I didn't realize (until reminded) that it's been nearly two months since my last posting! I have really broken my own resolution to write at least once a month about what's going on in my life as international President! Sorry!
Five committee meetings, five electronic meetings, and one NYC site visit (to meet with hotel, CVB, tour, and steering committee personnel) later, I sit at my desk in Austin feeling a great deal of stress as I look over my "to do" list. But, you don't want to hear about that! Let me tell you all the "good stuff" that's happened so far this fall:
1. The Communications and Publicity Committee rewrote the policy and procedures for Society website certification and recertification. They are so very clear now, that no webmaster need complian that she can't understand what is needed. Their monthly tip sheet, Broadcasting the Buzz, has a sharp new look and continues to provide information for chapters and state organizations to use in their communication efforts.
2. The Membership Committee, after writing both orientationand reorientation materials last year that have been universally praised, is tackling the revision of the Ceremonies book and the Guide for State Organization and Chapter Membership Chairs. The Membership Memo continues monthly and has a great new look, thanks to the Information Services Department here at Headquarters.
3. I attended a lovely luncheon in Chattanooga in my honor in late Septemebr, Shirley Smith of Gamma Theta Chapter, Georgia, organized it and invited members from Georgia, SE Tennessee, NE Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Seventy-seven members, including me, had a lovely visit. I talked (no speech!) about the job of president and answered questions about the apartment here in Austin and its cost-effectiveness, the upcoming convention in NYC, and a number of other things people wanted to know. It was a very nice two hours spent in the company of friends old and new, and I renewed acquaintance with Norma Carol Gault, whom I taught in our "salad" years in the late 60s-early 70s.
4. The meeting in New York City at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers was enlightening, to say the least. Steering Committee members were extremely well prepared with questions and progress reports. We chose the convention bag, heard about plans for New York Night, got a preview of possible tours for attendees (Yankees and Red Sox are in NYC on Friday night of the convention--better order your tickets NOW if you want to attend!!!), and learned of the many services the Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide. We were all "bowled over" by the food prices at the hotel, finding out that the largest part of the meal price is union contract labor costs, gratuity and taxes. It will be a BIG gulp for all of us, but I am reminded of how the cost of food has gone up everywhere, and that meals are expensive in every big city. They certainly were when we were in Germany and Switzerland this past summer. And, we have to remember that the hotel lodging room price is fantastically good for mid-town Manhattan, and this will help us be able to eat more expensively in this once-in-a-lifetime destination convention! I am still so excited!!
5. The Constitution Committee received only THREE proposals for amendments to the International Standing Rules! Can you believe it! I said there shouldln't be many since we just revised both governing documents in Spokane in 2010. The committee spent the majority of its times going over state organization bylaws changes and writing resources to help guide that process.
6. The Expansion Committee reviewed the staus of state organizations outside the U.S., particulary those to whom expansion funds had been provided in the last calendar year. Members reviewed the progress report of the Japan study and will voted to make a recommendation on that study at the 2012 convention. Members discussed the possibility of recruiting members from the U.S. Department of Defense Schools, and took assignments to research those schools in both the U.S. and in countries where the Society has membership. The committee also planned their convention workshop and worked on their procedures manual.
7. Today and tomorrow (starting in about 30 minutes!) the Non-Dues Revenue Committee will begin its day-and-a-half meeting, discussing possible new Society partners and sponsors for the convention program and events.
When I return home Thursday, I will pick up my new prescription glasses, get a hair cut, go with my husband to a dinner in Murfressboro, TN, in honor of our college band director. The next day I'll go to West Tennessee to a luncheon, again in my honor, to talk with my fellow Tennessee members who have forgiven me (I hope) for my lack of attendance at many state events the last 18 months! Next week, I have a dentist appointment (must start flossing more!!) and I actually get to attend my own chapter's meeting this month!! I'll go to Scottsboro, Alabama, to meet with Rho Chapter on November 5 before returning to Austin for meetings with the Administrative Board, the International Speakers Fund Committee, the regional directors, and the first meeting of our new Support Corporation board of trustees. Then, it's off to Florida for Thanksgiving!
