DKG Visual Arts Gallery Blog: Artist’s Spotlight

 An Open Artists’ Discussion on Creation, Technique & Opportunity

Jan Wilson- DKG New Jersey

Moulin Rouge- Jan Wilson                     Door: Washington Irving’s Home                   

Briefly, tell me a little bit about yourself as an educator and as an artist? 

Art has always been my passion. As an educator I have always used the arts and especially visual art as a vehicle to promote original thought, to provide students with opportunity for personal expression, as a way to educate about where we’ve been, who we are as individuals and members of groups and where we are going.

As an artist, where do you find your inspiration? Do you search for a particular subject or scene or just have the camera ready as a digital notebook?

The camera on my iPhone is always ready.  For the last ten or so years, I have been most interested in capturing a moment in time.  A bird raising a wing to take flight, the way light hits a window or a door or changing something we pass by into something extraordinary. That was the case of a painting of the marquise of the Moulin Rouge or a window in the home of Washington Irving.

When you start framing your subject, is there a process that goes through your mind?  As an example, your digital painting...and the one that comes to my mind is 'Moulin Rouge in Paris' also featured in The Collegial Exchange.  How many photographs did you shoot and what kind of notes did you take before you settled on one?

Most often it is only one or two shots of an image. Once I get home to my desktop computer and large screen, I move the image around, enlarge, enlarge, enlarge and usually then paint only a piece of the original image. Sometimes the enlargement really surprises me and I end up seeing something that the camera caught that I missed when looking directly at the image itself.

Your other entry, ‘Window of The Home of Washington Irving’.  Does this creative style transcend into your other pieces in sculpture and traditional painting?

I abandoned sculpture quite a while ago because it became cost prohibitive. Once I started painting on the computer, I stopped traditional painting all together. Painting digitally, if I don’t like something, perhaps a color or brushstroke I just correct or delete and move on. Technology has become so sophisticated that I can print very large images without any loss of detail or clarity.

What digital program did you use to create these and what are you currently using?

Hmmm, there are so many programs by companies such as Adobe and Corel and so many more. I use multiple programs and work back and forth among them. It is best to do a search to determine what will work for you. Some of the programs have a steep learning curve.

What is the difference between digital painting & just applying a filter to alter an image?

It is true that there are apps that with one stroke manipulate a photo into a painted style and there are programs that will do similar things by selecting an “auto” mode.  There is much more to digital painting!  Using a stylus and drawing tablet attached to your computer, the stylus becomes your blank sheet. Technology has become very sophisticated. You can purchase brushes that approximate physical brushes. You can adjust the number of bristles on the brush, the amount of paint that the brush holds, the opacity of the color being applied.

Digital painting allows you to create editions. There are professional printing companies that provide opportunities to have your work printed on high quality art papers, glass, metal, fabric and much more.

You can build layers on the computer much the same way you layer paint on paper or canvas. For me, the beauty is that if I place a stroke on the tablet or screen and don’t like it, I hit delete and move on.

Do you have any tips for other artists’ looking to expand their repertoire?

If you are thinking of beginning to paint digitally, before you do, look at some YouTube videos to see what is involved. There are great tutorials, information on technology such as digital paint programs, drawing tablets, pens and digital brushes.

Have you entered your work in other competitions?

I was looking at gallery opportunities when the pandemic hit and that ended that. I have recently moved to South Carolina. The town where I live has a vibrant art community and I plan on exhibiting as opportunities open.

    Jan Wilson

DKG: Leaders Empowering Leaders Program

DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders takeaway sessions were well attended at both the Portland and the San Antonio Conferences with full rooms of interested members attending each. Interest in the seminar came from some who have attended, some who are part of the 2022 class, and many who were interested in attending in the future.

The attendees selected for the 2020 DKG Ignite will finally get to Austin for their program in the summer of 2022. The delays have been because of the pandemic. The next class will be applying to attend in 2024.

In Portland, committee members Lisa Olson and Carmen Wendt emphasized that the radical changes in the field of leadership are addressed in DKG Ignite. Although it is fewer days than in the past, the seminar is strongly focused and structured to be engaging and challenging.

In San Antonio, Strategic Outreach Director Phyllis Hickey shared the role the seminar plays in building connections among leaders in the Society. She also discussed the changes made to the application process, which now includes a video from the applicant. All presenters agreed that participants strengthen the Society by using the skills they learn as well as by sharing their knowledge with others in their state organizations.

