Carolyn's Comments

Top Ten List for the 2008-2010 Biennium

2010-06-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Number 10--The crepe myrtle trees in full bloom in June in Austin. They are gorgeous! Living in Austin provided me with a new environment and a warm winter.

Number 9--H3, the third volume of Our Heritage in a modern DVD/CD format. Thanks go to authors Dr. Constance Hoag and Odelia Schrunk.

Number 8--Outstanding international committee members who were creative and hard working. They could think outside the box. And to think I did not know all of them personally when I asked them to serve. I knew I could count on all our members.

Number 7--Friendly, knowledgeable staff at headquarters who provide excellent customer service. They are all terrific on the telephone. Call some time and check them out. You will be impressed.

Number 6--2008-2010 Strategic Action Plan that was the product of Administrative Board planning and provided the road-map for the biennium. You can check it out on the Web site.

Number 5--A marketing approach that created a crisp, clean, contemporary logo and family of literature look to all Society publications, both print and online.

Number 4--The new Web site and DKG Network. We are moving forward in the digital age.

Number 3--Proposed revision of the Constitution and International Standing Rules. Many members provided input into the process. The Revision Team did a great deal of listening and research to produce the revision document.

Number 2--We all Created the Buzz through elevator speeches, press releases and monthly tips. More people know about DKG now thanks to many great ideas.

Number 1--The over 100,000 tremendous members of the Society. From 70+ year members to new initiates we are a powerful group! Let's continue to use this power to influence the personal and professional development of educators and promote excellence in education. We are Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide!

It has been my pleasure to serve as your international president this biennium!
Carolyn

Why State Organization Visits?

2010-05-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

Each year the Society sends members of the administrative board to visit the conventions of any state organization that requests an international representative. Why do we do this? Is this wise use of Society money?

I definitely believe that sending administrative board members to these meetings is very important. I just returned from three meetings during the month of April (Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio) and have attended many state organization conventions over the last six years. I have found it to be a very valuable experience. I make it a point to meet as many members as possible on these visits. This allows me to know up close and personal what is on the minds of our members.

And what is on the minds of members today? They are most interested in how they can recruit chapter officers and initiate members. They want to brag about the many projects and activities that their chapters are promoting. I am always in awe of the many things that chapters are doing to promote literacy, assist those in need, and encourage college students and first year teachers as they enter the teaching profession. They raise money for student teacher grants, aid for children of military families, books for newborns and their parents, support for projects in third world countries. You name it and they are doing it. I am so proud of the local chapter projects.

And this year, the members even want to talk about the Constitution revision. Within each state organization, members have diverse opinions about membership, dues, committee structure, etc. It makes us a better organization when we discuss, plan, and work together to create the rules that govern us.

The international representative also use time at the meetings to provide updates on the activities of the Society. Many members are not able to attend the international convention or regional conferences and this is their opportunity to connect with the larger Society. It is also our opportunity at the international level to provide assistance to states and chapters. If you have concerns about an issue, talk with your international rep for ideas, help, advice. If they cannot assist, they will forward your concerns to headquarters. Remember that we are all here to serve the members. And members are in our chapters.

Enjoy your state organization convention!
Carolyn

The Latest on Generations

2010-03-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

It is a beautiful spring day in Austin, 70 degrees and the Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom. I have just completed 15 straight days of committee meetings and am enjoying a day off. However, I found an interesting article in the March 22 issue of Time magazine that got me thinking about DKG.

Nancy Gibbs wrote an essay on "Generation Next. Millennials respect their elders, so why do they say the generation gap is wider than ever." You know that I have done research on the various generations and how the Society can meet their needs, therefore this essay caught my eye. Gibbs writes that "Today's kids aren't taking up arms against their parents; they're too busy texting them." Millennials (ages 18-24) are close to their parents and when in college they check in with them several times a week. I know that I found this to be true, because the student would contact the parent about a roommate problem and the parent would call me, rather than the student talking with the RA.

According to research by the Pew Research Center, millenials see the greatest difference between them and other generations in the use of technology. "83% of them sleep with their cell phone." How many of us do that? These young people were raised in such a way that the parent protected them from outside forces. So they have reverted to social networks to form a community. They text and tweet and friend each other and this is their community. These young women are graduating as teachers and entering our schools. They are hungry for community and we can provide that community. Mentoring and new teacher projects meet their needs for a supportive community. We may need to learn how to text and use the DKGnetwork.org to reach them. But we can do it.

