Reports
Here are all the forms your chapter will need throughout the year organized by due date. Reports help your measure your chapter's progress and ensure that your transition to the next class is successful while showcasing everything you've accomplished!
Required reports
Chapter Action Plan (CAP)
Each year, chapters complete a Chapter Action Plan. This document is a planning document for the year ahead. Please do your best to complete the document; it is not set in stone; it is just a start to guide your year. Chapter Action Plans are due September 30 for semester schools (October 15 for quarter schools).
For the past few years, the Chapter Action Plan has been an online form, but we’ve moved to Google Docs to allow for better chapter collaboration and Section Coordinator dialogue. Your Section Coordinators will offer feedback on your plan and are here for consultation if needed.
A unique Google Doc has been created for your chapter – please use this link and do not recreate and/or save the report in a different format. Links have been emailed to the chapter, but are also available here.
NOVEMBER 10: Mortar Board Forum Autumn issue submission
A picture is worth a thousand words. Write a little and send a great photo! Photos should be in JPEG, TIFF or GIF formats – NOT embedded in the document – and must be print-quality photo resolution (at least 300 dpi).
Responsible officers: director of communications, historian or president
Due on or before November 10
JANUARY 4: Mortar Board Forum Winter issue submission
A picture is worth a thousand words. Write a little and send a great photo! Photos should be in JPEG, TIFF or GIF formats – NOT embedded in the document – and must be print-quality photo resolution (at least 300 dpi).
Responsible officers: director of communications, historian or president
BETWEEN SELECTION AND TAPPING: Candidate Request (CR)/Official Membership Report (OMR)
You must provide the National Office with a complete list of the candidates your chapter has selected at least two weeks before candidates are tapped. Once these candidates are approved, they may be tapped by your chapter.
The link below will take you to the CR in Microsoft Excel and includes instructions for its completion. Please see the instructions tab of the workbook for more information on payment of fees. Within one week after initiation, your OMR must be completed with detailed information about the candidates you selected, including whether they accepted or refused membership. The OMR automatically calculates the amount of fees your chapter must submit. Note, you must complete the OMR in your previously approved CR workbook, not a new one.
Responsible officers: membership chair, vice president or president and treasurer
APRIL 1: Mortar Board Forum Spring issue submission
A picture is worth a thousand words. Write a little and send a great photo! Photos should be in JPEG, TIFF or GIF formats – NOT embedded in the document – and must be print-quality photo resolution (at least 300 dpi).
Responsible officers: director of communications, historian or president
WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER INITIATION: OMR and fees
See details above for completion of the OMR. Ensure that the conference fee and all new members and continuing senior fees (including those paid online) have been received by the National Office. This is required for Gold Torch Award consideration.
Responsible officers: membership chair, vice president or president and treasurer
MAY 15: Chapter Annual Report [CAR] - (New Officer Info, Financial Summary, Programs & Operations, Advisor Update, etc.)
This report combines four former reports – new officer information, finance report, advisor report, and historian report, plus includes the award applications for Gold Torch, Project Excellence, DEI&B, and Outstanding Achievement, so each chapter only has to complete this one report to meet National Requirements and apply for most awards! This report will serve as a great transitioning document to show what you have done and leave a good record for the next chapter leaders. The Chapter Annual Report is due on or before May 15.
MAY 15: Chapter Finance Report (New in 2023 - Included in the Chapter Annual Report)
MAY 15: Advisor Annual Report (New in 2023 - Included in the Chapter Annual Report)
MAY 15: Historian Annual Report (New in 2023 - Included in the Chapter Annual Report)
JUNE 15: National Conference registration
Each chapter is required to send one delegate to the annual national conference to remain in good standing. The 2023 Annual Conference will take place virtually from July 14 – July 16. The delegate is typically the chapter president or another officer if they are unable to attend. Registration costs and accommodations are provided free of charge for this delegate. The cost is covered by the annual chapter fee / conference fee that the chapter submits annually with the OMR, along with grants and funding provided by Mortar Board, Inc. and the Mortar Board National Foundation.
