Mentoring an In-coming Chapter President

It’s the time of year that chapters are selecting new leaders for the next biennium.  Unfortunately, this task is harder and harder.  Members are reluctant to step into the roles of chapter officers, especially that of president. 

What if the in-coming president is assured of assistance in the form of a mentor?  With a mentor to provide guidance, reluctance may take a back seat. 

The logical mentor may be the immediate past chapter president, but that does not always have to be the case.  Any of the past chapter presidents can fill that role.  Past chapter presidents have experience and insights necessary to share with the new president. 

With prior planning, the chapter can ensure that this transition is smooth and less stressful.  An arrangement can already be in place that guarantees mentorship of a new chapter president.  Many resources are available for chapter presidents, and those can be daunting at first glance.  A mentor can take the time to study those with an in-coming chapter president and offer advice.  Among those resources are the International Constitution and International Standing Rules, The Handbook of The DKG Society International, and a Leadership Calendar, all of which are found on the DKG website.  Additionally, chapter rules need to be examined. 

The relationship between the mentor and in-coming chapter president needs to be on-going and intentional.  For success to occur, time needs to be allocated and devoted to the needs identified through each meeting.  These meetings can occur in a variety of settings and manners.  Face-to-face, while often the most desired, can also occur via a virtual platform such as Zoom, Facetime or Google Meet.  Scheduled check-ins could include emails, texts, or phone calls.  The chapter president should also feel comfortable contacting her mentor at any time with questions. 

The importance of working as a team is fostered with the mentor and in-coming chapter president relationship.  The in-coming leadership team can also be included in some of the beginning meetings that set the stage for the new biennium.  

As a mentor, past chapter presidents provide the following skills to an in-coming chapter president and her leadership team. 

-          Exhibit characteristics of a positive role model.

-          Provide guidance as well as constructive feedback.

-          Build mutual respect and trust.

-          Share skills, knowledge, and expertise.

-          Demonstrate commitment.

In turn, the in-coming leadership team can develop and expand their leadership skills for their own benefit and that of their chapter. 

Now is the time to look at your chapter and what is in place to nurture and support your in-coming chapter leaders, and most especially your chapter president.  If you do not have a mentor program in place, consider developing a plan now.  This may be the answer to the reluctance of members to take on leadership roles. 

Soon we will be offering congratulations to our new chapter officers.  Success is only a plan away. 

International Speakers Fund: Creating Friendships Across Borders

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international organization with members in 17 countries. How can you make connections with DKG members from other countries? The DKGIEF International Speakers Fund (ISF) provides virtual or in-person speakers for state organization conventions, conferences, or meetings.

Hosting an ISF speaker allows members to meet an international member face-to-face. Members can participate in discussions about another country's culture, customs, and educational systems. They learn from the speaker's perspective about global issues and leadership while fostering diversity and collaboration within the Society. ISF speakers provide members with new learning opportunities to share with others, fulfilling the Society's mission to unite women educators worldwide.

State organizations may request an ISF speaker by May 1 and November 1 annually by emailing a request for an ISF Speaker form to Society Headquarters by May 1 or November 1. The ISF Committee will assign speakers to state organizations and notify the selected speakers. 

The DKGIEF International Speakers Fund, one of nine funds administered by the Foundation, is supported by member donations. Your contributions to the International Speakers Fund cover the speakers' travel expenses to face-to-face state organization events. Contributions can be made on the DKGIEF webpage. Go to the International Speakers Fund page or the DKGIEF Donate page for various donation options.

Hosting an ISF speaker is an amazing opportunity for DKG members to meet a new friend and colleague while promoting cultural understanding and building worldwide connections. 

You Can Make Art Out of What??

Heidi Ragsdale-Colorado

After visiting local art galleries over the past few months, it is inspiring to see how creative artists craft their creations.

Here are some of the materials used by local artists.

Project #1

1. Aluminum Foil
2. Fishing Line
3. Green Glitter, 2 brown buttons and white paint
4. Cardboard pieces.
5. Some sort of adhesive.

Project #2

1. An old rusty license plate, folded in half
2. A small rubber duck sliced on the bottom
3. A child’s favorite poem
4. Some silver paint
5. Two small dog stickers.

