If you are interested in running as an officer here are the steps you should follow:
Step 1. Qualifications of an officer
According to Tau Nu Bylaws Chapter 5
Section 1. All officers must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing, have a Grade Point Average of 3.5 and must be carrying a course load of semester hours (or equivalent).
Section 2. The Tau Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Public Relations Secretary. A chapter may elect additional officers.
Please contact Dr. Margaret Emblom-Callahan for more information.
Step 2. Selecting Officer Responsibilities
Once you meet all the qualification stated above, you can contact your Chapter President to see what positions are available. Usually, the Officers will provide you details of officers tasks by email or word of mouth. The Download link below will help you see different structures and Officers responsibilities stated in details.
TRADITIONAL OFFICER TEAM STRUCTURE
Download Traditional Officer Team Structure details
While officer titles and responsibilities often vary from chapter to chapter, the purpose of the officer team remains the same – to engage members in the leadership of their chapters. After all, Phi Theta Kappa is a student organization.
Phi Theta Kappa encourages chapters to outline the titles, responsibilities and election procedures for their officer teams in their chapter bylaws. The advisor should have a copy of the chapter’s bylaws on file. If not, the advisor may request a copy by contacting Headquarters.
If your chapter doesn’t have a defined structure for its officer team, or if you are considering making revisions to the current structure, we recommend starting with the basics. An example of a simple structure includes a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer.
COMMITTEE OFFICER TEAM STRUCTURE
Download Key Committees Team Structure details
The committee leadership concept outlines permanent and ad-hoc committees to provide chapter structure and the flexibility to allow for various levels of member commitment. This decentralized structure offers your chapter a method for maximizing leadership opportunities for members.
Permanent committees often include teams for the Honors in Action Project and the College Project in addition to a membership committee, fundraising committee, Hallmark Awards committee, Five Star Chapter Plan committee and Communications committee. Other committees or teams may be created for special occasions or events (i.e. induction committee, graduation committee, etc.)
Elected or appointed chairpersons coordinate the committees. Committees set goals for their area in a given year and submit those goals to the officers and advisors. Communication is an important part of this process, and monthly reports (or those more frequent) are encouraged between chairpersons and officers. Committees should also be fully aware of what other committees are doing.
Committees keep minutes of their meetings, give reports at appropriate general or executive board meetings, submit news to the communications officer for distribution to the general membership and keep notes which they pass to their successors at the end of their terms.
ADDED OFFICER ROLES TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL
All officer positions are expected to overlap, to some extent, in order to help each other depending on skills and abilities and in the interest of developing a cohesive team of student leaders working toward a common mission. All positions are subject to modifications based on the needs of the chapter.
After reading all the details on the roles you downloaded please choose which one you want to run. More details on elections will be announced by the Officers through your email.
Step 3. Formulating a speech for the election of Officers
Once you have received an invitation for an Officer Election, formulate a concise detailed speech to show how you are a valuable asset to the organization.
Note: if you want to run for two positions to increase your chances of becoming an officer, please ask the Phi Theta Kappa advisor Dr. Margaret Emblom-Callahan for permission. Make sure that you write 2 speeches for both positions.
Highlights to write for your speech:
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What makes you the right person for this position?
What is your reason for running?
What you can contribute to the team?
What would you like to get out of your experience?
How well do you work in groups?
When did you become a member
How well you can complete tasks on time?
Other comments and facts you would like us to know about yourself?
Step 4. Review the Orientation and know what to expect
A well-organized orientation gives new chapter officers a thorough understanding of their responsibilities and results in better planning and a more successful year for the chapter. New officer training may take place immediately after chapter officer elections or during the summer. Advisors may conduct the orientation or provide assistance as outgoing officers prepare their successors.
The officer orientation sets the tone for the chapter in the coming year. This is the time to clearly communicate expectations for the year.
Orientation can be overwhelming for new officers, as they are inundated with information on the chapter, regional and international programs and resources. In addition to time spent learning the ropes of their new leadership roles, incoming officers should have a chance to bond and enjoy each other’s company. Advisors and outgoing officers can help develop a team spirit among the new officers by including fun, interactive team building exercises to the orientation schedule.
Step 5. The Election of Officers
Chapter 6 Bylaws of Tau Nu Chapter
Section 1. In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Chapter IV, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* all candidates for office must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing.
Section 2. Elections must be held at the meeting preceding the last meeting during the spring semester of each year.
Section 3. Officers shall hold office from the time of their inauguration, which shall be at the first meeting following the election, to the time of the next inauguration.
Section 4. Nominations from the floor can be made at the same meeting as the election.
Section 5. A simple majority vote shall elect any officer.
Section 6. In any case, when an officer must resign his office, an election shall be held to elect a new officer. Nominations shall be made from the floor and will be made at the first meeting following the resignation of the officer. The election will be held at the first meeting following nomination. Plurality of the votes cast will determine the new officer. The president shall have the power to make a temporary appointment at his/her discretion until an election can be held.
Step 6. Elected or Not Elected
Once elected, You can now move on to step 7. (Make sure you stay firm on your responsibilities and learn to get involved in the chapter’s activities.)
If you are not elected, do not worry. It is because you probably were not active enough or someone was more qualified than you. You can attend next election next semester.
Step 7. Chapter Officer Honor Code (read and sign)
Serving as a chapter officer is a privilege, not a right. And with this honor comes serious responsibility. In order to work together effectively, chapter officers must respect themselves and each other. To make sure everyone starts his/her term on a positive note, consider adopting a Chapter Officer Honor Code.
Phi Theta Kappa requires both international and regional officers to sign an Honor Code, which outlines a code of conduct expected of those who have sought and accepted these highly-visible officer positions. This Honor Code can easily be adapted for use with your chapter’s officers.
Ideally, the Chapter Officer Honor Code should be available for review by all chapter members – especially chapter officer candidates before an election is held. Once elected, each chapter officer should sign a document that includes the Honor Code and a list of his/her officer responsibilities so that the advisor may keep a signed copy on file. By signing the Chapter Officer Honor Code, each person is making a commitment to put personal responsibility and integrity into action. Chapters should outline actions that will be taken if infractions occur in accordance with their chapter bylaws.
Please download link and fill out form and send it to Dr. Margaret Emblom-Callahan
Download Chapter Officer Honor Code
Please download and sign the TAU NU OFFICER ROLE
Step 8. Be involved in the Chapters goals
Your goal as an Officer is to work as a team in achieving to raise a bar level on the Chapters Star. Focus on the details on the link below on how to raise a bar level in the organization.
PTK CHECKLIST TAKEN FROM 5 STAR COMPETITIVE EDGE
Please Download
PHI THETA KAPPA CHECKLIST