TNSO LEADERSHIP LINKS
January, 2024
Message from the President
Greetings, DKG Leaders!
Are you ready to welcome in this new year? Have you identified any new goals or resolutions? A wise friend and fellow retired educator, Denise Yeargin, writes that she has released the word "goals" because of its connection to possible failure to achieve. Instead, she promotes "Intentions for the highest and best outcome" in all that she does. I like that. As we try to achieve harmony in our lives, we need to strive for a balance while being intentional about change and advancement. Here are some of my favorite quotes about change, fear of change, and attitude:
"Yes. I fear the worst. Because to fear the best would make absolutely no sense." (Bill the Krill in Happy Feet Two)
"If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior. In other words, begin to act the part, as well as you can, of the person you would rather be; the person you most want to become. Gradually, the old, fearful person will fade away." (Dr. William Glasser)
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." (Jane Goodall)
"Whether you think you can or think you can't............you are right." (Henry Ford)
"You are not what you think you are, but what you think.........you are." (Stephen Covey)
"Positive thinking is how you think about a problem. Enthusiasm is how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a problem." (Norman Vincent Peale)
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." (Dolly Parton)
"You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." (Glinda - The Wizard of Oz)
From a Society perspective, let's strive to be intentional about telling our DKG story and inviting new members to begin their own. Let's cultivate a growth mindset in the sense of growing personally and enlarging and encouraging others. "A candle loses nothing when it lights another candle." (Thomas Jefferson)
Look for the gifts, talents, and uniqueness in others and help them to find ways to contribute and add their voices to the harmony. My hope is that your chapters will be intentional in planning, recruiting, fellowshipping, encouraging, serving, and achieving your "highest and best outcomes" for 2024. Please take note of the information in this newsletter and share with others. Do not hesitate to ask questions or request help. Have a happy and blessed New Year!
In Harmony,
Marsha Brewer
615-838-1793
Bill the Krill
Iota Chapter gathering
Alpha Rho Chapter hosted the Area VII Christmas Brunch
News "At a Glance"
ATTENTION PLEASE!!!
ATTENTION PLEASE!!!
In this section, I will try to highlight the new, upcoming, and most urgent additions to the Leadership Links. The complete calendar of events, as well as more detailed information on most of the topics will still be available in the newsletter sections below. Please share this information with your chapter members.
Virtual Workshop on Navigating the Tennessee Legislative Website - 1/8/24 at 7 PM CST (See details under News of Committees - Legislation )
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88427636573?pwd=Q0Q1U2lQR2RsdytyQTZ2QStWdVJ3QT09
Beginning Leadership Seminar Application Due 1/15/24 (see details under News of Committees - Leadership) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sECEKC1J8ECpCNAG2VNpcV8H1-ayLQsN8eftkd56gO8/viewform?ts=654d771d&edit_requested=true
President to Presidents Zoom Meeting 1/21/24 at 2:30 PM CST, 3:30 PM EST.
An Evening with Chris Ford on Effectively Communicating with Legislators - 1/22/24 at 7 PM CST at the TEA building in Nashville. (see details under News of Committees - Legislation)
State Projects Committee presents Virtual Mentoring for Early Career Educators - 1/30/24 (see details under News of Committees - State Projects)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84127647938?pwd=UjZ3c2ZlKy9od1QxM1k5QXNLNkhKQT09
TNSO Scholarship Applications due 2/1/24 (see details under News of Committees - Scholarship. Form is included as an attachment below.)
International Scholarship Applications due 2/1/24
International Arts and Humanities submissions for Spring Gallery due 2/15/24
High School Essay Contest Submissions due 2/29/24 (see details under News of Committees - State Projects)
Please also check out the Chapter Presidents' Information and News from Committees below. This section just includes those items/events with quickly approaching deadlines.
Chapter Presidents' Information
Now is the time to be establishing your new slate of chapter officers for the 2024-2026 biennium. State level training for Chapter President, EEC Chair, Membership Chair, Communications Chair, and Chapter Treasurer will be held in West Tennessee on March 23, 2024; in East Tennessee on April 6, 2024, and in Middle Tennessee on April 20, 2024. Incoming chapter officers will be able to register for whichever training is most convenient. Please reassure your members as they consider stepping up to a chapter officer position that we can offer support through our Area Directors, Chapter Strengthening Committee, Leadership Development Committee, and visits from the State President.
The Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence application has not changed significantly for this year, so you may want to spend some time at your chapter meetings going over the form and seeing where your chapter can improve, or maintain your high ranking. Some chapters enlarge the form and use it as a planning tool during the meetings. The updated form is available on the state website and can be accessed here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TdYXiT8ONLnEVexsYcmVZwEjyMTr59XI/edit#gid=1486696205
A PDF version is included as an attachment at the end of this newsletter.
From Dr. Elaine Vaughan, Chapter Strengthening Chair 2023-2025:
Chapter Presidents/Treasurers, please join us in 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 as a pilot chapter, please contact Elaine Vaughan (mevaughan@ortn.edu ) for more information.
Membership Updates from International: Please check out the YouTube video of International President Debbie LeBlanc and International Executive Director Nita Scott discussing the plight of DKG concerning Membership.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKsP4T1R47k&list=PLqsKf5cYj-q6144Tda6D-09shXAuvrLB-&index=2
The Avenue M Group DKG 2023 Research Report and Administrative Board Implementation Plan is now available. I encourage you to read this comprehensive report and our board's plan of action. the PDF is attached below.
US Forum Information: "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the
National Legislative Seminar"
Washington, DC
March 10-13, 2024
Zoom Presentation: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Are you thinking about attending the US Forum National Legislative Seminar in Washington, DC and want to know what to expect?
Are you undecided about attending and want more information?
Have you attended a National Legislative Seminar in the past and loved the experience?
Plan now to join the Steering Committee by Zoom on Wednesday January 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm (ET) for a lively presentation about the highlights of this year"s Seminar and to learn about the many exciting events that are planned. .
This will be the first in a two part series to help attendees get ready for NLS, 2024! All members and guests are welcome to attend this presentation!
Wednesday.January 10, 2024, 7 pm Eastern, 6 pm Central, 5 pm Mountain, and 4 pm Pacific.
Use this link to register for the event:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3v2gtF1yXw6dZq_6x_o42_yM-jlHyE_bGG6BRyFoBKxR2wQ/viewform
Please check out the attached Connection Newsletter from the US forum. The newsletter contains important information about upcoming webinars on the topic of mental health and details to help you plan for the National Legislative Seminar, scheduled for March, 2024..
Videos of Chapter Projects (ongoing)
Chapter Presidents - I am asking that you make a video of your chapter service projects for this next biennium. 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 Day of Service In Harmony" at some point during the year. 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. I am not planning to send out a separate email to members. I appreciate your help in keeping our members up to date on news and activities at the state level!
EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORKS! Our State Webmaster, Sherrie Collins, is in the process of creating 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.
Alpha Epsilon's Cookie Exchange
Alpha Nu Chapter
Alpha Lambda creates greeting cards.
News of 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.
From TNSO Corresponding Secretary Chasity Ragsdale to Officers, Committee Chairs, and Area Directors: If you have not set up your Google account, or had issues when setting it up, please send an email to: tndkg.corrsec@gmail.com Here is a video to help you set up your account:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1II_CiAWVeUQrYXACH9Ve7jWKNhdYPShn/view
Many of our committees are excited to share information with you and want to keep you up to date on deadlines and events:
Becky Sanderson and the TNSO Achievement Award Committee:
The Achievement Award Committee wants to encourage chapters to consider members who have made significant contributions to DKG at the chapter and state levels. Having served as a state officer is not a requirement, and a nominee could be someone who serves "behind the scenes" and represents DKG in her community in ways that promote our society purposes and endeavors.
Applications are due by March 15, 2024. The application form will be posted soon on the tndkg.org website.
Harriet King and the Arts and Personal Growth Committee:
1) We have confirmed the Venue in the Village at Casey Jones Village in Jackson for September 27-28, 2024, for our Art Retreat. We will send out more information about the price and availability of motels by April. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to come for a weekend of fun, fellowship and creativity!
2) The committee would like to urge our talented members to participate in the Arts and Humanities Gallery of DKG. The application and information are on the DKG website https://gallery.dkg.org/ . Deadline for the application is February 15, 2024. Don't be shy; let's show the other states how talented we are in Tennessee.
3) The Arts and Personal Growth Committee is working with President Marsha Brewer to set a date for a February Zoom meeting. This meeting will be designed to help show you some de-stressing and meditation techniques. More information will be sent when a date is set.
