Scholarship Hallmark

Competitive EdgeGet a leg up on the competition for scholarships, transferring and your dream job. Your college classes are only part of your education. Soft skills - such as communication, professional etiquette, team building and critical thinking - are just as important and can give you an advantage over others. The Professional Development Plan includes instructional videos, an online portfolio, and instructions for creating a professional resume.

Honors in Action ResearchThe Honors In Action (HIA) Research Committee is in charge of conducting research that will support the Honors In Action Project.  Researchers will host a "How to conduct research" workshop for the chapter, study this year's Honor Study Topic, "The Democratization of Information; Power, Peril and Promise," the rubric for next semester's Hallmark essay, Phi Theta Kappa's four hallmarks as well as the five-star chapter requirements.

Honors Seminar SeriesThe Honors Seminar explores our Honor Study Topic: The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Power. Our International headquarters have found three different renowned speakers for the Series. We will be viewing a lecture with general discussion afterward. I recommend all Phi Theta Kappa members, friends, and family to attend for a better understanding of our Honor Study Topic.

Honors Study Topic Speaker ArrangementsThe Honors Study Topic Presentations committee will organize group activities, speakers and panel discussions related to the Honors Study Topic for most meetings.  If you have an idea for a speaker or activity please contact the committee chair.  All input is welcome.

Regional Science FairMembers will be able to judge projects that are present by students in the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. Orientations are specified after you register to become a judge for the event. You can do one shift or both, it is your choice! Visit the Regional Science Fair website to register as a judge: . Attending the orientations that are presented are NOT REQUIRED but are RECOMMENDED.

USA Today Case Study ChallengeCollect articles, research, and write to submit an award winning entry to International Headquarters. The Challenge provides chapters with the opportunity to supplement their Honors in Action research based on the Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise with the use of the USA TODAY newspapers. The Challenge also provides members an enhanced learning experience through the use of newspapers and encourages them to stay abreast of current events.

Leadership Hallmark

Austin State HospitalASH Committee will organize fellowship events for both adult and adolescent patients housed in the Austin State Hospital. Members will have a unique chance to reach into our city, offering our leadership and support in effort to aid our state and community as a whole. Participants are given the chance to lift the spirits of patients by giving them something fun and exciting to look forward to. Here is the link for directions to and of the campus: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhhospitals/AustinSH/ASH_Directions.shtm

Here2Help MentorsThis committee is still in the development process, but the purpose of Here2Help mentors  is to actively involve experienced students in developing the maximum potential of new and returning students at Austin Community College. These connections will assist in easing the transition of adapting to a new academic environment while aiding good communication, social and leadership skills. Time will be given for any help creating the necessary documents that are needed to make this program effective, as well as time served as a mentor once all documents are official.

LBJ High School TutoringTutoring students in Austin so that they may succeed in their educational career. At LBJ High School we help students during lunch and after school in Math, Science, English and History.

Regional OfficeMeetings to prepare for Regional President Campaign. We will be working on a skit, roll call chant, speech, display board and item to hand out to other chapters.

SGA Leadership Collaboration Project PlanningAlpha Gamma Pi will work with the Student Government Association to plan a joint one-day event that will recur every Spring. Get in on the ground floor!

Special OlympicsMembers will be able to interact and play with kids with disabilities in different sports. Sports this season include soccer, tennis, and track and field events. Practices vary depending on the sport. We will be there to help educate them on techniques that pertain to the sport as well as emphasize respect and good sportsmanship.

Talking Books ProgramThis is a service provided for the blind and dyslexic patrons of Texas. It is a free service. The service provides books, magazines, and articles in many formats, mainly on cassette. They are in need of people to work in the warehouse to inspect, rewind and shelf the cassette tapes, or any other project the library may need assistance with. The project will last for five hours, starting with an orientation. Bring your iPod or listen to any book while you work and help in the shipping and receiving at the Texas State Library. Contact the chair or co-chair with any questions.

Webb Middle School MentoringWork with one to three middle school students during lunch period, as a mentor, not a tutor. Basically be a friend and role model for at risk students. 

Service Hallmark

Adopt-A-StreetKeep Austin Beautiful and Phi Theta Kappa will be working to improve our communities by cleaning up OUR adopted street on Metric Blvd (in front of NRG campus). This 0.7-mile strip of road will provide some light exercise and fresh air, so bring your friends and family to help clean up a small piece of our environment. Materials for collection and disposal are provided.

AIDS AwarenessThe AIDS Awareness Committee works to promote AIDS Awareness throughout the ACC District. Members will participate in events such as the AIDS Walk, AIDS Ride, and Viva, among others. It assists in fundraising for AIDS Services of Austin and partners with that agency to further the goal of heightening AIDS Awareness.

Better World BooksMembers can collect and donate used textbooks that are less than five years old. Phi Theta Kappa, our chapter, and Better World Books are working with non-profit literacy initiatives internationally and right here in the United States. Each book that our chapter collects will be donated to BWB who will then sell them online to raise funds and or send books directly to their partners. At the very least, BWB will recycle any books that they cannot utilize.

Captain PlanetCaptain Planet Days are held at each campus over 10 days to educate students, faculty, and staff of the dangers of e-waste and how to prevent adding to an exsisting problem. By talking to others about the proper disposal of technologies, we hope to bring about a positive impact on the local environment while creating many enjoyable memories! Captain Planet~ He's our hero!

