Congress Considers

There are currently several hundred bills under consideration in this session of the U.S. Congress that address human trafficking in some way. The majority of these bills address sexual exploitation of trafficked victims particularly those under the age of 18.

 

The Violence Against Women Act is aimed at punishing those who prey upon women. A number of organizations seek to address the situation. Some of these groups are Operation Polaris which is mainly aimed at education of the public about the insidious ways in which trafficking affects victims. 


FAIR Girls takes a multipronged approach by sponsoring educational workshops on the subject and also providing services to victims in the U.S and other countries. One of these services provides occupational therapy and counseling to victims.  Jewelry made by victims is for sale to the public and is available through http://fairgirls.earthcare.com/. Part of the money raised through sale of jewelry is used to finance counseling for victims.


Get involved. Become an advocate for women, children, and excellence in education!

KUDOS to British Columbia

Sheila Pierce, provincial president of British Columbia,  revealed her heart when reporting her pride in the accomplishment of the members in BC.

"I am very proud of BC, DKG members. Although we are a small group we are commited and productive. Our recent survey showed that 97% of members had enjoyed Chapter meetings, activities, speakers and fellowship, and 87% are satisfied in the direction DKG is moving.

Members frequently comment on the support and encouragement they get from fellow members. We have excellent programs and speakers. We have provided scholarships, raised funds for local women and children's charities, supported the Canadian Hamambee Education Society which educates girls in Kenya and Tanzania,  and the Tlamacazapa project in Mexico which supports education of children and women's literacy as well as helath education projects. We have surveyed members and developed a Provincial Action Plan focussed on renewal and revitalization.We have had good participation and attendance at regional conferences and international conventions.

Our members have served on international committees and participate through social networking with DKG members internationally. We joined members in Washington State for a meeting in 2013 and they will join us at our spring conference in April 2014. One of our goals is to work toward more unity of purpose among Canada members through a new Canadian project.

We feel we are moving forward with our revitalizaion and renewal and have initiated 7 new members since September 2013."

World Fellowship

 

International World Fellowship Committee
selecting the recipients and extensions
 in Austin on March 3-4, 2014.

     The International World Fellowship Committee selected 19 new recipients and extended four awards for a total of $80,000.

The awards are made possible though the generous contributions and fund raising efforts of our members.

 The World Fellowship Committee has awarded a total of $180,200 during the 2012-2014 biennium.

Missing Leaders?

I am amazed that a large number of state organization presidents report difficulty getting members at the chapter level to accept positions of leadership. Why?

While the discussion, as to the reasons for this, is uncomfortable; it is vital to the future of our Society.

What is the problem? Do members not see themselves as leaders? Do they feel that the duties and responsibilities are overwhelming?

Consider having a chapter dialogue to address possible reasons many are not willing to take on additional responsibilities. Be sure to include all the positives of assuming leadership roles in your discussion; increased personal and professional growth opportunities, enhanced skills in delegation, improved organizational ability, and many networking occasions across your state organization and the Society.

  Might the  conversation also include the idea of simplifying the tasks, and sharing the load? This way all members can contribute to and accomplish the work of the chapter and the state organization.

 

Germany Cross of Merit

Left, Marika Heimbach, DKG European Regional Director,
presents Gitta Franke-Zoellmer a rose upon her receipt
of the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Gitta Franke-Zoellmer, one of the founders of the Germany DKG state organization and former state organization president, was recently awarded the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

She received  this prestigious award because of her longstanding commitment as leader of the VBE (Union for Education) and her work for equality for women on the national and European level.

She is a member of the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE/EI), and serves as chairperson of the Status of Women Committee (ETUCE)  which was founded because of her initiative.

It was a festive event, accompanied by Celli music performed by Gitta´s former students.

Congratulations, Gitta!

QR Codes at Grave Sites?

     I recently learned from Phyllis Hickey, Operation Services Administrator, that the cemetery at which two of our Founders are buried use QR codes. With a smart phone and a QR Reader you can get information on the individual buried at the site.

     Phyllis took a photo of the sign that displayed the QR code at Dr. Annie Webb Blanton's grave site in Austin. Wouldn't Dr. Blanton, who died in 1945, be amazed that we now use technology from the womb to the tomb!

Amazing Strategy!

As a result of the encouragement of Margaret Church of North Carolina, Dr. Sherry Willis, Alpha Nu Chapter President, sent a mass email to her chapter members. She included information about blogging and tweeting. Fantastic!

 

Dr. Willis said, "I joined Twitter this morning and have sent Alpha Nu members an invitation to join if you wish to do so."

That is a great way to connect and communicate!