GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOUR SOCIETY

CHAPTER STANDARDS GUIDELINES (ASIA-PACIFIC)

ABOUT THE CHAPTER STANDARDS

What are the Chapter Standards?

The Golden Key Chapter Standards are a guide for chapter activities and events, and are largely based
on the three pillars of the Society’s mission to enable members to realise their potential through the
advancement of Academics, Leadership and Service. It is also a way to measure the impact of a chapter
on campus or in the community. Based on its performance, a chapter can be awarded a level of Gold,
Silver, Bronze, Good Standing or Not in Good Standing. The Chapter Standards are reviewed annually
and the results are announced during the annual Asia-Pacific Conference.

How are the Chapter Standards calculated?

The chapter standings are calculated on a points-based system. Points are allocated upon the completion
of various tasks, activities and events. Tasks are compulsory, unless otherwise indicated with an asterisk
(*) which makes the task optional. Chapter Standards are given based on the calendar year (1 January to
31 December) regardless of when a chapter’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held.

The Chapter Standards Table provides a breakdown of points allocated to each section of the Standards
i.e. Community Service, Academics and Leadership, as well as the minimum number of points needed to
qualify for Good Standing, Bronze, Silver or Gold level. An explanation of the Chapter Standards criteria
by category is provided below.

How do I report for the Chapter Standards?

Chapter Standards reporting is due twice a year on 30 June and 24 December. This must include:
 Annual Plan and Report excel document
 Either the Chapter Finances and Project Tracker OR Chapter Financial Report
 A recent bank statement showing the current balance, BSB and Account Number.

It is the chapter’s responsibility to ensure that all activities and events are accurately recorded, and
regularly reported to Golden Key. Golden Key Asia-Pacific Headquarters (APHQ) will use these reports
to assess a chapter’s standing. All reporting must be completed by the designated deadlines for it to be
considered as part of the Chapter Standards.

Good Standing
A chapter is in Good Standing when it has an active Executive Committee consisting of at least a
President and Advisor. The chapter must also complete an annual Membership Drive. A minimum of 18
points is needed in order to achieve Good Standing.

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BREAKDOWN OF CHAPTER STANDARDS BY
CATEGORY
Category Event Name Profile Examples
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community Ongoing applied An activity where a chapter provides hands- Youth Mentoring
Service education-based on and ongoing support to those in need, Homework Club
initiative towards specifically targeting literacy and education- English
SPARK a Change related projects that impact the lives of at- Conversation
risk youth. Club
Tutoring
It is important to record your community
service hours for your chapter to count
towards the global SPARK goals.

Please double check the applicable laws in

your state or country regarding Working
With Children Check requirements if
working directly with people under 18.

For more info on SPARK a Change see

https://www.goldenkey.org/programs-
privileges/service/.
Community One-off applied A standalone activity during the academic Book/Stationery
Service education-based year. The focus on this activity is education- Drives
initiative towards based service. Leadership
SPARK a Change Activity Days
High School Visits
Youth Forum
Community Charitable This is an optional activity, and must be
Service donation to an discussed with your URO before
education-based undertaking.
charity
All chapters must adhere to the Chapter
Finances Guide which states that money
should not be collected from non-members,
and cash handling should be avoided. If
collecting cash donations on behalf of a
charity, a Letter of Endorsement must first
be obtained from the charity.

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 Chapters are encouraged to use online
fundraising sites where possible to negate
cash handling.
ACADEMIC
Academic New Member GK provides Academic Recognition in the NMR
Reception form of a formal ceremony to induct new
(NMR) members and Honorary Members into the
society. All chapters are required to
complete the NMR as part of the annual
membership drive.

Schedules are confirmed by APHQ 6

months in advance.
Academic Information The information session provides an PowerPoint
Session introduction to GK and member benefits Presentation
after the invitations to join are received by BBQ
mail. It is normally held 4-6 weeks prior to Information Stall
the NMR. Schedules are confirmed by
APHQ 6 months in advance.

Chapters are encouraged to hold the

session in conjunction with an Academic
Breakfast or other event.
Academic University NMRs must have at least 1 university
Representative representative to formally recognise the
or Honorary university’s top academic achievers during
Member at NMR induction, e.g. the Vice Chancellor.

