Delta Kappa Gamma promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.Visit our website at www.dkg.org for the latest news and information

FOR KEY WOMEN EDUCATORS

VOL 72 NO 6 NOV/DEC 2015

THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL

‘Smile’ as you benefit DKG, 5

29 member artists featured in fall exhibit

Is your state organization represented? 7

Fall Harvest, watercolor by Kathleen A. Rodak, Zeta, MI

DKGnext! Enthusiasm for the futureSeven women representing the Y Generation of DKG members, calling themselves DKGnext!, recently met at headquarters. Their demographics proved their variety. They• come from chapters of 15-60

members;• have been members one to six

years;

• range from ages 28-36;• work at elementary, secondary and

university levels;• represent all four U.S. regions;

and• joined because relatives were

members, because they’d received chapter scholarships when students, or were asked to join by colleagues.

All had attended either a webinar for those in their age group or had attended an Under 35 event at a regional conference.

Enthusiastic suggestions for the Society to create a culture for welcoming more DKGnext! members were voiced. They felt

INTERNATIONAL ■ MEMBERSHIP

See DKGnext!, 3 See RESULTS, 3

Get results with a new planIs your chapter thriving, stuck in a rut, or struggling? Whichever term best describes your chapter, consider the new membership recruitment plan introduced this biennium.

This recruitment approach has shown positive results. Everything chapters need for implementation is on the DKG website on the Membership Committee page under “Membership Recruitment Plan.”

The plan provides an answer to those who claim they do not know anyone to recommend. With the new recruitment plan, members use the prospect card to recommend a professional educator from a variety of contexts: a grandchild’s favorite teacher, a workshop presenter or trainer, a teacher-of-the year awardee, the band or chorus teacher at the local school, drama teacher, school administrator, private tutor, or athletic coach.

DKGnext! members, Sara Sweeney, WV; Jessica Sergent, CO; Meredith Fychok, NC; Karen Shelton, OR; Amber Hedgpeth, SC; Michelle Pittman, TX; Emily Lozinak, CT; gather in the Blanton Room at headquarters with President Lyn Schmid.

2 ■ NOV/DEC 2015 DKG NEWS

2014-2016 ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD

International President: Dr. Lyn Babb Schmid, Pennsylvania

First Vice President: Cathy P. Daugherty, VirginiaSecond Vice President: Jeannette Zúñiga, Costa

RicaExecutive Director (Interim): Sandra Smith Bull,

TexasRegional Directors Europe: Marianne Skardéus, Sweden Northeast: Dr. Kay Clawson, West Virginia

Northwest: Dr. Phyllis VanBuren, Minnesota

Southeast: Becky Sadowski, Tennessee Southwest: Beth Schieber, OklahomaImmediate Past President: Dr. Beverly H. Helms,

FloridaMembers-at-Large

2012-2016: Barbara L. Whiting, Minnesota

2014-2018: Dr. Hanna Fowler, GeorgiaArea Representatives Canada: Dr. Donna-Faye Madhosingh

Latin America: Tamara Flores Hernández, San Luis Potosi

Parliamentarian: Dr. Gwen Simmons, North Carolina

Find administrative board members’ email addresses at www.dkg.orgToll-free phone: 888.762.4685

DKG NEWS (ISSN 0747–184X) is published by The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International bimonthly in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August (online only), September/October, and November/December at 416 West Twelfth Street, Austin, TX 78701. Periodicals Postage paid at Austin, TX. Annual international membership dues include subscription to DKG NEWS. Send news items to Dr. Jensi Souders, editor, at the address below.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DKG NEWS, P.O. Box 1589, Austin TX 78767–1589.

By Dr. Lyn Babb Schmid2014-2016 INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

“What will DKG be in 10 years?” is one of the most challenging questions that any organization can ask itself. It’s also one of the hardest.

You’ve heard platitudes like “We are forward-thinking,” but if we really want to be successful in the future, our chapters, state organizations and Society leaders must answer this question.

One good place to start the discussion about the future is right in your chapter. Developing strategy and taking time to do blue sky thinking is valuable for a chapter, a state organization or an administrative board. Brain storming, original/visionary thinking, creative thinking, and integrated/out-of-the-box thinking are all ways to accomplish blue sky thinking.

