Regional Officer Positions Open

Hey Carolinas! As we draw near to our annual fall Leadership Conference, our application deadline for Regional Officer positions approaches. Applications will remain open until September 27th. In addition to Regional Vice President and Public Relations Vice President, a new position has just opened and we are now taking applications for Media and Records Vice President. We seek candidates who enjoy social media engagement, are ready to learn the ins and outs of different platforms, or are enthusiastic about building connections and fostering fellowship. Regional leadership positions are a fantastic opportunity to develop in-demand, marketable skills, build leadership capabilities, and make impactful contributions to our members' and region's growth.

You can access the application for our open positions here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PTKCarolinas/_2024RegionalOfficerApplication?fbclid=IwY2xjawFNwzNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRLvfozEdSceqDixkW4jxYnAteqeBov7PSCJPGYDkQNmzSVjAcSwVgfdMw_aem_otcnm3yyIl7PaqFypa9kNg

Members can cast their ballots for incoming officers at our Leadership Conference. Potential candidates can direct their questions to ptkcarolinas@gmail.com or reach out to us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ptkcarolinas.

Stay awesome friends!

Carolinas Region: Leadership Conference Updates!!

Early Registration Extended

The Leadership Conference Early Registration has been EXTENDED until September 6th! Get your chapter registered for this awesome gathering of PTK scholars in Charleston, South Carolina at a discounted rate.

RO Applications

Remember if you or someone you know wants to run for Regional Office, applications are due on September 27th and the Honors Study Topic Speech is due September 30th.

Lip Sync Battle

If you want to participate in the Lip Sync Battle, you need to sign up as only twenty (20) performance slots are available, awarded on a first-come basis. Any entries received after the twenty slots are filled will be marked as alternates. Entrant(s) must pay a fee to enter the competition. Entry fees can be paid before or upon arrival at the Leadership Conference Entry Fee: Single, $5.00; Duo/Trio, $10.00; Group (>3), $20.00.

Entrants must complete the ALPHA OMEGA STYLE LIP SYNC BATTLE ENTRY FORM to participate. This should be emailed BEFORE 10/01/2024 to alphaomegaptk2001@gmail.com. You can turn them in upon arrival at Leadership, but then will not know in advance if you are among the first twenty.

Songs MUST be available from Amazon Music at no cost. Makeup and costumes are encouraged to enhance your performance. Lip-syncing and enthusiasm are the keys to success; see the sign-up form here!!

Transfer Fair!!

We had so much fun in March, that we are doing it again! Your Alpha Omega Carolinas Region Alumni Association Officers and Advisor Team is excited to present the students with a second TRANSFER FAIR OPPORTUNITY this year during our Fall Leadership Conference event held in Charleston, SC! This event would not have been possible without the support of our official event sponsors listed below. Please come visit their tables on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. during the conference to discuss your potential future with their institutions!

Gold Sponsor: Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, SC

Alpha Omega Carolinas Region Alumni Association would like to extend their gratitude to GOLD Sponsor, Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, South Carolina! Founded in 1954, the university began as a two-year community college and became an independent community college in 1958. In July 1993, the school officially became an autonomous state institution as a public institution. They are the home of the CHANTICLEER’s Athletics, with 19 NCAA teams (Sun Belt Conference), offering over 115 undergraduate and over 30 graduate-level major fields of study, including specialized concentrations. The university also offers a Ph.D. in Marine Science and Education Sciences.

Ready to transfer? Get a jump start and prepare your questions for the representative during the event on October 5th at the Regional Leadership Conference by clicking here:  www.coastal.edu

Silver Sponsor: William Peace University, located in Raleigh, NC

Alpha Omega Carolinas Region Alumni Association would like to extend their gratitude to SILVER Sponsor, William Peace University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina! Founded in 1857, the university began as an institute for children in primary grades as well as women from high school to college. It once was a two-year college for women and has since evolved into a four-year coeducational university as a private institution. They are the home of the PACERS Athletics, with 18 NCAA Division III teams. They offer more than 30 majors in their Traditional Undergraduate and School of Professional Studies programs.

