News Between the News

Rest in Peace

4/25/2019

DKG Past International President and Parliamentarian, Jean Gray passed away yesterday morning (4/22/2019). She was admitted to a Hospice facility last week. Cards may be sent to:
Charles Gray
3232 Gleneagles
Silver Spring, Maryland 20906

Celebration of Life Mary Jean Gray
Glenmont United Methodist Church
12901 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20906
Saturday, May 25, 2019 -- 1:00 PM
Refreshment will be served following the service.

Jean Gray Remembered as a Powerful Leader and Mentor
Warmth and wisdom were the hallmarks of Dr. Jean Gray's service to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society at every level of the organization. Gray, who passed away on April 21, 2019, not only served as international president (2002-2004) and as international parliamentarian (2006-2014) but was also a sounding board and mentor for countless leaders in the Society. A charter member of Omega Chapter in Maryland State Organization and participant in the 1981 Leadership/Management Seminar, she was named recipient of the International Achievement Award in 2001. Those who nominated her for that award noted that her strong spiritual qualities shaped her as a “powerful motivational and inspirational speaker.” Read more on the DKG Society website >

DKG 2019 Bulletin Journal 85-3: Community Education

2/25/2019

2019 Bulletin Journal 85-3: Community Education

On State Names and By-laws

1/17/2019

Here is the latest from the society

AUTOMATIC AMENDMENT PROCEDURE for SO Bylaw Updates (hard copy)

Some state organization bylaws do not have a provision for automatically updating the SO bylaws and standing rules to bring them into conformity with the DKG Constitution and International Standing Rules. Therefore, at their state conventions members go through the tedious process of proposing and voting on each conforming amendment separately.

Here is a way to streamline the process of making all of the amendments necessary to bring the state organization’s governing documents into compliance with the Constitution and International Standing Rules.

If the convention adopts an amendment to the state organization’s bylaws that states, "Changes in the Bylaws and Standing Rules of __(insert your SO name here)___ necessitated by amendments to the DKG Constitution and/or International Standing Rules shall be made by the __(insert the name of the authorized board or committee here)___ and then reported to members ___(indicate how, when and where___, " the state organization will not have to approve each change individually.

Note that the amendment needs to state who has the authority to make the conforming amendments and to indicate when and how members are to be informed of the changes.

If such an amendment is proposed and adopted at a 2019 SO convention, it will take effect immediately. Therefore, if it is adopted before any conforming amendments are proposed, the members will not have to consider those conforming amendments. They can simply be made by the authorized board or committee and reported to the members in the prescribed manner.

Helen Popovich, Ph.D., PRP
International Parliamentarian
January 15, 2019

Guidelines Regarding State Organization Names (hard copy):
The Constitution states: "Each state organization of the Society shall be designated by a geographic area or by a country name. Each chapter shall be named by the state organization."

Robert's states: "If the bylaws authorize certain things specifically, other things of the same class are thereby prohibited" [RONR (11th ed.), p. 589, ll. 33-34]. This means that if the DKG Constitution specifically authorizes a geographic area name, any other name such as a Greek letter name is prohibited. Also, if the Constitution specifically authorizes each state organization to name its chapters, the state organization is prohibited from naming other things of the same class, such as its own state organization.

In addition, at the 2018 convention the members amended Article I, Section B of the Constitution by striking the Greek letter or combination of Greek letters by which the state organization was designated and inserting the geographic area by which it was to be designated. Since the members voted to strike the Greek letter or combination of Greek letters that designate a state organization's name, the Greek letter(s) must be struck from the designated name.

Therefore, in accordance with the Constitution, the name of your state organization is “the __Name of Your State, Geographic Area, or Country_ State Organization.”

You can, however, add the parenthetical phrase "(formerly known as __Greek letter(s)__ State)," since such a phrase does not suggest that "Greek Letter(s)" is a part of the official name. It merely provides historical information.

Helen Popovich, Ph.D., PRP
International Parliamentarian
11/13/18

Why volunteer for 2020?

11/6/2018

Why be a volunteer for the 2020 International Convention in Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania will be joining with New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to host the 2020 DKG International Convention in Philadelphia July 7-10 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. We are in the volunteer commitment stage and we have six reasons for you to volunteer for this wonderful event.

It’s Good For Your Health! No, we aren’t making this up. Studies have found that when you stop thinking about your own problems and focus on a project, your stress levels start to decrease, your immune system is strengthened and your overall sense of life satisfaction increases. This is because helping interrupts tension-producing patterns and replaces it with a sense of purpose, positive emotions, and high confidence levels.

Give Back to DKG! Your reason for volunteering should begin where your passions lie. Let your love of DKG create a positive experience for those attending the 2020 Convention.

