TNSO LEADERSHIP LINKS

December, 2024

Message from the President

Greetings, DKG Sisters!

"To Delta Kappa Gamma

Faith we pledge forever!

Hand in hand, our loyal band,

Forward moving ever!"

As we move forward into the Holiday season, and children focus on the gifts under the tree, I hope those of us in DKG will realize what a "gift" it is to have supportive sisters and genuine spiritual fellowship within our Society. As we each bring our own talents and gifts to the table, we are joining together In Harmony to move forward in supporting educators and education in our communities, our state, the nation, and around the globe.

As we look forward to the next biennium, it is encouraging to see the wide range of experience and talent exemplified by the proposed slate of new leaders put forth by our TNSO Nominations Committee. TNSO appreciates all those who have been willing to step forward into positions of leadership at the chapter, state, and international levels. It will be exciting to see what changes will be coming to keep our Society "forward moving ever" as we work together "In Harmony". I wish each of you peace, joy, and love during this season as I continue to visit chapters and participate in your excellent programs and projects as we move forward together in DKG.

In Harmony,

Marsha Brewer

Survival Kit Workshop for Early Career Educators at Fall Creek Falls.

Ann Jones, Alabama State Organization President, joined us at the Survival Kit Workshop to get inspired!

Gamma Nu members tour the King Family Public Library in Sevierville. They have a beautiful facility and impressive programs.

News "At a Glance"

ATTENTION PLEASE!!!

PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS, ELECTED COMMITTEES, AND VISION FOUNDATION MEMBERS

The Nominations Committee would like to present the proposed state officers for the 2025-2027 biennium as well as the elected committee members and Vision Foundation Directors. Please visit the state website or use the following link:

https://www.tndkg.org/officer-elected-committee-nominations

to find photos of the slate of nominees.

2025-2027 State Officers

TNSO President, Sherrie Collins, Beta Pi

TNSO First Vice-President, Michelle Steen, Theta

TNSO Second Vice-President, Misste Phillippi, Gamma Mu

TNSO Recording Secretary, Chasity Ragsdale, Alpha Rho

TNSO Corresponding Secretary, Belinda Juergens, Beta Epsilon

2025-2029 State Nominations Committee

Lynn Caruthers, Zeta - East

Dr. Elaine Alexander, Beta Epsilon - Middle

Paula Marshall, Alpha Lambda - West

2025-2029 Personnel Committee

Kim Thurman, Alpha Xi - East

Kathy Smith, Alpha Nu - Middle

Dr. Dorrie Powell, Beta Sigma - West

2025-2029 Finance Committee

Dr. Elaine Vaughan, Alpha Epsilon - East

Teresa Gregory, Alpha Gamma - Middle

Betsy Lucas, Beta Sigma - West

2025-2029 Vision Foundation Board of Directors

Becky Sadowski, Alpha Lambda

Kacey Whited, Beta Pi

Congratulations to these awesome Tennessee Leaders!

HELP FOR EAST TENNESSEE

Pam Egeler, Alpha Alpha Chapter, who lives in Elizabethton, has created an Amazon Registry List for anyone who would like to purchase items and have them sent to Elizabethton/Carter County. Amazon is still delivering to these hard to reach areas, and there is a coordinated effort to airlift items to inaccessible places. Pam is updating the list to include school supplies and other items children and teachers will need as school resumes. The link to purchase and donate to this area is: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2IFMV9T03WDTD?ref=gr_search_page_result

Misste Phillippi, Gamma Mu Chapter, who lives in Mountain City, has also created an Amazon Registry List. One of the schools in the area is serving as a resource center to distribute donated items to those in the Johnson County area. The list is being updated to include school and classroom supplies. The link to that registry is:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1A5C5YYLYB7XH?ref_=wl_share

Other organizations that are operating in the area are Samaritan's Purse,

www.samaritanspurse.org

and Churches of Christ Disaster Relief,

www.disasterreliefeffort.org

We will update the information and lists as schools open and more needs are known.

EARLY CAREER EDUCATORS' SURVIVAL KIT WORKSHOPS

Kudos to Mary Wadley and our TNSO State Projects Committee for facilitating three successful workshops for early career educators. Presenters Kelli Myers, Rho Chapter, and Wynne Anderson, Alpha Xi Chapter were outstanding, and we appreciate Alpha Lambda, Beta Gamma, Gamma Omicron, and Alpha Xi Chapters for providing support. Evaluation forms were 100% positive for the workshops in West, Middle, and East Tennessee. TNSO is making exceptional efforts to support our early career educators!