Although the name and parameters of the program have changed from the original Golden Gift Leadership Management Seminar, the focus and purpose have remained the same. The intensive leadership/management development that DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders attendees receive through the McCombs School of Business builds leaders at all levels of the Society. 

Bang #13 Boon-Chapman and Bang #14 AIM

Throughout the first 12 “More Bang For Your Buck$” we have looked at the building, staff, volunteers, and the nine funds of the DKG International Educators Foundation. We are now going to change our focus to looking at member benefits, discounts, and royalties to the society.

Bang #13 Boon-Chapman and Bang #14 AIM

How many times have you asked yourself, “Do I have enough insurance?” or “Should I update the insurance I have?”

Working with the Society since 1969, Boon-Chapman administers several programs underwritten by top-notch insurance companies. As a DKG member, you can choose from the following plans, offered to you at group rates:

• Cancer Insurance Plan
• Hospital Plus Plan
• Surgical Assistance Plan
• Excess Major Medical Plan
• Travel Accident Plan
• Accidental Death/Dismemberment Policy
• International Travel Insurance

To contact Boon-Chapman for more information call 1-800-252-9653, ext. 7126

“Bang” #14 involves protecting your reputation. AIM (Association Insurance Management, Inc.) offers a way to protect yourself and your reputation with a uniquely designed professional liability policy that meets the specific needs of educators. AIM and DKG have developed a policy that meets those needs for only $55 a year.

AIM offers other financially sound insurance solutions. Just like a business, you and your chapter are exposed to certain risks. Some are obvious, like a trip and fall, most however are unforeseen and can put a member or chapter at serious financial risk. Protect members and the chapter with a comprehensive insurance program. An insurance program should include:

• General Liability
• Accident Medical Insurance
• Directors and Officers Liability
• Bonding Insurance
• Property Insurance

Association Insurance Management (AIM) offers competitive group rates for a chapter’s individual needs. For more information on any of these insurance options, contact AIM at 1-800-876-4044. 

 

Better Safe than Sorry! - Part Two - Fair Use

The Copyright Act gives copyright holders the exclusive right to reproduce works for a limited time period. Fair use is a limitation on this right. Fair use allows people other than the copyright owner to copy part or, in some circumstances, all of a copyrighted work, even where the copyright holder has not given permission or objects. *This information is not legal advice. Always consult the guidelines within your country before proceeding.

Consider Four "Fair Use" Factors when deciding your next step:

1.      The purpose and character of the use

2.      The nature of the copyrighted work

3.      The amount of the portion used

4.      The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

A resource:

https://musc.libguides.com/copyright/fairuse

Have any advice for fellow educators concerning "Fair Use" standards?

 

What is EEC?

This blog was written by a state organization EEC chair after she participated in the EEC training in Atlanta. It’s a great synopsis of some of the work of the EEC.

What is EEC?

EEC stands for Educational Excellence Committee. Most of us know that this committee recognizes excellent projects, programs and/or classroom teaching. But did you know that this committee is also responsible for promoting other aspects of DKG?

EEC is the driving force in the Schools for Africa Program. This program is DKG’s first international project and is done in collaboration with UNICEF. Our financial donations have helped in the following ways:

• Foster community participation in school management
• Build and improve classroom buildings and equipment
• Create safe and protective environments where children can learn and play (CFS, Child-Friendly School programs)
• Provide access to clean water and separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls in schools
• Supply exercise books, pens, proper furniture and other school and sports materials
• Train teachers to provide children with quality education and basic life skills
• Educate children about proper hygiene and HIV prevention: this knowledge is passed on to siblings, parents, and the community at large
• Provide other interventions, including but not limited to health check-ups, immunization and scholarships
• Insure a stimulating start in life to children below age five

Another aspect of the EEC is promoting the work of the UN/CTAUN. This committee needs to communicate the resources available through the website associated with this. There are FREE lesson plans available!!

EEC also promotes the Arts. This doesn’t have to be formal submissions to international – but recognizing and promoting any artistic endeavor of your members. Do you have a crafter? Someone who sews? A knitter?

EEC encourages members to support early career educators through the Support for Early Career Educators Program (SEE) and also promotes programs which have a global focus.

Last but not least – EEC is the forum for keeping members up to date on legislative topics – both local and national – that affect women, children and especially teachers.

EEC is an all-encompassing committee – and requires a lot of COMMUNICATION. Check out the international website – there is a plethora of information that can be communicated to your members – both active and retired!! 

