How To Win (Almost) Guaranteed!

Believe it or not, if you want to win now is the time to begin thinking about preparing your Chapter of Excellence Contest entry. In order to win you need to track and record your activities accurately throughout the year for your contest entry. The ideas listed in the article "What To Do" in last month's Professional Preface have contributed toward some chapters winning the $400 contest prize.

The biggest single mistake chapters make when entering the Chapter of Excellence Contest is confusing the chapter's annual report form with a contest entry. Your annual report is part of your entry, but the report alone is not enough to be considered as an entry. Your contest entry should include the following additional information:

General Chapter Activities

* number of chapter meetings

* number of guest speakers

* number of tours taken (with descriptions)

* professionally oriented activities (e.g., practical applications)

* attendance at national TMS meetings

* participation in TMS contests

* esprit de corps oriented (e.g., intramural teams, social events,)

* chapter/section relations

* number of joint affairs ( include where, when, estimated attendance)

* attendance at local professional society meetings

Membership Development Activities

* a description of the chapter's overall recruitment program

Annual Report

* a completed annual summary form distributed by TMS headquarters

* faculty advisor cover letter indicating any change in advisor, if applicable, and highlighting any significant accomplishments by the student chapter

* chapter president cover letter stating the following, "In recognition of the President's duties as stated in Section VII, Article 1, of the Chapter's bylaws, (President's name), hereby submit this Annual Report for consideration in the (year) Chapter of Excellence Contest."

This is all outlined in a letter sent to your faculty advisor every spring, along with the reminder that his or her honorarium (complimentary dues) is contingent upon the entry being submitted. Instructions can also be found in the TMS Student Reference Manual. The deadline for submission is June 30 each year.

If you plan effectively, have good student involvement, and incorporate your activities into a neat and orderly package as a Chapter of Excellence entry by following every requirement outlined above, you'll win--I almost guarantee it!