Activity Ideas

Here is a growing collection of ideas and tips of publicity activities for chapters.
Send us your ideas!

 

A Chapter Booklet

Delta Iota Chapter at the University of Houston -- which incidentally won the best chapter in the world award in 2004, prints up its own booklet with a history of both the chapter and the society, -- the booklet includes information about the program of the chapter where members visit area public schools to talk about their cultures, and the endowment which the chapter is raising for scholarships. The chapter also has its own notecards, decorated with the society shield, which it uses for thanking speakers and similar purposes.

 

Debates

A chapter debate on a "hot" issue makes a good program. One chapter had a lively evening on the topic "Does equity equal adequacy?", with opposing sides arguing whether financial resources were at the heart of quality education.

 

Possible Uses of the Cord

The Phi Beta Delta cord, obtainable from the executive office, is most often used in academic processions, and hung around the neck and draped over the academic gown. So it is a very thoughtful presentation to faculty members, who after all will be in a number of academic processions during their careers where they will wear gowns. It is of course a nice keepsake for graduating students. There are other uses to which academic cords are sometimes put -- they can be framed along with the membership certificate, they can be used in a display of chapter memorabilia - where they add a dimensional effect. They are excellent ornamentation for portable xylophones such as carried in marching groups, attached to the elaborate fretwork, although it has been suggested that they could also perform utilitarian roles by replacing the usual rather pedestrian cord that holds the bars away from the frame. Opinions widely differ on the advantages of the cord over a stole, but of course some institutions will prefer a continuity in honor society garb and ask for one or the other, and there are institutions that restrict insignia to the pin. En passant, when deans, rectors and presidents, and other VIPs receive membership, the ensemble presented will have maximum effect if it includes the pin, cord, medallion, membership card, certificate, and passport. If chapter resources permit, the flag on a suitable pole should be presented if there is an indication that the officer will place it in a prominent place in his or her office, and in that event the cord would certainly make an excellent impression if it was knotted and hung from just below the finial ornament of the pole. Members wearing military uniform obviously do not always wear the hood or gown in academic processions, but can wear the cord (for example, when ROTC is in the procession).

 

Ribbon Markers

Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at Oklahoma State University uses ribbon book marks in its programs and invitations. The ribbons are narrow and tied around the spine of the booklet or card, and of course are in the Phi Beta Delta colors. The chapter also uses pictures from the international websites, which play on a large screen for a half hour before meetings and set the scene, so to speak. Epsilon Upsilon has members in national costume greeting those coming to meetings and handing out the programs.

 

Planning a Chapter Trip

A chapter trip, with a good mix of exchange students along with others, is not only a good mixer but a terrific project -- and a possibility for your chapter getting a sponsor. It needs planning. Months before you should ask for individual reports on aspects. Students should be given reading materials and websites about the designations, and should help plan fund-raising opportunities. There is a chance to contact the Washington Phi Beta Delta headquarters if that is the part of the world where you want to go. An exchange of ideas about things like clothing and packing c an be a focus of a meeting. When you get back, be sure to have a follow up meeting and reunion.

 

The Harp and Phi Beta Delta

Successful Phi Beta Delta chapters are sure to use music at their events. One of the ways to do this is to develop a relationship with local musicians and initiate some of them into your chapter, rather than looking for them just when you want them to play! We are lucky to have musicians in our chapters and we want many more of them. When you do have music, program notes to inform those present of what is being played are as sign that you take music seriously. Music without program notes is rather like having a speaker and not introducing them. Few of us would just hand a guest a microphone and say to go ahead! International Director of Publications David Merchant has done many program notes over the years and would be happy to provide advice on what they should include. We know we should great chapter participants with courtesy and properly tend to their requirements, but we neglect musicians all the time -- we ask them to perform under insulting conditions, where the piano is not tuned or there are no helps like music stands or lighting. Music deserves front and centre prominence. Your chapter does not need an entire orchestra to have music at meeting. Some Phi Beta Delta events have used the harp with great effect. The American Harp Society has many chapters and events, and a fine website at  HarpSociety.org -- they sponsor wonderful conferences and institutes, have an international competition, and promote new music for the harp. Past International President Dr. Paul Rich is a life member and would be glad to help in locating AHS members who could strengthen your chapter's meetings with "celestial music". The AHS is very internationally minded. Although most of us think of the harp in terms of a large instrument, there are a whole variety of instruments in the family. Incidentally, the harpists are active in bringing music to countries other than their own and have volunteer projects to go overseas and teach young people the rudiments of the harp. So PBD and AHS have much in common. If your chapter gets into the harp on a serious basis, we repeat that you will want to think about the courtesies -- too few of us reflect on the common courtesies when we invite a performer. For example, you might want to present your chapter harpist with a lightweight harp dolly for transporting the harp, or with an embroidered bag for the harp with the Phi Beta Delta shield. Harp dollies are an involved subject and so are harp carrying bags, but these items are not awfully expensive and would certainly make an impression. You can find harp accessories in many places, or take a look at HarpMusicPublisher.com.

