Volume 98 - Issue 6| December 2025

Cathy Tenney, Editor

Printable Newsletter

A Message from Dr. Molly

Explore the Redesigned OHSO Website

A Stronger Connection for All Ohio DKG Members

Have you checked out the redesigned Ohio State Organization (OHSO) website yet? It’s more than just a makeover; it’s a refreshed, user-friendly hub designed to focus, connect, inform, and inspire every DKG member in Ohio.

The new design makes it easy to:

Align with DKG International by exploring links, resources, and programs that support our shared mission to promote both professional and personal growth for women educators.
Connect with the State Executive Focus Team for updates, resources, announcements, and more.
Find and share resources from chapters across the state, including links to chapters’ websites.
Access State Committees’ information.
Explore exciting engagement opportunities in DKG at the chapter, state, and international levels.

The redesigned website creates a seamless connection among members, chapters, committees, and the state. It emphasizes our focus on building relationships, increasing membership, and fostering leadership. The website serves as a valuable tool not only for staying informed but also for strengthening the bonds that unite us as DKG women in Ohio.

I encourage all members to spend a few minutes visiting the OHSO website at dkgohio.org to explore the latest updates. Use it to stay connected, discover opportunities, and share our stories with women who might be seeking a professional home within DKG. Together, we can make the OHSO website a vibrant hub that connects us all—member to member, chapters to chapters, across the Buckeye State, beyond borders to DKG International, and through generations of women educators.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. ~ Jane Goodall

Energetically,

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

OHSO State President

Kimberly Conrad

Alpha Xi

Bonnie Saski

Beta Zeta

Florence "Becky" Leighty

Gamma xi

Joan Donley

Gamma Nu

Check it out!

Your Ohio State Organization’s Communications and Marketing Committee has been hard at work on big changes to the state website!

It has been completely updated and re-designed to be more user-friendly, and provide great information for chapter members, as well as prospective members who might be interested in joining.

Take a few minutes to look at all the exciting new items included on the tabs at the top, as well as all the upcoming dates on the homepage.

There is even a link to OHSO chapter websites under Links!

https://www.dkgohio.org/

Katie Gantz, Gamma Phi

Communications & Marketing Chair

Zeta Chapter

Zeta Chapter members helped decorate for Veterans Day at a local elementary school as part of our Zeta Adopt a Classroom program. The chapter also donated money for classroom STEM supplies. Pictured are Carol Hiszem, Kathy McClendon, Linda Carino, Pat Reda, and JoAnn Krock.

Nu Rho Chapter Co-President Charleen Johnson-Miller shared information on OHSO President Dr. Molly Helmlinger's state initiative Mental Health Awareness and Wellness as well as her theme FOCUS.

Nu Rho Chapter's guest speaker Beth Elsass, of the Gathering Place, talked about the impact of cancer and self-care programs and services they provide.

Membership Matters

A deceased member of your chapter is a loss to your chapter, to the history and relationships within your chapter, and to the community. In addition to remembering and celebrating her life at a chapter meeting, you may wish to be part of the service for family and friends. Providing a red or white rose at the service is a tradition for some chapters.

If your chapter still has the red book of Ceremonies (mine was published in 1994), it contains a Ceremony of Remembrance and an Internment Ceremony. Either of these could be the basis of your contribution to the service. If you do not have the little red book and would like of copy of these ceremonies, please contact membership@dkgohio.org.

Let us recognize, respect, and celebrate our departed members. They are a part of who we are.

Meier Bauer, Gamma Phi

OHSO Recording Secretary

OHSO Membership Chair

Gamma Lambda and Phi Chapters gathered to make XaLights (zay-lites). The mission of XaLights is to honor the life of an amazing boy named Xavier. While he was in the hospital, his family created a night light from a plastic jar covering it with colored tissue pieces and special messages illuminated by battery powered night lights. Standing behind the XaLights are Ellen Franks, Barbara Baltrinic, Michelle Worthing (grandmother of Xavier), Ginny Snyder and in the front, Mary Vasek.

Gamma Theta Chapter has scheduled monthly meet ups with the majority of these scheduled on Saturdays and they meet at the various Metroparks in Lake County for an hour walk. They have invited Gamma Iota sisters to join them. Here they are pictured enjoying River Road Park and Lake Erie Bluffs.

Membership Data for 2025 - 2026

Active Paid

Members

Collegiate Paid Members

Reserve Paid Members

Total Paid Members

Ohio Chapters

2081

262

2,350

DKG Ohio Financial Update for July 1 - October 31, 2025

Statement of Financial Activity

Revenue	$51,918.00
Expenses	$23,358.00
Net Income	$28,560.00

Statement of Financial Position

Checking/Savings	$ 40,661.00
Available Fund Reserve*	$ 15,000.00
Investments	$258,931.00
Total Assets	$314,592.00
Credit Card Liabilities	$ 2,466.00
Total Equity	$312,126.00

*Available Fund Reserve is an Executive Board Directed fund for technology-related upgrades and licenses. Constitution Article IV, Section F, 2, f, (3). p. C-5.

