Nevada California Region

Nevada-California Region
Chapters United - 2011
Chapter's United is a regional project that promotes the cooperation, friendship, and work ethic for Nevada/California Regional Chapters.  The object of Chapter's United is to find other chapters in the region to work with, and therefore, spread the wealth of information!  Projects can be over the internet, mail, on the phone, or in person.  What a great way to get to know people from other chapters, and work on a worthwhile project at the same time!  There must be a minimum of 2 chapters working together and a write up sent to the Regional Board Member in charge of that project (see above).  An example of this cooperation is the Christmas Card Collection by the Alpha Xi Beta Chapter of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.  They wanted to collect Christmas Cards for wounded soldiers at Balboa Naval Medical Center.  They sent out a request for cards, and received many cards from other chapters.  It can be as simple as that, or as complex as travelling to another chapter to work on a project.  Get your thinking caps on, and let’s get our Chapter's United!! Project Coodinator: Neda Mosafaei (nedamosafaei@yahoo.com)

Make A Difference Day - 2011 Project

Make A Difference Day is an annual day of community service, held on the fourth Saturday of October every year.  Projects usually occur on the day, however it is also common for a project to span several days or even occur on a near date.  All chapters are encouraged to participate in Make A Difference Day, even at a small level.  Possible projects might inlcude clean ups, food drives, yard work, etc.  Please report all of your activities to  Project Coordinator:   Justin Margolis (tri.my.lyfe@gmail.com) and Shara Hinden (sharahinden@yahoo.com)

Peace by Piece - 2011 Project

Peace by Piece is a student project created originally by the former president of the Beta Mu Zeta Chapter at Sierra College that would ask chapters of Phi Theta Kappa to create a peace banner showcasing the chapter's vision of an ideal and peaceful world. This could be expressed in any form, such as art, poetry, or photos to name a few. It can be as simple as one drawing of a symbol on a piece of cloth or as complex as creating a peace banner in the form of a collage by stitching different pieces of cloth with different symbols of peace illustrated by students. On the reverse side of the banner would be the name of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter and a description of what they created. In this description, a chapter can describe what an ideal, peaceful world is and how the peace banner serves as a symbol to the chapter and its students.To expand the awareness of each chapter’s peace message and therefore addressing even more directly the current Honors Study Topic, “The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise,” members of the Beta Mu Zeta chapter in 2010 incorporated and utilized  the popular media, YouTube for this project. We interviewed individuals on our campus (and around California) about what the definition of peace is to each of them (in 35 seconds or less.) Music was added to the compilation of videos and published on YouTube. Not only do the YouTube videos democratize what we, Phi Theta Kappa members and community college students try to spread, the videos also serve to give a voice and a face to the diverse symbols students have attached to the chapter's peace banner.  Peace by Piece will help us to better understand the complex and diverse world that we live in by taking into account the perspective of others which will enable us to work as one toward the betterment of our communities, societies, and ultimately, the world. It will also help us live our potential by motivating us to make use of our unique talents and encourage us to come together as people. To view the Beta Mu Zeta Chapter’s Peace by Piece videos, please visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIgqMm122Fc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epxn44w71KI

Project Coordinator:  Rex Lindeman (rexlinderman@yahoo.com)

2012 Nevada California Region Projects

Phi Theta Kappa

Presented by the 2011-12 Regional Board:

President Houman Akbari

Secretary Shauna Kearns

Nevada District Vice President Shara Hinden

Northwest District Vice President Arvind Ravichandran

Northeast District Vice President Justin Margolis

Southwest District Vice President Neda Mosafaei

Southeast District Vice President Rex Lindeman

Introduction

Each year, the regional board is tasked with creating projects that showcase both the hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa and the exceptional qualities of the region. For 2012, we have opted to keep some previous projects, and to adopt some new interesting projects that will offer every chapter the opportunity for scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. These projects cover everything from voting to Phi Theta Kappa hallmarks to the solutions for funding your education. They are designed to provide ample choice and creativity to every chapter in our incredible region while staying within the guidelines of what it means to be a chapter in this region and this honor society. We thank you for your effort, ingenuity and continued success with the projects and wish you great achievement in the future.

