Page 1 of 15 ACTIVITIES National Song...2 Calendar for Chapter Activities...3 Calendar for Coordinating with the National Office...4 Membership Drive...5 Membership Invitation - Sample Letter...6 Membership Benefits...7 Chapter Activities...8 Campus Activities...9 Fundraisers...10 Community Service...11 National Project: A Matter of Ethics...12
Psi Beta Handbook ACTIVITIES Page 2 of 15
CALENDAR FOR CHAPTER ACTIVITIES Psi Beta Handbook ACTIVITIES Page 3 of 15 Spring Summer Pre-fall Elect officers after spring induction ceremony Outgoing officers hand over notebooks and discuss duties with incoming officers New officers familiarize themselves with Psi Beta chapter office, files, materials, Web site www.psibeta.org and faculty advisor Officers study bylaws, handbook, notebooks; construct or update Web site Officers meet for leadership self-training Psi Beta retreat for all chapter members for fun, goal setting, and brainstorming Officers draft calendar of events with approval of advisor and tentatively schedule on the college activities calendar (Schedule officer meetings to prepare agendas for regular meetings and to plan and evaluate all activities. Regular monthly membership meetings, field trips, conferences, induction ceremonies, community service projects, graduations, social events.) Officers draft a budget First regular business meeting Membership approves calendar of events and budget Assign committee members Treasurer collects chapter dues Officers finalize Psi Beta schedule on the college activities calendar Officers submit budget requests to college according to school policy Fall December February Spring Membership drive (Members register ONLINE with Invitation Code) Participate as a chapter in school orientation Induction ceremony Programs, field trips and regular meetings Ask members to update addresses online at www.member.psibeta.org Elect chapter officers for vacancies for second semester Community service project Social function Honor Psi Beta graduates Members update addresses at members.psibeta.org Vote in national elections Contact regional vice-president about the regional meeting Membership drive (Members register ONLINE with Invitation Code) Induction ceremony Elect chapter officers End-of-year social function Honor Psi Beta graduates Prepare award competition submissions
Page 4 of 15 CALENDAR FOR COORDINATING WITH THE NATIONAL OFFICE August Email psibeta@psibeta.org with new advisor/contact information or submit Advisor Update electronically on www.psibeta.org September Advisor look for CD in the mail to print updated forms and handbook inserts or go to www.psibeta.org.(discard outdated Psi Beta forms and handbook inserts.) Order banner, medallions, ribbons, shirts, etc. for Psi Beta functions Mail or email Activities Report and photographs (jpg format) for fall newsletter Fall December January February March Spring May 15 June 1 June 30 July August Request college check for supplies and new members (may use credit card) Advisor open fall induction ONLINE. Watch for fall newsletters at home addresses Order honor cords, medallions, stoles, tassels and diploma seals for graduates Mail or email Activities Report and photographs for winter newsletter Nominate and vote in national elections Watch for letters from vice-presidents Check News Updates online Mail or email Activities Report and photographs for spring newsletter DP 2kB applications ONLINE Order ONLINE any needed items for induction ceremony Request college check for new members and supplies (may use credit card) Advisor open spring induction ONLINE Prepare award submissions Watch for spring newsletters at home address Order honor cords, medallions, stoles, tassels and seals for graduates Order certificates of appreciation for faculty advisor and officers Deadline for Allyn & Bacon research papers to be received electronically Deadline for Community Service Award, Faculty Advisor Award, Outstanding Chapter Award and College Life Award submissions to be received File Annual Chapter Checklist Download and copy or purchase additional handbooks for new chapter officers End of fiscal and academic year for Psi Beta Send national office suggestions for the annual business meeting agenda Finalize arrangements to attend APA convention Psi Beta National Council annual business meeting at APA convention (Psi Beta members are invited to attend) DP 2kB Summer Institute and award presentations at the APA convention
Page 5 of 15 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Publicize by inviting psychology students to a Psi Beta function (very effective if promote free food available); holding membership information meeting for all interested students (display around campus a Show of Interest sign); notices about membership criteria and benefits in the college paper; word of mouth to classes and through current members, including the encouragement of ethnic minority students; wearing Psi Beta tee-shirts, sweatshirts, ribbons, buttons, jewelry; bulletin boards, sandwich boards in Student Centers, posters and fliers for registration and Club Day; listing Psi Beta in department catalog and syllabi for psychology classes; sending memos to professors to announce Psi Beta in classes; seeking permission