I hope each of you celebrates Halloween and Thanksgiving (if you do) safely and joyously. I'm not one for dressing up in a witch's costume, but I enjoy giving out candy! I don't have much experience with roasting turkeys (I tend to leave the giblets in the neck when I'm not supposed to!) but I'm very good at dressing and sweet potato and spinach casseroles (two dishes, not one!). So, I hope we all are healthy and safe until I get reminded to write my next blog!!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
What a G-g-g-r-r-r-r-e-e-e-a-a-a-t-t-t-t summer!!
Five regional conferences in six weeks--Whew! I was exhausted by the end of the Baden Baden conference in Germany, but exhausted from so much exhilaration and adrenalin flow! Such a wealth of talent, knowledge, and enthusiasm from members; such fantastic, and different, speakers; and such wonderful organization on the part of regional directors and their conference steering committees. Thanks one and all, for moving our Society forward through your efforts.
My cats were very aloof when I returned home after six weeks on the road. Thankfully, my husband wasn't! He had joined me in Germany and we and two friends took an 8-day cruise on the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel and then spent five days in Switzerland. I have some incredibly beautiful pictures, and the cruise was so relaxing that I "unwound" from the conferences and "de-stressed" during the cruise.
Now, committees begin for the second year. The Finance Committee met last week, reviewing the 2011-2012 budget and making proposed changes based on last year's actual expenditures. They also planned this year's editions of Focus on Finance and have a new, very professional look to that publication.
The Educational Excellence Committee begins tomorrow; and September has the Communications and Publicity, Membership, and Expansion Committees coming to Austin for their 2nd-year meeting. I'll get to spend the second half of September at home, but that just means I'll work from home instead of from here (Austin)!
I have spent over a week trying to catch up on email that came while I was in Europe with no internet access on my phone. It's been hard to wade through and answer more than 300 emails, but I appreciate everyone's understanding why, in this instance, I have not replied as quickly as I usually do.
I am now working on the international convention schedule and speakers, and have a meeting with the New York convention steering committee the first of October in NYC. The report forms for chapter and state organization presidents have to be revised and I've already started a list for the next board meeting agenda.
Stay tuned! Life continues to be interesting. Never a dull moment!
My cats were very aloof when I returned home after six weeks on the road. Thankfully, my husband wasn't! He had joined me in Germany and we and two friends took an 8-day cruise on the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel and then spent five days in Switzerland. I have some incredibly beautiful pictures, and the cruise was so relaxing that I "unwound" from the conferences and "de-stressed" during the cruise.
Now, committees begin for the second year. The Finance Committee met last week, reviewing the 2011-2012 budget and making proposed changes based on last year's actual expenditures. They also planned this year's editions of Focus on Finance and have a new, very professional look to that publication.
The Educational Excellence Committee begins tomorrow; and September has the Communications and Publicity, Membership, and Expansion Committees coming to Austin for their 2nd-year meeting. I'll get to spend the second half of September at home, but that just means I'll work from home instead of from here (Austin)!
I have spent over a week trying to catch up on email that came while I was in Europe with no internet access on my phone. It's been hard to wade through and answer more than 300 emails, but I appreciate everyone's understanding why, in this instance, I have not replied as quickly as I usually do.
I am now working on the international convention schedule and speakers, and have a meeting with the New York convention steering committee the first of October in NYC. The report forms for chapter and state organization presidents have to be revised and I've already started a list for the next board meeting agenda.
Stay tuned! Life continues to be interesting. Never a dull moment!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Reflections on State Organization Meetings Attended
Since November (after Thanksgiving), I have attended five of our state organization annual meetings/conventions: Panama (November), Alabama (February), Michigan and Maine (April), and Norway (May). Each Administrative Board member who attends such a meeting brings members in that state organization the latest news and "doings" at the international level: committee/board/Foundation work, and how members of those groups are working to move the Society forward successfully. We also fulfill assignments as requested: keynote speeches, workshops, closing remarks, holding installations/initiations, etc. We are not "visitors" or "guests," but Society representatives sent to work and help the state organization president mak the meeting as successful as possible.