Make Real Connections! Volunteering for the 2020 Convention will let you meet people from all the regions and state organizations of DKG. You could meet your new best friend, future business partner, or have a conversation that sparks a real change in your life.

Gain a Whole New Perspective! Volunteering at the International level will change how you see DKG. This shift in perspective will open your mind to the scope of the Society.

The Food! The convention hotel is attached by walkway to the Reading Terminal Market. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, this historic indoor market features more than 80 vendors offering an astonishing variety of food, with some vendors operating in much the same way that they did when the market opened in 1892.The globally inspired food — available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert as well as for snacking — is the main draw, while butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, cheese mongers and produce vendors offer food, ingredients and goods for sale. From scrapple and samosas to soul food and smoothies, Reading Terminal Market is such a fantastic place to eat that it can be tough to choose what to get.

Get Inspired in Philadelphia! Philadelphia has something for everyone and our hotel is close to it all. Historic sites such as Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (run the Rocky steps!) are just steps from the hotel. The central location also brings easy access to the Barnes Foundation, Kimmel Center, and Franklin Institute. Also worth visits are:

National Constitution Center
National Museum of American Jewish History
African American Museum
Museum of the American Revolution
Fairmount Park
Rittenhouse Square
Italian Market
One Liberty Observation Deck
Citizens Bank Park (Home of the Phillies)
Franklin D Roosevelt Golf Club
Longwood Gardens
Valley Forge

New Jersey state organization has developed a Volunteer Response form that is available for you and your chapter members to complete on line. Responses will be added to a database for easy reference. Perhaps you have already completed a paper form that was obtained at the 2018 state convention. Please do additionally complete the Google Form at this link: goo.gl/gHKUQN This will assure that you are in the database for volunteering at the convention.

Dr. Lyn Schmid
DKG Executive Board Member

DKG International Convention 2020

9/17/2018

Your help is needed!

July 5-12, 2020, the DKG International Convention is being hosted by the Middle Atlantic States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Columbia, and Maryland. We need YOU to attend the convention AND to volunteer to help make it a success!

Due to a technical glitch, any responses submitted for the 2020 Convention Survey, before 9/18/18, were not recorded. Please resubmit the survey so we have your response. It's up and running now.

Dear Sisters,
I am so excited about sharing this news with you! The AZS Executive Committee agreed to work in partnership with Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. to host the 2020 DKG International Convention. I am proud to be representing New Jersey as a member of the Steering Committee for this event. The committee visited 3 locations and venues. Nita Scott made the final decision for the location after listening to the committee's research. The convention will be held at the Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia.

2020 seems so far away but the planning has already begun and we need everyone's help. New Jersey has not been able to host a regional or international event so this is our chance to show support to our DKG international community. AZS is a fabulous group of dynamic women who all have something special to contribute to get the work done, individually, in groups or chapters, and at the state level.

Below is the link to the Google Survey, 2020 DKG Convention Volunteer Form, created by our own Jessi Oliano, who answered the volunteer call enthusiastically. Thank you Jessi.

PLEASE send this email to every chapter member NOW, via email or snail mail, and post it on your chapter website and social media places.
PLEASE complete the attached short survey NOW, so we can begin our planning. It is very important that all AZS members receive this email.

Thank you all so very much for contributing to the success of the 2020 DKG Convention. We need EVERYONE'S help.
CLICK ON THIS LINK BELOW:
goo.gl/gHKUQN

My best to you all,
Barbara Smith,
New Jersey Representative 2020 Convention Steering Committee
Email: barbsmith40@comcast.net
Cell: 609-276-6092

In Memoriam - Sharon Long, Iota

5/25/2018

Hello Sisters,
It’s with great sadness that I share the passing of our Sister, Sharon Long. Sharon passed away Tuesday morning at her home. I received the following information from Jeanne Whalen:
Saturday at St. Pisagh Church AME 306 N. Warwick Road Lawnside. Viewing 9-11 and services at 11. No designated charity so people can give to a charity of their choice or flowers.

Iota Chapter will be sending monies to one of our Charities in Sharon’s name.
Please keep Thelma and Doretha in your prayers.

Sharon was the Recording Secretary of Alpha Zeta State during the 2013-2015 biennium. The photograph above is from the luncheon at the 2015 convention.

Carol Schwartz
Alpha Zeta State President
cbsrosered@gmail.com

ARE YOU REALLY CONNECTED TO DKG?

3/19/2017

You are if we have your email! Read more >

DKG Statement of Neutrality

2/5/2017

(Attachment) As you are aware, there are many controversies facing us today. While we are individually taking stands on these, Delta Kappa Gamma, as a nonprofit, must remain neutral. Therefore, the attached document explains in more detail this neutral position. Please read and pass along to chapters and anyone else in DKG who may need this information.
Eileen McNally
2016 - 2018 International Communications & Publicity Committee