Dear DKGNJ Sisters,
 
First of all, many thanks to those of you who responded to our first survey regarding the future of our DKGNJ State Conventions. Those results were very helpful to us in our analysis and projections into the next decades.  However, we now want to be certain that our results specifically reflect the feelings/opinions of our membership. To give us a better idea of three aspects of future conventions, your task force has developed a One-Minute Survey that will be disseminated to all members to help us gain insight into the three major issues that we need to address, i.e., (1) How often should we hold the state convention?  (2) How long should the convention be? and (3) How can we increase attendance at the state convention?  Critical, critical questions for all of us.  So, please spend the minute that it will take for you to answer the seven multiple choice questions and please urge all your members and sisters to do the same. Time is of the essence with this survey so please click on the link and return the survey no later than June 20, 2022.  
 
Thanks so much,
Nora, Barbara, Ingrid and Carol

This is a video created by Jessica Myers, a sister from Gamma Chapter. She is her district's SEL (social emotional learning) teacher and runs Master of Me Academy.

August 28, 2020
 
Dear State Organization Leaders,
The 2020-2022 International Administrative Board approved the motion below that I believe will positively impact your meetings in the future and reduce anxiety or angst your members may be experiencing.  I know it certainly will in my state.  You will be able to have Board Meetings on an electronic platform and take actions on motions rather than having to separately vote on the motions via mail or electronic means. 
 
Motion:  As a pilot project, the Administrative Board authorize that state organizations and the subordinate bodies controlled by their bylaws to transact business electronically so long as all members can hear each other simultaneously and actively participate in the meeting, and that, during the 2020-2022 biennium, the Board evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot project in assisting state organizations conduct their business.
 
Please let me know if I can help you in any manner as you are scheduling meetings, working with committees, offering presentations and workshops, etc.  I am here to serve you.
 
In DKG sisterhood,
 
Debbie LeBlanc
Northeast Region Director

Download the PDF for Get Connected

What's happening in DKGNJ?
DKGNJ has a state meeting on Saturday, September 12th beginning at 9 AM.  EVERY member is invited to attend!  Be signed in by 8:50. The Zoom invitation is in the email, not to be shared on social media or the websites.  Contact Ingrid Williams for the invitation if you have lost it.

The amendment to the state by-laws passed with a unanimous vote of 352-0. We can now conduct a business meeting electronically.  Thank you for voting!

All members are encouraged to log into the International website (dkg.org) to make sure your information is correct. When we did the email for the Amendment vote, we found many incorrect emails.  Some of you have moved, changed your names, changed your emails, canceled your land lines...all of that needs to be updated by you!
Log on to dkg.org:
USERNAME: Username is your 6 digit Member ID. (if you don't have a membership card with your id on it, contact your chapter treasurer because she will have it)PASSWORD: MUST include 7 characters – including at least one letter and one number. If you have never logged in, use dkg2014society as the password and change it when you get in.
Go to to the MYDKG tab and check your information. We found many errors when we were sending refunds and voting emails!  If you have trouble, use their contact chat/phone number - they're used to people who can't make it work :).
Applications for state officers for the 2021-2023 biennium are now being accepted and have a deadline of September 30th. The form is available on the state website under State Documents and should be returned to Carol Schwartz (cbsrosered@gmail.com) by September 30th.

Our Leadership Development Conference is on Saturday, October 17th from 9 AM - 11 AM.  All members are invited and are encouraged to invite a non-member to attend.  Here is the link for registration!

Dena Breslin CTACC, MSPAS, CHPC, Certified by ICF and Creator at DenaB Coaching 
For 25 years, Dena’s passion has been the art & science of success, leadership development and mindset transformation. A former physician assistant, she continues to advocate for and educate on holistic health and wellness. Her practice incorporates individual deep dive coaching, group masterminds, workshops and retreats. She believes your best life begins in your mind.

This just in...
The Curriculum of Hope for a Peaceful World Summer Newsletter is in.  It is focused on finding hope for ourselves and the future in this crazy time.  Check it out!

Zoom Tips from the Virginia Newsletter - Links to help you

1. Getting started (NEVER used before) on a computer: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide-for-new-users
2. If you need to use your landline phone to call in: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663-Joining-a-meeting-by-phone
3. Getting started on an iPhone: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362993-Getting-Started-with-iOS
4. Getting started on an Android: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/200942759-Getting-Started-with-Android
5. Quick start guides for new users: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide-for-new-users
6. Joining a meeting: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-meeting There are tabs for iOS, Android, computer, etc. all on this link
7. Simple troubleshooting: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/sections/200305593-Troubleshooting
8. You will probably have to turn on both your video and audio to participate in the meeting. Many hosts have that turned off for participants entering. That said, read below…
9. Basic etiquette:

• A.Mute your mic during presentations.
• B.If your mic is open for questions or comments, limit background noises
• C.Dress appropriately – consider what your shirt says
• D.Make sure what is behind you in the background is appropriate
• E.Turn OFF your video/web cam when sessions are recorded. Mic MUST be offwhen the session is recorded.
• F.Limit personal chatter in the chat box. Use mainly for questions for the presenters
• G.Remember that this is new to many – show kindness and grace
• H.DO NOT share the great zoom links you will be attending on public platformsor social media – NOT SAFE
• I.Position camera appropriately

10. This will not be perfect – have patience and give grace/forgiveness. It’s not hard,it’s just new.

Your DKG Membership
We didn't get to go to Philly for the International Convention - and the Jersey Girls didn't get to go out to dinner!  The International Convention happened anyway, of course.  We're teachers and we always rise to the occasion.  The convention was virtual and many of us did not get to "attend" when it was held, but you can catch up!  There is a page on the DKG website (yes, you have to be signed in) that is "BEYOND THE VIRTUAL EVENT, Highlights and Links|Available for a year" and to help us out, there is a pdf of the links at a glance - you can get it here.

