2011 Southwest Regional in Denver Was A Huge Success !

Southwest Regional in Denver was a huge success.  Members from the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama gathered in Colorado to share in genuine spiritual sisterhood and to promote the mission of DKG:  To promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.  Dr. Barbara Baethe, 2010-2012 SW Director directed an amazing conference !    From the time conference attendees landed at DIA or entered the Hyatt Regency, they were made to feel welcome and were readied for the week of activity that was to follow.  Tours were well attended.  Colorado Night featured a Colorado history of various groups who make up the diversity that is Colorado.  From Indian to Hispanic, Japanese to African American, Miners and Homesteaders to Ranchers and Cowboys, Colorado's rich heritage was told in story and song.  Taiko Dancers, KoShare Indian Rituals, African Dance, Colorado Western songs, Teen Mariachi Band, and a tribute to songs by John Denver closing out the program, the audience was spellbound and appreciative.  Excellent speakers and workshops rounded out the program with a keynote address by Carlotta Wells Lanier, a member of the Little Rock Nine, a piano concert by Andrea Morris, and the Southwest Choir--the event was a success.  From the posting of the flags of the six countries and the banners from the 21 states in the SW Region to the ending singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma song, the conference was a wonderful celebration of heritage, purpose, education, and Delta Kappa Gamma!!

Southwest Regional 2011~ Denver, Colorado ~ Register Soon!!

The Colorado Omega State Organization is anxiously awaiting your presence at the 2011 SWRC in Denver, Colorado, June 27-July 2.  There are many exciting tours, speakers, workshops, etc.  Hyatt Regency, Denver Tech Center, is a wonderful venue for our Delta Kappa Gamma Conference.  See:  www.dkg.org  for further information about the conference and to register.  Look for the box with SW Regional at the bottom of the DKG homepage.

Southwest Director Dr. Barbara Baethe and the Colorado Steering Committee and all Omega State Members have planned a fantastic conference for you!

Below:  Hyatt Regency Hotel, Colorado Mountains, Air Force Academy, Denver Skyline, Garden of the Gods, and the Denver International Airport.

 

Mu Chapter DKG Gives Books 4 Kids and participates in Read In at Northridge Elementary

Northridge Elementary Collaborative Connection: 

      'READ IN' on April 14th, and 'Books 4 Kids' disbursement in     cooperation with BORDERS' BOOKS of Longmont, CO. and donations from the St. Vrain Valley Community.

       Members and community volunteers will be reading to the Northridge Students.
The next Read In will be held on April 14, 2011). We are sponsoring a new school connection project at Northridge Elementary.

      Mu Chapter is also looking for chapter members and community assistants who are willing to volunteer in a classroom donating an hour or two once a week, or even twice a month (whatever you can do! ) Info? Contact Gail at jg2kward@msn.com

     Books 4 Kids books will also be given out to the Northridge students in connection with this READ IN. Through a liaison with BORDERS' BOOKS, over 1000 books have been collected so far this year during book drives held by Borders' Books of Longmont. Mu Chapter is indeed grateful to BORDERS' BOOKS for their ongoing support of this project. Members sort and level the books by grade level for the students and present each classroom with boxes of books for disbursement to the students.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (1929, Austin, TX.) is a professional honorary Society of women educators. The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education. Mu Chapter in Longmont was chartered in 1939. Colorado DKG was chartered in 1936.

Website: www.dkglongmont.weebly.com

SW Director Dr. Baethe Visits Omega State Colorado

Many plans were discussed, new acquaintances made, and old friendships embraced. Dr. Baethe met a representative group from the steering committee at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center with Dr. MaryAnn Roldan, and also had a meeting about speakers and program with state president Dr. Dorothy Snozek.

All members who came to Denver for the state board meeting enjoyed listening to Dr. Baethe's personable way of talking with the "team" about the upcoming SW Regional in Denver, June 27 to July 2, 2011. The international theme of president Dr. Jensi Souders, "Embracing the Vision, Designing Our Future," will also be the theme of the regional conference.

Captured in the first photo at the 2010 state board meeting are current SW Regional Director, Dr. Barbara Baethe, immediate past director, Kathy Flynn, and Joan Shoemaker, director 1996-1998. Colorado also has one other living director, Dorothy Dunlap, 1980-1982. Miss Dunlap has plans to attend the 2011 SW Regional.

Kick Off Fall with DKG Chapter Meetings/State Meetings

{Photos: 1) Dr. Barbara Baethe

2) Dr. Carolyn Rants

3) Dr. Dorothy Snozek, Susan Burnett, Kathy Flynn}

The students and teachers are back at school and the educational year is underway. Mu Chapter greeted 150 new teachers at the New Teacher Orientation where we had a booth with membership brochures, teacher tips, and a drawing for gift certificate from Borders Books. Several new teachers indicated an interest in learning more about Delta Kappa Gamma Key Women Educators.