 

The 2021 International Conferences

The International World Fellowship Committee (IWFC) made the decision to present a “Fast Break” or “Takeaway” at the conferences.  We were encouraged by the number of those who attended and were genuinely interested in learning more about World Fellowship. We discussed that all the awards are given based on donations that are given through individual, chapter, and corporate donations   We included our goals for the biennium with emphasis on increased communication.   We also presented the process that a recipient goes through, the process that is taken before the IWFC receives the applications, the process the committee goes through to award the recipients, and what chapters can do to help these outstanding ladies as they are educated in Canada and the United States.  We encouraged state organizations to include WF information in their newsletters to educate their members which should increase funds to help DKG make this world a better place through the efforts of women. 

Artist Spotlight…Linda S. Paslov, Ed.D.

    Tell us about the motivation for this piece, "Teaching Is..."

In my long career in education at both the PK-12 and higher education arenas, I have met and/or worked with teachers who have dedicated much time and energy to educate very diverse populations of learners. Regardless of the grade level, subject area, or students in front of them, however, they all share some universal experiences. They embrace a teacher’s lifestyle, where their students come first, and their bankbooks display the consequences. They consider their work as a calling that they cannot deny, requiring a constant acquisition of new knowledge. They view their roles as a service that warrants experimentation to supplement their toolkits. They exude a passion which, in turn, leads to student success and, ultimately, their own happiness. Their talent for teaching, while inherent, necessitates coaching which they will later pay forward. Finally, teachers unite with others to better the profession as a whole.

What plays an important part in your artistic writing process?  

It is important that I feel a real connection to the subject of my poem to begin the writing process. It must be meaningful to me. Once I have a topic (and, in the case of contests, being provided with a theme is really helpful), I begin to think about the meter that I will utilize, as well as which rhyme scheme I will incorporate. (I am a slave to rhyme and meter!) Finally, I allow the first few lines I write to dictate the structure of the stanzas. Throughout, alliteration, repetition, and other literary devices in poetry are incorporated to assist in the general musicality of my poems.

Do you write exclusively poetry or is there any other form of writing you do as well?  

Great question! I enjoy writing poetry, and several have been included in the Fine Arts Gallery. I have additionally won two national prizes through the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American Heritage Contest competitions. However, I also have written and published two articles which have been featured in the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin Collegial Exchange, and another was included in Northeaster Regional Research Association (NERA) Conference Proceedings. I actually contributed a book chapter on curriculum two years ago (a Beta Chapter member was the lead writer/editor of this textbook), and included a poem called “Ode to Curriculum” in it! I also wrote a doctoral dissertation 15 years ago, which was a labor of love. Finally, I composed my first real song three years ago, which earned a 2^nd place award in the DAR American Heritage Contest. I love to write—and was told years ago that these four words were instrumental in earning me my first job as an administrator!

What is the best piece of artistic advice you’ve been given? 

While I cannot recall who provided it, the advice was to practice your craft daily, even if it is only for a few minutes. For example, while I may not be actively engaged in writing a poem or article some days, I will still jot down a few words that sound interesting or pleasing to me, or even some ideas for a future poem. I advise aspiring writers to always keep a notebook, smart phone, computer, or even sticky notes nearby to keep track of these words, phrases, and ideas, as inspiration frequently strikes at unusual times. (I stock packs of stickies on my nightstand, along with a pen as, quite often, my brain works on poems even while I am asleep!) This advice makes so much sense to me. The performing arts require daily practice, so why not the fine arts? When you think about it, whose right side of the brain cannot benefit from a bit of daily stretching?

What does the value of the Creative Arts in Education mean to you?

I see the creative arts as a means of communication through which many students experience great success, even those who may not perform at the same level as their peers academically or through athletics. Every year that I was a math teacher, whether I was teaching 7^th grade math or high school trigonometry, I assigned my students a project: create something that demonstrates how math is used in your hobby, future vocation, or something that you find interesting. I was truly amazed at the results, every single time. Whether my students drew an athletic field, designed and then sewed a patchwork skirt (by hand!), played an instrument, created an optical illusion, discussed the scoring in various sports or games, handcrafted a dodecahedron out of wood, created a perspective drawing—the list goes on and on—they were able to identify all the math that was necessary in completing the assignment. The creative arts, then, provide students a tool through which they may truly demonstrate an application of knowledge or even create something new—the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy—which is the fundamental goal of educating, isn’t it?

Is there one more thing you’d like us to know?

