By: Kristy Lopez V.P. of Public Relations

Greetings everyone!

I am proud to announce that for the first time ever, I donated a pint of blood yesterday!
It was quite nerve racking at first, I must admit. But the staff was very patient and warm with all of my requests and answers. I am one of those people who just made the cut off in more than one area, and managed to make a quick, and very helpful donation.
The turn out for the event seemed very good! Everytime I walked by the commons there was some people in the lawnchairs hooked up to the machine or eating those fine snack and drink some juice.
While patiently waiting my turn to “plugged in,” I spoke to other students in the process of donating.
Two girls were very friendly and said they didn’t feel a thing, and were proud they could contribute to such a good cause (can anybody say, FELLOWSHIP!). A young man was sitting there for a very long time, so I spoke to the staff member, Kevin, who was helping our section why he was there so long, it turns out: if you’re dehydrated, your blood turns in to a syrup (rather than a water like substance), and the slower it comes out.  I learned something new! Kevin answered all my curiosities about blood, donation, and health. He told me my one pint of blood could save 8 newborn babies!  It was clear that SCHOLARSHIP was involved here!

I believe LEADERSHIP goes to all our commited members that took an hour or more out of their busy lives to “recruit” donors. We informed new donors ( LIKE MYSELF!) of all the health and medical requirements and where there blood is going. I am personally SUPER excited to find out my bloody type, for I have noooo idea.

And where was the SERVICE of this event, you may ask? WELL, it was obviously in everyone who served the blood up in a plastic bag-silver platter! We are serving the people of our community to the fullest of the extent. OUR BLOOD, a part of our beings, are being GIVEN to another human being. Do you understand how close of a relationship a blood donation and service is? Sure we can indirectly help our entire community, by making it safer, cleaner, funner… but what happened at the blood drive  on Tuesday, is a DIRECT service to our community – our neighbor.

We will be having another blood drive April 20 (tuesday)!!!!

If you didn’t get a chance to donate this week, you get a second chance… because everyone deserves a second chance! (Get it? our blood is helping others get a second chance? )

However, I personally am not entirely certain about how much time you must wait before donating again.
I was told 60 days by a staff member, and that is because it takes red blood cells 2 months to build up back to normal.
My sources may be different than other though, so if you are planning to donate again in April, I suggest you ask or do some of that Phi Theta Kappa scholarly research!

Thanks so much to New York Blood Center and our UCC students for giving back to their communities!

-Kristy

I had a great time at the 2010 Phi Theta Kappa, Middle States Regional Convention in Longbranch New Jersey. As the 2009-2010 New Jersey State President is was an Honor to presentour chapter with Awards and Recognition. We had a blast, I made this video to share the memories with you all. Enjoy!

4-Yr College Transfer Workbook, By Joseph Eulo

Yes Valentines Day is almost here! and so is the Iota Xi  The Valentines Day Bake Sale! Iota Xi needs your help in making this years bake sale a success. You will have the opportunity to meet other chapter members, help create awareness about the Iota Xi chapter on campus and have fun selling cakes, cookes, and donuts. So what are you waiting for? Sign up and volunteer, bake, and join in fellowhip with your fellow Phi Theta Kappans.

To Sign-up fill out the form below to contact  Denisa Dundova our Vice President of Fundraising at denisadee21@yahoo.com

The Spring 2010 Membership for the Iota Xi Chapter Begins

Established by Missouri two-year college presidents in 1918. Phi Theta Kappa serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through Honors, Leadership and Service programming. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3million members; and 1,200 chapters located in 50 United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society which aims to promote scholarship, develop character, cultivate fellowship, and foster servant leadership development among students of two-year colleges. Iota Xi is the chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Union County College.

Requirements for Membership:

• Candidates for membership must have a 3.6 cumulative GPA or higher,
• must have earned 12 or more credits at Union County College,
• and classes marked as incomplete must be satisfied.
• must attend one of the orientation meetings, Wednesday February 11th, or Saturday February 20th,
• Complete the membership application,
• pay the $70 application fee,
• submit a signed copy of your transcripts,
• and meet with the chapter advisor before the March 5th Induction