for Psi Beta members to announce and distribute flyers in classes; posting sign-up sheets for Show of Interest on Psi Beta and Psychology Department bulletin boards; creating Power Point or a videotape of chapter activities for presentations at orientation or Show of Interest meetings; constructing Psi Beta chapter Web site linked to the college, psychology department and www.psibeta.org sites;. wearing Psi Beta honor cords, medallions, stoles and/or tassels during graduation ceremony. Candidates for Membership Find names of students who are eligible for membership through the college registrar's office, using a computer printout. Advisor OPEN induction online at advisor.psibeta.org and remember Induction Code. Candidates who are confirmed as academically qualified are then recommended by the faculty advisor to the chapter. The chapter sets standards for evaluating the candidates' interest in psychology and high standards of behavior and integrity. To be accepted for membership candidates must be approved for membership by a 75% affirmative vote of the general membership voting or the faculty advisor. Invitation Send a written invitation for membership to approved candidates. Include the Induction Code and deadline to register online and to submit $50 registration fee to advisor. (See page Activities-6 for sample.) Include a flyer purchased from Psi Beta or brochure about Psi Beta (download Membership Brochure in Online Forms at www.psibeta.org or find on CD) to all eligible students. Include the Induction Code and deadline to apply ONLINE at member.psibeta.org. Invite them to attend an information meeting. Registration Advisor CLOSE the induction online at advisor.psibeta.org. Certificates are processed and shipped after induction is closed. To add new members after the induction is closed, the advisor should open a new induction online. For technical assistance call toll-free 888.PSI-BETA Extension 702 Membership fee of $50, which includes a Psi Beta jewelry pin, is collected for each new member and placed in the college or chapter account for Psi Beta, unless the college pays the fees. Many chapters collect chapter dues at this time, also.
Page 6 of 15 Print and save list of new members, date registered and induction date. Submit college Purchase Order number for registration fees or use credit card. Mail the check and registration form or list of new members to the Psi Beta Distribution Center. OR VIA MAIL Mail to the Psi Beta Distribution Center two weeks prior to induction ceremony: one check from the chapter or college to pay for all the membership fees, the top half of the registration cards, and a completed registration form. Keep a copy of the registration form and bottom half of registration cards for chapter records. Purchase Orders are not accepted for mailed registrations. The national office sends membership cards, membership certificates and pins to the chapter advisor to present to the new members during the induction ceremony Check for list of new members online in the News Updates and in the next Psi Beta Newsletter to verify that the memberships were correctly registered at the national office. SAMPLE LETTER OFFERING MEMBERSHIP TO CANDIDATE CERTIFIED AND APPROVED BY CHAPTER Dear : In recognition of your outstanding scholastic record and demonstrated interest in psychology, the (name of college) Psi Beta Chapter invites you to register for membership in Psi Beta, the National Honor Society in Psychology for Community and Junior Colleges. Enclosed is a brochure (Brochure is available online at www.psibeta.org or flyer can be purchased.) describing the purpose and benefits of Psi Beta. We look forward to having you join our chapter, which offers educational opportunities and involvement in social and service activities, along with scholarly recognition. The induction ceremony will take place on (date). Family and friends are may attend. Please contact (advisor) or (chapter president) (or offer meeting date, time, place) to learn more about the benefits and your commitment to participate in Psi Beta programs and events as a member of Psi Beta. We will acknowledge your acceptance of this invitation when you register online at www.member.psibeta.org, using Invitation Code ### and pay the $50 lifetime membership fee (Omit if chapter pays fee.) by the deadline of (date). You may present a check or money order to (name of college) Psi Beta Chapter or pay cash for the fee. Please return both to (name and address) by (date). At the induction ceremony (date and place) you will receive a membership certificate, membership card and Psi Beta pin. When you become an active member of the (name of college) Psi Beta Chapter, you will receive the national Psi Beta Newsletter at your home address for 18 months. We congratulate you on your academic achievements and look forward to your acceptance of this invitation to lifetime membership in Psi Beta. Optional: You may order online a Psi Beta honor cord, medallion, stole or tassel (or whatever your chapter chooses to wear) to wear during the induction ceremony and/or graduation. [Wording of letter can be changed to offer a potential candidate an application to apply for certification, approval and membership.]
