Volume 96 - Issue 12| June 2024

Cathy Tenney, Editor

A Message From

OSO President Melodie McGee

Greetings. . .It's a beautiful day today in our

OSO Delta Kappa Gamma Society neighborhood!

During the month of June, we inherited a new outside squirrel friend named Jack. He comes up to visit us each time he sees us sitting by the French doors near our backyard deck railing. He seems to give us non-verbal report of what he has done during the day. He also shows us as he jumps through the trees, how he organizes and leads the rest of the 20 squirrels that reside in our yard. He is quite proud of himself. I stand there and talk to him at the windows as he nods his head when I ask him questions and affirm his leadership abilities.

As you, my Delta Kappa Gamma Sisters in some chapters change leadership positions or retain/continue for another biennium in the same leadership position I congratulate you. To those chapter officers who are gracefully exiting the positions that you have recently served in for the last biennium, we say thank you for serving in your chapter position and we applaud all the time and love that you sacrificed for OSO.

When I watched our family squirrel execute his daily duties, I was reminded about the many things that all our chapter officers accomplish as they serve in their positions so that their chapters run smoothly.

Let me share with you the lessons I observed from our squirrel, Jack! Did you know that….

Squirrels showcase nest-building behaviors and techniques choosing a secure spot and then collecting materials such as twigs, leaves they weave these elements together to provide a safe and warm environment.
If you have squirrels in your neighborhood, take a moment to observe their fascinating behavior patterns, their extraordinary gaming strategies or even their dexterity in tree navigation.
We all love seeing squirrels running around, playing, and collecting food. It’s one of our favorite sights when taking the time to observe them in our backyard.
Ground squirrels use their tails as umbrellas during hot weather.
Squirrels communicate using complex tail signals and vocalizations.
Squirrels’ eyes are positioned in a way that allows them to see behind them.
Squirrels are clever creatures and can learn to navigate numerous obstacles to find the most efficient route to food; they’re also rather good at finding shortcuts.
Squirrels seemed to have unique behaviors and habits which reflect their adaptability and intelligence in a competitive natural world.

As 2024-2026 OSO Chapter Officers you begin your new biennium and accept your office responsibilities. You will be creating an environment that is growing DKG members, equipping members with educational opportunities and knowledge, while creating inviting, creative, and safe atmospheres.

In our OSO Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter Neighborhoods, we will sometime have times when we enjoy entertainment with each other and times when we work together to provide for others by doing projects.

As chapter officers, we should be helpful to each other when one of our sisters has a need. In addition to offering aide to each other, like the words in our DKG Song guides us to do when it says … “Mindful of our sisters needing, Aid and guidance from those leading, Helpful may we be!”

Always be watchful in front, in back and all around you for any challenges in your chapter as well as those triumphs…like the words in our DKG Song that remind us… “For our sisters watch e’er keeping.”

Remember to keep a line of communication available with the members of your Chapter so that they know that you care and are concerned about each one of them.

Melodies’ Meaningful Memoirs…

Your service to DKG Ohio and your chapter during this biennium is most appreciated. The incoming chapter officers will look to you for support and guidance. Their success also depends on the training and support that is available from DKG Ohio.

You are asked to coordinate the attendance of your incoming chapter officers at the OSO Chapter Leadership Training. Please communicate with ALL incoming chapter officers to learn of their preference to participate in training. It is not necessary for the chapter to choose one option over the other. Each attending member should attend the training option that is most convenient for her.

Let’s continue to bloom together as we….

May each of You Have a Bouquet of Red Roses in your lives every day…

Melodie

Marilou Coverstone

Alpha Upsilon

Mary Fish

Alpha Delta

Ellen Joyce Andrews

Beta Gamma

Dorothy Pat Knecht

Beta Rho

Delta Phi Chapter Celebrates 50th Birthday

Delta Phi Chapter celebrated their 50^th birthday at which time they recognized their active Charter members. They also invited former members to attend with several of them choosing to rejoin! Pictured seated are Bev McHenry and Carol Rothrock. Standing: Helen Gordon, Janet Zimmerman, Mary Jane John, Kathryn Cryder.

Form 110 Reporting 2024-2026 Chapter Officers

Form 110 is due to OSO President Melodie McGee via email or mail as soon as possible. Form 110 is due to DKG International via email or mail by June 30, 2024. See the form for details. Even if you have the same officers as the last two years, you must complete and submit the form for both OSO and DKG International. International wipes the slate clean every two years after June 30th

Form 110 - Reporting 2024-2026 Chapter Officers

Tau Chapter

Kelly R. Hug

Jill R. Evans

The Chapter Officer Training Seminar is fast approaching. This seminar is available to all incoming officers for the 2024-2026 Biennium. It is for both returning officers and ones new to their leadership positions. The entire OSO Admin Team will be making separate presentations on a wide range of topics throughout the scheduled seminar. My PowerPoint presentation is titled, “Leap into Leadership.” I want the content to be a surprise yet tickle your curiosity bone in this column.

Have you ever leapt into something not knowing what the result may be? I have on countless occasions. If truth be told I thrive on it and still do. These leaps are simultaneously exhilarating and frightening. I concluded early on in my personal and professional life that leaping rather than tiptoeing into situations and experiences resulted in valuable learning and continuous growth. Most people can manage to lead when all is calm and bright. It is the ability to successfully navigate during turbulent storms that leaders are put to the test and shine. It is learning to whitewater raft through the churning rapids rather than rowing on a still pond that we develop as a leader. Learning to lead never stops. It keeps going and going. Consequently, you grow and grow.

