Our Holidays Differ

From one country to another, from one religion to another, from one person to another ... This holiday season brings out the best in most of us as we try to share our most emotional beliefs. As a Christian, I celebrate the holiday with family traditions from our church heritage. What is interesting to me is that many of my Christian friends don't celebrate in the same way...no toasting, no singing... Just different traditions.

Other friends are not Christian by faith, but they put up with me and I try to honor their beliefs and practices when invited to join in their celebrations. What I do notice is the love and warmth we all seem to share, no matter what our religion or our cultural backgrounds may be.

Imposing my celebrations and beliefs on others is no more natural for me than others forcing their religion or cultural habits on my holiday. It's nice to be in a community of friends who coexist with variations and differences--race, culture, religion, politics... and we still can respect and love one another. May your season of choice be a happy one. May the Chinese Year of the Tiger be fiercely successful for you.

Whole Lot o' Business Goin' On!

We just finished a week with the Constitution Revision Team. Starting at 7:30 or 8 a.m. and working until 11:30 p.m. (or longer in bedroom meetings), we pulled together the input from at least four years for committee structure, two years for Constitution and Standing Rules suggestions/recommendations, and a full history of previous recommendations. Teamwork helped cull duplication. Double checking and much work prior to the meeting helped reorganize items into a planned sequence or placement. The team worked on updating wording, researching history of practices, linking like itesm, and numerous other details.The work will continue as rough drafts are read, re-read and scrutinized by the team, registered parliamentarian Ardith Inman, and the Society's attorney. The Revision Planning Group will meet electronically Dec. 3. (Heidi Chadwick (CA) and I pose by State Orgnization tree at HQ--it has ornaments sent from most of the Society's state organizations.)

The Leadership Development Committee met recently and began planning great presentations for chapter and state organization presidents in Spokane, WA. The Expansion Committee will meet next month. International President Dr. Carolyn Rants, Expansion Committee Chair Mary Lee Makinen, Latin American Representative Mury Palerm-Ferri, and Panama Organizer Jeannette Zuniga are representing the Society for the installation of Panama as our 17th country. The ceremonies will be Friday, Nov. 27, in Panama City, Panama.

Dr. Rants, Linda Eller, Phyllis Hickey and I drove to Houston to attend the Texas Women's Conference and gather additional ideas for topics, speakers, formats, etc. for conventions and conferences. Suzi Orman was among the outstanding speakers we heard. We shared information from the various sessions we attended, and (of course) we bought books! [Then the valet lost my car key and spent an hour trying to find the car and/or key before telling us the real problem! The key arrived the day after I had new keys reprogramed for the car.]

Linda Eller is working with the marketing firm to update our web site design. You will be so excited when it is unveiled early in 2010. The Social Network software and bridges and links and programming are being completed also. (Yes, it has many pieces to complete!) We hope to begin "populating" and testing soon. Be sure to congratulate Linda on her first issue of the NEWS (Nov/Dec).

More than half of our state organizations are taking advantage of the GoToMeeting special pricing. Virginia Pearson is walking state officers and international committee members through the process as requested.

Dr. Rants, Phyllis Hickey and I visited Spokane, WA, to meet with the International Convention Steering Committee and tie down more details for the convention in July 2010. Great ideas and more to come. We plan to have registration, tour and hotel information posted on the web site for everyone in January. Check the home page for how to become a vendor at the convention.

We've sent materials to all chapter and state organization presidents for annual and biennial reports. The ISF Committee will meet electronically Dec. 1.

Answering email and phone calls is a little backed up for me right now, but I'm working my way through them. Still must have convention speaker contracts with numerous details for arrangements and assorted day-to-day business. We are advancing the Society!

Finally Found Photos to Post

Thank you, Birgit! Europe Regional Director Birgit Svensson gives me a special crystal bear during Europe Regional Conference Banquet in Oslo, Norway.

