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.