In honor of National Literacy Month, check out the ways you can promote literacy both on campus and in your community.

Host an event.
There are a number of events, both big and small, that your chapter can host to promote literacy such as an informational booth, public forum on illiteracy, book drive and more. You can also consider making it an annual event each year during National Literacy Month. This will help create awareness as well as raise the profile of both your chapter and Phi Kappa Phi.

Spread the word.
Use fliers, posters, bookmarks, and other printed materials to celebrate literacy. You can also create informational packets combining many of these printed materials. Consider running a PSA or campus newspaper ad for an upcoming chapter event. Social media is another great way to spread the word while encouraging others to do the same. 

Build partnerships.
Team up with local organizations in your community to co-sponsor a larger event or ask your chapter to become a sponsor for an upcoming event. Reach out to local retailers and offices to keep the materials created by your chapter (See “Spread the Word” above) on hand for the community. 

Tap into your membership base. 
Consider encouraging your members and officers to create a Phi Kappa Phi tutoring program or host monthly read-alouds at local schools within your community. These types of commitments will increase your chapter’s community contribution and encourage members to become involved on a service-related level. 

Give a gift. 
Donate those old books on your bookshelf to a local library or school within your community. Or, host a chapter event to raise funds that will allow your chapter to make a monetary donation to a beneficiary organization of your choice. 

Celebrate year-round. 
Even though National Literacy Month is only one month out of the year, make it a priority to do something—big or small—to encourage literacy on your campus and in your community throughout the entire year. And consider participating in Phi Kappa Phi’s Annual Book Drive Competition. The competition, open to all chapters, kicks off in February of each year.

Apply for a Literacy Grant. 
Apply for a Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant to help your chapter champion a literacy initiative. The grants of up to $2,500 are available each year to chapters and individual members. Learn more about the program here and watch these podcasts created by past winner Dr. Paulette Harris (Part 1 and Part 2) for tips on a successful application. 

Have a tip to share? Post it in the comments below or tweet us @PhiKappaPhi using #PKPCelebratesLiteracy.