Pi Omega's Upcoming Events:

Yes, the "World-Famous Duct-Tape Tree" fundraiser originated right here at DACC in April of 2001, and we will surely do it again!  In the meantime, here are some upcoming events.  We like as many members as possible to participate.  Each description lists the person to contact  to sign up for an activity or to let us know if you cannot participate in an activity for which you previously committed.
Some activities require a minimum number of participants.  Please honor your commitment once you make it.
Also, please note any sign-up deadlines.  For more information, please contact the member listed, President Debbie Martin (debidinia@aol.com), or Advisor Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu).  And, as always, watch for email updates!

Monday, Oct. 22:.  Orientation Session for prospective and new members. 10:45 to 11:15 AM, Room 188 Mary Miller.
Contact: Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu).   This is an optional meeting for students considering joining our chapter or those who have recently joined.  This is mostly a Q&A session.  Just show up if you are coming. 

Tuesday, Oct. 23:  Chapter Meeting and Pi Omega 101 Session. Noon to 1, Scholars Office, Room 113 Lincoln Hall.
Contact:  Debbie Martin (debidinia@aol.com).  This will be a regular chapter meeting at which we will discuss upcoming activities and learn more about Phi Theta Kappa.  Pizza will be served, so please let Debbie know if you are coming so she gets enough.

Friday, Nov. 2: Fall Induction Ceremony.  7-8 PM, Third Floor, Vermilion Hall.  Reception afterwards.  Contact: Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu).
This is our chapter induction at which we welcome and honor our new members, and pin our new officers.  This semester's guest speakers are Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer and DACC College President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs.  This is an elegant ceremony during which new members are seated together, and invited to sign the chapter membership roster, while receiving a rose and a chapter membership certificate.  Part of the ceremony is conducted by candlelight.  Friends and family are encouraged to attend to help honor our new members.  Inductees are asked to arrive by 6:45 for brief instructions and a group photo.  A light reception of cake and punch will be served after the ceremony.  ALL chapter members are invited to attend.  Any current member who has not participated in an induction ceremony is welcome to do so this evening.  Please be sure to let Lori know if you are coming and how many guests you anticipate no later than Tuesday, October 30th.  Current members are also needed to help set up and decorate during the day on Friday.  Please notify Debbie Martin if you can help with this.

Saturday, Nov. 3:  Illinois Region Hallmark Award Workshop.  Noon to 5 PM, Third floor Vermilion Hall.  Contact: Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu).
We have invited all chapters from the Illinois Region to join us this afternoon to go over the Hallmark Award writing process.  Each year, chapters are asked to submit essays about the programs they have done the previous year and how those projects benefited the chapter, college, region, and society, as well as how they fit with the chapters' goals and the ideals of Phi Theta Kappa.  Essays are submitted to International Headquarters in various categories--Scholarship, Leadership, Fellowship, and individual awards.  The essays are judged using a specific rubric system.  Our goal for this workshop is to go over the entire process, the award categories, and the submission process, then have chapters actually start writing some essays, which will then be swapped and judged using the rubric.  Our intent is to help chapters be more successful in the hallmark award competition.  We will need our own chapter members to be present to assist with the logistics--directing traffic to the event, setting out snacks during breaks, and giving general instructions.  All information you need will be provided. Since we are hosting this, we really want lots of members on hand to help us host it.  See http://www.ptk.org/hallmarks for more information about the Hallmark competition, and let Lori know if you are available.

Sunday, November 4:  All Chapter, family and friends weenie roast.  4:30-8:30 PM Illinois time. Hoagland farm (directions will be emailed to the chapter).
This is a fun social tradition held at Professor Hoagland's farmhouse.  We will have a big bonfire and weenies, buns, plates, utensils, and soft drinks.  We ask that you each bring  dish to share.  Bring your kids, any toys they might like, and whatever you want (no alcohol, please).  We will also provide cats and a shaggy dog for kid giggles.  This is our chance to welcome new members, get to know each other, meet family and friends, and just relax a bit.  Please let Lori know if you are coming and your anticipated headcount.  Parents, grandparents, spouses, significant others, pals, and younguns are all welcome!

Thursday, Nov. 15:  Great American Smokeout.  Lincoln Hall and around campus.  Contact:  Chelsea Kyger (ckyger82@sbcglobal.net).
This is an annual event for us, but we are putting a new twist on it this year.  For this one day, the American Cancer Society asks smokers to try to go smoke-free for just 24 hours.  We will  publicize the event in advance (we will need people to hang posters around campus).  We will ask staff and students in advance to sign a pledge to quit for that day (we will need people to staff sign up table earlier that week in all buildings). We will put together and pass out "survival bags" full of goodies and information to try to help the "quitters" survive the day.  We will display smoke-damaged lungs near the Student Union (we need members to staff that table) and provide fact sheets and information items to encourage quitting.  This year, knowing that not everyone will quit, we are also asking smokers who do not quit to be more socially responsible through proper disposal or their butts.  We will do a cigarette butt collection on campus during the week leading up to the event and post signs about the impact of butt litter.  On the day of the event, we will distribute pocket ashtrays to any smokers who are interested in them.  We will also likely write messages in chalk on the sidewalk the evening before or morning of the event.  There are many tasks involved in this large project, so please let Chelsea know what parts you can help with.  Watch for emails for more details.

Mid-November:  Voters Registration Drive. Lincoln Hall.  Contact:  Jacob Lane (Gigguy2006@aol.com)
This is in the works.  We will be encouraging voters' registration among college students, a poorly represented group, and assisting with the registration process on campus.  We hope to open this event to the public as well and will need members to assist us over a two-day period.  Watch for emails with specific dates and times. 
Early to mid-November:  Food Drive partnership with Student Senate.  Contact:  Jacob Lane (Gigguy2006@aol.com)
More details will be forthcoming, including drop off sites.  All nonperishable food items will be accepted.


SpotLess Program with Keep Vermilion County Beautiful.   Contact:  Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu)

KVCB is often seeking volunteers for their anti-littering campaign.  We need members who are willing to wear a giant Dalmatian costume and be "SpotLess", the committee's mascot.  SpotLess does not talk but makes various public appearances and classroom visits.  They also need volunteers to accompany SpotLess and be readers--all you do is read short stories with an anti-littering message to children mostly in primary grades.  This is an ongoing project so they really want a list of volunteers whom they can contact as needed and match your schedule with the scheduled visits.  This is a very fun project and has such a positive impact on the children.  Won't you help?

First Mentors Program/Big Brothers Big Sisters:  Contact:  Lori Garrett (scholars@dacc.edu)
This is our alliance with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Members are paired individually with a student from an area grade school and visit with them at school once a week, working on schoolwork, playing, etc.-- being a big brother or big sister to them. This is a very worthwhile and rewarding project and the "littles" benefit tremendously.  There are occasionally optional social activities as well in which you may participate.  You can really make a difference in a young child's life.  Mr. Hoagland has done this for a year and love it!


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