TAPPING, ORIENTATION AND INITIATION

1. TAPPING, ORIENTATION AND INITIATION

2. What is tapping? • Tapping is the in-person notification of selection to membership in Mortar Board. • Can be as memorable as our chapter makes it; incorporate local and campus traditions • Is a treasured tradition of Mortar Board that we urge all chapters to exercise

3. What are your tapping traditions? • How many of you were publicly tapped? • Who can share a memory of how they were tapped? • Ideas for establishing your own tapping tradition: • Outgoing members wear robes • Present new members with scrolls, flowers, etc. • Use YouTube for members studying abroad

4. Tapping details • Always clear classroom tapping with the instructor ahead of time • Have a well-organized tapping process so that everyone is tapped within a short time frame and all outgoing members know who is responsible for tapping whom • You MUST get your list of candidates approved by the National Office before tapping • See page 12of the Membership Selection Handbook for tapping tips, along with the Mortar Board Web site

5. What is orientation? • Orientation should be held before initiation in order to educate new members and fully inform them about participation policies and fee requirements. • Some chapters hold two orientations: • One is held prior to initiation to educate new members and collect fees • One is held after initiation to help facilitate cohesion among the new group

6. Orientation strategies • Depending on the size and make up of your group, decide which format might work best: • Off-site retreat • Meeting at the home of an advisor or alum • On-campus meeting facilitated by a student union • Day long or one afternoon/morning • Ineffective: lecture-style, non-interactive meeting

7. Orientation tips • Orientation is best planned by the outgoing president and membership chairperson/committee • Remember to include outgoing and new members • Notify new members early so they’re available to participate • Set an agenda: see page13 of theMembership Selection Handbook for ideas

8. What is initiation? • Initiation is a time-honored tradition on Mortar Board campuses; strive to make it public and elegant • Utilize Mortar Board’s initiation procedures found in the Initiation Ceremony Booklet

9. Initiation basics • Chapters CANNOT initiate new members without having received their initiation fee • There is also a gift membership available (one per chapter per year) for students unable to pay • The chapter sends ONE chapter check to pay all fees, including the conference fee, to the National Office immediately after initiation • Invite parents/significant others, faculty, deans, advisors, section coordinators and other nearby national Mortar Board representatives

10. Initiation tips • Incorporate your own campus traditions into initiation • Who can share initiation traditions from their own chapter? • Ideas for making it special: • All members wear robes • Guest speaker • Inviting alumni, parents, friends, faculty, etc. • Choosing a significant location

11. Chapter transition and participation • A good transition is essential for chapter success. • Hold events with the outgoing and incoming chapter, and make sure incoming and outgoing officers meet to discuss their duties • Leave the chapter and its officers better than you found them! • A participation policy is required for all chapters. • Work with your members to encourage their participation at the highest level of which they are capable. • Make your policy reasonable, realizing that everyone has different levels of priorities.

12. Enjoy your Mortar Board year!