Enjoy, Learn AND Get Credit!

Will you need credit for professional development this summer?  Are you struggling to schedule both time for professional growth and time to travel?


Think about attending the 2014 DKG International Convention in Indianapolis this summer. If you have not read Dr. Beverly Helms' blog about the convention workshops, read it at http://beverlyhelms.blogspot.com/.  A detailed list of the workshops and general sessions will be available soon on the DKG website and in the DKG News.


 By submitting your workshop choices for approval by your supervisor or director, you can enjoy the convention and receive professional credit!  Look for information on the website soon!

Membership Tips: More connections

Our early-career educators and many veteran educators are facing new challenges and greater demands.  Many are leaving the classroom after only a year or two. DKG members are reaching out to educators to support them and strengthen the profession.

If your chapter is looking for ways to support early-career educators, here are a few ideas that won't break the bank account:

• Call a new teacher and offer to help with a bulletin board for her classroom.
• Offer help with lesson plans and test writing. 
• Offer your phone number as his/her personal "survival" hotline.
• Volunteer at an elementary school to read to children or assist with classroom activities.  

These ideas can easily be used as chapter programs or as individual projects.  Adopt a school and provide support throughout the year.  Create a "Make and Take" program where teachers leave your meeting with bulletin board items or class activities.

You will support educators and they will remember DKG!

Taking the BIG Picture

Chapters have the opportunity this year to create a profile and join in a photographic moment for the entire Society. Have you asked your members to complete a member profile?  By doing so, the chapter will know more about its members.  One more step and your state organization and region will know more about their members too.  For the first time, we can create a "picture" of the Society and its members.

Visit www.dkg.org and find both profiles on the Membership Committee page or under Forms. 

The link to the Survey Monkey survey for the Chapter Profile will be available on the front page of the DKG website until January 31, 2014.  Compile your chapter profile and submit your results today. 

The BIG picture of DKG won't be complete without you and your chapter!

Membership Tip: Make Meaningful Connections

The simplest acts can mean so much.  Often, they don't even cost us much money.

Make a phone call today to reach out to someone who needs a little cheering up.  Or to tell someone you have missed seeing her lately.  Or to remind someone there will be a meeting or event next week.  Or to offer a ride.  Or to appreciate her hard work.

Connections that are meaningful and grow relationships take time and effort but have lasting impact-  and they don't have to break your bank account.

If you are looking for ways your chapter can make member connections, look for opportunities to simply reach out. Connect with members who have not paid dues to find out why before dropping them. I heard from a chapter president last week who personally called every member in her chapter.  Every one of them will renew membership this year.  The connection was made!

With whom have you connected today?

Reflections of a DKG Member

When I think of all the associations in which I have held memberships over the years, I continue to be amazed at the many ways my membership in DKG offers value.  I have often paid far higher dues for far less value and less engagement in other associations.  And not that I did not benefit.  I read the journals and utilized the websites for research. Sometimes I even attended a conference or convention.

Likewise in DKG, I have read the journals, utilized the website, and attended many conferences and conventions.  But I also have chatted in the Social Network (free from the stress of public viewing!), made lifetime friends in my own backyard and around the world, furthered my education with the aid of scholarship money, developed my public speaking skills, learned about leadership, and put it all into practice in a comfortable environment. And, of course, I could go on.

What have you gained from your membership in DKG?  What have you missed if you are not a member?  I encourage you to step out and become involved- you'll be glad you did. Comment here or send me an email: let me know what you value most as a member of DKG.

Europe Regional Conference Meets in Amsterdam

From canal cruises to workshops, the members who attended the Europe Regional Conference in

Amsterdam enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship, fun and professional growth.  Sessions were filled with speakers from around the globe and workshops included topics from Society business and membership challenges to educational issues and global change.  We even learned how to utilize YouTube in the classroom and enjoyed a panel discussion on the topic. How delightful to experience DKG in so many different languages and from so many varied perspectives!  As if the events of the conference would not be enough, the warm smiles and friendly spirits of the Europe members will draw me back again and again. 

We are home now and back in the office.  So, I look forward to hearing from all of you who promised that now you will call or email!  If I do not see you along the way, I hope to see you next summer in Indianapolis.  Start planning now!

Northwest Members Enjoy Cheyenne

The Northwest Regional Conference provided a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the flavor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, without ever leaving the conference. In addition to exciting speakers, great workshops, delicious meals and a "starlight chat" with Society administrators, the conference

included the colors and culture of the local area. We enjoyed visits with the Mayor of Cheyenne, the Governor of Wyoming, and  the Cheyenne Trotters. With the Denim and Diamonds theme for the Celebration Luncheon, we even enjoyed a chance to dress the part! Although I was not able to pack my boots (not enough room in my suitcase this time), I certainly enjoyed the beauty of the location and the warmth of the fellowship during our time in the Northwest.