Volume 97 - Issue 9| March 2025

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!

Let’s get ready to March into our 2025 Delta Kappa Gamma Ohio State Organization Convention at the Deer Creek Lodge & Conference Center. We’re going to have a special guest as a Society Representative from International who is the Membership Director, Sy Franco Stern, who will be joining us on Friday evening April 4, 2025, and Saturday, April 5, 2025. She will be speaking with us on Friday evening about news from International. On Saturday, she will be sharing insights and suggestions to help OSO with some of our challenges!

I will have a special surprise gift to share with someone who attends our 2025 OSO Convention! So, you don’t want to miss it. As we continue marching forward to prepare for our OSO Convention through the ice and sometime snow remember to…

Recognize International Women's Day

On this day, we stand so tall,

Honoring women, one and all.

Their strength, their wisdom, their guiding light,

Shining boldly, burning bright.

Through every challenge, big or small,

Women rise with courage, stand so tall.

With hearts of fire and hands that mend,

They lead, they build, they help, they tend.

So let us cheer and show our praise,

For all they've done in countless ways.

March 8th—a day to say,

We honor women every day!

~ Catherine Pulsifer

Melodie's Meaningful Memoirs…

The International Conference will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 31 - August 2, 2025.
There is a new page on the International website titled Virtual Events Around DKG under Events, Related Events, Virtual Events. Chapters, states, and regions may submit upcoming virtual events open to all DKG members: Virtual Events Link
The Revisions Task Force is accepting recommendations from members on changes to the governing documents: Recommendations Link

Until next time let’s continue to…

May each of you have a bouquet of red roses in your lives every day…

Melodie

Inside International

DKG Ohio members are encouraged to participate in the monthly Inside International Meetings via Zoom. Join the meeting for half an hour to enjoy conversation with international leaders and staff. Directors and elected leaders will be available to answer questions and welcome comments. As the links to these meetings are available, Ohio members will be notified via Constant Contact.

Upcoming Inside International Dates:

Tuesday, March 4th at 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Tuesday, April 1st at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Tuesday, May 6th at 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Tuesday, June 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

The Calendar Has Flipped to March

We are encouraged by the number of members already coming to the 2025 OSO Convention. Guess what? It’s not too late! There are still four (4) more days to make your reservation for the convention held at Deer Creek State Park near Mt. Sterling, about thirty miles south of Columbus. Will you take advantage of this golden opportunity to experience a state convention in person? Register by March 4. We hope to welcome each of you!

REGISTRATION LINK

Total cost for registration is $48 which includes your lunch at $24.

OSO Convention 2025 at a Glance (Tentative)

Friday, April 4

3:00 - 8:00 p.m. The convention registration table will be in the Lobby of the Lodge. Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 p.m.

5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Rafters Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Deer Creek Lake is open for dinner

7:00 p.m. Opening Session in the ballroom with the inspirational presentation of flags, greetings from President Melodie McGee and DKG International representative Sy Franco Stern, plus updates on International news.

8:00 p.m. Reception, also located in the ballroom, with fun getting to know-you activities and dessert!

Saturday, April 5

Breakfast is on your own. Rafters is open from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. or bring something from home.

7:30 a.m. Convention registration table opens.

9:00 a.m. Spring Executive Board Committee Meeting - All members are welcome. Voting by Executive Board members only, includes chapter presidents.

10:15 a.m. General Session for all members.

11:10 a.m. Celebration of Life Service

12:15 p.m. Parade of Presidents; 87th Birthday Luncheon; Installation of 2025 - 2027 State Officers

Deer Creek State Park Lodge

22300 State Park Rd. 20

Mt. Sterling, OH 43143

(740) 869-2020

LODGING: The OSO room block is available until March 4. Make your reservation by calling Deer Creek Lodge direct at (740) 869-2020; give the group code: GOSO.

Lifelong Learning sessions continue most Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Our editor sends out the list of topics. You decide which ones to attend and register in advance. A confirmation email is sent to you with login details to use the night of the Zoom meeting. Save the email and mark your calendar to assure you can attend.

Convention Lifelong Learning Session

If you come early to Convention on Friday, April 4 you’re in for a treat! Starting at 3:00 p.m. Past State President Debby Canter will lead members on the Storybook Trail at Deer Creek State Park. Meet her at the starting point of the trail. Dress for the weather so you can walk and learn while you enjoy nature! In person is the best way to experience this optional short adventure. Please register so Debby knows to expect you.

