GK FAQS.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions for US Chapters www.goldenkey.org
Golden Key International Headquarters 1040 Crown Pointe Pkwy Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30338 Toll Free: 1-800-377-2401 Email: [email protected]
Find All the Details You Want to Know By Selecting a Topic Below:
History & Facts (2) Unlock Your Potential (3) Membership Information (4) Membership Fees (6) Activities (6) Scholarship Information (7) Partnership Information (7)
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 1 of 8
History & Facts
What is Golden Key? Golden Key is the largest collegiate honor society in the world! Membership into the Society is by invitation only to the top 15% of college/university sophomores, juniors, seniors and top performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on the objective criteria of their academic achievements. Golden Key has over 400 chapters at universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States of America. Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501C (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. What exactly is an honor society, and why haven't I heard of Golden Key before? Honor societies have been recognized by universities in the United States for more than two centuries. The primary role of an honor society includes providing academic recognition to high-achieving students, and establishing professional and social contacts for these students within a network of universities. Honor societies also bring together students from diverse faculties and degree programs within each university and reinforce students’ interaction with university staff. Golden Key has grown internationally and now operates at more than 400 universities and colleges across 8 countries. When and how was Golden Key founded? Golden Key National Honor Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia on November 29, 1977. In 2001, the Society modified its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling. Be sure to find out your chapter’s charter date. You can ask your AD for this information. What are Golden Key’s mission, vision, and values? Vision: GK is the world’s premier honor society. We recognize academic excellence and provide tangible value to our student members, advisors, alumni and partners while positively impacting their lives and society. Mission: To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Diversity, Excellence, Engagement Who are Golden Key members? Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over 2 million members from 190 countries. Members include students from all over the world, faculty members, university staff, university presidents, teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders and many more. Well known honorary members include: Elizabeth Dole, Marian Wright Edelman, John Grisham, Colin Powell, Bill Clinton, Yogi Berra, Bonnie St. John, Henry Winkler, Lou Holtz, Stephen Covey, Gerald Ford and John Glenn.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 2 of 8
How is Golden Key Governed? Board of Directors – consisting of college presidents and vice presidents, higher education leaders, corporate leaders, Golden Key student and alumni members and founding members International Leadership Council – composed of a president, vice president, secretary, alumni member and student member; elected by chapter voting delegates Council of Advisors – thirteen elected Advisors who represent the Advisor voice of Golden Key Council of Student Members – thirteen elected student members who represent the voice of the Golden Key member
Unlock Your Potential
Why should I join Golden Key? What are the benefits? The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through leadership, career development, networking and volunteer service. In addition, a number of scholarships and awards are available for members to apply for, as well as special discounts from participating vendors such as The Princeton Review Test Prep, GEICO and Bank of America. For details and the latest on membership benefits, visit www.goldenkey.org. The Golden Key Advantage: Unlock Your Potential
$1,000,000 USD in scholarships and awards awarded to members annually. Recognition of a student’s academic achievement by an internationally recognized honors organization. Membership is restricted to sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students who are at the top 15% of their respective class at universities and colleges. New members will receive a membership certificate at their chapters’ New Member Recognition Event or upon request from the Member Services department ([email protected]). You can list your leadership and service experience with Golden Key on your resume. Major corporate & non-profit partners provide members with access to internships, full-time employment, discounts and study abroad opportunities. Opportunities to develop leadership skills. Attend and present at workshops at International and Regional Conferences. Networking opportunities with students, faculty, university staff and community leaders on a local, national and international scale. Connect with other GK members instantly through regional and chapter Facebook pages. Receive notifications and visit the GK website to learn about scholarships, new benefits and employment opportunities. GK Sponsors & Partners: Visit www.goldenkey.org, click “Programs & Privileges” and then “Your Partners” Examples of Member Opportunities are below: GEICO Insurance : GEICO offers discounts and special programs that can save you money on your automobile insurance premiums. The discounts and programs vary by state and circumstance. Call 1-800368-2734 for a free rate quote and be sure to indicate your Golden Key affiliation. More than 30,000 Golden Key members are an insured policyholder with GEICO. Bank of America: Golden Key Credit Card: The Golden Key credit card program helps fund the Society’s programs. BofI Federal Bank: Imagine a bank so convenient it has a branch in your home. And your office. And anywhere you have your cell phone. Open a Rewards Checking Account with unlimited ATM
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reimbursements, free Bill Pay, free cash-back Purchase Rewards, mobile deposit, and free FinanceWorks™ money management software. There are no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum monthly balance. Visit www.gkbankingcenter.com. Princeton Review Test Prep: Golden Key members save $200 on any GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCAT prep course. Call 1800-2Review. Discover Student Loans: Loans feature fixed or variable interest rates, zero fees and no payments required while enrolled in school at least half-time. Please contact us anytime 24/7 at 1-800-767-1164 or visit us at www.DiscoverStudentLoans.com/GoldenKey. G Adventures: Members can receive 5-15% off adventures to various parts of the world. After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits? Yes, once you are a Golden Key Member, you are a member for life. In order to ensure you receive updates on new benefits and discounts be sure to keep your contact information accurate by logging in to your profile with your GKID and last name to www.goldenkey.org. A number of large scholarships are available for members after graduation. These funds can be used to reduce educational based debt or toward attending graduate or professional school. Contact your local chapter to see how you can stay involved with the chapter after graduation. How does Golden Key help me with jobs and internships? Corporate and non-profit partners offer members internships and career opportunities. Access the GK Job Board: www.goldenkey.org Programs & Privileges Jobs & Internships Golden Key US Job Board Golden Key regularly hosts virtual career fairs for its members.