Honorary Members are individuals who

have made a significant contribution to
society and embody the 3 Pillars of Golden
Key. They will often make a keynote speech
at the NMR. Official invitations should be
issued by APHQ. The URO will provide a
deadline that names of Honorary Members
must be provided to ensure that certificates
are issued correctly.
Academic Academic Academic Engagement events involve Breakfast
Breakfast (or academic staff at the university and act as an Lunch

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 similar) opportunity to increase awareness of GK Tea
among university staff and improve
university relations.
Academic Intellectual This brings members together to think Lecture
Engagement about critical, contemporary issues that Seminar
Event affect our society and global community. Panels
Public Debates
Examples of topics of interest: Open Forums
- Politics
- Environment
- Culture
- Science & Technology
- Current Events
LEADERSHIP
Leadership Personal and These events are designed to equip student Career Cocktail
Professional and alumni members with the skills Evenings
Development necessary to advance and succeed in their CV Writing &
Events personal and professional endeavours. They Interview Skills
are largely career-related, but could also Workshops
include personal development opportunities Grad Careers
such as: workshops on public speaking, Events
personal financial management, Vacation Work
entrepreneurialism and more. Expos
GK Member
Benefits Evenings
Study/Work
Abroad/
Scholarships
Self Defence
Leadership
Get Organised
Community
Service

Leadership Leadership An AGM is held to elect a new GK AGM

Transition / executive committee for the following year. Leadership
Annual General Such an event provides leadership Handover
Meeting (AGM) opportunities to GK members.

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 AGMs include an introduction to GK, an
overview of the chapter’s activities for the
previous year, an explanation of the
chapter’s goals for the following year, and
the descriptions of the available leadership
roles.

A proper leadership handover must also be

arranged for important information,
passwords and banking access passed onto
new executives.

For more detailed guidelines for running an

AGM, see the AGM Guide document.
Leadership Committee to After the AGM, chapter executives are
complete Leader required to complete the Leader Induction
Induction Program which comprises of a face-to-face
Program training session run by the URO with the
whole committee, covering soft skills such
as Communication, Leadership and
Teamwork. In some locations this training is
run together with other GK chapters.
Leadership Submit Annual The Annual Plan is due in March each year.
Plan and Reports Activity and Financial Reporting is due on 30
by Deadlines June and 24 December each year. The
Comments field should always be filled in for
each completed event with constructive
feedback of how the event ran, what went
well and what didn’t.

Ensure that Community Service Hours are

filled in – for example, 10 GK members
volunteered 2 hours per week for 6 weeks
= 10 x 2 x 6 = 120 hours.
Leadership Submit profile of Each year at least one successful GK alumni
successful alumni member from your chapter should be
to APHQ nominated for a GK Alumni Success Story.
This should include Alumni contact details
and short description of why you consider

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 them successful. For more information
please contact your URO.
Leadership GK Conference Regular conferences are held at regional and Conference
Attendance international levels. The conference is held Activities:
in a different destination each year, and Networking
often committee members are provided Workshops
with partial funding to attend. It is a great Speakers
opportunity to learn leadership skills, share Career Expo
knowledge, represent your university, Discussion Panels
network with members from around the Award
world, and listen to inspirational individuals. Recognition
Opening / Closing
A chapter that has at least 1 delegate attend Ceremonies
either the APAC Conference or the Gala Dinner
International Summit will be awarded 2
points for this section.
Leadership O-Week Stall / This event is normally scheduled at the Info Stall
Welcome Back beginning of the university semester. Its BBQ
to Campus Event purpose is to raise awareness of GK and its Orientation
activities on campus. Chapters should Activity
register for a stall on Orientation Day,
Clubs Day, Market Day or similar. To
engage members, chapters can run activities
e.g. an intellectual challenge or timed puzzle
with prizes.
Leadership Chapter Chapters must maintain an up-to-date
Communications: Facebook page. This must comply with the
Active Facebook Marketing and Branding Guidelines.
Page
Leadership Chapter Chapters should maintain an up-to-date
Communications: website. This may include contact
Website information, and advertising events, news
and initiatives.
Leadership Chapter This is an optional activity. Chapters can
Communications: create a newsletter to send out to members
Newsletter about chapter activities and initiatives.
Ensure that an updated contact list is
obtained from your URO every time you
wish to send a new mass mailing, or items

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 can be sent out via your URO (with 3-5
business days’ notice).
Leadership Other Mission Chapters will receive credit towards their Social Events
Related Event standing for any event run that brings Pancake Day
benefits back to its members, increases the Non-literacy or
chapters long-term success, and that education
promotes GK’s mission and 3 Pillars – community service
Academics, Leadership and Community
Service.
Leadership Volunteering for Chapters will receive 1 point for each GK
a GK event event that they volunteer to help out at
outside of your outside of their own chapter. This can
chapter include events held by other GK chapters,
or events held by APHQ.

Chapter Structure and Limitations

All Executive Committee Officers are bound by the terms and conditions of Golden Key’s Global
Bylaws; the Chapter Finances Guide; the chapter's constitution (if applicable) and the affiliation
agreement between the chapter and the university's clubs and societies or the chapter and Golden Key
(if applicable) during their term in office.