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.
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