Blue sky thinking brings both a member’s perspective and a global view of the Society into the discussion in a positive way. Asking hard questions about the here and now and about the future is one of the most important jobs in any organization.

What, exactly, should we be doing when we do blue sky thinking? One way to gauge what 10 years ahead really means is to think 10 years back to what existed or more usefully, what didn’t exist then. Take technology for instance: Facebook, founded in 2004, was just a twinkle in Mark Zuckerberg’s eye. LinkedIn, founded in 2002, was in its infancy. Social media certainly wasn’t on any company’s radar screen.

What did DKG look like 10 years ago? Answers to this question give much needed perspective on the speed of change, the manner of change in the world of associations, and in the factors that influence the

membership. Are your chapters and state organizations operating the same as they did 10 years ago? Ten years from now will we be operating as we did 10 years ago?

Other key questions around which to frame our thinking: Is our membership growing or shrinking? Will we run out of people to recruit if we stay with our old standby of public schools? Should we be moving into entirely new membership classifications/types? What political, economic, and social forces could impact our membership and the world? Once you start, questions keep coming.

How do we shape culture and relationships in a way that facilitates necessary change? Most importantly, are we investing (both money and effort) in the right places to make sure that we will have strong outcomes in 10 years?

Where does this type of discussion lead? If we want to be a healthy, growing Society of women educators in 10 years, then the choices we make today impact the strategies, processes, and infrastructure to get from where we are today to where we want to be in 10 years.

Thinking about strategies and developing a concrete plan around them gives measurable steps that members can own and implement, turning something that is an idea into something concrete.

There is, of course, one other question that members need to ask and it’s the hardest one for an 86-year organization: Are we committed to make the changes to keep us a viable, sustainable Society, or do we need to make some changes within ourselves?

As in life, the nature of organizations is about the right balance of change and continuity. The

thing that differentiates organizations that last from those that don’t is the ability to embrace the challenge of change.

Blue Sky Thinking: Embracing the challenge of change

DKG NEWS NOV/DEC 2015 ■ 3

DKGnext! From Page 1RESULTS From Page 1

Dec. 1 - Leadership Management Seminar Application

Jan. 3 - Educational Foundation ProjectFeb. 1 - International Scholarship ApplicationFeb. 1 - Cornetet Professional Development

AwardsFeb. 1 - Chapter biennial reports

Feb. 12 - National Legislative Forum hotel registration

Feb. 13 - National Legislative Forum registration price change

March 1 - State organization biennial reports March 1 - Achievement Award

recommendations April 1 - Dissertation recognition

DEADLINES

valued when a webinar and regional conference event were offered specifically for them, and are looking for more reaching out from the state organization and international tiers of the Society.

Three of the seven members received no orientation to the Society before joining. They reflected that chapters expect them to have an investment in traditions, but give them no understanding of the traditions in order to respect them.

Being actively involved in projects rather than just donating money is a preference. They cite student loans, parenthood, chapters collecting for a myriad of funds, expensive meeting meals and expenses for conventions as financial burdens that affect their membership and participation.

They look forward to chapters, state organizations and international embracing change that is more technologically involved with the cutting edge of professional issues. Participating in activities outside the chapter is a goal for them.

Many questions arose:• Why are we pushed into

leadership immediately when we join?

• Why are we not tapping into student teachers as new members?

• Why do we not put more information/news articles on Facebook?

• Why is there no mentorship program for new members on teaching issues and DKG?These women are committed

to coming to the Nashville 2016 Convention to have a true DKGnext! presence. Look for them as they present breakout sessions, hold an event aimed at their age group, and fulfill other assignments throughout the week. Encourage your DKGnext! members to join in the enthusiasm in Nashville.

These prospect cards are used to create a “dream team” of prospective members, all those we would love to have as members, whether or not we know them personally.

This approach asks that we not assume an educator is too busy, lives too far away or won’t be interested in joining DKG, just a few of the reasons we often present for not issuing an invitation.

