Challenges: Why do members terminate their membership?

Delta Kappa Gamma chapters around the globe face many of the same issues in keeping members engaged, committed and active. Epsilon is not exclusive from the challenges of our Society. Incoming officers will coordinate with the leadership council of their chapters to create inspiring, challenging and interesting meetings for their members. Yet, some of our efforts may not be enough to keep the members from terminating. Following are some of the reasons for member termination:

1. Meeting times/places incompatible with schedule
2. Other responsibilities
3. Chapter not meeting needs of member
4. Health
5. Economic
6. Transportation
7. Moved out of area
8. Death

Taken from: DKG Guidelines for Chapter Presidents 2012

Beta Tau Initiates Welcome By Suellen May Lamb

Many thanks to Suellen May Lamb for sharing this with Epsilon. Suellen composed the following for the recent initiation ceremony of Beta Tau Chapter.

Delta Kappa Gamma Initiation

On this special day,

Hold your head up high.

Devotion to your students,

No one can deny.

Students held in hearts,

United in their cause ;

Education’s challenges,

Your efforts never pause.

We’re happy you decided

To join our joyful band;

Key women educators

Reach out to take your hand.

As teachers, you’re the best;

No sacrifice too great.

Your excellence was noted.

Initiation cannot wait.

Delta Kappa Gamma

Our chapter, Beta Tau,

Welcome you as sisters.

Three cheers; hip, hip, hurrah!

By Suellen May Lamb

Epsilon Chapters Officers for coming biennium

Many chapters in our state are in the process of electing a new slate of officers for the coming biennium. In reading newsletters, some officers are being reinstated. Why is this an occurrence in our chapters? Throughout discussions with many of my Louisiana sisters along with presidents of the Southeast Region and my Golden Gift class we are not a unique state.

The challenges facing Delta Kappa Gamma are of two major areas: (1) The decline in membership [thus the decline of persons willing to accept a position of leadership], and (2) The reservations of members wanting to add more to their "plate of life" by accepting a position that requires their skill, knowledge, time and effort in leadership.

I ask all members to be receptive of the offer to serve a leadership role in their chapter. Membership in our Society is one of honor. Show yours proudly by "stepping up and leading the educators of your chapter". I can assure you that this experience may come with its challenges and difficulties but it will be one in which you grow as a leader and member of DKG.

Epsilon State Awards Friend of Education - Jean Doerge

JEAN DOERGE IS A “FRIEND”

Epsilon State presented its first Friend of Education Award to Jean Doerge, District X Louisiana Representative until her term limit ended in January. Jean's dedication and commitment to education is reflective of our Society's mission and purpose. 

When she was elected, Mrs. Doerge stated, "Educational programs and upgrading of technology in the classrooms must be a priority. Only then can our children have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead productive adult lives.” She worked hard to see that money was spent for our children.  She even helped coordinate and host Epsilon State's last two legislative days in Baton Rouge.

Her support of education started 32 years ago in Webster Parish as a teacher. In 1986, she was initiated into Nu chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma where she served her chapter in many offices and remained an active member during her thirteen years in the legislature.  Epsilon State was honored to present its first Friend of Education Award to Mrs. Jean Doerge.

DKG International Scholarship recommendation for NY Attendees

Dr. Jensi Souders requests that members review the information below concerning actions at the convention in July.

The International Scholarship Committee will present a recommendation at convention to change the

International Standing Rules so that those receiving scholarships for doctoral study may receive a $10,000 (US) award instead of $6,000. All other graduate degree awards would remain at $6,000. This would mean that 22 of the 30 2012-2013 recipients just named would receive the increase. Because the committee met after the deadline for amendment proposals and this recommendation could not be published in the January/February edition of the DKG NEWS, it must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote from the convention instead of a simple majority. Since our scholarship fund is the healthiest of all

Society funds, the committee feels comfortable in making this recommendation. Consider this recommendation and have your members at convention ready to express their wishes when it is presented.