The newest issue of the Bulletin has a great research article about supplies needed by beginning elementary teachers. (I get to read the articles before they go to print.) You will want to check out this article as it might give ideas for a chapter project.

I have just finished reviewing all the workshop proposals submitted for convention. There are some great ones and lots on technology. We will have a computer lab for some instruction on the Society social network and some opportunities to practice logging in. There are several others on using the various aspects of technology. So be watching for them. Of course there will be a Cyber Cafe for all to use.

Make your reservations soon. It will be a great convention.
Carolyn

Figure Skaters, Technology and Spokane

2010-01-26T11:21:00.000-08:00

What do ice figure skating and the city of Spokane have in common? If you watched the recent figure skating competition where skaters were competing for a spot on the Olymic Team you were watching the area where we will be having our international convention in July. The tryout rink is adjacent to the convention center.
In this new age of technology how can the Society history be formated so that members can search for information? H3, the third volume of Our Heritage, will soon be available in a CD/DVD format that is searchable. Dr. Constance Hoag attended the January Administrative Board meeting and gave us a preview of this exciting new electronic document which will cover Society history from 1970 to 2008. If you were on an international board or committee during that time frame, you will be listed in the appropriate area of the appendices. H3 will debut at the international convention. Authors Hoag and Odelia Schrunk will be available to personally autograph a book plate for you. H3 will be available in Spokane for a special rate of $20.
Speaking of technology....the software for our Social Network is being installed and a new skin (design) for the home page is underway. Be watching for its preview. Tech work always takes more time than one estimates, but it is exciting to think that we are moving forward in a new direction. From the number of requests that I receive to be a Society member's friend on Facebook, I think that we have lots of very saavy tech users.
There will be a Cyber Cafe at the convention center in Spokane for you all to share your tech ideas and demonstrate your social network skills. Maybe I will have even learned to send text messages by then from my cell phone.......but don't count on it. However, you might want to check out DKG Tech Talk on the Web site. You might pick up a new idea or two from the materials posted here by the Online Leadership Development Committee.

Keep on advancing the Society in new ways!
Carolyn

Holiday Greetings

2009-12-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

I am back in Iowa on a bit of a holiday break to visit with family and make all those appointments that are needed when you have been gone for four months. I know that I am behind in my monthly blog posting, but the month of November found me buried in Constitution Revision meetings and travel commitments. I know that many of you who are active educators often find time during your holiday break from school to catch up on your Internet activities. So here goes....

Last post I wrote about the hotels in Spokane. This time I thought I would let you know about some of the special things planned for the 2010 International Convention. Great speakers have been invited that will inspire you, educate you, and make you laugh. When you receive your January/February issue of the NEWS you will note that there are several panels listed on the Schedule at a Glance. Three panels are being organized on some current topics: Technology, Green Environment, and an International Look at Education Topics. Workshops on Society topics, personal development, and academic topics will be offered. And of course you will want to visit the Marketplace. Here you will find vendors and a wide variety of demonstrations. It will be the place to meet your friends and check out all of the booths.

We will honor Women of Vision and Action nominated by states, chapters, or individual members. Any member or group may nominate a living member (active, reserve, or honorary) to be recognized at the convention. Each nominee will have her name and state listed in the program book and will receive a ribbon to wear on her name badge. Simply email me the name of the Nominee, the geographic state name and 100 words that describe why this member is a Woman of Vision and Action. Or ask your chapter or state president for a nomination form. They are due to me by April 15th.

We will also recognize those of you who twitter or tweat or blog. You, too, will have a ribbon for your name badge. I expect to see you at the Cyber Cafe helping the rest of us learn how to use our new Social Network.

Returning on a plane from Spokane, Corlea and I listed some reasons why YOU should come to the International Convention July 20-24.
1. It's a Society meeting.
2. It's an opportunity to greet old friends and meet new ones.
3. It's our 80th birthday and we will have a party.
4. It's a family reunion-mother/daughter/daughter-in-law/aunt/neice to be recognized
5. It's an organized event using technology in new ways.
6. It's entertaining with music, singing, dancing, laughing.
7. It's the time to vote on the governing documents.
8. It's a time to learn more about "green living", communication skills, leadership.
9. It's a good value for your money.
10. It's offering something for everyone.

I look forward to seeing you there. We have a place reserved for you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Carolyn

Spokane is the Place to Be!

