2024 -2026 DKG International Theme

Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide with Passion and Purpose

Oh, My Word!

A Report on the DKG International Convention

“Oh, my word,” a favorite expression of Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughn, newly elected president of DKG for the 2024-2026 biennium, sums up the International Convention at National Harbor, Maryland, July 11-14. Ten OSO members attended: Cathy Adams, Meier Bauer, Joan Bostelman, Debby Canter, Diana Haskell, Yvette Kirksey, Melodie McGee, Sharon Scheidegger, Cathy Tenney, and Joyce Jones-Weinkam who considered 94 proposed amendments to the Constitution and International Standing Rules, as well as 3 resolutions.

Fellowship with DKG sisters is the highlight of any DKG Convention; however, there was also the opportunity to hear inspiring speakers, participate in workshops, and acknowledge the challenges chapters are facing and the revitalization plans by states and chapters - some with requested assistance from the Society and all with local planning and commitment. 

Outstanding speakers included Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures; slam poet Andre Bradford, a.k.a. S.C. Says; DKG International Honorary Member and Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan speaking on A Woman of Importance: An Instrument of Peace; and winner of the Educator’s Book Award, Alexandra Robbins, author of The Teachers: A Year Inside America’s Most Vulnerable, Important Profession . It was a thrill to hear the name Olajumoke Oshokoya, PhD, a Gamma Phi member, as cords were presented and dissertations recognized.

It was not all work and meetings! The breakfast, lunch, and banquet provided opportunities to assemble for fellowship, to meet new friends, and learn from one another. Wednesday evening brought many together for singing, dancing and partying at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar to benefit DKG International Education Foundation.

Eight hundred three women came together forming relationships, being challenged to increase their knowledge, considering how to achieve sustainability of their chapter and state organizations - to truly be forward moving ever!

Participating in your chapter, OSO, and DKG International brings a wealth of interactions, relationships, experiences, and commitment to education as well as personal enjoyment. You joined DKG as a key woman educator. You are still a key part of the education platform. Enjoy the rewards of participating in your chapter, our state, and the international levels of the Society. Financial assistance from your chapter or ADSOEF may be available. 

Elected to DKGIEF Board!

Empowering women who educate is the banner message on the DKG website. Meier Bauer, Gamma Phi Chapter, was elected by the DKG Executive Board on July 11 to the DKGIEF Board of Directors for a four-year term. She is a leader and trailblazer among leaders. She served as our 2017 – 2019 Ohio State Organization President, 2023 – 2025 Ohio State Organization Recording Secretary and 2024 – 2028 DKGIEF Board of Directors.

The DKG International Educators Foundation supports effective educational projects, the educational and charitable activities of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and professional growth of educators worldwide. The Board is empowered to impact education worldwide through the management of nine funds. You are encouraged to seek these funds as you continue to be empowered through your membership in Delta Kappa Gamma.

Ohio and Gamma Phi Chapter are proud of Meier Bauer for her commitment to education, to empowering educators and to DKG! Congratulations, Meier!

Congratulations, Diana!

Ohio State Organization recognizes with pride that Diana Haskell has been named Chairman of the DKG International Finance Committee. The International Finance Committee is an elected position consisting of five members elected for four-year terms on a rotating basis. Diana has served on this committee during the past two years. Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, 2024 -2026 International President, lost no time in asking Diana to chair this committee for the next two years. The International Finance Committee is responsible for investment of funds, the Available Fund budget, the annual audit, training of and providing assistance to state organization and chapter treasurers, and all areas where there is a fiscal impact. This is a huge and important responsibility that we know Diana will skillfully carry out!

Diana has served as OSO Treasurer for the past fifteen years. She has not only kept meticulous records of our organization but has willingly provided extensive support for OSO as well as chapter treasurers throughout this time. She is also committed to her chapter, always willing to serve as a committee member or officer, currently as Gamma Phi President. 

Diana is both a problem-solver and a visionary so that wherever she serves, she does an exemplary job, assists others in doing their best, and makes the organization better. OSO is indeed proud to have Diana serving as Chairman of the DKG International Finance Committee.  

