International Convention

Highlights of 2021 International Convention

“Pathways of Possibilities” was the theme of the thirty-second annual International Convention, and what an amazing path it was from planning to reality. Sue Whelan, KAPPAN staff and a member of the Convention Action Committee shares the highlights. The virtual International Convention with 1852 registered attendees convened on July 5, beginning with Regional Membership Training for S/P/N presidents, presidentselect, immediate past presidents and vice presidents for membership. The theme “Good Ship Membership” was displayed devoid of sails. One sail was added for each of the key focus areas: 1 revitalization, 2 recruitment, retention and reinstatement, and 3 programs. SPN leaders were told to constantly work on these areas to be successful with growing their chapters.

Each day the Educational Symposium kicked off with a plenary session focusing on the topic of the day: Diversity, Learning, Leading, and Sisterhood. Seventy-eight learning sessions supported these topics. Each day closed with a lively, interactive activity engaging members to the last minute.

The ICP Meeting on July 13 could have been “Share the Good News!” Mollie Acosta, International President-Elect, welcomed president, president-elect and past president from each State, Province and Nation, and asked them to share one thing they could celebrate about the first year of their biennium. As each region shared, the list of celebrations grew. S/P/N leaders celebrated wonderful possibilities that had happened with sisters in their S/P/Ns. At the First Timers event, the presenters did a ‘skit’ on what is in the suitcase that they take to conventions, explaining things like badge holders and appropriate dress.

The business meetings started with an inspiring Thought for the Day from International Chaplain Paula Davis. International Sergeantat-Arms Julie Kidd brought order and announcements to each day. But it was International President Judy Ganzert who truly reinforced the Infinite Possibilities of Alpha Delta Kappa as she thanked the many sisters who had overcome obstacles of virtual meetings and social distancing to continue the work of the organization. Committee reports showed the positive progress made during the biennium.

Michele Davis, DE Epsilon, received a burst of virtual applause when she was named the Excellence in Education Award recipient.

On Wednesday, regional celebrations focused on the accomplishments of the biennium and encouraged all to take part

in the wonderful times ahead. The keynote guest speakers brought much to each day. World Understanding Speaker Avril Benoit was the 2021 A∆K Jacqueline Lougheed World Understanding Lecturer. Dr. Bertice Berry inspired everyone to recognize the infinite possibilities in their students and themselves. And Mary Anne Radmacher told her audience that we never know which intersections we will encounter in life, but we have to keep growing to become lifelong learners and be eager to learn and to explore life’s infinite possibilities. The Dueling Pianos provided a rousing Evening of Entertainment, raising over $4000 for the A∆K Foundation. As the names of the sisters who joined Omega scrolled down the screen during the service on Friday, memories of shared tears and laughter came to mind. Members used the chat box frequently to greet friends and to comment on the beautiful music that played throughout the convention. Linda Hoffman, TX Beta Omicron, and her committee of Texas sisters found pieces to match the mood of each session. A moving musical moment was the cello solo of “Amazing Grace” played by Audrey Pilafian, FL Chi. Another musical highlight was “The Dreamer in Me” by PinkZebra sung by the virtual Children’s Honor Choir of Coppell, Texas. Technology synchronized the voices submitted by each child so that it sounded as though they were in the same room singing Intersections together under the direction of their A surprise awaits at an intersection. An intersection teacher. creates something unexpectedly other from the two The final day ended with the distinct roads (ways, things, ideas) that cross paths. introduction of President Judy GanWill you live in the mundane, between potential and zert by her colleague, mentor, and practical, between you and me? sponsor for membership in A∆K, Infinite possibilities dwell in the places where things Florence Bishop, VA Zeta. Judy’s that matter intersect. reflections of the biennium showed Poem by Mary Anne Radmacher, writer, art- her pride in sisters’ ability to overist and motivational speaker, written for her keynote come obstacles and to see the infinite speech at the International Convention. possibilities in all they faced. International Executive Board Chairman Sandy Wolfe installed the officers for 2021-2023. The theme for the ceremony was “Among the Stars.” Each new officer was presented virtually with a bouquet of flowers and stars, which seemed to leave one screen and appear in the hands of the officer to be installed. International President Mollie Acosta introduced her theme “Share the Love of Alpha Delta Kappa.” To share is the focus for the next two wonderful years. Recordings of symposium workshops and convention proceedings can be found on the International website. Convention credentials are required to access the recordings.

