Regional Conference Travel 2011

Have you ever been to all five DKG regional conferences in one summer? It is an experience. So much planning, packing, unpacking, repacking, catching a plane or two, speeches and presentations keep a person busy. But it provides new understandings, connections across the membership and incredible fellowship.

International Achievement Award
Recipients present in the NW

Reception held  in Baden- Baden, Germany
as part of Europe Regional

From the mountains in Colorado and Alberta to the racetrack world in Kentucky, from the chocolate infused world of Hershey, PA to the grape vine covered hillsides of the Black Forest in Germany, members greeted, attended a spectacular opening night, learned new things at general meetings, listened in at workshops and dressed up for a final banquet. Although each region has its own flavor, regional conferences have the mission of Delta Kappa Gamma running through the events. It is incredible to learn about regional differences but see the Society purposes in action at each regional event.

A field trip visit to Strasburg, France and
the Council of Europe

Personally, I have gained new experiences, met more members, shared a bit of knowledge in a few workshops and strengthen the collaborative ties that we have at Society Headquarters. I had the opportunity to see members in the Southeast and began getting to know more members in the Southwest. Sandi Causey is a Texas member and in my new chapter. She has served as the registrar for each region. Working with her has been a joy. Joan Hester, Alpha chapter president in Texas, joined other U.S. members in Germany and I had the honor of getting to know her better. Traveling with my companions; Corlea Plowman, Sandra Smith Bull, Phyllis Hickey, Becky Sadowski, leadership development chair and Dr. Jensi Souders, international president, has topped this experience. We are a team. We work as a team and travel as a team. We help each other, enjoy great meals together and support one another professionally and personal. I am so lucky.

Southeast Regional Conference

State organization presidents and executive secretaries have gathered in Louisville, Kentucky for the Southeast Regional conference for pre-conference training as they begin a new biennium with state organizations. The sessions provide training in budgeting, Society structure, chapter strengthening, Schools for Africa, the international project, technology and new modes of communication, membership and the new orientation materials and parliamentary procedure.

On Wednesday of pre-conference training, chairs of membership and educational excellence committees attend all day sessions in preparation for the new biennium and new information available. State level editors, web masters and treasures attend a half day session. First timers have an opportunity to learn all about a regional conference on Wednesday afternoon.

General sessions and workshops begin with Kentucky night on Wednesday and continue through Saturday. Check the international web site for speakers and the overall schedule for the conference.

At the end of June, the Southwest state organization presidents and other leaders attended a similar pre-conference and conference session. For the next three weeks, regional events will be back to back with the Northeast in Hershey; the Northwest in Edmonton, Alberta and the Europe Regional in Baden-Baden, Germany in earlier August. It's not too late to attend a regional conference where you will learn, network and grow both personally and professional.

Pre-conference training offers new opportunities

Summer is here and preparations for all five regional conferences are underway. It is an exciting time and each conference has its own flavor.  May went by like a flash as I have been developing two training sessions for regional conferences; one for editors and one for web masters. I've also worked on a section about communication for the pre-conference session for incoming presidents. As I began working on these items, it became slightly overwhelming because I now a few of the editors across the Southeast and began shaking in my boots thinking I was training them. Many editors have been doing this work for many years and could teach me much. So I talked with Dr. Jensi Souders, you might know her as the international president, but I know her as editor extraordinaire and my editor mentor for I followed her in Tennessee. We talked about what I might offer and now I have, I think, a pretty good training manual for editors and I'm excited to get to meet so many this summer.

Next the challenge was how to design something for web masters. That entails similar skills but also very different skills as for editors. The biggest challenge in working with web masters to me was the array of software tools possibly being used to develop web sites and the enormous range of skills of web masters who might attend. Couple that with not being in a lab and not having a hands-on experience and the task becomes daunting. But not to fear, I found a solution, or at least I hope web masters will take away something new. I actually finished this manual today and it has gone to print. I must say I'm a bit pleased with it and hope many of you state web masters enjoy our time together. I'm hoping to meet many of you this summer.

Pre-conference training at regional conferences for incoming state organization leaders is one of the opportunities provided through membership in DKG. I understand the commitment involved in doing one of these jobs and what it takes to make attending a regional conference an important part of summer plans every other year. I believe it is worth the effort and expensive but truly realized this after attending several regional conferences. A regional conference is where you get to know members from across similar geographic areas. Attending these events helps one see your own potential as a member and educator. It helps bring the seven purposes to light in a new and enriching way. The International Leadership Development Committee has an incredible training opportunity for incoming state organization presidents. I am looking forward to meeting these new presidents as we travel from place to place and am honored to be part of this event. If you are an incoming editor, web master, membership chair, educational excellence chair (program chair) treasurer and have not yet made a commitment to attend pre-conference training, I urge you to consider the opportunity. You will learn a bit, meet new friends, re-kindle old friends and have a great experience.

I look forward to seeing many of you this summer. The Southwest Regional is first and begins the end of June. The Southeast follows after the 4th of July holiday (U.S.). Northeast, Northwest and Europe fall immediately after one another. Stay connected and watch the DKG Web site for highlights of each regional conference.

New York State Convention Celebrates 75 years

Syracuse, New York hosts the 75th anniversary celebration of Pi State. They know how to celebrate. The fellowship and professionalism in this state is amazing. Joan Slagle, 2009-2011 state organization president, has lead the state into new realms of working. Collaboration and teamwork is evident in all the events that have been held. Tonight's Presidents Banquet honored past state presidents, chapter presidents and the Pi State founders. The Pi State Achievement Award was a special highlight of the evening as Karen Crumley received the honor. During the banquet members were entertained by a harpist and violinist and during dessert a wonderful quartet performed. I have had such an honor in participating in this convention. Everyone has been so thoughtful and caring. Not only was I picked at the airport, someone was available most of the time for just about anything I needed. It has been wonderful to be so welcomed. New York is looking toward the future and building our vision.

I was fortunate to be the keynote speaker on Friday night. I spoke about communication and social media. My presentation is available for your use.