To My Favorite Grandson

Dear Ace:

 As I look at your graduation picture, I beam with pride. You have brought such pleasure to your Gigi. It seems only yesterday that you were born on my birthday, no easy feat in itself, and now you are graduating. 

You know all the letters of the alphabet and your colors, even though purple and pink gave you a small problem. You can count past 100 and add most single digit numbers. Your Geography is great as you put your tiny fingers on California, Florida, Texas and Georgia, important places because of the people in your life. 

You are blessed by having your parents; both, outstanding professional educators. Your life's journey will include many who will inspire, challenge, support and motivate you. They will be your teachers and administrators - your super heroes, surrogate parents, care takers, nurses, mentors, tutors, secretaries, psychiatrists, role models and friends. They will see your sparkle, thirst for knowledge, and gentle spirit; and while not breaking it, may bend it to help you learn that life is not always fair; everyone is not as kind, loving and wonderful as you and a few may not believe, as I, that you are God's unique gift to this world. 

As you continue your journey remember a few of my favorite sayings such as, "all that glitters is not gold; what appears to be may not be; smooth sailing never a skillful mariner made; in giving you actually receive; you can't judge a book by its cover; you learn more from your failures than your successes; failures are only temporary; what goes around comes around; actions speak louder than words;" and at some point, "you really do reap what you sow." 

Guard your heart, mind and eyes for they influence and shape your character. Make good choices; they affect both your present and future. Forgive others, for you will need forgiveness and, always seek the best in others. It is there often disguised or hidden in pain, past experiences, failures or temporary setbacks.

Life awaits you, my dear. Embrace it as I do the sunshine and the rain, the chirping of the birds, the beauty of the earth and the gift of each day. 

I love you,

Gigi

What's New about Nominations in 2013?

         Several innovations promise to make a positive impact on the submission of recommendations and endorsements for elected DKG positions for 2014 and beyond.  Check out the following three.

1.      Revised and updated forms will be on the website, beginning June 17, 2013. They are easy to access, complete, save, and submit. Go to www.dgk.org.  Check the home page and you may also click on Committees, then on Nominations.  From June 17 - October 15, 2013, you will find:

 

·         Guidance on how to ‘maximize’ the impact of recommendations and endorsements.

·         References from the governing documents regarding the nominations committee and the process.

 

2.      A workshop, Nominations Know-How, at each regional conference which will give you opportunities to:

·         View and discuss the revised forms.

·         Receive advice about completion of recommendation and endorsement forms.

·         Learn why each candidate is asked to provide a statement giving the reasons she wants to serve and her previous participation in the Society.

·         Discover why ‘less is more’ when submitting an endorsement.

·         Find out how to ensure that endorsements have maximum impact.

·         Hear why electronic submission of forms is a ‘win/win’ for all.

 

3.      Nominations Committee members will also be at the Info Fairs at Regionals.

·         A PowerPoint presentation and informative  handouts will be shared.

·         An opportunity to ask individual questions for clarification and advice about:

           a) Completing recommendation and endorsement forms,
     b) Choosing endorsers whose forms will provide relevant information,
     c) Submitting the forms electronically, and,
     d) Meeting the submission deadline date of October 15, 2013.
 

 

Forward Movers - Forward Thinkers

 One hundred sixty-three members registered for the Georgia state organization convention in Macon, Georgia, on April 5-7, 2013. Peggy McCall, state organization president, encouraged members to Make Memories in Macon and they did just that.

Two general sessions, an executive board meeting, a birthday luncheon as well as the banquet, 10 workshops, and a great mini market were enjoyed by participants. Ed Grisamore, a columnist for The Macon Telegraph and recipient of the 2010 Will Rogers Humaritarian Award, as well as the 2012 Georgia Author of the Year, was the Friday night keynote speaker.

Sidney Lanier, who was born in Macon in 1842, made a surprise appearance at the luncheon. He entertained members as he talked about his poems and music.

A QR Code Convention Scavenger Hunt provided a new outlet for the techno savy members and significant monetary prizes were given to the winners.

