International Scholarship Applications Now Available!

Going back for a higher degree???

The Heat is On! Rise to the top by applying for a DKG international scholarship -- $6,000 toward earning an advanced degree and $10,000 toward a doctoral degree.

The international scholarship application is now online for awards to be presented for the 2018-2019 academic year.  Just go to www.dkg.org, click on Forms, go to the Application link, and find the application link at the bottom of the page.

Start the process today. The deadline is February 1, 2018 to submit the application and all supporting documentation. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and complete all sections of the application.

Our committee looks forward to reading your outstanding application next February!

Forty-five Publicity Ideas to Create Buzz: Part 2

This is the second part of the C&P committee's list of ideas for creating a buzz about DKG!

• Create a first-day-of-school display to let women educators in your district know DKG can be a wonderful addition to their lives. The visual display should show that your chapter is a great place to be.
• Give speeches to organizations in your community. Tell them about your chapter and its work.
• Present a program at a community college or a school parents’ night.
• Give and attend open houses; network there.
• Send engraved announcements whenever you do something big.
• Make liberal use of news releases and public service announcements.
• Create a media event--for example, a conference--and invite the press.
• Get a booth at a local show or fair.
• When someone asks for your help, say “yes.”
• Work with local school boards and secure a place on the agenda during their annual awards and scholarship meeting to present a DKG chapter or district scholarship to a deserving graduating senior.
• Identify schools in a district that have no members on the faculty who are Society members.
• Create snack baskets and place them in faculty lounges with DKG brochures.
• Notify principals and/or superintendents in writing when one of their teachers has been initiated into the Society.  Membership Announcement Cards can be ordered through the DKG Store.
• Volunteer to be a guest speaker and give a program about the Society at local community meetings such as Women’s Clubs, Service Clubs, or Chamber of Commerce meetings.
• Create trifold posters with DKG brochures and place them in public places such as public libraries.
• Leave Society brochures at your doctor’s and dentist’s offices.
• Establish chapter, district, or state organization media awards to be presented at chapter, district, or state organization meetings.
• Use DKG templates for press releases and submit to community newsletters. The templates can be found under Forms > Press Releases.
• Use the DKG template for chapter brochures and leave them with international brochures in public places or doctors' or dentists' offices.
• Present a program of interest on an educational topic as representatives of the Society for special interest groups such as parents of children with disabilities or early childhood educators.
• Present a program of interest on an educational topic for teacher groups and offer continuing education credits.
• Place one of the official DKG trademarked logos on print materials such as advertisements for public activities the chapter/state organization is sponsoring.  Only logos currently on the Society website should be used because we are trying to create a recognized brand for DKG.
• Finally, believe in your chapter . . . then others will, too.

Did you try one last week? If not, try two this week.

Finance Committee: Reminder of Upcoming IRS Filing Due Dates and Process

As July 1 approaches, the Finance Committee wants to provide information about the filing of the 990-N Postcard for all United States chapter treasurers.  This is the second year we have used the system provided by the IRS.  Please follow the detailed directions mentioned below in the User Guide.

FILING FORM 990-N POSTCARD WITH IRS—after July 1 but before November 15

§  Refer to the User Guide directions found at www.irs.gov/990n/

▪  Log on to https://sa.www4.irs.gov/epostcard/ to begin filing 990N.  Use the Returning User section & the same User ID and password you used last year (or the previous treasurer used last year).  File Form 990-N postcard for 2016 after June 30 but before November 15 using the same email address used last year.  If that has changed, refer to the User Guide if you are a NEW treasurer or a simply began using a new email address.

▪  Upon IRS email notification of acceptance, forward IRS email to your state organization treasurer or print IRS email and snail mail printed copy to your state organization treasurer (preferably by November 1).Make sure to keep a copy for your files.

Forty-five Publicity Ideas to Create Buzz: Part 1

One of the best ways to stir up awareness and publicity for your chapter is to generate some buzz—word of mouth marketing is free (or at least, cheap) and, even better, highly effective. Plus, it’s something that spans both the online and the offline worlds and can put your organization clearly on people’s radar in a very positive fashion.

Nothing says “This organization is worth your time and money” better than a satisfied member who passionately believes that her chapter is truly worth her time and money.

The big question is, how do you get people chatting? To boost your chapter’s buzzability, you have to give your members something worth talking about beyond the latest direct mail drop or email blast.

The following ideas will fuel the fire.

