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. 

Scholarships - Transforming Lives One Member at a Time

Is pursuing an advanced degree worth the investment of time, money, and effort? If your answer is “yes,” the Delta Kappa Gamma International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF) is here to help. Each year, the Foundation awards as many as 31 scholarships to members pursuing advanced degrees. The DKGIEF Scholarship Committee awards $10,000 to qualifying members pursuing a doctorate degree and $6,000 to qualifying members pursuing an advanced degree.

An advanced degree can transform your personal and professional life. Graduate students learn to think deeply, ask questions, become problem solvers, and gain self-confidence. You develop a strong network of professional relationships that may bring new career opportunities. As an educator, your transformation will affect how you interact with your students and the lessons you teach. Much like toppling dominos, this leads to changes in the school, the community, and the world.

The 2024 International Scholarship Application is available online. The application is relevant and user-friendly for all DKG member countries. Begin your application now!

●     Sign in on the DKG website

●     Select My DKG → Apply/Submit

●     Scroll down to Scholarship Application

●     Review the applicant requirements

●     Complete and submit the application and required supporting documents

The next scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2024.

Scholarships are awarded from the DKGIEF Scholarship Fund, which is solely supported by member donations and bequests. Contributions can be made on the DKGIEF webpage. Go to Scholarship - Donate or the DKGIEF Donate page for various donation options.

The Society has awarded over 5.5 million dollars to 1,194 members since 1940. With your help, DKGIEF scholarships will continue to support women educators and transform the lives of our members!

DKGIEF: Golden Gift Fund

Gold brings to mind a precious commodity that describes the invaluable benefit of the Golden Gift Fund. Financing from the Golden Gift Fund provides members with a relevant and modern leadership management seminar.

This fund, established to celebrate the Society’s Golden Anniversary, started with a generous gift from the late Dr. Eula Lee Carter (Texas.) In 1974, DKG challenged every member to contribute one dollar per year for the five years leading up to the 1979 Golden Anniversary to provide funds for leadership development. Graduates from the leadership seminars include:

• Fifteen (15) international presidents

• Many state organization presidents

• Other state and chapter leaders

Originally named the Leadership/Management Seminar (LMS) funded by the Golden Gift Fund, the seminar was revised during the 2018-2020 biennium and renamed DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders program. Since 1980, about 954 members have attended the seminars and/or received a special stipend financed by the Golden Gift Fund.

DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders is offered in even-numbered years and is open to any DKG member. A diverse group of participants is selected to represent all regions of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Selected members attend an intensive one-week seminar on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin. The McCombs School of Business staff works in coordination with DKG to provide a seminar focused on leadership and management development.

Would you like to hear more from the DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders class of 2022 graduates? Check out their podcast “DKG IGNITE: Igniting Your Passion.”

Consider applying to participate in the next DKG Ignite session. Sign in on the DKG website. Select My DKG → Apply/Submit → scroll down to DKG Ignite Application. The next application deadline is December 1, 2023. 

The leadership seminars are dependent on the Golden Gift Fund, which is solely supported by member donations. Contributions can be made on the DKGIEF webpage. Go to Golden Gift Fund - Donate or the DKGIEF Donate page for various options to make a donation.

DKGIEF: Cornetet Individual Professional Development Award

The Lucile Cornetet Individual Professional Development Award provides funds for professional development. Applications are accepted twice each year. Read more about the history of the Cornetet Award on the DKGIEF web page.

Things to Know About the Cornetet Individual Professional Development Award (CIPD):

1. CIPD awards are available for any employed educator, DKG member or non-member.
2. CIPD awards give individual educators the opportunity to participate in professional development activities through approved professional development providers such as colleges, universities, and professional organizations other than The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
3. CIPD awards are available to fund attendance at conferences, seminars, lecture series, online courses, workshops, and other non-degree programs.
4. CIPD awards may fund travel, lodging, meals, pay for substitutes, registration fees, etc.
5. CIPD applications are submitted electronically on or before May 1 for activities occurring between July-December.
6. CIPD applications are submitted electronically on or before November 1 for activities occurring between January-June.
7. CIPD professional development must occur after the funds are awarded.

Are you currently working as an educator? Consider applying for a Cornetet Award today. The next application deadline is November 1, 2023.

Are you interested in donating to the Cornetet Fund? Go to Cornetet Fund - Donate or to the the DKGIEF Donate page for various options to make a donation.

 

DKGIEF: Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Award

Does your state organization, region, or area plan to sponsor a professional development seminar or activity? The Lucile Cornetet Professional Development Award has funds for that!

The Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Award (CSPD) provides funds to assist Delta Kappa Gamma regions, areas, and state organizations to offer professional development opportunities in your local area.