Epsilon Achievement Award Recipient - Jean Patterson

Epsilon State Achievement Award 2012 Recipient
Jean Patterson

The Epsilon State Achievement Award Committee receives applications from around the state each year for review and selection of the member deserving of this prestigious award. Recipients are chosen based upon their dedication, contributions and involvement as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Jean Patterson is a member of Mu Chapter of the NW District. Jean is a member of the Order of the Magnolias (Past State Presidents), along with serving in numerous positions within her chapter, district and state offices. Congratulations to Jean Patterson, Epsilon 2012 Achievement Award Recipient.

United Nations Fact Sheet for DKG

DELTA KAPPA GAMMA AT THE UNITED NATIONS: A FACT SHEET

Spring, 2012

Beginnings. In August of 1993 it was proposed by Anne-Marie Carlson of New York that The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International apply for Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status with the Department of Public Information at the United Nations (UN/DPI) especially to help advance the Society Purpose #7: “To inform members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.” This proposal was supported by the Professional Affairs Committee, in September 1993 it was approved by the Program Committee, and an amendment to the International Standing Rules was submitted to the Constitution Committee. At the International Convention in July 1994 the membership in attendance approved that this amendment be added to International Standing Rules—Part 1. Affiliations. In June of 1995, Delta Kappa Gamma was granted NGO status with UN/DPI. Anne-Marie was appointed as the Society’s first primary representative, followed by Doris Salagi of New Jersey (1998-2000), Phyllis Hickey, then of Connecticut (2000-2006), and Dr. Rita King , New York (2006-2010). The current primary representative is Grace Murphy of New York , also an ex officio member of the Educational Excellence Committee.

In July of 2003, the Society was granted consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This allowed our representatives to attend its conferences and also to expand our member involvement with the UN to seven official representatives. In the fall of 2010 the UN/DPI made it possible for its NGOs to have an additional representative. The Society may now have eight official representatives at the UN. All are entitled to attend policy briefings and other meetings held by DPI specifically for NGO representatives on a wide variety of subjects. Over the years several of our NGO reps have also attended annual DPI conferences held in different parts of the world. In addition, Anne-Marie Carlson was elected in 2009, and re-elected in 2010, as Vice-Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, which represents over 1500 NGOs around the world associated with DPI (See www.ngodpiexecom.org and click on Committee).

Delta Kappa Gamma Partnerships with UNICEF. For over fifteen years, directly after achieving NGO status, the Society has partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of education in developing countries. In 1996 the Gambia Project, which assisted girls to remain in school by providing funds for their education, was launched. In November 1999 we joined in the Pro-Maya Project to assist children and their schools in Chiapas , Mexico . In July 2003 the Society was invited to support a partnership for teacher education in Afghanistan . By June 2009 the final total raised for the Afghanistan project alone was $203,124, and altogether members have raised over $330,000 in support of UNICEF-related projects.

In 2009 a committee was appointed by then International President Dr. Carolyn Rants to recommend how the Society would move forward with a new project. After detailed study committee members proposed UNICEF’S Schools for Africa campaign, “a joint campaign funded by UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote education for children in Africa . The campaign will increase access to quality basic education for children with a special focus on girls, orphans and vulnerable children.” This was approved as an official Society project at the International Convention held in Spokane in July 2010. Cathy Daugherty ( Virginia ), who had served as chair of the project selection committee, was appointed as contact person for the Schools for Africa project. To donate see www.unicefusa.org/donate/dkg.

The Delta Kappa Gamma UN Liaison Network. At the 2002 International Convention, the International Executive Board voted to establish a UN Liaison Network. Each state organization president may appoint a UN Liaison to be kept up to date on Society involvement at the UN and to receive and disseminate important information. In the spring of 2004, as the Society celebrated the 75^th anniversary of its founding, the NGO rep group began publication of a newsletter, DKG@UN, to keep members informed of the Society’s UN-related activities. Names and email addresses of state UN Liaisons should be sent to Margaret Anzul, Newsletter Editor.

Academic Impact Initiative. A new global initiative, known as Academic Impact, was launched in November 2010 by the Department of Public Information at the UN. This initiative involves universities and other academic institutions around the world in advancing the purposes of the UN, including specifically the Millennium Development Goals. Participants in this initiative are expected to undertake one new activity each year that will address at least some of the ten basic principles of Academic Impact. These principles, along with other background information and an enrollment form, may be found on the website www.academicimpact.org. Society members with a connection to an academic institution may wish to encourage the institution’s membership in Academic Impact as a way to implement global understanding.

