The Voice - May 2024

Volume 96 - Issue 11| May 2024

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!

It’s time for us to enter the beautiful budding month of May. The budding flowers are beginning to come up and bloom in our DKG OSO Chapter gardens. We are also remembering our DKG Founders in our OSO Chapters, our seven Purposes, our Mission Statement, and honoring them in many different ways.

Let’s continue to honor and recognize all the present serving blossoming flowers in our OSO DKG gardens too! The blossoms on their different types of flowers are continuously blooming and giving off sweet unforgettable aromatic fragrances. Why because, each are serving to fulfill their assignment of their offices as well as their behind-the-scenes duties too!

As you are asked to serve and consider serving in a particular office in your OSO Chapter for 2024-2026, please know that what you will be doing for your Chapter is treasured and valued by all the members of OSO.

As you continue blooming remember some of these quotes…

The blooming of flowers are symbols of growth and change, as they transform from buds to beautiful blossoms.
Watching flowers bloom is a reminder that each of us has our own unique journey of growth and transformation.
Like a flower opening up to the sun, we too can open ourselves up to new experiences, perspectives, and possibilities.
The act of blooming is a reminder to embrace change, take risks, and step out of our comfort zones.
As you bloom, remember to bloom with grace, courage, and resilience, and inspire others to do the same.
Bloom where you are planted and let your unique beauty and brilliance shine through.

Melodies’ Meaningful Memoirs…

OSO Chapter Leaders’ Officers Training Seminar

In Person Seminar: Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM

Der Dutchman, Plain City, 445 S. Jefferson Ave

Zoom Seminar: Thursday, June 13, 2024, 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM

We’re going on a quest to seek and discover information about serving as an OSO chapter officer. We will have OSO Executive Officers presenters prepare and or review information for Chapter Presidents, Treasurers, Secretaries, Vice Presidents, and Parliamentarians for their new/or continuing roles as OSO Chapter officers!

Our presentations will happen with two options: Option 1 will be an in-person event that will take place on Tuesday, June 11 and Option 2 will be a Zoom event that will be held on Thursday, June 13. Each chapter will have the choice to decide which training option is the best choice for their Chapter officers.

Each OSO Chapter is strongly encouraged to attend one of the officer training options to be prepared to serve and receive important information about their position to maintain and grow strong OSO Chapters.

Let’s continue to bloom together as we….

May each of You Have a Bouquet of Red Roses in your lives every day…

Melodie

Donna Carol Weaver

Beta

Marilou Coverston

Alpha Upsilon

Luanne Dunham

Alpha Pi

Urcelle Willis

Alpha Phi

Ellen Joyce Andres

Beta Gamma

Diana A. Buffenbarger

Alpha Eta

Sondra Jean Harwood

Beta Rho

Click on the image above to view the Communications & Marketing Committee's latest video.

Let the Treasures

Delta Kappa Gamma

Ohio State Organization S.H.I.N.E!

Thank you to all chapters who opened their treasure chests and let them S.H.I.N.E! Sisterhood, Helpful hearts, Igniting interest, Nurturing members, and Everyone seeking out new members provided helpful ideas to strengthen chapters. Now you have those new members, how do we keep them?

Building Relationships

Plan social time during each chapter meeting to develop genuine relationships. A planned social time allows new members and seasoned members time for interaction. Seasoned members have the opportunity to share their DKG story. Sharing a member’s DKG story promotes unity among the members. New members need to hear stories of encouragement and the strength of our legacy. Our individual stories are very powerful in developing relationships which lead into lifelong friendships.

Mentoring

Provide new members with a mentor. Someone special to greet them when they arrive at chapter meetings or events. They have someone to explain chapter traditions and procedures. A mentor will be someone for them to talk with sharing life's challenges and successes. Mentors can introduce new members to other chapter members. Most importantly mentors can help develop new members into leaders and guide them into leadership roles. At the very least a mentor can save new members a seat and be a smiling face with which they feel comfortable. Mentoring is very valuable for both parties involved!

Each chapter needs to hang on tight to their new members, being very intentional and strategic to help build strong bonds for the future of OSO!

Here are some more reasons our OSO DKG members treasure their membership…

Connecting with community resources and organizations, connecting with teachers from competing schools to share ideas, and the ability to share my talents and experiences with other educators.

Angie Miesle Stokes, Beta Eta, Vice President

Friendship, charity work, learning and growing

Mary Beth Powell, Delta Iota, President

Leadership

Barb Weidus, Beta Nu, President

Sharing educational experiences with other current and retired educators.

Phyllis Gibbs, Delta Mu, President

Meeting inspiring women educators, sharing many educational helps, and sharing ideas.

Peggy Lester, Alpha Delta, Co-President

Michele Maniskas, Alpha Xi

OSO 1st Vice President

OSO Membership Chair

Delta Upsilon Celebrates 50 Years

Delta Upsilon Chapter celebrated their 50th anniversary. Our program remembered and honored the 22 charter members of our chapter. Mary Ann Cook, the only remaining charter member, shared some interesting stories about the early years of Delta Upsilon.

