Middle States Region Awards Program 2011
Middle States Region Hallmark Awards Categories
Chapter Hallmark Awards
The Hallmark Awards, based on competitively-judged applications, recognize individuals, chapters and regions for excellence in the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship as exemplified through Honors in Action activities. The annual competition is open to all active Phi Theta Kappa chapters.
Definition of Honors in Action:
Honors in Action projects incorporate each of Phi Theta Kappa’s four Hallmarks:
- Scholarship,
- Leadership,
- Service, and
- Fellowship.
Honors in Action projects require substantive investigation of issues related to the Society’s Honors Study Topic to provide direction and supporting evidence as members and chapters develop goals and activities. Based on that evidence, Honors in Action projects require taking the initiative and using or developing significant leadership abilities to make a positive difference through service.
Honors in Action Project Awards
Chapters may submit one entry which describes one in-depth Honors in Action Project based on an issue of the current Honors Study Topic. Up to 5 chapters will be awarded. Winning chapters will receive Registration Scholarship to International Convention in Nashville, TN. and a plaque.
College Project Awards
Chapters may submit one entry featuring their College Project, described in Level Three of the Five Star Chapter Development Program. The purpose of the College Project is to establish a supportive relationship between the chapter and the college administration. The chapter should meet with the college president (or other appropriate administrator) to determine the College Project, which can be anything that supports the college’s mission. Up to 5 chapters will be awarded. Winning chapters will receive Registration Scholarship to International Convention in Nashville, TN. and a plaque.
The Distinguished Chapter Award
To be considered for a Distinguished Chapter Award, a chapter must submit entries for both the Honors in Action Project and College Project Award. Selection of the Distinguished Chapters by the Middle States Region will be based on the written entries for these Hallmark Awards. The scores in each of the two Hallmark categories mentioned above will be averaged to determine a chapter's overall ranking. Individual award entries, such as Distinguished Chapter Officer, Distinguished Advisor, etc., are not taken into account for the purposes of this award. Chapters should not submit separate specific entries for the Distinguished Chapter Awards, since only the stated materials will be considered in the selection process.
As many as 3 chapters may be named Distinguished Chapters at the 25th Annual Middle States Regional Convention. Winning chapters will receive one registration to International Honors Institute or cash equivalent.
Middle States Region Hall of Honor/Distinguished Awards
Individual Awards
The Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Awards
A chapter advisor may nominate their entire chapter officer team for this award. The officers should demonstrate an exceptional atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities, promotion of Honors in Action and other engagement in the Society, and enthusiasm for the Society’s Hallmarks. One Chapter Officer team will be awarded. Winning chapter will receive $250.00 and plaque.
Middle States Region Hall of Honor Chapter Officer Awards
Hall of Honor Chapter Officers are selected based on the recipients' demonstration of leadership, involvement in chapter programs, friendship with fellow scholars, and enthusiasm for the Society's Hallmarks. Regional Officers are not eligible for this award during their year of tenure. Chapter presidents may be nominated for this award. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may not be nominated for this award. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 20 Chapter Officers may be named.
From the Hall of Honor Chapter Officers, up to 3 recipients will be named Middle States Region Distinguished Chapter Officers.
Hall of Honor Chapter Officers will receive a pin for their award. Distinguished Chapter Officers will receive a medallion.
Middle States Region Hall of Honor Member Awards
The Hall of Honor Members are selected based on a student's embodiment of the Hallmarks of the Society, emphasizing participation in Society programs. Members holding elected office at the chapter, regional, or international levels are ineligible for this award. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may be nominated for this award, if their leadership position is by appointment not election. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 20 Chapter Members may be named. From the Hall of Honor Chapter Members, up to 3 recipients will be named Middle States Region Distinguished Chapter Members.
Hall of Honor Chapter Members will receive a pin for their award. Distinguished Chapter Members will receive a medallion.
Advisor Awards
Middle States Region Paragon Awards for New Advisors
Paragon Awards will be presented to as many as 5 outstanding new advisors each year. Advisors with less than five years of service may be nominated for the Paragon Award. Years of service will be based upon the advisor's start date reported to Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters. Award-winning advisors are those who make significant contributions to the growth of the individual members, serve as the chapter's advocate on campus, and encourage the chapter to be involved on the local, regional and/or international level of the organization. An advisor may receive this award only once.
Middle States Region Distinguished Advisor Awards
The Middle States Region Distinguished Advisor Awards will be presented to as many as 5 outstanding advisors each year. The criteria are the same as the Paragon Award with the exception that advisors must have served at least five years or more to be nominated for this award. Years of service will be based upon the advisor's start date reported to Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters. And advisor may receive this award only once.
Continued Excellence Award for Advisors
The criteria are the same as the Paragon and Distinguished Advisor Award with the exception that advisors must have already received the Distinguished Advisor Award. Advisors are eligible for this award every other year.
Chapter Creative Awards
Chapter Cheer During Roll Call
Each year during the Roll Call of Chapters during the First General Session of Regional Convention, chapters state their presence by giving their Chapter cheer. Creativity is encouraged, props are NOT permitted. One chapter will be recognized as most spirited, two additional chapters will receive honorable mention.
Chapter Communications Award
Previously the Newsletter and Web site Awards, chapter can submit their chapter web site and or 1 copy of 2 editions of their chapter newsletter. Up to 3 Chapter Communications Awards may be given. Winners will receive $250.00 and a plaque
Regional Program: Constellation Completion Challenge
Chapters who successfully complete the 2011-12 Regional Program will be receive one free registration to the 2012 Officers Academy and a plaque.
For more information about the Constellation Completion Challenge, click here.
Regional Poster Session-Middle States Region Community College Completion Project
Poster Sessions are table-top displays that showcase chapters' work in implementing Commit to Community College Completion Projects.
The Poster Session displays for C4 Signing Projects should highlight the following:
* The collaborative goal-setting and planning with the college administration
* Teamwork among chapter leaders and members and advancement of leadership skills
* The scope of the project
* Outcomes and impact and their significance
The free-standing table-top displays should combine text and graphics to communicate the focus of the chapter's work in promoting a C4 College Project.
Up to three chapters may be winners; $250.00 and plaque
Special Awards
Regional Coordinator's Award
The Regional Coordinator's Award gives recognition to a College President, College Administrator, or an individual within the community who has demonstrated continued support of the people, programs and priorities of Phi Theta Kappa on the Chapter, Regional and International levels. Chapter advisors of the Middle States Region are encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation in word document addressed to Dr. Dan Houghtaling, Middle States Regional Coordinator that describe the contributions of their College President, College Administrator or community individual. Letters must be sent with the chapter's Hallmark Awards entries via email and received by January 26, 2011. The award is presented at the Middle States Regional Convention during the Hallmark Awards Gala. Recipient will receive a plaque.