However, as Society representatives to those meetings, it is also part of our responsibility to meet members and listen to their concerns and successes and to bring those concerns/successes back to international. All members everywhere are concerned with gaining and retaining members, and are eager to find ways to improve leadership and participation in their chapters.
Panama members were holding their very first state organization meeting, having only been installed the year before. Thirteen initiates nearly doubled the size of Alpha Chapter, and I enjoyed the energy and positive electricity that every single member exhibited. Four seminars for members and non-members were held prior to the initiation and were extremely well attended by younger educators. I worked on my Spanish pronunciation and gave my entire speech in Spanish, even though I do not speak Spanish!
Alabama members were still reeling from the unexpected death of Elizabeth Garner the month before, and her presence was palpable everywhere. New SE Regional Director Libby Watson, however, was making all members extremely proud of the way she was quietly beginning to fulfill Elizabeth's plans for the regional conference in Louisville. I think that, more than anything, Elizabeth's death pulled those members closer together than ever before, and they enveloped me in their cocoon of grieving and remembering, yet optimistically moving forward. It was a weekend of the best of "genuine spiritual fellowship."
President Jackie Smart made overhauling state organization bylaws appear easy and fun in Michigan. Her easy leadership and sense of humor engendered a sense of ease and fun throughout the weekend. The current Michigan Teacher of the Year was an outstanding speaker and seemed very impressed with DKG, along with interest in becoming a member. Incoming State Organization President Olive Horning stated that her project for the biennium would be "Ten Women of Distinction," a novel idea for chapters. Over the course of each of the next two years, identify ten women of distinction in the community and invite them to a meeting to speak, meet and greet, participate in a panel, etc. They need not be educators, but having them come to the chapter is a fresh way to market the Soceity while helping members learn about their community, and, if they are an educator, meet potential new members!
Maine had the highest attendance at a state organization annual meeting in history, and members were excited and having fun! The site of the meeting in Auburn, Maine, was a hotel on the edge of a gorgeous waterfall. The main meeting room (and my room) looked out on the falls, and the sight and sounds of that falls was music to the soul! The first meeting of the 2013 regional conference steering committee was held, and the meeting room was filled with ideas bouncing in the air from person to person. Conference Chair Rena Kearney kept everything under control (most of the time!). I enjoyed being asked to sit in on the meeting.
Norway's annual meeting was held in Granavollen, about two hours outside of Oslo, in a lovely small hotel with a family feel. A speaker from the University of Norway in Oslo and one who was the mayor of Granavollen (both women) both made visual presentations and were excellent (I had translators whispering in my ears the whole time). Forty six of 77 total members were in attendance, and the business meeting was conducted efficiently, but with great participation and interst by members. Nearly all members speak English fluently, having studied it since first grade, and they were most gracious and hospitable to always switch to English whenever I joined a group. They all understood me when I presented (in English, as I do not speak Norwegian, either) my international update, my presentation/workshop on the Educational Excellence Committee (that I did in three of the five meetings I attended) and gave remarks at the Saturday evening dinner.
Along the way, the terrible tornadoes and flooding from rain anad snow melt caused Manitoba and Indiana to postpone their meetings. Many of our members have had tornado, storm, and flood damage, and the Emergency Fund checks are being sent as quickly as we learn of their distress.
The winter and spring have been both wonderful and tragic, and I look forward to seeing those I met in their states again at their regional conferences this summer. We are truly a group of leading women educators whos projects and programs are impacting education worldwide. I am proud to call myself one of us.
However, as Society representatives to those meetings, it is also part of our responsibility to meet members and listen to their concerns and successes and to bring those concerns/successes back to international. All members everywhere are concerned with gaining and retaining members, and are eager to find ways to improve leadership and participation in their chapters.
