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.