Volume 3, Issue 1

“Bridging our Vision- Connecting our Future” has been a true test for me since I was initiated as Alpha Pi State Organization President in June. With my suitcase destroyed on the way to Canada and my missing black bag on the way back, I was able to change my negative vision to positive by remembering why I was there. The wonderful DKG sisters I met from our NW Region truly reflected what we represent--- sisterhood of women educators. Many new friendships were made throughout the week. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Having my Alpha Pi sisters with me connected us as friends and leaders for our state. One of my visions is to bridge together honor and education to those who are currently and those who have previously impacted education. Are there things about some of your chapter members you don’t know? Make it a personal challenge to bridge together valuable attributes and honor those in your chap-ter. Support new members and involve them in meetings and activities. I love the quote, “No One Can Do Everything, But Everyone Can Do Something!” Honor each member’s ability to contribute, even if it’s only a little. Change in the 21st Century was a topic of discussion at our Regional Convention. Change happens in our personal lives, professional lives, economy, and educa-tion. Did you know DKG members used to wear hats and gloves to meetings? Would Annie Webb Blanton have had a vision of technology? Not only must we change things, we also have to change to way we see things. Change brings re-sistance, but with vision can be addressed with respect. We as DKG leaders need to find ways to manage the transition from the old way and share the vi-sion of a new road to take. Develop projects, brainstorm ideas, involve new members, and celebrate success. As I begin my first year of my biennium, I look forward to connecting with friends and bridging DKG sisters together.

Lynnette Kuehl Alpha Pi State President

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International South Dakota Newsletter

December, 2011

President’s Message...

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Alpha Pi-State

State Convention News

On June 4th the Gamma Chapter of Alpha Pi State hosted the other chapters at the state convention in Mitchell.

The event was held at First Lutheran Church. There were many activities for the ladies to participate in. Tours were

arranged with The Abbott House, a residential home for girls, and the new Longfellow school. Groups were also en-

couraged to tour the Prehistoric Indian Village, The McGovern Library, and of course the world’s only Corn Palace.

Friday started out with business meetings and finished with dinner held at Dakota Discovery Museum, which

we were able to tour after being entertained by the “Quilt Ladies”. They talked about family and friends and of course

quilts. They were a hit! Saturday was spent in more meetings, judging the Women in the Arts exhibit and the birthday

lunch. At the lunch Dr. Janet Shelver was honored for her many years of dedication as our treasurer. In the afternoon

our international guest Dr. Barbara brought us greetings from International and informed us about discussions being

held at the international level. Saturday evening we had our President’s Banquet and the installation of officers.

A collection was taken on Friday evening for the disaster fund. Over $280.00 was collected and has been sent

to the state. There were some members who could not come because of the flooding on the Missouri River. Our

thoughts were with them that weekend.

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Dear South Dakota Sisters,

What an absolute joy it was to be with all of you and participate in your State Convention! I applaud the Con-

vention Committee and all of those who helped to make it such a special event. It truly was an honor to

serve as the Society Representative and to meet you.

I appreciated the warm hospitality and the kindness shown to me. The convention offered something for

everyone; sessions were informative, workshops timely, participants engaged and eager to learn and share.

A highlight for me was getting to see Dr. Janet Shelver honored as a “Treasure.” Everyone in the Interna-

tional Society would agree! I was also pleased to see so many younger members, who contributed ideas and

talents…and also were up on technology! I believe our chapters must maximize the advantages offered

through its use.

I so enjoyed the wonderful meal and quilting gals on Friday night and have hung the beautiful “school collec-

tion” of the painted plates in my office. Also, I have received many compliments on the Black Hills Gold rose

pin that LaRee presented to me.

The best part of being an International Officer is getting to meet so many new sisters and cultivating new

friendships. The SW Regional Conference went well, as I am certain the NW Regional did, too. I am begin-

ning to catch up on some much needed correspondence. My delay in acknowledging my visit does not re-

flect the memorable weekend that I hold in my heart.

I appreciate the work and dedication you have for the Society and look forward to seeing ALL of you in New

York City next summer for the 2012 International Convention. Thank you again for making me feel so special,

for allowing me to speak and share in your 2011 Alpha Pi State Convention.

Always a Sister,

Barbara

Dr. Barbara Baethe 2010 - 2012 Southwest Regional Director International Speakers Fund Committee Chair The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Embracing Our Vision - Designing Our Future P. O. Box 717 Richmond, Texas 77406 Home - 281.342.6205

Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 3

Women in Art At the 2010 Convention it was decided to replace judging and ribbons for the Women in Art Exhibits with a People's Choice Award in various categories for the 2011 convention. The People's Choice winners were cho-sen by paper votes that were placed in baskets by those attending and viewing the exhibits. There were seven different classes this year. The winners of each received a certificate at the Birthday Lunch-eon. The following are the People's Choice winners of each class: Class 1--Paintings and Drawings--Joy Halling Class 2--Original Writings--Jane Green, Kappa Class 3--Needlework--Lynn Kuehl, Pi Class 4--Wall Hangings--Vicki Sterling, Lambda Class 5--Quilts--Rosalee Sternhagen, Tau Class 6--Photography--Lois Hyde, Kappa Class 7--Miscellaneous--Carol King, Eta There were beautiful exhibits displayed that showed the unique talents of our women in Alpha Pi State.

