The National Society of Minorities in Hospitality outlines these programs for all chapters to participate in throughout the year. We seek to host programs that will prepare our members for the National Conference and encourage the year-round commitment needed to fulfill our Mission. We encourage chapters to participate where they can in this programs calendar! Your chapter can be recognized for your participation in these programs by applying for Chapter Awards and submitting monthly Programs Reports to the National Programs Director.

 JUNE-AUGUST

Chapter Presidents' Certification (July/August)

During this time, chapter presidents will take the initiative in planning the year’s program calendar for their chapter. The National Board and other chapter presidents will serve as resources for planning what types of programs are fit for your school.

Summer is the ideal time to be working on planning for the NSMH calendar year. While presidents complete their online certification in August, general members should be getting their resumes ready and searching for internships. Use the opportunity at the National Conference Career Fair to secure an internship with one of our National Sponsors. 


SEPTEMBER 

WELCOME EVENT (to be held within the first 2 weeks of school)

Chapters will host an event such as an information table with refreshments at the students’ union building, new students’ orientation, or new students’ mixer to welcome students and inform them about the benefits of joining NSMH. Other related activities could include hosting tours around campus for new students or visiting their student orientation classes/seminars. A good idea is to host a “Freshman Focus” event to welcome new freshmen that intend on majoring in hospitality/tourism management, and to introduce them to NSMH.

NATIONAL NSMH T-SHIRT DAY

         On the first Friday of October, all NSMH members are encouraged to wear their NSMH apparel and other paraphernalia as a sign of their NSMH pride as well as to raise awareness of NSMH on campus.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE (To be held within the first month of school)

All chapters should send in their Chapter Registration/Renewal Forms for the year. The final deadline is November 30th, but there are incentives for those chapters that send in their information postmarked by September 30th. This is one of the most important activities as it encourages the growth of NSMH on your campus. We suggest that you put up information booths, flyers, hold information sessions and visit classes in your program to give a brief description of NSMH and why students should join.

S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. (to be held anytime during this month)

 Start recruiting students for S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. (Students Taking Responsibility in Engineering New Growth Through Hospitality), which is the NSMH high school outreach program. Locate high schools in your area to begin targeting for our STRENGTH scholarship competition. At this year’s National Conference we will award scholarships to two deserving students. (Visit the downloads section to review and print scholarship applications.)

Chapters can also get involved with this high school outreach program by volunteering or putting on workshops and other programming. Help introduce students to the hospitality industry and inform them about the careers and opportunities available to them. This might consist of inviting students to your chapter’s school or giving a short presentation on NSMH and the hospitality industry. Where possible, invite students an i to Regional or National Conference,

OCTOBER

NATIONAL NSMH T-SHIRT DAY

         On the first Friday of October, all NSMH members are encouraged to wear their NSMH apparel and other paraphernalia as a sign of their NSMH pride as well as to raise awareness of NSMH on campus.

All chapters should use their campus career center, local company sponsor representatives, or our regional conferences as opportunities to perfect their résumés. Get ready for the recruiting season as well as to include your résumé in the National Résumé Booklet. Sponsors begin looking at resumes early, so be sure your chapter’s are in tip top shape!

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

Regional Conferences are more than just preparation for Nationals. They aid in the professional development of our members. It is the chance to interact with company sponsors and students from your region in a more intimate setting.  Regional conferences provide chapter-strengthening sessions, tools for professionalism and etiquette, as well as a source of motivation for chapters to work toward membership growth and participation in the National Conference.

COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT

Chapters may choose to participate in this National Volunteer day or host an activity on another date. Consider doing some community service right before or after Regional Conferences. It will be a great time for your chapter to do some bonding, get in touch with the community and show your local pride! Being able to show strong chapter spirit will come in handy for the upcoming National Conference where you are eligible to win one of our prestigious chapter awards! (This is also another opportunity to invite STRENGTH students, faculty advisors or other club members to show support for your local community.)

NOVEMBER

 N$MH DOLLAR DAY$

Throughout the month of November, chapters will patronize local minority-owned hospitality businesses and keep a log along with saved receipts of how much they spent. To earn National recognition, be sure to include the results in your monthly Programs report. Chapters should encourage others around campus and within their communities to support these businesses as well. Chapters may also want to use this as an opportunity to raise money by informing the area businesses that they will be having a special program throughout the month, encouraging patronage of their business. They may make flyers or posters that say "The (your school name here) Chapter of NSMH supports local minority-owned businesses", followed by a listing of the businesses. This will help chapters build a supportive relationship with local businesses and inform businesses on how to become sponsors to your chapter on a local level. This will also provide chapters a way to find local sponsorship without "double dipping" into the sponsorship that NSMH receives on a national level.

