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An important message from Mortar Board's executive director Change is in the air for Mortar Board. A new, easier method for reporting members and chapter progress is currently under development, including an updated Official Membership Report (OMR). The new Web-based system will save significant time and effort required to collect fees, decrease reporting time to the National Office, as well as help ease the transition of chapter leadership from one year to the next. Scheduled to take place early in 2009, the new system will allow for members and alumni to manage and update their own personal information and to pay both national and local dues. Advisors and officers will easily be able to update important chapter information and reports and effectively keep track of their own members and alumni. Chapter officers will be granted administrative permission to access their own chapter and membership data, select candidates and request candidate approval from the National Office. Following Mortar Board tradition, chapters continue to tap initiates, letting the candidate know they have been chosen for membership. They will then be referred to the national Web site to pay their membership fees. No more chasing members down for payment or having to worry about students studying abroad. Parents can even pay with their own credit card for their graduating seniors. Some chapters have already started their selection process, and we would like to make this transitional period as easy as possible for all of our chapters. A temporary OMR has been created and will be used instead of the current, outdated form. The new, temporary OMR is still located on the report forms page of our website, just like the former OMR. During this interim period, chapters may also choose to collect individual member fees and pay with one check to the National Office. If you have any questions while we make the transition, please do not hesitate to call us at 800-989-6266. Once your chapter selects its new members, you will receive one mailing (versus the two that were sent the previous academic year) that contains all the necessary membership selection information, including Official Membership Booklets, certificates, pins, brochures, handbooks, guides and more. Shortly after the New Year as the enhanced membership process is finalized and the new system installed and tested, we will be providing additional training and detailed instructions about the new procedures. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to build additional capacity to serve our members, officers, advisors and alumni with this new system. If you have any questions while we make the transition, please do not hesitate to call. Have a great holiday season,
Jon Cook Upcoming deadline: Mortar Board Week Visibility Grant applications due December 15
This grant varies from a typical project grant in that it can be used to cover any visibility costs, from printing T-shirts to buying advertising. The deadline to apply is December 15, so be sure to complete the grant application online soon! Recipients will be notified by January 12. The logo for Mortar Board Week 2009 is online now and available for chapters to download and use. Helpful recruitment brochures available
To request your brochures, simply e-mail mortarboard@mortarboard.org with the following information:
Mortar Board advisor receives ACHS advising grant Dr. Katherine Pasour, advisor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, has been named recipient of a $500 grant from the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). This grant, intended as an honorarium for the advisor who facilitates and reports on the outcome of a project, was granted under the association’s social responsibility project, "Social Responsibility: The Power of the Association of College Honor Societies to Make a Difference--A Chapter Leadership Project." Pasour’s project, "Education and Environmental Seven Wonders Project," is a pilot project that focuses on strengthening the current social responsibility or sustainability initiative of individuals and the campus. Advisor spotlight Charlotte Maheu, Tulane University In just two years as chapter advisor, Charlotte Maheu has made a significant impact on the Tulane University chapter of Mortar Board. With her vast knowledge of the campus and all its happenings, the chapter has been able to increase their involvement exponentially. Under her advisement, they have participated in and sponsored more campuswide activities, including their prominent Leadership Conference for Girls, Last Lecture Series, book drives and the incredibly successful Mortar Board Administrative Swap. Despite the chapter facing the tragic Hurricane Katrina and the university’s substantial reorganization, Charlotte has constantly helped the chapter to maintain a positive outlook and has provided tremendous stability. The 2007-2008 Vice President Sarah Henkle cites Charlotte’s constant leadership, achievement and support as instrumental to the group’s success. She explains, “Our chapter simply would not function anywhere near its fullest potential without Charlotte Maheu as an adviser…Charlotte is the ultimate role model for the students with whom she works.” Charlotte was honored at the 2008 Mortar Board National Conference as one of just three outstanding advisors to receive the prominent Excellence in Advising Award. Unfortunately, due to new job responsibilities, she no longer advises the Mortar Board chapter at Tulane. |
Mortar Board Lingo What is tapping? Tapping is a rich, time-honored tradition that began as long ago as 1892, years before Mortar Board’s official founding. The phrase “tapping” comes from the tradition that members were (and many still are) literally “tapped” by the mortarboard of a current member to signify that they have been selected for membership. Tapping is not the same as initiation, but is a step that occurs after a candidate applies and has been selected and before they have been formally initiated. It is simply a way to publicly (and memorably) let a candidate know that they have been chosen to become a Mortar Board member. Today, tapping ceremonies vary greatly on each campus, but continue to create lasting memories for new members. It is an important custom to make these ceremonies meaningful and welcome new members into Mortar Board with pride. A detailed history, examples and ideas are available online. Questions? Contact Assistant Executive Director Megan Stevens at mstevens@mortarboard.org.
MRSP due Dec. 15 The Membership Recruitment and Selection Plan (MRSP) is a required form for all Mortar Board chapters, due on December 15. This form asks chapters to outline their preferred selection method. This method has to be approved by the National Office before it can be put into action. Additionally, information on chapter GPA standards, tapping, orientation, initation and officer transition is required. Please ensure that your chapter's membership chairperson and/or president are aware that this report requires a significant amount of information and should be thoroughly completed by December 15. This form must be approved by the Mortar Board National Office before the chapter may proceed with selection.
YouTube Video Recruitment Contest deadline is Dec. 15 The deadline for chapters to spread the word about Mortar Board and contribute to a national selection and recruitment video is fast approaching. Chapters are encouraged to submit an original recruitment video, which should highlight Mortar Board’s activities, ideals and/or members, on YouTube. A committee will then review the videos and select one grand prize winner to receive a $200 check and insignia for the winning chapter’s website. Honorable mention chapters will also receive recognition. To participate in the national Mortar Board YouTube Recruitment Video Contest, chapters must upload a video shorter than 10 minutes to www.YouTube.com by December 15. A link and CD or DVD of the video should also be sent to the National Office. All entries may gain recognition as a portion of a future national recruitment video! Complete information on how to enter, rules and regulations are available here. |
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Having problems viewing this e-mail? View it as a Web site or download a printer-friendly PDF. Mortar Board National Office | 1200 Chambers Road, Suite 201 | Columbus, OH 43212 | 800-989-6266 |
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