Chapter
resources
Operations at the chapter level are a vital part of Mortar
Board’s success. Chapter members, officers and advisors
can all benefit from thoroughly preparing themselves using Mortar
Board’s publications and online tools.
Please download any resources you need and be sure to add enews@mortarboard.org to your e-mail address book so that you receive the Mortar Board INK e-newsletter throughout the academic year. Mortar Board communicates with chapter officers members strictly by e-mail and infrequently mails information to chapters.
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 $200 conference fee each year to help offset the conference costs.
Important chapter handbooks:
- Officer & Advisor
Handbook - This complete guide for Mortar Board chapters provides information on the society, outlines national responsibilities, includes individual officer guides, lists national deadlines and has a frequently asked questions section. It should be downloaded and read by all chapter officers and advisors.
- Membership Selection Handbook - This thorough guide contains all the necessary information for the selection of new members, beginning with recruitment through initiation and orientation. All officers and members should be familiar with this process, but it is incredibly important for chapter presidents, advisors, vice presidents and membership chairs to read this booklet thoroughly. Additionally, all information and resources pertaining to membership selections are available at www.mortarboard.org/membership.
For additional chapter assistance, please be sure to:
Reinvigorate recruitment with the "10 in '10" initiative
For the 2009-2010 academic year, chapters are being presented with a “10 in ‘10” challenge to make a goal that will increase the number of applicants for each chapter by 10 percent.
While this goal is related to membership, it is also closely affiliated to campus visibility. By utilizing various publicity tactics, from holding more campus events to publicizing the chapter on Facebook, campus visibility can be attained in a number of ways. For visibility tips, please review the Officer & Advisor Handbook or view this help page.
Based on the numbers reported by your chapter in 2009, Mortar Board hopes that your chapter will make it a local goal to increase campus visibility and membership recruitment, and therefore receive 10 percent more applications. If you do not know the number of applications received in 2009, please contact your section coordinator or the National Office.
- Increase 50 applications to 55
- Increase 75 applications to 83
- Increase 150 applications to 165
- Increase 200 applications to 220
According to Article VI, Section 1.2 of the Mortar Board Bylaws, "the maximum membership of a collegiate chapter shall be 50 members or 1.5 percent of the student body with junior standing, whichever is greater." Your chapter is encouraged to calculate its maximum number to use as a goal. You may also decide to petition to exceed that membership goal**.
** If receiving more applications means that your chapter feels comfortable selecting a larger class, please be sure to submit the Petition for Chapter Size Exception.
