"Roping" in Members in the New Year

I spent the first weekend of the new year watching my husband do what he loves most: team roping.  It is a sport where a team of two horseback riders rope the head and heels of a steer and stretch him gently by tying off each rope on the horn of their saddles (a "dally" and, thus, the sport is called dally team roping). It all happens at a fast pace - covering almost 200 feet in around six seconds. The activity, like most rodeo events, grew from ranch activities where the cows must be caught and doctored in the pasture or corral.

I began to think about the art of roping - how the header must handle his cattle and depend on the strength of his horse in order for the heeler and his horse to be in the correct position for catching the heels of a steer on the run.  Teamwork.  Each horse and each rider doing his part of the job.  Getting off to a good start and following through.

In this new year, I hope we all have our team in place to get off to a great start and follow through to the finish.  Membership chairs are leading us as we identify new members and plan for orientations and initiations.  Chapter treasurers are following through with gathering dues and identifying members who have not responded so the membership committee can call them. Chapter presidents are contacting members who have not been to a meeting in a while to let them know they are missed. Is your team off to a good start and ready to "rope" in new members for the new year?

Updates Available...

 I recently enjoyed a wonderful Saturday morning with my chapter here in Texas as we initiated four new members.  How exciting it was to welcome them into our fold! We had our meeting here at Society Headquarters  (as many Austin area chapters do) and enjoyed the beauty of the building, festive with holiday decoration and  rich in DKG heritage.  Along with the four new members, we also welcomed the international president when she dropped in to visit . We hope to initiate more in April with a second ceremony this year. I hope your chapter is planning an initiation or two this year - consider using the new Contemporary Initiation Ceremony when you do.

I posted our picture on the DKG facebook page Saturday morning and was amazed to find that over 350 others had viewed the picture by Sunday! How wonderful to read all of your comments wishing these ladies well and welcoming them to DKG!  If you have not found us already, watch for updates on the DKG facebook page - and post your chapter meeting pictures so we can all welcome your chapter's new initiates, too!

'Tis the Season...

What a wonderful time of year this is!  Though the holidays we celebrate may vary around the globe, I think the spirit of the season is the same.  It is a time of year when we focus a little more on family and friends. I am certainly thankful for mine!

I am also thankful and proud to be a member of  The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  Have you thought about taking time this season to share the wonder of DKG with other key women educators in your community?  Invite them to join you at a meeting or event.  Plan a special orientation event where several potential members can learn about DKG. Remember, orientation of new members is easy when you use the Pride in the Big Picture presentation.  And the Contemporary Initiation Ceremony available in the new Ceremonies book makes a nice addition to any meeting! You do not have to wait for a special meeting to initiate new members - initiate them when they are ready to join.

Membership in DKG is an honor and an opportunity for growth, personally and professionally. During this season of giving, share with other key women the gift of membership - in doing so, you are leading women educators impacting education worldwide.

WOW!

The International Educational Excellence Committee (EEC) met in Austin last month and created a new acronym describing not only the committee members themselves but also the Society members they represent:  W.O.W. (Wonderful Outstanding Women)!

These wonderful women have developed three primary goals which encompass the work of the EEC and I think you will find them exciting:

• To advance excellence in education
• To empower women
• To increase global awareness

Within these goals, the work of the committee remains the same.  The two international projects will fall under these goals in addition to the continuing relationship DKG has with the UN.  In addition, our projects, programs and activities to empower women and impact legislation will continue to be developed. 

Look for more information to come from the International Educational Excellence Committee!

A Fall Filled with Excitement

By the calendar, it is the fall season.  The weather in Austin still feels like summer.  Regardless of the season, excitement is in the air!

 

Welcome to the ladies of Japan! Japan State Organization was officially installed on October 14 as the Society's eighteenth country and 80th state organization.  We welcome the sixty key women educators in Japan who join DKG as we continue Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide! 

The International Membership Committee met in September and developed some exciting goals for the biennium.  The committee will focus on strengthening chapters and promoting the value of membership. They are excited to share with members about the membership resources available to chapters, where to find them and new ways to use them!  Remember materials are being revised to include recent changes - from additional countries to revisions in the standing rules - so be sure to download the new Pride in the Big Picture presentation when you are ready to orient those new member candidates!  You can find it online on the DKG website in the Library or on the Membership Committee page.

 

I look forward to meeting with the Educational Excellence Committee at the end of October and then with the Administrative Board in Austin the following week.  Society Headquarters will be busy preparing for these meetings, but I always look forward to greeting old friends and making new ones as the meetings convene.  How exciting it is to join such amazing women in furthering the goals of this great Society!  Follow us on Twitter (#dkgcon) and on the DKG page on Facebook:  we will be sharing throughout the meetings and will look for your posts, as well!

"Sharing Our Vision" to "Strengthen Our Society"

The Administrative Board members and International Committee Chairs of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International met this month in Spokane at the Davenport Hotel to plan for the new biennium.  What a lovely place to meet and what a delightful group of ladies!

The theme of the biennium, presented by Dr. Beverly Helms at the international convention in New York City, is Sharing Our Vision - Strengthening Our Society.  This truly dynamic group of amazing women have set their sights on doing just that!  After participating in the week filled with the design and development of strategic plans for growing our Society, I am re-energized and ready for the new biennium!  I hope you are ready, too, because you won't want to miss the excitement!

I am looking forward to meeting with the International Membership Committee this weekend in Austin, Texas.  Send us your thoughts on ways to strengthen our chapters and provide you with the membership experiences you want.  We will be available by phone, mail, email, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn and any other way you want to communicate.  No matter how you want to Share Our Vision, just be sure to share it! 

Treasured Times

Presented to me at the Kappa State Workshop in Arkansas

What a month August was for me! Birthday, wedding anniversary, one-year anniversary here at DKG Headquarters - this month has been quite the time for celebration. How fortunate I am to enjoy such treasured times! With an awesome international convention behind me, I traveled to Arkansas to enjoy a weekend with the Kappa State members attending the 2012 State Workshop. The workshop included an amazing selection of breakout sessions, general sessions involving Society business and a delicious luncheon where we celebrated the accomplishments and goals of the incredible women who are Arkansas DKG. I returned with lovely memories, beautiful souvenirs and a framed certificate charging me with my new responsibilities as an Arkansas Traveler!

 

As a member of this great Society, we are so fortunate to enjoy friendships with other members from around the world! With opportunities to gather at conventions, conferences and even meetings, we can also enjoy a personal visit from time to time in addition to all the electronic communications across the distance. What a joy it is to see each other and reconnect each year! DKG Administrative Board members and international committee chairs will have treasured time to connect and plan when we all meet together in Spokane next week for the biennial planning meeting. I look forward to the greetings, hugs and excitement - but I also look forward to the journey as these progressive women guide the Society into yet another biennium filled with great accomplishments. So, make your plans to get involved:  I think you will be glad you did!