A Special Medallion!

Dr. Jensi Souders, Tennessee
Recipient, 2014 International
Achievement Award
 

Dr. Jensi Souders, Tennessee, received the International Achievement Award at the International Convention in Indianapolis, at the Celebration Luncheon on July 30, 2014.The gold medallion she received was first presented in 1953 to Eunah Temple Holden, Florida. She wore it until her death in 1975, and in 1987 it was then presented to Dr. Jessie Sim. Prior to Sim's death, the medallion was returned to Florida for safe keeping.  In May 2014, the medallion was sent to Society Headquarters to Dr. Beverly Helms, 2012-2014 international president. A new gold bar was added to the middle which now bears Dr. Souders' name.

Dr. Jensi Souders has served the Society for many years in numerous chapter, state,  and international leadership positions. She was the 2010-2012 International President, and served on the 2012-2014 Administrative Board as immediate past president, chair of the DKG Supporting Corporation, chair of Transition Planning for the nominee for international president, and chair of the Administrative Board's committee to review regional conferences. She also served as a member of the 2012-2014 performance appraisal team.

The Danger of Silence

Clint Smith, a teacher talks about the Danger of Silence.  Watch the four minute presentation.
What is the implication for DKG members with regard to our voice on educational issues and policies?

@Upworthy) http://www.upworthy.com/25-year-old-teacher-had-only-4-minutes-for-his-1st-ever-ted-talk-he-nailed-it?g=3&c=ufb1 …

Unique and Specific

Pat Smith, Delta Beta Chapter in Florida, shared her ideas for strengthening the Society.

"1. We as an organization have to offer something that no other organization can. Otherwise, we continue to be repetitive and redundant. In other words, we MUST be set apart and unique.

2. We need to meet the specific needs of our young members as they are our future. In order to do this, they will have to share their needs.

 

I never heard of Delta Kappa Gamma until 2 years before I retired. I came into the organization to find stimulating higher level conversation concerning important issues in education. In retirement, I thought that would be sorely lacking.

 

Instead, I found a sisterhood of wonderful individuals and new, strong friendships. Maybe that was what I needed more than a 'brain boost'."

 

 

Does DKG have a Learning Disabilty?

Dr. Gwen Simmons, North Carolina, shared a couple of thoughts with me in response to my request for ideas for strengthening DKG. Below is one of them.

"Does DKG NOW have a learning disability?  Yes, I think it does.

Before the time of Peter M. Senge (1990) and Ronald A. Heifetz (1994), Dr. Blanton (1929) structured DKG to be a Learning Organization; that is, an organization where members are expected to participate in the activities of the Society; although DKG may not be transformed by a member’s participation but the member is transformed into a leader in her own right.

I have never minded what a colleague calls the “grunt work” of DKG because when I understood that any responsibility you assumed in DKG you would” learn on the job” and the DKG Organization would probably not be transformed by your grunt work , but you, as an adult learner, would continue to learn and hence, be transformed.

DKG, as educators often do, has an overall mentality that something must be produced that is tangible—when in reality what would really transform this organization is women thinking on their feet and being able to listen, disagree without taking disagreement to mean rejection and creating an “us against them mentality” (If you don’t think like me, there must be something wrong with you because there is certainly nothing wrong with me.)"