Here's to a Great Year!!

Phi Theta Kappa, YOU DID IT! Thank you to everyone who donated to the Oberndorf challenge. Thanks to your generosity, on Saturday, April 14th during the convention, we hit our goal or raising $125,000.00 and the Oberndorf family matched us dollar for dollar. We now have $250,000.00 to endow this scholarship. But wait, there's more... The Oberndorfs have challenged us again. Raise another $125,000.00 and they will match us again, making our endowment $500,000.00. Hold on, there's still more... Due to the fact that even after a year of collecting interest on $250,000 there will not be enough to award enough Lifeline scholarships next year, Mr. and Mrs. Oberndorf have given us another $25,000.00 to enable Phi Theta Kappa to award ten $2,500 Lifeline to Completion Scholarships in 2013. So let's keep the momentum going with our fundraising.

Let's not forget those who helped us achieve our first matching challenge: GEICO is giving $10,000 if we get more quotes at www.ptk.org/geico , Wes Moore and his wife gave $10,000, many chapters and regions made pledges to give money soon to help meet the first challenge, hundreds (probably thousands) of you donated at convention and received a convention pin for your donation, and the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors stepped in and helped us out as well. Thanks again to everyone who donated.

If you were not able to make it to the convention, we missed you dearly! Here are some videos of what went on (they will play in order):




We had a record year. Phi Theta Kappa hit record numbers in recruitment and it showed when we had over 4000 members, over 700 advisors, and dozens of alumni, the most in all categories that Phi Theta Kappa has ever had in attendance at a convention. Congratulations!!!

Our speakers, Amy Chua and Malcolm Gladwell were amazing. We also heard from our Executive Director, Dr. Rod Risley, our International President, Tameka Wilson, Isa Adney who spoke at the ACA meeting, and Jon Acuff who spoke at the Academy.

Finally, congratulations to our 2012-2013 International Officer Team.
Ryan Palmore - President
Casey Romero-Tobia - Div I V.P.
Ryan Lake - Div II V.P.
Anthony Ames - Div III V.P.
Gail San Diego - Div IV V.P.

. . . we can't wait to here what you are doing and planning.

                      Incomming PTKIOTeam -----<Rod>----- Outgoing PTKIOTeam            

The Oberndorf Challenge

In 2009, at the Annual Convention in Grapevine, TX, Phi Theta Kappa answered the challenge to raise Money for the Hites Scholarship. In this video, at 2 minutes and 29 seconds, you see the big check representing the money raised just for the Hites Challenge.

We are here in Nashville, TN three years later trying to do something very similar. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We have already raised over $30,000 for the Oberndorf Challenge, but we still need your help. Please remember to continue supporting the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship Challenge. 


We will continue to maintain the site on www.causes.com/lifelinetocompletion, and you can still make a $10 donation by texting GIVEPTK to 50555 and responding yes. 


While in Tennessee, you, your chapter, or your region can donate money or pledge to donate to the Oberndorf scholarship at a time in the near future, AND purchasing a convention pin will add to the fundraising efforts.  Also, before this Friday, April 14, visit www.ptk.org/geico and get a free (no-obligation) quote and Geico will donate $10,000.00 to the Oberndorf Challenge if we get 2,012 quotes. PLUS, your Phi Theta Kappa region could win some cash. Please take a moment to go online and get a quote, but also try and share this information on how others can support our efforts without spending money out of their own pockets. Whether you are attending the Annual Convention or not, you can be a part Phi Theta Kappa history by helping us reach our goal of $125,000 for the completion scholarship. Who knows, you may find that you can save some money on auto or renter's insurance and then have a little extra cash to text in your vote ;-) wink wink. 


We hope you have a great time at the 94th Annual Convention in Nashville.


 Here are some more videos related to the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship and C4. 

. . . just for fun, here is another video the IO's did during our first trip to the Center for Excellence

Parting Words from the 2011-2012 Division IV V.P. Jeremy Mathis

This is where it all started for me. I had just started my first semester of college in the spring of 2008, and I was working toward my Associate of Applied Science degree in Radio and Television (Telecomm Production). The school was hosting Information Day and the RTV students had a booth to recruit high school seniors to our program. As I came in to the atrium to take my spot at the end of a long table I passed this at the other end. 