Panama members were holding their very first state organization meeting, having only been installed the year before. Thirteen initiates nearly doubled the size of Alpha Chapter, and I enjoyed the energy and positive electricity that every single member exhibited. Four seminars for members and non-members were held prior to the initiation and were extremely well attended by younger educators. I worked on my Spanish pronunciation and gave my entire speech in Spanish, even though I do not speak Spanish!
Alabama members were still reeling from the unexpected death of Elizabeth Garner the month before, and her presence was palpable everywhere. New SE Regional Director Libby Watson, however, was making all members extremely proud of the way she was quietly beginning to fulfill Elizabeth's plans for the regional conference in Louisville. I think that, more than anything, Elizabeth's death pulled those members closer together than ever before, and they enveloped me in their cocoon of grieving and remembering, yet optimistically moving forward. It was a weekend of the best of "genuine spiritual fellowship."
President Jackie Smart made overhauling state organization bylaws appear easy and fun in Michigan. Her easy leadership and sense of humor engendered a sense of ease and fun throughout the weekend. The current Michigan Teacher of the Year was an outstanding speaker and seemed very impressed with DKG, along with interest in becoming a member. Incoming State Organization President Olive Horning stated that her project for the biennium would be "Ten Women of Distinction," a novel idea for chapters. Over the course of each of the next two years, identify ten women of distinction in the community and invite them to a meeting to speak, meet and greet, participate in a panel, etc. They need not be educators, but having them come to the chapter is a fresh way to market the Soceity while helping members learn about their community, and, if they are an educator, meet potential new members!
Maine had the highest attendance at a state organization annual meeting in history, and members were excited and having fun! The site of the meeting in Auburn, Maine, was a hotel on the edge of a gorgeous waterfall. The main meeting room (and my room) looked out on the falls, and the sight and sounds of that falls was music to the soul! The first meeting of the 2013 regional conference steering committee was held, and the meeting room was filled with ideas bouncing in the air from person to person. Conference Chair Rena Kearney kept everything under control (most of the time!). I enjoyed being asked to sit in on the meeting.
Norway's annual meeting was held in Granavollen, about two hours outside of Oslo, in a lovely small hotel with a family feel. A speaker from the University of Norway in Oslo and one who was the mayor of Granavollen (both women) both made visual presentations and were excellent (I had translators whispering in my ears the whole time). Forty six of 77 total members were in attendance, and the business meeting was conducted efficiently, but with great participation and interst by members. Nearly all members speak English fluently, having studied it since first grade, and they were most gracious and hospitable to always switch to English whenever I joined a group. They all understood me when I presented (in English, as I do not speak Norwegian, either) my international update, my presentation/workshop on the Educational Excellence Committee (that I did in three of the five meetings I attended) and gave remarks at the Saturday evening dinner.
Along the way, the terrible tornadoes and flooding from rain anad snow melt caused Manitoba and Indiana to postpone their meetings. Many of our members have had tornado, storm, and flood damage, and the Emergency Fund checks are being sent as quickly as we learn of their distress.
The winter and spring have been both wonderful and tragic, and I look forward to seeing those I met in their states again at their regional conferences this summer. We are truly a group of leading women educators whos projects and programs are impacting education worldwide. I am proud to call myself one of us.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Difference We Make
I have been catching up on the newspapers that have accumulated since I was home two weeks ago and the negative educational headlines jump out at me: "Legislators' rhetoric over education still heated" (TN), "Dalton, Whitfield bicker over education spending" (GA), "Allowing tax increase for schools ruled down" (MO), "Schools headed for more failure" (under NCLB), "Gov. Deal revamping plans fo budget cuts to pre-k" (GA), etc.
All of this seems so discouraging, but it isn't anything new. Educators and education have received the brunt of politicians' and the public's frustration whenever social problems and finances are discussed. It sometimes makes us wish we had selected another profession.
Then I get a greeting card with a note in it, or talk to someone who tells of how a teacher made a differenc in their lives, and I realize that, no matter how negative or vitriolic the public debate gets, we are professionals who truly make a difference in the lives of those we teach. We need to remember that more.
