Saving Money

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

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

Initiation of Honorary International Member

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

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

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

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


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