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            S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Teaching Workshop
 
       Saturday, April 6th, 2024
      United Technologies Center, Ban
 8:30-2:30
 
          Save the Date
        See "PD Opportunities" for more information

Reimagine, Shine, and Rebuild
​by President Priscilla McFarland

The theme for my biennium is Reimagine, Shine, and Rebuild. Reimagine means to “form a new conception of” (Merriam Webster,) “to think about or consider in a new creative way” (dictionary.com,) and “to have a new idea about the way something should be (Cambridge Dictionary.) Are there some practices that we have done by habit or tradition that could be accomplished with less effort, time, and cost and with more efficiency? The first things that come to my mind are dealing with the expense of printing so many copies of the Mainspring and the work involved in its dissemination. Is there a better way that would not sacrifice our newsletter’s value as a major communication tool for our organization? Are there other practices that could be improved upon? Let’s take time to reimagine.
 
Shine, to me, means “put the spotlight on.” Each of us needs to shine a beacon on DKG for our colleagues, other educators, and the general public. We need to share what our organization stands for and what it and our chapters do. Chapters should publicize their service projects and activities in the local media (not just on our Facebook page,) and when a member is chosen for a leadership position at the chapter, state, or international level, it should make the news. Talk enthusiastically about your chapter’s programs and your members with your peers. Polish up and practice your elevator speech! We need to draw attention to ourselves to create an interest for prospective members and to gain respect and credibility among members of the education community. Let’s show our pride in our organization! We need to become a household word. DKG is no longer a secret society. Shine the light on DKG!
 
Rebuild means to repair (dictionary.com,) mend, or reconstruct (Merriam Webster.) The definition suggests “making like new without replacing completely (Merriam Webster.) It is way past time to increase our membership at the chapter, state, and international levels to get our numbers back to what they were at peak levels. Let’s revisit Jessica Masse’s suggestions and delve into the concept of marketing in more depth. Let’s make plans with SMART* goals at both the chapter and state levels.  Let’s not let DKG become extinct!
 
*SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant or Realistic, Time-Bound
 
The beginning of my biennium has been abuzz with society business! The work is challenging, but it has been satisfying so far. Earlier this summer, after learning about the decision to close the Hutchinson Center in August, the decision was made to hold Fall Workshop at the Gen. Bryant E. Moore Community Center in Ellsworth. Luckily, Ellsworth can accommodate our needs for a meeting place, food, and lodging. July
was dominated by nailing down details for Fall Workshop and travel for society business.
 
Just after the Independence Day holiday, I participated in 3 days of officer training in sweltering Irving, Texas. I was joined by Kathy Sticht, Rachelle Tome, Teresa Brzustowicz , and Mary Whitten, who helped with training for the treasurers. We enjoyed learning some tips and strategies to help us get off to a good start in our respective roles.
 PicturePresident Priscilla McFarland
A few weeks later, Mary Hyland, Mary Whitten, and I were in Detroit for the stimulating International Conference. Some highlights for me were a day of training in parliamentary procedure, an introduction to the Leadership Centre on the International website, and sessions on growing chapters, changing chapter culture, effective teams, why teachers leave the profession, and time management. We were treated to a number of outstanding speakers, including Kristy Sidlar, author of It’s Never Too Late to Put Your Health First and Monica Eason, a leadership development strategist who is a proponent of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts model. Despite unexpected travel woes, we all gained knowledge and inspiration from the sessions and speakers and some happy memories exploring much of what Detroit has to offer.

​The remainder of July through mid-August was dominated by planning for Fall Workshop and the Cross Border weekend. On August 8th, 16 members of the Administrative Board met with me at the lovely Viles Estate in Augusta to discuss plans for the upcoming year. We relished the conversations, our delectable potluck luncheon, and each other’s company. Mid-August took several of us to Columbia Falls at the Wreaths Across America headquarters for a fruitful meeting to finalize details for our September event.
 