Things to Know About the Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Award (CSPD):

1. CSPD awards are available to state organizations or one of its divisions (districts/areas/regions) or multi-state organizations of DKG to sponsor professional development activities.
2. CSPD awards provide growth-promoting professional development activities for employed educators, early-career educators, and second-education-career educators to further excellence in education. The sponsored seminars are available to all educators.
3. CSPD professional development may be in conjunction with a Society-sponsored event or a stand-alone event at any time during the year.
4. CSPD awards are available to fund consultant or presenter fees, seminar materials, venue rental, audio-visual equipment rental, and much more.
5. CSPD awards require other sources of funding in addition to the award funds.
6. CSPD applications are submitted electronically on or before November 1.
7. CSPD professional development must occur after the funds are awarded.
8. CSPD seminar recipients may receive funding no more than twice.

The Lucile Cornetet Professional Development Award Fund has money to share! Details about applying for a CSPD award can be found on the DKGIEF page of the Society’s website. Applications are due November 1, 2023.

The Cornetet Fund is available through the generosity of a forward-thinking member, but donations allow DKGIEF to continue to grant professional development awards. Are you interested in donating to the Cornetet Fund? Go to Cornetet Fund - Donate or the DKGIEF Donate page for various options to make a donation.

Links:

CSPD Information and Application page: https://www.dkg.org/DKGSI/DKGIEF/Funds/Cornetet_Award/Cornetet_Seminar_Award.aspx

Cornetet Fund - Donate: https://www.dkg.org/DKGIEFDONATE/DKGIEFDONATE/Donate_Now.aspx?itemid=IEFCORN

DKGIEF Donate: https://www.dkg.org/DKGIEFDONATE/DKGIEFDONATE/Donate_to_DKG.aspx

A Planned Gift To DKGIEF Keeps On Giving

Planned Giving to DKGIEF is a commitment to ensure the present and the future of educators worldwide. 

A gift now to any of the nine funds managed by DKGIEF immediately impacts educators. You can select a favorite fund (Golden Gift, Educators Award, ISF, World Fellowship, Emergency, Eunah Temple Holden, Scholarship, Projects, or Cornetet) or designate that your gift be used in the area of greatest need. You can plan for and give to DKGIEF at regular intervals such as a monthly or annual contribution.

Planned Giving can also ensure YOUR legacy of giving. You might designate a bequest to DKGIEF in your will, name DKG a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or opt to “purchase” or reserve a leaf for the Wall of Roses (a visual display that recognizes those who give $10,000 to DKGIEF). A reserved leaf with your name to honor your gift will be displayed at DKG headquarters when the total amount is received.

Planning to support the DKGIEF funds is truly generous. When you give to DKGIEF, you create your own legacy and continue to support the important work of DKG.

To learn more about making a gift that “keeps on giving,” select the DKGIEF tab at www.dkg.org. 

DKGIEF: World Fellowship

Contributions to World Fellowship, one of the nine funds managed by DKGIEF, change lives. 

A World Fellowship recipient from Ukraine said that DKG support for women gives her a sense of empowerment because DKG members have encouraged her with their words and financial support. “I've been very touched by this endless support, and I honestly feel like they are helping me to mentally survive these dark times away from home.”

A World Fellowship recipient from Kazakhstan said, “I hope to return to my country and apply my knowledge to make the lives of kids with special needs better. I am grateful to DKG for this life-changing opportunity.”

The World Fellowship Fund, established in 1960, has provided awards totaling $3,739,250  for 1,029 women from 122 countries to pursue graduate studies in Canada and the United States. Twenty-five women in 23 countries received awards in 2021-2022 totaling $83,500.

The amounts and numbers of World Fellowship awards depend on contributions to the fund. Your donation helps other women become future leaders around the world. Your gift to the World Fellowship Fund through DKGIEF supports the dreams of countless women and impacts countless others.

DKGIEF: A Dozen Things To Know About ISF

1. The International Speakers Fund (ISF) connects members across borders.

2. ISF recipients/speakers share their passion for educational topics.

3. The ISF Committee creates a list of applicants to be an ISF speaker.

4. The ISF Committee shares that list with state organization presidents who may request an ISF speaker from the list.

5. ISF speakers may present virtually or face to face.

6. Hosting a virtual/face to face ISF speaker helps break down misconceptions among cultures and environments.

7. Being an ISF speaker helps break down misconceptions among cultures and environments.

8. ISF Fund is administered by the DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF).

9. YOU can apply to be an ISF speaker.

10. YOU can apply to host an ISF speaker.

11. ISF is supported by donations to the DKGIEF to cover travel expenses to face-to-face state organization events.

12. EVERYBODY can contribute to the ISF Fund and foster international understanding.

https://www.dkg.org/DKGMember/DKGIEF/Funds/International_Speakers_Fund.aspx 

 

DKGIEF: Scholarship Fund

When someone asks what DKG does, members often begin with the statement that DKG gives scholarships to members--$6000 for a master’s degree and $10,000 for a doctorate. That’s true. DKG has 31 named scholarships funded by contributions --BUT most years all 31 cannot be awarded because the Scholarship Fund does not have enough money.

