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Phi Theta Kappa

Welcome to the Pi Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Clatsop Community College's chapter of this National Honor Society for 2-year Colleges!

Advisor: Deac Guidi

Advisor: Celeste Petersen

For more information email: PTK@clatsopcc.edu

"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence."
 
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold: 1) recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, and 2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.
 
The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin, Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, is the only charter college with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
 
For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women's junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.
 
In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa's chief executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.
 
In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and services were offered. The explosive growth of community colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served. Students were inducted as freshmen and study programs were offered.

Examples of past Pi Phi Chapter Officer Responsibilities

  • Prepare meeting agendas and lead meetings (both officer and member meetings)
  • Appoint and establish necessary committees
  • Vote only in the case of a tie
  • Develop yearly goals for the chapter with help from officers and advisors
  • Oversee chapter projects
  • Report chapter projects on PTK website
  • Report successive officers to headquarters (PTK website)

  • Oversee all Honors Study Topic activities
  • Coordinate the chapter’s participation in Honors Seminars
  • Encourage and recognize academic excellence
  • Coordinate the preparation of the Scholarship Hallmark Award entry
  • Coordinate the taking of photographs at all chapter events/projects

  • Direct the chapter in the use of parliamentary procedure for meetings
  • Oversee all leadership activities
  • Encourage the development of leadership skills
  • Coordinate the preparation of the Leadership Hallmark Award entry
  • Promote the chapter at all levels of the Society (i.e. campaign for the chapter to increase membership)

 

  • Oversee all International Service Program activities
  • Develop activities that promote volunteerism and community service (off campus activities)
  • Coordinate the preparation of the Service Hallmark Award entry
  • Write and submit articles to campus and community newspapers (i.e. press releases)
  • Develop flyers and other publications to promote chapter events/projects

 

 

  • Encourage scholarly fellowship at all levels of the Society
  • Coordinate the preparation of the Pinnacle Scholarship Award program
  • Oversee the development and updates to the chapter social media webpages
  • Develop activities that promote college service (on campus activities)
  • Develop fundraising activities that support and promote the chapter

  • Take, present, and send out minutes of each office and member meetings
  • Maintain chapter calendar of events/projects
  • Maintain a record of chapter events/projects (i.e. collect photos, flyers, and newspaper articles for the chapter record book)
  • Compile and update contact information of chapter members

  • Open and/or maintain a financial account for the chapter
  • Receive and deposit all money collected from fundraising events/projects
  • Keep a set of financial records to be audited and notarized (if needed) at the end of term
  • Present the chapter’s financial records at officer and member meetings
  • File all financial records in the chapter’s official files at the

It is the policy of Clatsop Community College that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, gender, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Questions or complaints should be directed to Leslie Hall, Affirmative Action/Gender Equity (Title IX) Officer in the Towler Hall, Suite 110, 503-338-2450; TDD 503-338-2468. The Title II/Section 504 Coordinator, Lisa Deneen, is located in the Towler Hall Room 312, 503-338-2474.