Nebraska President Pat Monson and I enjoy Northwest leadership development for incoming state organization presidents, which was full of sparkles in Portland, OR.

And Dr. Beth Ann Richey asked me to make opening inspirational remarks in Burlington, VT, during the Northeast Regional Conference.

During introduction at the Peabody in Little Rock, I make a point or three...

Dr. Carolyn Rants, Dr. Beverly Helms and I sing along during Southwest Regional in Reno, NV.

Linda Eller, Phyllis Hickey, Nancy Davis and I pose for banquet photo at Southeast Regional in Little Rock, AR.

Five Regional Conferences Packed with Friends, Facts, Fun

The Society hosts an international meeting every summer. This summer it was a meeting in each of the five regions. With bags packed to meet the airline weight limits, I met Dr. Carolyn Rants and Phyllis Hickey at the Austin International Airport on July 6. Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, I returned to Austin. My second bag came the next day.
Seeing everyone is terrific! Experiencing the varying programs is informative! Participating in incoming officer training is challenging.
Traveling is … begin patted down; unpacking/undressing to go through security; reorganizing your purse/toiletries into plastic bags that have nothing to do with how you plan to use them when you arrive; lugging paperwork for meetings, speeches, notes and work through airports and planes…and then the joy of being met by someone who is genuinely glad to see you.
Photographer Jim Miller documented our Regional Conferences. The pictures I am sharing do not include the laundry in my room or other behind the scenes work. They reflect some of the fellowship and education of the meetings.

Regionals Are Just Around the Corner

Dr. Gloria Crumm and I shared our oriental influence during a state convention two years ago. I would not even know Gloria if we had not become involved in the Texas State Organization.

You can take that step this summer by attending your Regional Conference. Meet outstanding women from surrounding states. Share information about what you're doing. Gather ideas to take back to your chapter, to your classroom and to your friends. Hear outstanding speakers. Experience the genuine spiritual fellowship.

It's an exciting event. Once you're hooked, you may want to attend more than one! Treat yourself to some "battery charging." You'll be glad you came.

Spring tulips are blooming in Austin

Tulips outside International Headquarters in Austin are trying to bloom. The weather can't decide if it's winter or spring, and we finally received some much needed rain.

As new life bursts forth in petals and leaves at this time of year, we truly enjoy the sun on our faces and the warmth that surrounds us.

May spring offer you exciting new beginnings or renewed spirit for continuing a challenge.

CTAUN- United Nations Impresses

When Dr. Rita King (NY) took me and International President Carolyn Rants through security to receive our special UN passes, we were impressed that our organization had so much clout. We have five seats on the NGO (Non-Government Organization) committee which allows our representatives entry into the United Nations secure areas (like representatives from various countries). Rita then took us through some her favorite spots in "the city." We had to look in windows at Tiffany, Cartier and other names. St. Peters Cathedral awed us and The Plaza impressed us.

But the main events included meeting with directors of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and talking about our support of the Afghanistan Teaching Project and attending the CTAUN Conference. Ann Marie Carlson serves as CTAUN chair and also chaired the conference. Impressive speakers fill the day, complete with electronic connections to Africa and Canada. Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, received standing ovations. It was worth the trip and the registration fee!

Newsletters share member successes

Want to feel good about what members of our Society achieve? Read about these outstanding women featured in their state organization newsletters.

Southern Illinois University Foundation named Dr. Charlotte West (Alpha Kappa, IL) as one of its 2008 Inspiring Women. A nationally respected pioneer in women’s in intercollegiate athletics, Dr. West was the first woman member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. She served on the NACDA executive committee and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame. She was also the first Woman Administrator of the Year National Association of Collegiate Women’s Athletic Administrators, and first recipient of the Honda Award for outstanding achievement in women’s intercollegiate athletics.

The Nebraska Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recently recognized Karen Ricker (Zeta, NE) as Nebraska Outstanding Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. The award honors Ricker for leadership, energy and innovative instruction.

