The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.

Leadership at Its Best
By Theresa Burns

Don’t Miss Your Regional Leadership Conference

Annually, each of Phi Theta Kappa’s 29 regions hosts one or more Leadership Conferences. Typically these conferences are held in late summer or fall to prepare chapters for the new academic year. The purpose of a leadership conference is to educate new members and advisors on the benefits and programs of Phi Theta Kappa, as well as to provide opportunities to learn specific leadership skills.

What Happens at Leadership Conferences?

Back to the Future

The Missouri Region added several creative twists to their summer Leadership Conference held at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri (the birthplace of Phi Theta Kappa). During the conference, the region decided to hand-craft a quilt and present it to Stephens College during their fall Honors Institute to be displayed in Senior Hall as a reflection of the 2001 Honors Study Topic on Customs, Traditions and Celebrations. Each chapter was given the opportunity to design and finish a block that would be indicative of the 23 chapters and 8 alumni associations of the Missouri Region as well as Phi Theta Kappa's Hallmarks. Of course, the quilt would not be complete without some history of Stephens College, which will also be configured.

The conference agenda also incorporated a Mock Chapter Program with conference attendees being divided into 'mock' chapters to experience planning a year of Phi Theta Kappa activities…everything from electing officers to writing award entries. This year's mock chapter event included a competition for chapter yearbooks. Regional Coordinator John Balas and the regional officers provided a disposable camera to each group on Friday and had the pictures developed Saturday evening. The mock chapter members then worked diligently on finishing their yearbook entries which were due Sunday morning. Using the pictures and other resources available, the chapters produced some outstanding yearbooks and great souvenirs of the Leadership Conference. Some even skipped out on the dance and karaoke Saturday evening in order to complete their yearbook!

Mock chapter exercises are great preparation and inspiration for officers who take the helm after receiving little or no instruction. Thea Griffith, president of Mineral Area College's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, concurs. "I am an 'unconventional' student and our chapter's officers were thrown bones and left to do it on our own. I found a lot of direction at our Regional Leadership Conference. It was great!"

Members Rule

The Florida Region holds a track of member-directed roundtable discussions. These are organized by the members and cover issues such as balancing school and work with Phi Theta Kappa activities and advice on leading a chapter. This year the region plans to also include roundtables specifically for chapter officers.

Call in the Experts

Members in the Texas Region learn about leadership from the pros... Several advisors who are certified instructors of Phi Theta Kappa’s Leadership Development Studies course serve as presenters for the fall Leadership Conference and use the course materials in their workshops.

High-Tech Workshops

Plans for the 2001 Arizona Regional Leadership Conference are to host five simultaneous technology sessions. These will introduce members and advisors to electronic communications -- the Phi Theta Kappa way -- by assisting chapters to set up websites, explaining the Phi Theta Kappa website to new advisors, and searching for scholarships electronically.

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This page last modified -- Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:00:20 CST (llm)