CHAPTER YEARBOOK TEMPLATE

Chapter Yearbooks should be submitted to First Vice President Chasity Ragsdale (TNDKG.1stvice@gmail.com) by December 15, 2024 in order to earn points on the Maycie Award. The updated Yearbook Template can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ey6TMDN0AWuUwHlQ3T8impjlYo_bX1I68B1lA3YpHBw/copy?usp=sharing

The link will instruct you to make a copy, which you will be able to save and then insert your chapter information. Evaluation form is attached to this newsletter.

VISION FOUNDATION

Applications for grants and awards are due December 31, 2024.

(See more information under "News of Committees" below)

The Vision Foundation will be presenting an informational meeting/workshop via Zoom on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 Central Time, 7:00 Eastern Time. Please inform your members of this opportunity to learn more about the Vision Foundation and the professional development and classroom grants that are available. Here is the link to the December 3 Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81532104061?pwd=bVa17GuP78K2DgnBaWTnBl2omEbt3g.1

TNSO PLANNING COMMITTEE

The TNSO Planning Committee asks state committees, state officers and related personnel, chapters, and members to review the current TSO Strategic Plan and propose changes that you think are needed. The current plan, as well as the form for submitting changes, appears at www.tndkg.org under Resources/Strategic Plan. Please send suggested changes to Planning Committee Chair Elaine Warwick (elainewarwick@att.net) by December 1, 2024. (form is attached below) Thank you for benefiting the state organization and your chapter by your efforts in planning!

ATTENTION STATE OFFICERS, RELATED PERSONNEL, AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

It's time to assess your progress toward implementing our state strategic plan. In late October, you should have received a personalized email with instructions for reporting progress in carrying out pertinent portions of the strategic plan that pertain to your office or committee. The deadline for providing this information to Elaine Warwick (elainewarwick@att.net), state planning chair, is January 4, 2025. Please refer to the email for specific instructions and let Elaine know if you have questions.

FEBRUARY DKG TENNESSEE NEWS

Michelle Steen is now accepting information for the February DKG Tennessee News. Deadline for submissions is January 1, 2025.

(Please see "News of Committees" below for more information on articles to be submitted.)

TNSO ADVANCED LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

The Advanced Leadership Seminar is scheduled for February 28 - March 1, 2025 at Henry Horton State Park. (See more details in "News of Committees" below.) The link to register is:

https://forms.gle/AMEpyPFcs8kWchBC7 and the deadline is January 3, 2025.

Special thanks to Belinda Juergens and the Leadership Development Committee for facilitating two excellent Beginning Leadership Seminars this biennium.

TNSO LEGISLATIVE FORUM

The next Legislative event will be An Evening with Missy Testerman, National Teacher of the Year on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at the TEA Building in Nashville. There will be opportunities to go "on the hill" the next day. (See more information in "News of Committees" below)

The Legislative Award form is being updated. Criteria for receiving the award is attached to this newsletter, so you can go ahead and begin planning chapter activities.

TNSO DIRECTORY

In order for our TNSO Executive Secretary, Jennifer Lusk, to publish a directory of members, we must give all members an opportunity to "opt out" of having their information included. The directory would be posted on the website under the password protected section. Please notify your members that if they choose to opt out, they must submit this Google form prior to February 1, 2025.

https://forms.gle/6hFa4JKLE8hkeeyWA

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Inside International Zoom happens on the first Tuesday of every month. The session for December 3, 2024 will be at 5:30 P.M. Central Time. You can access the Zoom by going to dkg.org

The US Forum Steering Committee is requesting the input of all members in the form of a survey. The survey is designed to discover the priorities of our DKG members in each state, and to learn which education issues are CRITICAL to you. Results will be shared with state officers and aggregated for regional and national results. These results will drive the work of the U.S. Forum for the remainder of the 2024-2026 biennium. The letter from the steering committee with the link to the survey can be found under "attachments" in this newsletter. Please forward this to all chapter members.

The US Forum Newsletter can also be found in the "Attachments" section below.

