The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
October 2000
Issue
Journey Challenge 2000
The Benefits It Holds for Your Chapter and Potential Members
WILL YOU MEET THE CHALLENGE? Your 2000-2001 International Officers, Lois Gagne, Holly Hansen, Heidi White, Barbara Wolf and Charles Bradshaw, encourage all chapters to accept the International Officers’ Journey Challenge 2000 to ensure that all eligible students fully understand the benefits of membership in Phi Theta Kappa.
Attend a Phi Theta Kappa function or two and one is likely to hear a frequent comment, “Phi Theta Kappa changed my life!” Though it may sound like a cliché, this statement rings true for many Phi Theta Kappa members. Whether one’s association with Phi Theta Kappa provides a much-needed scholarship for continued education or cultivates hidden leadership skills, the truth remains that membership in Phi Theta Kappa does change lives.
Consider for a moment, your own experiences as a Phi Theta Kappa officer or advisor. Think about the places you have been, the skills you have developed, and the difference you have made by your association with the Society. Now, imagine for a moment how different your life would be had you passed up the opportunity to join such a fellowship of scholars.
According to a study commissioned by Phi Theta Kappa in 1998, some 85 percent of students who are eligible for membership refuse the invitation to become members. As a result, they never have the opportunity to experience the tangible and intangible benefits membership affords.
The study found that, overwhelmingly, eligible students refuse membership because they do not understand the purpose of the Society or the benefits of membership. In an effort to ensure that every eligible student understands the benefits of membership, the 1998-99 International Officers launched the Journey Challenge.
The Journey Challenge encourages chapters to commit to assess and enhance their membership recruitment and orientation procedures throughout the year to ensure that all eligible students fully understand the benefits of membership in Phi Theta Kappa.
Recognizing the importance of continuing to educate potential members on the benefits of membership, particularly as the Society launches even more benefits through the new Phi Theta Kappa Network (see cover story), the 2000-2001 International Officer Team encourages chapters to continue their progress by accepting the Journey Challenge 2000.
With the Journey Challenge 2000 chapters and regions have the opportunity to change lives and be recognized in the process. Through participation in the program more students will experience firsthand the benefits of membership while chapters and regions that reach prescribed levels of success will be recognized with trophies in the spring of 2001.
Challenge to Chapters
Chapters that participated in the Journey Challenge and increased their membership acceptance rate by 20 percent in 1999 are challenged to induct the same number of members they did in 1999 plus only one more.
Chapters that did not increase their membership by 20 percent in 1999 are challenged to try again to reach the same goal as last year.
Challenge to Regions
To meet the Journey Challenge 2000, 70 percent of the total chapters within the region must accept the challenge, and 40 percent of the total chapters within the region must meet their Journey Challenge 2000 goals.
Reporting Deadline
Just a little more than 3 months remain in the program, so now is the time to induct new members and report them to Headquarters. For the Journey Challenge 2000 tabulations, new members must be inducted between January 1 and December 31, 2000, and be reported to International Headquarters by January 31, 2001.
Get Started and Keep Track
For chapters and regions wishing to participate in the Journey Challenge 2000, it is not too late to sign up. Acceptance forms may be completed on-line.
Chapters and regions can also learn what their goal numbers are and track their progress.
Read Journey Challenge success stories for helpful hints and encouragement on how your chapter and/or region can meet the Challenge.
Make your commitment to accept and meet the Journey Challenge 2000 today!
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