Registration Link for Storybook Trail

Nominations for OSO Executive Committee

OSO President

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

Dr. Molly Helmlinger has extensive and diverse experiences in Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She has provided leadership for chapters in Ohio and Texas over the past 34 years and is a former school district superintendent. Her extensive work with other dedicated educators has enabled established goals and objectives to be achieved in a collaborative and timely manner. She resides in Sidney and currently serves as OSO First Vice President and chairs the Membership Committee. Molly has served as Second Vice President and state committees including Leadership Development and Strategic Planning.

Molly states she has a high energy level and commitment to the seven purposes of DKG. She believes her vast experiences in leadership positions enable her to be both a visionary and practical person. Being strategic, utilizing the skill sets of our diverse members, encouraging active engagement by all in a focused concerted approach should enable OSO to flourish.

Molly states spirituality is weaved through everything she does including being a leader. Dr. Helmlinger is president of Spirit Lead Consulting, LLC.

OSO First Vice President

Sharon Scheidegger, Beta Delta

Sharon currently serves as president of Beta Delta and has been active in attending state meetings as a Legislative Liaison. Sharon lives in Hebron and is a 12-year classroom teacher currently serving as a Title 1 reading specialist.

She says that she has learned so much from DKG and wishes to continue to serve OSO. Sharon said her attendance at the 2024 International Convention and the camaraderie she received made her feel welcome and wishes to honor OSO by stepping up to serve.

Sharon hopes that by connecting with other members and providing encouragement those individuals will grow.

OSO Second Vice President

Karen Dombrowski, Alpha Nu

Karen is a 30-year educator who has held chapter and state leadership roles in OSO. At the state level, she is Second Vice President and previously served as Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary. She has served on OSO committees: Membership, Educational Excellence and Expansion. Karen also served as Gold Key Coordinator.

Karen feels that as a member of DKG, she should give back to an organization that has helped her grow as a teacher and a person. She promises to serve as Second Vice President with dignity, honesty and to set a good example as a member of OSO and DKG.

The retired social studies teacher resides in Pickerington. She says she has made lifelong friends along her journey as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

OSO Recording Secretary

Meier Bauer, Gamma Phi

Meier has served in leadership roles at both the chapter and state levels. At the state level, she has been President, Vice President overseeing membership, Corresponding Secretary, chaired the Finance Committee and served on Leadership Development. At the International level, Meier is a director of the DKG International Educators Foundation.

A resident of Cincinnati, Meier has a strong belief in supporting chapters and chapter membership. She believes bringing relevant information from the state and International to chapters and encouraging member participation and leadership in their chapter and at the state level. Meier is a retired speech-language pathologist.

Nominations for the Nominating Committee

Area III Northwest

Suzanne M. Geis, Beta Zeta

Suzanne currently serves as chapter president for Beta Zeta for a second term. Her chapter leadership includes serving on the Nominating and Educational Excellence Committees.

Suzanne knows the necessity for members to get involved and to step up to leadership if the organization is to continue to thrive. She is willing to take the time to lead and fill necessary roles within the organization. Suzanne felt honored when asked to serve on the Nominating Committee and says it is her duty to serve.

The West Unity resident has served as a middle school principal and a classroom teacher. She has been active in OASSA (Ohio Association for Secondary School Administrators) and United Health Services.

Area IV Southwest

Karyn Kern-Lazear, Gamma Phi

Karyn is a retired speech-language pathologist and has been a member of DKG for 30 years. She has held multiple leadership roles at the chapter level including two terms as President. At the state level, the Cincinnati resident has served on the World Fellowship Committee, Membership Committee, Nominating Committee and has been an ADSOEF Director. Karyn has attended both state and international conventions.

Karyn says she has enjoyed working at the state level and wishes to work at this level again. She wishes to use her abilities to find members and encourage them to use their skills and knowledge to fill the needed positions from the various regions in the state. She hopes to encourage younger members to work at the state level.

Karyn’s previous experience on the Nominating Committee will aid greatly in achieving her goals of developing leaders.

Open Positions

OSO Executive Committee - Corresponding Secretary

Nominating Committee Representatives for Areas I, II, and V

Nominations will be accepted from the floor during OSO Executive Board Meeting on Saturday, April 5 for these positions.

Membership is All About Being a Member!