Membership Benefits

• Transfer Scholarships – Members may apply for more than $37 million in transfer scholarships, provided exclusively to Society members by more than 700 senior institutions.
• Five Star Competitive Edge – Sharpen your competitive edge for transfer, scholarships and job interviews by participating in Five Star Competitive Edge. This professional development plan designed exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members helps strengthen highly sought-after skills such as communication, critical thinking, teambuilding and goal setting through hands-on leadership activities and online video courseware. Members will build an online portfolio that will showcase their accomplishments in one convenient location that can be easily shared with scholarship providers, admissions officials and potential employers.
• CollegeFish.org free enrollment – Members have free access to Phi Theta Kappa’s online transfer tool. Research colleges, learn about transfer scholarships, manage important transfer dates and deadlines and communicate with four-year college representatives to ensure a smooth transfer to a four-year college.
• Membership Credentials – The Golden Key Membership Pin, Membership Certificate and Membership ID Card are mailed to the member’s home address.
• Press Release Announcing Membership – At the member’s request, a press release is sent electronically to a newspaper of the member’s choosing.
• Phi Theta Kappa Graduation Regalia – The Society’s Honors Stole, Tassel and additional graduation regalia may be purchased and worn at college commencement exercises, contingent on college policy.
• Gold Diploma Seal – The Diploma Seal may be affixed to the member’s community college diploma to denote Society membership.
• Transcript Notation – Society membership may be noted on the member’s community college transcripts, contingent on college policy.
• Letters of Recommendation – Request letters of recommendation from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to a college admissions counselor, scholarship official or potential employer.
• Career Resource Center – The Career Resource Center provides members with career trends, research, tips and tools for navigating the job market.
• Civil Service Jobs Benefit – Members applying for GS5 federal jobs and who completed a baccalaureate degree with superior academic achievement, as defined by the Federal Office of Personnel Management, would be upgraded to a GS7 classification, meaning an increase in starting salary over the GS5 grade. GS5 federal jobs are entry level jobs requiring completion of a baccalaureate degree or four years of study beyond high school.
• Special Offers – See the sidebar for details, or visit our Partners page for special offers from Phi Theta Kappa partners.

New Member Contact Form

Phi Theta Kappa Membership Application

The Iota X chapter of Phi Theta Kappa invite you, our members to put Honors into Action by exploring the 2010-2011 Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information:Power, Peril and Promise. This topic is controversial and consequential, and therefore worthy of our consideration. It provides the basis for Honors in Action projects for individuals, chapters and regions to learn, lead, serve and collaborate with others. In essence, all four Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa make up the critical elements of Honors in Action projects: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. Honors in Action project ideas are included in the guide to help get you started. You choose where to direct your focus and impact.

With 10 different issues to explore, there is something for everyone no matter your background, interests or field of study. This Honors Study Topic affects us all – how we study, shop, socialize, share our passions and develop ideas to address the world’s challenges. Imagine the incredible potential for impact when thousands of Phi Theta Kappa honor students focus their attention and efforts in the same area: The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril and Promise! How will it change you?

- http://www.PTK.org/Honors/Guide

2010-2011 Honors Program Guide

Alumni Transfer Scholarship

Several years ago the Middle States Alumni piloted a special scholarship program The program consisted of all alumni chapters and undergraduate chapters contributing to a scholarship fund that was awarded at our Regional Convention. Over the past years the scholarship has grown from $750 to $1,000. Since the chartering of the Middle States Region Alumni Association there has been a push for fund-raising on a grander scale. The hope is to begin a scholarship foundation as well as offer additional scholarships.

The 2010 Alumni Transfer Scholarship will be awarded at the 23rd Middle States Regional Convention. We will be presenting the award to an applicant who will meet the following criteria:

Full or part time students are eligible

Must be graduating in the Fall 2009 or Spring 2010

Must be transferring to a four year institution by Fall 2010

Your packet MUST include ALL of the following to be considered:

• Letter of recommendations from a Phi Theta Kappa Advisor
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
• List of cumulative GPA
• Program of Study (If applicable, please include any volunteer work and/or work experience relating to your field of study.
• 500-word essay discussing the influence Phi Theta Kappa has had in preparing you for your academic future and as a responsible citizen of your community. The following must appear at the top of the essay
• Middle States Region Alumni Transfer Scholarship
• Applicant’s name, college name and address and chapter name

Dr. Daniel A. Houghtaling Scholarship of Promise

Conditions of eligibility:

Student must be a Phi Theta Kappa member in good standing and currently enrolled in a community college at the time of application

Members must have a minimum of 3.5 cumulative GPA at time of application on all Associate Degree course work. Part-time and full-time students are eligible to apply.

Member must be enrolling at a community college for the following semester

Member must be willing to serve as a chapter officer for the upcoming academic year. Application requirements:

• Your name, chapter, college, and year inducted must be included as we as Dr. Daniel A. Houghtaling Scholarship of Promise at the top of your essay
• A 500-word essay (max) discussing how your involvement in Phi Theta Kappa has made you a better leader within your college and your community
• A letter of recommendation from a NON-Advisor faculty member or administrator at the community college where the student is enrolled attesting to the leadership potential of the student
• An official college transcript from the community college where student is enrolled

Send all scholarship applications by February 3, 2010 to:

MSR Scholarship Awards

c/o Mr. John Ortiz

Gloucester County College

1400 Tanyard Road

Sewell, NJ, 08080