Page 7 of 15 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Tangible assets include a membership certificate, card and pin. National recognition for outstanding academic performance by an organization meeting the high standards of the Association of College Honor Societies. (Visit www.natlachs.org.) Permanent record of achievement, which will be beneficial on applications and resumes, preserved in the Archives of the History of American Psychology. Leadership development. Additional educational opportunities and activities. Community service involvement. One-on-one relationships with professors who can stimulate interest in psychology, write letters of recommendation and open doors for you. Socializing with other students with common interests. Opportunity to be of service to the community, college and department sponsoring Psi Beta. A forum for obtaining information about, and perspective in, the field of psychology and opportunities available to students. Rewarding a sense of fulfillment. A community with the larger field of psychology, including meeting outstanding professionals in psychology. Receipt of the Psi Beta Newsletter from the chapter for 18 months. Membership for life. Opportunity to participate in regional and national psychological association conventions. Opportunity to compete for monetary awards and national recognition. Opportunity to be mentored by a member of the psychology community. Eligible for student affiliate membership in the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS). Membership meets one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in numerous occupations in the Federal service.
Page 8 of 15 CHAPTER ACTIVITIES Chapters can glean specific ideas for programs from the Chapter Activities reported in all issues of the Psi Beta Newsletter. Alumni chapters are a wonderful source for organizing, publicizing, and implementing chapter activities including induction ceremonies. CHAPTER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Occasionally invite psychology faculty members, candidates for Psi Beta membership and/or Psi Beta alumni, as guests. Chapter retreat Induction banquet, reception, breakfast or luncheon Pizza party Dining out, picnic Christmas social and/or caroling Dinner or potluck supper for potential members Reception for potential members and faculty Party for retiring advisor or other faculty member Socials with faculty members Get-acquainted socials Trivial pursuit games in psychology Hike, camping trip End-of-the-year party CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES These activities are designed to fulfill Psi Beta's mission to promote scholarship, leadership and research. Hold leadership training retreat for officers Sponsor speakers or panels on diverse careers in psychology Attend leadership conferences Have joint meeting with a nearby Psi Beta chapter or Psi Chi chapter Visit psychology departments at senior colleges and universities or invite speakers to tell you about them Attend state, regional or national psychological association conventions Initiate teaching apprenticeships for members Invite faculty members to share educational and professional experiences with chapter members Award scholarship or an award for highest scholastic achievement to a Psi Beta member Publish chapter newsletter Organize field trips Sponsor discussions, symposiums, or workshops on job opportunities, or on senior college and university admission procedures Present a chapter poster at a regional psychology meeting Establish a mentor program for Psi Beta members Let students present research papers or posters at a Psi Beta chapter meeting Have students present research papers at psychology regional meeting Sponsor a $50 national membership grant for an exceptional Psi Beta candidate in financial need
Page 9 of 15 CAMPUS ACTIVITIES CAMPUS SOCIAL/PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Enter campus competitions: scrapbook, best club, homecoming queen or king Participate in school fairs, orientation Survey student body; e.g., interests in psychology Sponsor scholarship fundraiser Sponsor Faculty Appreciation Day or Week Serve as a tour guide for visitors to campus Invite members of another honor society on campus to collaborate with Psi Beta members on a social activity or community service project Invite high school psychology classes to attend a Psi Beta psychology program CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Invite other college students, high school classes, and other local Psi Beta or Psi Chi chapters to attend. Some of these