Exploring the Data

DKG Purpose Five: To endow awards to aid members in pursuing personal and professional growth and to provide grants to non-member educators.

Ohio Chapter Award data from 2024-2025:

Thirty-three (33) Chapters provided grants to 135 non-members totaling $49,067.

Last month we unpacked the data on chapter awards to members. This month we will use the data on awards to non-members to generate chapter conversations.

For pondering…

To date, 30 Chapters have recruited 75 retired and current educators to membership.
Why are chapters providing so few member awards?
Why are chapters providing so many non-member awards?

Chapters with funds for non-member awards may consider…

When recruiting, did your chapter consider the educators receiving non-member awards for membership?
Does your chapter have a process for inviting non-member award recipients to membership?
What could your chapter do differently to increase membership by using your chapter non-member awards to recruit new members?

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OHSO Treasurer

Ohio DKG members from northeast and southwest Ohio meet up for tailgating at the Ohio State vs UCLA football game. Pictured are Katie Gantz, Gamma Phi and Sue Datish, Beta Chi.

DKG International Educators Foundation

Information from DKGIEF

The Virtual Envelope Campaign will be going on during the Centennial Celebration of DKG. The Virtual Envelope will be one way of giving to DKGIEF. Contributions are essential to continuing the work of the Foundation. For every dollar contributed, 86 cents goes directly to programs managed by DKGIEF. Programs managed by the Foundation are The Cornetet Award, Educational Projects, Educators Book Award, the Emergency Fund, Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund, Golden Gift Fund, International Speakers Fund, Scholarship Fund and World Fellowship Fund. Go to the DKG website, to learn more about each of these funds. Your contributions are tax-deductible and support DKGIEF efforts to promote intercultural understanding, encourage improvement in education and support professional development of educators worldwide. More information will be forthcoming in the DKG Bulletin: Collegial Exchange.

Giving Tuesday on December 2, 2025, will be another great time to give. Your contributions may be made by going online to dkg.org and clicking on DKGIEF then go to the Ways to Contribute page.

Please consider supporting DKGIEF and its efforts to support our educators.

Karen Dombrowski, Alpha Nu

OHSO Second Vice President

OHSO DKGIEF Ambassador

Gamma Theta Chapter member Jacinta Bertone hosted a hat making session for chapter members. Jacinta is pictured on the right.

Inside International

DKG Ohio members are encouraged to participate in the monthly Inside International Meetings via Zoom. Join the meeting for an hour to enjoy a conversation with International leaders and staff. Directors and elected leaders will be available to answer questions and welcome comments. The link to the meetings is available on the DKG International website.

Upcoming Inside International Dates

(Eastern Time)

Tuesday, December 2nd @ 6:30 p.m.

Preliminary Draft of Proposed Bylaws

Tuesday, January 6 @ 1:30 p.m.

Leadership Discovery Centre

Beta Zeta and Beta Eta Chapters celebrated together a birthday luncheon November 8 with Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Ohio State Organization President. She delivered an amazing message, FOCUS! Pictured are Angela Miesle, Beta Eta President; Suzanne Geis, Beta Zeta President and Dr. Molly Helmlinger.

Alpha Alpha Chapter

Patricia Baker

Sherrie Beebe

Marie Best

Carrie Brockway

Karen Campbell

Diana Collins

Elizabeth McMannes

Michelle Sardella

Patricia Simpson

Sara Smith

Barb Tack

Alpha Gamma Chapter

Beth Downs

Dawn Michele Wilson

Gamma Xi Chapter

Ann Nebraski*

Delta Mu Chapter

Valerie Causey

Delta Psi Chapter

Mary Pat Kay*

*Denotes Reinstated Member

Gamma Theta Chapter initiated four new members during their November meeting. Tanya Headley endorsed by Jacinta Bertone; Anita Daniels endorsed by Hannah Fairbanks; Dr. Betty Jo Malchesky endorsed by Gretchen Baptie and Sally Jo Rogus; and Norma Gutierrez endorsed by Terri Martin.

Gamma Lambda and Phi Chapters gathered recently at The Hill Church in Kent, Ohio Pastor Michael Wells spoke about the Point-In-Time Count of homeless people which takes place across the United States. The Hill Church conducts their count during the month of January. Members present at the meeting tied 10 blankets which will be included in backpacks with other items such as socks and food. These backpacks will be given to the homeless during Point-In-Time Count. Following the project, members had a working lunch/business meeting while enjoying sandwiches from the Brimfield Bread Oven and cookies from BJ's.