hftp student chapters: our proto-stars october 15, 2013 justin taillon, b.sc, mba, phd, chia, cvent

HFTP Student Chapters:Our Proto-Stars

October 15, 2013Justin Taillon, B.Sc, MBA, PhD, CHIA, Cvent

What is a Proto-Star?

My Background in HFTP

Why Do We Need Student Chapters?

• Today’s Proto-Stars are tomorrow’s HFTP leaders

• Professional Associations have been shown to instill the following in future leaders: – Motivation (Austin)– Mentorship (Jessica)– Education/Pedagogy (Duncan)– Networking (Jason)– Real world experience (Simone)– Confidence (Justin)

Current HFTP Proto-Star Chapters

• Houston• UNLV• Central Florida• Delaware• South Carolina• Penn State• Lausanne (Switzerland)• Hong Kong Polytechnic• Boston University• UNLV Singapore• Lynn University (Miami)

• South Seattle Community College

• New Hampshire• Texas A&M• Coastal Carolina• Cornell• South Florida• Florida• Guelph (Toronto)• San Jose State

Options – Student Choices• More than 75 Professional Associations operate

in Hospitality & Tourism schools in North America (email to get list: taillon@uoguelph.ca)

• Hundreds, or thousands, of unaffiliated student organizations

• Other campus opportunities:• Fraternities/Sororities• Athletics (Clubs, Teams, Extra-Curriculars)• Strict book study• Social pressures• Work• Other associations (e.g. their hobbies)

Long-Term Options• We leave the onus on the student

– We will be left with an unprepared work-force, we lose the best graduates to other industries and/or associations, and our association loses prestige

• We take the bull by the horns– Get involved in HFTP student associations!

How Can You be Involved?1. FOCUS ON IMPACT– Start a chapter– Mentorship– Offer reimbursement• Scholarships are the easy way out

– Create learning opportunities

How Can I Start a Chapter?

• Speak with Fritz Johnson or myself

Mentorship• Mentorship programs need 2 dedicated

people: a student and a professional– Interviews– Professor advice– Wise and realistic guidelines• Short-term internships• Summer work

– YOUR dedication is needed– Don’t over-expect. Most students are still

open to other elements of hospitality. We need to find the best students and guide them!

Reimbursement, not Scholarships• Students are active participants in learning• Learning is a component of receiving money• We are initiating students into HFTP• There are many scholarships, and too often the

wrong students win these

Learning Opportunities; Directed Studies

• Myrtle Beach• Costa Rica• Montreal• Ottawa• Ireland• Tanzania

• Madre de Dios, Peru• Turks & Caicos

Checklist1. Get Approved To Be An Organization

Through University and HFTP – Austin2. Obtain An Advisor

Must be a Professor at the University Must be able to lead students; will not function

without strong leadership3. Elect Officers

Many ways to do this – I like Exec Committee interviews and Prof. feedback

4. Open Bank Account5. Know Event Rules: No alcohol, SRM, driving to event,

reimbursement6. Know Funding and Fundraising Rules

Indicators for a Successful Chapter

• View INDICATORS overhead

Success• One you have a chapter set up, with

proper leadership and documents, things get easier...they run themselves with less oversight

• When new graduates enter the workplace you already:– Know the student(s) – e.g. mentored them– Worked alongside them– Attended social events with them– Know their professor(s)