The person on the far right is Jennifer. She worked with me in the school records office. I saw her with her medallion and I asked her what she had won. She was the Public Relations Officer for the Alpha Gamma Alpha chapter, I learned. She graduated that spring and over the summer semester I took her place as the *P.R. Officer. 

Here is a photo of me at my induction ceremony. 

This is me and the other chapter officers during my first travel experience with Phi Theta Kappa. It was the very first Colorado Region’s Officer Boot-camp.

This is me getting sworn in as the 2010-11 Colorado Regional V.P.

Here is me a year later, swearing in my chapter president as the 2011-12 Colorado V.P.

A month later, here is Onjalai swearing me in as the 2011-12 Div. IV V.P.

What has Phi Theta Kappa done for me? I was only going to get my AAS and then get a job. Now I am transferring to Colorado State. Guess what I am studying . . . *public relations. I am also studying for the LSAT. That is something that I would have never even thought would be possible for me. Phi Theta Kappa has given me many other things, but the most important thing is friendship. I don’t think that this blog’s server has enough room to upload all the pictures of me with my new friends. Even uploading photos of me and my best friends would require a few pictures because we are rarely all in the same location at the same time.

One of the ways I have been able to make new friends is through travel. In some of my previous blogs I mentioned the travel I did in the fall of 2011. This spring I was asked to attend two regional conventions. The first was the Arizona Region, and the second was the Nevada/California Region. I wish I had the time to write about all the fun that I had during these trips—there was just so much! Spring is such a wonderful time for Phi Theta Kappa regional conventions. It makes me wish that I could have travelled to the rest of the regions in Division IV.  I did get to watch several students take on the challenge and responsibility of becoming new regional leaders, and to them I would like to say congratulations!  Through it all, I know the connections and friends I have made will extend through the rest of my life and well in to my professional career.

Here is me and the current and previous Arizona Regional Officers.

Here I am with the group of Regional Officers from the NV/CA Region.

Before I send my final salutations in my final individual blog as an International Officer, I want to inform you about one other opportunity I had. Also, you will learn about a great resource for you and your fellow students. If you read one of my previous blogs, you know that I attended the NCSD Annual Convention and helped Dr. Risely and our Phi Theta Kappa Deans give a presentation on C4. That presentation was nominated for an NCSD award and won. However, something else happened while I was there. I met a Phi Theta Kappa Alumnus named Isa Adney. She was a recipient of a $110,000.00 Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. She was also writing a book. Her book was released on March 15, 2012 and you can buy it on Amazon.com. It’s called Community College Success: How to Finish with Friends, Scholarships, and the Career of Your Dreams. Here is where I bring it back to my point. Because of Phi Theta Kappa, I had the opportunity to meet her and we later connected on Facebook. Since her book is about student success, she reached out to community college students to answer a questionnaire. I was one of the students she chose to quote in her book. I don’t want to give away any details because I want you to see it for yourself. Here is her Facebook page www.facebook.com//ccsuccess

So this concludes my last blog. Thank you all again for allowing me to serve as your Division IV Vice President this past year, and I hope you will come back to this blog as the new 2012-2013 International Officers post blogs here.

Sincerely,

Jeremy L. Mathis

90 Days From Today

Dear fellow Phi Theta Kappa Members, Advisors, Alumni, and honored supporters,

Achieving our goal of $125,000 was by no means going to be simple.

We set out to do huge things -- and we haven't finished the job yet. We’ve achieved a lot together so far, and all that we still need to do hangs in the balance.

The next 90 days are extremely important for the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship.

Will you make a donation of $10 or more today?

We go to school every day knowing that millions of students are working hard to complete their degree, and at any moment an unexpected disaster could occur causing financial problems that might encumber them from staying in school. You never believe that something like that could happen to you until it does.

Our challenge for 2012 isn’t just about endowing a scholarship. It’s also about being a part of history and leaving a legacy that will help Phi Theta Kappa members complete their degrees for years to come.  Building this scholarship is the next step you can take in your involvement with the Community College Completion Corps, and there is an incentive for your participation. Participating chapters will be eligible for a drawing to have Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Dr. Rod Risley attend your C4 event or have a “Meet and Greet” with him at the Annual Convention in Nashville. The deadline is March 30, 2012!

http://www.ptkfoundation.org/lifeline-to-completion/

Together we will help bring the U.S. up from the #16 nation in the world in college completion. Please help us meet this goal and help your fellow members succeed in completing a college credential! Remember, your donation will be matched one-to-one by Lou and Rosemary Oberndorf to create a $250,000 scholarship endowment. That means your $10 is really $20.