The chapter votes on prospective members, then uses a personalized version of the prospect letter to inform each educator of her recommendation for membership, to briefly describe the DKG organization, and to invite her to attend an orientation meeting. Each attendee is paired with a member who serves as her DKG “buddy” during the hour long session that includes a social time as well as the Pride in the Big Picture slideshow from the DKG website. The emphasis throughout is on

professionalism and the honor of membership.

At the orientation’s end, prospects are asked to consider membership. Those wishing to join complete the membership application and receive details about chapter

initiation, which can take place at any point during the year and as often as the chapter chooses. The “buddy” can also serve as a mentor to encourage the new member’s engagement in chapter activities.

The entire process can be accomplished in a couple of months, with your chapter being ready to initiate a crop of new members to diversify, rejuvenate, and strengthen your chapter. What a gift that would be to the chapter, to the state organization, and to those new members whom we introduce to the many benefits of DKG membership!

”“...to initiate a

crop of new members to diversify, rejuvenate, and strengthen your chapter.

DKG NEWS4 ■ NOV/DEC 2015

YOUR FOUNDATION

Give Often!Give Generously!

Give to Educate the World!

www.dkg.org

Your Did you know that you are an employer? Your dues fund the salaries and benefits for 19 employees in four departments who work at DKG Society Headquarters in Austin. One of those departments is the Operation Services Department with four staff members under the direct supervision of Operation Services Administrator Phyllis Hickey.

Here are some of the ways this department “took care of your business” in the 2014-2015 fiscal year:• Wrote 1,432 checks and 1,989

thank you notes for donations• Made 73 wire transfers• Received and processed

$37,052.53 in contributions to the Emergency Fund and $67,994.18 in contributions to the World Fellowship Fund

• Produced and processed six biennial reports (Forms 39, 40, 33, 34, 42 and 41)

• Cross referenced 2,340 EIN numbers and treasurer addresses against the U.S. Internal Revenue Service required annual report

• Processed deposits and checks for 10 DKG funds

• Prepared all financial reports for international committee, Administrative Board and international Executive Board meetings

• Processed all payroll• Produced and processed

applications for money from World Fellowship, Scholarship and International Speakers Funds

• Assisted with the work of the World Fellowship, Scholarship, Finance, Non-dues Revenue and Speakers Fund international committees

moneybusiness

DKGEF “pays it forward”Five times a year The DKG Educational Foundation (DKGEF) “pays it forward” through the funding of educational projects and professional development awards. In September, trustees reviewed 32 applications for Cornetet Individual Professional Development (CIPD) awards.

The total of $18,133 awarded enables 13 individuals to attend professional development activities that support individual educational goals. Ten of the CIPD recipients are Society members. Awardees represent seven states, all within the U.S. Individual awards range from $738 to $2,000. Music, social studies and kindergarten are just a few of the topics associated with CIPD applications this award cycle.

In addition to the CIPD awards, DKGEF provides funding to members and non-members for educational projects and professional development seminars. Applications, scoring rubrics, additional

information, and examples of award-winning submissions for each of these awards are online at www.dkg.org.

DKGEF will “pay it forward” next with Cornetet Professional Development Seminar applications, due November 1, 2015, and educational project applications, due January 3, 2016. Connect your application ideas to the DKGEF purposes:1. Support and encourage

intercultural understanding;2. Encourage standards of excellence

in education; and3. Assist and cooperate with

schools, colleges, universities, and other persons, organizations, trust funds, or foundations in support, encouragement, and improvement of education.By submitting an application

you, too, could be in line to “pay it forward” with a project that makes a difference in the lives of others.

• Filed all state and federal tax reports (U.S. only), credit applications and insurance renewals

• Oversaw the maintenance of your headquarters building, including all state- mandated safety tests

• Assisted with vendor/exhibitor applications for regional conferences and prepared vendor/exhibitor material for the 2016 International ConventionIn what do the employees of the

Operation Services Department take the most pride? Assisting members by phone and email. Check out the next column of Your Money Your Business to find out why you should keep your employees in this department on speed dial!

