Psi State Membership and Executive Board Meeting Minutes I. Group Meetings (Session 1) The first session of the Spring 2014 Psi State Membership and Executive Board meeting began at 9 a.m. on Saturday,, at the Anderson Conference Center in Macon. The session provided an opportunity for state committees to meet to work on Committee Action Plans (CAPs). In addition, a program for other members was provided by Joyce Sinyard (Alpha Chi) and other members of her chapter on plans for a successful Christmas auction fundraiser. II. Welcome (Session 2) Gail Ford (Alpha Omega), Psi State President, officially called the Psi State Membership and Executive Board meeting to order and welcomed participants at 10 a.m. on Saturday,, in the atrium of the Anderson Conference Center in Macon. The inspirational was brought by Joan Cordell (Alpha Epsilon) who served as Psi State President for the 1975-1977 biennium. Encouraging us to adopt the attitude of the Master teacher, the message was a golden nugget: Joan gave the same inspirational at 1986 International Convention. Janis Webb (Alpha Epsilon) led members in the pledge to the flag, and Linda Byrd (Beta Kappa) led in the singing of the national anthem. Becky Avera (Xi) brought a golden nuggets moment which paralleled the discovery and retrieval of gold in Georgia and other parts of the United States to our organization s prospects for membership, potential for heightened excitement in the organization, valuable opportunities available through Delta Kappa Gamma, and the golden nugget friendships that can be developed here. President Ford recognized members in attendance: current Southeast Regional (SER) Director Dr. Hanna Fowler (Alpha Theta), former SER directors Dr. Leanna Walton (Xi) and Mavis Johnson (Xi), nine former Psi State presidents, and members attending the Membership and Executive Board meeting for the first time. Judy Scarboro (Beta Theta), chairman of the Membership Committee, made additional recognitions: current and former Teachers of the Year, Alpha Chi chapter for its highly successful auction fundraiser, President Gail Ford (Alpha Omega) leadership, Betty Richardson (Beta Kappa) keeping us informed, Ann Clark (Delta) champion organizer, Dr. Maria Valeri-Gold (Gamma Alpha) tenacity, and Merrimac Forsyth (Iota) enthusiasm. Members who have 50 Page 1
(fifty) or more years of membership in Delta Kappa Gamma were also recognized. Present at the meeting were Frances Mitchell (Gamma Chi) 55 years, Lucille Gray (Rho) 54 years, Joan Cordell (Alpha Epsilon) 52 years, and Dr. Virginia Macagnoni (Beta Sigma) 57 years. Judy read letters from Mary Jim Combs Tate (Beta Sigma) and Mary B. Clark (Tau) both who joined Delta Kappa Gamma in 1960 and have 53 years of membership. President Ford recognized Virginia McChesney (Iota) who will represent Georgia this summer as a Golden Gift recipient and Dr. Hanna Fowler (Alpha Theta) and Miriam Murray (Beta Chi) who will present at the International convention in Indianapolis this summer. Parliamentarian Jo Davis (Alpha Omicron) provided the rules of the day and reported that a quorum of more than 61% (sixty-one percent) of the voting members in attendance allowing Psi State to conduct business. President Ford then called for reports from state officers and committee chairmen. Officer Reports First Vice-President Miriam Murray (Beta Chi) recognized current and incoming chapter presidents. She announced district workshops and introduced district Directors. Workshop Date and Location District Directors March 1, 2014 Districts Cissy Peebles (Beta Beta) Swainsboro Middle School IV and VI Angela White (Beta Alpha) Swainsboro, GA District V District III Districts I and II March 8, 2014 Lee County Middle School Leesburg, GA March 15 Poplar Road Elementary School Sharpsburg, GA March 22, 2014 Chattahoochee Technical College Jasper, GA Becky Avera (Xi) Kathy Brown (Mu) Judy Hulsey (Phi) Janice Cochran (Beta Epsilon) Additional information and registration forms for all these workshops are posted on the Psi State website, www.dkgga.weebly.com. Second Vice-President Virginia McChesney (Iota) said that Psi State members have logged more than 2,000 (two thousand) hours of service as indicated on the Educational Excellence Committee (EEC) reports. She encouraged all chapters to have representation at the EEC session at the district workshops. She asked that Page 2