 It's up to us.

Our deadline is approaching, and with only 90 days left until the 2012 Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention we just wanted to remind you of ways you can support this cause today.

Ways to donate:

• ·         Text GIVEPTK to number 50555 to give $10 to Phi Theta Kappa’s Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship Challenge, and then when prompted, reply with YES to confirm the donation and have it added to your phone bill. Wait a moment and when prompted reply with YES again to join the mobile community and continue the conversation. PLEASE HELP BY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THIS. Thank you!
• ·         You can donate right on our Facebook Cause page http://www.causes.com/lifelinetocompletion  ($10.00 minimum donation).
• ·         You can donate directly to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation using your credit-card by visiting this link: http://tinyurl.com/OberndorfCompletionScholarship
• ·         You can send a check or money-order (from chapters, regions, and individuals) in the mail to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, 1625 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211. Put "Completion Scholarship" in the memo field. (no minimum required)

Join in the discussion on ways to raise money for this challenge here: http://ptkregionalofficers.ning.com/forum/topics/fundraising-ideas-lifeline-completion-scholarship and let us know you donated by joining us here https://www.facebook.com/events/194343487327143/

Thank you for taking the time to read this and happy New Year,

Your 2011-2012 International Officer Team

https://www.facebook.com/ptkIOteam

https://twitter.com/#!/ptkioteam

http://ptkregionalofficers.ning.com/

Reflections on 2011 - by Esteban Smith

More than half way through my year as an international Officer, I can’t help but stop and think how lucky I am to be in this position. I’ve gotten the chance to meet so many amazing people and to explore new avenues for myself as a Scholar and a Leader. Last year this time it didn’t really seem possible, but as I work with my team to create a scholarship for students that will aid in college completion and help mentor students in my own country I’m very proud of what I have been able to accomplish this year and excited for what lies ahead. My first semester as an Officer, albeit the most challenging, was well worth the struggle and has made for a brilliant lesson. Like many of my fellow Phi Theta Kappans know, the most challenging experiences forge the greatest skills and opportunities for growth.

As an “International” International Officer I’ve found that many of my experiences, ideas, and opinions have evolved. It has sometimes been a challenge for me to express this even though the environment encourages it. Traveling to the various regions and meeting the varying group of students always opens me to the diversity that exists within the organization and in the United States.

I think that the greatest thing that I have been given this year is a network of students who understand how hard and important it is to devote your life to education and work in Community Colleges. Many of the happy moments that I have had this year have come through my involvement in Community College and through my work with Phi Theta Kappa. When I think about how I have grown and developed over the last few months it is humbling to think that it all stemmed from my decision to not transfer from my Community College. As the year comes to a close, and with Christmas only 2 days away, I can’t imagine a single gift that is better than what I’ve already gained. When I think about all the memories I had in Phi Theta Kappa, I think about Annual Convention, Leadership Conferences, Honors Institute and the ISLP Program that my involvement in PTK made possible.

With only 7 days until the New Year, I have no idea how the following year can be better than this, but I’ve learned through hard work and dedication anything is possible. My biggest dreams are all centered on my education. This is why I am so proud and so honored to be a donor, contributor and an International Officer responsible for creation of the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship. It is truly inspiring to know that what my team and I and I have done so far will be a catalyst for helping someone complete his or her degree.

Completion to me has moved from a vague idea to the focus of my next year and well after. I never understood what it would do for me to believe in an idea that was focused outside of my island and my home. The C4 initiative is something that I’ll always appreciate. Committing to complete my Associate Degree has been the most momentous promise I have ever made to myself and glad I can help others in this goal.

http://www.causes.com/causes/638367-commit-to-help-others-complete-with-the-oberndorf-lifeline-to-completion-scholarship

Being an International Officer: Reaching For the Stars - by Sarah Yates

Hello, Phi Theta Kappans!

