December 2011

The Get Motivated! Business Seminar in Austin was an exciting event that offered inspirational thoughts on perserverance, success, investing, sales & negotiation, competitiveness, leadership, motivation, management and excellence. Featured speakers were Rudy Giuliani, Mary Buffet, Krish Dhanam, Mary Lou Retton, General Colin Powell, Lou Holtz, Howard Putnam, General Stanley McChrystal and Bill Cosby. I left this successful seminar inspired!

November 2011

On October 31 and November 1, I attended the second part of the four part series for The Business of Meetings Certificate Program sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).  The course was Leadership and Communication. The course was designed to help me

Ø  Assess my own leadership strengths and styles

Ø  Develop my leadership skills based on several criteria, including being a change and creativity agent

Ø  Practice my communication skills, including listening, delegating, presenting, persuading, facilitating and providing and receiving feedback

Ø  Understand different forms of decision-making and when they are appropriate

Ø  Manage my relationships and interpersonal skills with my staff, peers, committees, boards, industry partners, and other key stakeholders

Ø  Create a climate of inclusiveness that promotes understanding and respect for diversity and exemplifies the highest ethical conduct.

This experience was insightful and gave me an opportunity to reflect and develop my skills.

October 2011

The Grand Canyon was breathtaking! I had the opportunity to join some friends from Connecticut and visit the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Flagstaff, Phoenix and Sedona for a few days this month. It was a tranquil experience!

September 2011

September begins the football season at the University of Texas.  I had an opportunity to attend the opening game with Marilyn Gregory from my DKG Golden Gift Leadership Management Seminar. UT won their first game and hopefully this is a sign of an exciting season.  This is another example of how friendships through DKG can last a lifetime.

August 2011

From Edmonton we traveled to Baden Baden, Germany, the location of our Europe Regional.  Extensive training continued for all state organization representatives from this region. Like the other regionals, it is also a time of fun and fellowship. At these International events we always have the opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with ones we haven't seen in a bit. It often seems like no time has past form year to year.  Every member has the opportunity to experience the International flavor of our organization when one attends an International event, like the Regional Conference or the International Convention. If you have not experienced this, plan to attend one.  It will surely be memorable. New York City is the location of the International Convention in July 2012. Let's plan on getting together!

July 2011

We  continued our leadership training as we traveled to other Regional Conferences.  From July 11 to July 17 we were at the Southeast Regional Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. There were fabulous happenings at this regional as well. Members from various International Committees prepared materials for our members at the Info Fair. There was much motivation and enthusiasm, as well as information for all our DKG members.

 From July 18 to July 23, we paticipated in the Northeast Regional Conference in Hershey, PA.  Training of the new state organizations presidents and new executive secretaries, state organization treasurers, Web Masters, Educational Excellence Committees, Membership Chairs and Editors was exihilarating.

The Northwest Regioanl was held in Edmonton, Canada. from July 25 to July 30. Throughout all the Regional Conferences, International Committeee members conducted workshops for members.  Our members actively participated and learned many new facts about our Society.

June 2011

In June we were extremely busy preparing for the DKG Regional Conferences.  Our first Regional Conference was held in Denver, Colorado from July 29 to July 2, 2011.  One hightlight was having the opportunity to meet and listen to keynote speaker, Carlotta Walls LaNier.  Carlotta entered Little Rock Central High School with eight other black students on September 25, 1957 and the journey for equal access to education began. Carlotta has received the Congressional Gold Medal, two honorary doctorates and has been inducted into the Colorado Women/s Hall of fame. She shared her story of courage, strength and passion. It was wonderful!

May 2011

The Arizona State Organization Convention was a fabulous diamond jubilee celebration!  Members were filled with excitement and enthusiam throughtout the event. On Sunday morning there was a wonderful celebration of  the World Fellowship Program and individual postcards were written and sent to the recipients this year. We are truly leading women educators impacting education worldwide.

April 2011

As a professional growth opportuntiy, I have started the Business of Meetings Certificate Program offered for leaders in meetings management. The Center of Association Leadership through the American Society of Association Executives(ASAE) conducts 4 high-level two day programs.  My first program was entitled Meetings and Expositions Excellence.  This course was designed to help:

• Interpret current trends, key issues, and new competencies in the meetings industry.
• Recognize knowledge management concepts and their role in meetings and programs.
• Evaluate challenges, strategies, and innovations in exhibition management.
• Demonstrate the power of business partner selection and relationship management.
• Highlight key tactics and components involved during successful negotiation.
• Compare international site selection processes, special considerations, and cultural differences.

                It was an exciting learning opportunity!

March 2011

"Believe, Imagine, Dream" was the focus of the South Carolina State Organization Convention that was held March 18-19 in Columbia, South Carolina.I had an opportunity to attend this wonderful event as an international representative. Meeting the fabulous members in the state organizations was so rewarding.  It was also exciting to have the opportunity to visit their state organization headquarters building pictured to the right.  South Carolina members are very dedicated and proud leaders impacting education.

February 2011

In March, the newly established Delta Kappa Gamma Non-Dues-Revenue Committee met for the first time in Austin, Texas.  The committee had an opportunity to visit the studio of Susan Wallace, a local artist, who was commissioned to create our Wall of Roses. It has just been hung at International Headquarters.  This will honor members who as part of their Planned Giving leave a significant donation to one of the Society funds.  There are three levels of giving -$10,000-$24,999, $25,000-$49,999 and $50,000 or above level.  When a person donates, their name and the name of the fund will be engraved on a colored glass leaf which will help bring life and new color to the artistic piece.  Three shades of green represent the levels of giving - Jade, Garnet and Emerald.  Members will be able to make this decision now.  Only 100 leaves are available.  If you would like further information, please contact me at phyllish@dkg.org  Any member contributing at least $1,000 to a Society fund will have their name recorded in a book near the Wall of Roses.

January 2011

How wonderful to be able to see the Wall of Roses come to life at the artist's studio!  This Planned Giving piece of artwork will be hung at DKG International Headquarters in February as a way to honor our members who make significant contributions to the Society. There will be room for 100 members to be recognized for giving levels of $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000.  Start thinking about leaving a gift that will advance the work of the Society.Watch for more details.

December 2011

I flew back to Connecticut to see family and friends over the holidays. The photo was taken Christmas day at my mom's place. My brothers and sisters, their spouses and the 8 grandchildren all gathered to celebrate this wonderul time of the year. Mother Nature even brought us about 12 inches of snow that afternoon and evening.  It certainly was a winter wonderland.! We will cherish these family memories.