The Democratization Of Phi Theta Kappa!

1. The Democratization Of Phi Theta Kappa!

2. Presented by your • 2011-2012 • Ohio Regional Team!

3. History! • The Democratization of a Vision for Excellence

4. The Founding of our Society

5. Founder’s Day: November 19th! • The roots can be traced to a Society that originated, in 1910, under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron, with six charter members at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. • Kappa Phi Omicron was one of many honorary groups in Missouri in the spring of 1918. • The decision to establish an academic honor society with a common purpose was made at a presidents meeting of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918.

6. The name Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘК) was chosen, and the Society was incorporated as a national organization. • The founders modeled us after the prestigious senior college honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

7. The first 6 years was confined to activity in women’s junior colleges. • 1924, a constitutional amendment now covered all junior colleges.

8. 1926, ΦΘК expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into co-ed institutions. • 1929, The American Association of Junior Colleges (now the American Association of Community Colleges) recognizes ΦΘК as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

9. The Vision Extends to Ohio!

10. The Beginning • In 1985 Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa, asked Dr. Mary Navarro of Sinclair Community College in Dayton to help form the Ohio Region.

11. The Planning • In the first year of planning the annual meeting was held at Central Ohio Technical College and hosted by Alpha Theta Sigma of Shawnee State Community College. • Lorain County Community College held the second annual meeting and hosted by Phi Pi of the same college.

12. After two years of planning and the writing of the region’s constitution and by-laws the sixteen chapters in the state were ready to come together to form the Ohio Region.

13. First Regional Convention • In the Fall of 1987 Alpha Lambda Eta of Edison State Community College hosted the first Regional Convention. • The constitution and by-laws were presented and the first officers were elected. • Donations from several chapters formed the first regional treasury.

14. The Early Years • The region was active from the start. • New chapters were being added on a regular basis. • Treasury growth was slow until a vote in 1990 to increase dues to assist in the work of the Ohio Region.

15. Birth of the District Representative • With few advisors expressing interest in serving on a regional advisory council or attending regional meetings, The officers restructured the executive board. • The Region was divided into six districts with each district representing a fairly equal number of chapters.

16. Each district then nominated one student to serve that district on the executive board. • Like the regional officers they were elected at the regional convention and served a one year term.

17. First Leadership Conference (LIA) • Several years after the region was formed, Ohio initiated its first Leadership Conference. • Alpha Nu Lambda at Clark State Community College in Springfield hosted the event with support from Headquarters.

18. The region altered the annual calendar to hold a Leadership conference in the fall and Regional Convention in the spring.

19. First Honors Institute (HIA) • When International Headquarters restructured its annual convention awards, it gave each region three Honors Institute Scholarships. • The Ohio President, Tim McIntire, and the region’s executive committee met in Springfield, with Alpha Nu Lambda serving as host for the event, to revise the regions’ awards system.

20. The region now established three meetings a year, with leadership in the fall, Honors Institute in winter, and the regional convention in spring. • Host chapters for these events would receive one of the scholarships provided by Headquarters.

21. The First Transfer Scholarships • During these beginning years, Dr. Navarro, with the help of Mike Watson from Headquarters, began actively pursuing and establishing transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappans to four year institutions. • Some of the first schools to offer these scholarships were Bowling Green State University, University of Dayton, Xavier University, and the University of Toledo.

22. Ohio and Indiana • In 1995 the Ohio and Indiana Regions became sister regions and agreed to support mutual goals and efforts of the region. • This included fundraising, international election campaigns, visits between regions, and sharing experiences and expertise Sisters!

23. The Following Years • In 1995 Dr. Navarro stepped down as Regional Coordinator and Dr. John C. Kesler from Lakeland Community College served as Interim Coordinator. • In 1996 Headquarters confirmed the selection of Dr. Kesler and he served as Regional Coordinator until 2003.

24. In 2003 Cindy Carbone from Washington State Community College was appointed Regional Coordinator. • In 1996-1997 the Ohio Region introduced the All Ohio Academic Team program.

25. Dr. Ralph Doty of Lakeland Community College and the Ohio Region in partnership with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges(OACC) hosted its first All Ohio Academic Team event where $15,000 in scholarships were presented to Ohio’s best and brightest students.

26. In 1998 restructured its by-laws and calendar to more closely reflect that of the International calendar. The calendar for regional events changed as did part of the awards system. • In 2005-2006 with growth of the region over the years voted to re-aligned the district boundaries to better reflect chapter distribution and geographic travel for the district representatives.

27. In 2010 the region voted to restructure the positions of the regional team combining the positions of Secretary and the Buckeye Newsletter Editor. • Today the Ohio Region currently stands at thirty nine chapters within the region, including one in West Virginia. • In March of 2012 the Ohio Region will celebrate its 25th anniversary at Central Ohio Technical Community College - the site of the region’s first ever annual meeting.

28. International Recognition of the Region • In 2005 at the 87th International Convention in Dallas TX, the Ohio Region was presented with the Milestone Award signifying recognition for its programming and activity. • In 2008 at the International Convention in Philadelphia, the Ohio Regional Officer team was recognized as the Most Distinguished Officer Team.