 Note:

1)   There are five categories of regional projects; for a chapter to be eligible for the Region’s Most Outstanding Chapter, the chapter must complete at least two regional projects.

2)   Category V has 4 options  A-D ; a chapter need complete only one of those options as a regional project.  Completing two of those options [in category V] does not satisfy the requirement of completing ‘at least two projects’.

  I Chapters United:

A Fresh Perspective

            A highly successful project returns for the 2012 regional projects. This project promotes cooperation, friendship, and work ethic of the Nevada California chapters. The object of Chapters United is to seek out and actively work with other chapters in the region, therefore spreading a wealth of information. It is an opportunity to get to know members while concurrently working on a meaningful project. It is highly encouraged to take the opportunity to inspire chapters in your district and beyond that may be having some difficulty and may not have been active in the past.

To be successful with this project:

• There must be a minimum of two (2) chapters working together
• There must be clear communication (emails, in person, teleconferences, etc.) between the chapters
• Send all documentation to SE District Vice President Rex Lindeman      rexlindeman@yahoo.com

 Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Wounded Warrior Project: Every year, the Wounded Warrior Project collects Christmas cards, decorations and gifts for the injured heroes being taken care of at Balboa Naval Medical Center and new this year, Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior barracks. Chapters may conduct drives to receive these items while also expanding it to set a day in which they personally deliver the cards and gifts and decorate the floors with the decorations. If you do not have a military base in your vicinity, feel free to perhaps visit a pediatrics or oncology ward or local soup kitchen.
• Get your local chapters together and participate in an already established activity such as “Hands Across California” sponsored by an outside organization
• Perhaps you have a chapter project normally do on campus that would be incredibly helpful to other campuses in the area. Invite other chapter’s to help you revise and reanimate the project while expanding it to their chapter and sharing the information.

  II Make A Difference Day:

One Day a Year to Lend a Hand

            Make A Difference Day is an annual day of community service, held on the fourth Saturday of October. Projects usually occur on that day; however, it is also common for a project to span several days or even occur on a near date. All chapters are encouraged to participate as not only is it an amazing day of service, but also of fellowship. As what can be done is open to each chapter’s prerogative, the day can be whatever your member’s make of it.

To be successful with this project:

 Must document the who, what, where, when and how of the event

• Send all documentation to NV District Vice President Shara Hinden      sharahinden@yahoo.com
• Be creative and aware of what your community needs

 Some possible differences your chapter can make:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Food drive- collect food on campus and through the local community and deliver it to a shelter that day. Then, stay to help out.
• Help clean a state park
• Raise funds to build a new playground for children
• Take part in a shore cleanup day, whether it’s along the ocean, a local river, lake, creek, or pond

  III Get Out the Vote:

Educate and Motivate

            2012 is an election year and it is important for each one of us to take part. With all of the candidates, issues, and possibilities, muddling through it all can be difficult. With the intention of increasing voter participation, this project is aimed to provide the opportunity to help people register to vote, provide unbiased information on the issues, and dispense as much knowledge as possible for each of the candidates. This can increase the voter base and assist voters in making informed decisions.

To be successful with this project:

 Must document the who, what, where, when and how of the event

• Send all documentation to NW District Vice President Arvind Ravichandran            ravichandran.arvindr@gmail.com
• Be creative

 Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Within the timeline to register, hold a “Registration Day” to help students on your campus and in the community become registered voters
• Volunteer at a local designated voting area
• Collect information on the candidates and issues and distribute it to your student body
• Hold a mock election on campus
• Hold a student forum or debate on the issues pertinent to the election

  IV Scholarly Hallmarks:

International and Regional Projects Working Hand in Hand

            In the interest of promoting Phi Theta Kappa projects and programs, the Nevada California region would like to see the chapters encourage and promote their members to take part in the existing Phi Theta Kappa programs. This project will be a rotating annual project, each year seeing the adoption of one of the hallmarks. For 2012, we start with scholarship. Each project will of course visit each of the hallmarks but will be heavy in the specified hallmark of the year.