- For virtual conferences (odd years), up to 5 additional chapter members and advisors are invited to attend the conference at no additional registration fee for virtual conferences.
- For in-person conferences, additional collegiate members and advisors are invited – and encouraged – to attend but will be required to pay a registration fee.
The deadline for official delegates to register is June 15.
Responsible officer: new chapter president for the upcoming academic year
National Conference registration form – coming soon
JULY 1: Mortar Board Forum Summer issue submission
A picture is worth a thousand words. Write a little and send a great photo! Photos should be in JPEG, TIFF or GIF formats – NOT embedded in the document – and must be print-quality photo resolution (at least 300 dpi).
Responsible officer: director of communications, historian or president
Recommended or optional reports
AS REQUESTED: Chapter Recovery Initiative (CRI)
Use this report to develop an action plan to overcome issues that threaten your chapter. Chapters struggling to obtain an appropriate number of candidates are urged to fill out the form as early as possible before selection to take proactive steps to overcome this obstacle and complete a successful selection.
Responsible officer: any Mortar Board member or officer
DUE WITH CR: Petition for scholarship exception
The scholarship requirement for collegiate membership is the minimum grade point average representing the upper 35 percent of the student body with junior standing, or a minimum of a straight B average (3.0), whichever is higher on your campus. If your chapter wants to select a candidate whose GPA is lower than 3.0, you must submit a petition for a scholarship exception before the candidate may be tapped. Submit the petition along with the CR, and the National Office will let you know if you may tap the candidate.
DUE WITH CR: Petition for maximum chapter size exception
Chapters must select a minimum of 15 candidates, or 10 percent of the student body with junior standing, whichever is less. The maximum number of members is 50, or 1.5 percent of the student body with junior standing, whichever is greater. If your chapter has a compelling reason for selecting more than the maximum number of candidates, submit this report for approval from the National Office. (If your chapter fails to consider the minimum number of candidates, a Chapter Recovery Initiative (CRI) report is required.)
DUE WITH CR: Petition for honorary membership
Each year, your chapter is encouraged to select up to three honorary members who exemplify the purpose of Mortar Board and have at least a baccalaureate degree and national or regional reputation in their field. A candidate for honorary membership may not already be a Mortar Board member. Note: Mortar Board also has a Chapter Citation to honor people on your campus who have been helpful to your chapter but who do not qualify for honorary membership.
MAY 15: Excellence in Advising Award nomination
The Excellence in Advising Awards are given to Mortar Board chapter advisors who have demonstrated a commitment to the purpose of Mortar Board and gone above and beyond in their work with a collegiate chapter. Nominations must be submitted from current collegiate members and are due on or before March 15 of each year. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee, and recipients are announced annually. The Excellence in Advising with Distinction may be presented to an advisor who has previously won the Excellence in Advising Award. Nominating chapters must be in good standing.
MAY15: Gold Torch Award application or nomination
Chapters that meet all the minimum standards (outlined in the Bylaws) and meet minimum selection and acceptance standards are eligible to apply for this award. To receive a Gold Torch, chapters must have excelled in scholarship, leadership and service. The review process includes a review of all reporting, both voluntary and required. A chapter may be nominated by its officers, advisors or section coordinator. Winning the Gold Torch is a great addition to your and your officers’ résumés. It is a great record to leave behind for your successors too!
Responsible officers: section coordinator, president, advisor or other chapter members
MAY 15: Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award application or nomination
The Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award is the highest possible honor given for chapter achievement based on superior chapter operations, participation, selection, advising, visibility and communications. Considerations include:
- Being represented by a delegate at the national conference
- Submitting all required reports to the National Office
- Having at least one submission to the Forum
- Clearing all institutional and Mortar Board financial obligations
- Retaining a well-tested sense of camaraderie among chapter members
- Having a current, up-to-date chapter website
- Submitting an application for at least one Project Excellence Award
- Completing a significant all-campus project that involves at least 75 percent of chapter participation
- Sponsoring an alumni event or newsletter
- Practicing an excellent selection process following procedures
- Having active advisor(s)
- Being visible on campus
- Carrying out meaningful and established traditions
- Communicating effectively with chapter members.
