I apologize for not blogging more this spring, but, between state organization visits and preparations for the convention, I've let my blog slip.
I had the pleasure to be Society representative at five annual meetings this spring--Estonia, Iceland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Texas; assist with Utah's chapter presidents' training; and attend my own state organization convention--seven in all. I gave speeches, international updates, workshops, and Q&A sessions, plus had the opportunity to get to know many, many members. I saw much of Taillin (Estonia's capital), toured Iceland for several days with my husband prior to the meeting, saw the Kennedy compound on Cape Cod, and took a gondola ride on canals in the middle of Texas! What fun!
I'm in Austin now, meeting with the Leadership Management Seminar Class of 2012 several times during their two weeks here. I had dinner with them at the historic Littlefield House their first night, and on Tuesday they came to Headquarters for a tour of the building and a "fireside chat" with me in the Blanton Room. Today, Corlea and I are going to the campus to have lunch with them. It's supposed to be the whole professional staff, but Phyllis and Nita are taking vacation days and Linda is a participant in the LMS. Next Wednesday, I will participate in "DKG 101" with them, discussing the Society, and I will attend their graduation ceremony on Friday evening of next week.
In between all these LMS events, I am working on my convention to-do list. I still have many last-minute things to write, do, and prepare. I'll go home the day after the LMS graduation and be home three days to pack before flying to Washington, D.C. for the Seminar in Purposeful Living. From there, I'll go on to New York City, where the first event, dinner with the Administrative Board, is Sunday night, July 22.
The Administrative Board will meet all day Monday, then convention committees meet Monday evening, the Executive Board all day on Tuesday, and the convention begins on Tuesday night! So, we're off to the races!
People asked me all spring "how I feel now that my term is winding down." Does it sound as if it "winds down" at the end to you?!?!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
What do you mean, my term is winding down???
Unbelievable!! In the past couple of weeks, I've had several people ask me, "How do you feel, now that your term is winding down?" or "What are you going to do after your term is up?"
I guess that's natural, but I am busier now than ever, and haven't had a single moment to think about what life will be like after the presidency, except that I hope to sleep for about a week after the convention!!
I went to Estonia three weeks ago, to their state organization meeting. It was outstanding. Twenty-four of thirty-four members were in attendance, as well as 30 young non-members, six of whom were inducted into the Society at the end of the day.
Estonia has received $4000 from the Educational Foundation to help ethnic Russian teachers who teach in Russian schools in Estonia to learn to speak Estonia. The national government has passed a law that certain subjects must be taught in Estonian. This is a wonderful way for DKG to make a difference and become recognized for impacting education.
Upon returning from Estonia, I spent nearly two weeks at home, but working on Society business every day. I did trim some bushes and start walking again, so I'm pleased with that, but I spent more time at my computer, working on the convention.
Reviewing all board actions in order to write the Administrative Board report took lots of time, and the report is five pages long! I have to "whittle" it down before it's put in the convention program. I am also working on my president's report, and am validated, in looking back on everything, in how busy this biennium has been and how much has been accomplished.
Nita Scott and her membership Department have been great in getting the breakout sessions for the convention scheduled. The letters of acceptance are going out today. I had expected to do all that myself, and their relieving me of that responsibility (after I determined which proposals would be accepted) has really helped my time line for other convention jobs I have to do.
As soon as I finish the two reports mentioned above, I'll get back to the convention agendas. I hope to have those completed by the end of next week, so when I go home April 1, I can breathe a sigh of relief (maybe)!
The World Fellowship Committee begins their meeting today and Educators Award Committee meets next weekend. In April, I'll be home except for traveling as Society representative to Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Iceland, but those trips are all on weekends, so I'll have my weekdays to spend with Jim (and work at home for the Society!). Yeah!!!
Winding dowm??? Not on your life!!!
I guess that's natural, but I am busier now than ever, and haven't had a single moment to think about what life will be like after the presidency, except that I hope to sleep for about a week after the convention!!
I went to Estonia three weeks ago, to their state organization meeting. It was outstanding. Twenty-four of thirty-four members were in attendance, as well as 30 young non-members, six of whom were inducted into the Society at the end of the day.
Estonia has received $4000 from the Educational Foundation to help ethnic Russian teachers who teach in Russian schools in Estonia to learn to speak Estonia. The national government has passed a law that certain subjects must be taught in Estonian. This is a wonderful way for DKG to make a difference and become recognized for impacting education.
Upon returning from Estonia, I spent nearly two weeks at home, but working on Society business every day. I did trim some bushes and start walking again, so I'm pleased with that, but I spent more time at my computer, working on the convention.
Reviewing all board actions in order to write the Administrative Board report took lots of time, and the report is five pages long! I have to "whittle" it down before it's put in the convention program. I am also working on my president's report, and am validated, in looking back on everything, in how busy this biennium has been and how much has been accomplished.
Nita Scott and her membership Department have been great in getting the breakout sessions for the convention scheduled. The letters of acceptance are going out today. I had expected to do all that myself, and their relieving me of that responsibility (after I determined which proposals would be accepted) has really helped my time line for other convention jobs I have to do.
As soon as I finish the two reports mentioned above, I'll get back to the convention agendas. I hope to have those completed by the end of next week, so when I go home April 1, I can breathe a sigh of relief (maybe)!
The World Fellowship Committee begins their meeting today and Educators Award Committee meets next weekend. In April, I'll be home except for traveling as Society representative to Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Iceland, but those trips are all on weekends, so I'll have my weekdays to spend with Jim (and work at home for the Society!). Yeah!!!
Winding dowm??? Not on your life!!!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Busy times in January-February bring progress!