New International project to replace Schools for Africa – The proposal was made by the International Educational Excellence Committee and passed at the convention to support GIRLS: Girls Initiative to Revitalize Learning and Success. This project will be administered through UNICEF. An informational flyer is attached to this newsletter and the website can be accessed here:

https://www.unicefusa.org/about-unicef-usa/partnerships/humanitarian-organizations/delta-kappa-gamma-society-international

INSIDE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE ZOOM

We will be discussing the GIRLS FUND with UNICEF Assistant Director, Global Cause Partnerships, Marisa Ferguson on December 17, 2024 at 12:00 Central Time.

Zoom Meeting Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84609451265?pwd=oAlCwm6ZEpH0XD22qtfuwThXiK5h7J.1
Meeting ID: 846 0945 1265

Passcode: 816417

This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about our new International Project.

See CALENDAR at the end of this newsletter for deadlines from International.

Please also check out the Chapter Presidents' Information and News from Committees below. This section just includes those items/events with quickly approaching deadlines.

Nashville Area Chapters Beta, Alpha Nu, and Beta Upsilon induct 15 new members!

Beta Zeta and Alpha Xi join forces for sweet fellowship.

I am posing with Area VI director, Kathy Smith, and Beta Xi president Tracy Parker at their annual auction. Over $1000.00 was raised for teacher grants.

Chapter Presidents' Information

The next P2P meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2024 at 2:30 P.M Central Time, 3:30 P.M. Eastern Time. All chapter presidents are encouraged to join.

From TNSO Treasurer Dr. Dianne Anderson:

Unpaid members will have been dropped on October 1, 2024. You may turn in dues as often as you want. If you have any problems with the dues portal or are new to the office of Treasurer and have questions—please do not hesitate to contact Dianne at andersond3851@gmail.com. We can set up a zoom meeting and go over how to work with the dues portal.

From Dr. Elaine Vaughan, Chapter Strengthening Chair 2023-2025:

Chapter Presidents/Treasurers, please join us in the continuation of the “Reinstatement Campaign.” In a nutshell – we are reviewing all dropped members from the chapter, completing a Form 18A for members who have died (instead of a Form 6 which is for current members who pass away), then sending a letter encouraging members to consider reinstatement. If you would like to volunteer your chapter, please contact Elaine Vaughan (mevaughan@ortn.edu ) for more information.

State Presidents' histories are now available on the TNDKG website under About Us - History.

MAYCIE AWARD

The new and improved Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence Form is here! The following link will take you to the new version contents:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WOo6EEgK7oMI6rSPZWG7KXXLYKugGUsLgLau-1oNraI/edit?usp=sharing

(See more information under News of Committees/Awards below.)

Orlean Ophelia Bauman Literary Grant

Several members and chapters have reached out to Alpha Rho requesting information and suggestions on how best to honor TNSO First Vice President Orlean Bauman due to her recent passing. Alpha Rho Chapter will be accepting donations to the Tennessee State Organization Vision Foundation to establish a Vision Foundation Literacy Grant in Orlean’s name.

Contributions or bequests from chapters or individuals to the Vision Foundation are deductible as charitable contributions for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Donations to the Orlean Ophelia Bauman Literacy Grant (payable to the Xi State Vision Foundation) can be sent to:

Tennessee State Treasurer

Dr. Dianne Anderson

497 Como Street

McKenzie, TN 38201

For additional information, please contact Alpha Rho Chapter President Judy England at judydengland@gmail.com.

Videos of Chapter Projects (ongoing)

Update: We are still pursuing the video project, but are having issues with different formats, etc. We will try get more information to you soon on some standards for the videos. Thanks to those who have sent them in so far!

Chapter Presidents - I am asking that you make a video of your chapter service projects to be shown at next year's convention. Please begin your video with a greeting, your chapter name and location, and a few words about the project. Then just shoot some footage of your chapter and/or community members involved, and the finished product. My vision is for us to showcase your wonderful projects in a " Service In Harmony" presentation. If a video is not possible, please take lots of pictures!

From Marsha Brewer, TNSO President

Please share these Leadership Links with your chapter members each month, and highlight upcoming events in your chapter newsletters and communications. I am not planning to send out a separate email to members. Points can be earned on the new Maycie Award form for sending the Leadership Links out to your chapter members. I appreciate your help in keeping our members up to date on news and activities at the state and international level!

