FORUM SESSION
Joint session with all 4 Forums, Friday, July 12 from 3-4 PM
Ballroom; Guest Speaker Marion Blumenthal Lazan, Sharing her family’s odyssey during the Holocaust
A Zoom presentation
DKG Forums' Session
Mark you calendar and attend the DKG Forums’ Session. The session will feature speaker Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a DKG Honorary Member. Marion will speak of her family’s odyssey during the years of 1939 to 1948 and the terrible events of the years under the Nazi control. Her wisdom and message represents determination, preserverace, faith and hope. After Ms. Lazan’s presentation, the forum will break into individual forums for elections of the Steering Committee for 2024-2026 and business meetings.
DKGIEF Presents " A Night at Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar
Please attend and have fun at the DKGIEF’s fundraiser at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar. Part of the $150 ticket cost is tax deductible as part of the cost go to the foundation. For more information and to purchase tickets , go to www.dkg.org
2024 International Convention
Registration links for Convention registration and Hotel Reservations is at dkg.org
Proposed Amendment to Operational Guidelines to be presented at the International Convention, at the Forum Session, Friday, June 12, 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The US Forum business meeting will begin after the joint session, at 4 PM in the ballroom. The proposed amendment states:
The United States Forum Steering Committee is proposing an amendment to the Operational Guidelines of the United States Forum.
Existing: Article VIII: Meeting and Events
Section D: The National Legislative Seminar
A National Legislative Seminar (NLS) is held in the Washington D.C. area in the even number years.
Proposal to Change Article VIII: Meeting and Events, Section D: The National Legislative Seminar
A National Legislative Seminar (NLS) is held during each biennium.
Rational for the change: The United States Forum Steering Committee will have flexibility and options to plan and present a National Legislative Seminar (NLS) for various reasons.
SUMMER CONFERENCES WERE SUCCESS. ENJOY THE HIGHLIGHTS!
Detroit Westin Cadillac, JULY 11 to 16
DKG US Forum , Friday, July 14th at 2:45 PM
A GARDEN OF WELLNESS IN DETROIT: A summary of the US Forum Session
By Bev Johns, US Forum, Northeast Regional Director
What can I do in my chapter or state to promote wellness?
How can I improve connections with members?
How can I make a positive difference in the wellness of our members?
The over 90 individuals who attended the US Forum got many answers to those
questions as they attended the US Forum session in Detroit from 2:45 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. on
Friday, July 14. We were so pleased to be joined by our Canadian sisters.
Members were greeted with garden items such as flower seeds, rocks, flowered pens,
handouts, and other items to put them in a mood of happiness.
The panel of speakers included:
Liz Tarner,
Carol Linscott,
Cynthia Moore,
Debbie Pajula,
Moderator Bev Johns.
They talked about the importance of connections, art, play, and movement and advocacy as key
components in mental wellness. We were given specific program ideas to take back to help all
of our members, whether they are currently teaching or are retired. The wealth of knowledge
shared in this panel was phenomenal, and we are grateful to them for their time.
Following the panel, members had their choice of going to 10 different stations that had
mental wellness activities. Nancy Sheng did a relaxing painting activity. Members could also
choose a Zentangle activity of flowers, a journal writing experience, a mandala, a set of games
such as Wheel of Fortune for words dealing with mental wellness, a music activity, a movement
activity, and a puzzle about the NLS. Handouts and supplies were provided for each experience.
It was great fun. We only wished we would have had more time.
We then reported on the US Forum survey, key legislation pending, and recent Supreme
Court cases. We encouraged all members to become involved in the Forum and to attend the
National Legislative Seminar March 10-13, 2023.
What would a garden of wellness be without door prizes at the end? One member won
a T-shirt, another a flower bouquet, another a journal and three members won a $50 gift
certificate good for $50 off their registration fee for the NLS in D.C.
We also had an exhibit in the Marketplace where people could gather to learn more
about the Forum and pick up information about the NLS.
All of the handouts and the Powerpoint presentation are in a file on the US Forum
Group Facebook Page and available to any member. Grow Your Garden of Mental Wellness.
Reflections about the US Forum presence in Phoenix by Linda Perl and Dr. VIvian Posey
The US Forum presence at the Wild Horse Pass Conference in Phoenix was highly active and noticeable. Southeast rep, Dr. Vivian Posey,
Southwest rep. , Linda Perl , and US Forum Chair, Darlene Cook hosted a breakout session, the US Forum Session and an expo table . 100 DKG members learned about the U.S. Forum, which is the sum of those who attended the formal session and the informal session.
Members were treated to a power point presentation about the forum, legislation, court cases, the Mental Health Awareness resolution, and two dynamic keynote speakers, Ashley Crose from Arizona and Jennifer Adam’s from Florida.
Mr. Crose highlighted strategies in the classroom to enrich students, or as he states, scholars, for their well being. He stated for many, the teacher is the only one students have to listen to them. He also addressed teacher burn out and shared books and conferences which are helpful to revitalize the love of teaching.
Dr. Jennifer Adams used zoom to present a detailed power point about advocacy. Details included:
the idea,
the plan,
organization
and enacting .
Lots of goodies decorated both session rooms and the expo table for attendees to scoop up, enjoy, and remember the DKG US Forum.