Pennsylvania State Organization
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
by Becky Johnen
by Becky Johnen
Representing the PA State Organization at the conference, from left to right: Eileen Little, PA State Organization President; Audry Terpstra; and Becky Johnen
Instead of holding regional conferences this summer, International scheduled five themed conferences: arts and humanities, leadership, technology, professional research/practices, and global awareness. I participated in the DKG International Leadership Conference which was held at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines, Iowa, July 10-12.
From start to finish, this conference was over-the-top outstanding! Kudos and appreciation go to the Iowa State Organization; the NW Region and its director, Dr. Donna Niday; and all who organized this wonderful conference. The keynote speakers were all inspiring and motivating. Susan Lehay (a Certified Speaking Professional, a founding member of the Association of Transformational Leaders, and co-founder of Group to TEAM Leadership Solutions) conducted an interactive leadership bootcamp where we learned that leadership: starts RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW; begins with getting intentional; is not done from our comfort zones; resides in our relationship with power (whether power over – I make the decisions or power with – a team makes the decisions); is conducted from the ‘seat’ we are in; thrives in growth mindset environments; is not a title (we need to give ourselves permission to lead); is forward focused; evokes confidence; and, generates team (which is the optimal operating system).
Dr. Judith Merz (Editor of the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, project consultant to the 2018-2020 Administrative Board, and advisor to doctoral students in the educational leadership program at Nova Southeastern University) challenged us to Find the “I” in Leader by focusing on integrity (which includes defining our key values) and identity (which includes our learning/operational style). She opened our eyes to the Japanese concept of ‘kaizen’ which means change for good and embodies the notion of continuous improvement (DKG forward moving ever…). And, she emphasized that leadership should be: fun, conscientiously done, a creative process that inspires movement, and something we embody (instead of a title or a role).
DKG Executive Director Nita Scott reminded us that old ways won’t open new doors and that we need to welcome the dreams and visions of our members. She stressed that leadership is about taking the reins, building relationships and making connections, and empowerment.
Rounding out the keynote speakers was DKG President, Cathy Daugherty. She emphasized that it is our responsibility to grow leaders and we do that by: confronting the reality of the situation, identifying future leaders today, training now for the future through teamwork and collaboration, educating future leaders about the society, and modeling good leadership.
Workshops and takeaway sessions were equally stimulating. The selection of workshops within the six sessions was so strong that it was difficult to choose just one! Workshops spanned a variety of leadership topics, including transformational strategies; mentorship; leadership concepts; positive change; leadership in meetings; elevator speeches; and, leadership visions for the chapter, state, and international levels. One faced the same dilemma with the two groups of takeaway sessions. Ten-minute takeaway sessions provide tips on time management, use of social media, making connections, member benefits, and more. The six workshops I attended were Building and Leading a Positive Learning Culture, Leadership for Change, Becoming an Authentic Leader: The DKG Key Women Educator, Our AMAZING Constitution and ISR, Lenses of Leadership: Using Different Perspectives to Reach Our Potential, and Transformation of Change. A nice diversity of sessions filled with ideas to help strengthen our chapter’s work.
Not only did this conference stimulate professional growth, but it also offered many opportunities for personal growth, whether it was networking with sisters from Canada, the 37 states represented, and the District of Columbia or learning about Iowa, not only from the 79 Iowans who were there but also from the Taste of Iowa experience (Iowa is #1 in pork production and the Rice Krispy Treat was developed by Iowan Mildred Ghrist Day) or discussing issues common throughout all the regions at the U.S. Forum.
Interestingly, when people saw that I was from Pennsylvania, I was asked about next year’s International Convention which will take place July 7-11 in Philadelphia. I plan to be in Philly (not only for the sessions and workshops but also to reconnect with all the sisters I had the pleasure of meeting in Iowa). I hope you will consider being in Philly next July. You are sure to get inspired, energized, and excited about DKG.
Instead of holding regional conferences this summer, International scheduled five themed conferences: arts and humanities, leadership, technology, professional research/practices, and global awareness. I participated in the DKG International Leadership Conference which was held at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines, Iowa, July 10-12.
From start to finish, this conference was over-the-top outstanding! Kudos and appreciation go to the Iowa State Organization; the NW Region and its director, Dr. Donna Niday; and all who organized this wonderful conference. The keynote speakers were all inspiring and motivating. Susan Lehay (a Certified Speaking Professional, a founding member of the Association of Transformational Leaders, and co-founder of Group to TEAM Leadership Solutions) conducted an interactive leadership bootcamp where we learned that leadership: starts RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW; begins with getting intentional; is not done from our comfort zones; resides in our relationship with power (whether power over – I make the decisions or power with – a team makes the decisions); is conducted from the ‘seat’ we are in; thrives in growth mindset environments; is not a title (we need to give ourselves permission to lead); is forward focused; evokes confidence; and, generates team (which is the optimal operating system).
Dr. Judith Merz (Editor of the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, project consultant to the 2018-2020 Administrative Board, and advisor to doctoral students in the educational leadership program at Nova Southeastern University) challenged us to Find the “I” in Leader by focusing on integrity (which includes defining our key values) and identity (which includes our learning/operational style). She opened our eyes to the Japanese concept of ‘kaizen’ which means change for good and embodies the notion of continuous improvement (DKG forward moving ever…). And, she emphasized that leadership should be: fun, conscientiously done, a creative process that inspires movement, and something we embody (instead of a title or a role).
DKG Executive Director Nita Scott reminded us that old ways won’t open new doors and that we need to welcome the dreams and visions of our members. She stressed that leadership is about taking the reins, building relationships and making connections, and empowerment.
Rounding out the keynote speakers was DKG President, Cathy Daugherty. She emphasized that it is our responsibility to grow leaders and we do that by: confronting the reality of the situation, identifying future leaders today, training now for the future through teamwork and collaboration, educating future leaders about the society, and modeling good leadership.
Workshops and takeaway sessions were equally stimulating. The selection of workshops within the six sessions was so strong that it was difficult to choose just one! Workshops spanned a variety of leadership topics, including transformational strategies; mentorship; leadership concepts; positive change; leadership in meetings; elevator speeches; and, leadership visions for the chapter, state, and international levels. One faced the same dilemma with the two groups of takeaway sessions. Ten-minute takeaway sessions provide tips on time management, use of social media, making connections, member benefits, and more. The six workshops I attended were Building and Leading a Positive Learning Culture, Leadership for Change, Becoming an Authentic Leader: The DKG Key Women Educator, Our AMAZING Constitution and ISR, Lenses of Leadership: Using Different Perspectives to Reach Our Potential, and Transformation of Change. A nice diversity of sessions filled with ideas to help strengthen our chapter’s work.
Not only did this conference stimulate professional growth, but it also offered many opportunities for personal growth, whether it was networking with sisters from Canada, the 37 states represented, and the District of Columbia or learning about Iowa, not only from the 79 Iowans who were there but also from the Taste of Iowa experience (Iowa is #1 in pork production and the Rice Krispy Treat was developed by Iowan Mildred Ghrist Day) or discussing issues common throughout all the regions at the U.S. Forum.
Interestingly, when people saw that I was from Pennsylvania, I was asked about next year’s International Convention which will take place July 7-11 in Philadelphia. I plan to be in Philly (not only for the sessions and workshops but also to reconnect with all the sisters I had the pleasure of meeting in Iowa). I hope you will consider being in Philly next July. You are sure to get inspired, energized, and excited about DKG.