FORUM ON THE TNDKG WEBSITE! Our State Webmaster, Sherrie Collins, has created a forum on our website for members and non-members to ask education related questions and to receive help and support. We are currently developing the forum rules and parameters. If you have computer skills and would be willing to help moderate the forum, please email me and let me know. I think this can provide a valuable resource for our active educators and give everyone a voice.

News of Committees

Information from our TNSO Officers and Committees

Many thanks to those of you who are serving on state committees for the 2023-2025 biennium. . Participating on a state committee is a great way to connect and network with members across the state, and to be involved in DKG at the state level.

Many of our committees are excited to share information with you and want to keep you up to date on deadlines and events:

Michelle Steen, Editor:

Articles scheduled for the February edition include Proposed Officer/Vision Foundation/ Committee Members (Nominations Committee), state convention information and state convention registration form (Convention Steering), reminder regarding Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence, request for Order of the Rose nominees, request for Rosebud Award nominees (all Awards Committee), Mini-Mall registration for state convention (State First Vice-President), article regarding Legislative events and Day on the Hill (Legislative Committee), Communication Award reminder (Communications and Marketing Committee), Chapter Strengthening article (Chapter Strengthening Committee), chapter news (from any chapter who would like to submit), and In Memoriam (Membership Committee). All editions of the DKG Tennessee News are available for viewing at the state website, www.tndkg.org/ More. Please send any questions to Michelle Steen, mnsteeneditor@gmail.com.

Beth Naylor and the TNSO Awards Committee:

The Awards Committee has made significant updates to the Maycie Chapter Excellence Awards submission form. The form is now a Google form. Here is the link: https://forms.gle/eu6gn9GfMw1zbHGc6

There is also a link to a pdf on the tndkg.org web site. This can be used as a planning document. Please submit the Google form by April 1.

Linda McCrary and the TNSO Bylaws and Rules Committee:

Thank you for submitting your chapter Rules for review by the TNSO Bylaws and Rules Committee. We appreciate you. If you were unable to submit your Rules in 2024 more information can be found at https://www.tndkg.org/. Click on Resources and scroll to Bylaws and Rules. (also attached to this newsletter)

The deadline to submit proposals to amend the Bylaws and Rules is December 1, 2024. The form is attached to this newsletter.

Judy England and the Communications and Marketing Committee:

The updated Communications Award Score Sheet is attached to this newsletter. You may continue to submit your chapter newsletters to the committee member to whom you previously submitted. If your chapter would like to submit newsletters but you aren't sure who to send them to, you can find the list on tndkg.org. Go to Resources, select Communications and Marketing; there you will find the contact list for your chapter, along with award criteria. The deadline for submitting the form is March 15, 2025.

Chasity Ragsdale and the TNSO Educational Excellence Committee:

Please continue sending in your excellent chapter programs and projects to be included on the EEC Corner Spotlight on the website. Also, please consider submitting one of your programs or projects for consideration for the Iris Award. This award is presented at the state convention to the best chapter program and best chapter project. You must first send your program/project in to the EEC Corner Spotlight before it is eligible for the award. The application is due April 1. Here is the link to the updated application: https://forms.gle/oXEhyv1boPZK7gCm8

Dr. Dorrie Powell and the TNSO Finance Committee:

Please submit any budget amendment proposals to the finance committee by April 1, 2025.

Jan Brown and the Historical Preservation Committee:

The Historical Preservation Committee would like your help in preserving each chapter's history.

Someone from the committee will be contacting you to send in an updated chapter history.

If you already have an updated chapter history, you can send it to Jan Brown at tndkg.hispres@gmail.com or janubrown@aol.com

The committee will also be discussing items each chapter should maintain and items that are ok to delete (let go of).

Belinda Juergens and the TNSO Leadership Development Committee:

The TNSO Advanced Leadership Seminar will be held February 28 - March 1, 2025 at Henry Horton State Park. The presenter will be past International President Becky Sadowski. The seminar will be based on the book The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Registration cost will be $30.00 for participants, and anyone who has attended a TNSO Beginning Leadership Seminar is eligible to apply. The registration link can be found in "News at a Glance" above.

