What YOU Think –
Your Responses to the Question of the Week

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THE ALPHA PROJECT

Question of the Week 10/24/99:
Are Awards Overemphasized?

Bob Doering, Phi Pi Chapter, Lorain County Community College, OH

No, the whole point of an honor society is awarding those that have exceeded the norm. We need to support those who are willing to make great strides, and awards are a great medium to endow our support. Surely, not everyone reaches their goals for the sake of awards – but for those who do we need to provide the incentive to go the extra mile.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Vincent Russell Small, Alpha Rho Tau Chapter, Ivy Tech State College-Columbus, IN

The current Awards Programs are an important and valuable aspect of Phi Theta Kappa. The Five Star Chapter Award Program enables all chapters to succeed to their fullest potential. This program allows the enhancement of the chapter, based solely on the chapter's activities. Every chapter, like my own small chapter, may achieve five star status. Small chapters may set their sights on achieving this goal, or they may strive for more. As for my chapter and my fellow Indiana Region chapters, I hope we all will strive further. Many argue small chapters cannot compete against the larger chapters. I look to one of Indiana's most well known Cinderella stories. As showcased in the movie, Hoosiers, the small town Milan High School basketball team fought its way into the Indiana state championship and emerged victorious. Victory is not awarded to the masses, but rather to the dedicated, enthusiastic, and the determined. Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. Our chapter, consisting of only a few active members, will achieve five star status this year and will be very competitive in the Hallmark awards. This year will mark our first Five Star status, and we believe that we have a strong chance of winning our first ever Hallmark Award. Elimination of the Hallmark Awards would be a great disservice to the membership of Phi Theta Kappa.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Jamie Fasanella, Alpha Theta Gamma Chapter, Mercer County Community College, NJ

In order to run an efficient chapter, members must sacrifice their time, energy and effort to ensure that things run smoothly. Frequently, members of my staff have given up entire weekends to dedicate their free time in the pursuit of the betterment of our chapter. Although we have one ceremony a year to acknowledge outstanding clubs and organizations throughout our school, I do not feel this would be enough to emphasize the importance of member involvement. Like all good causes, the end does justify the means but sometimes it is a bit hard to remember this when one is sleep deprived and feeling under appreciated. Therefore, I am all for award ceremonies to recognize the hard work and dedication of others. We are an exceptional group, both scholastically and socially, and the more we promote the value of selfless involvement, the more we can expect to reap in the future. After all, you get from something what you put into it. There is never any harm in letting others know how much you appreciate them. Actually, I think if it were not for these ceremonies these people, who really do care about what they have done and are going to do, would never know how much their efforts and dedication are valued in a society where so many only think about themselves.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Marilynn Goodnight, Mu Upsilon Chapter, Alvin Community College, TX

The Hallmark awards do allow students to be creative though too much emphasis is placed toward the awards, though the Five-Star Awards can stay. Many have forgotten the reason of who we are and what we represent. Grades do drop for some and dishonesty, as sad as this may seem, occurred during this last year, including advisors. Some even won awards! (Our chapter followed the rules) This is not what Phi Theta Kappa stands for. When sister chapters confide in you about the dishonesty and advisors performing the work and then the chapter is recognized it is not ethical.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Frederic W. Strohl, Alpha Omicron Alpha Chapter, Lehigh Carbon Community College, PA

The Hallmark Awards Program plays a vital role in Phi Theta Kappa. The acknowledgment of excellence is a good thing. What people are willing to due to receive that acknowledgement is an entirely different matter. Our chapter was on the endangered species list when a few newly inducted members rallied to reestablish our presence on campus and in the region. The Hallmark Awards Program and The Five Star Program were used as our building blocks. The emphasis was placed on participation and achievement. We did not reinvent the wheel to try and win awards, we simply put the wheels together so we could have a ride to the convention. Sure, our chapter would love to win a Hallmark Award, and maybe we will win this year, but our primary focus remains on what the Hallmarks represent and not the stage in Orlando. We have overcome struggles, made new friends, and have risen to top leadership positions throughout our college. We have learned that teamwork and commitment go a long way. A few people have made a big difference in our chapter. We have greatly enhanced our communication skills by writing essays and delegating responsibilities. These programs should remain; they have helped save our chapter from extinction.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Richard A. Wright, Alpha Zeta Alpha Chapter, Tulsa Community College – NEC, OK