I seldom go on Facebook; only when I receive an email that someone has sent me a message do I check it. But, I am gratified that many of my former students have found me and contacted me. My birthday was a couple of months ago (didn't realize tht putting that in my profile would be viewed by so many!) and among the more than 100 birthday wishes I received that day were two that really touched me. One said: Thank you for making my high school years so memorable and for being such a positive influence in my life. You're the best!"
The second, from a young man, said, "Happy Birthday to a wonderful teacher who spoke some words to me one day that helped make me the person I am today. Your impact on people's lives is bigger than you can imagine. May you have a wonderful day!"
I "tear up" even as I type those comments, because I honestly do not remember anything that I could have said to that young man to make such a difference. Nonetheless, these messages and others have been a wonderful reminder to me of the many positive, sometimes unknown, ways that we make a difference in the lives of those we teach.
My junior- and senior-year high school English teacher (a DKG member) was the example that made me want to teach English, also. A couple of years after I had been teaching, I thought about her, looked her up in the phone book, and called her, inviting her out to lunch. She said she had a cold and didn't feel like it, but to call her back in a few weeks. While on the phone, I told her that I had majored in English and history and was now teaching English, and how much her influence and example had meant to me. She was so pleased that I called. Three weeks later, I saw her name in the obituary column. I have never been so glad that I took the time to make that phone call.
We need to let our voices be heard about the positive effect on lives that teachers make. If you had one or more teachers who made a difference in your life, and you haven't told them, do it now.
All of this seems so discouraging, but it isn't anything new. Educators and education have received the brunt of politicians' and the public's frustration whenever social problems and finances are discussed. It sometimes makes us wish we had selected another profession.
Then I get a greeting card with a note in it, or talk to someone who tells of how a teacher made a differenc in their lives, and I realize that, no matter how negative or vitriolic the public debate gets, we are professionals who truly make a difference in the lives of those we teach. We need to remember that more.
I seldom go on Facebook; only when I receive an email that someone has sent me a message do I check it. But, I am gratified that many of my former students have found me and contacted me. My birthday was a couple of months ago (didn't realize tht putting that in my profile would be viewed by so many!) and among the more than 100 birthday wishes I received that day were two that really touched me. One said: Thank you for making my high school years so memorable and for being such a positive influence in my life. You're the best!"
The second, from a young man, said, "Happy Birthday to a wonderful teacher who spoke some words to me one day that helped make me the person I am today. Your impact on people's lives is bigger than you can imagine. May you have a wonderful day!"
I "tear up" even as I type those comments, because I honestly do not remember anything that I could have said to that young man to make such a difference. Nonetheless, these messages and others have been a wonderful reminder to me of the many positive, sometimes unknown, ways that we make a difference in the lives of those we teach.
My junior- and senior-year high school English teacher (a DKG member) was the example that made me want to teach English, also. A couple of years after I had been teaching, I thought about her, looked her up in the phone book, and called her, inviting her out to lunch. She said she had a cold and didn't feel like it, but to call her back in a few weeks. While on the phone, I told her that I had majored in English and history and was now teaching English, and how much her influence and example had meant to me. She was so pleased that I called. Three weeks later, I saw her name in the obituary column. I have never been so glad that I took the time to make that phone call.
We need to let our voices be heard about the positive effect on lives that teachers make. If you had one or more teachers who made a difference in your life, and you haven't told them, do it now.
Friday, January 21, 2011
January Happenings
January began sadly with the memorial service for Southeast Regional Director Elizabeth Garner, who died suddenly the end of December. I was privileged to speak at the service. More than 50 Society members from eight countries attended the service. I am pleased that Libby Watson (AL) accepted the appointment for the reminder of the biennium.
With all the technology we are using now, our committees are doing so much more work than in the past! Go To mEetings are a wonderful way to continue the teamwork after the face-to-face meeting, but it's hard when I'm a member of all committes except Nominations! I participated in three Go To meetings and a conference call the first week in January before flying to New York City for the CTAUN Conference, and will have three more GTM meetings the last week of this month!