Yes! I really enjoy a variety of arts, not just writing. I have drawn our family holiday card for the past 33 years, sung soprano in two choirs (the Mendelssohn Choir of CT and the Stratford Sister Cities Chorus), played clarinet in two community bands, served as costume mistress for a high school theater arts program, designed and built sets for several marching band competitions (including a castle with a working drawbridge), stitched clothing and home décor on commission, crafted wooden and soft sculpture dolls, baked innumerable desserts, and sketched cartoons and portraits. Last year, I actually designed and sewed flight suits for my university’s charming robotic monkey named HAM (High Altitude Monkey), who makes flights in a foam capsule. (Note: The engineering department professor who mentored the students who were engaged in this grant-supported project is also a member of my Beta Chapter.)

  

Mother of three adult daughters (two of whom are DKG members), and grandmother to Abby, who is 3 years old. My dog, Schroeder, and rabbit, Javier, complete her family.

Linda has been the president of Beta Chapter in Connecticut for the past three years, and served as Education Excellence Chair for six years prior to this role. She is currently serving as Connecticut’s Fine Arts Chair.

Over the past 44 years, she has been an educator in multiple capacities and settings, teaching and leading in roles such as: a middle and high school math and reading teacher in an urban school district; a high school assistant principal and middle school principal in a suburban town; a district-wide director of curriculum, instruction, and assessments; an assistant professor of educational leadership; a director of a university’s school of education; and now a part-time director of an agriscience program. She embraces change and feels fortunate to have been able to reinvent herself many times in six different decades.

Special thanks to Beta Sister, Dr. Linda Paslov, for her expertise and enthusiasm for the creative arts and literary works.  Her enthusiasm is contagious just in sharing her spotlight with DKG members internationally.  Keep the conversation going on the Art Gallery blog with your comments or contributions.

The Fall 2021 Gallery Submission process will be opening from August 15th to September 15th, 2021.  We encourage you to get inspired and to share your talents with us!

Keys to a Successful Virtual Presentation

 Keys to a Successful Virtual Presentation

Key #1: Preparing Your Virtual Presentation

Prior to your presentation:

1) Taking the time to plan and implementing your ideas in an orderly, presentable manner is particularly important. Once you have your topic and the plans for your presentation, the next steps will help you prepare to perform like a pro!

2) Netiquette: With new media platforms and social communication networks, a whole other language has been introduced to users. Netiquette includes the etiquette of a virtual presentation, correct way of using the internet and providing a presentation that is polished and professional.

3) Prepare your Zoom or platform settings ahead of time. Some changes can be made while you are giving the presentation but settings such as “break out rooms” or “polls” cannot be added once your zoom has begun. Make all the necessary selections in your platform settings including setting up your chat to avoid problems.

4) Co-Host or Moderator: Muting and Unmuting can be quite messy but it is easy if prior to the presentation controls are given to a co-host or moderator to mute participants, moderate the chat, keep track of time, and facilitate questions/discussions.

For your presentation:

1) Find a private place to present.

2) Open up before you go onscreen – Stand –Stretch- Breathe- Energize yourself and make exercises to your lips to get the best articulation.

3) Clear your desktop. We often leave many open documents on computer screen and when we start sharing our PowerPoint or any other document connected with this presentation, you may become confused to find the right document.

Also, share your screen and not your desktop. Most desktops contain private files and images. Keep these items protected by having your “to be shared items” open and ready to load into through the screen share button on Zoom.

4) Set your camera to your eye level. You can build a block from books or just use a shoebox to lift your laptop to the right height.

5) Check the light. Never sit with your window behind you! Your face cannot be seen. In case there is too much sunlight, use a blind at your window. You may switch on a small table lamp which balances the light well.

6) Use a natural background but hide chaos. Do not use artificial background images which may change the shape of your head.

7) Dress for success but avoid too much jewelry to distract the audience.

8) Have a back-up plan. (Eg: access to the material in your email in case sharing the document on the screen does not work.)

9) Stick a note on your computer screen that says, “LOOK HERE.” Your eyes may start wandering around if you become very enthusiastic expressing your ideas.

10) Record your presentation for reviewing and for enhancement or do a demo with a friend, DKG member, or family member on the platform you are using.

Key #2: Engage, Involve, Captivate

1) Set yourself up for success. You have rehearsed your presentation – so no worries, stay confident and self-assured, concentrate on the core message.

2) Have a chat while you are waiting for others to sign on. Europeans do not like small talk, but they are eager to ask questions! Why not?

