Alpha Zeta State Strategic Action Plan The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 2011 13 Biennium PURPOSES 1. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship. 2. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education. 3. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education. 4. To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators. 5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators. 6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action. 7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society. MISSION STATEMENT The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. VISION STATEMENT Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide OVERVIEW In response to the request from international to develop a Strategic Plan for Alpha Zeta State, State President, Roxanne Adinolfi, appointed in September of 2011, an ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee (to include the immediate past state president, a past state president, current 2 nd state vice president, a current chapter president, past chapter president, and a member of one of the largest chapters in the state) whose charge it would be to 1) to see input from across the state to create an action plan; 2) to incorporate state committee charges and goals into the action plan as well as suggestions from members via a survey; 3) to draft a timeline to complete the strategic action plan for AZS by January 2013 to be presented to the executive board; 4) to oversee the action plan be ready for implementation during the 2013-2015 biennium; 5) to include a focus area to monitor and update the plan for continuity from biennium to biennium in June of the odd numbered year; 6) to request the executive board approve standing/special or ad hoc committee status with membership rotation for sustainability, review and implementation.
PLANNING PROCESS The Alpha Zeta State Strategic Action Plan provides for a continuous review and monitoring of the progress of identified programs and projects that implement the seven purposes and the mission of the Society. The status of all major areas of focus, objectives and activities are to be reviewed regularly at meetings of the AZS-SAP committee. Areas will be reviewed and updated for status as accomplished, in progress, ongoing, deleted, revised, continued, TBD, etc., the latest review date will be noted. (The committee will determine the status labels.) PHASE I Purposes/Mission/Vision PHASE II Needs Survey/Areas of Focus/Overview/Planning Process PHASE III Goals/Objectives/ Activities/Responsibility timeline/appendix Adinolfi
AREAS OF FOCUS 1. Society Impact on Education Goal: Become more informed and respected voices for education Responsibility Status Results Objective 1.1 Increase the impact of Alpha Zeta State by educating the members on educational policy, decisions, and practices 1.1.1 Provide pertinent information relevant to issues relating to women, children, and education at state meetings, at state conventions, in the state newsletter, on the state Website, and/or through other means of information dispersal. Legislation/US Forum, UN Liaison 1.1.2 Recommend conferences, seminars, workshops, and speakers on educational law and policy. Legislation/US Forum/ UN Liaison Objective 1.2 Support early-career educators in the teaching field (S.E.E.) 1.2.1 Encourage chapters to develop partnerships with local/state educational organizations and/or school districts to support earlycareer educators. Educational Excellence, Leadership Development
1.2.2 Monitor state and chapter programs designed to support early-career educators. Educational Excellence 1.2.3 Recognize chapters for implementing special programs/initiatives for new teachers at the Alpha Zeta State convention. State President, Educational Excellence Objective 1.3 Encourage programs and activities that focus on educational excellence 1.3.1 Share outstanding chapter projects and programs on the state Web site and in the state newsletter. Webmaster, Communications, Program Planning, Educational Excellence 1.3.2 Update the speakers bureau of state members who offer presentations supporting one or more of the seven purposes of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Webmaster, Program Planning 1.3.3 Promote and support combined chapter meetings in all parts of the state where demographically appropriate. State President 1.3.4 Align state by-laws, standing rules, and chapter rules to ensure Alpha Zeta State upholds the goals and objectives of the international educational excellence committee. Rules and Bylaws In Progress
2. Communication/Technology Goal: Strengthen the informational link among members, chapters and the state Responsibility Status Results Objective 2.1 Increase members knowledge and use of electronic communications 2.1.1 Increase the number of chapters with certified Web sites. Webmaster, Technology, Communications 2.1.2 Provide training workshops at the state convention to increase members knowledge and use of electronic communication. Webmaster, Technology, Communications 2.1.3 Encourage the use of PDF and/or earlier versions of Microsoft WORD for electronic communications. Executive Board, Webmaster, Technology, Communications Objective 2.2 Increase the availability of state/chapter publications 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 Develop state specific brochures in electronic/print format to disseminate information to members, potential members, and communities throughout the state. Help chapters communicate using electronic media. Investigate various methods to compile and publish the state yearbook to provide for greater ease, efficiency, and availability. State Committees, Technology, Communications State President, Webmaster, Technology, Communications Yearbook, Technology, Communication In progress
Objective 2.3 Encourage members to use interactive electronic communications within the state organization 2.3.1 Promote and continue the use of Go-to- Meeting, SKYPE, Google Forms, and the DKG Network. Executive Board, Webmaster, Technology, Communications 3. Membership Goal: Stimulate chapter vitality and sustainability Responsibility Status Results Objective 3.1 Increase the commitment/involvement of members 3.1.1 Support chapters in providing potential initiates an in-depth orientation including the responsibilities and benefits of membership. Membership, Leadership Development 3.1.2 Encourage chapters to use Society resources to determine and plan for intergenerational cooperation. Membership, Program Planning 3.1.3 Encourage incorporating successful chapter practices into chapter/state planning. State President,Program Planning
