|
Volume 99 - Issue 1| July 2026
Cathy Tenney, Editor
| |
A Message from Dr. Molly
Focused on Leading
A Salute to Our Chapter Officers
As chapters across Ohio begin the 2026-2028 biennium, the Focus Team expresses our sincere appreciation to all chapter officers, both newly elected and those continuing in leadership roles. Your willingness to serve strengthens your chapter, the Ohio State Organization, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Strong leadership blends fresh ideas with valuable experience. New officers bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives, while returning officers provide continuity. Chapter members contribute their wisdom and shared memories of cherished traditions. A community of belonging is fostered where every member is seen, heard, and valued.
Chapter officers do much more than run meetings and manage business. They foster meaningful member engagement and help connect members to OHSO and DKG’s broader work. Through their leadership, chapters become more relevant to today’s educators, more responsive to member needs, and more effective in advancing DKG’s mission to promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
As the Focus Team strengthens connections among the 66 chapters, the state organization, and DKG, chapter leaders play an essential role. Chapter officers help bridge those connections by prioritizing tasks, delegating required work, sharing accurate information, mentoring emerging leaders, and promoting opportunities beyond the local chapter.
Leadership is most effective when it is shared. We encourage all members to support their officers by contributing ideas, volunteering their talents, and actively engaging in chapter life. Together, officers and members build vibrant chapters that enrich lives and strengthen the impact of OHSO and DKG.
A heartfelt salute and thank-you to all chapter officers for your dedication, leadership, and service. The Focus Team is committed to supporting you throughout the new biennium as we continue to learn, lead, and grow together.
Leadership is about making others better because of your presence and ensuring that impact lasts in your absence. - Sheryl Sandburg
Energetically,
Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa
OHSO State President
| | | | Gamma Theta Chapter filled the Goodwill truck in Madison, Ohio, in three hours on a Saturday with the help of the Open Door Coffee shop, members of Gamma Theta and their many friends who want to support local women educators in Lake County. Thank you to Park Methodist Church for allowing us to use their parking lot and facility. Thank you to Esmond and Shawn from Goodwill who helped load the truck. We sincerely appreciate the many people who dropped of their wares. It was overwhelming and a great team effort!! We believe we have met our goal of $1,500 and very well may exceed our goal. | | |
JoAnn Ingram
Omicron
Sonja Lee Corlew
Alpha Alpha
Georgia Sue Farmer
Alpha Iota
| | |
Sheila Campbell
Alpha Nu
Virginia Gail Mingus
Alpha Xi
Caribeth Legats
Alpha Psi
| | |
Dr. G. Kay Walla
Gamma Xi
Judith Ortsey
Gamma Pi
Sherry Kuehnle
Delta Mu
| |
|
Membership Matters
On May 27, I was honored to give the Kid Connector Award to Jen Yoe, the building substitute at North Elementary School in Madison, OH. She was chosen by the school staff because of her ability to identify the needs of individual students, to give them needed care without being instructed to do so, and to rally other staff members to engage with students. Jen represents the type of educator we must support in our schools and society.
Being visible in schools provides the opportunity to become acquainted with future women educators for our chapters. Principal Theresa Solar, a Gamma Theta member, is currently encouraging Jen to complete her degree. This is a clear demonstration of the DKG mission "to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education."
Make it a practice to support the teachers in your local schools. You will find many individuals who are making positive differences in the lives of our students.