I would first like to note that it is possible to be a small chapter and to succeed. Alpha Zeta Alpha was named as Most Distinguished Chapter with less than 20 fully active members and no line-item budget from our college. Size and dollars are wonderful, but a lack thereof doesn't mean that you cannot succeed! It is also possible to achieve without personal, ethical or moral compromise. Our chapter members and advisor have always maintained the highest standards as, we believe, should be expected of those who belong to a Society based on honor. I would suggest that more recognition could be given to all chapters who participate in the Hallmark Awards Program. Even while our chapter did well, I would hesitate to say that we did more to be worthy of being honored than any other Phi Theta Kappa Chapter. Within our college system here at Tulsa Community College, for example, I know that Omega Alpha, Alpha Mu Iota and Beta Theta Epsilon all implemented programs that made an incredible difference on our campuses and in our community. Perhaps the Hallmarks are fine, but the numerical ranking system needs to be examined. The #1 chapter did much to uphold the standards of Phi Theta Kappa, but so did #100. That, rather than a number in a tabloid, is our greatest success.

Posted Date 11/3/1999

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Mike McDermott, Alpha Epsilon Rho Chapter, Bellevue Community College, WA

Are awards overemphasized? In a word, no.

The challenge of performing all the functions that underlie the awards submission, then preparing the submissions themselves is part and parcel of our learning leadership, fellowship and service skills. If some feel their grades suffer, that may well be true. But the balance must be sought by the individual member and the student leaders and this is also an important skill to learn - the balancing of priorities and allocation of effort in support of competing requirements.

Posted Date 10/28/1999

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Joseph Andrew Denman, Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, Blinn College-Bryan, TX

I think that the Hallmark Awards are a good way to encourage chapters to think of creative ways to address our Hallmark. The only problem is that some chapters forget the true purpose of these contests. They concentrate on winning and not what's really important. If chapters remember the purpose of the Hallmark competition, everyone wins. Therefore, I believe that we should keep the competition, but be sure to convey what their focus is.

Posted Date 10/28/1999

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Douglas E Kelley, Omicron Eta Chapter, Rock Valley College, IL.

I feel that the awards system as it is motivates chapters to excel by instilling the desire for each chapter to strive to be of five star status. If anything is going to be changed it absolutely should not be the five star program. The other Hallmark awards are also an excellent way of having individual chapters become a pillar on the campus or their community. Some chapters place higher priority on certain hallmarks and should be rewarded for their excellence in that particular focus. For those of us that feel well roundedness is needed the top 100 chapters award is the highest award that is available. Because of time requirements I am not able to fully go into the subject but I did want you to know how my chapter feels.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Shereen Yassin, Nu Lambda Chapter, Truman College, IL

In our chapter I think that the awards are overemphasized because last year we had ten participating members. We tried to achieve the five star but we didn't because each of us were putting about five to eight hours a day to do everything and achieve everything in the fall of '99. So when spring came around a lot of just gave up.

Well, this year we have only eight members and we being a little more relaxed but two of the previous members want to things like last year but we are trying not to.

Thanks for listening.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Robin Whiteneck, Alumni, Omega Alpha Chapter, Tulsa Community College, OK

I am writing in regard to your question of the Hallmark Awards and Five Star Chapter Program. I feel that the Five Star Chapter Award is very important and works very well to encourage substantial, quality chapter programming. I feel that the recognition for Five Star Chapters should be greater.

However, I do feel that the Hallmark awards have become too competitive and undermine the purpose of the organization and its' Hallmarks. Many chapters feel that there is pressure from school administration to win. Under this pressure to win, I feel that some chapters compromise the morals and integrity of their members, chapter, advisors, and school in order to win. I also feel that this "dog eat dog" competition is not what the organization represents.