Objective 3.2 Increase the retention of members 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Encourage chapters to honor members for 5 or more years of service in the Society with recognition ceremonies at the chapter level. Honor members for 50, 55, 60 and 65 years of service in the Society with recognition ceremonies at the state convention. Encourage chapter officers to nurture members via direct contact. Encourage chapters to offer re-orientation including the responsibilities and benefits of membership. Objective 3.3 Encourage growth of chapter membership State President, Membership State President, Membership Membership, Corresponding Secretary, State President Membership, Program Planning 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.3.4 3.3.5 Publicize the benefits of membership. Webmaster, Communications, Membership Promote honorary memberships on the state and chapter levels. Encourage diversity of membership by setting biennial goals. Encourage chapters to set specific membership goals each biennium. Contact the Jersey and county Teachers of the Year and share the benefits of membership. State President, Membership State President, Membership State President, Membership State President
4. Leadership Development Goal: Develop a continuous cadre of knowledgeable leaders Objective 4.1 Encourage members to assume leadership positions at the chapter and state levels Responsibility Status Results 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 Collect data for development of an AZS handbook to establish the responsibilities of state officers and committee chairs. Encourage involvement of members of five years or less in leadership positions. Recognize/honor members serving in leadership positions at the state convention. Promote the appointment of leadership development chairs in each chapter. Objective 4.2 Promote leadership development for all members 4.2.1 4.2.2 Plan leadership development training at state conventions, conferences, and/or meetings through workshops, speakers, or other presentations. Encourage all members to utilize leadership training resources from International including participating in the biennial Golden Gift Leadership/Management Seminar. State President, State Officers, Leadership Development State President, Leadership Development State President, Leadership Development, Awards State President, Leadership Development State President, Leadership Development, State President, Leadership Development
4.2.3 Secure outstanding leadership speakers for Alpha Zeta State Convention. State President, Program Planning, Leadership Development 4.2.4 Plan a state leadership development and officers training conference each biennium. State Officers, Leadership Development, Program Planning 4.2.5 Invite the Jersey Teacher of the Year to present at the state convention and/or the state leadership development conference. State President, Leadership Development Objective 4.3 Plan and implement leadership development training for chapter and state officers/committee chairs 4.3.1 Provide leadership training for incoming state officers and committee chairs in the odd numbered years. Out-Going State Officers and Committee Chairs, Leadership Development 4.3.2 Provide leadership training for incoming chapter officers in the even numbered years. State Officers and Committee Chairs, Leadership Development 4.3.3 Encourage chapter and state officers and committee chairs to attend state meetings, regional conferences, and international conventions. State President, Webmaster, Leadership Development
5. Finance Goal: Improve financial stability of Alpha Zeta State Responsibility Status Results Objective 5.1 Reduce mailing and printing costs 5.1.1 5.1.2 Utilize electronic communication wherever appropriate throughout the state. Investigate additional opportunities for decreasing mailing and printing costs. Objective 5.2 Assess and project income and allocations of state funds 5.2.1 5.2.2 Review the state dues structure and membership projections each biennium to ensure that the State Organization can fulfill its fiscal obligations. Review the proposed income and allocations of the state budget each biennium to ensure the budget reflects responsible spending. Objective 5.3 Increase non-dues revenue Communications, State Officers and Committee Chairs Circulation, Treasurer, Finance State President, Treasurer, Finance State President, Treasurer, Finance 5.3.1 5.3.2 Reassess distribution of state designated revenue from the yearly auction held at the state convention. Explore additional non-dues revenue activities/events and guidelines. Treasurer, Finance Treasurer, Finance
6. Review/Update of Action Plan Goal: Provide for the review and update of the Alpha Zeta State Strategic Action Plan Responsibility Status Results Objective: 6.1 Review and update the Alpha Zeta State Strategic Action Plan each biennium 6.1.1 6.1.2 6.1.3 Provide executive board members a copy of the current plan. Review/revise goals, objectives, and activities. Seek input of all revisions from the state executive board. SAP Committee Chair SAP Committee, State President SAP Committee 6.1.4 Post the updated action plan on the state website. Webmaster
Appendix Suggested Resources Alpha Zeta State Bylaws and Standing Rules Go-To-Guide for Chapter Members: Handbook of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 2012 One & All: Breaking Glass Ceilings Worldwide, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, 2009 You & Us: Breaking Glass Ceilings Worldwide, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, 2011 Guidelines for State Organization and Chapter Communications Committee Chairs, DKG Pride in the Big Picture: An Orientation Guide for Chapter Membership Teams, DKG 2011 Sustaining Pride in the Big Picture: Reorientation Guide, DKG 2011 Guidelines for Chapter Treasurers, DKG Guidelines for Chapter Presidents, DKG Program Resource Guide CD: 2006-2010 Passion for Learning; Essence of Growth, DKG Finance Committee Guidelines, DKG Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Constitution and International Standing Rules, 2010 (amendments included) Membership Memo, International Membership Committee, August/September 2011, How to Support and Attract Early Career Educators Guidelines for Chapter Membership Committee Chairs, DKG Website: dkg.org. Successful Chapter Practices Survey Result: Successful Chapter Model, Membership Committee Successful Stories and Practices, dkg.org. (summary p. 61, Go-to-Guide) Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Strategic Action Plan, 2012, dkg.org. Let s Polish the Apple by Supporting Early Career Educators, Project S.E.E., dkg.org. Strategic Action Planning Group on the DKG Network, dkgnetwork.org