29. In 2009 Cindy Carbone was recognized as the Most Distinguished Regional Coordinator • Ohio still stands as the only Region with two concurrently serving International Officers from a single chapter (Alpha Rho Epsilon) • David Kerr – 2006-2007 International Division I VP • Connie Myers Kerr – 2007-2008 International Division I VP

30. Traditions! • Democratization Through the Passing of Custom and Spirit

31. HOWDY Bear!

32. Sweet, lovable Howdy Bear was created to encourage and recognize chapters that show true Phi Theta Kappa spirit. While the hallmarks are the foundation of Phi Theta Kappa, chapters are awarded Howdy Bear on the virtue of their implementation of the hallmarks.

33. Criteria • Does your chapter report to their respective district representatives on a regular basis by Providing them with updated chapter news for the newsletter and conference reports? • Has your chapter made progress towards achieving its Five Star level? • Has your chapter progressed towards its Pinnacle goals? • Has your chapter organized or participated in hallmark events with other chapters-in or out of the district?

34. District representatives will nominate the chapter who excels in each district, and is present at the conference. Chapters will be observed throughout the conference, and a winner will be selected. If there is a tie, the Regional Vice President will break the tie. Remember, Howdy Bear is like one of the family. He goes everywhere you go. He comes complete with his own suitcase, clothing, and personal journal. He loves to have his picture taken to share with future recipients, so have your camera ready. **Chapters can only be selected to host Howdy Bear once every other year**

35. The Phi Theta Kappa Hug

36. In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. • Five years later she served as the National Secretary. • She served that position until named Executive Director in 1967. • It has been said about her that she had a passion for life and everyone she knew.

37. She had a problem remembering names, as she aged her eyesight began to diminish also. • She began to hug people when she greeted them, thus enabling herself to get close enough to read their name tag. • This was the beginning of the Phi Theta Kappa Hug. It became a way for all of us to greet each other and is commonly used at our events. • Dr. Mosal died in 1987 after a lengthy illness. In honor of Dr. Mosal, I invite you to pass on the hug.

38. The Cheer!

39. The Regional cheer • Nothing is official when it comes to the Ohio Regional Cheer… • In the past Regional Officer Teams have used: President: "Ohio!" Regional Team: "Ohio!" President/ Team: "And West Virginia too, Regional officers working for you! Hu- rah!“ • However, most commonly used and well known is the adapted International cheer…. Officer: “Ohio Region, how do you feel?” Ohio Region: “We feel good, oh so good, HUH!”

40. Etiquette! • Democratization of Ideals Through Professional Behavior • **With special assistance from Connie Myers-Kerr, 2007-2008 International Division I VP and current Alpha of Ohio Membership Secretary**

41. Proper use of name • Phi Theta Kappa members OR “Phi Theta Kappans” • Incorrect: “Kappans”, “Phi Thetas”, OR “PTKers” • Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, or ΦΘΚ • Incorrect: PTK * PTK is the Greek equivalent of Rho Tau Kappa and not the first letters of the words which mean Wisdom, Aspiration, and Purity.

42. The Golden Key Pin • Don’t • Wear on t-shirts, even if its ΦΘΚ • Wear on medallion ribbons or officer pins • Place on lanyards at Regional and International events • Do’s • Wear on the LEFT side • Place above all other pins • Wear with polo’s, dress shirts, blouses, and formal attire

43. Dress at Phi Theta Kappa Events • No holes in shirts or pants • No stains • No extremely low-cut shirts/blouses • Nothing which could be considered offensive • Hats are not a good idea • Business casual attire is the best option

44. Communications • Email • No Mass Emails (Keep it personal) • Always include a Subject Line • Use a consistent tone and stay positive • Mind your manners • Spell Check • Be concise: don’t use a page to say a sentence of information • Do not use abbreviations • If sending an attachment, say so or ask permission before hand

45. Communications Part II • Invitations • Always send a professional email or card • Respond in a timely manner • Always send a “Thank You” note regardless if you are able to attend or not

46. Phi Theta Kappa’s zero tolerance policy • Actively in place at all Chapter, Regional, and International events • Honors Code is required of all Regional and International Officers - Can be required for Chapter Officers at the colleges discretion • Members can be reprimanded • Thought process: implement from the time you leave for event to the time you return home *Additional information regarding this policy can be found in the Chapter Resource Guide at www.ptk.org

47. So what does this all mean?

48. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Sociologist Margaret Mead

49. In conclusion • Phi Theta Kappa was born from the effort of “a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens” whose desire was to recognize and honor the scholastic achievement of Two Year College students. • This vision has been passed and grown to not only include service learning and professional development, but has expanded from its birth in Missouri to encompass the entire globe, including Ohio! • We, the beneficiaries of this vision and the hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship are charged with spreading and fulfilling the mission of Phi Theta Kappa. • We accomplish this through the passing of our traditions, in the engagement of students in Phi Theta Kappa programs, and through our very behavior on a daily basis, which reflect our passion for excellence.

50. AND…