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North West Regional Conference

DKG North West Regional Conference was held in Edmonton, Canada July 25-30, 2011. President Lynnette attended the Leadership Training at the beginning of the week. Wednesday through Saturday was conference days. Two Alpha Pi members who are on International committees pre-sented at the conference, Dr. Rhonda Anderson for the Scholarship Committee and Elizabeth Wood for Expansion. It was a fun filled week meeting many new DKG sisters. SD members who attended the NW Regional Conference are pictured below: Back- JoAnn Dankey, Millie Horter, Rhonda Anderson, Carrie Lashly Front- Mary Kay Black, LaRee Mayes, Lynnette Kuehl, Elizabeth Wood

More NW Regional Fun….

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Alpha: Saturday, Oct. 22 Delta Kappa Gamma meeting: Speaker was Linsey McLean, a biochemist specializing in environmentally driven illnesses. She has seven US patents to date for protocols and products in envi-ronmental biochemistry, including a diet plan for high protein, low carb and es-sential oils, the underlying foundation for popular diets today. Linsey has stud-ied the March nuclear disaster in Japan and we need to know how to protect ourselves from this disaster. It does affect infant mortality rate, flu, diabetes, etc. Linsey is the CEO of Vita Royal Products, Inc.

Epsilon: Kathy Webb was awarded the Order of the Rose at our first fall meet-ing. She has served on many committees and offices along with contributing her poetry and writing a wonderful salute for the Founder’s Day ceremony. This summer many members assisted with the American Association of Univer-sity Women’s book sale. Proceeds from this sale go to the NSU Foundation for educational scholarships. Members are preparing for the October basket auction which is a fundraiser for various projects such as History Day and Camp DreamMakers. We are looking forward to President Lynnette Kuehl’s visit in November.

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Mu: Mu Chapter presented Harriet Hybertson and Alma Vangsnes with their Order of

the Rose Award at the September 19th meeting. The award was announced at the State

Convention in early June. Glenyta Hanson distributed the Change 4 Kids jars to the sis-

ters; the chapter is continuing to fund-raise for the school in Panyang, South Sudan. The

money collected will be used for school supplies because the need for supplies has in-

creased dramatically as the number of students has risen from 400 to 800. Sister Sur-

prises was an enjoyable activity that helped members meet other members and guests

attending that evening!

October 24th will be our second meeting for this program year and our nation is cele-

brating FOOD DAY on October 24th! The program for that evening fits right into FOOD

DAY because Mu Chapter will meet at the Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota and the

program will be “Dispelling Myths about Heart Health Nutrition” presented by Joanne

Shearer, a registered dietician at the hospital.

Sharing information about Delta Kappa Gamma with key women educators is an on-

going process and we look forward to the November 17th meeting when we will initiate

six new members and welcome Brooke Weigand, a transfer from Beta Nu Chapter in

Florida. In addition to initiation, Deb Bukrey, who is a member of Mu Chapter, will give a

tour of the Community Campus.

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Kappa: Twenty-two DKG members attended the October 22 meeting at the Hy-Vee meeting room for lunch at 11:00. Kim Boswell was initiated in to our Kappa Chapter. Our guest speaker was our Alpha Pi State President Lynnette Kuehl from Mobridge. Using a cooking perspective she expanded on her state theme “Bridging Our Vision-Connecting the Future”. She spoke of the characteristics of our DKG members and how we need to learn to communicate using a medium that makes them feel comfortable. We also need to work to help every one of our members become involved in the chapter. She was presented a thank you gift of Redlin note cards. Jane Green presented a program concerning scholar-ships available to DKG members. Lois Hyde discussed the Commu-nity Day project at Her-bergers and members were encouraged to buy the coupon books from her since 100% of the cost comes back to the organization.

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Iota: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor soci-ety for women educators with more than 115,000 members in 17 countries around the world. Their mission is to help support local charities that directly im-pact students, as well as provide scholarships to women pursuing a career in edu-cation. The Iota Chapter of DKG with members located in communities of Newell-Nisland-Vale, Spearfish, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, and Lead-Deadwood, sponsors a $500 Grant-In-Aid scholarship for a young woman who is in the last year of her profession education coursework at Black Hills State University. This year’s recipi-ent is Emily Walter, who is currently student teaching in Belle Fourche.

Pictured left to right are: Iota President Janice Koski, Emily Walter, and member Joanna Jones. The fall initiation of new members into the South Dakota Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma was held in Lead, South Dakota. New Initiates Lynn Steinley and Darlene Thompson are pictured below. Lynn Steinley teaches Art at Williams Mid-dle School in Sturgis and Darlene Thompson teaches 6th grade at Spearfish Middle School.

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Eta, Tau and Xi Chapters: Alpha Pi State President, Lynnette Kuehl, was the fea-tured guest at the combined meeting of Chapters Eta, Tau and Xi. This gathering was Saturday, October 1, 2011 at "Spring Waters RV Village clubroom, Yankton. President Kuehl's presentation featured, "What's Cookin?". She described how a good chapter is like a recipe. It takes many members (ingredients) mixing well and having fun to accomplish DKG business. These important functions mean granting scholarships, implementing "THAT", being a mentor, promoting lifetime learning and continue our genuine fellowship. Lynnette reported on new DKG proceedings featured at NW Regional Convention in Alberta, Canada. These

will be gradually implemented in Alpha Pi State.

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Below, Lynnette with Colleen Chase

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Please have items for the February Newsletter submitted by January 20th.

Thank you for all the cards and well wishes….and for your patience with me this fall. The

unexpected health journey made it difficult to get things done as I normally would. I’m fin-

ished with chemotherapy and hoping for good news when they do the PET scan in January.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May 2012 be a good year for all. Crystal

Theresa Weigel, Editor theresa.weigel@k12.sd.us 605/996-1591 Crystal Pauli, Webmaster crystal.pauli@dsu.edu 605/636-9323

Alpha Pi State

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