 

Getting Administrative Support

If you are looking for support from your college or university, ask the Phi Beta Delta regional vice presidents or indeed the International President for a support letter. Phi Beta Delta, both regionally and nationally, is glad to support you in getting support -- a room, released time for your adviser, or whatever else might be helpful to your mission as a Phi Beta Delta chapter.

 

Quiet Time

It certainly might be worth thinking of having a chapter quiet moment at the start of each meeting, a minute of silence. In these busy days, when people rush from one meeting to another, such a gesture gives everyone a chance to refocus and think about what is coming rather than what has passed.

 

Web pages for Your Chapter

Having a good chapter web page is supremely important. One nice touch is to have a personal page for each of your members. As time passes this becomes a historical record for each generation of your members. The page might have a brief statement of the international links of the member -- indeed, you might ask every new member to do such a page as a condition of being initiated.

 

Telephone Links

To be sure every chapter member knows about your programs, consider a telephone tree -- one person calls two, the two each call two, and so on. it is easy to organize and will pay dividends in attendance.

 

Speaking of the Telephone

Why not have a chapter conversation with one of the International Officers? Arrange for the International President or one of the International Vice Presidents to talk and take questions over the phone some evening. It doesn't have to be the entire program.

 

Local Medal Collectors

Every community has medal and coin collectors. A great chapter program would be to have one of them come and speak about orders and decorations, and perhaps show some favorite items. That of course relates well to our medallions.

 

Sponsoring Athletic Events

Well, the chapter probably doesn't have the resources to sponsor a bowl game. But there are all kinds of competitions where your chapter could play a part. For example, the contests for physically challenged individuals are growing in interest. Or the chapter could maintain a comfort station at a marathon. Just because we are academic and scholarly doesn't mean we can't gain visibility at sports events.

 

Chapter Flag Collection

Your campus has many events where flags add to the color. A chapter flag collection would probably result in people beating a path to your door to borrow flags (on standards or for putting up the flagpole).

 

Chapter Interpreter Services

With all the visitors that the average campus gets, consider having a list of chapter members who will volunteer their services for translation. A harried professor with someone coming who speaks Spanish but not English will thank you a thousand times.

 

Getting Globes

Does your library have a really large nice globe? Everyone has a small globe, but big globes of the world are another thing. And they are fascinating. Talk with your librarian and see if your chapter can sponsor a really fine globe for a prominent place in the library -- a great plug for your chapter!

 

Your Longitude and Latitude

Our Phi Beta Delta crest has on it the lines of longitude and latitude. Why not have your chapter fix a small park on the longitude and latitude of your college or university, with an appropriate explanation. Probably most faculty and students couldn't tell you the longitude and latitude of your campus -- well, here is an opportunity to create an interesting place on campus where they can learn.

 

Using the Dance

If your college has a dance program, you may be able to get one or more dancers to interpret the initiation. Some dancers are able to study a text and render an improvised interpretation with great effect. of course, dance groups add to any Phi Beta Delta event, but having a dance interpretation of your words of initiation certainly would be a standout.

 

Adopting an Animal

Zoological parks are anxious to increase public awareness of their work and welcome the adoption by groups like Phi Beta Delta of an animal or animals. The cost depends of course on the animal involved. Elephants are expensive because of their food consumption. Turtles are relatively inexpensive. Adopting a foreign guest, albeit at the zoo, is a great way to garner chapter publicity -- consider giving a birthday party for your adopted friend! A chapter picnic can be enlivened by a visit to its unusual member.

 

Musicians' Unions and Concerts

The various unions of performing musicians have funds to sponsor public concerts. Most often these funds are going for outdoor summer concerts, but they are also available for other events. Chapters should liaison with the local musicians' unions about the possibility of sponsoring such concerts. Moreover, summer outdoor events are not a bad idea if your school, as so many today, has a big summer program. of course the program should be international -- not all Sousa!!