DKG NEWS NOV/DEC 2015 ■ 5

Register for National Legislative Seminar!When? March 13-16, 2016

Where? Holiday Inn, National Airport, Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia

How? Registration information on U. S. Forum website at usforumdkg.org

What? Join DKG Key Women Educators for speakers, tours, a day on Capitol Hill and networking with legislators

Who? All U.S. members

Why? To take a non-partisan, active role in fulfilling Society Purposes Four and Seven

Small changes reap big resultsMembers have indicated time and again that a primary reason for maintaining DKG membership is the personal relationships. Thus, it is no surprise that many reasons members give for dropping membership are associated with the relationships among members and the overall culture of the chapter.

In the last seven years, an average of approximately 11,000 members annually dropped membership. Only about 10% of those memberships were due to death. In 1991, total membership in DKG peaked at 168,666, compared to 77,577 members in 2015.

Since 2012, Society Headquarters has surveyed dropped members who have a documented email address. Responses have been consistent in tone and frequency with respect to common perspectives.

Approximately 65% of respondents over the past 3 years consistently indicated that the DKG membership experience was satisfactory (or better), they would recommend membership in DKG to a friend, and they would consider reinstatement in the future, if asked. So, Why did these members drop?

Reasons given include personal, family and professional responsibilities. These can change over time and lead to reinstatement. They can also be overcome with chapter support and strategic programming such as planning programs to assist working/early-career educators.

However, an overwhelming number of respondents also indicated they did not find

Making embers atter

Smile when you purchase!Do you make purchases from Amazon? Do you want a portion of what you spend to come to the Society? It’s easy to do at no cost to you!

All members (and your friends!) who purchase from Amazon can earn money for the DKG Supporting Corporation that manages eight of the Society’s funds. When you sign in to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com), click on the DKG Supporting Corporation as the charity of your choice. A percentage of all sales will then be sent to the supporting corporation.

Once you have identified the Supporting Corporation as the charity of your choice, bookmark the site and each time you buy something from Amazon Smile you are helping earn money for DKG. The Amazon Smile website is identical to the Amazon website (except DKG gets a portion of your purchase).

Your DKG Supporting Corporation is the 501 (c)(3) umbrella that manages the investments of the Educators Award, Emergency, Golden Gift, Loretta Halek, Eunah Temple Holden, Scholarship, World Fellowship, and International Speakers funds. Donations to any of these funds are tax deductible to members in the U.S. and some other countries.

The Board of the corporation met in August and reviewed the financial status of each fund, and the corporation’s Strategic Action Plan.

The Society’s investment advisors assisted Corporation directors in understanding how funds are being managed consistent with the investment policy. They will continue to send quarterly reports to members of the supporting corporation board and are available at any time for questions.

See CHANGES, 6

DKG NEWS6 ■ NOV/DEC 2015

Recipients announced for World FellowshipWomen applying for World Fellowship grants have been selected for 2015-2016. New recipients receive $4,000 (U.S.) for graduate study at universities in Canada and the United States. Recipients’ names, home countries, fields of study and universities show the vast impact DKG and the International World Fellowship Committee have on education.

Recipients• Doaa Abu Elyounes, Israel, Law,

Harvard University • Siti Hazariah Binte Abu Bakar,

Singapore, Anthropology, McGill University

• Laura Corazon Cabochan, Philippines, Applied Theater, City University of New York

• Analia Cascone, Argentina, Law, Columbia University

• Lucia Chanetsa, Zimbabwe, Nanomedicine, University of Massachusetts

• Bodahandi Ayodhya De Silva, Sri Lanka, Law, New York University

• Maryam, Elyasi, Iran, Dentistry, University of Alberta

• Patricia Fernandez Guajardo, Mexico, Public Policy, Oregon State University

• Nellia Gospodinova, Bulgaria, Instructional Technology, Lehigh University

• Ravit Heskiau, Israel, Organizational Behavior, University of Toronto

• Saima Hirani, Pakistan, Nursing, University of Alberta

• Huyen Hoang, Vietnam, American Studies, New York University

• Cecilia Hopp, Argentina, Law, New York University

• Ananda Muhammad, Indonesia, TESOL, Iowa State University

• Catia Perciani, Brazil, Immunology, University of Toronto

• Maria-Jose Rivera-Araya, Costa Rica, Geography, University of Georgia

• Maria Romo Escudero, Chile, Education, University of Virginia

• Katalin Sulyok, Hungary, Law, Harvard University

• Rebecca Tollan, United Kingdom, Linguistics, University of Toronto

• Hester Veitch, South Africa, Disability Studies, Syracuse University

Extensions• Lisa Veronica Decenteceo,

Philippines, Ethnomusicology, University of Michigan

• Ines De Marcos, Argentina, Public Policy, Georgetown University

• Hanita Djaya, Indonesia, Humanities Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, SUNY at Buffalo