Dr. Carolyn Tucker and Brenda Oldham and the TNSO Legislation Committee:

Please contact Dr. Carolyn Tucker at ladybaldwintucker@gmail.com or Brenda Oldham at

travelers4043@bellsouth.net and let them know the contact information for your chapter Legislation Committee Chair. They would like to provide updates on legislative news and events.

It will be grand if you, your chapter, friends of education, and stakeholders in education, attend in person, Tuesday, FEBRUARY 25 " An Evening with Missy Testerman", the 2024 National Teacher of the Year from Rogersville, TN. She will share her stories of the experience of travels across the nation and the impact educators can have in the classroom and as active participants in the civics of a city, county and state. There will also be a brief time of updates on current legislation in the Legislature presented by a TEA lobbyist. Talking points for going on the hill on Wednesday, FEBRUARY 26 will be beneficial. The evening is from 7-9 PM at the Tennessee Education Association building 801 Second Avenue, Nashville 37201-1099. Parking is free. Please come, and help us fill the room to celebrate one of our own nationally recognized veteran teacher of Tennessee. Contact Brenda Oldham for more information. travelers4043@bellsouth.net 615-384-6018

Dr. Linda Eller and the TNSO Membership Committee:

The75 page Membership Moments booklet can be found on the state website at www.tndkg.org or can be accessed here. https://www.tndkg.org/_files/ugd/4ad137_72ad2fda6a504ff99238137fd326ed82.pdf

Elaine Warwick and the TNSO Planning Committee:

TNSO Chapter Strategic Plan Update for 2023

(See information in "News at a Glance" above)

Cindy Lynn and the TNSO Scholarship Committee:

The Scholarship committee would like to be sure members are aware that all former $1250 scholarships are now $1500. Also those applying for Masters or other graduate study now only need to have been a member for one calendar year. Please encourage members to apply! The updated Scholarship Brochure can be found on the state website, and is attached to this newsletter.

The updated Scholarship application can be found on the website at:

https://www.tndkg.org/chapter-forms-reports The deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.

Linda Mann and Mildred Nelson and the TNSO Special Events Committee:

The Special Events Committee is looking forward to seeing all the great items for bid at our 2025 silent auction at Sewanee. Please start planning what your chapter can do to help our silent auction be a success. All chapters are encouraged to participate and help the state organization meet the goal of 100%-chapter participation. We had a great time last year! Money raised at the Silent Auction is used to fund the Tennessee Beginning and Advanced Leadership Management Seminars, Leadership Conference for Committee Planning, and other professional development activities. Developing leaders is one of DKG’s most important tasks.

Mary Wadley and the TNSO State Projects Committee

The State Projects Committee will not sponsor an Essay Contest this year. Chapters are welcome to conduct essay contests locally, but there will be no awards given at the state level for 2025 due to the focus on Early Career Educators.

Dr. Cathy Meredith and the Xi State Vision Foundation

Sisters, you only have 1 month to determine something special you need for your classroom and a professional development activity you may want to participate in next year. If your chapter wants to sponsor a seminar or a professional development activity, there are funds for that as well. The Vision Foundation makes these monies available through an application process. Please check out the application on the VF page of our Tennessee DKG website.

Attachments

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US Forum Members Issues Survey cover letter.docx

US Forum Connection Fall. 2024 pdf-1 (1) (2) (1).pdf

DKG TN NEWS November 2024 2.pdf

Criteria for Legislation Award 2024-2025.docx

Updated 2024 yearbook evaluation form.xlsx

Chapter Communication Score Sheet 2024-25 (2).docx

TNSO Budget 2024 - 2026 revised 7.21.24.xlsx

Proposed Amendment to Tennessee State Organization Strategic Plan Form.docx

Copy of Due Dates for Chapter Rules 2023-2025 (1).pdf

Amendment Form 2024 (2).docx

2024 Updated TNSO Bylaws and Rules.pdf

DKG TNSO Scholarship Brochure updated 8-24.pptx

Area Directors

Be sure and contact your Area Director and invite her to a chapter meeting. Your Area Directors are there to support your chapter, and to aid in organizing activities and gatherings within your area. The list of Area Directors is attached, as well as the Area Realignment map.

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corrected (2) Area Directors List for 2023.docx

2023 Area Realignment Effective as of June 1 (2).pdf

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