 

Culinary Schools

Culinary schools exist in almost every city. They are much more sophisticated than the old Fannie Farmer Cooking Schools, with lots of courses on dining management. And they are always looking for opportunities -- chapters should investigate and see if a local culinary school would like to cooperate in an evening of tasting, or to do a special international event in connection with an installation or reception. This is extremely cost effective.

 

Career Programs

Chapters should think about having a International Career Fair open to the campus when there will be speakers and booths on careers with an international flavor. Invite speakers from exporting firms, from travel agencies, from businesses involved in international trade. Show your university community the wide range of jobs that have an international dimension.

 

Book of the Year

One interesting chapter activity is to have an important book as the book of the year, perhaps obtained for every chapter member at discount and used for some program and discussion sessions of the chapter. It might be a classic book or it might be a more recent title with an international theme, such as Samuel Huntington's "Third Wave". That sessions don't have to be limited to members and with some refreshments, would make a friendly and even stimulating meeting. This would also be an opportunity to work with your librarians.

 

Why Not Sponsor a Calendar?

Why not collect pictures this year for a calendar? Calendars are great fund raisers and a Phi Beta Delta chapter calendar with the dates of international holidays would make sense.

 

When Someone Doesn't Join

When someone is invited to join but indicates a lack of interest, it is certainly a moment for finding out why. Don't assume. Could it be a lack of money -- there are of course ways to deal with that. Could it be a confusion of Phi Beta Delta with Greek social groups? Not everyone knows as much as they should about the differences between social and honor societies. In any event, if someone turns down an invitation it, really is important to find out why.

 

Mentors

Consider assigning a more senior member, faculty or student, as a mentor to each new member. It doesn't have to be a very formal arrangement but it can be a nice way to welcome the new person. All of us like to see at least one friendly face when we go to a meeting.

 

A Chapter Road Map

Does your chapter have a road map for the year? For example, what are you doing for the various holidays? What goals have you set and what events and projects are planned to get you there? Good chapters are based on planning and goals, with a map to get there.

 

Hidden Expectations

Don't assume that you know what members want. It may be that they have bigger expectations of your chapter that you credit them with having. It's very useful to probe around and ask in a nice way to find out what dreams there are. Every successful chapter needs to use its imagination and have some dreams. And pass them along to international headquarters to share!

 

Sponsorship

Is there a foreign language bookshop in your town? Or a restaurant that would like to cultivate university business? Sponsorship can not only be a fund raising device but a source of programs. Offering for example to sponsor a once a month brunch for your university, Dutch treat -- or to publicize a once a month author night. The restaurant or bookshop will love you! A good relationship with a local sponsor doesn't have to be entirely financial. It can also be a way to extend your chapter program activities.

 

Phi Beta Delta Show and Tell

One idea for an interesting evening is to ask members to bring an object from their travels. When one chapter did this, the articles that were exhibited were remarkable -- a whole collection of rocks from famous places, a brass bird from Indonesia, an inlaid plaque from India. This is not only a good program, but a good way to get to know better some of your members. And some of the articles are hilarious.

 

Keepsakes

Chapters might want to have a little souvenir to give guests. This could be a book about the college or university with a suitable bookplate, or some other memento that included the seal of the college or university. These keepsakes need not be costly, but they are great for building good will. This of course implies that your chapter does have guests! And to have guests you need to have good programs and you need to be thoughtful about asking faculty if they wish to bring their family, or indeed asking your student members to bring friends -- their landlady or employer, for example. Your chapter activities should reach out to others.

 

Local Clergy

Does your college have a board of chaplains or a united ministry committee? Sometimes local priests and ministers have spent time abroad and make good speakers. Moreover, they often know of needs in the community such as immigrants living on the edge. This is not a connection we use often enough. Moreover the imam of a local mosque, the priest of the local Hindu temple, or the leader of the Buddhist society would all make good program sources.

 

Having Your Finances Audited

You don't have to handle a lot of money to make it desirable that your finances be audited every year. This can be done by a professor in the business school as a favor, or someone in the university accounting office. But no chapter should fail to have such an annual audit. It is simply good business procedure. No chapter treasurer should feel comfortable at not having his or her books inspected: it's basic.

 

Ties with High Schools

Local high schools are often hard put to find good assembly programs. Why not have your chapter organize a series of assembly programs for a local school, using foreign students on your campus. A principal would probably be delighted to have such a series, with college students of different backgrounds showing slides or demonstrating customs. Be sure your college's public relations department knows about such activities. Community relations are important on all university agendas these days, and an effort to improve local ties will be received enthusiastically by your institution's leadership.

