members aren’t just talking about it...they’re
rolling up their sleeves to tackle water-related issues in their neighborhoods
and beyond.
Leadership: Campaigning
for Office
A strong chapter is one with strong leaders. Phi Theta Kappa’s Five-Star
Program provides the opportunity for developing leadership skills at the
chapter, regional and international levels. By implementing Society programs,
you and your fellow members will be learning practical leadership skills
(setting priorities, organizing events, managing time, etc.). Level Four
of the Five-Star Guide seeks to engage chapters in leadership roles on
a regional level. Chapters may choose to campaign for regional office
or take on leadership responsibilities at regional meetings. Either choice
allows chapter members to take leadership to the next level while gaining
leadership training essential to their personal, academic and professional
careers.
Service: The International
Service Program
Every two years, Phi Theta Kappa announces a new International Service
Program to encourage members from the Society’s 1,200 chapters to get
involved in their communities while making a difference on an international
scale. The current International Service Program is America’s Promise:
The Alliance for Youth. (For more information, see pages 10-11.) Beginning
in Level Two, chapters become involved in the Service Program, gradually
working towards a comprehensive service program which touches their chapter,
campus, community and region. (Some chapters have been successful in adding
an international element to their chapter’s service program.)
Fellowship: Regional
Programs
Each chapter belongs to one of 29 regions within the Phi Theta Kappa Society.
Chapters participating in the Five-Star Program will attend at least one
regional meeting. Levels Two through Five require chapters to also participate
in regional awards competitions. This type of involvement can further
assist chapter growth by providing opportunities for networking, sharing
ideas and developing bonds of scholarly fellowship among different chapters
within a region. It also sets the stage for your chapter to compete successfully
in the international Hallmark Awards Program.
Smooth Sailing
Ahead!
As you can see, the Five-Star Program is just the tool you need to provide
order to your chapter’s activities. If you haven’t already, set aside
time with your fellow officers for a careful review of the Five-Star Program
Guide (Eleventh Edition), then decide which goal is right for your chapter.
For questions concerning the Five-Star Chapter Development Program, contact Theresa Burns, Director of Regional Programs, 800.946.9995, ext. 562.
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