Please see the following pages for supporting documents that may be used as handouts for members and prospective members. Membership Information
Now that I have received the letter of invitation and want to join, what do I do? You can accept your membership invitation in two ways: a. Join online. Visit www.goldenkey.org and select the “Join Now” banner. Your invitation letter or email will provide you with specific instructions on how to accept your membership and pay on-line. If you have lost your letter, call or email headquarters at [email protected] or 1-800-377-2401. b. Mail the Membership Acceptance Form and complete fee payment to the Golden Key Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The acceptance form must arrive in Atlanta by the “join-by” date to produce your certificate in time for the New Member Recognition Event. If you are unable to attend your chapters’ New Member Recognition Event or do not RSVP by the “Join By” date, please contact [email protected] to request your personalized certificate. Please note that receiving your certificate in this manner will take 6 to 8 weeks from the request date. Be recognized! Attend the New Member Recognition Event and reception for all new members. Don’t hesitate to bring the individuals that have supported you along the way to this achievement; friends, family, spouses, children, etc. What are the requirements for membership? You must be in the top 15% of sophomores, juniors, seniors, and top performing U.S. graduate students and receive an invitation from the Society. If you are unsure about your eligibility, check with your local chapter or GK HQ to determine the required GPA at your university. Full and part-time students from any field of study are eligible for membership.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 4 of 8
Traditional, non-traditional and international students are eligible for membership. There is a one-time $80 membership fee required to be a member. There is also a payment plan option available where you make 3 payments of $30 over a 3-month period. Remember, once this completed you are a member for life. I have lost my letter of invitation. Can I get another one from you? Yes. Contact Golden Key at 1-800-377-2401 or [email protected] with your name, institution and request for a new join code. I meet Golden Key’s requirements, but I haven’t received a letter. Why not? If you became a sophomore just last semester/quarter, you may not have been included in the invitation list that we request from the registrar. The list from the registrar may have been provided to us before last semester’s/quarter’s grades were posted. If you recently moved, your letter may have been mailed to the wrong address. You may have requested the registrar’s office to not release your name and address. Your letter of invitation may have been sent to your permanent address. The invitation could be lost in the mail. The email invitation could have been placed in your junk mail folder. Please contact Member Services for assistance on joining- [email protected]. I didn’t get the invitation, but I qualify. How can I join? Contact the chapter advisor on your campus. If you are unable to reach the chapter advisor, please contact Headquarters at 1-800-377-2401 or email [email protected]. First, we will check if you are on our invitation list. If your name is on the list, we will give you a replacement invitation immediately. If you are not on our invitation list, you have three options: 1. E-mail [email protected] a copy of your transcript to secure your personal on-line join authorization code. 2. Fax a copy of your transcript to Member Services at 678-689-2298. 3. Mail a copy of your transcript to Member Services at Golden Key International Honour Society at 1040 Crown Pointe Parkway Suite-900, Atlanta, GA 30338. I recently transferred to this school. Can I join? If the university accepts or recognizes a transfer GPA, you can join Golden Key if the other criteria are met. The deadline has passed; can I still join? The suggested deadline on the invitations is in order for you to be recognized at your chapter’s New Member Recognition Event. However, the invitation code you received is active for one year from the day the first email was sent or the postmarked date of the letter. I joined last year OR I joined Golden Key while attending another university, and I received another invitation this year. Do I have to join and pay the membership fee again? NO, you don’t have to pay another fee to become a Golden Key member. You are only required to pay the Golden Key membership joining fee once, at the point when you joined the Society. There are several reasons why you received another invitation: Your name on our record, as you provided to us previously, does not perfectly match what the registrar recently provided us. Because the university does not provide us with unique identifier information, e.g. social security number, we were not certain if the name provided to us recently was you. Please disregard the invitation you received this year. If you recently changed your name, we were not able to tell if you are a member. Please disregard the invitation and update your information with us at www.goldenkey.org. If you suspect that your information in our database is not accurate we encourage you to go to the website to update your information. You are now at another university and we did not know that you transferred. Please contact Member Services at 1-800-377-2401. What happens if my cumulative GPA drops after I join? Although we encourage all members to continue achieving academic excellence; membership will not be withdrawn due to grade changes. Once you join, you are a member for life.