 

Involve the Librarians

Library staff sometimes are cut off from the rest of the academic community. We take them for granted too often. See if some of the library staff are eligible for membership, consider having a meeting at the library, and look for ways in which your chapter can have ties with the library. It's not only a book resource, but a people resource.

 

Presenting the Medal

Let us repeat something -- several initiations every year are better than a single massive end of the year initiation. Folks can chat and get to know each other. You can say something about each recipient. Honors should never be given in a hurry or without proper planning. Phi Beta Delta is an honor society and so we take the conferring of the honor very seriously. One possible conferral schedule would be October, January, and April. And if you have an active summer session, a summer installation makes sense too.

 

Ask for a Special Message

The Executive Director and President are always glad to send a special message to your chapter installation. Just ask in time! If you want attention to a particular point -- a medal to a faculty member with long service, for example, give us some specifics. Reading the special message can be a feature of your induction or installation. More ambitiously, you could invite one of the international leadership to come -- the society historian, Dr. Leo Ribuffo, is a famous speaker on contemporary American history, for example. The society director of development, Dr. Harrell Rodgers, is a nationally known authority on issues such as social security and wages. The director of membership, Dr. Guillermo De Los Reyes, is a rising young scholar on Mexican-American issues.

 

Talk to Alumni Affairs and Fund Raising

A good chapter relationship with the offices of alumni affairs and of fund raising makes sense. They will know of possible speakers, of desirable senior candidates for the medal, and of the chances to confer the medal on the university's distinguished guests. Presidents of chapters should make visits to alumni affairs and to fund raising an important part of their work. It may be there are possible gifts that could be earmarked for chapter scholarships -- sometimes there are challenges in finding just the right cause for a giver. Alumni affairs and fund raising may have in mind individuals who could help the chapter.

 

Pairing with Overseas Chapters

As Phi Beta Delta adds chapters in countries other than the United States, pairing with a foreign chapter becomes an attractive program idea. Why not initiate reciprocal visits? Or see if you can encourage your university to work on exchange agreements. Try a video conference on an issue of importance like globalization or immigration. Our chapters in different countries generally have a good command of English, so language shouldn't be a problem -- and polishing your own command of foreign languages certainly won't hurt.

 

Chapter Gratitude Visit

A chapter gratitude visit is a simple but moving affair. Write out and nicely frame a statement of thanks and go as a chapter to the person you wish to thank and read out the statement. This might be for the janitor who stayed late to set up tables for your meeting. Or for an unsung hero or heroine like the secretary who helps you do all that xeroxing for an induction, or the person who is always bringing along some refreshments. So, write out a letter of gratitude to that person and then visit him or her and read the testimony. Make a Ritual for Gratitude part of your chapter activities. Have you ever done a gratitude visit? Well, its positive psychology and a lot better than a note!

 


Tips for PBD Representatives

 

Your Chapter and Local Lodges

Undoubtedly in the vicinity of your campus there will be lodges of the various fraternal organizations -- Elks, Moose, Eagles, Owls, Pythians, Odd Fellows, branches of Freemasonry, Knights of Columbus, and many others. These groups often have members who are substantial members of the business community, endowments, and are looking for service projects that will gain them a new purpose, since in recent years they have not had the attraction that organizations with missions like the Sierra Club or World Wildlife have had. Phi Beta Delta comes from the same roots that they do, i.e. eighteenth century idealistic ritualistic fraternalism; its logical that a contact with one or more of these groups may mean you can forge an alliance for projects such as scholarships.

 

Your Chapter in the Yearbook

Many of our chapters appear in the college yearbook. Those that don't have often lacked a good public relations officer -- you need to be sure you are in the yearbook as well as the various guides and booklets that are distributed on campus.

 

Too Many Honor Societies?