4) We would like to get together this spring for an outing. If your town or area has any special production we could see, please contact Harriet King at hking13@outlook.com with the information. TPAC will be presenting the Broadway production of Annie March 27-30, 2024. Romeo and Juliet will be performed by the Nashville Ballet April 20-21, 2024. Either of these would need to have tickets secured soon.
Beth Naylor and the Awards Committee:
The Order of the Rose Nominations are due by March 15, 2024. This recognition is for members who have made outstanding contributions to chapter and community, but who have not received recognition at the state level through other means. Up to 12 members will be recognized during the Tennessee State Convention.
Here is the link to the application:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S1Z7Hz7yeLtk3KqjnruI2gNtX_Qu4CJpa2QVZ-nW7F4/edit?usp=sharing
The Rosebud Nominations are due by March 15, 2024. The Rosebud Award shall be presented at convention to a member having five or fewer years of membership and exhibits outstanding service to her community, chapter, and state organization, as well as an interest in the international Society.
Here is a link to the application:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DBy6BFayVdQO3zUlcL-IcJ68KN-xELuS3ySphvHSTqk/edit?usp=sharing
Linda McCrary and the TNSO Bylaws and Rules Committee:
The TNSO Bylaws and Rules can be accessed at https://www.tndkg.org/bylaws-and-rules. The schedule for chapter rules review is attached below.
Judy England and the Communications and Marketing Committee:
Chapter Newsletters need to be submitted by March 25, 2024 in order for the chapter to receive Maycie Award points. The committee will accept Newsletters at any time, and a document is attached below this section with information specific to your chapter and to whom to send your entry.
Orlean Bauman and the Educational Excellence Committee:
Please continue sending in your excellent chapter programs and projects to be included on the EEC Corner Spotlight on the website. Programs and projects which have been submitted to the EEC Corner can also be submitted for the TNSO Iris Award which will be presented at the state convention.
Belinda Juergens and the Leadership Development Committee:
Mark your calendars for March 15-16, 2024 for the first TNSO Beginning Leadership Seminar at Henry Horton State Park, 4209 Nashville Hwy, Lewisburg, TN 37034. Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan will be the leadership consultant, and Marsha Brewer will be conducting a Myers-Briggs session. Applications are now available and will be due by January 15. Participants will check in on Friday, March 15 at 5:00 P.M. Chapters are encouraged to start identifying members with leadership potential who might benefit from attending the seminar. This is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth!
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.
On January 8, 2024 the committee will be hosting a Zoom workshop at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 6:00 P.M. Central Time on navigating the legislative website to get information on proposed legislation and how to contact your legislators
.The Legislation Committee would like to announce an event: An Evening with Chris Ford is planned for January 22, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. Central Time at the TEA building, 801 2nd. Ave. N, Nashville, TN 37201.
In keeping with addressing the need for increased TNSO member effectiveness in communicating with legislators and government officials, the TNSO Legislation Committee has invited noted political communicator, motivational speaker, and catalyst of political awareness Atty. Chris Ford to conduct a political action/awareness workshop, “Effectively Communicating with Legislators”. This event will be held January 22, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Central Time at the TEA Building in Nashville. TNSO members are encouraged to attend, bringing fellow educators and supporters of education to enhance skills of effective communication.
Chris is the principal strategist with Ford Strategy which provides representation in external, public and government relations, advocacy, artist management, civic engagement and strategic visioning.
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS for Chris. If you cannot attend, send your questions to Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker at ladybaldwintucker@gmail.com
or to Brenda Oldham at travelers4043@bellsouth.net
Help us fill up the TEA auditorium with 100 Key Women Educators and friends of education. If you are coming from a distance and stay overnight, please pre-arrange an appointment with your legislator for Tuesday, Jan.23, 2024 and plan to go to a few committee meetings before leaving Nashville.
