MORTAR BOARD 101

1. MORTAR BOARD 101

2. What is Mortar Board? Mortar Board, Inc., is a national honor society that recognizes seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service, provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes services to college and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community.

3. Important Mortar Board Dates • 1970 – National Conference votes to open National Office – based at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio • 1975 – Mortar Board votes to include men. • 1915 – Members from all-women honor societies from Ohio State (Mortar Board) and Swarthmore (Pi Sigma Chi) meet. • February 15, 1918 – Founding Meeting at Syracuse University – Cornell University, The Ohio State University, The University of Michigan and Swarthmore College.

5. Mortar Board Structure

6. National Council • Elected by collegiate members • Plan long-term future of the organization • Sere two-year terms • Made up of President, President-elect, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Two Alumni Representatives and Two Student Representatives

7. National Office • 1970 – National Conference delegates vote to open National Office • Located in Columbus, Ohio as an affiliate of The Ohio State University • Professional staff includes – Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Communications Manager and Administrative Program Assistant

8. National Foundation • Oversees fundraising for Mortar Board • Serves the educational aims of Mortar Board, Inc. • Provides fellowships to Mortar Board alumni pursuing graduate or professional degrees • Grants funds for college chapter projects • Governed by a board of trustees

9. Mortar Board Trivia • What date was Mortar Board founded? • February 15, 1918 • Who were the founding chapters? • Cornell University, The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Swarthmore College • What is the Mortar Board motto? • Pi Sigma Alpha – Scholarship, Leadership, Service

10. Mortar Board Trivia • What does the official pin look like? • Shaped like a black mortarboard with the Greek letters representing our motto engraved in gold • What are the official colors? • Gold and Silver - achievement and opportunity • Number of chartered collegiate chapters? Alumni chapters? • 228 chartered collegiate chapters and 17 active alumni chapters • What is our national project? • Reading is Leading

11. What are Chapter Minimum Standards? • Select new members on the basis of distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service, in accordance with established procedures. • Submit the Chapter Planning Calendar and the Membership Recruitment and Selection Plan according to published deadlines. • Prior to tapping, send the names and qualifications of candidates to the National Office on the Official Membership Report (OMR) for verification.

12. What are Chapter Minimum Standards? • Tap new members before the end of the school year. • Hold an orientation program prior to initiation for those tapped. • Hold an initiation ceremony for new members. • Collect the national fees associated with membership prior to initiation. Submit all membership and chapter fees together with the Official Membership Report to the National Office.

13. What are Chapter Minimum Standards? • Elect new chapter officers before the end of the school year. The outgoing chapter officers in cooperation with the advisor(s) shall orient the new officers before the end of the school year. All officers are to receive, maintain and pass on a manual of pertinent information for that office. • Hold regular and frequent meetings (a minimum of once a month during the school year). • Establish a participation policy.

14. What are Chapter Minimum Standards? • Have at least one advisor. It is recommended that a chapter have more than one and that advisors serve for a minimum of two years to aid in the continuity of chapter operations. • Submit an annual report, including a financial report (and appropriate IRS forms, if necessary) to the National Office by the end of the school year. If a chapter’s annual income exceeds the minimum threshold set by the Internal Revenue Service, the chapter must comply with the reporting requirements and copy the National Office on all correspondence.

15. What are Chapter Minimum Standards? • Send a delegate to conference(s). • Develop and implement programs related to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service that encourage collaborations between the chapter and other student organizations, alumni, other Mortar Board chapters or the community at-large. • Develop and implement programs related to the National Project, Reading is Leading.

16. What do I need to do this year? • Find and review last year’s records, especially financial statements! • Set chapter goals. • Become familiar with all chapter minimum standards, bylaws and policies. • Stay in contact with National Office and your section coordinator throughout the year. • Complete all reports before due dates! • Train future leadership.

17. Who should I know? • Dan Turner, Mortar Board National Council President • Jane Hamblin, Mortar Board National Office Executive Director

18. Who should I know? National Office Staff • Megan Stevens, Assistant Executive Director • Alicia Notestone, Communications Manager • Mary Cay Kuder, Administrative Program Assistant

19. Who should I know? • National leadership • National Council • National Foundation • Section coordinators • Chapter presidents in your section!

20. Know your resources! • Important publications: • The Forum • INK officer and advisor e-newsletter • Officer & Advisor Handbook • Membership Selection Handbook • Initiation Ceremony Booklet • Member Guide • Brochures • Mortar Board Bylaws Mortar Board’s Web site:www.mortarboard.org

21. Good luck with your Mortar Board year!