Plagiarism: What is a Copyright?

Basically, copyright is a law that gives you ownership over the things you create. Be it a painting, a photograph, a poem or a novel--if you created it, you own it, and it’s the copyright law itself that assures that ownership. The ownership that copyright law grants comes with several rights that you, as the owner, have exclusively. These include the right to

• reproduce the work;

• prepare derivative works;

• distribute copies;

• perform the work;

• display the work publicly.

These are your rights and your rights alone. Unless you willingly give them up (e.g. via a Creative Commons License), no one can violate them legally. This means that, unless you say otherwise, no one can perform a piece written by you or make copies of it, even with attribution, unless you give the OK.

Inversely, if you’re looking for material to use or reuse, you should not do either of these things without either asking permission or confirming that the work is in the public domain, which means that the copyright has expired and all of the above rights have been forfeited. Simply put, if the work isn’t in the public domain and you don’t have permission to use a piece, you put yourself at risk of legal action, regardless of your intentions.

A great overview of copyright issues can be seen in this video made for DKG editors and webmasters.

In our next blog, we will review Creative Commons and Google searches, as well as give you places to find images that are labeled Creative Commons. We will also discuss use of the Society logos.

EEC Inspiration 

Delta Kappa Gamma International encourages all members to engage in purposeful programs and projects.  The strategic plans for both international and state organizations often include the following key points of consideration:

• Provide resources for local programs to involve members in policy discussions on education.
• Impact educator retention through support for early-career and all educators. 
• Collaborate with DKG Forums to empower members in impacting educational legislation, policy and pedagogy. 
• Provide strategies and resources for the integration of programs and projects that provide personal and professional growth, including but not limited to the visual and performing arts.

DKG strives to provide meaningful, engaging learning opportunities for our members.  Chapter leaders design professional development opportunities that create, shape and sustain a culture of learning communities.  They survey their members to determine areas of need as they plan these opportunities.  Many members have expertise in a wide variety of issues that are facing our teachers and are willing to share this in a workshop setting.  

In many states, provinces and countries, professional development opportunities are aligned with rigorous standards. Multiple opportunities for learning are provided in a variety of methods to honor individual learning needs. Teachers are encouraged to engage in thoughtful discussions relating to program topics, including the use of these standards in the classroom, strategies to support increased achievement in reading and math, social and emotional learning curriculum to name a few.  

High quality and effective professional development is necessary for 21st century teaching and learning.  As many states, provinces and countries face the crisis of teacher shortage, quality professional development is even more critical.  Membership in DKG is an excellent way to give teachers the necessary tools to meet this need.

Focus on Finance: Chapter Treasurer Training

Training for chapter treasurers is an important part of the responsibilities of the state organization treasurer.  Often this can be done at a state organization convention or leadership training.

It can be challenging  to meet the needs of all chapter treasurers since some are brand new and others have held the position for many years.  You may want to consider offering two breakouts, one for new treasurers and the other for experienced treasurers.  During the training sessions, you may want to consider some of the following topics:

1. state organization funds and the budget structure
2. dues collection, encourage the sharing of different ideas
3. electronic bookkeeping
4. annual forms
5. available information on the Society website
6. chapter connect on the Society website

It is important to remind all chapter treasurers that there is support for them at the state organization and international levels of the Society.

AWB: Thinking About Change and Tradition.

When I founded The Delta Kappa Gamma Society in 1929, women over 21 had only recently gained the right to vote—the same right held by men over 21. That huge change was effected by daring and courageous women and men, both of whom faced ferocious challenges. In 2016, a WOMAN was a candidate for the presidency of the United States! What tremendous strides have been made in the political rights for all women. 

The path to change is fraught with social, political, and social challenge. The person who chooses that path will be liked and loved as well as not liked and not loved. She must be passionate and sure about what she wants to accomplish. 

Thinking about change makes me wonder what occurs when members of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International discuss possibilities that affect “how we’ve always done it” attitudes. Do we listen and think WHAT is being suggested and WHY? I think the brouhaha members have made over maintaining some traditions can be detrimental to the real purposes of this Society. An example of that is that where a member wears her keypin is much less important than the fact that she has the RIGHT to wear a keypin. Tradition is important, but it’s not more important than the support and encouragement we give to each other. 

I didn’t create DKG from tradition; I created it as a way for women educators to support each other. Any changes that make such support and encouragement simpler are worth considering! 

Annie Webb Blanton now blogging!

Have you ever wondered what Founder Dr. Annie Webb Blanton might be saying about DKG nowadays? Amazingly, Annie is blogging to share thoughts about keeping our Society “forward moving ever” in 2017 and beyond!

To find more blogs from Annie, choose the Annie label.

Creating Social Media Buttons: Facebook

After a brief overview, we discussed different buttons for Twitter last week in the blog. This week we will look at the various buttons that can be used for Facebook.

Follow Button (formerly called Subscribe Button)

This button enables you to reach out and increase your following. It allows your members to subscribe to your Facebook page.

Go to your Facebook page and copy the URL for it. Click this LINK. Fill in the copied URL. No numbers are needed for width or height. Click the button “Get Code.” Click on iFrame tab. Copy the code that appears.

Open your website in the editor (e.g. Weebly) you are using. In Weebly, drag the icon “Embed Code” to the position you want the button. Paste the code from Facebook. After publishing, you will see a “Follow” button.

Like Button

This gives your Facebook page a “thumbs up.” Members endorse your content and share it with their Facebook connections. This button does NOT allow members to personalize messages before sending them. The Share Button does allow personalized comments. The following directs allow you to add a LIKE Button and include the SHARE Button.

You will need your Facebook URL. Paste it into this FORM.  See the example below. Click “Get Code.” Copy the code. Open your website in the editor (e.g. Weebly) you are using. In Weebly, drag the icon “Embed Code” to the position you want the button. Paste the code from Facebook. After publishing, you will see a “Like and Share” button.

Although we’ve only covered Twitter and Facebook buttons in the last two posts, there are buttons for LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. We hope to cover several more in the months to come.