events may serve as fundraisers, also. Sponsor psychology awareness week anxiety workshops films reknowned speakers study skills workshops mini-conference with student presentations Sponsor a Psychology Career Day or Mini-Conference Sponsor symposiums, panels, lectures source for speakers: faculty members faculty from nearby four-year colleges local mental health organizations, hospitals, private practice, and businesses Sponsor psychodrama skits with audience participation Sponsor a mini-course program Sponsor film and speaker series Sponsor leadership course Sponsor radio show Sponsor a College Bowl Hold Coffee House discussion groups on psychology Establish a Psychology Resource Center or library on campus Serve as researchers on a grant-funded study Work with Student Government Association to establish an Honors Council (governing body of all honor societies on campus)
Page 10 of 15 FUNDRAISERS Fundraising projects are especially successful when they involve the entire campus or at least are held in conjunction with campus-wide events. Remember, students like to eat. For publicity use a catchy theme. You may wish to link your fundraiser with another club's fundraiser to share cost and time. Bake sale Car wash Sell candy Death by Chocolate, Chocoholics Anonymous Sell Valentine s Day flowers, Christmas tree ornaments Used textbook store Garage sale 1 mile, 4 mile, 10K runs Rat races at campus fairs with rats named after professors School competitions with monetary awards Raffle ( or call them Donation Drawings) items donated by merchants Raffle a prime reserved parking place each semester Booths at fairs holiday crafts popcorn machine, snowcones, pizza ESP testing handwriting analysis biorhythm charts color analysis customized celluloid buttons Thanksgiving raffle for stuffiest person with the winner receiving a donated turkey Sell unique tee-shirts or sweatshirts Sell refreshments during a college event, i.e. intermission at theatre Visit elderly with sponsors paying an hourly rate Golf tournament Charge admission for lecture series or mini-convention Submit a unique chapter community service project for the $100 Community Service Award. Submit a your chapter for the $300 Outstanding Psi Beta Chapter Award.
Page 11 of 15 COMMUNITY SERVICE Volunteering for community service is encouraged to build self-esteem and an appreciation of one's own opportunities. Students should be realistic, however, about their time, energy and resources available for fulfilling commitments. Below are numerous suggestions that require a variety of levels of commitment. Sponsor seminars on abuse, addiction, stress Adopt-a-highway Special Olympics Red Cross Blood Drive Habitat for Humanity Heart Association Dance-a-thon 10K run for donations for family services, etc. Televised fundraiser participation Big Sister/Brother Little Sister/Brother Gather data for local agencies Volunteer in or adopt a local mental health institution, nursing home, hospital ward, facility for the retarded, or children s home Give monetary or clothing donations to shelters for homeless or abused Deliver food to the homeless Sponsor Depression Screening Day Sponsor AIDS Awareness programs Organize tutoring service for an elementary school Offer tutoring hotline on campus before exams Establish a shelter for abused women and children Develop an original, much-needed, community project that involves chapter members' interest, enthusiasm and volunteer services Heather's Teddy Bears (See Guides for information on this project) Hold a fundraiser to fund equipment or supplies for a non-profit organization Trick or treat in costume for canned goods for a Food Pantry with advance advertising Guest speakers with handouts on health or behavior for community guests Construct a web page for a non-profit organization
Page 12 of 15 ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE HONOR SOCIETIES (ACHS) NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT 2004-2007 A MATTER OF ETHICS RATIONALE ACHS is proposing the creation of a national project as one way to achieve a longstanding goal of the organization: to increase the visibility of both ACHS and its member societies in the higher education community. Given the limited financial resources of ACHS, the sponsorship of a national project offers an economical but potentially powerful means of uniting member societies in a common program and providing opportunities for collaboration among ACHS member societies on individual campuses. This initial topic of ethics obviously crosses all academic lines, allowing societies the freedom to promote the project as they see fit. As the membership of ACHS is composed of member societies, participation in the national project would be voluntary and would vary by honor society discipline, chapter, and size. Member societies would report activities to the ACHS Executive Director who would serve as a resource and overseer of the national project on ethics. OBJECTIVES 1. To commit to a leadership role in increasing college and community awareness of the various facets of ethics by investigating it via multidimensional avenues. 