A Summary of the International in a Nutshell
After a great International convention I thought I would share some of the highlights with you:
President Louann Shrader
After a great International convention I thought I would share some of the highlights with you:
- The total number of registrants for the convention was 1782.
- Pennsylvania’s delegation numbered 66.
- Over 120 workshops were offered to members over the week.
- The emergency fund collected $22,530.79
- Prior to the convention I received votes from 31 of our 59 chapters. Based on membership we had a voting strength of 574 votes with one vote for every 5 members. For the members I did not hear from I voted my wishes.
- Our new team of International officers consists of Dr. Beverly Helms from Florida as President; Carolyn Pittman from Arkansas as our First Vice-‐ President; and Dr. Lyn Schmid from Pennsylvania as Second Vice-‐President. Mary Lee Mackinen from Maryland is the new Northeast Regional Director. We have a wonderful team of officers that I know will move our Society forward and I’m sure all our members will support.
- Pennsylvania was represented by 5 members in the chorus -‐-‐-‐thank you to
- our talented ladies
- The expansion into Japan was approved. The expansion into Japan will mark a new state organization in the southwest region. There was a delegation of Japanese teachers at the International from Kochi, Japan (the location of the first chapter in Japan) and we were told that there were 53 women educators that have already committed to initiation. Initiation of this new chapter will take place in the Fall. At that time we will have expanded onto the continent of Asia.
- Continued study on Electronic Voting was approved with the year of 2014 to have possible amendments related to this. This is an important issue and one that needs to be discussed in depth so members understand the implications of it. On paper this sounds very democratic but in actuality it could create major problems that we will be addressing in the months ahead. …. Especially if members choose not to exercise their vote.
- Arts, poetry, etc will continue to be in the DKG Bulletin with the creation of an arts jury to judge the work. The jury will be appointed by the International President from interested members.
- Though the cola has gone beyond what our constitution says for a dues increase of $1 the International finance committee has determined there is no need to raise dues so International dues will remain the same.
- Support for Early-‐Career Educators (SEE) was approved as the second International Project along with Schools For Africa (SFA)
- Pennsylvania night dinner was well received. Kate Campbell Stevenson and Carolyn Pittman, our state convention guests, joined us for dinner and a good time was had by all.
- Many of the PA members in NYC kept up on twitter or facebook to let those back home feel the highlights of the day. If you are not into social networking perhaps you could designate someone in your chapter to be the communication bee.
President Louann Shrader
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention
Louann Shrader 8:33am Jul 30 back from NYC---what a great time! And what a great turnout from Pennsylvania as we watched Dr. Lyn become the International Second Vice-President!! ---Carolyn Pittman, first Vice-President!--and Beverly Helms, our new International President! We have been so fortunate in Pa to have these ladies at our state convention. Join together as we "Share our Vision" and strive to "Strengthen our Society"!