3) Have participants or co-host/moderator mute audio when you start speaking. It avoids technical problems.

4) Show your passion and connect to your audience, guide your ideas from your heart to the listeners’ hearts.

5) Smile and make eye contact with your audience. Know your audience – they trust you to be the expert.

6) Reel the listeners in – engage your audience – start with a short story (I compare baking a cake and a virtual presentation starting with the idiom “Virtual presentation is a piece of cake when the cake is well prepared!”)

7) Do not lecture! The audience tunes out after 10 minutes to a passive mode, hopefully not falling asleep. Use pauses and modified voice tones to keep your audience engaged.

8) Occasionally check how the audience is reacting to your words or if there is anybody out there by asking questions and having them respond in the chat or in the session space. Give a time limit before asking for responses to questions.

9) If possible, insert attractive visuals which make information much easier to retain than plain text. Use your own photos, avoiding violating copyright.

10) Reminder: Request a moderator to keep track of the “chat” – the moderator must be a co-host. It is difficult for the presenter to follow the comments on chat when speaking.

Timing: Now that you have your presentation ready, you need to make Time your friend.

1) Request a moderator and a timekeeper prior to the presentation and agree on how she gives you a sign that the time is ending.

2) Watch the clock yourself, if possible – start on time and end promptly (or a bit earlier). Keeping track of time can be a challenge for the speaker.

3) Bear in mind the time zones in DKG when planning the presentation – be aware of the time of the audience. If you are hosting the Zoom session, be sure to send them the time for their zone. (Eg, if you plan a presentation in the USA in the afternoon, it is midnight in Europe.)

4) Practice makes you also the master of your timing. With your first practice you may be too quick or you stumble too often. The more you practice, the more natural you become, and you also master the timing. Be sure to cover the important points and still allow time for questions/discussion.

Key #3: Expect the Unexpected!

1) The first thing to tell yourself when the unexpected glitch happens, “Don’t panic! I can do this.”

2) Do not try to fix the technology while you are presenting. It is good to have someone helping who might be able to address the problem while you are speaking. It is important to connect with the audience. They are still right in front of you, so don’t think of them as being miles away.

3) Remember: You planned for success, didn’t you?

Be proactive.

Be flexible.

Practice makes perfect.

4) Practice so you can give your presentation without your slides.

Print out slides or have an outline of your presentation available.

5) And the last hint: if you plan to record the presentation, do not forget to push the button, and stop the recording when the presentation is over.

Key #4 Tech Tips – Keys to Successful Zooming

1) Know the technology platforms you will be using. The two most popular ones are Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

2) It is important to have good lighting and a good web cam. Test the technology before your session so you know it is working.

3) Avoid Distractions. Try to find as private a space as possible and you might want to let family members know you are on Zoom and perhaps, they could refrain from streaming videos as those use up bandwidth.

4) Your space tells a story. Some presenters choose a virtual background instead of their home or office. These backgrounds can interfere with bandwidth. Bring your audience into a real, live space.

5) Remember you need permission before recording presentations. If you are the presenter, please inform your host if you do not want to be recorded. And inform your audience if you are recording.

6) One way of practicing your presentation is to sign into Zoom and record yourself presenting which helps you get your timing down and to make any necessary changes.

7) The Most Important Tip is to Have Fun! Enjoy the time with your virtual audience as you share your culture. All you are lacking are the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of being there in person.

DKG members have many opportunities to speak in person and, now, virtually – including becoming an International Speakers Fund speaker. Being an ISF Speaker gives you an opportunity to learn about other cultures and education systems and to share your educational experiences, expertise, and culture of your country.

 

Consider Being an ISF Speaker!

“Every DKG member holds a story, a lesson learned, important research or information. You don’t need to be a professional speaker! Just be your knowledgeable self and share your passion while bringing a new international experience to state organizations.” Dianea Phillips, Quebec, ISF Speaker 2019-2021.

At the July 2021 ISF conference presentations, DKG members asked what topics state organizations are looking for when selecting a speaker. During the discussion, international speakers’ topics suggested were:

- Specific area of interest – less broad/general topics

- Include additional topics you are willing to present

- Current hot topics

- Illustrate how teachers have been creative during the pandemic

- Ask current teachers about their interests

- Present your passion(s)

- Research conducted during the pandemic: mental health/wellness; working remotely; balancing “bad news” with successful solutions during the pandemic and beyond.