2. To provide opportunities for quality dialogue between colleges and their respective communities about ethical issues. 3. To promote, encourage, and strengthen commitment to ethical behaviors at all levels: individually and collectively within the academic community. 4. To serve as role models of ethical behavior for members of the academic community. 5. To train and develop college leaders in the art and practice of making ethical decisions. 6. To provide the college community guidelines for resolving ethical dilemmas. 7. To increase the knowledge, appreciation, and value of professional codes of ethics in various college disciplines. LENGTH OF PROJECT: An initial commitment of three years with the possibility of extending the project. SAMPLE PROJECTS/PROGRAMS developed by Dr. Sharon Burson of Psi Beta; Temple College Telephone: 254-298-8357 e-mail: sharon.burson@templejc.edu)
2004-05 Psi Beta Handbook Activities Page 1 of 15 1. Chapters of ACHS member society could sponsor a public forum on Ethics. Use panel format composed of prominent community leaders (e.g., business, industry, education, clergy, etc.). 2. ACHS member society chapters could develop a Speakers Bureau of community leaders who will serve as guest lecturers for individual classes. Publicize the list and distribute throughout the academic community. 3. ACHS member society selects a film that depicts ethical and/or unethical behavior. Advertise free film, provide childcare, popcorn, etc. Following film, divide attendees into small groups and provide discussion questions about the ethics portrayed in the film. Honor Society members, sponsors, and interested faculty serve as facilitators of groups. 4. Chapters of ACHS member societies could sponsor a campus wide forum on Ethics. Various disciplines inform attendees about their respective professional code of ethics (e.g., nursing, psychology, business, etc.). 5. Chapters of ACHS member societies could sponsor a Commitment to Ethics Day/Week on campus. Secure administrative support for all disciplines to devote all or partial class period to discussing ethics. Examples: philosophy class holds debate on ethical choices, psychology classes discuss behavioral aspects of ethical choices, history classes role play key historical figures who showed moral and ethical courage, drama classes select film (e.g., Man for All Seasons, Chariots of Fire) depicting ethical dilemmas, government classes identify examples of ethical and unethical political figures. 6. ACHS member societies could develop and provide a directory of web sites addressing ethical issues. 7. ACHS member societies sponsor a panel, forum, or guest speaker emphasizing the ethical conduct of scholarly research. 8. ACHS member societies cooperate and interface with Student Government Organization to sponsor Ethical Awareness Activities. Spearhead the adoption of an honor code for all student organizations on campus. 9. An honor society could locate a reformed violator of an ethical conduct who is willing to give their testimony. Provides a forum for this individual to perform a community service. Possible find this individual through a probation program. If not feasible, invite local law enforcement officials, probation officers, lawyers, etc to share their perceptions. 10. Chapters of ACHS member societies could sponsor an Ethics Hotline for campus inquiries. 11. Chapters of ACHS member societies could spearhead effort for all campus organizations to develop and/or post their code of ethics on selected web pages. 12. Honor Society develops, distributes, and analyzes a questionnaire identifying ethical issues, concerns, and solutions to faculty. Publishes results in school newspaper. 13. Honor Society identifies a local business, professional, individual, industry, etc. that is recognized in the community for outstanding ethical behavior. Presents recognition (i.e. certificate) in an awards ceremony, at an induction ceremony, or banquet. Establish as an annual event. Provide newspaper publicity. 14. ACHS member societies arrange to purchase inexpensive T-Shirts with catchy phrase touting ethical behaviors. At a predetermined date, all members Revised 8/2004