January was a whirlwind. After returning from our Christmas/New Year's cruise with our goddaughter and her family, I returned to Austin for meetings with the Golden Gift Fund and Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund Committees. Thirty-one women were selected for the 2012 International Leadership Management Seminar, representing every region of the Society. The ETH Committee chose to partially fund the pre-convention seminar in NYC this summer and to give the 2013 regionals money to invite non-Society speakers. The committee, which is the only Society committee to choose its own members, declared vacant the seat held by Malissa Cox of Georgia for so many years, due to her continuing illness and inability to participate. We chose Karen Crumley of New York State to be the new appointed member of the committee, with Executive Board approval to be requested this summer in NYC.
I came home the last week in January and went with Jim on his business trip to Savannah, GA--one of my favorite cities on earth. While he worked, I toured a museum and three historic houses and did a little shopping :) in the city market shops. We ate at our favorite restaurants and tried a new one, Vic's on the River, that has now become a new favorite! Then back to Austin!
Now, Valentine's Day has come and gone and I didn't even have time to buy a Valentine's card for those I usually send to, including my husband of 43 (as of our anniversary yesterday) years! Jim gave me a lovely card that said, "I may be an ordinary guy. But I'm married to one extraordinary woman. Beautiful, amazing you. Happy Anniversary." Are you crying? I am, still.
Except for this week at home, I will have been at Headquarters in Austin the entire month of February (Jim has been so patient, but he is counting the months, weeks, and days until my term of office is up!). So far, it's been very productive.
The month began with the annual meeting of the Educational Foundation. We agreed to award 34 renewal and 26 new educational project grants for a total of $134,910. Several projects are in such places as Kenya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Zambia, Mexico, Germany, Estonia, and many states in the U.S.
Two and one-half days were dedicated to transitio training with the nominee for 2012-2014 international president. I remember well how I felt in that first training session just two years ago. How time flies. This time was followed by the Performance Appraisal Team's annual meeting to review the work of the four professional administrators at Headquarters. We discussed their biennial goals and achievements to meet those goals. These are four amazing and talented women and we were proud to give them excellent reviews, with only minor suggestions for the future.
This week, while I'm at home, I'll attend the orientation session for new members of my chapter. I am a sponsor for a young professional that I nominated for membership. I have been retired from educational work for 13 years, almost, and have nominated and sponsored six educators for membership, four for my chapter and two for chapters in Georgia and New York. I don't understand those members who say they are retired and don't know where to find members! I found one in my church choir, one from the system where I spent my years in education whom I have watched grow professionally over the years, one who was recommended by a friend in Georgia, one whom I have known for years but who was not ready to commit until her daughter went to college and whom I recommended to a chapter in Georgia, my goddaughter whom I recommended to a chapter in New York State--well, you get the idea.
Next week, I head back to Austin for meetings with the Leadership Development and Scholarship Committees. During all this time, I am still working on the organization of the convention. Yesterday was the deadline for breakout session proposals. There are about 110 proposals in the categories of Professional Practices, Cultureal/Personal Enrichment, DKG in the Future, and Educational Excellence (program and projects).
I love my work, and all the wonderful people with whom I work. We are making much progress in moving the Society forward. I am so happy that I am a part of making it happen!
I came home the last week in January and went with Jim on his business trip to Savannah, GA--one of my favorite cities on earth. While he worked, I toured a museum and three historic houses and did a little shopping :) in the city market shops. We ate at our favorite restaurants and tried a new one, Vic's on the River, that has now become a new favorite! Then back to Austin!
Now, Valentine's Day has come and gone and I didn't even have time to buy a Valentine's card for those I usually send to, including my husband of 43 (as of our anniversary yesterday) years! Jim gave me a lovely card that said, "I may be an ordinary guy. But I'm married to one extraordinary woman. Beautiful, amazing you. Happy Anniversary." Are you crying? I am, still.
Except for this week at home, I will have been at Headquarters in Austin the entire month of February (Jim has been so patient, but he is counting the months, weeks, and days until my term of office is up!). So far, it's been very productive.
The month began with the annual meeting of the Educational Foundation. We agreed to award 34 renewal and 26 new educational project grants for a total of $134,910. Several projects are in such places as Kenya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Zambia, Mexico, Germany, Estonia, and many states in the U.S.
Two and one-half days were dedicated to transitio training with the nominee for 2012-2014 international president. I remember well how I felt in that first training session just two years ago. How time flies. This time was followed by the Performance Appraisal Team's annual meeting to review the work of the four professional administrators at Headquarters. We discussed their biennial goals and achievements to meet those goals. These are four amazing and talented women and we were proud to give them excellent reviews, with only minor suggestions for the future.
This week, while I'm at home, I'll attend the orientation session for new members of my chapter. I am a sponsor for a young professional that I nominated for membership. I have been retired from educational work for 13 years, almost, and have nominated and sponsored six educators for membership, four for my chapter and two for chapters in Georgia and New York. I don't understand those members who say they are retired and don't know where to find members! I found one in my church choir, one from the system where I spent my years in education whom I have watched grow professionally over the years, one who was recommended by a friend in Georgia, one whom I have known for years but who was not ready to commit until her daughter went to college and whom I recommended to a chapter in Georgia, my goddaughter whom I recommended to a chapter in New York State--well, you get the idea.
Next week, I head back to Austin for meetings with the Leadership Development and Scholarship Committees. During all this time, I am still working on the organization of the convention. Yesterday was the deadline for breakout session proposals. There are about 110 proposals in the categories of Professional Practices, Cultureal/Personal Enrichment, DKG in the Future, and Educational Excellence (program and projects).
I love my work, and all the wonderful people with whom I work. We are making much progress in moving the Society forward. I am so happy that I am a part of making it happen!
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