• Sun Young Pyo, Republic of Korea, Public Policy, SUNY at Albany

• Trang Vuong, Vietnam, Urban Planning, Tufts University

• Altynay Zhanayeva, Kazakhstan, Plant Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Assets and ActionsMarketing Our PrideNo experience in marketing, you say? Wrong!!

When you develop a plan for non-dues revenue for a chapter or state organization, you are actually marketing as well. If you run a community event to raise funds for a specific cause, put out a big sign about DKG and/or have Society marketing brochures available for the general public to learn more about Delta Kappa Gamma.

Chapters and state organizations order or make DKG-branded items to sell at regional conferences or international conventions. All of this is marketing for the Society, in addition to generating non-dues revenue for the chapter or state organization. The DKG-branded items are viewed by many in the public eye when DKG members use or wear them.

Consider this option and register to be a vendor at the 2016 International Convention in Nashville, TN. Applications are available on the Society website at www.dkg.org under events.

the value they thought membership would provide, the mentors they hoped to find, the involvement and projects they wanted or even the friendships and fellowship DKG promotes. In fact, some simply did not feel welcomed.

The good news: Most of the reasons given can be conquered with a few small changes in the structure and culture of the chapter.

For a full report from the Dropped Member Survey, email Nita Scott at nitas@dkg.org and engage chapter members in a discussion about how to make your chapter a vital and welcoming place to be.

CHANGES From Page 5

DKG NEWS NOV/DEC 2015 ■ 7

W h o c a n b e a v e n d o r a t t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o n v e n t i o n ?

Any member may be a vendor. Members have sold books, educational games, music CDs and jewelry that they have written or produced. As a member benefit, individuals will

receive special discounted pricing for a table.

Any chapter or state organization looking for non-dues revenue may also submit an application and receive special pricing. A non-affiliate vendor may apply to be a vendor as well. All vendors and exhibitors are approved by the Administrative Board.

Plan to sell at the 2016 International Convention in Nashville, TN. Applications are on the Society website under Events. Just think – up to 2,000 women all ready to shop!

SAVE THE DATE2016 CTAUN Conference at UN HeadquartersFriday, January 22, 2016

“Stewardship for a Sustainable World: Education in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”

Join educators, students, and NGO Representatives in a day-long conference with UN delegates and experts to learn about the new Sustainable Development Goals, why they are important to all of us, and the part you can play!

(BC), received city permission and support for its Free Little Library. The city prepared a site in a small park next to a coffee shop and the chapter provided books for both adults and children. In spite of skeptics, there has been no vandalism of the site. In fact, books have been given and taken with surprising regularity.

BC members say the secret is to ask friends to donate books. They are usually eager to lighten their bookshelves. Chapter members make stickers for the books that say “Donated by Delta Kappa Gamma.” Three member “stewards” keep an eye on the library. The chapter hopes to provide a park bench in the near future so that people can sit and browse.

See www.freelittlelibrary.org for more information and ideas.

WORKING From Page 8

Twenty-nine artists from 15 state organizations are featured in the fall exhibit of the DKG Gallery of Fine Arts.

The exhibit includes crafts (an art quilt and a hooked rug), essays, mixed media, paintings (oil and watercolor), photographs and poems.

As more members become acquainted with the DKG online gallery, more and more submissions are being received. The Arts and Humanities Jury members, according to Chair June Bowers, are thrilled with the gallery’s success in the short time it has been in existence, giving member artists a very visible and colorful way to be published.