The Formation of CTAUN. In 1996, Anne-Marie Carlson was invited to join a small group of educators representing different NGOs to focus on ways to teach about the United Nations. An organization named the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN) was formed as a result, made up of members of various NGOs with an interest in education, such as DKG, Kappa Delta Pi, AAUW, Rotary International, SOS Kinderdorf International, and UNA/USA. CTAUN consists of an Executive Committee of ten members and a larger group of volunteers who help support conferences and other activities. In 1998 CTAUN cooperated with other groups to organize a conference at the UN, but Anne-Marie became convinced that CTAUN should organize its own conferences. The first of these was held in 1999. Anne-Marie was Co-Chair of CTAUN from 1998-2002, and has been Chair since 2003.

To date CTAUN has organized thirteen conferences held at UN headquarters based on a variety of global issues. Five satellite CTAUN conferences have been held in Atlanta . Other satellite conferences included one held at Rutgers University , New Jersey and one co-sponsored by Kappa Delta Pi held in Indianapolis . Most recently a conference was held in Austin , Texas , co-sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma, with a second Austin conference co-sponsored by DKG scheduled for September 22, 2012 . See the CTAUN website (www.teachun.org) for additional information about CTAUN, summaries of past conferences, announcements of future conferences, and links to teaching resources for educators. In the spring of 2009, CTAUN was invited by UN/DPI to be a charter member of their group of “partner organizations” of the Academic Impact initiative.

Your UN Representatives

The members of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International listed below are your official representatives at the United Nations Department of Public Information and the Economic and Social Council. Most also work with CTAUN. You may email us for further information.

Grace Murphy, NY, Primary Representative and Vice Chair of CTAUN: gracemm630@aol.com.

Anne-Marie Carlson, NY, Vice-Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee and

Chair of CTAUN: dfcamc@aol.com.

Cathy Daugherty, VA, Schools for Africa Program Facilitator: emerita07@comcast.net.

Rita King, PhD, NY, Consultant to CTAUN: rrking1@aol.com

Lochie Musso, NY, CTAUN Secretary: lochie@optonline.net

Joan Goldstein, NY, DKG@UN Newsletter correspondent and CTAUN volunteer, joantess@rcn.com. Margaret Anzul, PhD, NJ, Newsletter Editor and UN Liaison Network Facilitator: manzul@optimum.net

Epsilon District Directors




Epsilon District Directors perform their skit at the Birthday Luncheon - REACHing toward fitness



 





Epsilon State District Directors are honored at the state convention during the Saturday morning session. This group of ladies serve in a two-year capacity assisting with district meetings, state convention, chapter visits in addition to many other duties. Thank you ladies for your work in DKG.

Epsilon State Flags Adorn the Head Table

Epsilon State Chapter Presidents 2010-2012



Epsilon State Chapter Presidents serve as members of the Executive Board. The Executive Board members attended a dinner Friday night prior to the Executive Board meeting.  Their dedication to the chapter members reflects dedication, commitment and a passion to continue the tradition and legacy of women educators. Please take a moment and thank your chapter president for their work as they exit from this position in June. In honor of these ladies a donation to the REACH Project will be made.

Epsilon State Convention Wrapup

Our state convention for 2012 has come and gone. Without a doubt the convention was a huge success. Over 300 members were registered to attend and participate in the events of the weekend. Business was conducted and discussed. The resolution has proven to be a strong and positive effort in sending the desires of DKG educators from around the state to our legislators.

Convention attendees were very generous throughout the weekend in contributions to the First-Timers, Jubilee Rose, Florence Amy, and REACH pins. Thank you ladies! Some components of the weekend were new and received rave reviews from the attendees. This week on the blog you will see some of the highlights of the conention and be able to get a glimpse of the fun that was had in Baton Rouge as your sisters converged on the state for DKG.

Epsilon State Convention is "TOPS" for 2012

Epsilon State Convention 2012 celebrated with a "new twist" this year as members wore hats and gloves to the birthday luncheon. The view from the podium was a "sea of colors and designs" Wow! What a beautiful sight. Members of Omicron Chapter - SE sent this photo to share with all. Thank you ladies.

Allice Carrier Appreciation Letter