We would like to congratulate the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter winner.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chapter participated in numerous community service functions. One event was called “The Book Drive That Never Ends.” From March 1 to April 1, Golden Key members collected as many books as possible for Better World Books and Books for Africa. Given that the La Crosse campus is a textbook rental campus, the main source for books comes from faculty members. Although only 7 boxes of books were eligible for Better World Books, the chapter had another 20 boxes to be donated to Books for Africa! In March, the chapter worked with two local elementary schools to assist with their fundraisers. One of the honorary members, Sue Kelly, made all of the arrangements for the members, and the schools were grateful for the chapter’s help. The chapter also worked in conjunction with the Salvation Army during the holiday season. In December members teamed up with the Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas assistance for disadvantaged children and seniors. The chapter assisted in the wrapping and distribution of gifts to children in the area.
One of the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse chapter’s most impactful events was the Miracle League Softball Game held in early May. Miracle League is a national organization designed to give individuals with special needs an opportunity to participate in organized sports. Originated in Conyers, GA in 1998, the organization has grown into a league comprised of 225 fields in 44 states. This game served as an excellent opportunity for the chapter members to work one-on-one with the players, assist them throughout the game and build a relationship with them. The chapter plans to participate in this event in the future and have already been invited back to upcoming games.
Once again congratulations to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter winner!
 
 

We would like to congratulate the University of Hawai’i at Mänoa chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter winner.
In the spring of 2014, the University of Hawai’i at Mänoa chapter held a different donation drive each month. Their first was a blood drive for the Blood Bank of Hawai’i. The chapter organized tabling sessions at the Campus Center to recruit donors, educate the community on the importance of donating blood and inform students on the many opportunities to give blood. The chapter successfully collected 44 pints of blood from 62 donors, 8 of which were first time donors. In March, the chapter hosted a clothes drive for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai’i. All of the donations are sold to Savers, a local thrift store, and the proceeds are then used to support the education and awareness of kidney disease in Hawai’i. As a whole, the chapter was able to successfully collect more than 250 articles of clothing! The final drive that the chapter held during the spring was their HUGS Toiletry Drive. HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support) aids local families with sick children. The chapter collected body wash, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, razors, shaving cream, hand wipes and toilet paper to be passed out at hospitals to families who stay with their ill children and are not able to go purchase these materials themselves.
One of the chapter’s larger events is their Prospective Member Recognition Event/End-of-Semester Ceremony. This event recognizes the academic accomplishments of students who are “on track” for membership into Golden Key. This event, held at the end of the spring semester, is a formal reception in which the top 15% of each class is invited to learn more about the Society. The ceremony requires collective involvement from the entire chapter, alumni, advisors and honorary members, as well as a large amount of planning in advance. Preparation for the event starts at the beginning of the spring semester. Each officer was delegated certain responsibilities, which includes room reservations, speech assignments, invitations/RSVPs, entertainment and more. Event details were discussed and finalized in each monthly meeting.  The event ended up being a huge success and helped to create awareness of all that the chapter does on campus and in the community. Prospective members were able to learn more about Golden Key and the many opportunities and benefits of being a part of the University of Hawai’i at Mänoa chapter.
Again, congratulations to the University of Hawai’i at Mänoa chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter!
 
 

In continuance with our blog series, we would like to highlight the Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter for being named a 2014 Key Chapter!
During the 2013-2014 academic year, the Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter participated in many events that are directly related to the three pillars of Golden Key: academics, leadership and service. One of the chapter’s memorable functions was a member networking event, which served as an excellent opportunity to re-engage chapter alumni and honorary members with current members. The Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter has numerous alumni still living in the Denver area, and this occasion gave newer members the opportunity to build new relationships with these alumni and honorary members. In addition to many student members, the networking event brought together ten alumni members, four honorary members and four individuals from the campus community looking to forge a connection with the chapter. For Global Youth Service Day in the spring, the chapter worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a duplex house in a local neighborhood. The team, consisting of student members, honorary members and the families moving into the homes, contributed almost 70 labors hours to build these homes. This included installing storm braces, building scaffolding and erecting the roof struts among other supportive activities.
About a year ago, a student in the Metropolitan State University of Denver community passed away after a battle with leukemia, one of the most prevalent forms of blood cancer. In honor of this student, several organizations at the university partnered with each other to hold a Bone Marrow Drive on campus. The Golden Key chapter was the first of the organizations to provide all of the volunteers necessary to run the drive, assist in the planning of the event and lead in the marketing of the event. By assisting their partner in the event, Delete Blood Cancer, the Golden Key chapter was able to properly screen donors to ensure their eligibility to participate in the drive.  Chapter members also served at the information, registration, swabbing and participant gift stations. The event brought together more than 150 people, including several alumni members and honorary members.
Congratulations to the Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter!