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Mortar Board Week starts on February 13, so now is the time to firm up your chapter's plans and publicity efforts. Detailed assistance with both planning and publicity for the week, including a helpful Visibility Resources Folder complete with sample postcards, posters and press releases, is available at www.mortarboard.org/MBWeek. Need a little membership help? Resources, templates and samples are available on our website. The privilege of selecting new members is the most important task a Mortar Board chapter completes. It is of the utmost importance that the chapter takes on this responsibility with great care, as the chapter's future success depends upon it. Pre-planning and national resources can help your chapter's process go smoothly. All resources and information related to the membership selection process can be found at www.mortarboard.org/membership. If you have questions or concerns at any time, contact your section coordinator or the National Office. Resources to help you learn about the process
Samples to use on your campus
Stay involved in Mortar Board: become a conference assistant! Each year, Mortar Board invites outgoing chapter members to apply to be conference assistants. If you enjoy pulling off large events, have great attention to detail, are willing to jump in where help is needed, and are enthusiastic about Mortar Board, we would love to have you! Benefits of being a conference assistant:
Applications should be submitted to the National Office on or before March 15. Candidates must be available to participate in the conference from July 28 through July 31. Additionally, your chapter advisor or administrative liaison must submit a recommendation form on your behalf. Have questions about being a conference assistant? Contact Megan Stevens at mstevens@mortarboard.org. Honor your advisor with an Excellence in Advising Award nomination Chapters are encouraged to nominate outstanding advisors to be recognized for their contributions and ongoing dedication to Mortar Board with the annual Excellence in Advising Award. Chosen recipients provide outstanding service, guidance and support to a collegiate chapter and are honored at the annual Mortar Board National Conference. Nominate your advisor on or before March 15. A complete list of previous recipients is available online. If your advisor has received the award in the past five years, they are ineligible to receive the award this year. National conference deadlines and fees announced Mortar Board's biggest annual event, the Mortar Board National Conference, is scheduled to take place from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31 in Chicago. Each chapter must send an official delegate in order to remain in good standing nationally. This delegate should always be the chapter president; members should not run for president if they know they are unable to attend the conference. If it is impossible for the president to attend and another member must be sent in her or his place, the chapter may have to pay an additional fee. Important dates
Registration costs
*Official delegates who register on or before May 15 do not have to directly pay for the conference. Their conference costs, including travel and standard hotel accommodations, are covered by the $225 conference fee each chapter is required to pay annually, as well as funding from Mortar Board, Inc. and the Mortar Board National Foundation. Delegates who register after May 15 must pay a late fee of $75. Chapter Spotlight: University of San Diego
The Alcalá Senior Honor chapter at the University of San Diego celebrated its 10th anniversary with a number of awards and honors this year, including being named as a finalist for Mortar Board’s top chapter honor – the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award. Since its 2000 chartering, the chapter has made a name for Mortar Board on campus. The chapter taps into its members' other interests and student organizations to connect with other students and prospective members. With an undergraduate enrollment of 5,300 and more than 150 student organizations, most students are a member of at least one activity; Mortar Board members are a part of several organizations (and are often leading them). Members use this opportunity to publicize Mortar Board to a broad range of students. A close relationship with the student government, participation in Alcala Bazaar (the university’s student involvement fair), posting fliers on campus and making direct contact with eligible students further makes Mortar Board a sought-after honor for soon-to-be college seniors. Once this new class of top-notch students is selected, the chapter holds a beautiful initiation and reception for initiates, their families, faculty and university administrators. Joint meetings follow to help orient new members to the society, and the reins are eventually handed over following a transition meeting to pass on officer roles and set dates for events in the coming year. Within a few weeks of their senior year, the members have a fun, working retreat to get to know each other and finalize project plans, such as raising funds for the scholarships the chapter provides to a local high school, Kearny Mesa; booking notable professors to speak in the Last Lecture Series; or working with alumni and San Diego State University for a joint backpack supply stuffing event during Mortar Board Week. When asked what piece of advice she would offer to other chapters, President Hannah Levorsen offered, "Utilize the connections that each member has and make sure to tap each member’s strength. Our organization brings the best and the brightest into one room. Every member was chosen for a purpose. Make sure to listen to every member’s ideas because everyone has something unique they offer and bring to the table. Use this talent to make new events and get your name out there." |
Deadlines and reminders All reports can be submitted to reports@mortarboard.org! February 13-19, 2011 Due March 15
Due May 15
FEATURED DOWNLOADS
Icebreaker of the month: As a fun social event and mock officer election, consider electing Mortar Board members to fun awards, such as: - Best listener Give each award winner a prize such as a Mortar Board coffee cup, notepad or t-shirt. You may choose to present these awards at the new member orientation to help show new members how close current members are and the fun that is in store! Recruitment tip of the month Mortar Board Week is here! During the week (Feb. 13 - 20), celebrate the history of Mortar Board on your campus by displaying Mortar Board information in your student union or hosting information sessions on campus. Have you already selected members? Schedule tapping or initation during this week. "Buzz" tip of the month Build personal relationships. Give all chapter members a handful of applications and ask them to hand them out to qualified juniors they know from class, activities, intramural teams or student organizations. Members should chat with the prospective candidates and tell them about Mortar Board and their experience with the chapter. |
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Having problems viewing this e-mail? View it as a Web site or download a printer-friendly version. You are being sent this e-newsletter because you have been reported as an officer or advisor for your chapter of Mortar Board. If you are no longer a chapter officer or advisor and have already reported this to your local chapter, you may unsubscribe from this newsletter. February 2011 Mortar Board INK | Volume XV, Issue VI |
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