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I’m already a member, but I have not heard anything from the Society since I joined. Why not? Does the International Headquarters have your correct information? Please update your information at www.goldenkey.org. It is important that both the local chapter officers and Headquarters know that you wish to remain connected with us and that we have your most current contact information. Did you attend any local chapter programs or meetings? This is often how the local chapter knows that you wish to be active with the chapter. I think I may already be a member. How can I find out? Contact Member Services at [email protected] or 1-800-377-2401. I am already a member of another honor society. Does that mean I am already a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related? Golden Key is not affiliated with any other honor societies, therefore it is necessary for you to accept membership using the Golden Key invitation you received to obtain your membership in this Society. You may see your local chapter of Golden Key partnering with other organizations for service, social and academic projects; however, to become a true member of Golden Key, you will have to adhere to Golden Key’s membership joining process. What sets Golden Key apart from many other collegiate honor societies on campus are its efforts to provide opportunities beyond recognition and to cater to the needs of students approaching graduation, continuing education, and the job market. We accomplish this by providing scholarships on the local and international levels, by promoting service participation by each chapter, by involving students as chapter and community leaders, and offering career assistance and networking opportunities. What if I don’t have the money to join now? The invitation to join is valid for one year from the postmark date on the letter or when you received the email invitation, so you may join at a later date. Also, contact Member Services for information about our flexible payment plan. Membership Fee
How is the membership fee used? The membership fee is shared between the local chapter and International Headquarters. The membership fee funds membership benefits and supports local chapters in a variety of ways including:
Local chapter scholarships New Member Recognition Event Society scholarships for members Publications Local academic, service and social activities
International and Regional Conferences Headquarters support to chapters (staff support, invitations, technology, benefits development, public relations)
Activities
What activities are Golden Key chapters involved in? Golden Key, at the international level, encourages its members to perform a variety of service activities. Golden Key is involved in the following programs and events: Make a Difference Day (www.makeadifferenceday.com): Golden Key is the largest organizer of college students for this annual event sponsored by USA WEEKEND magazine in conjunction with the Points of Light Foundation. Make a Difference Day regularly takes place on a Saturday in late October. This event is a great outlet for our members to join a nationally recognized day of service. Terry Fox Run (Canada - www.terryfoxrun.org): Many of the Canadian chapters participate in the annual Terry Fox Run. Each local chapter also hosts various creative and fun service activities, social events, and networking
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opportunities throughout the year. Must I be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member? No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary. However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network. You can make the most out of your membership by: Taking full advantage of the array of benefits exclusively offered to members including the Golden Key Job Board for your career research and special opportunities through Ameriprise Financial Plans, Discover Student Loans GEICO, G Adventures, and The Princeton Review. Participating in your chapter’s service, academic or social activities. Attending Golden Key regional and international conferences. Choosing to be a chapter officer or committee member. To get involved with Golden Key, please contact your local chapter advisor or officer. If you encounter any difficulty reaching someone on your campus, call the Golden Key International Headquarters (1-800377-2401) and ask to speak with the AD who works with your chapter. Scholarship Information
What is the scholarship given at each local chapter? Every year, each local chapter is given funding to provide at least one scholarship to a chapter member. These scholarships are called the Golden Key Chapter Scholarships and are available to all members. The scholarship recipients are chosen by the local chapter leadership. Factors for selection include academic accomplishments, leadership in collegiate activities, and participation in extracurricular activities (including Golden Key, if any, work and family commitments and community service). What scholarships are available? Golden Key awards $1 million in scholarships annually. For details on each scholarship, application deadlines and application forms, please visit www.goldenkey.org or contact the Scholarship Program Manager at [email protected]. Partnership Information
