Order of the Torch Application

Please note: The application process for Order of the Torch and Maintaining the Flame has changed.  Chapters may now submit their scrapbooks via mail OR electronically (in PDF file format).  In addition, chapters that choose to submit a scrapbook via mail are now only required to send one copy of their application scrapbook.  Please be advised that if you choose to submit a physical copy of your scrapbook, the national office staff will scan it, convert it to a PDF file format, and send it electronically to the selection committee members for judging.  The committee members will then rank the scrapbooks and finalize the winners at the national council meeting in June.

To apply for either the Order of the Torch or Maintaining the Flame award, your chapter must prepare a scrapbook detailing your its activities, complete with photos, clippings, programs, etc.  Send your original scrapbook to the National Office (address below) or email a PDF file of your scrapbook to Lee Greenway (lee@nationalald.org).  Since file sizes may be unusually large, your chapter is advised to use a document sharing website (such as Google Docs or Dropbox) and to confirm via phone or email receipt of your scrapbook PDF file by the national office staff.   Please note that your chapter must also submit an annual report electronically (you do not need to print it and send it in) in order to be eligible for the Order of the Torch and Maintaining the Flame awards.  Applications must be postmarked or sent via email by May 1.

The judging criteria are exactly the same for both awards (Order of the Torch and Maintaining the Flame).  The most important thing to keep in mind is that your submission should be more than just a scrapbook.  We like to see your smiling faces, but we need to know why you’re smiling!  In addition to photos, competitive scrapbooks should include captions, quotes, letters, emails, flyers, agendas, minutes, brochures, ticket stubs, screen shots of websites, Facebook pages, and anything else that may help document your success throughout the year.  More specifically, scrapbooks will be judged on the following:

  • Chapter Involvement - How successful is the chapter in getting its members actively involved in service and other chapter projects?  How many events did your chapter hold and how well attended are those events? How active is the chapter on campus and in the surrounding community?  Does the chapter hold and take part in numerous and varied service, leadership, fellowship, and other projects throughout the course of the year?  Evidence of chapter involvement might include photos of students at events, attendance sheets, flyers, event summaries, captions, quotes from members, thank you letters from the community, etc.
  • Chapter Communication - How effectively does the chapter communicate with the membership, with campus leadership, and with the campus and community at large?  Evidence of effective communication may include photos of meetings, emails, agendas, minutes, letters, Facebook page screen shots, website screen shots, etc.
  • Campus visibility – How aware is your campus and community of ALD?  Evidence of good campus visibility may include flyers, newspaper clippings, press releases, letters from the community and campus officials, and photos of events on campus and in the community.
  • Presentation - Is the application prepared in a careful, attractive manner?

Award Specific Requirements:

If your chapter is applying for Order of the Torch, your submission must include a letter of support from a campus official other than a chapter advisor.

If your chapter has won the Order of the Torch within the past four years, you should apply for Maintaining the Flame.   As mentioned above, the judging criteria for Maintaining the Flame are the same as for Order of the Torch.  Your chapter should continue to show innovation and improvement - not simply maintaining the status quo - in all areas in order to be competitive for Maintaining the Flame.
 


Send one copy of a scrapbook detailing your chapter's activities to the National Office (address below) or email it to Lee Greenway (lee@nationalald.org), along with a cover letter from a chapter officer.

USPS Mailing Address:

National Alpha Lambda Delta
PO Box 4403
Macon, GA  31208-4403

FedEx/UPS/DHL Address:

National Alpha Lambda Delta
328 Orange St.
Macon, GA  31201