The Celebration of Life Ceremony, conducted by Jo Davis, and the State Membership Committee was most impressive. Three past state organization presidents, Malissa Cox, Mary Crooks and Page Loyd were remembered as well as members from all chapters in the six districts.

Members waiting  to walk to the Celebration of Life Ceremony.

Teachers Change Lives!

 

"The mediocre teacher tells,

The good teacher explains,

The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires."

                                    William Arthur Ward

 

Thanks to all educators

who are impacting education

worldwide.

You are appreciated!

 

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Estonia - Five Years Old!

I have been amazed at the diversity and unity of different state organization conventions at which I have served as the Society representative. Each state organization and its chapters have much autonomy and are different in many ways. However, the unity in the Society's Mission and Purposes is always evident.


In Estonia, a new chapter, Gamma, was installed and 12 members were initiated. An additional member was also initiated into Alpha chapter. Margarita Hanschmidt, state organization president, has mentored, encouraged and provided the leadership to keep this young state organization thriving,  relevant  and attracting both extremely young career educators as well as educators with more years of experience. The state celebrated its fifth birthday in the DKG Society.


Margarita Hanschmidt, Estonia state organization president, cuts the birthday cake

celebrating Estonia's fifth year in the Society.

 

 

New Jersey has largest attendance ever!

I asked state organization presidents to share the great things happening at their conventions. Below are a few of those shared by Roxanne Adinolfi, New Jersey State Organization President. The convention was April 12 – 14, 2013.

ü  President’s membership challenge of 75 new members for the 75^th Diamond Jubilee (exceeded)

ü  First Alpha Zeta Strategic Action Plan (adopted)

ü  Comprehensive Revisions to the 2000 Alpha Zeta State (AZS) Standing Rules (adopted)

ü  Comprehensive Revisions to the 2012 AZS Bylaws (adopted)

ü  Publication (605 pages) Alpha Zeta State 1938-2013 Diamond Anniversary History of the NJ State Organization

ü  343 Registered Attendees at the convention (Largest number ever!)

ü  Keynote Speaker for the convention Stacey Bess Author/Teacher Beyond the Blackboard Lessons on Love from the School With No Name (Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie)

ü  Cindy Reynolds as “Miss Annie” provided interesting information about our NJ Founders and Dr. Annie Webb Blanton

ü  Past State Presidents presented NJ Founders Skit with “Miss Annie”

ü  Dr. Lynda Schmid, DKG Society Representative  qwas featured speaker for birthday luncheon, workshop presenter and initiates orientation presenter

ü  Dual Celebratory Resolution (NJ STATE ASSEMBLY and SENATE) presented to the membership

ü  Congratulatory Letter from NJ Governor Chris Christie

 

Society Reps - Make Connections

Invite a Society Representative to your state meeting.

Below are a few of the comments from state organizations regarding the value of having a Society representative at a state meeting.  Sixty five of our state organizations requested and received a member of the international administrative board as its Society representative.

 If your state did not request a representative for 2013, consider requesting one for 2014. The names of the representatives and state organizations have been omitted since all comments could not be included.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for sending ------as our Society Representative for our  State Convention. She was an incredible addition to our group and we were very tempted to just keep her! "

 

"____ was knowledgeable about DKG Society and shared that knowledge with a friendly and enthusiastic spirit that everyone responded to positively.  She was not afraid to join in conversations and participate in activities with our members."  

"Her openess and accessibility elicited very positive comments especially from members who were at their first out-of-chapter experience."

"We were delighted to have ___ on her first trip to a state convention as a Society Rep. She blended right in and our members loved her."

 

"____'s speech was very thought provoking and incited more conversations and willingness to do more.  We were very pleased and had a wonderful convention!"

"__ was the perfect Society representative  for our state!  She was inspirational, uplifting and encouraging. She fit right in as if this was her home. "

 

"Her knowledge about the needs of our members and what they value in their membership was awesome. We got some great ideas to use to retain (and reinstate) our members. Thank you!"

 

"Thank you for sending ___. She was very knowledgeable about DKG and shared things about our state of which our members were unaware. She did her homework! Thanks."