Project #3

1. Wooden chair cut in half vertically
2. Faded green clothes-line weaved through the back slats of the half chair
3. Blue paint
4. Glue gun and glue stick
5. An old paint stick with various colors
6. 3 small painted terra cotta vases

And what did each of these artists make?

1.  A glittery fish hanging from the fish line installation connecting to the ceiling.
2. A book rack for a child’s favorite flip book collection
3. A plant stand for one’s porch.  

What did all these projects have in common?. . . . Reusable items and artistic creativity and innovation.

At times when chatting with others we may hear, “But I am not an artist”, or “I am not creative,” when somehow that person really is intrigued by art.  When one is visually enthralled by viewing local or regional art, there’s a little moment of, “Ooooo, I could create something like that!!”  These types of art pieces inspire others from within.

Three-dimensional art supplies can be found right in your own home.  Perhaps look for adhesives in your utility drawer; find materials in your recycle bin; take apart an old shirt and turn it into your new shopping bag and add a painted rose; find old magazines and build a collage that brings joy to you and others. Write a poem about your art, snap a photo or design a complimentary piece to enhance your art. The creativity of the arts and humanities is limitless when one goes from: “I am not an artist” to “I want to make something like that!” 

Click on the link below If you are interested in submitting your two photos of your own 3D multimedia art, or other Arts and Humanities submissions.

https://shorturl.at/bjHT2

Spring/Fall Art Gallery submissions are open Jan 15 - Feb 15 & Aug 15 - Sept 15.

Submit your art for the 2024 International Convention Member Art Gallery here by April 15.

Empower Global Education: Join the World Fellowship Committee!

Consider submitting your name to serve on the World Fellowship Committee next biennium! Become an advocate for enabling women from other countries to study in the USA and Canada to broaden their horizons and make the world a better place.

Did you know that the number of awarded World Fellowships recipients is determined by the individual and chapter giving the year before?

Members of The DKG International World Fellowship Committee have an opportunity to select recipients each year. Applications are submitted through the Fulbright Commission/ Foundations of the United States Embassy and then submitted to International.

One of the staff members at Headquarters has a tremendous task of gathering all the documentation from WF applicants and then distributing it to the five committee members. We are divided into two groups for reading the lengthy documents and scoring them on a rubric.  If you have ever served on a scholarship or grants committee you understand the time commitment required.

If there is a discrepancy in the scores the chair reads and scores those applications. The applications are ranked by the combined scores. A highlight of serving is meeting and working with other DKG members of the committee. Members meet to discuss the applications and determine the actual recipients. International staff contact the recipients and Universities to make sure they are enrolled before the list is released to our membership. 

One of the highlights has been writing articles and blogs to encourage chapters to promote this international initiative. While attending the International Conference in Phoenix spending time with our committee members was great fun. I have enjoyed sending cards and emails to welcome them to studying in the USA or Canada. One thing I have learned is a year passes very quickly so reaching out early enables better communication with our recipients. The committee has engaged in a Zoom meeting with available recipients to hear firsthand the experiences they have encountered.

As a member of the World Fellowship Committee, I recommend chapters engage in reaching out to WF recipients with cards of encouragement. Review the recipient list and see if they are studying in your state and invite them to your chapter meeting.

This year I have invited one of the recipients I have been communicating with to my chapter virtual meeting. Think outside the box on how your chapter can donate and encourage World Fellowship Recipients.  We encourage you to consider submitting your name to serve on this important international DKG committee.

Connie Savell, Delta Tau Chapter, North Carolina
World Fellowship Committee Member

---

Announcing the Bursting the Bubble Campaign

What does this bubble graphic represent?

Why should DKG members have a thorough knowledge of this graphic?

How can this knowledge impact the future of DKG?

The ‘Bursting the Bubble’ campaign is a multi-month marketing campaign designed to showcase opportunities through DKG. Each circle (bubble) in the graphic represents an opportunity or benefit of membership in the Society. The campaign will take a deep dive into each bubble and will include multimedia resources for marketing DKG within and beyond the Society.

Watch for the first “bursting the bubble” feature on or about March 1 and then twice a month to follow as the campaign intentionally bursts the bubbles of opportunities through DKG.