Bloom as a DKG Member

It has been thirty-four years since I was initiated into the sisterhood of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. Both Aunt Alice and Mom were long serving members until their respective passings. It touched my heart to see both the Indiana chapter and Ohio chapter send a single red rose in a beautiful glass vase to their funerals. It was a gentle reminder that being a member of DKG is an honor and the bond of sisterhood is ever present.

Moving on a regular basis during my professional career as I progressed through the leadership ranks was both a curse and a blessing. One of the blessings in my life was maintaining an active membership in DKG. I had the good fortune of being a member of five different chapters in Texas as well as my current Ohio chapter of Beta Kappa. It has been an interesting journey to say the least.

I want to encourage each DKG Sister to BLOOM.

B = Boldness. We desperately need members willing to be bold. Being bold means getting in the trenches and doing the work necessary to making your chapter better. Each member must commit to doing their individual part in making the chapter come alive and relevant. As the Nike slogan states, “Just Do It!”

L = Lead. You need to lead yourself before you can lead others. Are you sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do something or are you swinging away at making your chapter more engaging? Lead through example.

O = Open. Be open to the opportunities that DKG has to offer. Apply for financial assistance to enhance your graduate studies, leadership skills, board training, and other educational endeavors. Be open to serving on an OSO State Committee. There are endless opportunities to participate if you are open to serving.

0 = Optimism. Strive to exemplify optimism. Of the six different DKG chapters I have been an active member in, I gravitated towards members that were optimistic. They were enthusiastic, open, and confident in their interactions with others. Optimism is contagious and will have an immediate positive impact on your mental health.

M = Memorable. I have more than my share of memorable moments in DKG because I chose to be actively engaged at the chapter level. If you desire to increase your memorable moments increase your active involvement now.

We are all pressed for time. However, I sincerely encourage you to take time this spring and summer to bloom in your DKG endeavors.

Dr. Molly Helmlinger, Beta Kappa

OSO Second Vice-Present

Educational Excellence Chair

Winner, Winner!

Mu Chapter President, Debbie VanArsdale was a winner of one of the raffle drawings at the April 6th OSO Executive Board meeting.

News from the 2024 Legislative Forum

Happy Spring!! My blog this month focuses on who is in Washington D.C. representing us in Ohio. Plus, what is the focus for the Biden Administration for Education in 2024? Check out my blog by following this link: https://www.smore.com/n/r57jd

These blogs have been created through Smore.com. If you would like to create a blog for your chapter, I highly recommend Smore. Very user friendly for all.

Sharon Scheidegger, Beta Delta

Legislative Liaison UN & US Forum

DKG Ohio Membership and Chapter Update

Active Members	2,287
Collegiate Members	5
Reserve Members	305
Total Membership	2,597
Ohio Chapters	70

Statement of Financial Activity

Revenue	$55,177.00
Expenses	$27,406.00
Epsilon Alpha Expenses*	$ 424.00
Net Income	$27,347.00

Statement of Financial Position

Assets	$245,556.00
Board Designated*	$ 1,076.00
Total Assets	$246,632.00
Liabilities	$1,890.00
Total Equity	$244,742.00

Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi

OSO Treasurer

The News

The May edition of The News is available at DKG.org. You can also access the proposed amendments that will be voted on at the International Convention, July 9 - 13, at National Harbor, Maryland. If you are attending, please let an OSO Officer know so that we can meet up with you with while there. If you are there, you will be part of the voting body. If you are not attending, you can let an OSO Officer know your opinion on any of the amendments so that your thoughts will be taken into consideration during the voting on the proposed amendments.

Meier Bauer, Gamma Phi

OSO Recording Secretary

Ohio Chapter Activities

Alpha Phi Chapter members Jyl Dwyer, Rhea Young and Lynn Martin love choosing a treasure from their meeting drawing which raised over $100 going to Schools for Africa.

Alpha Phi Chapter members Robin Prewitt, Carole Haines, Linda Beaver, Linda Parker, Denise Shaneyfelt, Maxine McClellan, and Pat Lewis made 15 fleece blankets that went to Project Linus which services children in the Dayton area.

Trivia was the name of the game at the April 13 joint meeting of Gamma Lambda and Phi Chapters. Gamma Lambda members, Claudia Grimes and Cindy Acklin, created 20 trivia question. The winning team of Sandy Procaccio, Gamma Lambda President; Jill Nelson, Gamma Lambda; and Lynn Asente, Phi President received gold medals for their efforts.

Gamma Pi Chapter members learned about Family Tech Connect from Vince Bevacqua who spoke about his company. Family Tech Connect provides free of charge, tech coaching for seniors in their homes who are residents of Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Columbiana counties. Pictured are Barbara Murray, Co-President, Vince Bevacqua, Melissa Hackett, Co-President, and Holly Buente, Communications Chair.

Gamma Alpha Chapter’s April program was presented by Pat Gates. Pat showed and shared the history of places she has visited in the United States on her Harley.

OSO Needs You!

The search for our OSO webmaster continues this month. The webmaster’s main job is to keep our webpage updated. She also serves as part of the administrative team and helps chapters with the creation and maintenance of their webpage. A complete description of job responsibilities for the webmaster is available on our website along with the application. Please contact Beth Archer Personnel Co-Chairman at archer1140@yahoo.com with your questions about this wonderful opportunity to become part of the OSO Team.