2009-11-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

I just returned from several days of meetings with the 2010 convention steering committee in Spokane, the second largest city in Washington. What a great place this will be for our international convention! Spokane is the largest city between Denver and Calgary and between Seattle and Minneapolis. There are walking and biking trails and places to enjoy nature. You will have a great time here. Come early and stay late to enjoy all the area has to offer.

Our convention will be held at the Spokane Convention Center which is a LEED certified "green" building located on the banks of the Spokane River. We are utilizing 4 different hotels all within easy walking/shuttle distance to the center. Each hotel has a different ambiance.

The Davenport Hotel is an historic 1914 hotel which has been completed restored preserving its original public spaces. It is gorgeous and boasts outstanding service. The steering committee enjoyed their night on the comfy beds. Administrative Board and Executive Board meetings will be held in this facility. So it would be the place for you to make your reservations if you are part of these groups.

Across the street is the Davenport Towers which opened in 2007. One Spokanite (and, yes, that is what they are called)referred to the Towers as the "hip younger sister". It is very modern with a safari theme. There are no meeting rooms in the tower, but there is a bar, restaurant, work out facility, etc. Our steering committee sampled the appetizers and found them most delicious.

The Davenport Hotel and Towers is a six block walk past interesting shops and restaurants to the center. However, there will be bus and shuttle service available each day. I walked it and found many interesting places for breakfast (Madeleine's Cafe and Patisserie) and lunch (Mizuna). There are unique shops as well as Macy's and Nordstum's along the way.

The Red Lion Hotel at the Park is a five minute walk across the pedestrian bridge to the convention center. It is a child and pet friendly hotel with a magnificent outdoor swimming pool. So if you bring your family or your pet, this will be your choice location. There would be lots of things for your spouse or family members to do while you vote on the constitution.

Our fourth hotel is the Doubletree which is connected to the convention center. If you have difficulty walking, this might be your choice. States who choose to host events may wish to utilize some of the meeting spaces in this hotel.

All of the hotels are very reasonably priced (under $150 per night for double occupancy.) Be watching our website for links to the hotels so that you can easily make your reservations. Remember it is important to stay at one of the hotels as we need to make our "Block" in order to receive meeting space without cost. If we do not make the block in our contract, we pay for our guarantee anyway. So choose one of these lovely spots for your stay in Spokane. You won't be disappointed.

Be watching for future blogs that provide more information about the convention.

DKGnetwork is Coming!

2009-10-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

While I am writing this blog, the headquarters staff is meeting to discuss the process and implementation timelines for DKGnetwork.org. The Internet would be a place, according to Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, where we could all meet and read and write. We have come a long way in the past twenty years in our abilities to use the Internet for meeting and writing. I think our first uses were to look up information, to read. Now, with the implementation of social networks, using Web 2.0 tools, we are able to meet and read and write.

Linda Ellers writes in the November/December News that a social network uses the web to connect like-minded groups together without regard to time or place. That is exactly what I anticipate happening with the implementation of DKGnetwork.org. The program committees met this past weekend and everyone went home with things to write, revise, and review. In January, committees will be able to form their own community group to utilize for some of their committee work. The ad hoc online leadership committee has already made excellent use of this new technology as they have conducted the work of their committees. You may wish to check out their committee page to discover some of the latest technology tools available.

We will need a Beta group to test the DKGnetwork.org when we have it close to final form. If you are a social network user and would like to be a part of this Beta group email me at Carolyn@rants.net.

When I attended the Missouri State Organization convention last spring they had a young woman, Anne Marie Rhodes, who spoke to us about Culture Waves--Trends for the Future. She connected the new Web 2.0 trends with Mazlow's hierarchies and we all could relate to them. She will be one of our presenters in Spokane.

So get ready for changes that will move the Society forward. We are on a roll! We hope to have a Cyber Cafe at the Convention Center in Spokane for your use. Be there as we celebrate the official launching of the DKGnetwork.

Carolyn

Back in the Saddle Again!

2009-09-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

I am back in the saddle in Texas again. Following the five regional conferences I look a ten day vacation at home in Iowa. Now I am back in Austin and working hard to serve all of our members. Activities are underway and two international committees have held meetings since my return, finance committee and membership committee.

The new membership brochures which debuted at the regional conferences have been flying off the shelf. We have had to order more already. I am pleased that so many of you are finding them useful in telling about the "honor of membership" in belonging to the Society. I have also received many positive comments about the new logo.

