A Typical Year in the Pallas Chapter of Mortar Board
revised May 2023

Starting from applications

Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb: Applications
Students are invited to apply by a member of Mortar Board, a  a teacher, academic advisor, RSO advisor or RSO officer, or via posters or an e-mail, on the basis of outstanding scholarship, leadership and service.  It is campus-wide and includes all majors.  Mortar Board is an organization intended for seniors with experience in these three areas.  The accumulated wisdom of their years on campus and in academic research, RSOs, service organizations and sports teams is what we offer to enrich each others' lives -- and make lifelong friendships outside of our "normal circles.

Mid-Feb: Mortar Board Week
Mortar Board was founded in 1918 in the second week of February, and all chapters are expected to do something in celebration.  In the past, we have applied for a grant of $1000 or more from the Club Programming Committee (CPC) to host speakers on campus (usually in partnership with a
department), or held a Valentine's Day chocolate sale.

Mid-Late Feb: Selection
Applications are due.  The chapter has a meeting to discuss and carefully consider each applicant in turn.  It's usually a festive occasion in a restaurant, with good food and good cheer as well.  Applicants are selected by consensus (usually 75-80% approval of a majority of active members).  We also look at schedules filled in on the applications, and discuss which current members/advisors/honorary members can easily tap which new applicants.

Late Feb-Early Mar: Tapping
A list of successful applicants is sent to the National Office for approval.  A week after approval, the chapter can "tap".    This is a century old, nationwide tradition of recognizing new applicants in in person, in front of their peers and welcoming them into the chapter.  It is supposed to be done in person.  Pallas Chapter has usually done this by asking permission from an applicant's teacher in advance and visiting the class for a minute at the beginning, deputizing a teacher to tap a student in class, or something similar at an RSO meeting.   Tapping is meant to be a memorable and happy occasion to bind us together.  When Mortar Boards meet, one of the first questions is, "How and where were you tapped?"  At tapping, a student is informed of a place and time for orientation.

Mid-Mar: Orientation/Officer information, getting to know each other
Orientation is a chance to meet other new members, meet current members and learn about the organization.  We often have light refreshments and some "icebreaker" games/activities.  Mortar Board is a "people" organization, so getting together in person and getting to know each other is important.  Officer positions are described, and new members are encouraged to think about running for offices to help the chapter go in the next year.

Late Mar - Early/Mid-April: Induction (Initiation), getting to know each other
Induction is a formal event to hear more about the national organization, local chapter and be recognized in front of parents, friends, teachers and others, with a reading of our chapter inspirational poem, "The Torch".  We often induct an honorary member or two as well who has contributed to campus or society, and who can help the chapter.  Our honorary members often include university professors, deans, provosts and presidents.  Our graduating members are also welcomed into the Mortar Board Alumni Club.  Induction has nice refreshments and a good chance to socialize.  We have had induction in the Red Barn, Floyd Theater and Chao Auditorium among other places.

Mid-late April: Officer Elections
By Reading Day, we typically elect officers.  By now, new members have already met a couple of times and have got to know each other.  We again often have light refreshments and good cheer.  By this time, we also select one or more delegates to the annual national conference, and vote to pay their registration and expenses (within budget).  The president and possibly 1-2 officers and/or advisors go, depending on how far/expensive the conference is.

Mid-May: Annual Reports
The National Office requires several annual reports by May 15.  The outgoing class does them and gives copies to the new officers, along with other officer records.  Advisors also get copies for long-term archives.

Mid-May: Flower Sales
Mortar Board has an exclusive license with the University to sell flowers at graduation in May and December.  It is our *main* fundraiser (about 3/4 of our income if we only do flower sales), and all new members are expected to help out.  In doing so, they also give a nice send-off to our graduating members.

June-July: Summer Planning
The new members and advisors consult for brainstorming for the coming year.  There are often informal social events.  Little official business gets done because many students are away for the summer.  But, in 2022 we had a successful summer "Plant Swap" which also earned over $100.  It is important to plan out the year slowly and in detail.  If amendments to the constitution are made, they are written in the summer in teams of students and advisors, and in consultation with the University RSO Office and the Mortar Board National Office.  We reserve our table at the RSO Fair and set up to help on Move-In Day.  We also plan Trunk-or-Treat.

Early August: National Conference
The national conference is FUN, and a great chance to meet interesting people, learn leadership skills and tips for running a chapter.  The attendees get energized to start the academic year.

Late August: Kick-off of the academic year
We try to hit the ground running in August, because semesters go by very fast.  We like to have a chapter retreat for a morning or a day, to bind our chapter together and further brainstorm for the year.  If amendments to the constitution are made, they are voted on now.  We typically have a service event to help on Move-In Day, and also take part in the RSO Fair.

September:  Scholarship/Leadership/Service Activities, Chapter Action Report
We typically have a small (1-2 hour) service activity or two in September, like walk-a-thons or collaborating with other RSOs like fraternities/sororities.  We also continue to plan Trunk-or-Treat.  We sometimes have speakers at chapter meetings to tell us about tips in scholarship or leadership.  The Chapter Action Report must be filed with the National Office, which includes detailed plans for activities for the year (including recruitment and tapping) and a budget.

October: Trunk-or-Treat, Muffins for Mortar Board
Trunk-or-Treat is our big service event of the fall.  All members are expected to help out. We organize other RSOs (and even high schools) to decorate cars and set up for trick-or-treating, games and a costume contest in the Cardinal Stadium parking lot.  We also pass out muffins (and possibly other goodies) on the Quad at midterm time.  This is a nice gesture for students, and also advertises our chapter on campus.

November: Scholarship/Leadership/Service activities, plan recruitment
We continue with a small service activity or two and have a guest speaker or two talk with our chapter.

December: Flower Sales
We get about 1/4 of our flower sale fundraising at the December graduation.  All members are expected to help out.  It's a nice way to say goodbye to our members who graduate that month.

January: Scholarship/Leadership Activities, plan recruitment
We have a guest speaker or two talk with our chapter, and plan recruitment, which kicks off with a call for applications.


All of the activities here are traditional, but what we do is up to you, the members!  Mortar Board just gives the frame, and you paint the picture.  You can choose what to do and how to do it, within the frame.  Every chapter and every year is different!  The main point is to learn from each other and to serve the campus and surrounding community together.