President's Report DKG Winter Board February 4, 2023
During my biennium I have had 2 focuses. One was getting out to each chapter for at least one of their meetings. If I haven’t visited you yet there is still time. I even do Zoom meetings. My second focus has been on revitalization. We have made some progress. But much more need to be done.
Last fall Lynn sent each chapter president or contact person the link with instructions on filling in a chapter survey. So far, we have received responses from 9 of 14 chapters. I have been trying to get the survey out again to those chapters where there has been no response. I have run into some interesting comments. Let me share one with you.
It was asked why the state organization needed to have this information from each chapter. The answer is simple. We have some chapters hanging on by a thread while others are doing well. The revitalization committee believes that taking a closer look at each chapter focusing on the same questions would help us narrow down what our problem is and where to focus our efforts if we are to survive. We will be looking at each question individually across chapters to best channel our efforts. I will be sharing what I have observed with you later in this meeting.
Each chapter will receive the results of their surveys when completed. This should enable each chapter to focus on its individual concerns.
I am again inviting all of you to join me in helping to feed the hungry. It is a one-month project that can be done in any month. Food banks/kitchens/pantries, etc. are usually short of food in the "off months," the non-holiday months, so perhaps we can help there. I am asking each chapter to adopt a month (or two or more) to collect the foods listed on the calendar which are posted in the Baystater. When the month is done donate whatever was collected to a local food bank, pantry, cupboard, family, or any organization that helps feed the hungry. Our children can't learn if they aren't fueled. And our families and seniors often need a helping hand. *An alternative to food was suggested to me and I like the idea so I am sharing it with you. Instead of food, do a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to a local food pantry. They have connections to get what they need that is not often donated (like meats, vegetable, fruit, dairy to go along with what they give out.
Please, remind your chapter members that we have MA State Organization money available for them to continue their personal and professional development through the Sara E. Chase Scholarship and the Christa McAuliffe Fund. There are also monies available at the international level through International Scholarship Fund, the Cornetet Award, Educational Projects, Educators Award Fund, the Emergency Fund, the Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund, and the Golden Gift Fund (DKG: Ignite). These can be found on the DKG website (dkg.org) under the DKGIEF drop down tab. And don’t forget to check out the new International website! It seems easier to navigate and is very intuitive.