New advisor, Associate Dean of Instruction, Chuck Pfeifer, opened the meeting held in Fine Arts 209 at 4:00 p.m., with an overview of his vision for Kappa Psi. He charged us to become a more prominent student organization on campus and to become a stronger chapter by increasing membership.
The meeting was attended by Justin Findlay, V.P. of Scholarship; Juliann Chau , V.P. of Leadership;
April Hammond, Historian; new members: Miguel Aldrete, Venus Brensing, Brian Myers, and Brandon Tasset and advisors Chuck Pfeifer and Fran Durant.
RECRUITING: Last Week on Tues. Feb. 12th @ 5:00 Advisors Chuck Pfeifer, and Fran Durant and President Gilbert Still Jr. held our 3rd orientation in the Student Union Ford County Room. Brandon Tasset and Brandi Tregre joined at that time. Two other students also attended.
Fran reported that, as of today, 16 New Members have joined: Miguel Aldrete, Lindsay Astleford, Jacob “Jake” Bratton, Venus Brensing, Mikalea Bunyan, Matthew Cornitius, Kelly Katz, Astyn Legleiter, Patricia Luckeroth, Brian Myers, Cassandra Perez, Morgan Ratts, Asem “Moses” Tabib, Brandon Tasset, Brandi Tregre, and Nicole Webb. There are still about 60 more eligible students that could join. She said Jordan Herrera and another young man have expressed an intent to join. We have already surpassed last semesters total of 11 but still far from our average of 35.
She mentioned the new recruiting tool: Your Key Advantage <http://www.ptk.org/key-advantage/>, a 2-minute web-hosted video featuring testimonials from members who talk about the difference Phi Theta Kappa has made in their lives, with an introduction by Executive Director Rod Risley. The members reflect on scholarships they received, how they grew as leaders and how they learned the value of community service. This new video is ideal to include in emails to prospective members or to show prospects.
Mr. Pfeifer said that he would be talking with faculty and visiting classrooms to recruit. He suggested that we offer a “reward”, perhaps monetary, to current members that recruit a new one from the list. Fran suggested that an item of their choice from Recognitions up to a set value might be a good incentive and would help with visibility of the organization as they use or wear it.
Fran will e-mail the phone list for all members, including those that have just joined, to use to contact and encourage membership and induction attendance.
Induction Ceremony/Party: Sunday, March 30th @ 2:30 p.m. Student Union Board Room. Advisors and Officers are to take part in the ceremony and should come no later than 2:00 to complete set up of head tables and refreshment table. Make arrangements to get off work if necessary. Chuck said that we will have a short rehearsal during the previous week.
SGA Report: Candidate for homecoming, Jason Cherry made it into the final group.
Award Entries: April has almost completed the yearbook except for a few items that Fran gave her today. We must complete it and turn in at Fran’s office by Thursday, Feb. 28th as we have to take it with us to Regional convention Feb 29th-March 2nd.
Annual Regional Awards Conference FEBRUARY 29TH-MARCH 2nd: We will depart no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday the 29th and be back by about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday the 2nd. Advisor Fran Durant reported that President Gilbert Still Jr. & V. P. Leadership, Juliann Chau will be joining her in the 2 rooms reserved at the Doubletree - Corporate Woods in Overland Park which has a pool, whirlpool, fitness room, hiking & walking trails, racquetball, and a solarium. Johnson County Community College is where most of the activities will be held. There will be a college fair at registration, a tour of the Contemporary Art Museum, an Ice Cream Social at the campaign for Regional Officer positions at JCCC. She told of the opportunity to participate in Kappa Klatch, readings of prose & poetry. There will also be a dance at the Doubletree.
Fran explained to new members that all expenses will be paid by Kappa Psi to this and the other three conventions held in Kansas every year. This is why we do some of our fundraisers. She also gave an overview of what kind of training and other experiences they could expect at Regional Conventions.
Kansas Relief Fund: Fran explained this voluntary Regional project to assist Kansas members that become disaster victims. Regional sugggested: pledge $1 per new member in 2008, donate $25, or donate $1 per new member in 2007. We had only 27 new members in all of 2007. Juliann suggested last week that Kappa Psi should donate at least $50 for 2007 and 2008. After more discussion we decided to donate $50 at this time and pledge to add $1.00 for every new member in 2008.
Fundraising reports:
Fran said she owes more promised donations of $5 for each knitted item sold. She had already donated ($40 on 11/19/07, $50 on 12/14/07 & $65 on 1/15/08) = $155 and needs to add $65 more for a total donation of $220.00 for the 44 items sold. This is enough to pay her way to the Regional Convention this year.
Gourmet Lollypops – We sell them for 50 cents each and make 25 cents on each one sold. Venus, Juliann, April and Brandon checked out bags of lollypops. Each bag holds 3 dozen and sells for $18.00. They ell themselves as you carry them in the clear bag. Everyone can participate in this since you do it on your own time. There are posters prepared to put up around campus to help promote it. Mr. Pfeifer will contact Dean Lyons to find out if we can sell them at a home game and report back next week.
Raffle fundraiser: Juliann suggested last week that we do it for the American Cancer Society similar to last March. We will need to collect donated items, advertise, and distribute cancer flyers with each donation received.
Projects for 2008: Fran passed out project planning forms and asked everyone present to come up with an idea to present next time. Could be something to do with Operation Green, the Honors Study Topic, or just for fun and fellowship with others.
Some possibilities suggested were:
PLANTING around the new memorial or new Science Annex building. Miguel will contact Barney Korblik, barneyk@dc3.edu, 227-9355 to find out what we can plant and where so that the grounds keepers will take care of what we decide to do. Juliann will contact nurseries to see what items can be planted early in the season, what they would recommend for our area, and how much it would cost.
SERVICE/ASSISTANCE: Finding someone that needs help either financially due to unexpected severe illness or accident, or physically – perhaps exterior painting, repairs or yard work that they are unable to do for themselves. Fran reminded the members that John Barlettano, Math Instructor just had a bad stroke and his family could probably use some help financially (gas to drive back and forth to Wichita to be with him for instance). Sources for information on those needing help could be churches, RSVP, or faculty and staff may know of someone.
Next Week: Meet Monday at 4:00 in Fine Arts 209. Come prepared with plans for 2008. Refreshments will be served.