Friend of Education Award

The DKG Friend  of Education Award
was presented to Indiana State Superintendent,
Glenda Ritz on July 30, 2014 in Indianapolis.

A DKG Friend of Education Award was presented at the DKG 2014 International Convention.

Glenda Ritz, Indiana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, received the Society’s Friend of Education Award. Ms. Ritz brings to her office extensive experience in the classroom as well as a commitment to Indiana students statewide. Her emphasis is on the importance of literacy and the necessity that all children be able to attend schools with equity in resources and the expectation of a high-quality education.

Media Awards

Media Awards presented
on Wednesday, July 30, 2014
at the DKG International Convention
in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Three DKG Excellence in Media Awards were presented at the DKG 2014 International Convention.

The Bedford Times-Mail was a recipient for its commitment to educational coverage both locally and statewide.

Dr. Vic Smith, founder of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education, received the award for his ICPE Notes and Vic’s Statehouse Notes distributed by social media. He covers current educational events in the Statehouse, the State School Board meetings, and the education arena in a straight-forward, focused approach.

WFYI, the Public Broadcasting System station in Indianapolis, was recognized for its long history of providing educational programming for classroom use, as well as for students, parents and teachers. Broadcasted programs as well as on-line games, websites, and other digital resources are available for learners of all ages in both English and Spanish.

Position Announced

The position of Executive Director at Society Headquarters has been formally announced. The Position Announcement can be found on the Society website at www.dkg.org. Sandra Smith Bull is serving as the interim executive director through August 31, 2015, or until the administrative board selects the executive director, if later.

Live Streaming of DKG Convention

A first for DKG will be the live streaming of the opening session of the 2014 International Convention.

You may view the entire opening session beginning at 7:15 p.m. (eastern daylight savings time) on Monday, July 28, 2014.

Go to the Society website, www.dkg.org, and click on Live Stream in the top banner on the home page.

Continue to visit the Society website. Convention happenings will be posted throughout the week.




Participation transforms members!

Dr. Gwen Simmons, North Carolina, responded to my question, "What is the one thing you believe will make the most difference in our organization to maintain its viability into the 22^nd century?"

 

Simmons writes, "The answer to your request is more complex than one thing but given all the movement in a positive direction in the last three or four biennia, I think a key one is a focus on the expectation of participation by active members in the activities of the Society: Constitution, Article III Membership. Section B.1: … “An active member shall participate in the activities of the Society.”

 

During the revision of the Constitution in 2009-10, proposals to strike that expectation from the Constitution were considered— I was adamant in my opposition because I believe that is the key aspect of DKG structure, i.e., participation transforms the member, and provides opportunities to transform the organization.  Active participation requires a member to think for herself (in situations filled with a diversity of perspectives) and she ultimately realizes that she is leader of sorts and has something to offer the organization (which provided her the opportunity to participate in something she was NOT prepared to do until she finished the 'task'.)"

Relationships Strengthen

In response to my request from members to share one idea for strengthening the Society, Karen Tinstman, Pennsylvania, submitted the following.  

“ For a long time I have felt that relationships were one of the most important aspects to our Society.  Your articles have reinforced my premise. Of course, this is nothing new to our Society but I’m afraid that we need to be more intentional in developing this aspect of organization.

 As Chapter President many years ago, each of our meetings started with a communication activity, so that by the end of the biennium each one would know more about 8 different members.   The premise was based on the notion that there are so many distractions that prevent members from attending. Perhaps a strong relationship with several members would be enough to say, “I don’t want to miss our meeting because I would miss seeing everyone.” In addition, knowing someone cared whether they came to the meeting or not might make all the difference.

There are many activities that can help foster good relationships. One thing seems clear; we can find ‘common ground’ in everyone and use that to develop a relationship. As a member of the Membership Committee in Pennsylvania, your articles have encouraged us to challenge our chapters to see the benefits of this idea.  It is interesting to me that our church has recently been on the same bandwagon. Just last week, our pastor used the catch phrase 'No Know, No Grow.'

So in answer to your question, “What is one thing you believe will make the most difference in our organization to maintain our viability into the 22^nd century?” In my opinion,  RELATIONSHIPS."

 

Change the Name?

The following idea was received following the deadline for my article in the July/August 2014 issue of DKG NEWS. The author, Jane Williams, a past state organization president from Virginia, gave me permission to use it on my blog.

"I believe changing the name of the Society will do more to carry us into the 22^nd Century than any of the “Band aids” that I have heard so far for improving/retaining membership and leadership.   We know that the majority of our members are now middle aged and older, and the dialogue is plentiful about attracting younger members--but not to much avail.  I have felt for several years that our Greek name still says “sorority” to those who hear it, read it, and see it.  Even seasoned members, regardless of “training,” can be heard referring to DKG as a “sorority.”  (Using the letters “DKG” doesn’t seem to have had much impact either). 

To retain/attain the impression of a professional leadership organization, I believe Delta Kappa Gamma needs to rename itself as the “International Society of Women Educators” (ISWE), “Society of Women Educators, International” (SWEI), “International Association of Women Educators”(IAWE), or some wording that will immediately give a hint as to “what we’re about.”  I believe we need this updated “first impression” to bring new life to our chapters.

I do not see that any great expense or rush to make changes in the Society name as currently printed would have to be incurred.  For a period of time, we could qualify letterhead communications with a line “Formerly The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International” and allow our pre-printed forms to 'play out.'  The DKG rose logo could stay, if desired.  The artifacts, documents, and mementos of our rich history will always be with us to serve as a reminder of our founders and our continued mission and purposes. 

I believe Annie Webb Blanton would be pleased to know that we would take this action.  In her own words:  Be progressive.  Keep up with the moving world while not discarding what in the old has value.  Don’t cling to the old when its worth has passed."

CBS recognizes Arizona

Lori Good, Arizona's chair of the Communications and Publicity Committee, submitted the recent visibility provided to DKG by a CBS television station. 

Kim Covington, DKG Media Award Recipient.
 (Photo by Renate Krompasky)

"The winner of our 2014 Media Award was Kim Covington, KPNX Channel12 weekend evening anchor. She also is the lead reporter for the station's education franchise, School Solutions. 

When I notified Kim about being our award winner, she had just returned to Channel 12 after seven months recovering from an on-the-job vehicle accident.  When we applauded her as our Media Award Winner we also applauded her for her first day back as the Channel 12 Weekend Evening Anchor.

As Arizona state organization's  Communication and Publicity Chair I had the privilege to introduce Omicron State’s 2014 Media Award at the convention.  CBS Channel 12 was there filming my introduction of Kim receiving the award and her acceptance speech.  That evening we had a spot on the 6:00 & 10:00 news. 

Kim and CBS Channel 12 also posted pictures on their Facebook pages and websites.  Kim posted: Teared up when I was given the DKG Society International Media Award today for education coverage. What a wonderful group of women.

I am a true believer in communication & publicity.  We have a state organization newsletter, state website and mass mailing lists but publicity is something I will continue to work on.  Hopefully, I was able to help get the DKG name a little boost! "