If your institution is lucky enough to have chapters of several honor societies, the question may arise about a student being good enough to get bids from several. Be sure you are informed so you can answer those who say there are many of these organizations. Be able to explain that Phi Beta Delta is not a subject honor society, confined to those who are majoring in Latin or Organic Chemistry. It is interdisciplinary, and thus offers fellowship and networking across disciplines. When it comes to subjects, we have members from history, geography, international relations -- but also from agriculture (with its obvious interest in developing countries), anthropology, and other areas. Moreover, we are committed to an ideal, the internationalization of the educational experience. So we feel in Phi Beta Delta that we stand for much more inclusive, ecumenical, eclectic purposes than most honor groups. We are different. We are Washington-based, so members will actually be able to visit our headquarters -- many honor societies operate out of a post office box or from the file cabinet in a secretary's office. Our headquarters is surrounded by embassies and in an immensely historical building, and in fact our board room was the living room of President Garfield's family. We are on the map and we are cutting edge -- take, for example, our videoconferencing programs for our chapters, our use of chat rooms, and our overseas chapters. We aren't just one honor society, but a very special one.

 

Getting a President and Other Officers

You may be surprised if you approach a senior professor to help with your chapter. Universities are extremely hierarchical and unfortunately the resources are often distributed according to a pecking order. If you can get a senior sponsor, you may find that room scheduling, av resources, travel grants and other nice things will happen. Know the campus political layout and try to get someone who is able to get your chapter the things you need to do your job. Actually, it is often those busy and important people who magically seem to have the time, and a curious rule is that the less significant and less important the individual, the more "busy" they will claim to be! Some of our best chapters are led by folks who wear dozens of hats but who are never heard complaining of having too much to do. They know how to organize and lead. Get a strong leader!

 

Chat Rooms

Phi Beta Delta makes extensive use of chat rooms for its committee meetings. These electronic sessions can be recorded and archived, which of course has advantages over telephone conversations or even sometimes face to face meetings. If you don't know about chat room culture, suffice to say it is an entire culture and fast changing. Be sure to be updated on it. It's the future! Remember too that your chapter needs an active livewire webmaster.

 

Hospitality Lounges

Hospitality lounges are a neat Phi Beta Delta chapter activity. If there is going to be a big event on campus, such as a conference on international law or a history congress, why not have a Phi Beta Delta lounge where coffee and soft drinks are served. You may be able to get the refreshments at least partly donated by local suppliers. A few chairs, some reading matter -- including information on Phi Beta Delta -- and you are in business, and will be warmly thanked.

 

Some Chapter Projects

Consider putting on an international day for a local high school, with your students speaking about their countries. Sponsor an art show in the local shopping mall, with student artists from different countries putting their work on show and on sale. Offer to provide some speaks for a local service club like Rotary or Lions, and don't forget to ask them in return for some help for the chapter. Host a radio show on your campus station, with students debating topical issues related to their countries.

 

Membership Register

Chapters should keep a membership book and ask each new member to sign their name (and print it!) in the book on being initiated. This can be a ceremony worked into the initiation ritual. The act of signing adds a sense of commitment to the ideals of Phi Beta Delta.

 

Phi Beta Delta Cords

Phi Beta Delta now offers a cord to be worn in graduation processions. The cord is symbolic of accepting the yoke of service and leadership that our members voluntarily receive when joining. Some of us feel it is older and more traditional than the stoles that are also used by Greek honor societies since the cord recalls the teaching and contemplative orders of the Middle Ages, when members wore knotted cords to remind them of their duties -- this same tradition of course produced academic costume in general and items such as the hoods which identify degrees and colleges. Originally hoods were used to ask for alms, and were denominated by shape and color according to the order to which the supplicant belonged. Further uses of cords: Although their primary use has been during ceremonies when full academic dress is worn, cords are sometimes worn with evening dress (in the case of women) or full suits (in the case of men). This is most often with honor societies that give only a pin and not the medallion as we do. They also can be used in appropriate decoration of rooms for chapter activities, but their ultimate serious purpose has to be considered in such cases. The wearing of cord and medallion when in full academic dress is certainly appropriate. 

 

A chapter birthday party!

A chapter birthday party is an idea. Decide when your chapter should celebrate its birthday -- first meeting? charter date? Then have a birthday party every year. It is a good excuse for a cake with the PBD shield. Celebrate!!

 

Cooperating with Service Clubs

Almost every community has a service club such as Rotary or  Lions or Kiwanis. These organizations are very international in outlook and have lots and lots of projects, so even looking at their net sites will give lots of ideas about possible projects and should suggest opportunities for joint projects. A talk with their local president about doing things together could be highly productive. Remember that besides the primary service club, each of these movements has a variety of college age and youth and even retired groups such as in the case of Kiwanis' Key Club, Atkion Club, K-Kids -- see here. Lots of opportunities for allies!