Speaking of CTAUN, I had a terrible time getting to NYC because of the snow and ice storm that blew through the Southeast last week. Chattanooga reeived the highest amount of snowfall (eight inches) of anywhere in the South, and Atlanta's airport was closed for two days and days behind after that. My flight on Wednesday to NYC was canceled and rescheduled once, twice, three times. I finally made my own change and Jim (my husband) drove me to Nashville to catch a flight from there. I arrived more than a day late and missed a meeting with the 2012 convention steering committee and a site visit at the convention hotel. I also missed a business dinner with the new Director of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the director of the Schools for Africa Project for the Fund. Our Executive Director, Corlea Plowman, was there, however, and carried on without me.
The CTAUN Conference was excellent, as usal. Kudos to Anne Marie Carlson and other conference organizers. The topic of the day was the Millennium Development Goals of the UN. NIcholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the New York Times, was the first keynoter. His message about the plight/position of women in the world was compelling. Other panelist and keynoters also presented wonderful information.
I'm in Austin at Headquarters now. The Eunah Temple Holden Committee was here earlier this week, and the Golden Gift Fund Committee begins its meeting this afternoon. I continue to be so pleased with the work of all our committees, their commitment to furthering our biennial goals, and their enthusiasm for our work. Kudos to all!
With all the technology we are using now, our committees are doing so much more work than in the past! Go To mEetings are a wonderful way to continue the teamwork after the face-to-face meeting, but it's hard when I'm a member of all committes except Nominations! I participated in three Go To meetings and a conference call the first week in January before flying to New York City for the CTAUN Conference, and will have three more GTM meetings the last week of this month!
Speaking of CTAUN, I had a terrible time getting to NYC because of the snow and ice storm that blew through the Southeast last week. Chattanooga reeived the highest amount of snowfall (eight inches) of anywhere in the South, and Atlanta's airport was closed for two days and days behind after that. My flight on Wednesday to NYC was canceled and rescheduled once, twice, three times. I finally made my own change and Jim (my husband) drove me to Nashville to catch a flight from there. I arrived more than a day late and missed a meeting with the 2012 convention steering committee and a site visit at the convention hotel. I also missed a business dinner with the new Director of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the director of the Schools for Africa Project for the Fund. Our Executive Director, Corlea Plowman, was there, however, and carried on without me.
The CTAUN Conference was excellent, as usal. Kudos to Anne Marie Carlson and other conference organizers. The topic of the day was the Millennium Development Goals of the UN. NIcholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the New York Times, was the first keynoter. His message about the plight/position of women in the world was compelling. Other panelist and keynoters also presented wonderful information.
I'm in Austin at Headquarters now. The Eunah Temple Holden Committee was here earlier this week, and the Golden Gift Fund Committee begins its meeting this afternoon. I continue to be so pleased with the work of all our committees, their commitment to furthering our biennial goals, and their enthusiasm for our work. Kudos to all!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My DKG Present
First, apologies that I have not updated my blog in so long! I resolve to do better in the new year!
As things calm down as the holidays move forward (what a switch! Things usually get incredibly hurried for me the closer Christmas comes!), and Jim and I re-assert that we are not giving each other presents (instead, giving to our favorite charities), I look back on the accomplishments of the past several months (when I've been too busy to update my blog!).
Every meeting this fall has seen each committee of which I am a member (all but Nominations) examine how its committee's role can focus on chapter strengthening, educational excellence, and membership diversity and, as a result, the amount of new initiatives and refocused efforts has been astounding! Finance: writing a quarterly newsletter for chapter finance chairs and treasurers to help ensure the financial soundness of chapters; Communications: Broadcasting the Buzz is including news and reminders to chapters from international committees as well as fresh ideas for marketing chapter efforts; Educational Excellence: implementing three major goals of 1) Schools for Africa project implementation, 2) focusing on early-career educator support, and 3) providing resources for five program goals; Constitution: Working to ensure that all state organizations and chapters have written and/or updated bylaws and rules (committee reps from Europe, Canada, and Latin America especially important in this area of chapter and state organization strengthening); Leadership Development: planning the entire new state organization presidents' training around their major role in strengthening chapters; Membership: focusing on retention of members through rewriting all orientation and reorientation materials and process as well as providing a modern/professional initiation ceremony in addition to the traditional one; International Speakers Fund: Working on increasing visibility and funding of ISF and having biannual application periods; Expansion: Refocusing on chapter strengtheing outside the US in efforts to reinstitute dissolved state organizations and strengthen others.