I hope that you have put the July 20-24, 2010 date on your calendar for the International Convention in Spokane, Washington. Planning is already underway for that meeting. Remember we will be voting on the new constitution and international standing rules. Members have been discussing possible changes and sending them to the constitution revision team. Just last night I took part in a two hour electronic committee meeting working on some of these ideas.

Linda Eller, the new Communications Services Administrator has arrived in Austin and is getting acquainted with her new job. I know that you will all enjoy meeting and working with her. For many of you that first time face-to-face meeting will probably take place in Spokane. I intend to encourage her to start a blog here on the DKG website and she in turn nudges me when I need to write a new post. And that was just what she did today. So, now that I am back in the saddle again, I will work to maintain my goal of a monthly blog.

Carolyn

Meeting Society Members

2009-07-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

If it is Sunday, I am on an airplane on my way to the next regional conference. This week I am in Portland, Oregon at the Northwest Regional Conference. I have had a great time connecting with members at the Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast. Each regional director has planned an outstanding conference with great speakers and many special activities. They are all different and I have enjoyed each one.

The best thing about a conference for me is the opportunity to connect with you, the member, to share a laugh, exchange an idea, pose for a photo, or talk about a Society issue. When a "Chat with the President" is scheduled, members actually come to chat with me. Of course this year many of you are sharing your ideas about Constitution and Standing Rule changes. Members of the revision team have been hosting workshops on this topic and listening to you. They even take notes so we will have your ideas for us later this fall.

New membership materials are being introduced at each conference and they have been well accepted and generated many ideas about how to use them back home.

New state organization presidents, state program and membership chairs, treasurers, editors, and webmasters are taking part in training developed just for them. It is a perfect time to learn the specifics of their positions and how they can best develop the vision and actions for the coming biennium.

When I return from the final conference I plan 10 days of relaxation in Sioux City, Iowa to reconnect with family and friends. At the end of August I will be back in Austin, ready to meet with the finance committee.

Next summer I hope to see even more of you in Spokane, Washington July 20-24. We will have a grand time at the international convention. Be there!
Carolyn

PS Ask a member who attended one of the regional conferences to give you a quick rundown of their experience whether it be watching the ducks in Little Rock, dashing from the cruise ship in the rain in Burlington, receiving a rose from Elvis in Reno,(I got both a rose and a kiss.) or new ideas gleaned from workshop presenters and Society training.

Regional Conferences 2009

2009-06-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

It is Friday of the last full week in June. Everyone at headquarters is busy getting items ready for the five regional conferences. Materials are being printed and boxes packed. In fact Federal Express was here yesterday to pick up many, many boxes that are being shipped to Reno for the Southwest Conference. In previous regional conferences years, I have been on the receiving end of all the boxes. I would just go to the properties room and pick up the box of materials for my committee or project. Now, I realize how much work actually goes into preparing the materials for us to use. The staff does a terrific job at this. And they make sure that the boxes are not too heavy for us to lift. Because hotels charge for deliveries and storage, the boxes need to arrive at each location at just the right time. They have it down to a science.

Some brand new membership materials, hot off the press, will be showcased at each region. They are fresh, sharp and classy looking....just like all of our Delta Kappa Gamma members. There is one to use with prospective members whom you want to invite to membership. The other one is to be given to members who have recently joined or whom you wish to re-energize. They both list the honor and benefits of membership. Your state presidents and state membership chairs will receive a copy. And they can be ordered for free on the Society website.

The Expansion Committee is working to install a new state organization in Panama this fall. Be watching for more information about this.

I hope to visit with many of you across our organization this summer. Please come up to me and tell me about yourself and your visions for the Society. I want to get to know you.

My next job is to figure out how to pack all of the notebooks and folders needed for leadership training and still have room for enough clothes for five weeks on the road.....or in the air. I look forward to seeing you in Reno, Little Rock, Burlington, Portland, and Oslo.
Carolyn

You Spoke, We Listened

2009-05-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

You have been making suggestions about how the Society could use technology in new and different ways. Some of you are on facebook, others belong to google groups,a few post videos on You Tube, and still others are holding electronic meetings. It has been suggested that we need a Society list serve so that we can send emails to let our members know when the Bulletin or News has been posted online. Many of you are using a wide variety of software tools to develop your communities.