College ProjectCP Committee will be completing research and beginning implementation of concepts designed to provide peer-mentoring and increase access to resources through partnership with the Student Success Initiative (SSI). CP also looks to partner with Supplemental Instruction in meaningful ways to further the goals of the SSI that reflect the Scholarship and Service Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa.

Feeding Families This committee gives members a "behind-the-scenes" look at how donations from the community get to hungry Central Texans.  Volunteers inspect, clean, sort, box and make donations ready for distribution to Partner Agencies and their clients.  This volunteer opportunity will take place at Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, 8201 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78745.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and sign up in advance since limited space is available.

Helping Hands This committee is in charge of helping the homeless people of Austin by providing food and items that they may need. Alpha Gamma Pi provides its members the opportunity to share with the less fortunate citizens of Austin. Throughout the semester we will be collecting gently used blankets,clothes,shoes,socks and unused travel size hygiene products.

Mommies-R-Us Donations We are here to assist pregnancy centers in collecting donations of new and gently used baby items, baby furniture and maternity clothing. Pregnancy Resource centers assist low-income, generally teen mothers in acquiring the necessary items required to effectively care for a newborn child. Some resource centers offer guidance, parenting classes, and emotional support throughout the mother's pregnancy. Time is given for all donations based on the guide in the back of the handbook.

Pet Project Pet Project is a new committee that is dedicated to helping our furry friends.  We will be volunteering with multiple animal shelters, clinics and rescue organizations throughout the semester by assisting with collecting needed items, adoption drives and raising awareness. Most events will require paperwork to be turned in ahead of time or a tour of the facility.  If you are interested please contact the committee chair.

Project Linus Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission which is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."

Safe Place Safe Place exists to end sexual and domestic violence. Nationally recognized for its innovative and effective programs, they have been providing women, children and men a place of safety, compassion, and empowerment in Austin, Texas since 1974. Throughout the semester we will be collecting clothes and cell phones (both working and non-working to be donated). Working cell phones will provide safety for client's emergency use, while non-working phones will be recycled to raise funds for services. We will also be collecting gifts all semester to for children from infancy to 18 years to provide holiday gifts for the children who stay on the site.

Silver Star Children's Literacy The Silver Star Children's Literacy Project promotes children's literacy in many facades.  We participate in Children's readings at public libraries, community center's, children hospitals, and book fairs.  We participate in fundraising at multiple events to help purchase books and conduct book drives of new and gently used children books for distribution through Brown and Blue Santa during the Holidays.

Tree Folks Tree Folks grows the urban forest of Central Texas through tree planting, education and community partnerships. They invite businesses, schools, government, community groups and individuals to join them in creating a healthier environment and enhancing the quality of urban life.  Since its inception in 1989, Tree Folks has planted tens of thousands of trees in Austin and Central Texas.

UT Events Participants of this committee will help the chair organize groups of members to attend the University of Texas events and work as ushers. This is an excellent fundraising opportunity for our chapter and members of this committee are encouraged to help out not only in the promotion of this event but also by volunteering themselves.

Fellowship Hallmark

Conquering Cancer Conquering Cancer is committed to finding a way to aid in the fight against cancer while offering support to the brave people who have and are enduring the ravaging effects of this disease. Members will work with various organizations to raise money and awareness of disease and health concerns that affect us all. Participation in the Relay for Life is our fundraising event for the spring semester.

Chapter Fellowship Day Come get to know your fellow members and celebrate all that we have or will accomplish this semester with games, food, and good company.  Feel free to bring your families, friends, and any games you wish to share.  You can volunteer (before, during, or after), or simply show up for the party.  This event can count either as time credit or as a meeting.  Any food or supplies you bring will count as time credit.  This will be a fun and relaxing day, so come ready to have a great time!

Eeyore's Birthday Members will spend a day at Pease Park selling sausage wraps, lemonade, and pickles during the yearly Eeyore's Birthday celebration. Donations are appreciated in the form of Country Time powder lemonade, charcoal, condiments, and napkins. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund chapter scholarships and events.

Hospitality Members can set-up, provide refreshments, and clean-up at new member orientation, general meetings, and induction. Members that would like to bring food or drinks to a meeting to earn time are asked to let the chair know what they will be bringing.

Phi Theta Kappa Awareness Our mission is to promote Leadership, Scholarship, and Service through Fellowship within our chapter, college, and community. We encourage curiosity about Phi Theta Kappa and work to show the greater Austin area who we are and what we do.

Ronald McDonald House Serves to support families staying at the House during their time of hardship.  Phi Theta Kappa will be collecting pull-tabs all semester long from aluminum cans in order to support the inner operations of the house, such as food for the family food pantry, cleaning supplies, and transportation for the families to and from the Texas Medical Center.  Food donations will be accepted and can be discussed by contacting the committee chair.

Yearbook Chapter members will come together to design and construct a yearbook that best portrays our chapter's accomplishments and essence with relation to the 2010-2011 Honors Study Topic. We will achieve this goal through taking and submitting photos, and through documentation of activities and the chapter's accomplishments. Most importantly, we need member's opinions, perspective, and vision on how the yearbook would best fit the Honors Study Topic. All members are encouraged to attend yearbook-planning meetings and to be prepared to contribute in any way possible. Digital photos may be submitted for time by email to Leslie DesJardin at lj_harlan_d@yahoo.com. They may also be given to Leslie or Beth McBeth Perez on CD or flash drive at a meeting.