Ready to transfer? Get a jump start and prepare your questions for the representative during the event on October 5th at the Regional Leadership Conference by clicking here: https://www.peace.edu

Silver Sponsor: NC State University, located in Raleigh, NC

Alpha Omega Carolinas Region Alumni Association would like to extend their gratitude to SILVER Sponsor, NC State University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina! Founded in 1887 as a public institution, the university began as a land-grant institution that adopted its school colors in late 1895 but did not establish an official mascot or nickname until 1921 when the University’s mascot was suggested by an alumnus in an unsigned letter to the NC State Alumni News in February 1921 and the mascot Wolfpack was born. They are the home of the Wolfpack, with 22 programs Division 1 athletic teams in the ACC and NCAA. They offer more than 100 majors and over 120 minors. They were founded with a mission to give back and have performed 3,200 service hours across all Alternative Service Break Trips in the 2022- 2023 academic year. NC State was also ranked #5 by the U.S. News & World Report for their Vet Med Program nationally and #20 in Forbes for their STEM College program.

Ready to transfer? Get a jump start and prepare your questions for the representative during the event on October 5th at the Regional Leadership Conference by clicking here: https://admissions.ncsu.edu/

Carolinas Region Leadership Conference - Early Registration Deadline Approaching!

Attention all Professionals in the Carolinas Region: mark your calendars for a thrilling opportunity you wouldn't want to miss! The Carolinas Region Leadership Conference is on the horizon, scheduled from October 4th to 6th at Trident Technical College in their prestigious Nursing & Science Building.

Here's a sneak peek into the captivating events lined up for the conference: Tentative Agenda

Early Registration Deadline

Hurry! The early registration deadline is fast approaching on August 30th. Secure your spot now to access this incredible learning and networking experience. Registration form. Remember if you are still working throught the appoval paperwork, you can still register before early registration ends and you have until the day of the conference to pay (online, or via check mailed, or brought with you to the conference.

Transfer Fair

We have an exciting Transfer Fair planned for the Leadership Conference on Saturday morning from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Here is a sneak peak at some of the colleges and Universities that will be in attendance:

Basic Sponsors:

• Columbia College

• College of Charleston

Silver Sponsors

• William Peace University

• North Carolina State University

Gold Sponsors

• Coastal Carolina University

  
  

Alumni Scholarships Opportunity

Calling all members! Don't miss the chance to apply for our Alumni Scholarships. The deadline for applications is September 1st. Remember, you can't win if you don't apply! Here is a link to the Applications.

Embrace Growth and Networking

Regional HIA Project Theme 8: Fables, Folklore, and Fairytales

In what ways do messages shared through fables, folklore, and fairytales influence and reflect culture?

From the peaks of the Appalachians, where specters are said to roam, to the jagged coastline with its historical ports and forts, the Carolinas Region is a patchwork of colorful stories and tales. Messages shared through fables, folklore, and fairytales reflect and influence culture in various ways. Deeply ingrained in cultural traditions and passed down through generations, these stories play a significant role in shaping collective values, identities, and perceptions within societies. Take, for instance, the enduring power of fairy tales. As explored by Bettelheim, these narratives delve into universal human experiences and anxieties, such as fear, love, betrayal, and redemption. Through their timeless stories, fairy tales entertain and offer insights into the values and concerns of the cultures from which they emerge. Whether it is the courage of Cinderella or the wisdom of the Three Little Pigs, these tales provide a lens through which societal norms and ideals can be examined.

Similarly, folklore and fables carry profound cultural significance; Hallett and Karasek’s research demonstrates how these stories both shape and are shaped by cultural values, norms, and beliefs. Embedded within their plots, characters, and settings are moral lessons, societal taboos, and cultural norms that reflect the ethos of a community or civilization. Whether it is the cautionary tale of the Boy Who Cried Wolf or the mythological exploits of Greek heroes, folklore and fables serve as repositories of cultural wisdom, passed down from one generation to the next.

Additionally, the adaptability of these narratives across different contexts speaks to their enduring relevance. Tatar’s analysis of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales illustrates how these stories have been interpreted and reimagined across historical and cultural landscapes. The evolution of these tales reflects changing attitudes towards gender, class, morality, and other socio-cultural factors, highlighting the dynamic relationship between storytelling and cultural values. Similarly, Bjerre’s exploration of Southern Gothic literature demonstrates how stories can reflect regional identities and social issues in a specific cultural context. By blending elements of traditional Gothic fiction with Southern culture and history, Southern Gothic literature mirrors the complexities of the American South, exploring themes of decay, the grotesque, and social unrest.

