| April 2004 Phi Theta Kappa-Missouri Regional Newsletter p.11 |
We Belong to the Community We Belong to the Community. This theme is the driving force behind Project Graduation 2004. ProjectGraduation extends the reach of community colleges into their community by providing needed resources to organizations fighting hunger and illiteracy. Hunger and illiteracy are social problems that not only affect the livelihood of the individual, but also have a profound negative affect on communities. This affect should not be minimized - your chapter's successful Project Graduation efforts have an impact on individuals and the quality of life in your community. But how do you increase this impact? Involve the Community First, remember that this service project is community oriented. Involvement should not be limited solely to your chapter and college. The best-proven way to increase the impact in your community is to involve the entire community. How do you do this? Your chapter should basically mobilize the entire community to address the hunger and illiteracy issues. The more people contribute, the greater the impact. Imagine this: people contributing to Project Graduation not only at commencement ceremonies, but in the student union, the hallways of your college, at local grocery stores, bookstores, at local high schools, and at places of faith. Think outside of the box and do not let graduation itself confine you. The idea is to capitalize on the spirit of graduation and giving by making an impact that will be lasting and significant to those in need. Aim High Now, set a goal. It is essential that as you begin planning Project Graduation to set a goal for how many items you would like to collect. It may be a good idea to have a conversation with literacy and hunger organizations in your community to determine how much they need. Remember, be ambitious and set your goals high. The chapter at Independence Community College in Kansas aims to surpass their donations from last year by approaching the media early. An article about their upcoming Project Graduation event has already been published in the college newspaper. Plus, the chapter approached its college for support and promotion to engage the entire college and community in their efforts. Spread the Word Chapters are getting the word out to their chapter members. Encouraging chapter members to participate is easiest, yet still an essential part of your Project Graduation success. But do not stop here; extend the reach. Get the word out throughout the college by hanging posters around campus, placing slips in graduation packets, writing articles in the campus newspaper and appearing on the campus radio station. In the end, every single member of the faculty and staff and all your fellow students should know exactly what Project Graduation is and how they can help feed a body and feed a mind. Now, keep going - remember, "We Belong to the Community." Get the word out about Project Graduation through the local media, at grocery stores, religious institutions, civic organizations, libraries, firehouses, and police stations - the list is limitless. People want to be involved, but they have to know about the cause and how they can easily contribute. That is key; make it easy for them to contribute. Have chapters set up off-campus drop-off spots and follow-up by collecting the items. Make an Impact Together Project Graduation is an innovative, yet practical way to make your community a better place. Chapter success is measured by how many people who hear about Project Graduation are inspired to act by bringing donation items to designated drop-off locations. The most successful chapters take advantage of the grassroots nature of this noble cause and involve not only the chapter and the college, but also the very community that they are serving. We do belong to the community. Together you, your chapter, college and community can make a difference one can of food and one book at a time. Enroll your chapter in Project Graduation 2004 to impact your community. Chapters enrolling receive a Project Graduation Resource Packet containing planning guides and posters to help promote your event. For additional information, contact Public Relations Specialist Dana Van Deman at 601.984.3577. This great information was taken from Project Graduation link. I would encourage all to participate, to make a real difference in so many lives. |
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