It will indeed be necessary as incoming chapter officers to leap into leadership. Effective communication, active listening, creative problem solving, solid collaboration, full engagement, and proper delegation are skills to be developed. Flexibility, curiosity, fortitude, resiliency, patience and discipline will also be required. Start now in assessing where you are in each of these areas. Which ones are your strengths to be harnessed now? Where are your limitations that require more attention, development and focus? What other things need to be enhanced in order to lead your Chapter to greater endeavors.

Beyond the skills mentioned above are qualities that are more elusive including a certain X-factor. Do you know your X-factor? Leadership is a process of self-development and self-awareness. Be willing to put yourself out there and stretch beyond the normal boundaries. Expand into unknown territories. That is where development as a leader occurs. That is where learning to lead is explored. Let the adventure commence.

Energetically,

Dr. Molly Helmlinger

OSO Second Vice-President and EEC Chair

Chapters Celebrate Joint Birthday Luncheon

Alpha Delta Chapter and Alpha Gamma Chapter gathered for a delicious joint birthday luncheon.

DKG International Convention, July 9 – 13, 2024

DKG members from around the world will gather in National Harbor, Maryland for a magnificent week of personal and professional opportunities, the business of voting on 94 proposed amendments to the Constitution and Standing Rules and the celebration of installing new officers. The proposed amendments are easily found by visiting www.dkg.org. Amendments that are adopted will become effective on July 13, 2024. The impact of these governance changes will be reflected in updated Ohio Bylaws and Rules and in Chapter Rules.

Motions not related to the amendments will also be considered by those attending the convention. The International Educational Excellence Committee will bring to the floor a resolution to replace UNICEF Schools for Africa with GIRLS (Girls Initiative to Revitalize Learning Success). The mission of GIRLS is to make progress in the education of girls in Africa and prioritize efforts to enable all girls to complete secondary education and develop life skills.

A second motion will be made that a member task force work in collaboration with legal counsel to develop shorter and simpler bylaws for consideration and possible adoption at the 2026 International Convention. These bylaws, if adopted, would replace the Constitution and the current governing documents.

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OSO Treasurer

Chapters Award Scholarships

Dr. Mary Jo MacCracken, Gamma Lambda Scholarship Committee Chairman, with MaKayla Rogers, scholarship recipient 2024. MaKayla, Teacher of the Deaf, is using her scholarship money as she works on her Masters in Reading.

Roberta Rogers, Phi Scholarship Committee Chairman, with Tabitha Moneskey, scholarship recipient 2024. Tabitha, an Intervention Specialist for grades 3 and 4, is using her scholarship money as she works toward her administrative and treasurer licensures.

Omicron Chapter each year gives the Dr. Marian Kurner Aspiring Young Educator Award to a graduating senior planning to major in education. The award is named in honor of Omicron member and Past State President Dr. Marian Kurner. Omicron President Janet Kidd presented this year’s award to Cadence Cline, a senior at Frontier High School. Pictured with Cadence is her mother.

DKG Ohio Membership and Chapter Update

Active Members	2,254
Collegiate Members	5
Reserve Members	302
Total Membership	2,561
Ohio Chapters	68

Statement of Financial Activity

Revenue	$47,985.00
Expenses	$28,865.00
Epsilon Alpha Expenses*	$ 424.00
Net Income	$18,696.00

Statement of Financial Position

Assets	$236,957.00
Board Designated*	$ 1,076.00
Total Assets	$238,033.00
Liabilities	$1,942.00
Total Equity	$236,091.00

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OSO Treasurer

Gamma Pi Chapter Welcomes New Members

Gamma Pi Chapter welcomed three new members. Gamma Pi new members pictured above are Riley Merritt, a collegiate member; Mukadas Tashieva, A. Margaret Boyd Scholarship recipient; and Laura Dedo-Spencer, an active classroom teacher.

Welcome to the DKGSI Executive Secretary and Membership Director

Welcome to the DKGSI Executive Secretary and Membership Director Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA, IOM, who brings over 28 years of invaluable experience in nonprofit management and customer service to her role. Specializing in strategic alliance, business development, membership, meeting planning, governance & administration, and certification programs, Lucinda is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving organizational success. We welcome Lucinda as the Executive Director of DKGSI.

Sy Franco Stern is the newly hired Membership Director. She is willing and eager to assist chapters with your membership questions and needs.

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OSO Treasurer

Delta Chi Chapter's Day Trip

Delta Chi Chapter enjoyed a day trip to Augusta. Ky. Our first stop was the Rosemary Clooney Museum. Betsy Foreman is playing Rosemary Clooney’s piano.

OSO Members, World Travelers

One never knows who they will see on their world travels! Gamma Phi Chapter member Katie Gantz and her husband Jim were on their way to London when they ran into Sandy Lingo, Beta Nu Chapter and her husband on their way to Copenhagen. Pictured are Rick Lingo, Sandy Lingo and Katie Gantz.

OSO Needs a Webmaster!

The search for our OSO webmaster continues this month. The webmaster’s main job is to keep our website updated. She also serves as part of the administrative team and helps chapters with the creation and maintenance of their website. A complete description of job responsibilities for the webmaster is available on our website along with the application. Please contact Beth Archer Personnel Co-Chairman at archer1140@yahoo.com with your questions about this wonderful opportunity to become part of the OSO Team.

Alpha Psi Chapter Learns to Paint

Alpha Psi Chapter members started their May meeting off learning to paint. Members Bev, Cindy, and Wilma had them first apply their background to the canvas. As the background dried, chapter members ate their meal and then returned to complete their painting project.