Sharon Scheidegger

Legislative Liaison UN & US Forum

Sharon Scheidegger, OSO Legislative Liaison and Representative to the U.S. & U.N. Forums was a Newbee at the International Convention in National Harbor, MD. OSO is so fortunate that Sharon stepped forward to take this position and has become active with the legislative aspects of DKG life! Her legislative updates are vital to all of us and much appreciated. It is great news that Sharon Scheidegger will be assisting Sharon Welch, DCSO, as the Northeast Regional Representative on the U.S. Forum Steering Committee during the 2024-2026 biennium. Sharon is a treasure - let’s appreciate, encourage, and support her as she brings us news of non-partisan federal and state legislation in the interests of education and women educators. 

Message from the OSO Nominating Committee

Soon it will be time to elect the 2025-2027 officers for the Ohio State Organization (OSO) of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  Chapter presidents are asked to help to identify and encourage leaders to apply for nomination as an officer of OSO.   Encourage these key women educators to use their talents, skills, creativity and network to further OSO goals locally and internationally.

The application is contained within this issue of The Voice.  Interested members should complete the application and send it with a photo electronically to Shirley Moore at s.council@sbcglobal.net by January 2, 2025.  The members of the OSO Nominating Committee urge all interested members to apply.  

Shirley Moore, Chairman, Gamma Nu

Karen Dunn, Alpha Psi 

Dr. Norma Kirby, Alpha Delta 

Cynthy Kleman, Beta Eta 

Marilyn Kretschman, Gamma Iota 

Calibrate Your Chapter

The word calibrate means making precise measurements. It is important to calibrate to have a clear vision of where your chapter is currently positioned in terms of sustainability, effectiveness and relevancy. The following are things to keep in mind as you calibrate.

C -Communication.  It is a key factor in building strong relationships with members. How often do you communicate with members before, during and after scheduled meetings?  Are newsletters informative? Are letters and email utilized to build interests in the chapter?  Members need to be valued in your chapter.  Are your communications helping or hindering in that effort?

A – Attitude.   Describe in a few words the general attitude of your chapter. Think what words would be synonymous with exciting, effective, and relevant. What we do not want is isolating, dull, or irrelevant. How would members describe their own attitudes?  Attitudes are contagious whether they are positive, negative or neutral. Strive for attitudes that will sustain the chapter rather than result in the demise.

L – Learn.   The mission of DKG is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Do the programs we select for our meetings have a learning component or are they purely for entertainment purposes? We want our chapters to be more then social clubs. We need to embrace the mission and seven purposes of DKG.

I – Invest.   We need to invest the talents of our members into the chapter. Members are a wealth of resources. However, these resources are often underutilized. How can we maximize these resources to better the chapter?

B - Brainstorm.   An effective leader will brainstorm with members when developing chapter programs, projects, and activities. It results in generating endless possibilities, suggestions and ideas. 

R – Relevancy.   Why do members continue to be a part of DKG?  Why is it relevant to them?  How can you calibrate the chapter to make it more relevant?   Put another way, why do members continue to be part of DKG?

A – Active.   How active are members in the chapter? Are the same individuals taking on the leadership responsibilities year in and year out? Are members showing up for the meetings and contributing nothing else? Is there anything occurring beyond the meetings so members can be actively engaged?

T – Time.   Do you place importance on time? When I choose to be active in an organization like DKG-OSO, I recognize there is a certain amount of time commitment attached to it. How much time are you putting into chapter activities? Are you encouraging other members to be active? A chapter can dissolve because there is lack of participation and time commitment by members. Do not let that happen.

E – Efforts.   Leadership requires concentrated efforts. There are no shortcuts, and it is hard work.  I find focused efforts result in increased productivity and success.  What can you do to make your efforts be more impactful?

In conclusion, be intensely purposeful when calibrating your chapter. It is easy to get complacent and go with the flow.  It is astounding the synergy created when members strive together to truly embrace the mission of DKG. 

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

OSO Second Vice-President and EEC Chair