We have been listening. The Ad Hoc Online Leadership Committee has been talking about many new technologies that are now available and how they could be used by the Society. At the regional Info Fairs you can pick up their handout entitled What's Your TQ? (Technology Quotient) Find out whether you are an expert or a novice. The Leadership Tools on the Net CD is available to provide an overview of electonic resources for leadership tasks. The CD prepared by the Online Leadership Committee may be ordered online from headquarters for $20. Excerpts from it would make an excellent program for a chapter meeting.

We listened to your ideas. At the May 2009 Administrative Board meeting it was recommended that we purchase a social networking software program. This recommendation is going to the Executive Board for approval to purchase it from the permanent fund as it is a permanent piece of software. We are looking for a software that will provide a secure community network for our members. This software will provide a platform for members to communicate, network, and collaborate effectively. For some of us Social Networking is a new term. It includes developing online groups, forums, listservs, blogs, wikis, bulletin boards, web 2.0. By winter we hope to be able to create our own Delta Kappa Gamma online community.

Share this news with chapter members. Some of us are not very sophisticated technology users. I certainly put myself in that category. But many of our Generation X members use it every day in their schools, in their personal lives, in their professional organizations. An online community is a valuable tool to increase participation and attract new members. This action will Advance the Society.

You spoke, we listened!

Saving Money

2009-04-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

As I have been reading reports from state presidents and visiting with members I have been asked the question, "What is International doing to save money?" Are we economizing as our chapters and members have had to do?

My answer is YES. We are doing many things to use your money responsibly and wisely. I have worked with a number of chief financial officers (CFOs)in my administrative experience and I have found that the first answer to any question is "NO" and the second one is "How much is that going to cost?" Our business services administrator is a good CFO as Phyllis responds to new ideas with these same answers.

One of the major cost cutting measures we have implemented is in the area of printing. Our current contract for copiers ran out and Phyllis was able to renegotiate one that provided higher end results at a lesser cost. When reviewing printing numbers, we found that we were printing about 50% fewer copies over the last two years. This is true for two reasons. One is that we do many more things electronically therefore fewer letters and packets are sent. This year all applications for scholarships and for world fellowships were placed online rather than sending copies to the committee. The second is that the number of copies of materials for conventions and conferences is closely monitored and fewer copies are prepared. This means there are fewer copies in the round file at the conclusion of the meeting. As a result of this and our extensive use of email for sending information to executive board, administrative board, and committees our postage has decreased also.

Electronic meetings have been held. One committee meets entirely online and two other committees have held online meetings. This helps save money also. My travel expenses are less because I am spending more time in Austin rather than flying home every week.

On the other side,our non-dues revenue has been increasing. Although I have received comments from members that we should stop "commercializing" Delta Kappa Gamma, these activities have produced funding that goes directly into the available fund. We receive royalties from our insurance companies, bank credit cards, advertising, and One-Cause. These royalties have increased dramatically over the last few years. So participation by members in these programs adds to the Society bottom line.

Many green practices are in place at headquarters. We recyle paper and pop cans, use glass cups rather than paper ones, have janitorial services only three times a week. Committees usually only go out to eat once during their meeting time. They have soup and/or sandwiches in the Blanton Room at lunch time and a catered dinner in the evening. Your professional staff is good at putting soup in the crockpot, preparing beverages, and serving whatever maindish has been brought in for dinner. Everyone helps clean up and put the dishes in the dishwasher. All of these practices save money.

Contracts with hotels and convention centers are carefully negotiated so that we get free rooms for guests and use of meeting rooms at no cost. Food costs help offset the cost of renting rooms for the meal functions. Corlea and Phyllis are excellent negotiators and able to work out good deals.

If you have further questions or suggestions about ways to economize please feel free to send them to me. We are very careful with your moneys.

CTAUN

2009-02-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

168 Delta Kappa Gamma members were in attendance at the CTAUN conference in New York City, January 30th. CTAUN is a yearly conference on the curriculum for teaching about the United Nations. The theme for this one day conference was Human Rights. It was well planned and executed under the direction of member Anne Marie Carlson. Phyllis Hickey, our business services administrator, was very involved and presented awards to the winning projects...one of whom was Dr. Linda Dix, a member from New Jersey.

Of course the special attraction at this meeting was author Greg Mortenson who wrote Three Cups of Tea, the story of building schools in Afghanistan. It was exciting to have him autograph my copy and to have our picture taken together.

