URGENT MESSAGE

Recently there has been uptick in the number of members unsubscribing from The Voice, Foundation Matters and various email blasts that are sent out. Please note that when you unsubscribe, you are unsubscribing from all mailings from both OSO and ADSOEF.

As editor, I am not able to resubscribe you. I am only able to have a resubscribe email sent once through Constant Contact. Once you receive the resubscribe email follow the steps listed in the email. Until you do so, your email address is marked Awaiting Confirmation, and you will not receive any mailings. If you no longer have the resubscribe email, I then have to call Constant Contact to have the resubscribe email sent again.

It’s Almost Time!

Just 62 days until our OSO State Convention on April 4 - April 5, 2025!  We know you are planning to be there. There’s still time to ask members of your chapter to come with you, as registration continues through March 4. We will open the convention on Friday evening. The Executive Board Meeting and General Session will take place on Saturday, followed  by our touching Necrology Service and our Birthday Luncheon celebrating the 87th anniversary of the founding of our OSO DKG Society.  To register, click on convention registration button below and complete the short registration form; you’ll be directed to the electronic payment link and receive a confirmation with your receipt.  If you are having any challenges with the electronic registration form or payment, please contact Michele Koenig, Convention Registrar at koenigtutors@gmail.com. 

To make hotel reservations at Deer Creek State Park Lodge, call 1-740-869-2020 and give the code GOSO.  Designated convention rooms not filled will be released to the general public on March 4.

There are just 62 more days until our State Convention, but who’s counting?  

Are you registered to attend?  YES!

Questions? Contact Convention co-coordinators: Sandy Royer at sandyroyer51@gmail.com or her sidekick Beth Archer at archer1140@yahoo.com

Convention Lifelong Learning Sessions 

Remember those great Zoom sessions during the pandemic when we had to cancel our 2021 State Convention?  Well, our 2025 convention is happening, and once again, you have opportunities to attend virtual sessions during February, March, and April.  An email recently arrived in your inbox announcing the first topics.  You have to admit, there are some pretty interesting sessions lined up; there’s no limit to how many you can attend.

To register, click the registration link in the email and provide your name and email address.  After you register, you will receive an email with your login directions.  Be sure to save that email to use for login on the date of your session.  We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

And here’s BIG news!  You are in for a treat on Friday, April 4, when early birds may attend an in-person session.  Starting at 3:00 p.m., Past State President Debby Canter will lead members on the Storybook Trail at Deer Creek.  Please meet her at the starting point of the trail. Dress appropriately for the day’s weather so you can walk, learn, and enjoy the beauty of nature at Deer Creek State Park.  Help us know who to expect for the hike by signing up by clicking on the button below.

Nancy Russell

Beta Kappa Chapter

Nancy Russell and her husband Dave were recognized as Shelby County Historical Society's volunteers of the year award at a recent event held at the Ross Historical Center in Sidney, Ohio.

Alpha Tau Chapter honored Cheryl Quay and Ruby Logan as 50-year members. Alpha Tau has three, 50-year members. Mary Howell was honored last fall.

You Can Do This!

Ohio State Organization needs you. OSO does not exist without the willingness of its 2,451 members to be actively engaged in various areas of the organization. We urgently need you to step up. My direct message to each OSO member: You can do this!

What do I mean? This is whatever role you see yourself stepping up to do. It may be at the chapter level. OSO needs leaders at the chapter level to be officers. These officers need capable chapter members to step up and serve on committees. These committees need to be focused on goals and objectives that correlate to the seven purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma and beyond. You can do this!

There will be opportunities to serve on designated state committees in the next biennium that starts July 2025. Look for further details on the website in the February edition of The Voice. Serving on a state committee is an excellent way to gain broader knowledge about the inner workings of OSO. It is a logical pathway to a state officer position. You can do this!

We need decisive leaders at the state level to serve as officers. I firmly believe that state officers serve to assist the 67 chapters. That means being a mentor. Can you see yourself in that role? Can you see yourself contributing to the growth of our chapters? If so, apply to be a 2025-2027 OSO officer. The deadline to apply has been extended to February 10. There is a link on the OSO website and in this issue of The Voice. You can do this!

Every one of us have strengths. What strengths are you willing to step forward with to help create a more relevant and robust chapter and Ohio State Organization? You can do this!

Energetically,

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

OSO First Vice President

OSO Membership Chair

GIRLS Initiative

By now most of you know DKG is no longer supporting Schools for Africa. DKG is now supporting educational access for girls in Africa through an initiative simply titled, GIRLS (Girls Initiative to Revitalize Learning and Success). This fund works to bolster girls’ education in Africa. It addresses critical barriers to girls’ education and strengthen global expertise in this field.

The key areas of focus are 1) get a better understanding of barriers facing girls in Africa, 2) address harmful social norms, 3) deploy technology, 4) mount global advocacy and leadership and 5) develop a Technical Advisory Panel.

To learn more information about this initiative and view a brief informative video on the fund narrated by Marisa Ferguson, Assistant Director of Global Cause Partnerships for UNICEF USA, go to DKG International’s website at www.dkg.org and search for GIRLS Fund.

Karen Dombrowski, Alpha Nu

OSO Second Vice-President

Education Excellence Chair

International Women's Day

March 8, 2025

In 1977, the United Nations established International Women's Day to promote eliminating discrimination against women and advancing gender equality globally. Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women's Day honors women’s contributions and highlights the ongoing challenges they face without regard to national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political divisions.

Celebrate courage and empowerment with the purchase of a 2025 International Women's Day pin. By ordering a pin, you are honoring an exceptional woman in your life and contributing to initiatives that support and empower women worldwide. Here is your chance to express gratitude to the women who have inspired and guided you.

The DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF) is offering its second International Women's Day pin fundraising initiative to support our mission of educating the world. The 2025 pin features a red tulip – red symbolizing courage and determination and tulips presented as a symbol of empowerment to women worldwide. The International Women's Day pin campaign began on January 15, 2025, and ends on March 1, 2025.

HOW TO ORDER

Ready to celebrate your mentor? The 2025 International Day pins will be ordered and shipped from Award Concepts with a $25 donation per pin going to the DKGIEF area of greatest need.

Using Award Concepts to distribute the pins allows those ordering to have the pin(s) and specially designed card(s) sent to them to personally present to the woman being honored or mailed directly to the woman being recognized.

On the Award Concepts home page in the “Featured Item” column on the left, click on the pin, and the order form will open. Select the number of pins and pay using a credit/debit card.