When considering the concept of membership, it essentially involves being a member.

M=Members. The vitality and strength of DKG and its chapters depends on their members. It is essential for each of us to evaluate the breadth and depth of our membership. What is your membership scope?

E=Energy. Energy can be either positive or negative. This energy influences both yourself and those around you. Positive energy motivates, encourages, and supports. Negative energy hinders, discourages, and obstructs. What type of energy are you generating in your chapter and at the state level?

M=Memorable. Being an officer in six Ohio and Texas chapters has provided countless experiences. The exhilaration of sisterhood and the challenges faced made these experiences memorable. What memorable experiences are occurring in your chapter?

B=Belief. We should believe in the potential within each member. Many talents remain undiscovered or underutilized in our chapters. Let's find and encourage members willing to share their skills to strengthen our chapters and build a more robust OSO. Are you willing to step forward and do so?

E=Engagement. Each member should decide her level of engagement at both chapter and state levels. Encourage all members to increase their participation and share their resources. Greater engagement from members can lead to amazing accomplishments. Are you expanding your comfort zone to be more engaged?

R=Relationships. Membership in DKG provides the opportunity to cultivate a diverse array of relationships. Each encounter through DKG represents a unique and valuable connection. As these interactions evolve, they form a dynamic and ever-changing network of professional and personal bonds. How many relationships are you foraging?

This column on membership emphasizes the importance of various aspects represented by the acronym MEMBER. It highlights the significance of members in the vitality of DKG chapters, the influence of positive energy, the value of memorable experiences, belief in each member's potential, the necessity of active engagement, and the cultivation of relationships. Members are encouraged to evaluate their impact, discover and utilize their talents, and engage more deeply to foster a dynamic network within the organization.

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

OSO First Vice-President

Membership Chair

Delta Kappa Chapter members pictured above gathered on Saturday, February 8 at the NCR Country Club to celebrate their 53rd birthday and induct a new member. Pictured below are Sue Ryan, President; Sandy Royer, Co-Corresponding Secretary; Theresa Lingenfelter, new inductee; Barbara Sommer, Nominating Committee member; and Marilyn Slusser, Membership Chairperson.

Judy White

Phi Chapter

Kay E. Franks

Phi Chapter

Ardath Sharp Dellapina

Alpha Eta Chapter

June Ann White

Delta Theta Chapter

Jessie C. Marlatt-Russell

Delta Phi Chapter

Suzanne Miloto

Pi Chapter

Suzanne is the President of the Ohio Art Education Foundation and is involved in a leadership role with the Ohio Art Education Association even though she is retired. This year Suzanne was presented with the Emeritus Division Award at the conference. She attends the annual conference which is the largest professional development opportunity for art educators in Ohio.

Legislative News

Empower yourself to be a voice for education. Please follow the link to my newsletter about following what is going on in Washington and how to share your voice to support or oppose the bills in Congress.

Sharon Scheidegger, Beta Delta

Legislative Liaison U.N. & U.S. Forum

March Legislation News

Alpha Sigma Chapter

Stephanie Wendt

Alpha Gamma Chapter

Mary Anderson

Mary Cox

Tricia Reed

Gamma Phi Chapter

Whitney Simmons

Reinstated Members

Alpha Gamma Chapter

Nancy Tanner

Judy Ortman

Beta Alpha Chapter toured the Point Pleasant WV River Museum. Chapter members are pictured standing in front of the replica of the Silver Bridge that collapsed in 1967 resulting in 46 deaths.

DKG Ohio Membership and Chapter Update

Active Members	2,155
Collegiate Members	5
Reserve Members	291
Total Membership	2,451
Ohio Chapters	67

Statement of Financial Activity

Revenue	$50,446.00
Unrealized Revenue	$ 12,314.00*
Total Revenue	$62.760.00
Expenses	$ 20,604.00
Net Income	$42,156.00

*investment interest & dividends + change in market value - management expenses

Statement of Financial Position

Checking/Savings	$ 51,265.00
Investments Assets	$230,741.00
Total Assets	$282,006.00
Credit Card Liability	$ .00
Total Equity	$282,006.00

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OSO Treasurer

Beta Chi Chapter members Sandy Bilovesky, Cathi Hawn, Betty Jean Bahmer and Diana Bauman were members of the February committee that hosted Sean Mark, who gave a presentation about the value of our antiques.