Exhibitors in the fall gallery are Bobbie R. Daughtry (Beta Beta, GA) and Allie Stough (Beta Pi, VA), crafts; Sheila W. Mable (Theta, NH), essays; Grace Carol Bomer (Alpha Phi, NC) and Catherine Grytting (Rho, WA), mixed media; Margaret A. Chambers (Beta, DC), Judy Williard (Zeta, NC), Kathleen A. Rodak (Zeta, MI), Marie Rinaudo (Zeta, LA), and Mary Lou Gregory

(Beta Chi, WA), oil and watercolor paintings;

Donna R. Graham (Beta, DC), Theresa Azoti (Zeta, CT), Laurel E. Fisher (Kappa, WA), Stacey Chicoine (Eta Zeta, CA), Soo Boo Tan (Mu, HI), Kathryn Wright (Xi, TX), Ulana L. Ratley (Kappa Delta, TX) and Dawn M. Pregler (Lambda, IA), photography; and

Marylin J. Nease (Delta Omicron, TX), Joyce G. Buchanan (Xi, VA), Cherie Ward, Ph.D. (Alpha, DC), Sheila W. Mable (Theta, NH), Lorraine Williams Johnson (Theta, MD), Marie Blake (Alpha, DC), Janye B. Brainard (Kappa, TX), Suzanna Mullins (Alpha Psi, VA), Glenda Lopez Beall (Alpha Iota, TX), Marilyn J. Stalder-Burke (Omicron, CA), Yvette Moore (Omega, NM) and Ermyn Roberts (Beta, DC), poetry.

Readers are encouraged to go to dkg.org – fine arts gallery to view members’ creative efforts.

The next submission period is January 1-February 1, 2016.

Fine arts gallery’s fall exhibit features 49 works

DKG NEWS8 ■ NOV/DEC 2015

PeriodicalsPostage

PAIDAustin TX USA

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (USPS 715-830)P.O. Box 1589, Austin, TX 78767-1589 USA

INTERNATIONAL ■ UPDATE

CHAPTER ■ SUCCESS STORIES

What’s workingChapter Strengthening

This column is submitted on a rotating basis by the Europe regional director, the area representatives for Canada and Latin America, and Japan

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn”

–Benjamin FranklinThis quotation invites one to

reflect on what we are doing with our members in DKG and with other teachers whom we would like to become members. Are we just telling them about who we are, where we come from, what we did in the past, what we do in the present, and what we would like to do in the future? If so, they can forget!

Are we just teaching them about our mission, vision and Purposes? They might remember them.

Are we involving them in chapters, allowing them to feel welcome, integrated and important to us? Do we care about one another? If we are doing that, they learn, stay, and become members. Even more they will invite others to become part of DKG.

Protocol, age grouping, traditions, fees, time and others are some of the issues we face in DKG in order to grow, not only in Latin American countries. It is a challenge we should consider and reflect on what we are doing, what we need to change and what we would like to become in the future.

“85 years and more: Sharing from the Past, Strengthening Ourselves in the Present and Building the Future” was the topic for our Fifth Latin American Conference held in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, last July. Seven of the nine Latin American States were represented

by 34 members, including Society Representative Dr. Carolyn Rants and two guests. Sharing knowledge, experiences, reflections, laughs, hugs and love for who we are and what we do was a precious and priceless time.

Strengthening our friendship and communication, we celebrated our Latin American Forum at the Southwest Regional Conference with 26 members of eight states as well as guests from Texas. Thank you all for your time, disposition and work!

The Little Free Library (LFL) project has raised awareness for the presence of DKG chapters in their communities. LFL gives people the opportunity to read and exchange books within their neighborhood. Chapters can promote literacy by providing readers convenient access to books in neighborhoods that do not have transportation to a library.

Iowa State Organization awarded a mini grant to help Tau chapter in Des Moines provide a Free Little Library near a low-income housing project with over 400 multi-family units. The children of the project represent a diverse group of immigrants from Somalia,

Sudan, Liberia, and Iraq. Expenses were reduced by having a member’s husband construct the little library instead of purchasing a kit. Members created a welcoming design with vivid colors to entice young readers

to select books for their pleasure. Chapter members provided the books that may be of interest to young readers.

The Fraser Shores Chapter, British Columbia See WORKING, 7

Latin American members celebrate fellowship while facing membership challenges

The September/October edition of DKG NEWS incorrectly identified Dr. Tim Tooten, recipient of the NE Media Award at the NE Regional Conference, as Dr. Dan Toomey. Also, WBAL is a network-affiliated station, not public television. We regret the error.