Corporate and non-profit partners offer job opportunities, internships and special consumer programs/services to students. They also support our community service and scholarship programs worldwide. Absa Capital Accenture (AP) Ameriprise Bank of America Card Services Bank of Montreal (CA) BofI Federal Bank BMW SA (SA) Centrelink (AP) Deference Signals Directorate (AP) Discover Student Loans G Adventures GEICO Graduate Management Admissions Council USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 7 of 8
International Scholar Laureate Program International Water Centre (AP) Hobsons (AP) Investic (SA) Johnson Insurance (CA) Lenovo Marsh Insurance McKinsey & Co (SA) Meltwater Group (SA) Motorola Malaysia (AP) OCBC Bank (AP) Optiver (AP) Petersons Writing Assistant Procter & Gamble (SA) The PhD Project QS Network – World MBA Tour and World Grad Tour Rand Merchant Bank (SA) Sasol (SA) SearchStudyAbroad.com The Princeton Review The Washington Center The Washington Internship Institute Thunderbird School of Global Management T-Mobile USM International Programs Unilever (SA) University of North Carolina – Charlotte, The Belk College of Business University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business Vault Career Insider Williamette University MBA, Atkinson Graduate School of Management
What are the benefits Golden Key offers to corporate and non-profit partners? Reach a diverse student membership: all majors and demographics Make the college recruiting process more efficient Reduce college hire costs Easily contact 160,000+ current sophomores – graduate students scholars (top 15% of class) at 400+ Colleges/Universities in 150+ countries* Connect with more than 2.1 million current and alumni members Build brand name at 400+ universities and receive recognition of good corporate citizenship
*Communication from partners and sponsors are based on a member’s contact permission settings and are only for the purposes of recruiting, and providing relevant opportunities and benefits to our members.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 8 of 8
Golden Key International Headquarters 1040 Crown Pointe Pkwy Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30338 Toll Free: 1-800-377-2401 Email: [email protected]
Find All the Details You Want to Know By Selecting a Topic Below:
History & Facts (2) Unlock Your Potential (3) Membership Information (4) Membership Fees (6) Activities (6) Scholarship Information (7) Partnership Information (7)
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 1 of 8
History & Facts
What is Golden Key? Golden Key is the largest collegiate honor society in the world! Membership into the Society is by invitation only to the top 15% of college/university sophomores, juniors, seniors and top performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on the objective criteria of their academic achievements. Golden Key has over 400 chapters at universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States of America. Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501C (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. What exactly is an honor society, and why haven't I heard of Golden Key before? Honor societies have been recognized by universities in the United States for more than two centuries. The primary role of an honor society includes providing academic recognition to high-achieving students, and establishing professional and social contacts for these students within a network of universities. Honor societies also bring together students from diverse faculties and degree programs within each university and reinforce students’ interaction with university staff. Golden Key has grown internationally and now operates at more than 400 universities and colleges across 8 countries. When and how was Golden Key founded? Golden Key National Honor Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia on November 29, 1977. In 2001, the Society modified its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling. Be sure to find out your chapter’s charter date. You can ask your AD for this information. What are Golden Key’s mission, vision, and values? Vision: GK is the world’s premier honor society. We recognize academic excellence and provide tangible value to our student members, advisors, alumni and partners while positively impacting their lives and society. Mission: To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Diversity, Excellence, Engagement Who are Golden Key members? Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over 2 million members from 190 countries. Members include students from all over the world, faculty members, university staff, university presidents, teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders and many more. Well known honorary members include: Elizabeth Dole, Marian Wright Edelman, John Grisham, Colin Powell, Bill Clinton, Yogi Berra, Bonnie St. John, Henry Winkler, Lou Holtz, Stephen Covey, Gerald Ford and John Glenn.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 2 of 8
