The collegiate chapter experience
For many Mortar Board alumni, the collegiate chapter experience creates memories that will last a lifetime. Here you are with some of the best and brightest students from around your campus. You have such talent and diversity within your group. Just imagine what you can learn from each other and accomplish, together!
Mortar Board chapters uphold and promote our Society's ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. They are a vital part of campus life. Mortar Board is among the most influential and active student organizations on campus -- the group that every student aspires to be a part of.
So, how do you make sure your chapter accomplishes that vision? Below you will find some links that will help you thoroughly prepare for your collegiate experience.
Tip! We will most often communicate with collegiate members through email or social media. Please add enews@mortarboard.org to your address book so that you are sure to get those messages!
Resources
Featured chapter tools
|
 |
 |
 |
Get great tips and ideas for officers and advisors.
It outlines your national duties and has everything you need to know about leading a Mortar Board chapter! |
Your complete guide to recruiting and selecting the next class of Mortar Boards. Click here to find more membership resources.. |
Great visibility tool! Mortar Board brochures are available, free, to each chapter. Just email us with your name, school name, address, and quantity to request yours.
Tip! Don’t have time to request the shipment? Print a high-resolution version yourself. |
Other helpful links:
Get ready for Mortar Board Week: February 12-18, 2012
Mortar Board Week is the perfect time for chapters to hold events and celebrate the founding of Mortar Board. Depending on your chapter's size and local campus activities, you may choose to hold one event for the week or host daily activities.
Detailed assistance with both planning and publicity for the week, including a helpful Visibility Resources Folder complete with sample posters and press releases, is available at www.mortarboard.org/mbweek.
Highlights of a model year in Mortar Board
First half of the year (August - December)
- Set membership meeting times, selecting a time and location that most, if not all, members and advisors can attend. You may have to change meeting times each semester to accommodate your group. General membership meetings should be held monthly as soon as school starts.
- Participate in fall campus activities.
- Submit your chapter success stories by October 15 to be included in the national magazine, the Mortar Board Forum. Post pictures and updates from your events and activities to our Facebook page.
- Create a Chapter Action Plan (CAP) and submit by October 15. (Note: this plan requires getting facts and figures from your college or university, so get started early!)
- Have fun! Plan a social event or two, and have icebreakers at each meeting so chapter members can get to know each other.
Second half of the year (January - graduation)
- Use your CAP to begin the membership selection process.
- Celebrate national Mortar Board Week, held February 12 - 18, 2012.
- Participate in campus activities.
- Complete the Official Membership Report (OMR) for the National Office before tapping new members.
- Tap new members in a memorable, public way.
- Orient your new members with a fun retreat or orientation meeting.
- Hold a special, meaningful initiation ceremony for your new members.
- Plan an effective transition process for outgoing/incoming officers.
Know the proper dues amount
The national membership fee to join Mortar Board is $75. Each chapter may award one Coral Vanstrum Stevens gift membership to waive $75, either to one member or as a discount for several members. The local chapter may charge additional
fees for operational purposes. Additionally, each chapter must pay a $225 conference fee each year to help offset the conference costs.