members register to vote, educate themselves about issues, and exercise their right to vote. Recording Secretary Dr. Lynn Skinner (Beta Gamma) reported that minutes from the Fall Membership and Executive Board meeting held September 28, 2013, in Macon were approved by the Minutes Approval Committee and digital copies have been sent to all chapter presidents and members of the leadership team. Corresponding Secretary Alice Bass (Mu) read a note of appreciation from Mildred Lord (Kappa) for condolences received after the death of her son. Executive Secretary Gail Springstead (Delta) brought a motion from the Psi State Executive Committee that Alpha Sigma chapter be dissolved. A survey conducted by the chapter of its members found support for dissolution, and a letter to the President Ford cited failure to initiate new members in three years, inability to fill leadership positions, lack of support for fundraising, and decreased attendance at chapter meetings as reasons for dissolving. Coming from a committee, the motion required no second. President Ford asked for any discussion; there was none. A vote was taken, and the motion to dissolve Alpha Sigma Chapter passed. Treasurer Judy Farrigan (Upsilon) reported current membership at 2,917 (two thousand nine hundred nineteen). A workshop for chapter treasurers will be conducted at each of the district workshops. Webmaster Sandra Yerby (Xi) demonstrated navigation through our organization s website located at http://dkgga.weebly.com/. She asked that members correspond with her through her personal email, san4au@bellsouth.net, rather than through the contact information on the website. Committee Reports Finance Committee: Dot Nickoley (Alpha Omicron) announced that 61 chapter treasurers have turned in reports. Remaining reports can be sent in through February 28, 2014. Leadership Development: Dr. Hanna Fowler (Alpha Theta) promoted the Leadership Institute to be held August 16, 2014, in Macon with Dr. Lace Marie Brogden of Canada presenting. She also emphasized Leadership Seminar I scheduled for June 6-8, 2014, at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Macon. Applications for Seminar I are available on the state s website and are due by March 15, 2014, to Linda Lynes at linlynes@aol.com. Convention: Jane Belflower (Gamma Omicron), Ann Fitzgerald (Gamma Lambda), Kathy Brown (Mu), and committee promoted the 2015 Psi State Convention to be held on April 17, 2015, at the Macon Marriott. Page 3
Reservations: Ann Clark (Delta) reported that 160 members are in attendance giving the meeting a quorum in excess of 61% (sixty-one percent). Personal Development: Susan Woods (Mu) announced that the committee will be conducting surveys on areas of member expertise and on chapters use of music. She also announced that Deltahostel will be held at Callaway Gardens October 3-5, 2014, in Pine Mountain. DKG UN Liaison: Lois Duncan (Alpha Delta) promoted participation in the annual conference of the Committee on Teaching about the United Nations (CTAUN) which will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Georgia State University from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Contact Dr. Susan Ogletree at (404) 413-8091 or visit www.teachun.org for more information. She also encouraged chapter presidents to download US Forum information and distribute to members on the professional affairs committee. Elise Boylston Memorial Foundation: Dr. Corinne Daniel (Rho) announced that over $9,000 (nine thousand dollars) have been awarded in grants this year. Since 2008, the Foundation has awarded more than $88,000 (eighty-eight thousand). More information on this funding will be available at district workshops. Applications are on the website and are due to the committee by January 3, 2015. III. Breakout Groups (Session 3) Breakout groups in Session 3 met from 11:30 a.m. until 12:10 p.m. Groups were organized for chapter presidents to meet for Adding to Your Treasure Chest with Psi State President Gail Ford (Alpha Omega), chapter treasurers to meet with Psi State Treasurer Judy Farrigan (Upsilon), district directors to meet with First Vice-President Miriam Murray (Beta Chi), the state Nominations Committee to meet for discussion, and general members to attend a workshop, With : The Key to Communication, led by Leslie Giraldo (Tau). IV. Lunch (Session 4) Members reassembled at 12:15 p.m. for directions for lunch. Linda Byrd (Beta Kappa) led in singing the blessing. As members enjoyed lunch and networking, they were also able to view the 2014 International Convention PowerPoint. V. District Meeting (Session 5) During Session 5, participants attended their district meetings from 1:15 p.m. until 2 p.m. Page 4
VI. Closing (Session 6) Members reconvened in the atrium at 2:05 p.m. for the closing session. Dr. Lynn Skinner (Beta Gamma), Recording Secretary, presented a certificate to the chapter in each district with the largest percentage of members present. She announced that a contribution to the Schools for Africa project, sponsored by international, will be made in honor of these chapters. The following chapters received recognitions. District Chapter Percent of Members in Attendance I Iota 10.0% II Beta Kappa 18.2% III Gamma Alpha 10.5% IV Eta 17.5% V Xi 17.7% VI Alpha Omega 14.8% Gail Ford, President, adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m., and Music Committee chairman Lynda Byrd (Beta Kappa) led the group in singing the Delta Kappa Gamma Song. Minutes submitted by: Minutes approved by: Dr. Lynn Skinner, Psi State Recording Secretary Minutes Approval Committee Gail Ford Psi State President Lynn Skinner Psi State Recording Secretary Page 5