It will be the saddest day in Phi Theta Kappa history when the society's chapters succumb to the feeling that this wonderful organization is all about winning and awards.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Barbara Blair, Eta Beta Chapter, Southwest Texas Junior College, TX

Yes, I think awards are overemphasized. I like the five-star program because a chapter is only competing with itself. The Hallmark Awards put a lot of pressure on both members and advisors and result in burn-out and disappointment. The awards reward entry writing, not necessarily achievement. A busy, active chapter may not have members capable of or willing to write essays that reflect the quality of chapter programs. The location and funds available to a chapter will have an impact on chapter activities. The time spent writing Hallmark entries might be better spent with a scholarship, service, leadership, or fellowship activity. The money spent for the awards given at the international convention might be better spent paying a well-known and respected speaker. The emphasis should be on scholarship, not competition.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Faustina Washburn, Alpha Pi Gamma Chapter, Truckee Meadows Community College, NV

The awards are nice, however, winning by essay may not be a true judge of the program quality. When I was president of our chapter, I turned in the essays and letters written by the members. We did a group edit but the advisors did not write or edit our essays. We stood on our own merit. We didn't win anything but we did place in the top 100 overall. We did have a problem meeting our studies and home life with all of the Phi Theta Kappa activities, meetings, and awards package assembly. I think it is awesome to be able to go up on stage and receive recognition for hard work. I know of one award that was not earned. The recipient divided our chapter and caused many to quit. The essay was good and did not mention this strife. We are still recovering from that disastrous year. But this is just one example, so I would not can the whole program.

For me, the greatest part of the convention is seeing so many fellow Phi Theta Kappans in one place. It is so motivating. I would like to see more sharing of ideas. I really like the winning essays on the web site. We can learn so much from each other. I would like to see work shops on how to get along with difficult people.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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C. Austin Steffenson, Alpha Psi Eta Chapter, Parkland College, IL

I like the competition for the Hallmark awards. Our chapter entered into the competition for the first time last year. Even though we didn't win any of the Hallmark awards, it's made us even more determined to do better this year. Perhaps the word 'competition' is overstressed, but that is what it comes down to. All chapters have the opportunity to enter, and I believe it doesn't matter how large the chapter is. If there is an issue concerning small chapters not getting a fair chance, then maybe the judging criteria should be changed. If there are chapters allowing their advisors to write the essays for their entries, then they should be ashamed for their deception.

Perhaps one suggestion I may offer regarding everyone getting an award is this: Keep the requirements the same for entering the Hallmark Awards competition, and for those who don't win the awards but still fulfill the requirements, receive a Certificate of Achievement. I'm sure I speak for all members when I say we work very hard to promote the ideals of the four Hallmarks, and it would be nice if we at least receive some type of thank you for our efforts. I don't ask for special recognition at the International Convention, but an honorable mention would go a long way for making us feel good for the work we do.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Daniel D. Prather, Tau Zeta Chapter, St. Petersburg Junior College, FL

The Phi Theta Kappa awards program gives chapters goals and rewards them for reaching those goals. I could not imagine what Phi Theta Kappa would be without the awards programs. At Tau Zeta, we continually look to them for direction on what we should and should not be doing. Writing essays for the Hallmark Awards has made me and many of our members more confident and creative writers. Furthermore, if members are not writing the essays they are only cheating themselves. At Tau Zeta we do not receive college funding or administrative pressure to bring home awards. The pressure is self-induced, and even though school work may suffer the education received from competing in the awards programs far out weighs anything that could be learned in a class room. As for chapter size, even though Tau Zeta is a large chapter we still have a very small percentage of members doing the work.

That's all I have to say about that!

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Leah Vann, Beta Nu Chapter, San Antonio College, TX

I do think the Phi Theta Kappa Hallmark Awards are a bit overemphasized. When a chapter goes to a convention and walks away without any awards they feel like they have lost. But in effect we are all winners no matter what award we win. What matters is the child we read to or the new roof we put on a house to keep it from leaking. That should be the reward.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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Dr. Shawn Robinson, Advisor, Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter, Valencia Community College East Orlando, FL

Since I like to keep things to the point, I'd like to say that the 5-Star program should continue as is with more chapters encouraged to participate. Chapters not participating should be personally contacted by the Regional Coordinator, an International Officer, or Headquarters staff member and encouraged to work toward at least level 1.

As for the other awards, I would like to see more awards for the individual hallmark chapters and fewer for the individual advisor awards. Only recognizing 10-15 chapters for a hallmark, but 20-30 advisors for Paragon seems a little unbalanced. I know that chapters can't survive without good advisors, but chapters exist for the students. Awards should not be the purpose of involvement in Phi Theta Kappa, but they are helpful in rewarding the chapters (members) for a great job.

Posted Date 10/27/1999

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