Finally, fables, folklore, and fairytales are not merely stories—they are mirrors that reflect a culture’s values, identities, and perceptions. Through their narratives, art, and physical expression, these tales shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. As we continue to tell and retell these timeless stories, we perpetuate the cultural legacy that binds us together, ensuring that our collective wisdom endures for future generations. Just as culture influences folklore, fables, and fairy tales, the opposite is true. With a greater awareness of our perception, a story influences who we are and who we may become. 

Helpful links:

• The American Folklore Society 

• Marvels & Tales | WSU Press | Wayne State University

• Southern Folklife Collection – UNC University Libraries

Questions to ask:

• What are some prominent local stories, pieces of art, history, or legends from our community? How do these stories reflect the cultural identity and values of our community? What are the underlying themes and messages behind these stories, and how do they resonate with our community members?

• How can we collaborate with local historical societies or institutions to engage community members, including college students, in learning about and celebrating our local stories and legends?

• How can we leverage our understanding of local stories and legends to inspire positive change and community engagement?

Project Options:

• Research a local story, piece of art, history, or legend from your community, then create an event at your college or community that showcases the true meaning behind the underlying story.

• Utilize visual media to share and celebrate your community’s culture and identity represented in art, history, or legends in your local area.

• Work with a local historical society or other institution to preserve community stories, then educate your college or community about these stories.

• Connect a past event (such as a festival, historical event, educational event, etc.) to a current local community issue and create and execute a service project/call to action, showing how it influenced the community’ issue.

Submit your Project once you've finished to the 2024 Carolinas Super Stars - Submission Form (cognitoforms.com)

Make a Difference in the Community

Enrich your experience by participating in the Carolinas Region Service Project Preparedness of Care, giving back to your local community, and making a positive impact beyond the college walls.

About The Region Service Project

These unexpected opportunities may come in the form of a crisis such as an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) or potentially fatal overdose. While these scenarios may seem extreme, they are witnessed far more commonly than expected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that “more than 100,000 individuals died from drug-involved overdoses between September 2021 and August 2022” (Stein, 2023). This is also true for cardiac arrests as the Education and Medical Journal states: “Cardiac arrest is a global public health concern as an estimated 3 million deaths occur worldwide every year because of it” (Htay, 2023).  

Lower-income populations are especially at risk for an OHCA but have a lower chance of survival. Fortunately, research has shown that proper preparation in the form of training can help change the way these crises are handled. For instance, a publication in the Current Psychology Journal states that CPR training given to high school students “reduced students’ anxiety about CPR and provided a positive change in their thoughts about intervening in an occurrence” (Koca, 2022). This is also congruent with Narcan administration training as a Study on the Efficacy of a Naloxone Training Program states: “Lack of education regarding the effects of naloxone in acute opioid overdose may further contribute to hesitation among bystanders to carry and use naloxone” (Beauchamp, 2021). 

Lower income population also benefit from Narcan administration training as The National Library of Medicine mentions: “Educational training on opioids, opioid overdose, and the use of naloxone was an effective adjunct to naloxone kit distribution to volunteers and clinicians caring for people experiencing homelessness” (Beauchamp, 2021). Through CPR and Narcan administration training, the bystander is better prepared to save a life.

Questions to consider:

•  Which type of training would your community derive the most benefit from?

•  What target population are you preparing to assist?

•  What type of training is already offered by nearby organizations? 

• Has a medical emergency ever been experienced by any members of the chapter? What was the response and how could greater preparation have improved the situation?

• Are medical supplies easily accessed by your organization? Are there any nearby populations that lack these crucial supplies?

How to participate?

• Complete an online or in-person training program on the administration of Naloxone (Narcan). 

• Complete an online or in person CPR/ AED training course offered by a certified organization (such as American Red Cross, The American Heart Association, or the National CPR Foundation).

• Fundraise for the American Red Cross.

•  Hold a donation drive for medical supplies, assemble the supplies into small kits to donate and distribute a target population. 

  
  

Submit your Project once you've finished to the 2024 Carolinas Super Stars - Submission Form (cognitoforms.com)