Do I have to be a KDP member to serve as the chapter counselor?

I’m a new counselor, does KDP know?

Is training provided for new counselors?

What is my role in chapter recruitment and retention?

What is my role in completing chapter reports?

What is my role with chapter officers?

What is my relationship with my Regional Chapter Coordinator?

What are Chapter Models?

Are there any other KDP chapters near me?

What are the benefits of being a chapter counselor?

The chapter counselor advises the chapter and guides the chapter officers.  The counselor serves as a mentor and support system for the student officers and members.  As stated in the National bylaws, the job description of a counselor is

Access to thousands of KDP members worldwide;

Quarterly publications about hot topics in education;

The opportunity to serve as a book or manuscript reviewer;

KDP member discounts on insurance, travel, and more;

The opportunity to be published;

And much more!

Unless you contacted KDP Headquarters yourself, chances are that KDP does not know that you are a new counselor.  Please contact your Regional Chapter Coordinator as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on important information!

Yes!  As soon as your Regional Chapter Coordinator knows that you are the new counselor, he or she will contact you to schedule your counselor orientation.  The counselor orientation session lasts about an hour.  Although the orientation is done over the phone, your RCC will also ask you to be at a computer so he or she can walk you through important resources on the KDP Web site.

If you are a new counselor and have not completed your counselor orientation, please contact your RCC.

First and foremost, thank you for your service to KDP. Chapters would not be possible without chapter counselors.  As an outgoing counselor, you need to

Recruit a new counselor;

Transition the new counselor into the role;

Contact your RCC as soon as you know who the new counselor will be;

Enter the new counselor information into the KDP Web portal; and

Celebrate your years of service with your chapter!

Log in to the Web Portal

Recruitment and retention of members may be the most important thing your chapter does.  Without cultivating new members and keeping initiated members involved, your chapter will not be able to accomplish much.  Your role is to

Serve on the membership committee;

Assist chapter officers in their recruitment efforts;

Talk about KDP to your students;

Talk about KDP to fellow faculty members;

Help develop a Post-Initiation Incentive Program  (PIIP) to encourage member participation,

Report Name

Date Due

Completed by

Financial Report

Chapter Officer Report

Your role as the chapter counselor is to ensure that each of these reports is submitted. When reports are submitted on time, you and the RCC can focus on building and managing the chapter. If chapter officers have been reported for your chapter, they will be the first contact for missing reports.  If chapter officers have not been reported, you are the only contact person KDP Headquarters has for your chapter. It is important to make sure that all officer information is current.

Chapter officers are the leaders of the chapter. Your role is to

Ensure that officers are elected each year;

Present a training and goal setting program for incoming officers;

Work with outgoing officers to make sure that outgoing officers are transitioning the incoming officers;

Guide the officers toward growth of the chapter.

Your Regional Chapter Coordinator is your liaison to KDP Headquarters.  Your relationship should be two-way and based on good communication.

Provide you with updates from KDP Headquarters;

Schedule a call with you once a semester to find out how things are going, learn what is happening with the chapter, and discover how he or she can assist you;

Contact you if any reports are delinquent; and

Congratulate you on chapter milestones.

Updating your RCC about any chapter changes;

Providing quality information about completed or upcoming programs and initiations;

Consulting your RCC if you have any questions about policies or chapter management; and

Providing honest updates and feedback about your chapter’s progress and challenges.

Chapter Models were introduced during the Fall 2008 semester in an effort to accommodate the many different needs and structures of KDP’s 600 chapters. There are three models: Initiation-Only, Standard, and Advanced. Each chapter is required to select a Chapter Model each academic year.  For detailed information about each model and access to the Chapter Model Agreement, click the link below.

With over 600 collegiate and professional chapters across the United States, there is a pretty good chance there is a KDP chapter near you.  Benefits of networking with other local chapters include:

Access to additional members
• If you are planning a big program and you need help for things like setting up, tearing down, or advertising,    networking with a chapter in your area can provide you with additional people who can lend a hand

Access to additional funding
• If you and a neighboring chapter are interested in hosting a similar program, you can host the event    together and get the funding, speaker, and supplies you need to present the program effectively

Access to additional resources
• Whether you’re just starting out as a chapter or have been established for decades, exchanging  training    ideas, transition processes, or marketing suggestions with other chapters is great for both chapters

The benefits of being a chapter counselor extend far beyond the benefits of being a Kadelpian.  As a chapter counselor, you have the chance to enhance the college experience of each chapter member. Because of your efforts, KDP members on your campus will be able to

Participate in programs and service events geared toward education;

Transfer what they have learned about education and teaching into real-life scenarios;

Experience being part of a community of excellence;

Develop their own leadership potential; and

Work to improve the college and local community.