Just after being announced as a Finalist

When your 2010-2011 International Officer team was saying goodbye, they left us with one very good heartfelt piece of advice: "Make the most of your time in office, because you can do SO much!" And they were absolutely right! Our team has put a lot of effort in making sure that we have made the most of our time and our privileges as International Officers, and I am proud of the things our team has managed to achieve!

Me and my campaign manager, Matthew Liguori

My mentality as an International Officer has been the same as my goal for being a Candidate- do the very best you can, help as many people as you can, don't have any regrets looking back. When I ran for office, it was with full confidence that I could make a difference as an International Officer- and with the "dream big" mentality that the whole 2011-2012 Team embraced, we exceeded even my high expectations.

In front of my picture at HQ!!!

As a Phi Theta Kappa geek, visiting Headquarters had always been a goal of mine- so when we got to Jackson for our first round of training it was awe-inspiring to be in a place that emodied the organization that meant so much to me. Not only was I there, but MY picture was on the wall as a student leader for the organization, and MY name was on the International Officer plaque below the names of people I respect and look up to as examples of excellent leadership. To say I geeked out might be an understatement!

My small group in Boston <3

I had a lot of fun in Boston at the Honors Institute this year- every place I experience as a Phi Theta Kappan leaves a big impression as a small town girl from Arkansas who doesn't leave the state much. :) Every place I've been- from Orlando and California to New Mexico and Ohio- has been breathtaking and inspiring, and it's one of the thing I love most about my experiences as both a regional and an international officer. Boston was particularly exciting for me because the previous Honors Institute was my first (and a truly amazing experience that inspired me to run for IO) and here I was being the student leader passing on that experience to the newer members of our Honor Society. It was a reminder to me of the circular nature of Phi Theta Kappa as an Honor Society for two-year colleges... we come in and experience and learn, and then we pass along those learning and growing experiences to others. It is my duty as a Phi Theta Kappan who has gained SO much from my time in the organization to take up the mantle of leadership and pass along my knowledge to others who will pass it along again- leaving a Phi Theta Kappa legacy that will affect countless students in the future. This is why YOU chapter and regional officers are SO important- you are the key to the Phi Theta Kappa experience for so many!

Speaking in front of 4000+ smart people!

One of my favorite moments as an International Officer was during our Fall Orientation in Jackson in August when the International Officer team sat down and hammered out our goals for the year. I had so many hopes for the legacy we would leave as a team, and with the strengths of every team member put together we put together a list that exceeded my expectations. (Why? Because we're awesome AND good-looking! Right guys?) We focused on building up the International Officer experience through communication and consistency, helping our members through some positive changes in society outlook (Hello, STAR chapters!), and bringing our whole community together for one great big awesome project that will help Phi Theta Kappans have the resources they need to COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES!!! (Have you made plans to contribute to the Obendorf Lifeline to Completion scholarship fund yet???) I couldn't have asked for more meaningful, high-reaching goals- and I have to admit that this was the moment when I fell in love with my International Officer team.

My home chapter- Beta Zeta Omega

My fall travel was both amazing and humbling- I got to visit two regions who had both requested that I come to their regional meetings: the New Mexico region and the Ohio region! It was incredible to me that in my brief time in Seattle and Boston I had made an impression on these student leaders that led them to request that I come represent Phi Theta Kappa to their students. As always, interacting with members is always my number one joy as an officer for the organization- and that has proved no less true as an international officer. New Mexico was GORGEOUS and one of the friendliest places I have been to (and their mountains put my Ozarks to shame!). The thing that most impressed me during my visit to Ohio was the involvement and excitement of their alumni association... they were helpful, informed, and excited about providing as many opportunities the the Ohio students as they could manage. That, and I am seriously considering moving to their state JUST to get one of those Phi Theta Kappa license plates!

My husband Russ
(official title: Mr. Sarah)

Being an International Officer has come with a few challenges... there is always a learning process to any new position and this one is no different. As an International Officer I had to learn to mesh with a highly-motivated group of individuals to form a great team (what is this "task sharing" you speak of??), represent the ideals and organizational goals of Phi Theta Kappa, and balance the rigors of being a good International Officer with those of classes (physics and calculus and biology, oh my!), along with my responsibilities at home and at work. Throw in the excitement (and increased sleep requirements) of being a first time mom-to-be and you have a good picture of a week out of my life! But as I tell students all the time, you get out of Phi Theta Kappa what you put into it, and not one single thing I have experienced during my time with the honor society has not been to my very great benefit- if not also to the very great benefit of others.