November 30th DEADLINES

Please note all of the following must be completed online via the NSMH portal (www.nsmh.org/portal) no later than November 30 of each membership year.

Chapter Awards Applications
National Board Applications
NSMH Scholarship Applications
Resume Submissions
S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. Scholarship Applications

DECEMBER

FRIENDS OF FINALS (STUDY NIGHT)

Chapters will host an evening during or just before final exam week. NSMH members can provide tutoring and academic help to fellow students. Students will meet and form study groups in preparation for their exams. Chapters may want to invite faculty members from their hospitality department to work with the students as well as provide help in general courses. Other ideas to help this event become a success include providing refreshments or selling study packs that include pen/pencils, approved test booklets, candy/carbohydrates, and other items to help students make it through finals.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

As the year comes to a close, your chapter should take an opportunity to patronize a hospitality venue. Whether it is a hotel visit, eating an end of the year dinner or going to a theme park, take the time to observe one sector of our industry. Make plans to discuss past year’s trends and upcoming ones with a manager, faculty member or industry sponsor.

JANUARY

 MINI CONFERENCE BLITZ

            Each chapter will have its own "Conference Blitz" similar to what is held on the national level. The person in charge of your chapter's public relations should send out correspondence (e-mails and newsletters) throughout the month informing and reminding chapter members of deadlines, travel arrangements, etc., in relation to attending the National Conference. Around this time, include preparation guidelines for the National Conference in the agendas of your chapter meetings. Chapters may also want to take time this month to provide a short program on proper business etiquette, so as to prepare members to put their best feet forward at the conference. Remember, there will be an award for the most professional and polished chapter at the conference!

COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

            Choose a day during this month, when your chapter can find ways to give back to the community.  Invest your time into causes that are related to the hospitality industry. This can be a project that is hosted by the chapter or partnered with another organization. Don’t forget there is a Clyde Robinson Community Service Chapter Award for the chapter that gives the most back to their local community.

CONFERENCE SURVIVAL GUIDE

            Each chapter of NSMH will host a series of workshops and seminars on résumé writing, networking, dinning room etiquette, proper business attire, etc., in order to be prepared for the National Conference. Each chapter should create a checklist of items to be sure to bring to the conference so that no one is caught unprepared!

FEBRUARY

ANNUAL NSMH NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Every student should be attending the annual National Conference. The conference rotates its location every year, in order to strengthen the NSMH regions and expose members to other tourism locales. This is an opportunity to participate in the National Résumé Booklet, Chapter Awards, Scholarships, and Candidacy for the National Board. Please see National Conference section of the NSMH website.

MARCH

POST-CONFERENCE EVENT (To be held before Spring Break)

After returning from the National Conference, chapters may want to host an event such as a reception to highlight and share their experiences at the National Conference with faculty and other students who were unable to attend. This may include a slide show of pictures taken and reports given by those who did attend. Chapters may also want to provide refreshments and have a mixer at the end of the evening to allow everyone to talk and reminisce about the conference. This would also be a good time to recruit and inspire new members by hosting an NSMH information desk on campus and inviting students who stop by to come to the reception and learn more about NSMH.

TASTE OF NSMH (To be held one week before/after Spring Break)

Chapters will host an event during the month of March to highlight the different cultures represented within their chapter. This event could be a buffet-style dinner with different foods made by chapter members and/or donated by local (minority-owned) restaurants that can be invited to participate as well. Chapters can invite different campus groups to come and perform special talents that represent their cultures in order to go along with the multicultural theme. This event will not only raise awareness of NSMH, but could be a big money maker as well!

APRIL

NSMH NATIONAL HOSPITALITY WEEK (First Week in April)

Chapters should host programs each day during this week. All members are encouraged to wear their NSMH paraphernalia throughout the week and each chapter is encouraged to have an information table to distribute information about NSMH to help draw in new members all week long. Chapters should have some type of professional enrichment activity such as hosting a luncheon and inviting a member of the hospitality industry or faculty to come and speak. Chapters should also try to include the high school students that they worked with for the STRENGTH Program in the week’s events. Chapters may want to sell raffle tickets throughout the week with a drawing on Friday in addition to some other big event such as a social to wrap up the week’s activities.

MAY

FRIENDS OF FINALS (STUDY NIGHT)

Just as suggested for December, chapters will once again host an evening during or just before final exams, where some members or faculty will provide tutoring and academic help to fellow students.

Chapter Program Report Online Form

The NSMH Chapter Program Report Form can be found in the NSMH chapter portal These forms should be filled out every month. On the form, you should describe the event that your chapter held or program that you participated in. Also, a description of your chapters’ program or event may be highlighted in the NSMH newsletter, The INFORMER.

Please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out more information about NSMH events, monthly programs and publicizing your chapter’s activities.