Orientation help
Familiarizing your new members with Mortar Board by way of an orientation is vital to the success of your chapter as well as the national organization. Not only is it helpful, but it is also required. According to the national Bylaws (Article VI, Section 1.13) and Chapter Minimum Standards (Bylaws, Article VI, Section 1.22), each chapter must hold an orientation prior to initiation.
Who is responsible for orientation?
The outgoing president is responsible for seeing that orientation occurs. However, many chapters delegate this responsibility to a membership chair or committee, which coordinates selection, tapping, orientation, initiation, officer elections and chapter transition. Each of these facets is equally important. The Membership Selection Handbook has additional details on all of these activities.
Goals of orientation
- To inspire and motivate new members, helping them to develop pride in being part of Mortar Board
- To build a team out of the group of new members
- To share information about Mortar Board as a national organization as well as Mortar Board’s ideals of scholarship, leadership and service
- To familiarize candidates with information about the local chapter’s projects, tradition and structure
- Development of the commitment to active membership in Mortar Board
Orientation formats
The perfect orientation on one campus might be a disaster at another. There are plenty of different methods that may (or may not) work for your chapter:
- Retreat
- Session at the home of advisors or alumni
- Meeting on your campus accompanied by a meal, refreshments or group outing
Be sure to refrain from these ineffective formats:
- Quick meetings with no group interaction
- Meetings with a lecture format
- A lack of information provided to tapped candidates, who have little time to prepare and ask questions or get familiar with Mortar Board
Tips for success
Make it unique. Each chapter of Mortar Board is different, as well as each member of each chapter. These differences and unique talents can make for an amazing orientation.
Set goals. Each orientation should serve a purpose, so be sure to outline your goals as one of the first steps of planning.
Inspire. Motivate members to be active in the chapter and community for the upcoming year. Tell anecdotes or show a slide show about the wonderful memories you and other members made with your time in Mortar Board. Be sure to invite outgoing members to share their experiences firsthand.
Instill pride in new members. Teach them about your chapter’s local projects, tradition and structure, and allow them to take pride in knowing that they are the future of these traditions. Their ideas will help your chapter to grow year after year. Also be sure to remind them that they are part of a national tradition that has lasted nearly a century and continues to expand each year.
Build a team. When the members arrive at orientation, they could likely be a diverse group of strangers. Use icebreakers and team-building exercises to transform this group of individuals into a team.
Follow the suggested orientation agenda found in the Membership Selection Handbook.
Play icebreakers so members can get to know each other.
