Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Engaging Younger Members?

        I challenged  younger members to share ways they have been engaged. Below are excerpts from the information shared by Ginger Holland, Georgia.


        "I joined Delta Kappa Gamma (Lambda chapter) in the fall of 2012. I had been teaching eight years and as a younger member of my chapter, looked forward to learning from the accomplished educators whose ranks I was blessed to join!  I have made strong professional connections, pursued passions that impact education, and developed meaningful friendships along the way!

 

        One such friendship was with Carol McCullough. Carol encouraged me to become more involved in educational policy and insisted that I join the Legislative Committee within our chapter.


Last summer, Carol asked me to be a part of her radio show, “Eye on Blindness.”  She asked that I research and discuss House Bill 18. Little did I know that my research would eventually lead me to a round table discussion at the Georgia State Capitol to debate necessary changes in the bill, and work towards compromise in order to get the bill moved forward in the 2014 Legislative Session. 

 
        Then, I received an email from Carol asking several questions about rumors of the new healthcare plan.  I conducted research on the State’s new Healthcare Plan.  I was able to provide updates at our monthly Delta Kappa Gamma-Lambda chapter meetings as well as at the Psi State, Georgia,  Executive Board Meeting this past September.

 

        Since September, I have had the chance to travel to Washington, D.C., to talk with legislators about issues pertinent to Georgia’s students, families, and teachers. I look forward to returning in late January to once again meet with our U.S. leaders to discuss education as it pertains to students who are blind or visually impaired. With the support of my DKG mentor, Carol McCullough, as well as the support and engagement of the Lambda  Chapter members who have encouraged me to participate in various DKG events and leadership opportunities, I have the confidence to pursue my dreams of becoming involved in educational policy. This is how my chapter continues to engage the younger generation!"

 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Milestone Birthdays!

Mrs. Joyce Van Houten, right, with her daughter Carole,
 who is also a member of Beta Omicron.
     One of the nicest things about being international president is getting to communicate with some of our members who are in their 90's and even a few who are more than 100 years young.

     One such person I spoke with recently was Joyce Van Houten, a member of Beta Omicron in Texas. I called her last year and was able to speak with her again this year on her  94th birthday. All our members are treasures, but those who joined the organization before some of the rest of us were even born are rare gems!

      Thanks to Jane Eixmann, Treasurer of Beta Omicron, for sending the photo of Mrs. Houten with her daughter, Carole.

     Mrs. Rivers Lodge, who celebrated her 99th birthday in January, is also a member of Beta Omicron and has been a member for more than 74 years. She joined the chapter in 1939. Her photo was not available.

Convention Workshop Information Available!



     Which of the more than 100 workshops at the 2014 International Convention would you like to attend? Individuals who submitted workshop proposals will be notified within the next two weeks as to the status of their proposal.


     No later than March 15, 2014, the names of the workshops, presenters and a brief description will be posted on the Society website at www.dkg.org.


     Share this information with members in your chapter and encourage them to plan to attend. There will be sessions addressing hot topics of education such as Common Core, Best Teaching Strategies, Teaching Standards, Performance Appraisal, Technology in the Classroom, and many more.


     The registration form for the 2014 International Convention is on the Society website and in the January/February DKG NEWS.

   

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Your Personal Invitation

You are personally invited to join us at the 2014 International Convention to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 28-August 1, 2014.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Sgt7CNKQdXA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSgt7CNKQdXA%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

Share the video with your chapter. Many do not realize that we are truly an international organization.

Take care. If I don't see you before, I will see you in Indianapolis!

Beverly