How is Golden Key Governed? Board of Directors – consisting of college presidents and vice presidents, higher education leaders, corporate leaders, Golden Key student and alumni members and founding members International Leadership Council – composed of a president, vice president, secretary, alumni member and student member; elected by chapter voting delegates Council of Advisors – thirteen elected Advisors who represent the Advisor voice of Golden Key Council of Student Members – thirteen elected student members who represent the voice of the Golden Key member
Unlock Your Potential
Why should I join Golden Key? What are the benefits? The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through leadership, career development, networking and volunteer service. In addition, a number of scholarships and awards are available for members to apply for, as well as special discounts from participating vendors such as The Princeton Review Test Prep, GEICO and Bank of America. For details and the latest on membership benefits, visit www.goldenkey.org. The Golden Key Advantage: Unlock Your Potential
$1,000,000 USD in scholarships and awards awarded to members annually. Recognition of a student’s academic achievement by an internationally recognized honors organization. Membership is restricted to sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students who are at the top 15% of their respective class at universities and colleges. New members will receive a membership certificate at their chapters’ New Member Recognition Event or upon request from the Member Services department ([email protected]). You can list your leadership and service experience with Golden Key on your resume. Major corporate & non-profit partners provide members with access to internships, full-time employment, discounts and study abroad opportunities. Opportunities to develop leadership skills. Attend and present at workshops at International and Regional Conferences. Networking opportunities with students, faculty, university staff and community leaders on a local, national and international scale. Connect with other GK members instantly through regional and chapter Facebook pages. Receive notifications and visit the GK website to learn about scholarships, new benefits and employment opportunities. GK Sponsors & Partners: Visit www.goldenkey.org, click “Programs & Privileges” and then “Your Partners” Examples of Member Opportunities are below: GEICO Insurance : GEICO offers discounts and special programs that can save you money on your automobile insurance premiums. The discounts and programs vary by state and circumstance. Call 1-800368-2734 for a free rate quote and be sure to indicate your Golden Key affiliation. More than 30,000 Golden Key members are an insured policyholder with GEICO. Bank of America: Golden Key Credit Card: The Golden Key credit card program helps fund the Society’s programs. BofI Federal Bank: Imagine a bank so convenient it has a branch in your home. And your office. And anywhere you have your cell phone. Open a Rewards Checking Account with unlimited ATM
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 3 of 8
reimbursements, free Bill Pay, free cash-back Purchase Rewards, mobile deposit, and free FinanceWorks™ money management software. There are no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum monthly balance. Visit www.gkbankingcenter.com. Princeton Review Test Prep: Golden Key members save $200 on any GMAT, GRE, LSAT or MCAT prep course. Call 1800-2Review. Discover Student Loans: Loans feature fixed or variable interest rates, zero fees and no payments required while enrolled in school at least half-time. Please contact us anytime 24/7 at 1-800-767-1164 or visit us at www.DiscoverStudentLoans.com/GoldenKey. G Adventures: Members can receive 5-15% off adventures to various parts of the world. After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits? Yes, once you are a Golden Key Member, you are a member for life. In order to ensure you receive updates on new benefits and discounts be sure to keep your contact information accurate by logging in to your profile with your GKID and last name to www.goldenkey.org. A number of large scholarships are available for members after graduation. These funds can be used to reduce educational based debt or toward attending graduate or professional school. Contact your local chapter to see how you can stay involved with the chapter after graduation. How does Golden Key help me with jobs and internships? Corporate and non-profit partners offer members internships and career opportunities. Access the GK Job Board: www.goldenkey.org Programs & Privileges Jobs & Internships Golden Key US Job Board Golden Key regularly hosts virtual career fairs for its members.