Phi Theta Kappa
International Vice President
Division III
2011-2012

There was a time in my life when I was unsure what kind of future I was suited for- even as an honor student I was always looking for my limitations when considering my life goals. But I woke up one morning and asked myself "What's the biggest thing I could dare to achieve right now in my life?"- and the answer was clear to me... being an International Officer for Phi Theta Kappa. Running for this office was one of the scariest, most exciting learning experiences I have ever gone for- and being on this team and wearing this red medal has meant so much more to me than just having my name on a plaque or my picture on the wall... it has meant the dawn of a new era in my life in which I am not limited by my weaknesses nor afraid of my limitations. We have reached for lofty goals and dreams as an International Officer team, and we have worked together with the amazing Phi Theta Kappa staff to see those dreams realized- further cementing my view that we are all capable of big world-changing things regardless of who we are, where we are from, or what experiences we have had in the past. Never has my campaign motto (a quote from Harriet Tubman) held more true:

“Always remember, you have within you 

the strength, the patience, the passion 

to reach for the stars- to change the world!!!”

The International Experience... - by Danielle Swartz

At the beginning...

If I had to come up with one word to describe my experience as an International Officer thus far, I would have to call it nothing short on insane. One minute things are exciting (well they are always exciting :-) ) and the next they are completely stressful. Sometimes I feel like I am doing really well and other times I feel like I am not doing enough. Whenever I start to get overwhelmed, I think back to the beginning and remember why I wanted to run and what I hoped to bring to the organization and it brings everything back into perspective but it's certainly not all easy!



When we were first elected, I felt a whirlwind of emotions. We were paraded off stage and pulled into a side room where our pictures were taken and we were apart of the outgoing officer goodbyes. The next morning, we participated in a brief orientation where we were given a long list of assignments (mostly readings) and information about our actual orientation that took place a month later in Jackson. Headquarters has become one of my favorite places to be and it's always so much fun going there and learning something ELSE about Phi Theta Kappa and spending time with the other officers. Our trips to headquarters always has something surprising in store!

One important piece of the first orientation in Jackson was preparing for the Honors Institute in Boston (my own backyard!). Our major goal for Honors Institute was to appear available to Phi Theta Kappans and we tried a couple of different things to make that happen - our game night and the dinner that I invited my seminar group to on Thursday (though we had many people outside of the seminar group!). As a team, we recognized how it may be difficult for people to get in touch with us and we wanted to eliminate some of those barriers by working hard to reach out.

In August, we got to travel to Jackson for the second of three trips throughout our term. This was just as busy but had some bonding times built in - which was great because what team doesn't need a chance to get closer? We also got our fall travel schedule which was something that all of the Speaker's Bureau were looking forward to :-) I think this is the trip where things really starting sinking in. I am a very introverted personality by nature and had concerns about traveling to conferences that required me to open up and reach out.

My assignments this semester were in the New York Region and New Jersey (Middle States divides up their fall Regional meeting). I had absolutely no idea what to expect and both events were unique in what seemed to be expected of me. In New York, I was privelaged to essentially join their Regional Officer team for the weekend and in New Jersey, I was treated like royalty. It was so exciting to get a chance to hear what different chapters were doing, what they were having trouble with, what level they were at, etc. Each offered a great experience and taught me a lot.

All the while that we have been traveling and going to school, we have been making a point to meet as an officer team about once a week and do an online Ning chat once per month. Early in October, we announced our three main goals to you all through our monthly chat. In November, we got to spend more time discussing something that we are incredibly proud to be apart of  - The Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship! Our next Ning chat will be December 20th and we are hoping for as good of a turn out as we have been getting thus far. Clear your calendars and start preparing any questions that you have for this year's International Officer team! Also, look for the Collegefish.org survey and *please* contact your Officer team with questions or suggestions about ways that we can better serve you and your chapter!

Thank you for all of the hard work that you do!
Danielle