1. Using Technology to Strengthen Chapter Communication

2. How do you communicate with members?

3. Change In Communication Just as the heart sustains the human body, communication is the key to sustaining strong chapter and regional programs. There was a time when a chapter could only depend upon the U.S. Postal Service or a phone call to communicate the latest chapter and regional news. Now there are many other options from which to choose...e-mail, voice mail, the World Wide Web, list serves, bulletin boards, just to name a few.

4. Internal Communications Within the Chapter The local chapter is where the majority of communication takes place, through high-tech methods such as online forums or email lists, or more traditional channels, such as phone trees, newsletters and bulletin boards. Effective communication in the chapter ensures that members are informed of upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. Headquarters offers several resources to facilitate communication within the chapter. Members may get chapter officer and advisor contact information from the Chapter Directory at www.ptk.org/directories/chapter_directory/. Many chapters maintain a website to help members communicate with each other and stay up-to-date on chapter news and events. A toolkit for Phi Theta Kappa websites can be found at www.ptk.org/sitetoolkits/ to help chapters create an effective site that will provide all the information chapter members need.

5. Internal Communications Within the Region The next place that communication is most prominent is on the regional level. Regional Coordinators and regional officers are important influences in determining much of the programming that a region does, therefore, they are valuable information resources for chapter advisors and officers. The Regional Directory offers contact information for regional leaders just as the Chapter Directory features chapter leaders. The Regional Directory can be found at www.ptk.org/regions, and not only contains the contact information for your region, but links to the regional website to help members stay up-to-date with the latest regional news. Regional Coordinators and officers serve as a liaison between Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters and the chapters

6. What do you share? Newsletters Chapter & Regional Calendar Chapter & Regional Goals Contact Information

7. Newsletters Creating and distributing a newsletter can be a simple and cost-effective method of sharing chapter news. Chapter newsletters need not be lengthy to be effective. Newsletters which contain concise and pertinent information are the most effective.

8. Newsletters A chapter newsletter which includes these elements can be the core of communication among members and the public relations connection with constituencies beyond your chapter. Most chapters designate a public relations officer or newsletter editor to oversee the production. If your chapter is large enough, your newsletter team may include the following positions: Contributors - officers, advisors, guest writers to supply articles Graphic Designer - an art major to make the copy come to life Proofreader - an English or journalism major to catch mistakes prior to printing

10. Website

11. Blogs

12. Bulletin Boards

13. Social Networking Sites

15. Email Create and maintain an email account just for the chapter. This allows for multiple people to access the account to update it. Ensures that members from pervious semesters are still receiving emails even after officer terms end.

16. Email Email communication is one of the most widely used forms of communication today, and in many cases, is the preferred means many reporters wish to use. The greatest benefits are that email is convenient, and instantaneous. Below are elements of effective email. Use a consistent tone and keep it positive. Mind your manners. If you would not say something in someone’s presence, do not say it in an email. Use correct spelling and proper grammar. Review the email before it is sent. Be concise; don’t use a whole page to say one sentence of information. Always include a subject in the subject line. Do not use abbreviations or emoticons in a professional email. Always ask permission to send an attachment, or let the receiver know that an attachment has been sent.

17. MySpace

18. MySpace Benefits of Using MySpace: Free website Allows you to create an easy to remember link Great way to share photos and videos Use the Blog sections to share your newsletter Add events to your calendar Messaging tools allows you to add files, links, etc. Network with other chapters

19. MySpace

20. MySpace

21. MySpace

22. MySpace

23. Benefits of Using Facebook: Free website Once you have 100 friends you can create your own web address (URL) Great way to share photos and videos Use the “Notes” section to share your newsletter Add events and invite guests Messaging allows you to communicate with friends Network with other members & chapters

24. Great way to share photos and videos

25. Notes

26. Events

27. Facebook Groups Allows you to add officers Multiple Administrators Easy access to “Message All Members” Members can also add links, photos, videos. Discussion Board Option to Create Events Only downfall is you can not select a web address

30. Free service Store Documents (Word, Power Points, etc.) Create Surveys Discussion boards

35. Creating an E-Community

36. Other Useful Sites

37. Regional Sites MySpace http://www.myspace.com/ptkky Facebook www.facebook.com/kyregionptk Website http://kyregionptk.webs.com/

38. Question & Comments

39. Contact Us! Allison Johnson ajohnson0239@kctcs.edu Debbie Ulto dulto0001@kctcs.edu