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 Orlando, Florida, April 20-22, 2000. Communication with Phi Theta Kappa constituencies who will be officially serving on a candidate's campaign team is acceptable.

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 27, Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters will post photos and brief biographical information of each candidate on our official web site.

Campaign managers are invited to attend the Candidate Orientation and the Caucus videotaping on Wednesday, April 19. However, only one campaign manager per candidate may attend.

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 at the International Convention. In an effort to make the campaign process less commercial and more professional, candidates may no longer distribute "theme oriented" pieces such as buttons, edible items, water bottles, key chains, etc.

Below are highlights of the 2000 Campaign to be held at the International Convention in Orlando, Florida, April 20-22.

THE ORIENTATION

International Officer candidates MUST attend the Candidate Orientation at the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel on Wednesday, April 19. An official candidate photo will be made at 1:00 pm, and the Orientation will begin at 1:30 pm.

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, April 19, and is broadcast via closed-circuit television in the hotel rooms at the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin. This method allows voting delegates to watch the caucus in their hotel rooms or with other chapter members. 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 Disney's Fantasia Gardens Pavilion during the nearby Millennium Magic Opening Celebration. Convention delegates will be encouraged to visit campaign booths throughout the evening's festivities, which will include refreshments, Journey Challenge Awards presentations, and a dance.

THE ELECTIONS

By conducting the primary election on Friday afternoon and the run-off election on Saturday afternoon, voting delegates will again have time to consult their fellow members and advisors regarding voting decisions. After Friday's primary election, the caucus session will be edited to include only the top two candidates from each office. 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 2000-2001 Honors Study Topic, "In the Midst of Water: Origin and Destiny of Life" at Saturday afternoon's Fourth General Session.

FINAL BALLOTING

The final round of elections will be held immediately following the Fourth General Session and the election results will be announced Saturday evening.

INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS

The 2000-2001 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.