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to register for our Cross Border event. It promises to be a unique, fun, and enlightening experience. Remember, space is limited, and September 1st is the deadline to register! You can find the forms and information right here on the website. Also, don’t miss your chance to have the museum create a dog tag memento as part of the Remembrance Tree Program for any family member, living or deceased, who has served in the military (including reserves) or is currently serving. Dog tags will be placed on a special memorial tree in the tipland that you and your family can visit any time. Keep an eye on this website for an updated link to sign up for a dog tag or call the museum at 1-877-385-9504 at least a week before our event to make sure it is ready when we visit. Make sure that you mention that you are part of the DKG group that will be there on September 23rd.

​I also would like to encourage you to register for Fall Workshop. Information will be in the upcoming edition of the Mainspring and on the website even earlier. The workshop sessions have something for everyone, and your participation and input are needed during the General Session.

DKGIEF: Women Honoring Women

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Honor a woman who has had a significant impact on your life or career.
For each $25 donation made in honor of that special woman, DKGIEF will send
you a specially designed card and pin to present her. Your donation must be
postmarked or received between March 1, 2024 through April 15, 2024,

DKGIEF will offer a different pin each year in celebration of International
Women’s Day.

The initial 2024 pin features the blue hydrangea which symbolizes gratitude and
heartfelt emotion. Parts of the flower and stems will be raised to give a 3D effect.

​For further details on how to make your donation, visit the DKGIEF website or scan the QR code below on your mobile device.
​

Chapter Report Needed

Hello, Chapter Presidents and Treasurers, 

March is here and before we know it we will be gathering for STRETCH and for State Convention! This is a short letter to ask for a bit of information for the Finance Committee and your State Organization. 
If you recall, in May of 2023 the Finance Committee announced that it would be distributing $500 from the Roberta Rogers Funds to each chapter. This began from a suggestion from a member at a State Convention, which then became a survey of how we could best assist chapters with these funds. The survey demonstrated that there were many needs and that they varied from chapter to chapter. It was determined by the Finance Committee that we would distribute $500 to each chapter and allow the chapter to decide where it could best be used. Those checks were distributed in October of 2023. 
Now we are asking for a short report of how you used or plan to use those funds. We recognize some chapters may not have used the funds as of yet, so we are simply asking for your plan. No answer is incorrect! This is simply to inform the Finance Committee as to how those funds were used to assist chapters this year. We would like to report this to the membership at the State Convention. 
Below is a link to a Google form with three simple questions. One is your name, chapter, and role in your chapter. The following two ask for either how you have used the funds or how you plan to use the funds. We would like this information from all chapters by April 15th!
We greatly appreciate your time in sharing this information and look forward to seeing you at STRETCH on April 6th and State Convention on April 26-28th. 

Sincerely, 
Melanie Ruark
Assistant State Treasurer
​
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Key women educators from Maine pose in the New Orleans Sheraton lobby next to the Welcome DKG sign.
There's nothing like International Convention's impressive flag ceremony to remind us of our worldwide impact.
In New Orleans, Mary Whitten was installed as an elected member of the International Finance Committee. So proud of her.
The New DKG App - Yep! There's an App for That!
  • Download and Log in instructions: First, please delete the old app!
  • The new app is free to down load and is password protected. Once you have accessed the app, you will be prompted to log in. Please use the email that the DKG has on file for you, then push the "Email Password" button. You will receive an email walking you through how to establish the password of your choosing. Once completed, login to the app with your email address and new password and explore! Navigate using the MENU button (3 horizontal lines) in the upper left corner.​
  • To get the Delta Kappa Gamma 365 mobile app:
    • iPhone and iPad users - search "DKG 365" or "Delta Kappa Gamma" on the Apple App Store.
    • Android users - search "DKG365" or "Delta Kappa Gamma" on the Google Play Store.
    • Blackberry, Windows, laptops - go to this address on your smartphones or computer browsers: (omit www) dkg.gatherdigital.com
Last Updated April 6, 2024 by [email protected]                                                                                                                                     
​International Society For Key Women Educators  http://www.dkg.org/
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