Janice Moen (WA) celebrated the success of her original score We Sing for the Children, performed by the Convention Choir in Chicago and recorded on CD. Both a children’s choir and an adult trio perform the song on the CD, which also has comments from Clay Aikens, Afghanistan teachers and ???. Janice spearheaded production of the song in collaboration with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Rosemary Gerig (honorary member of Gamma Lambda, IN) recently published her first book, ABC of ACD. The children’s book provides a brief history of the classic cars manufactured in Auburn, IN, features Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs.

The University of Dubuque honored Pauline Tobiason Antons (Beta Nu, IA) as an outstanding alumnae. She received the 2008 Service to Community award for demonstrating a clear commitment to serving her community through notable volunteerism, an outstanding act of selflessness, and a demonstrated pattern of service to humanity.

Sally Cauble (Beta Eta honorary member—KS) represents District 5 on the State Board of Education and serves on the Youthville Board of Trustees. Youthville serves children in the state’s foster care system.

Kim Houtz (Alpha Delta—KS) was named the Kansas Outstanding Biology Teacher by the National Association of Biology Teachers. She was invited to an honors luncheon in October in Memphis, Tennessee. Kim was also selected to participate in a Kansas State University research project last summer in the fields of biology, chemistry, nutrition, geology, and kinesiology. The National Science Foundation and Howard Hughes Medical Institute funded the research. KSU plans to create a website of the lesson plans generated by the participants.

Jennifer Stanfield (Beta—KS) has been named the Southwest District Outstanding Elementary Music Educator by the Kansas Music Educators’ Conference.

Glenda Torkelson (Alpha Kappa—KS has been named Ms. Kansas Senior America 2008. Glenda has been the Kansas State Chaplain for the Daughters of the American Revolution. She volunteers in her community, is active in her church, and belongs to many civic and professional organizations.

Read your state organization's newletter to find more outstanding women!

Time with friends in Hawaii ...

9 things to do in 2009

1. Participate in chapter meetings. At a recent Kappa Lambda (TX) meeting, President Shirley Shay reminded members that seeing them was important. She said, “Come late, leave early, just drop in and see us. We know how busy everyone is, and we don’t waste time.” Good idea, Shirley.
2. Volunteer to help with a chapter project. Another set of hands is always appreciated and learning about something new is invigorating. You may even meet a new friend.
3. Submit your name for a state office or to serve on a state committee. Each state organization has a multitude of leadership opportunities. Why not make this the year you meet more members throughout the organization?
4. Attend your state organization convention. Want to be impressed, challenged, excited? Start by attending a state organization meeting. The Society women in your state organization are active in life, engaged in educational pursuits, knowledgeable in numerous areas, friendly mentors for you!
5. Attend your Regional Conference. Take advantage of the training, workshops, and speakers. Meet women from around the world at these venues:
* 9 State Organizations — Europe: Oslo, Norway, August 5-8
* 22 State Organizations — Northeast: Burlington, VT, July 22-25
* 26 State Organizations — Northwest: Portland, OR, July 29- Aug. 1
* 11 State Organizations — Southeast: Little Rock, AR, July 15-18
* 20 State Organizations — Southwest: Reno, NV, July 8-11
When visitors attend varying regions, you have even more diversity. You will enjoy the experience.
6. Take some time for yourself. Active women need time to recharge and refocus. Be kind to yourself, so you can be kind to others.
7. Absorb some culture. Visit a museum or take a tour (maybe in connection with your state convention or Regional Conference). It’s rewarding to learn something new or rekindle an interest.
8. Solve a mystery, find romance or enjoy a good laugh. The Arts are always on stage (screen) for your enjoyment! Or visit your favorite bookstore, download books, borrow a book…read.
9. Meet some future members. Invite someone new to your community to a meeting. Host a faculty snack party or similar function for prospective members. Have a reunion for women who have discontinued their membership.

Which of these can you accomplish right away? What would you add to make the list 10 or 12?