Golden Key is very excited to announce the winners of our 2013 Chapter Facebook Contest! The contest was open to all Golden Key chapters in North America.  The goal of the contest was to increase the number of likes on the chapter Facebook pages throughout the month of September.  By getting more likes on the Facebook pages, it gives chapter leaders a great opportunity to reach out to more of their chapter members to increase involvement and awareness.  The chapters can post about upcoming meetings and event, share pictures, brainstorm ideas and more all on their Facebook page.
The participating chapters were sorted into four categories based on their existing number of likes in order to give everyone an equal chance of winning.  One chapter has been selected as the winner from each category…

The University of Florida, the University of Alberta, Western Kentucky University, and Appalachian State University! 

Each of the winning chapters receives $500!

The University of Florida chapter (www.facebook.com/ufgoldenkey) was the category 1 winner and increased their likes by 358. The University of Alberta chapter (www.facebook.com/uofagk) was the category 2 winner and increased their likes by 239. The Western Kentucky University chapter (www.facebook.com/pages/WKU-Golden-Key/194585547234935) was the category 3 winner and increased their likes by 169.  The Appalachian State University chapter (www.facebook.com/appstategoldenkey) was the category 4 winner and increased their likes by 111.
The number of new people the chapters got to like their pages surpassed our expectations.  We are so impressed. Golden Key is proud of all the hard work and wonderful things our chapters accomplish year-round.  This contest is a prime example of their determination as so many chapters participated and helped spread awareness of Golden Key and our mission. “I am so proud of all the chapters who participated in this contest,” said Holly McCaleb, Director of U.S. University Relations.  “Almost everyone is on Facebook so it is a quick and easy way for our chapters to promote events, poll their members and create excitement around what their chapter stands for on campus.  I look forward to being a part of many exciting chapter adventures through this platform.”
Congratulations to the winning chapters!
Check back on the blog tomorrow for a highlight on the winning chapters’ strategies for the contest!

The University of Hawai’i at Manoa chapter participated in over 70 events during the 2012-2013 academic year! Amongst the book drives, fundraisers and socials, the Hawai’i at Manoa Golden Key chapter had two particular events that the chapter felt were the most influential to the chapter and the community.
One value that is held dearly in the hearts of Hawaiian citizens is adoration for the island’s habitat. To show their appreciation for such, the Golden Key chapter hosted a morning service project in which students and community volunteers were taken to the Lyon Arboretum, a public botanical garden maintained by the University. The members and volunteers were taught about a couple of invasive plants on the island and how to remove them- a task that is necessary for growth of the indigenous flora. Once taught about the intrusive shrubs and how to rid them, everyone was sent out to uproot them. The removed plants were then properly placed so they would not sprout again, but rather they could decompose back into the earth. The Hawaiians have a term for this- malama ‘aina, which means “to care for the land”.
The University of Hawai’i at Manoa chapter also initiated the first ever Honor Society Conference, which brings together the members of three different honor societies, as well as members of the community, student body and faculty. This year’s theme for the conference was “Success through Collaboration”. Attendees and presenters began the conference with a discussion about the importance of building collaborative relationships, and students shared experiences of personal growth and change that has come about from being a part of an honor society. The keynote speaker, Chancellor Tom Apple, spoke about the significance of starting such collaborative events and how they affect the community. The attendees then moved to break-out sessions where they considered new cooperative initiatives, such as disaster relief and continued personal development for the future.
Congratulations to the University of Hawai’i at Manoa chapter for being named a 2012-2013 Key Chapter and we wish you the best in the upcoming year!