The TNSO Legislation Committee is encouraging members to contact Tennessee State Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee State Legislators regarding critical issues impacting education in Tennessee. DKG members and friends of education should make these contacts via phone calls, email, texts and/or letters prior to January 2024. Below are the most salient concerns that need to be communicated:
· The Education Savings Account (ESA – also known as vouchers) Legislators are proposing changes that would broaden the scope of the ESA program and extend access and eligibility to 20,000 students statewide. The Tennessee Education Association is opposed to this program, citing concerns about the diverting of funds from Tennessee public schools. Here is a link to an article in The Tennessean dated 11/28/23. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/11/27/tennessee-school-vouchers-choice-gov-bill-lee-to-propose-statewide-plan/71714549007/
· Rejection of Federal Funds for Tennessee – The impact of refusing federal dollars could be devastating to many local districts by diverting funds intended for Tennessee to other states for support of their schools. Students with disabilities and smaller school districts could be disproportionately affected by the loss of federal funding.
· School Safety and Violence Prevention – Extensive violence prevention training for school personnel, retrofitting of buildings for safety and procedural controls relative to school safety continue as areas of need in Tennessee school districts.
Dr. Linda Eller and the TNSO Membership Committee:
Quick tips- Who can be a member?
Any professional female educator is eligible.
2. Retired educators can be members.
3. Any woman who is paid for training and educating others can be a member.
4. Junior and senior female college students in education can be members.
5. Non-traditional trainers and educators can be members.
6. Community leaders who are not paid educators can be invited as honorary members.
Any woman who is paid for her services in any field of education qualifies as a professional educator. Some examples include a nurse at a school or who teaches other nurses, a church employee who trains or teaches others, professional trainers in other organizations, or a teacher/trainer at a community college or agency.
Plus, each local chapter also makes the decision as to who in their community would qualify in the broader sense of educating others. Think outside and around the box of your community. Invite someone.
The TNSO Membership Committee will be offering new awards this biennium for the chapter that reinstates the greatest percentage of dropped members. For the data on members from your chapter that have dropped that you would like to contact, email Linda Eller at tndkg.mem@gmail.com for a listing. Stay tuned for further details coming soon!
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
Sandra Pineault and the Nominations Committee:
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Perhaps you would rather think of goals or aspirations. Please consider applying to serve as an officer or a member of an elected committee for the Tennessee State Organization as one of your goals/aspirations.
You can aspire to serve as President, First or Second Vice Presidents, or Recording or Corresponding Secretaries. You could set a goal to serve on one of the four TSO elected committees—Nominations, Personnel, Finance, or the Vision Foundation. Applications are accepted through October 31, 2024. You could make a valuable contribution to the Tennessee State Organization in the 2025-27 biennium.
Applications are available on the TSO website at https://www.tndkg.org/forms
Elaine Warwick and the TNSO Planning Committee:
TNSO Chapter Strategic Plan Update for 2023
Chapters are asked to provide an update regarding their strategic plan by submitting the Google form available at https://forms.gle/E4Z1oSsK9dDSh1pCA
Chapters are encouraged to involve their membership in planning. The TNSO Planning Committee would like to thank the chapters who completed the survey, and want to help you if you have questions or need assistance. Feel free to contact the Planning Committee Chair Elaine Warwick at tndkgplan@gmail.com
Cindy Lynn and the TNSO Scholarship Committee:.
The Scholarship Committee is encouraging everyone who is interested in money to pursue advanced degrees to apply for a state scholarship. Funds are available! There is a brochure on the tndkg.org website that can be copied and made available to members considering applying for a scholarship. The revised 2023 application is also available on the website . Attachments with the brochure and form can be found at the end of this newsletter. The deadline for submitting an application for a state scholarship is February 1, 2024.
Linda Mann and Mildred Nelson and the Special Events Committee:
As we enter 2024 consider the question, where would TNSO be without leadership? Your chapter's themed baskets, arts & craft items, and monetary donations given to the Silent Auction at TNSO Convention in Sewanee, TN help to support the Beginning and Advanced Leadership Training Sessions. We are striving for 100% chapter participation this year. As your chapter plans projects in the upcoming months, be sure to make a commitment to the Silent Auction. Your chapter's contributions will make a difference! The state convention is scheduled for May 30- June 1. Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend this fun event!
If your chapter does not participate in the Silent Auction, you can make a $25.00 or higher donation using the "Contributions" form located on the tndkg.org website and checking "Leadership Development". Chapters who participate by bringing items or making a monetary donation can earn points for the Maycie Chapter Excellence Award.