Sally Jo Rogus, Gamma Theta
OHSO Membership Committee
| | | | Chi Chapter awarded Hannah Malamisuro, a student at Fairfield High School the 2026 Chi Scholarship for Female Butler County High School Seniors entering the field of education in college next fall. She was presented with a check for $1,000 to help pay some of her college expenses. Hannah will be majoring in Integrated Social Studies Education at Miami University and plans to become a high School social studies teacher after graduation. | |  | Beta Nu Chapter Co-Presidents Bunny Doebling and Sandy Lingo of Beta Nu (celebrating 85 years in 2026) help Gamma Phi celebrate their 60th. Gamma Phi was sponsored by Beta Nu on their 25th. | | | |
Gamma Upsilon
Emma Capulto
| | |
Gamma Upsilon
Brynn L. Baskin
| | |
Delta Delta
Beverly A. Kolena
| | Delta Delta Chapter recently held their induction ceremony and celebrated their 55th anniversary. Pictured are Helene Jordan, co-president Helene Jordan; Bev Kolena, new member; Mary Alice Rodgers and Maria Bayuk, co-second vice presidents. | | | Alpha Psi Chapter installed officers for 2026-2028 biennium at their May meeting. Pictured from left to right are: Trudy Cultive, membership chair, Dawna Young, Co-Vice President, Kristie Baldwin,Co-Vice President, Barb Wolfe, President,and Jere Kay Gardner, Past President. | | |
Membership Data for 2026 - 20267
Based upon data from the DKG Ohio Dues Portal June 15, 2026
| | | Active Paid
Members | Collegiate Paid Members | Reserve Paid Members | Life
Members | Honorary
Members
| Total | Ohio Chapters | | 2091 | 6 | 255 | 2 | 37 | 2391 | 66 | | |
DKG Ohio Financial Update for
July 1, 2025 - May, 2026
| | Statement of Financial Activity | | | Dues Revenue | $28,715.00 | | Non-dues Revenue | $ 6,626.00 | | Investment Revenue | $45,826.00 (unrealized) | | Total Revenue | $81,167.00 | | Operating Expenses | $ 3,650.00 | | Administrative | $ 6,221.00 | | Committee Expenses | $ 2,311.00 | | Contributions | $ 750.00 | | DKG Conference | $14,706.00 | | Ex Bd Meetings | $ 5,566.00 | | Member Engagement | $ 517.00 | | Total Expenses | $33,671.00 | | Net Income | $47,496.00 | | | Statement of Financial Position | | | Checking/Savings | $ 30,833.00 | | Prepaid Expenses | $ 371.00 | | Available Fund Reserve* | $ 15,000.00 | | Investments | $286,820.00 | | Total Assets | $333,024.00 | | Credit Card Liabilities | $ (1,961.00) | | Total Equity | $331,063.00 | | | *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. | |
Suggestions for a Smooth Internal Financial Review
As a former chapter treasurer and current chapter president, I have several years of experience with Internal Financial Reviews of chapter treasurer records. The following suggestions can help make the process smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.
Organizing Treasurer Records
Our chapter treasurer keeps records in a notebook and uses plastic sleeves to organize materials. This system makes it easier for reviewers to locate documents quickly and verify information consistently.
Click on the link below to read all the suggestions for a smooth internal financial review.
Michele Koening
Gamma Chapter
Continue Reading
| | | |
Gamma Phi Chapter celebrated on May 21, 2026 a historic day. Beta Nu Chapter sponsored the formation of Gamma Phi exactly sixty years ago on date by inviting 16 educators to charter a chapter.
They gathered to mingle, reminisce about past years, honor members, laugh together in the photo booth, and look forward to the bright future of the chapter. During the program, six members celebrating a milestone membership anniversary received a DKG anniversary pin and were recognized. Members celebrating milestone years were Judy Rosen, 60 years; Sue Eades, 40 years; Nancy Cavanaugh, 35 years; Artis Martin, 25 years; Linda Ausman, 20 years; and Julie Schmidt, 15 years.
| | |
|
Important Upcoming Dates to Remember
July 7, 2026
1:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
dkg.org → Events → Virtual Events Around DKG → Inside Connections
July 19, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
July 31, 2026
Form 15 ChapterTreasurer Annual Report due
August 1, 2026
Submit Form 72 Society Website Compliance Assurance
August 4, 2026
6:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
August 15, 2026
Arts & Humanities submissions open for Fall Gallery
August 16, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
September 1, 2026
International Speakers Fund applications due
September 1, 2026
1:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
September 15, 2026
Arts & Humanities submissions due for Fall Gallery
September 27, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
October 6, 2026
6:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
October 18, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
October 31, 2026
Form 72 Society Website Compliance Assurance Forms Due
November 1, 2026
Cornetet Individual Professional Development Applications Due
Cornetet Seminar Professional Development Applications Due
November 3, 2026
1:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
November 15, 2026
All U.S. treasurers file IRS Form 990
November 15, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
December 1, 2026
6:30 p.m. Eastern
Inside International
December 13, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Connections
| | | |
Ohio State Organization Related Links | | | | Delta Kappa Gamma promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. | | | | |
