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
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Why State Organization Visits?
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
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
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Latest on Generations
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
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
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Figure Skaters, Technology and Spokane
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
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
Monday, December 21, 2009
Holiday Greetings
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
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
Monday, November 2, 2009
Spokane is the Place to Be!
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
DKGnetwork is Coming!
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
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
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