Mu Chapter will hold its first chapter meeting at 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 9th, at 4:00 pm at the Longmont Library, Room B, with a 'Getting Reacquainted' social and a presentation by Elektra Greer, Longmont Children's Librarian. Chapter President, Cheryl Barnett will preside. Dues may be paid at this time and there will be a short business meeting. Kathy Flynn will share a brief summary of 2010 international convention happenings in Spokane, Washington. The Proposed Constitution passed with minor changes.

At state convention in June, 2010, Omega State and Mu Chapter hosted, Dr. Carolyn Rants, international president, as our guest. Mu Chapter earned and was awarded our sixth year in a row 4 Star Chapter Award for chapter excellence, participation and programs. State president, Dr. Dorothy Snozek and Star chapter Award Chair, Kathy Flynn, co-presented the awards; they are pictured here with Mu Chapter president, Susan Burnett (2008-2010).

The Colorado, Omega State Board Meeting will be held at the Stapleton Holiday Inn, Saturday, Sept. 18. 8:00-3:00. After attending the international planning meeting in Little Rock, Dr. Barbara Baethe, 2010-2012 SW Regional Director, will be present to plan for the 2011 SW Regional. If you'd like to attend, the registration form can be found on the Omega State Website. All of us will be needed to successfully host the 2011 SW Regional to be held at the Denver Tech Center Hyatt Regency Hotel, June 27-July 2, 2011.

Spokane: What a Wonderful 2010 Convention! Delta Kappa Gamma Key Women Educators

Spokane had everything a convention could want--great weather, interesting presenters, a well-run business/Constitution revision meeting, super workshops, great entertainment, and friends, friends--new ones, old ones, dear ones! Thank you to president, Dr. Carolyn Rants and Congratulations to new international President Dr. Jensi Souders and the new administrative board. Congratulations to Dr. Beverly Helms, International Achievement Award recipient and new 2nd V.P., and Alice Carrier, new first V.P. Congratulations and Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Baethe, new southwest regional director 2010-2012 ! Greetings to our 17th country, Panama, state president Yadira Ruiz, and Alpha chapter president Berniece Vallejos, and thanks to Jeannette Zuniga for all her work in helping establish the country of Panama as our newest member--and our 21st state organization in the southwest.
Thank you also to past president Dr. Barbara Day for her inspiration and visionary leadership.
Lastly, thank you to my mentor, Mary Lou Waitz, now from Washington state, who invited me to membership in 1990 in Longmont, Colorado. Thank you, Mary Lou, for giving the gift of membership. It was great to see you in Spokane!

Thanks for a Great Biennium! I've loved serving as SW Regional Director!

Convention in Spokane was memorable as was the seminar in Tacoma, "Where Art and Nature Meet." Thanks to the Ed. Foundation Team with Barbie Sharrard in charge of the seminar planning, it was a great experience with a Glass Museum, Art Museum, and Washington History Museum. The exhibits were excellent.

At the 2010 Convention for Delta Kappa Gamma Key Women Educators, members passed the revised Constitution which gives chapters more autonomy in asking educators to join our Society. Now, teachers in their first year of employment and retirees, no matter how long they've been retired, are both eligible for membership. The decision rests with the chapter. This expands the opportunities for DKG members to 'give the gift of membership.'

The Southwest region breakfast featured two speakers: Dr. Marine Avagyan, CA, spoke about her first regional conference in Reno and her first international convention. WOW was the theme of her speech! WOW on 4 counts according to Marine. #1--We are truly a global Society. She said, "I realized I needed to identify my state when people asked me where I was from--not just my city. #2 WOW because of the inspiration she received from dedicated leaders in the Society and "in whose shadow I am honored to flourish." #3 WOW was for the amazing organization of events at both international meetings and the scope of these events--professional speakers and workshops, and learning about all the Society committees. #4 Wow was the Constitutional Revision. Dr. Avagyan further commented, "My conclusion as a first timer is that DKG’s global reach and impact (17 countries), its powerful leadership, and tremendous service to the community and the field of education are unquestionably WOW-worthy. Nowhere do I feel the great pride and appreciation for being a women educator as I do when I am among my Delta Kappa Gamma sisters.Delta Kappa Gammans are the Women of Wonder. So in the style of Amanda Gore, I would like to add a visual honoring all of you, the phenomenal women of wonder – WOW!

Kathy Davis, OK, shared on change and 'Collaborative Connections.' Her emphasis was that change and progress will benefit DKG and our members, but only if we follow through on our commitment to our mission and work to promote Excellence in Education by helping our teachers in the schools. Continuing, visible support for our local educators is to be a focus of the chapters in the communities they serve. We would like to be known as the organization who helps teachers!

What a treasure we have in our musicians of the southwest. Terre McPheeters, MO; Berneil Drake, AZ; and now, Flor Perez, CR. Our music was fantastic! Of course, we sang "Hand in Hand" and "As We Leave This Place." Thank you to Hawaii for my beautiful rose head piece. It was lovely.

What a wonderful convention! Thank you to the Washington members and Dr. Rants' programming, this was a most memorable occasion. Lastly, thanks to an amazing administrative and executive board who showed courage to move our Society forward.