Member Spotlight
Dr. Bea Card Kettlwood - Kappa Chapter
We in DKGNJ know Bea as an artist and a member of Kappa Chapter. Whenever Kappa has had the assignment of place cards for the head table at convention, Bea has done them all as hand painted works of art. If you Google Bea, she pops up all over the place!  

"An essay assignment for students by a Butler High School English teacher 70 years ago was significant enough for a class member to include it in a book she recently wrote to tell her life story.

The teacher, who in 1946 told her students to “Write an Autobiography Looking into Years in the Future of your Life” was Muriel Benoy. The student is Dr. Beatrice Card Kettlewood of Pompton Plains, who was a 16-year-old junior when she wrote her essay.

Today Kettlewood is a renowned artist whose work includes the stained glass windows and bas-relief sculpture at the Interfaith Chapel at Chilton Memorial Hospital; a full wall back lighted window with the theme of Fire, Earth, Water and the Tree of Life at Morristown Memorial Hospital; stained glass with a theme of trees representing different religions at Morristown Rehabilitation Institute and windows with the theme of the Seven Days of Creation at Hackettstown Community Hospital – Adventist Health Care. She also did three transom windows for the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains with Rev. Vincent Fasano for the 250th anniversary of the church."  Read the rest of this news article on northjersey.com <https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/morris/pequannock/2018/08/24/bea-card-kettlewood-pompton-plains-nj-lives-life-filled-laughs/1051419002/>

"Bea Card Kettlewood is a celebrated Marquis Who's Who biographee <https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/437321/bea-card-kettlewood-named-a-lifetime-achiever-by-marquis-whos-who>. Prior to her retirement, Dr. Kettlewood was a high school art educator and part-time Extension Division at William Paterson University. She elected to remain a high school art educator and has many former students in art careers."

Deadlines: Don't miss anything!
September 1, 2020 -  State Organization Treasurer annual report (Form 16)
September 15, 2020 - Arts & Humanities Gallery Submissions for Fall Gallery (open Aug. 15 - Sept. 15)
September 15, 2020 - International Speakers Fund Speaker application
September 30, 2020 - All dues must be entered in the portal to avoid members being dropped Oct.1st
October 1, 2020    Bulletin: Journal submissions    
October 15, 2020    Society Representative request     August 2020
October 31, 2020    Website compliance renewal     Always under forms (even years only)

We hope you are anxiously awaiting the 2020 DKG Virtual Event in July and have plans to participate. Our C&M Committee sessions will not be a part of those you can attend but we are still excited about what we were going to share and have included some of it in this Get Connected!  With the change of our committee name at the 2018 convention, we have focused on marketing this biennium and are culminating with the roll-out of a marketing plan template. State Organizations and chapters are encouraged to make a simple marketing plan--what do you need to accomplish and how will you do it? What are the priorities for next year? What projects will you support and how will you fund them? Use this simple marketing plan template to help guide your way. We've included a sample plan using recruiting collegiate members as the goal. We hope you find it helpful.

You can find more information on the marketing plan at https://www.dkg.org/DKGMember/Resources/Tools/Marketing/Under_the_Marketing_Umbrella.aspx. We hope you will login to the DKG website and check it out.  The July/August Get Connected! is attached and can be found at https://www.dkg.org/DKGMember/Publications/Newsletters/DKGMember/Publications/Get_Connected_Newsletters.aspx?hkey=c9df8089-442e-4c11-86bc-ca843c12dae7.

One other update: Website compliance renewal begins August 1 (until Oct. 31) and we have slightly revised compliance Form 72 and made it a google form. The main changes are that "updated" is more prominent and we added "No links to International leader's email" as a mandatory item and added "or a contact form" in the bullet related to including a webmaster's email on the home page, both because of the phishing scams that have hit Headquarters. We are awaiting Administrative Board approval and the form will be on the website soon. Please wait just a little longer before submitting and use the google form. Webmasters, please remind your chapter leaders about re-compliance and encourage more chapters to have websites--they are great marketing tools!  

I have enjoyed working with you and representing our region on the International Communications and Marketing Committee. We've accomplished much and hope you will read our report in the Virtual Event program. Please subscribe to the DKGSI blog (if you have not already) for future updates (http://dkgsi.blogspot.com/). 

Hope to see you in San Antonio, Portland or Tampere!
My best and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything!

Debbie LeBlanc

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

​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.

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