Rita King, our UN/Non-governmental Rep, took Corlea Plowman and me on a whirlwind tour of shops along Fifth Avenue stopping at the Plaza Hotel for lunch. It was great to have your own personal tour guide. I also had an excellent tour of the United Nations. This building is under going some needed renovation and will be closed for some time in the near future. Of course I managed to spend some money in the UN shops. If you have never shopped there, you can find beautiful items from around the world.

We also met with staff from the US Fund for UNICEF. We have contributed over $189,000 to the Afghanistan Teacher Training Project. I know that many of you have supported this project. The staff provided us with an update on the status of the UNICEF projects.

There is so much work to be done in the world and Delta Kappa Gamma members are always front and center to raise their hand and say "Let Me Help". I am always proud to represent this organization as your president.

Carolyn

CTAU

2009-02-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

Initiation of Honorary International Member

2009-01-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

I journeyed to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada last week to assist in the initiation of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada. Her Excellency was voted into membership last year but they were not able to schedule her initiation until this month.

The Governor General is appointed by Queen Elizabeth II and administers the powers of the Crown in Canada. She carries out the duties of Head of State and presides over the swearing in of the Prime Minister of Canada, the Chief Justice, and the cabinet ministers. She is Commander – in – Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. She receives Royal Visitors, Heads of State and Foreign Dignitaries. She accepts the credentials of Ambassadors and High Commissioners appointed by their governments to embassies and missions in Canada.

We were limited by the schedulers in the number of members who would be able to attend. It was my pleasure to be invited to participate in the ceremony along with Morag Gundy 2008-2010 Canadian Area Representative and Sheila MacKay 2006-2008 Canadian Area Representative. Others in attendance were committee members Janet Gollan and Agnes Moynihan, Quebec President Maria Tucci, Kappa members Ardyth Elliott, and Carole Schmidt.

Morag Gundy gathered the group at her home the night before to practice the ceremony, eat a delicious buffet dinner and get acquainted with each other. Because of the transportation strike in Ottawa, we spent the night there so that we would be sure to arrive at Rideau Hall, home of the Governor General, on time. This was an "international slumber party." We toured Rideau Hall, home of the Governor General, prior to the initiation ceremony.

Our work with the Society provides so many special and unique opportunities for all of us. Her Excellency was most personable and very interested in and supportive of education. I was proud to represent all of our members at this important event.

Initiating honorary members is a great way to honor a friend of education and promote the image of the Society. Has your chapter or state initiated an honorary member? If not, why not? Create the Buzz!

Carolyn

Happy 2009--second try

2008-12-29T07:01:00.000-08:00

My fingers move faster than my brain...so the previous post got posted before I was ready to post it.

Suggested New Year Resolutions for Delta Kappa Gamma Members

*Say YES the next time a chapter member asks you to help with something.

*Make a reservation for your state convention.

*Read the governing documents (constitution and standing rules). Think about how you might like to see them updated. Talk with other members about this. Send your ideas to the revision committee (revision blog would be a good place to do this)

*Log on to the Delta Kappa Gamma website once a week. You will be surprised how often it is updated.

*Check out the websites for the five regional conferences. Attend one and you will experience a whole new level of the Society. Once you experience an event outside your chapter and state you will be hooked and want to come again. Try it! You will like it!

*Get acquainted with a fairly new educator in your community who has potential for excellence and invite her to membership. Be her mentor during those first two years of membership. Check out the "Membership Shoe-In".

Let me know if you choose any of these resolutions.

Happy New Year
Carolyn

Happy 2009

2008-12-29T06:51:00.000-08:00

For many of us this is the time we are heading back to school for the spring semester. Or perhaps we are traveling south to a warmer area for a few months. I have spent the month of December in Iowa with my family and lots of snow and cold weather. Soon I will be headed back to Austin as we have lots of activities scheduled for January.

January is also the time to make those resolutions for the new year. You might consider adding one of these to your list.

Life in Austin

2008-11-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

As your International President I am spending much of the year in Austin. The Society has leased an apartment just two blocks from headquarters for the president. We are saving money on hotel bills, food, and travel. I have attended twelve committee meetings during October and November. This arrangement has allowed me to work at headquarters to prepare materials, make plans, and work on the TO DO list that follows every meeting. On some of those days between meetings, I have been exploring the city. I have been coming to Austin for meetings for the past four years, but learned few things about this interesting city. Now I have become acquainted with the downtown area. This arrangement is also a healthy one as I walk most places. No car to worry about makes downtown living exciting.