Every contribution to the DKGIEF Scholarship Fund makes a difference.

A scholarship from DKGIEF changes an educator. One educator changes thousands of lives in her school and her community. A changed life is a catalyst for global changes. The ripple from just one scholarship reaches far beyond the ken of the recipient.

A contribution to the DKGIEF Scholarship Fund reaches far beyond the ken of the donor. Your gifts to DKGIEF make a large difference in educators, schools, communities—the world.

The DKGIEF Vision Statement is Giving to educate the world. That vision is significant. The effect of giving helps to fulfill that significant vision and stirs visions and creates possibilities that reach into our shared future. 

https://www.dkg.org/DKGIEFDONATE/DKGIEFDONATE/Donate_to_DKG.aspx

 

DKGIEF: Educational Projects Award

Do you know how your contribution to DKGIEF serves educators? Your contribution is a rich investment in education. Your giving makes a large difference, impacting lives of educators, students, and communities. One powerful use is the funding of Educational Projects.

Members and non-members may apply for a project grant. Even though the patterns of our lives were altered during the Covid-19 pandemic, the projects funded in 2020-2021 continued with adjustments in delivery.

Would you like to know how YOUR contribution made a difference in Texas, Nuevo Leone, Louisiana, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Washington D.C., and Illinois?

Your contribution helped fund the purchase of reading manipulatives for 130 K-3 students who read below grade level. At the project’s end, all third graders in this program were reading at or above grade level, half of the second graders were reading at grade level and the other half were reading at the end of first grade level.

Your contribution helped fund a $100 scholarship stipend for 10 university women students to encourage them to continue their studies during the Covid crisis. Now, all are near graduation with a collective GPA of 95.2.

Your contribution helped fund virtual reality headsets and software applications for upper elementary and high school students. Examples of the use of the equipment are an application for virtual frog dissections that can be used many times (no smell, no fainting, no bad lab specimens, no purchase of dead frogs); virtual space travel where students “went” to the international space station; virtual earth travel (“Think of Google maps, but instead of viewing a screen, you’re standing there”) to the Grand Canyon, Alcatraz, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower; and the Anne Frank experience where students “hide” from danger in a small attic.

Your contribution helped fund advanced statistical studies, opportunities for students to learn and play heritage music, teacher training in strategies for trauma-informed classrooms in a large middle school with a diverse population where more than 500 behavior referrals occurred in the first quarter of school, and a many-faceted overview of woman’s suffrage that included film, music, art, drama, dance, and writing.

The vision of DKGIEF is “Giving to Educate the World.” That is the long reach of YOUR contribution to DKGIEF! In fact, YOUR contribution is like a pebble tossed in water: the ripples run long and farther than you can know.

DKGIEF: Foundation Outtakes #4 – July/August 2021

Hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and even volcanic eruptions are just a few of the natural disasters that may face DKG members throughout the seventeen countries that make up our Society. When DKG members, no matter their location, are confronted with destruction brought on by a force of nature, they know that help in the form of a 500 USD check to assist in moving forward is available. It’s a unique practice and a benefit of membership that has been in effect since 1948! 

Where do you begin when a natural disaster occurs? That is a question that at least 124 DKG members have asked during the last year and to which they have received an answer from our Society. A simple notification from their state organization president to the executive director in Austin netted 500 USD for each qualified request. While this sum will not address the full expenses tied to a natural disaster, it begins the process of rebuilding. More importantly it comes with a message of HOPE and CARE. DKG members regularly contribute to the Society’s Emergency Fund knowing that it will make a difference in the lives of members when they most need it. It may even, in turn, make a difference in their own lives in a similar situation. We never know when a force of nature may wrack havoc any more than we know to whom that disaster may hit. 

Over the last year and a half most DKG members have not been meeting as often in face-to-face gatherings at any of the three levels of the Society – chapter, state organization, international. That means that there have been fewer opportunities to collect for the Emergency Fund. Even though collections will be taken at each international conference this summer, the numbers attending those events will not be as great as in the past. It is imperative that we make the effort to donate to this fund to keep this unique and meaningful activity available for our members when needed.  

While natural disasters can occur at any time, it is the summer months when property-destroying storms most often occur. Don’t let the 2021 storm season be the one when DKG falls short in helping members facing the aftermath of a natural disaster. Give to the Emergency Fund today and make a difference tomorrow! 

Follow this link on the DKG website to donate to the Emergency Fund or any of the other eight funds under DKGIEF.