Mary Wadley and the TNSO State Projects Committee
One of the goals of the TNSO State Projects Committee is to encourage literacy across the state by offering a statewide essay contest. The committee has chosen the topic of "Artificial Intelligence" for the essay contest this year. The scholarship money is increasing to $350 for first place, $250 for second place and $150 for third place - almost double the amount awarded in the past. Also, this year the focus will be on high school submissions from students in both public and private schools from grades nine through twelve. We certainly want to encourage individual chapters to continue offering a local essay contest for elementary and middle school students if they choose to do so, but the state level awards will be given only at the high school level. The deadline for all submissions to the State Projects Committee will be February 29, 2024, due to Leap Year. Please send a separate cover page including the name of the sponsoring chapter and chapter contact person along with each winning high school essay on the topic provided. The prompt for this year is as follows: “In what ways will A.I. [artificial intelligence] positively and negatively affect your daily life, now and in the future?”
You can submit the essays and cover sheets to Mary Frances Wadley at tndkg.stateprojects@gmail.com. If you have questions, please text Mary at 731-307-9549. The form and guidelines for the High School Essay Contest are attached below.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORKS! The TNSO State Projects Committee has received a Lucile Cornetet Seminar Award in the amount of $3064.00 to host three regional workshops for early career educators in the fall of 2024. One workshop has already been scheduled for November 16, 2024 at Falls Creek Falls State Park. Stay tuned for more dates and details coming soon!! This is a positive step forward in our mission of supporting educators and excellence in education.
Area Directors
Contact your Area Director and ask about the possibility of some of your area chapters combining for a joint Orientation for new members. Any of our TNSO Officers and Related Personnel and our Chapter Strengthening Chair would love to be invited to help facilitate the orientation. They possess a wealth of knowledge about our society and they rarely have the opportunity to visit with chapters. Officers and Related Personnel include the following:
East Tennessee: 2nd VP Terry Sharp and Webmaster Sherrie Collins. Chapter Strengthening Committee Chair Dr. Elaine Vaughan.
Middle Tennessee: President Marsha Brewer, 1st VP Orlean Bauman, Recording Secretary Dr. Regina Henry, Corresponding Secretary Chasity Ragsdale, Executive Secretary Jenni Lusk, and Parliamentarian Dr. Kathie Harned
West Tennessee: Treasurer Dr. Dianne Anderson and Editor Michelle Steen.
In the following photo, Area 1 chapters enjoy a delicious Christmas luncheon.
Calendar
January 8, 2024 - Legislation Committee Zoom Workshop
January 15, 2024 - Beginning Leadership Seminar application due
January 22, 2024 - An Evening with Chris Ford, TSA Building, Nashville (Legislation)
February 1, 2024 - Tennessee State Scholarship application due
February 1, 2024 - International Scholarship application due
February 8, 2024 - Beta Eta Chapter sponsors Gail Goolsby, former director of the International School in Kabul, Afghanistan. Zoom link and time TBA.
February 15, 2024 - International Arts and Humanities submissions for Spring Gallery
February 15, 2024 - Area VI Beta Epsilon program on human trafficking (possible Zoom)
February 29, 2024 - Essay Contest submissions due
March 1, 2024 - DKGIEF Project application due
March 15, 2024 - Achievement Award nominations due
March 15, 2024 - Order of the Rose and Rosebud nominations due
March 15-16, 2024 - Beginning Leadership Seminar at Henry Horton state Park
March 23, 2024 - Chapter Officers' Training in West Tennessee
March 25, 2024 - Deadline to submit Chapter Newsletters
April 6, 2024 - Chapter Officers' Training in East Tennessee
April 20, 2024 - Chapter Officers' Training in Middle Tennessee
May 7, 2024 - Area II Pi Chapter Founders' Day
May 19, 2024 - TNSO Executive Board Meeting (Virtual)
May 30 - June 1, 2024 - TNSO Convention in Sewanee, TN
July 9 - 13, 2024 - DKG International Convention in National Harbor, MD (Gaylord National, D.C. Area)
2023-2025 Tennessee State Officer Team
Orlean Bauman, First Vice President
Terry Sharp, Second Vice President
Dr. Regina Henry, Recording Secretary
Chasity Ragsdale, Corresponding Secretary
Dr. Dianne Anderson, Treasurer
Dr. Kathie Harned, Parliamentarian
Jennifer Lusk, Executive Secretary
Michelle Steen, Editor
Sherrie Collins, Webmaster
(Officers at Sewanee with International Executive Director Nita Scott. Not pictured - Dr. Kathie Harned)