• Make sure your members know your program content inside and out, so they can “sell it” on a moment’s notice.
• Develop and use a distinctive business card that promotes your chapter.
• Develop a 2-minute commercial members can recite.
• Cultivate the art of talking to people.
• Advertise by word-of-mouth.
• Prepare candy treats, with DKG info attached, to give to new teachers in their area schools in February.
• Prepare goody bags (post-it notes, markers, candy, etc.) that include a card and brochure about DKG and the chapter to new educators in local districts.
• Provide a scholarship every year to a local student entering education. Better yet, provide a grant to a young woman beginning student teaching.
• Develop an informational brochure.
• Sponsor Cinderella’s Closet (or similar), offering free prom dresses and accessories to high school girls.
• Advertise a project by sending flyers to schools and articles to the paper.
• Make a video production and upload to YouTube.
• Sign a business card with DKG and chapter info by a member and leave it at the school, business, or wherever when a contact/project has been made.
• During National Teacher's Week (in May), distribute printed cards (card stock and cut into whatever size) into teachers' mailboxes with an appropriate thank-you saying on one side and DKG logo and mission statement on the other. Include officers' names.
• Create an "adopt-a-classroom" project where schools can apply for DKG help: tutoring, bulletin board creation, books, etc.
• Have members involve themselves in local events and submit articles to the local paper.
• Write a newspaper column or a magazine or journal article about your chapter.
• Make reprints of the article and use them as handouts.
• Get involved in political, professional, civic, recreational, and social organizations to develop contacts.
• When a member passes away, purchase a memorial gift for the school at which she taught. The gift should bear the name of your chapter for all employees and visitors to see.
• Promote your program with banners.
• Have each member who brings a prospective new member have her name placed in a drawing for a $75 cash prize. Bring two members and have two chances to win!

Come back next week for the second half of this list! Try one idea from the list today... and then try another one next week!

Scholarship Applications Available Soon!

On July 1, 2017,  the  new DKG international scholarship application for the 2018-2019 academic year will be available on the international website.  You can find the new, user-friendly application under the FORM link at the top of the international website Homepage (www.dkg.org). 

Scholarships are available to members who are pursuing doctoral, masters, and other advanced degrees in their field of study. Members are encouraged to start filling out an application a few months before the next due date, as it will take some careful thought and planning to complete the application packet and collect other required academic documentation.  February 1, 2018, is the next due date for the applications.

Why We Founded DKG!

Dedicated educators of every era and every place want to know more and be more and do more to impact the lives of their students. They want students to realize that knowledge is the element that opens the horizons of their lives. Educators apply the ethic of solid and committed work to improve the lives of others. Because of their often unnoticed and unrewarded devotion to their careers in the early 20^th century, Delta Kappa Gamma was born for those women who were frequently alone and neglected, both personally and professionally.

 We women had to force the issue of restrictions on our social lives and arbitrary complacency about our work lives. We endeavored to improve our lot, to be recognized as equal contributors and to gain equal status. We appeared to be soft, ladylike, gracious— but underneath we were firebrands pioneering for the kind of professional life we knew we deserved.  Thank goodness social standards for women educators are much improved. Our personal risks made the way for women educators to have fulfilling careers, satisfying recognition and gratifying lives. We were spirits of steel wearing hats and gloves.

I want women teachers to feel the strength of unity, to have the courage that comes from certain respect and regard from their colleagues. I never want a woman educator to feel separated from recognition of her abilities as a leader and as a whole person. A woman educator working with others for others is a power to be reckoned with. Let a woman educator set her mind to a goal, and she is Strength itself. Give her the support, spirit, and encouragement of other women educators, and the obstacles to her goal fall away. I am proud of the accomplishments of the Founders, and just as important, I am proud of this lasting and broad Society of women educators that we started 88 years ago. Honor us Founders by honoring each other.

ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND YOUR REGIONAL CONFERENCE THIS SUMMER?

The Educational Excellence Committee is excited about sharing great ideas, resources, and support for state 1^st Vice Presidents or EEC representatives at the 2017 Regional Conferences.  If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time!

The regional conferences are living models of how to implement Educational Excellence and how to equip women to impact education and educators worldwide.  Each conference provides information about programs, projects, and possibilities for personal and professional development.  In addition, Society business, mission, and purpose are embedded in the conference to inform and excite the hearts and minds of women in attendance. 

In addition, we have a chance to develop global awareness and understand the DKG/UN relationship.   You’ll learn how best to collaborate with education, government and social agencies to promote positive change in world literacy, cultural and social issues.

The state officer training targets the core values of our mission and vision.  The training reviews roles and responsibilities of DKG leaders, how to plan strategically to implement programs, and what resources are available to support leaders.  Participants will also gain a better understanding of the structures and relationships within the organization.

The regional conferences provide networks to build a common understanding with women who are new to their position and who need both support and resources.  We also connect with women whose long-term experiences provide a depth of understanding about how history has influenced and informed our next steps.

We will leave the conference with a renewed understanding of the impact of DKG, a conviction about the power of women joined by a common mission, and the tools needed to energize our membership using EEC goals.

Do you have a regional conference experience to share or a question to ask?  If so, please post.

Resources for Member Engagement!

Are you looking for new ideas to engage both your recent and long-standing members?  Be watching for new resources from the International Membership Committee coming soon to the Resources tab on the DKG website! These resources are password protected so you will need to sign into the website to view them.You will find suggestions on ways chapters can revitalize and empower their membership. While you are there, don’t forget to consider using the new membership recruiting plan if you haven’t done so already.

Many chapters have found them to be very successful.

State organization membership chairs will learn about these resources at their regional pre-conference training sessions. Members attending regional conferences can learn about membership resources at the breakout session: Tools & Tips for a Vibrant Chapter Membership.