2004-05 Psi Beta Handbook Activities Page 2 of 15 wear T-Shirts to classes. 15. Honor Society sponsors essay contest on Ethics. Recognize winner at awards program, campus newspaper, local newspaper, and professional society newsletter. If funds are available, provide scholarship for winner. 16. Chapters of ACHS member societies could sponsor booth at Freshman Orientation programs that provide guidelines for ethical behavior on the campus and in the classroom. 17. ACHS Member Societies could sponsor a forum during their national convention on ethics and ways to promote ethical conduct. 18. ACHS Member Societies could publish an article on ethics in the national magazine or newsletter. 19. ACHS could provide links to web sites of other organizations that promote ethical conduct (see samples for collaboration below) 20. ACHS member society could include resource on ethical conduct and sample programming ideas to promote ethics in chapter fall mailing. 21. Elementary grades. Honor Society members develop a play (e.g., puppets) illustrating ethical behavior. Provide for elementary schools in community. 22. ACHS member societies could sponsor poster contest depicting an ethical concern for elementary children. 23. Select several grade appropriate books that illustrate and emphasize ethical behavior for elementary age children. Volunteer as readers in the classrooms and/or school library. 24. Honor Society sponsors poster contest depicting an ethical concern for elementary school children. Follow up with certificates, plaque, newspaper recognition, etc. 25. Middle school. Honor Society develops an Is It Cheating? checklist. Make liberal use of case studies to illustrate both ethical and unethical behaviors. Distribute to teachers or volunteer to lead a class discussion. 26. High school. Honor Society invites members of high school honor societies to roundtable discussion on ethical vs. unethical behaviors. Topics could include plagiarism, ethical vs. unethical use of net as a resource, etc RESOURCES: OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NATIONAL GROUPS Center for Academic Integrity - Duke - (www.academicintegrity.org). The Center has a number of web resources that could be useful. ACHS is already a supporting member of the Center. Several of the ACHS member societies (e.g., ODK, ALD) have joined the Center for Academic Integrity. Institute for College Values - www.collegevalues.org Indiana University=s Student Ethics Office - campuslife.indiana.edu/ethics/ The Institute for Business, Technology, and Ethics - www.ethix.org The Institute for Global Ethics www.globalethics.org Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science - www.onlineethics.org Intersection of Ethics and the Law - wwwjegalethics.com Business Ethics - www.business-ethics.com Ethics Resource Center - www.ethics.org United States Office of Government Ethics - www.usoge.gov Maurice Young Center for Applied Ethics - FWW.ethics.ubc.ca/resources Revised 8/2004
2004-05 Psi Beta Handbook Activities Page 3 of 15 OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSITY: Each honor society could develop its own emphasis. on this topic. For example, Sigma Tau Delta - English - plagiarism Kappa Delta Pi - Education - citizenship Business honor societies - ethical conduct in business relations EXAMPLES OF HONOR SOCIETY EFFORTS The Spring 2003 Phi Kappa Phi Forum deals with Professional Ethics. Mike Wolfe of Kappa Delta Pi - Civic Education. The Delta Mu Delta Vision (Winter 2003) featured articles on Promoting Integrity in Business Decision Making. The Sigma Beta Delta Aspirations (Fall 2002) featured an article, Questions of Ethics. Alpha Chi's journal the Recorder (Vol. 46, No.3) has two articles on ethics. One, detailing a campus conflict that made its way into the national press, including the Chronicle of Higher Ed, has a neat angle on how honor society students were instrumental in the resignation of a college president who had altered a student athlete's grade. RECOGNITON Member societies will be given recognition on the ACHS Web site. A supplement to the Annual Report will include a description of the program to publicize this ACHS National Project and the participation of members. ENDORSEMENT - The ACHS Board of Directors approved the development of this proposal by Dennis Organ and Glenda Earwood. ACHS member societies adopted this three-year national project at the 2005 Annual Meeting. Revised 8/2004