FQKEffective Membership

Campaigns

Allison Johnson & Debbie Buonocore

Kentucky Regional Officers

Overview• Where to Start• Preparation• Orientations• Promotion & Follow Ups

Four Weeks until Induction• Identify eligible students and mail invitation letters. In cooperation with the

college registrar, the advisor will obtain a list of eligible students. • Invitation letters can be downloaded and tailored to meet specific college criteria, and

print on college letterhead. The letter template may also be used as a helpful example of how the invitation letter may be written. The invitation letter should:– Be signed by the college president or another college official – Be received by all eligible students at least one week before orientation – Include the date, time and location of the new member orientation; – List the advisor's telephone number and/or office location– Congratulate the student on his/her academic achievement; – Be accompanied by a Phi Theta Kappa Member Benefits Brochure. (Advisors may order

through Recognitions Online at no charge.)– Should emphasize that participation in chapter activities is not required to become or

maintain membership in Phi Theta Kappa.

Three Weeks until Induction: • Follow up with a Phone-a-Thon. Make a second

contact with eligible students. To add a personal touch, members and officers may call potential members as a follow-up to the invitation letters. Remind eligible students of the upcoming orientation dates, times and location, and answer any questions they may have regarding membership. By following up the invitation letter with a phone call, many chapters have dramatically increased the number of students who accept membership.

Two Weeks until Induction: • Hold New Member Orientations. At the Eligible Student

Orientation, prospective members should be instructed to visit http://www.ptk.org/acceptmembership to fill out an online Membership Application and learn about the chapter. Printable applications are also available at www.ptk.org/advisor/forms.htm. Emphasize the deadline that signed Membership Applications and fees must be received in order for students to participate in the formal induction ceremony.

One Week until Induction: • Submit membership applications and fees to Headquarters. Students

applying online can securely fill out their application form and also safely pay local, regional and international fees via Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. All local fees collected online by Headquarters will be reimbursed to the appropriate chapter. Members who complete the application online will be able to access their benefits within 24 hours.

• For students who do not register online, advisors should collect the membership application and fees. Advisors who complete the application process for students must submit member names and fees to Headquarters within 30 days of collecting student fees. Advisors may pay membership fees by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover), college check or purchase order.

Sample Orientation Agenda• Welcome. Create a team of officers or members to function as the welcoming committee for the

event. Committee members can provide nametags, facilitate introductions and offer refreshments during the meeting. Making potential members feel welcome creates an inviting first impression, which is the key to any successful orientation. Include an Icebreaker to allow everyone to become acquainted.

• Focus on Membership Benefits. Use the New Member Orientation Slide Show, which can be customized for your chapter, from the website as the basis for this part of the orientation. Membership benefits information is also available online at www.ptk.org/members/. During this presentation, have tangible benefits like the Golden Key membership pin, the membership certificate and ID card and the honors cord, stole, tassel and medallion on display for students to view.

• Play the New Member Recruitment Video from the Resource DVD or YouTube • Stress that participation is voluntary. • Explain application and membership fees. Provide students with Membership Applications and

explain that membership fees are paid only once. Give the deadline and instructions for submitting applications and membership fees. Announce the time, date and location of the induction ceremony and encourage students to invite friends and family as guests. Members have the option to securely and safely accept membership online. If membership is accepted online, students will be able to access benefits within 24 hours. Members who submit printed applications will be able to access benefits within 30 days.

• Leave time for questions. The entire orientation agenda should not exceed one hour, including questions.

Encourage Participation

Ten Proven Waysto increase membership acceptance

1. Call on Chapter Leaders. Involving chapter officers in your membership campaign develops leadership and promotes ownership in the chapter’s success.

2. Involve Faculty and Administration. Ask instructors to promote membership acceptance in their classes, and ask administrators to sign invitation letters and speak at prospective member meetings and inductions.

Ten Proven Waysto increase membership acceptance

3. Promote, Promote, promote. Devise imaginative ways to promote membership benefits. Place Phi Theta Kappa advertisements in your college newspaper or post PowerPoint slides about the benefits of membership on video screens on campus.

4. Cover all bases. Post a list of eligible students and advisor contact information on a bulletin board, or provide the list to faculty on campus and ask them to encourage their students to accept membership.

5. Scout for Scholars. Approach students whom you believe have the potential to become members. Inform them about the $36 million in transfer scholarships and the extensive career development resources for members.

Posters

http://www.ptk.org/campaign/campaign/posters/

Posters

6. Phone-A-Thon. Call eligible students who did not accept membership during your last prospective member meeting. Inform them about the unique opportunities that are available to members. A sample script can be downloaded.

7. Give Second Chances. Send follow-up emails or letters to anyone who did not respond to the first invitation.

8. Consider the Cost. Is membership affordable for your students? Lowering your chapter fees or offering installment payment plans might increase your membership acceptance.

9. Invite a friend. Encourage chapter members to invite friends who are not members to learn about the many benefits the Society has to offer.

10. Campus connection. Reach out to other campus organizations, like the Student Government or Honors Program, to find individuals who are eligible.

A. Other Resources to promote the value of Society membership to students and faculty are available in the Membership Campaign section of PAM.

B. Earn a Pinnacle Award, and fund scholarships to help eligible students accept membership. Increase your membership by 10 percent.

Ten Proven Waysto increase membership acceptance

Scholarships

• Most students are drawn to scholarships that are available to members.

• Discuss how College Fish not only matches students to scholarships, but allows them to browse schools according to their wants and needs.

• Participation is tracked by completing activities and posting written assignments (descriptions of leadership roles/activities, awards/honors received, a resume, etc.) to an online portfolio that can then be shared with scholarship providers, college admissions officials and/or potential employers. You can also share your portfolio with chapter advisors, faculty or community members who are writing letters of recommendation on your behalf.

• ONLINE COURSEWARE- A continuously-expanding library of online videos is available to participating members. Choose from a variety of topics including:

Teambuilding Articulating a Vision

Professional Etiquette Presentation Skills

Research Skills Navigating CollegeFish.org

Critical Thinking Good Writing in a Techno World

Project Management Tips on Scholarship Applications

Other Tips:Increase Chapter Visibility

For the entire duration of the new membership campaign—from the time invitations are sent until the last day applications will be accepted-- have chapter officers wear their name badges at all times while on campus.

Debbie BuonocoreChapter President

Phi Theta KappaAlpha Lambda Delta

Melanie AlveyVice Presidentof Leadership

Phi Theta KappaAlpha Lambda Delta

Allison JohnsonVice President

of Communications

Phi Theta KappaAlpha Lambda Delta

Paula WallsVice President ofHistorical Affairs

Phi Theta KappaAlpha Lambda Delta

Further increase visibility during the new membership drive by encouraging all chapter members to wear Phi Theta Kappa t-shirts

at least once a week

Effective Membership Campaign Results:Alpha Lambda Delta Chapter, ECTC

The Alpha Lambda Delta chapter had a 22% increase in the amount

Of new members inducted into our chapter during the Fall 2009 semester:

2008: 80 new members inducted

2009: 102 new members inducted

20082009

Resources

• Campaign Resources– http://www.ptk.org/campaign/

• Membership Recruitment Video– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ0nKzxrdTE

• Ten ways to increase membership– http://www.ptk.org/campaign/increasing_mem_acceptance09.pdf

Who to contact when you have questions

• Your chapter officers/ advisor(s)• Your regional officers• Your regional coordinator:

– Margo Hamm, Margo.Hamm@kctcs.edu or @ 606-759-7141 ext. 66125

• Headquarters:– 1-800-946-9996