Chapter Awards, Part 1

I know that award winners were just announced earlier in the summer but it is never too early to start thinking about nominating your chapter for awards. The next award winners will be announced at Convention in front of the whole convention body and we would love to see Region 6 represented. You can't win an award without sending in an application and nomination letter. Many chapters use LNC or have an awards committee to fill out the applications. Awards will be due to the Regional Team on March 1st and will cover the 2010 calendar year-so your office term. Make sure you leave your chapter with some lasting programs that they will be happy to write about!
I wanted to give you a little glimpse into what goes into an award applications. I will be taking the regional winners of the Programming Awards and giving you a snippet of why they won. Hopefully, their thoughts and ideas will help you brainstorm ways to help your chapter!

Excellence in Academic Mentoring: AR Alpha
-Recognizes creative and innovative ways the chapter assists and rewards members who need academic support. The programming should be consistent and show a long-range approach for mentoring those members needing assistance. This is for mentoring
(how you help members who need assistance with academics) not rewarding of academic excellence.
Here is a small except from their nomination letter
"Members on academic probation are also required to have slips signed by their professors, which acknowledges that they have been attending and participating in class regularly. This also establishes a relationship with the teacher, which makes the class more enjoyable for the student. Girls on academic probation are encouraged to use extra help centers on campus, and will gain double hours for using centers such as the Enhanced Learning Center and Quality Writing Center."

Excellence in Community Service: MS Beta
-Recognizes chapter dedication to philanthropic service to others through chapter-wide participation and ongoing integration of service into the chapter’s culture.

MS Beta's nomination
"The largest non Pi Phi sponsored event that Mississippi Beta rocked for service work is the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life sponsored by the University. For the past two years, and soon to be the third, Pi Phi has been the leader of Greek life in support of this event, raising the most money and winning the coveted “Team Spirit Award”. The girls have been all over the town, coordinating and participating in each and every service opportunity available. Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi have also recognized and thank Pi Phi for all their support."

Excellence in Appreciation of Pi Phi Values: OK Beta
-Recognizes chapters that have integrated the Fraternity’s core values into chapter life to the extent that all members know the
values; they are the core of member retention and satisfaction, and they guide goals and decision making. This is about who your
chapter is as a result of appreciating our values, not about what programming has been done

OK Beta's nomination
"Last year, Oklahoma Beta was proud to celebrate 90 years. Our chapter hosted a birthday celebration. Many alumnae of all ages came back, and members were able to meet and mingle with the alumnae. I think that truly exhibits Pi Phi’s ability to instill lifelong commitment in members. The alumnae were elated to visit their chapter and alma mater, and our members really enjoyed welcoming them back."

Stayed tuned tomorrow for more awards...