During their November meeting, the Administrative Board will walk to the apartment complex for a tour and lunch in the complex community room. I will be returning to Iowa in mid December to spend the holiday. Returning in January will enable me to enjoy a warm Texas winter missing the snows and storms in Iowa.

A quick question......Do you keep your membership card in an easily accessible spot? Or do you file it away? Should membership cards be issues every year? Or should you just receive one when you are initiated? Let me know what you think.

Carolyn

BLOG QUESTION

Our Society At Work

2008-10-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

I have had the great privilege to attend the first few international committee meetings. The Eunah Temple Holden Fund, the Performance Appraisal Team, the Communications, Program, Personal Growth and Services, Research, and Professional Affairs have all met by now. For many committee members this is their first trip to Austin and a tour of the headquarters building is always a highlight of their visit. It is my pleasure to show them around the building and share our heritage with them. We have a beautiful building, one of which we can all be proud.

Committees do the work of the Society. Most of them leave the meeting with To Do Lists that will keep them on task for the first year of the biennium. Each committee is asked to help Create the Buzz and make our name known throughout the education community. I have already received items to place in the Creating the Buzz scrapbook that I have started here at headquarters. Check out the Communications Committee page on the web site.

Another item that committees are asked to do is to explore how technology can assist them in their work. Committee chairs all received a copy of the Leadership Tools on the Net CD at the planning committee. This CD, which is available at headquarters for $20, describes a variety of electronic leadership tools that can be used. The Ad hoc Online Leadership Committee has scheduled our October meeting using the Go To Meeting tool. I plan to then use that tool to host a program committee meeting in November. Remember folks, if I can learn to use technology, so can you.

I love hearing about important professional recognition of our members. Let’s spotlight them whenever we can. Send me any items that recognize members in their professional lives. I want to congratulate them personally. Let me hear from you.

Carolyn

Theme for the 2008-2010 Biennium

2008-09-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. Several of you read my blog about dues and then actually posted your comments. Thank you very much.

From Vision to Action: Advancing the Society

This is the theme for the 2008-2010 Biennium.

What is your vision for the Society? Why did you join?

I joined 46 years ago when I had just completed my fifth year of teaching because a colleague whom I admired invited me to join. I had recently started teaching in my hometown of Hastings, Nebraska and I was thrilled to be asked to participate in this organization by individuals who had been my instructors as I had been growing up.

I did a survey of Generation X members (ages 25-44) in the Northwest Region in 2006. 68% of the members who answered the survey were asked to join by people they knew and 52% replied that they were asked to join by someone they admired. Why did you join?

In this same survey, 87% of the members felt that chapter programs were interesting. They like relevant programs. So program chairs, what are your plans for the coming year? Here are some of the suggestions given.

Workshops relevant to life--not just Society practicies and policies
Nutrition
Women's health issues
Scrapbooking
Stress management, relaxation tips, juggling multiple responsibilities
Technology updates
Hands-on activities

Did you know that our website offers lots of program ideas? Check it out.

Carolyn

Greetings

2008-08-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

What a great international convention we had in Chicago! It was good to see so many of you there.

I promised you I would write a blog....so here goes. This is my first attempt at doing this. I look forward to this being a forum where we can discuss issues and ideas and ask and answer questions.

At the convention many of you were concerned that members might have difficulty paying their dues this year. So I thought I would pass along some of the innovative ideas that were being discussed by chapters.

Members could pay their dues on the installment plan. They could pay so much a month for three to five months. Only the state and international dues must be paid by October 30.
Collection of dues could begin July 1 each year so that would give members four months to pay.
Chapters could waive chapter dues for members who are experiencing hard times.
Members could pay state and international dues for an individual member who was experiencing hard times.

Does your chapter send out a statement for dues indicating the amount and date they are due? Many chapters find that modeling after other professional organizations in this way, produce effective results. I am sure that many of you have innovative methods of collecting dues. I heard of an Iowa chapter who used the theme "Dew the Dues" and distributed cans of "Dew" (Mountain Dew) to members as they paid their dues. A chapter in West Virginia held a "Dues Tea" in the various counties of their chapter area in August. Members came together for a social event (a finger food picnic in one county and lunch at another) and brought their dues to the event. Many who could not attend even sent their dues with others. Fun and fellowship always help. Share your ideas.

Carolyn