Chapters must also submit a Gold Torch Award Application to be considered for the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award. The chapter that wins this award must also receive a Gold Torch award in the same academic year. Five years must elapse before a winning chapter may apply again for the award.
Responsible officer: section coordinator, president, advisor or other chapter members
MAY 15: Project Excellence Award application or nomination
Chapters that have completed an outstanding project in scholarship, leadership development, fundraising, alumni involvement, service, “Reading is Leading” or Mortar Board Week will be considered for this award. Officers and advisors may nominate their chapter for any projects they would like to have reviewed by the committee. Please share no more than your top five projects.
Responsible officer: president, advisor or other chapter member or officer
MAY15: Most Improved Chapter Award application or nomination
Chapters, section coordinators or national leaders may nominate a chapter that documents the greatest growth or improvement in new member selection, membership orientation and transition, chapter operations, service to the community and visibility. Only one recipient is awarded annually. The chapter that wins this award must also receive either a Silver Torch or Gold Torch award in the same academic year.
Responsible officers: section coordinator, president, advisor or other chapter members
MAY 15: DEI&B Award application
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) Awards recognize outstanding efforts/successes by chapters on projects and initiatives that focus on the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A chapter may apply or be nominated by their Section Coordinator.
MAY 15: Promotional videos
At the national conference, chapters showcase their activities and programs through one-minute promotional videos. Think of all the visibility you will gain on your campus with your new promotional video. The promo videos will be shown at the national conference. The top-ranked video will have bragging rights all year long!
Responsible officers: communications, historian or other chapter members
Chapter Action Plan FAQ
Why the CAP?
The Chapter Action Plan, or CAP, documents your chapter’s plan for recruitment and selection of new members, as well as your chapter’s events and activities for the year. Complete this form with estimated dates, hours spent and details for your chapter’s events.
Why should our chapter complete the CAP?
Every chapter that completes the CAP earnestly and thoroughly and then follows the plan is assured of success. If you submit your CAP on or before the deadline, your chapter will take its first step toward award recognition at year’s end. The chapter president must collaborate with other officers and advisors to complete this report. It’s best if the entire chapter is involved. In addition to being a great chapter planning tool, the CAP is part of Mortar Board’s Chapter Minimum Standards.
What happens once our chapter completes the CAP?
When you have your first draft of the CAP ready, please send it to your section coordinator for initial review. Your section coordinator is the primary reviewer of your CAP and will praise great ideas and suggest modifications that might be necessary. You can have a dialogue about where you’re excelling, as well as how you might improve your CAP. Then, once you have the CAP in top condition, send it on or before September 15 to the National Office at chapters@mortarboard.org. The staff in the National Office will review your CAP one last time with special attention to membership selection.
What if I make changes to our CAP?
If your chapter adjusts the CAP after September 15, please let your section coordinator and the National Office know unless it is an insubstantial modification. The CAP is a planning tool meant to help your chapter envision its year and make plans for key events. We understand that sometimes event dates need to be changed and members’ schedules fluctuate. But, if your membership selection deadlines shift and you are no longer able to meet the national guidelines set out in the Membership Selection Handbook, you must notify the National Office and your SC immediately. This especially includes the rules governing initiation (found in Bylaws of Mortar Board, Inc. Article VI, Section 1.16).
There are not enough spaces to add all of the chapter’s activities. What should I do?
In designing this report, we’ve been intentional about the number of spaces left under each category based on how much emphasis a chapter should be placed in a given area. So, events that should be a major focus area for your chapter have been given the most space. Many active chapters may have more activities to report than there are spaces. If you need more space, create an addendum by listing your events on a separate page and email it along with your CAP.
How can our chapter use the CAP throughout the year?
There’s an old saying, “Plan your work and work your plan.” The CAP is a plan. Work it! Bring the CAP to every Executive Committee meeting and evaluate your progress, making minor adjustments or lighting fires to get things done. Make sure your advisory team is sensitive to the CAP, too, so they can help you meet your goals as laid out in the CAP.