 

Using the Hallway

Your college undoubtedly has hallways! That is a safe assumption, and its an opportunity for your Phi Beta Delta chapter. If you can get permission to have a stretch of hallway in a well traveled area, then you can have a permanent bulletin board for news, and a display of framed pictures relating to your chapter activities. Flags could enhance the presentation. Be sure to include your website and some contact numbers. Yes, everyone has a hallway and there should be a Phi Beta Delta portion!

 

Explaining the Medal

The old Phi Beta Delta medal was metal stamped and used a standard design that is widely used for awards -- company long service, bowling, and what all. The current medal is unique, made from a cut die, which to numismatists is viewed as much more desirable in terms of finish. The current medal has on it the shield of the society with the various symbols which should be explained to the candidate during the initiation. The candidate should have attention called to the symbols and shield, and of course having the shield on the medal facilitates the initiation and the explanation.

 

Terminology

Members are referred to as "Deltans". Unlike in social Greek fraternities, members of most (though not all) honor societies such as ours do not generally describe each other as Sister and Brother. However, a proper closing for a letter would be "Fraternally". Local societies are chapters, rather than clubs or councils.

 

Introduce your members to the Crest of the Society

The Gamma Sigma Chapter at Universidad de las Américas-Puebla, Mexico, used a small animation to introduce new members to the various elements of the Phi Beta Delta Crest. 

 

Floral Arrangements

A flower suitable for representing the society is the common yellow daylily - which probably originated in Asia but which is now found in most parts of North America. Its color and general appearance make it a good choice for floral arrangements at initiations and special events. There may well be a daylily society near you that would help your chapter with floral arrangements - see the daylily site for more information.

 

Tell the Phi Beta Delta Story

Chapters can use parts of the website as printouts for informing new members about the society. You might wish to use a quality paper and make a little booklet ("a picture of the international headquarters makes a good cover"), or edit the material on your own computer, - but certainly that is one way to tell the Phi Beta Delta story to the students you are inducting - or indeed the faculty. Don't forget that your president, provost and deans are people who should be inducted, thus building support for your programs.

 

Joint events with nearby Chapters

Think about joint events with nearby chapters, or if there isn't a sister chapter nearby, of organizing one at a college near you!

 

Visiting VIP

One excellent way for chapters to get recognition is to remind university leaders that the medal can be awarded to visiting VIPs. In the case of the University of the Americas chapter in Mexico, the medal was awarded to Governor Richardson of New Mexico, who was a candidate for the Democratic vice presidential nomination in the last election and is considered, because of the growing Hispanic vote, to be a prospect for future national office. Governor Richardson was visibly moved by received the medal.
Gamma Sigma Chapter, Universidad de las Américas-Puebla, Mexico

 

Board of Distinguished Members

A second idea is to have a board prominently displayed in your college of distinguished members. The University of the Americas Gamma Sigma board is going to be unveiled with a special ceremony next October. Neither of these ideas requires an enormous outlay, but offers tremendous potential for a chapter getting campus recognition.
Gamma Sigma Chapter, Universidad de las Américas-Puebla, Mexico

 

Publicity Ideas

Pre-publicity for the formation of the chapter and subsequent programs of the chapter should be addressed in a similar manner. The formation of the chapter should be widely publicized on campus and in the local community to promote interest and support. A press release with pertinent information should be prepared and delivered to local newspapers and radio stations. If officers have been selected, include a photograph of the officers. When sending press releases, ask for both feature articles and listings in the calendar of events section. Be sure to check with the appropriate office at your institution to determine any necessary requirements for sending a press release. Good publicity requires using a variety of resources. Send articles and press releases to departmental newsletters, faculty and student newspapers and student radio stations. Place posters on bulletin boards. Identify committee or chapter members who have connections with local media individuals and who may convince them of the value of Phi Beta Delta goals. Publicity by "word of mouth" is also very effective. The publications office at your institution may provide a variety of additional resources. Flyers and personal invitations are also effective methods for increasing interest and participation. Distribute flyers to academic departments, and ask faculty to make announcements of programs in appropriate classes. Student members can be asked to place posters in the residence halls or family living areas. During programs it is a good idea to arrange for photographs of the event. Black and white photographs can be used in post-publicity, chapter and national newsletters and also kept for the chapter archives. It is important to assign this responsibility to a specific member because the newspaper and/or campus public relations office may not send a photographer when requested. Post-publicity for programs should include photographs submitted to the local newspapers and articles in the chapter news bulletin or newsletter. Photographs can also be submitted for regional and national newsletters.