The International Speakers Fund is financed by members’ donations to the DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF) – specifying the International Speakers Fund. Thank you to those who have supported ISF in the past and if you haven’t yet, we would like you to consider contributing to ISF in the future.

The ISF Committee hopes you will consider hosting or being an ISF speaker in 2021! We are here to ensure your journey as an ISF speaker is a rewarding one. Whether you present virtually or in-person, we hope your memories of your travels to another country will be memorable and long-lasting.

 

Pet Insurance: One More Perk of DKG Membership

DKG members who have furry or purry family members can take advantage of a special benefit to protect their pets. As a DKG member, you can save on a pet insurance policy through the VPI Pet Insurance program. Coverage for dogs, cats, birds, and even exotic pets is offered through this nationwide company. Get a quote online or call 1-877-738-7874 and let them know you are a member of DKG. You will be able to claim a 5% discount.

A variety of plans are available with different areas of coverage, different deductible levels, and different reimbursement rates. Select coverage based on your needs. Different options include major medical with wellness, major medical, and whole pet. These policies all cover things like accidents and illnesses, cancer, and some hereditary conditions. They also provide a 24/7 vet helpline and allow you to use any vet you choose. Other services such as wellness exams, vaccinations, and labs can also be covered based on the plan you select.

Pets are members of our families, and we all want to take good care of them. If you have considered insuring your pets, check out the VPI Pet Insurance program and enjoy savings as a DKG member. Information and links are on the website at www.dkg.org > About Us > How to Become a Member > Insurance Benefits listing.

Fundraising Ideas and World Fellowship

By Eileen Little on behalf of the International World Fellowship Committee 

 

This list of new and creative ways to raise money for World Fellowship supplements information in the July/August 2021 DKG NEWS about how to find the list of World Fellowship recipients and connect with these wonderful women. Whatever you choose to do to raise money to donate to World Fellowship would be appreciated! The efforts of one person can’t move mountains. It is the strength of all working together that makes a change. 

 

Sales

• Holiday wreaths/flowers/plants
• Foods: Baked goods, nuts, candy, fruit
• Yard/garage sales or trunk/car boot sales
• Homemade items/crafts
• Old jewelry
• DKG Society items
• Tickets for a 50/50 drawing
• Tickets for a painting or quilt or other work of art
• Tickets to win a week at a time share, beach house, mountain house

Events

• Basket auction – each basket has a theme and the items in the basket relate to that theme
• Silent auction – items donated by members/community
• Book auction – bag/baskets with books for adults/ children or around a specific genre of books
• Hosted and served holiday meal
• Chicken BBQ
• Hosted and served tea
• Game night – bingo, trivia, cards
• Lunch or dinner with an inspiring speaker
• Day trip – flower show, dinner theater, concert, sightseeing, sporting event

Bang #12 Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund

Have you ever wondered how DKG can offer exceptional speakers at international events? Funding for these speakers is generated in large part through the generosity of the Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund, operating under the umbrella of your DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF). Here’s how it works… 

 

The ETHL Fund champions the Foundation’s mission to support effective educational projects, educational and charitable activities of DKG, and professional growth of educators worldwide. However, as Janice Moen, 2020-2022 Chair of the Holden Committee notes, the fund has not always been fully understood by members:

 

“Delta Kappa Gamma accepts its members as they are, with all their potential, and provides opportunities to help all learn and grow, not only as educators but also as leaders. The ETHL Fund is instrumental in making this happen.”  

 

Income from the ETHL Fund, the only DKG fund named for a member, goes toward speaker fees at international events and Society leadership training.

 

The ETHL Fund enriches the lives of members by providing world-class speakers at international events. In accordance with Mrs. Holden’s will, DKG leaders in charge of staging international meetings actively seek outstanding non-member speakers to make presentations on relevant educational topics and concerns at conferences/conventions. The Holden Fund Committee determines the amount to provide toward speaker fees for these presentations. Last summer Olympia LePoint was the ETHL Fund speaker for the 2020 DKG International Convention. This summer, Leigh Wintz, CAE (Portland) and Wendy Gates Corbett (San Antonio) are our ETHL Fund speakers.

 

Beyond assisting with speaker fees, this fund also underwrites such leadership opportunities as parliamentary training, transition sessions for the incoming international president, orientation sessions for newly elected state organization officers and Administrative Board members, as well as other leadership focused international events. Donations to this fund empower members!

Follow this link to donate to the ETHL Fund or any of the other eight funds under DKGIEF.