Please see the following pages for supporting documents that may be used as handouts for members and prospective members. Membership Information
Now that I have received the letter of invitation and want to join, what do I do? You can accept your membership invitation in two ways: a. Join online. Visit www.goldenkey.org and select the “Join Now” banner. Your invitation letter or email will provide you with specific instructions on how to accept your membership and pay on-line. If you have lost your letter, call or email headquarters at [email protected] or 1-800-377-2401. b. Mail the Membership Acceptance Form and complete fee payment to the Golden Key Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The acceptance form must arrive in Atlanta by the “join-by” date to produce your certificate in time for the New Member Recognition Event. If you are unable to attend your chapters’ New Member Recognition Event or do not RSVP by the “Join By” date, please contact [email protected] to request your personalized certificate. Please note that receiving your certificate in this manner will take 6 to 8 weeks from the request date. Be recognized! Attend the New Member Recognition Event and reception for all new members. Don’t hesitate to bring the individuals that have supported you along the way to this achievement; friends, family, spouses, children, etc. What are the requirements for membership? You must be in the top 15% of sophomores, juniors, seniors, and top performing U.S. graduate students and receive an invitation from the Society. If you are unsure about your eligibility, check with your local chapter or GK HQ to determine the required GPA at your university. Full and part-time students from any field of study are eligible for membership.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 4 of 8
Traditional, non-traditional and international students are eligible for membership. There is a one-time $80 membership fee required to be a member. There is also a payment plan option available where you make 3 payments of $30 over a 3-month period. Remember, once this completed you are a member for life. I have lost my letter of invitation. Can I get another one from you? Yes. Contact Golden Key at 1-800-377-2401 or [email protected] with your name, institution and request for a new join code. I meet Golden Key’s requirements, but I haven’t received a letter. Why not? If you became a sophomore just last semester/quarter, you may not have been included in the invitation list that we request from the registrar. The list from the registrar may have been provided to us before last semester’s/quarter’s grades were posted. If you recently moved, your letter may have been mailed to the wrong address. You may have requested the registrar’s office to not release your name and address. Your letter of invitation may have been sent to your permanent address. The invitation could be lost in the mail. The email invitation could have been placed in your junk mail folder. Please contact Member Services for assistance on joining- [email protected]. I didn’t get the invitation, but I qualify. How can I join? Contact the chapter advisor on your campus. If you are unable to reach the chapter advisor, please contact Headquarters at 1-800-377-2401 or email [email protected]. First, we will check if you are on our invitation list. If your name is on the list, we will give you a replacement invitation immediately. If you are not on our invitation list, you have three options: 1. E-mail [email protected] a copy of your transcript to secure your personal on-line join authorization code. 2. Fax a copy of your transcript to Member Services at 678-689-2298. 3. Mail a copy of your transcript to Member Services at Golden Key International Honour Society at 1040 Crown Pointe Parkway Suite-900, Atlanta, GA 30338. I recently transferred to this school. Can I join? If the university accepts or recognizes a transfer GPA, you can join Golden Key if the other criteria are met. The deadline has passed; can I still join? The suggested deadline on the invitations is in order for you to be recognized at your chapter’s New Member Recognition Event. However, the invitation code you received is active for one year from the day the first email was sent or the postmarked date of the letter. I joined last year OR I joined Golden Key while attending another university, and I received another invitation this year. Do I have to join and pay the membership fee again? NO, you don’t have to pay another fee to become a Golden Key member. You are only required to pay the Golden Key membership joining fee once, at the point when you joined the Society. There are several reasons why you received another invitation: Your name on our record, as you provided to us previously, does not perfectly match what the registrar recently provided us. Because the university does not provide us with unique identifier information, e.g. social security number, we were not certain if the name provided to us recently was you. Please disregard the invitation you received this year. If you recently changed your name, we were not able to tell if you are a member. Please disregard the invitation and update your information with us at www.goldenkey.org. If you suspect that your information in our database is not accurate we encourage you to go to the website to update your information. You are now at another university and we did not know that you transferred. Please contact Member Services at 1-800-377-2401. What happens if my cumulative GPA drops after I join? Although we encourage all members to continue achieving academic excellence; membership will not be withdrawn due to grade changes. Once you join, you are a member for life.
USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 5 of 8
I’m already a member, but I have not heard anything from the Society since I joined. Why not? Does the International Headquarters have your correct information? Please update your information at www.goldenkey.org. It is important that both the local chapter officers and Headquarters know that you wish to remain connected with us and that we have your most current contact information. Did you attend any local chapter programs or meetings? This is often how the local chapter knows that you wish to be active with the chapter. I think I may already be a member. How can I find out? Contact Member Services at [email protected] or 1-800-377-2401. I am already a member of another honor society. Does that mean I am already a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related? Golden Key is not affiliated with any other honor societies, therefore it is necessary for you to accept membership using the Golden Key invitation you received to obtain your membership in this Society. You may see your local chapter of Golden Key partnering with other organizations for service, social and academic projects; however, to become a true member of Golden Key, you will have to adhere to Golden Key’s membership joining process. What sets Golden Key apart from many other collegiate honor societies on campus are its efforts to provide opportunities beyond recognition and to cater to the needs of students approaching graduation, continuing education, and the job market. We accomplish this by providing scholarships on the local and international levels, by promoting service participation by each chapter, by involving students as chapter and community leaders, and offering career assistance and networking opportunities. What if I don’t have the money to join now? The invitation to join is valid for one year from the postmark date on the letter or when you received the email invitation, so you may join at a later date. Also, contact Member Services for information about our flexible payment plan. Membership Fee
How is the membership fee used? The membership fee is shared between the local chapter and International Headquarters. The membership fee funds membership benefits and supports local chapters in a variety of ways including:
Local chapter scholarships New Member Recognition Event Society scholarships for members Publications Local academic, service and social activities
International and Regional Conferences Headquarters support to chapters (staff support, invitations, technology, benefits development, public relations)
Activities
What activities are Golden Key chapters involved in? Golden Key, at the international level, encourages its members to perform a variety of service activities. Golden Key is involved in the following programs and events: Make a Difference Day (www.makeadifferenceday.com): Golden Key is the largest organizer of college students for this annual event sponsored by USA WEEKEND magazine in conjunction with the Points of Light Foundation. Make a Difference Day regularly takes place on a Saturday in late October. This event is a great outlet for our members to join a nationally recognized day of service. Terry Fox Run (Canada - www.terryfoxrun.org): Many of the Canadian chapters participate in the annual Terry Fox Run. Each local chapter also hosts various creative and fun service activities, social events, and networking
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opportunities throughout the year. Must I be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member? No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary. However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network. You can make the most out of your membership by: Taking full advantage of the array of benefits exclusively offered to members including the Golden Key Job Board for your career research and special opportunities through Ameriprise Financial Plans, Discover Student Loans GEICO, G Adventures, and The Princeton Review. Participating in your chapter’s service, academic or social activities. Attending Golden Key regional and international conferences. Choosing to be a chapter officer or committee member. To get involved with Golden Key, please contact your local chapter advisor or officer. If you encounter any difficulty reaching someone on your campus, call the Golden Key International Headquarters (1-800377-2401) and ask to speak with the AD who works with your chapter. Scholarship Information
What is the scholarship given at each local chapter? Every year, each local chapter is given funding to provide at least one scholarship to a chapter member. These scholarships are called the Golden Key Chapter Scholarships and are available to all members. The scholarship recipients are chosen by the local chapter leadership. Factors for selection include academic accomplishments, leadership in collegiate activities, and participation in extracurricular activities (including Golden Key, if any, work and family commitments and community service). What scholarships are available? Golden Key awards $1 million in scholarships annually. For details on each scholarship, application deadlines and application forms, please visit www.goldenkey.org or contact the Scholarship Program Manager at [email protected]. Partnership Information
Corporate and non-profit partners offer job opportunities, internships and special consumer programs/services to students. They also support our community service and scholarship programs worldwide. Absa Capital Accenture (AP) Ameriprise Bank of America Card Services Bank of Montreal (CA) BofI Federal Bank BMW SA (SA) Centrelink (AP) Deference Signals Directorate (AP) Discover Student Loans G Adventures GEICO Graduate Management Admissions Council USA FAQ-June 2013 Page 7 of 8
International Scholar Laureate Program International Water Centre (AP) Hobsons (AP) Investic (SA) Johnson Insurance (CA) Lenovo Marsh Insurance McKinsey & Co (SA) Meltwater Group (SA) Motorola Malaysia (AP) OCBC Bank (AP) Optiver (AP) Petersons Writing Assistant Procter & Gamble (SA) The PhD Project QS Network – World MBA Tour and World Grad Tour Rand Merchant Bank (SA) Sasol (SA) SearchStudyAbroad.com The Princeton Review The Washington Center The Washington Internship Institute Thunderbird School of Global Management T-Mobile USM International Programs Unilever (SA) University of North Carolina – Charlotte, The Belk College of Business University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business Vault Career Insider Williamette University MBA, Atkinson Graduate School of Management
What are the benefits Golden Key offers to corporate and non-profit partners? Reach a diverse student membership: all majors and demographics Make the college recruiting process more efficient Reduce college hire costs Easily contact 160,000+ current sophomores – graduate students scholars (top 15% of class) at 400+ Colleges/Universities in 150+ countries* Connect with more than 2.1 million current and alumni members Build brand name at 400+ universities and receive recognition of good corporate citizenship
*Communication from partners and sponsors are based on a member’s contact permission settings and are only for the purposes of recruiting, and providing relevant opportunities and benefits to our members.
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