To be successful in this project:

• For 2012, the project will be scholarship heavy
• There should be deep and intensive research in the project to enhance it and its impact
• Judgment will be based upon the breadth of research done for this project
• A Phi Theta Kappa program will be the basis for the project
• Documentation will be provided to SW District Vice President Neda Mosafaei            NVCADistrictSWVP@hotmail.com

 Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Encourage members to take part in the Case Study Challenge
• Provide ample opportunity for members to help with the research for the HIA project
• Motivate members to increase their personal accomplishments in Competitive Edge
• Take part in the Leadership Development Status

 V Community Project:

Phi Theta Kappans Love Service

            We know Phi Theta Kappans like to get involved and help within their communities. The region would like to recognize the service that our members do to enrich their college and community. In the spirit of community service, we have provided multiple options for your chapters to choose from so you can cater to your community.

To be successful with these projects:

• Must document the who, what, where, when and how of the event
• Send all documentation to the appropriate board member found next to the title of the project
• Be creative

 A.  Give A Little *NE District Vice President Justin Margolis  tri.my.lyfe@gmail.com

            This project started with the idea that chapters could organize blood drives in their community and grew from there. With the hopes of bringing community organizations and the chapters together in working to inform, prepare, and motivate those in the community to be prepared no matter what the emergency may be, this project is aimed at helping both locally and abroad. By being prepared, if a disaster strikes, a family can begin to rebuild and get their lives back.

Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited by these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Plan a blood drive with the Red Cross
• Hold a class to help people become certified in First Aid
• Head an “emergency kit” drive in which you collect all things needed for an individual emergency and put them together
• Have speakers come from local agencies to help educate students about what to do if a disaster takes place
• Develop a pamphlet filled with useful phone numbers, information, checklists, and perhaps a place for individuals or families to develop their own disaster plan

 B.   Funding Education *Secretary Shauna Kearns      nvcargnsecshaunakearns@gmail.com

As we face the ever-rising costs of a college education, there are high school seniors and recent graduates who are doing the same. Help the students in your community not only understand how education is funded through the government, but also help them find the resources to pay for their education. The truth is that funding education is an investment in our future.

Some ideas to get your chapter started:

You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more than welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Conduct a financial seminar at both your college and local high schools
  • Raise awareness of budget cuts to education and promote student involvement through rallies, lectures, and hosting letter writing campaigns
  • Develop a pamphlet filled with information useful to high school and college students

 C.  Unity of Diversity *President Houman Akbari      houman.akbari@gmail.com

            All too often, society focuses on the diversity among people and defines it by differences. The Nevada California region would like to celebrate these beautiful differences in the hopes broadening perspectives, enhancing understanding, and endorsing respect among the many peoples of the world. We hope that through this project, chapters will engage and incorporate the rich and vast cultures into their lives and recognize that our diversity can bring society together.

Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Research a culture each month and present it at a meeting to include food, customs, language and the many other aspects of the culture
• Look into the accomplishments each culture has brought to modern day society
• Have a cultural forum for students to learn about many different cultures and ask questions
• Study a culture’s history
• Present a cultural production to a local high school
• Organize a cultural day on campus that focuses on culture’s not present on campus

 D.  Create Your Own *Secretary Shauna Kearns        nvcargnsecshaunakearns@gmail.com

            Don’t like any of these? Have an idea of your own? Do it! Are these projects not what you would like to see your chapter do? Then come up with your own or build on and improve a successful one that you have used in the past. We encourage you to be creative, have fun and use the knowledge of your chapter, college, and community to benefit. Good luck!

Some ideas to get your chapter started:

            You are not limited to these ideas by any means but they can perhaps be used to jumpstart the brainstorming process. On the same note, you are more welcome to use one if it fits your chapter.

• Conduct a fundraiser to support a local or worldwide organization

• Have a child’s book collection and give them to a local library, child care center, or woman’s shelter
• Contact the state and clean a section of local highway