In addition, regional directors are providing professional foci at each conference that will be advertised and open to non-members, and scheduling SAP training for all state organizations, with the intent that this effort will be continued with chapters in those state organizations (SE did this in 2009, so will not do again).
I don't know of a better present to the president of an organization than to see its members working so enthusiastically and energetically toward a common goal that will ultimately strengthen the entire organization--design its future.
As we move forward into the new year, I am eager to see how the remaining international committees will add to this effort. I truly believe that we have turned a corner in our long-term productivity and vitality as an organization. I am tremendously encouraged. I hope you are, also. Happy Holidays.
As things calm down as the holidays move forward (what a switch! Things usually get incredibly hurried for me the closer Christmas comes!), and Jim and I re-assert that we are not giving each other presents (instead, giving to our favorite charities), I look back on the accomplishments of the past several months (when I've been too busy to update my blog!).
Every meeting this fall has seen each committee of which I am a member (all but Nominations) examine how its committee's role can focus on chapter strengthening, educational excellence, and membership diversity and, as a result, the amount of new initiatives and refocused efforts has been astounding! Finance: writing a quarterly newsletter for chapter finance chairs and treasurers to help ensure the financial soundness of chapters; Communications: Broadcasting the Buzz is including news and reminders to chapters from international committees as well as fresh ideas for marketing chapter efforts; Educational Excellence: implementing three major goals of 1) Schools for Africa project implementation, 2) focusing on early-career educator support, and 3) providing resources for five program goals; Constitution: Working to ensure that all state organizations and chapters have written and/or updated bylaws and rules (committee reps from Europe, Canada, and Latin America especially important in this area of chapter and state organization strengthening); Leadership Development: planning the entire new state organization presidents' training around their major role in strengthening chapters; Membership: focusing on retention of members through rewriting all orientation and reorientation materials and process as well as providing a modern/professional initiation ceremony in addition to the traditional one; International Speakers Fund: Working on increasing visibility and funding of ISF and having biannual application periods; Expansion: Refocusing on chapter strengtheing outside the US in efforts to reinstitute dissolved state organizations and strengthen others.
In addition, regional directors are providing professional foci at each conference that will be advertised and open to non-members, and scheduling SAP training for all state organizations, with the intent that this effort will be continued with chapters in those state organizations (SE did this in 2009, so will not do again).
I don't know of a better present to the president of an organization than to see its members working so enthusiastically and energetically toward a common goal that will ultimately strengthen the entire organization--design its future.
As we move forward into the new year, I am eager to see how the remaining international committees will add to this effort. I truly believe that we have turned a corner in our long-term productivity and vitality as an organization. I am tremendously encouraged. I hope you are, also. Happy Holidays.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Great Orientation/Planning Meetings Accomplished Much!
As I sat at each meeting last week in Little Rock (Regional Directors, Administrative Board, Committee Chairs and Board, Educational Foundation), I just kept pinching myself over the powerhouse group of women who are our 2010-2012 DKG Team. The attentiveness to detail, the ideas, the enthusiasm, the willingness to work for the Society--all palpably shown in every single minute of the meetings.
We are so fortunate to have these women as our leaders, and I look forward to the beginning of committee meetings next week in Austin. September meetings include Performance Appraisal Team, Finance Committee, and Editorial Board, with Communications and Publicity following close after the first of October. Every member of every committee is as eager to serve as their leaders. It's going to be a great biennium!
We are so fortunate to have these women as our leaders, and I look forward to the beginning of committee meetings next week in Austin. September meetings include Performance Appraisal Team, Finance Committee, and Editorial Board, with Communications and Publicity following close after the first of October. Every member of every committee is as eager to serve as their leaders. It's going to be a great biennium!
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