Pennsylvania State Organization
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
Alpha Phi Chapter
Allegheny County
SIMPLIFY OUR DKG JOURNEY:
SAIL THE DKG SHIP TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE, WORK, and CHAPTER
SAIL THE DKG SHIP TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE, WORK, and CHAPTER
Incoming Chapter presidents and DKG members were treated to outstanding workshops and presentations at the state organization’s leadership and professional development seminar held in mid-April at the Penn Stater Conference Center.
Past International President, Lyn Schmid, opened the leadership seminar for incoming Chapter presidents by challenging them to do things to move their chapters forward by having a vision, taking a risk, daring to do something different, and accepting the challenge of change. She stressed that one size does not fit all and that we need to be moving beyond a “cookie cutter” format for our chapter meetings and activities. We should think differentiated instruction strategies in structuring our chapters. Our chapters must fit into an evolving society which means we need to make our chapter fit for every generation. We must ask, “What is holding us back? What is moving us forward?” We need to simplify and the ability to do so means that we eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak (paraphrased from Hans Hoffman).
As our founder, Annie Webb Blanton said, “Be progressive. Keep up with the moving world while not discarding what in the old has value. But, don’t cling to the old when its worth has passed. Don’t be a person so set in your views that nothing can change you.”
In her keynote presentation on Mindfulness Education: Using the Envisions Process and Joyful Journaling, Dianea Phillips (an Educational Consultant with the Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal, Quebec, Canada), highlighted aspects of this approach to education which combines life coaching and academics. One critical component of the approach that helps students – helping children emotionally connect to their learning – has implications for chapter success. If we can get members to emotionally connect to our chapters, we have a better chance of retaining them as active, happy members.
Four professional development sessions were held for DKG members. Building Your Profile in My DKG, lead by DKG State Communications Chair Linda Nickerson, was designed so participants could go on the Society website and update information in the My DKG section.
Guided Imagery for Your Mindfulness Journey by Dianea Phillips, had participants using their thoughts and imagination to promote a sense of relaxation and focused attention and help move them from linear, rational thinking to creative artistic play and expression.
Aiko Malynda Mauer, the CEO of the Central PA Digital Learning Foundation and the Director of Innovation, Incubation, and Development of the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, conducted a session on Who Are You, and Why Do You Do What You Do?. She emphasized the need for decision making to begin with the ‘why’ rather than the how or what (Simon Sinek’s philosophy) and she shared information from Mike Figlioulo’s book One Piece of Paper as a how to for developing our ‘why.’
Past International President, Lyn Schmid, opened the leadership seminar for incoming Chapter presidents by challenging them to do things to move their chapters forward by having a vision, taking a risk, daring to do something different, and accepting the challenge of change. She stressed that one size does not fit all and that we need to be moving beyond a “cookie cutter” format for our chapter meetings and activities. We should think differentiated instruction strategies in structuring our chapters. Our chapters must fit into an evolving society which means we need to make our chapter fit for every generation. We must ask, “What is holding us back? What is moving us forward?” We need to simplify and the ability to do so means that we eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak (paraphrased from Hans Hoffman).
As our founder, Annie Webb Blanton said, “Be progressive. Keep up with the moving world while not discarding what in the old has value. But, don’t cling to the old when its worth has passed. Don’t be a person so set in your views that nothing can change you.”
In her keynote presentation on Mindfulness Education: Using the Envisions Process and Joyful Journaling, Dianea Phillips (an Educational Consultant with the Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal, Quebec, Canada), highlighted aspects of this approach to education which combines life coaching and academics. One critical component of the approach that helps students – helping children emotionally connect to their learning – has implications for chapter success. If we can get members to emotionally connect to our chapters, we have a better chance of retaining them as active, happy members.
Four professional development sessions were held for DKG members. Building Your Profile in My DKG, lead by DKG State Communications Chair Linda Nickerson, was designed so participants could go on the Society website and update information in the My DKG section.
Guided Imagery for Your Mindfulness Journey by Dianea Phillips, had participants using their thoughts and imagination to promote a sense of relaxation and focused attention and help move them from linear, rational thinking to creative artistic play and expression.
Aiko Malynda Mauer, the CEO of the Central PA Digital Learning Foundation and the Director of Innovation, Incubation, and Development of the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, conducted a session on Who Are You, and Why Do You Do What You Do?. She emphasized the need for decision making to begin with the ‘why’ rather than the how or what (Simon Sinek’s philosophy) and she shared information from Mike Figlioulo’s book One Piece of Paper as a how to for developing our ‘why.’
Alpha Beta and Alpha Phi member, Becky Johnen, presented a session on Taking Things in Stride which explored advantages of taking things in stride and practical strategies and exercises to help us keep the little things from taking over our lives.