|
selection: what you need to know
As 2007 comes to a close, the selection of the next Mortar Board class is almost here. To prepare, please review these three helpful resources:
- Membership portion of the website
- November edition of the Mortar Board INK
- Membership Selection Handbook
Prior to selection
 Review or assist in creating your chapter’s Membership Selection Plan (MSP), which is to be completed by the membership chairperson and submitted to the National Office by December 15.
Help your chapter reserve rooms or other venues for selection, orientation and initiation. Space should be reserved now to ensure that appropriate dates are properly publicized.
Familiarize yourself with the Selection by Consensus process outlined in the Membership Selection Handbook.
Encourage the chapter to hold a practice round of selection using your own materials or the helpful worksheet in the Membership Selection Handbook.
National guidelines suggest a chapter select between 15 and 50 new members each year. An appropriate chapter size for the upcoming year can be determined by considering your current chapter size as well as the size of your school. A resolution was passed at the 2007 National Conference asking each chapter to select two more new members this year in addition to their average number.
If your chapter charges local dues, set that amount now. The National Office requires a $60 new member fee for each initiate, and many chapters charge an additional fee to cover their operating budget and/or the required $150 conference fee. For a complete breakdown of fee information, refer to the December edition of the Mortar Board INK.
Getting grades and contact information
Use the correct GPA standard for eligibility: the top 35 percent of the junior class or a 3.0, whichever is HIGHER. The student records office, registrar or office of institutional research can help to determine your GPA standard. Some schools may require proof that Mortar Board is requesting this information, so a request letter is available for your use. Give yourself plenty of time to account for potential delays and contact the National Office if you encounter any problems. Ideally, this process should begin right now.
Help the chapter obtain candidate information once your GPA standard is set. Many university offices won’t share grade-related information with students, so an advisor or administrative liaison may need to be proactive in order obtain the names and e-mail addresses of eligible students. Sometimes, however, universities won’t share this personal information, but will send out a message on the chapter’s behalf.
Once you determine eligibility, help the chapter contact candidates via e-mail (or mail) explaining what Mortar Board is, why they are eligbile, where they can find the application and the deadline.
Be sure to verify eligibility after fall term grades come out.
The selection meeting
At least one advisor must oversee and monitor the selection meeting.
Be sure that thorough discussion of candidates is occurring.
Steer the group away from negative or unfair attacks on candidates and keep the conversation positive.
Encourage diversity within the chapter.
Ensure confidentiality during the selection process. Be sure to properly care for (and destroy, if necessary) any student information being used in the process.
Upcoming deadline: Mortar Board Week Visibility Grant applications due December 15
Mortar Board’s celebration of the organization’s founding is quickly approaching. This year’s Mortar Board Week is slated for Feb. 10 - 16, and many chapters already have great plans in place.
This year, Mortar Board is offering a special Mortar Board Week Visibility Grant to help chapters get the word out about Mortar Board on their campus. Funds can be used for anything related to visibility, ranging from making T-shirts to buying advertising. The application is due December 15 and chapters will be notified in January.
The logo for Mortar Board Week 2008 is online now and available for chapters to download and use.
Book Drives with Better Word Books
Are you looking for a great project for your Mortar Board chapter? Better World Books can provide everything your students need for an effective book drive, including collection bins, marketing materials, and shipping supplies. By leading a book drive this semester, your chapter can save hundreds of books that might otherwise get thrown away, which Better World Books will put up for sale to raise much-needed funding for local & international literacy organizations. In addition, the book drive can raise funding to support your chapter’s other campus projects. For more information, visit www.betterworldbooks.com or e-mail campus@betterworldbooks.com to get started today!
 Advisor spotlight
Dr. Jason Vogel
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Black Masque chapter
Dr. Jason Vogel, a 2007 recipient of the Mortar Board Excellence in Advising Award, has degrees in biological systems and agricultural engineering from the University of Nebraska, Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University. In his five years of strong commitment to the Black Masque chapter, he has truly been a role model in demonstrating professionalism, leadership and the spirit of service. He constantly sacrificed his own time for improvement of the chapter, always providing unparalleled support.
Former Chapter President Jill Rosno explained, “His dedication to our group and humble leadership provided a guiding light for our chapter as we strove to be the best and learned from each experience. He encouraged us to take on new challenges, implement new ideas, and improve on the strong foundation that has been set by previous classes.”
|