Leading the New Biennium

Installed “Among the Stars” were Judy Ganzert, Immediate Past International President, Mollie Acosta, International President, Ann Marie Brown, International President-Elect.

Welcome Dave!

Congratulations to Dave Sadler who is the new Alpha Delta Kappa Association President. Dave is the husband of Suzanne Sadler of TX Beta Delta. Dave succeeds Ron Spriggs of Alabama who led the group for the 2019-2021 biennium. A∆KA supports the women of A∆K, particularly at International conventions. This year A∆KA donated $1500 to the convention altruistic project the “Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.”

Biennium Projects Chosen

Making a Children’s Home with Education and Agriculture a Reality (C.H.E.A.R.) in Tanzania was chosen by the membership as the World Understanding project for 2021-2023. The mission of the project is to empower disadvantaged children and youth in Babati through education. Donations will go toward completing a children’s home and building a school with a library technology center. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association are the International altruistic projects again this biennium. This is the thirty-fifth year that St. Jude has been chosen by the membership. Directions for making personal and chapter donations can be found on the Alpha Delta Kappa website.

Bev Card Heads Executive Board

Bev Card is the new International Executive Board (IEB) Chairman. She was elected to the position at the first meeting of the new board. She succeeds Sandy Wolfe who has completed her term on the IEB. The twelve member board “deals with all Organization and Foundation financial matters and acts as a policy making board” as defined in the A∆K Constitution.

Bev, who is a Silver Sister, has always taken an active role at the chapter, state and International levels. She was elected to a four year term on the IEB in 2019. She was key in developing the Leadership Academy, which builds leadership capacity and extends A∆K and career leadership opportunities. Bev also serves on the KAPPAN committee as a contributor and reviewer. Before joining the International Chapter she was a member of MD Nu.

Bev served as Maryland State President in 2008, MD Nu President in 2000 and International Historian in 2015-2017. Her long list of service to A∆K includes leading and planning educational symposiums, sponsoring an International Teacher Education scholar, serving on the committee for bylaws and resolutions and on International Convention committees. Bev has visited A∆K-sponsored World Understanding projects.

She is a graduate of Michigan State with a degree in Home Economics. Her focus during her 44 years in the classroom was family and consumer science. Bev continues to serve on committees in that field.

When asked what she hopes to accomplish this biennium, Bev said, “In addition to our chief responsibilities, I’m excited to think I might help to empower sisters to continue shaping the future of Alpha Delta Kappa where all members feel welcome and connected with like-minded professionals, value our sisterhood, make a difference in the lives of others, and live our vision, mission and purposes.”

A∆K Past International President Sue Pelchat commented, “I wish I had Bev’s skill for organization. I once asked her to simplify a two-dozen page document. She returned with a three-page, bulleted list that was accurate, clear and concise. Bev listens to people’s ideas and is able to synthesize input into a streamlined, workable plan. She’ll be a wonderful chairman of the board for our organization.”

Sisters Share Convention Impressions

“The convention on Zoom was awesome. It is hard to pinpoint one or two things because everything was well planned. The Omega service was truly inspirational.” Madeline McCormick, CA Beta Xi

“I so enjoyed the session on teaching through the pandemic. The presenters gave us a very human heart to remember for all the times to follow.” Wendy Henderson, WA Alpha Rho

“Wow, the International Convention was a fantastic event from beginning to end with a beautiful memorial service and phenomenal speakers. As a first-timer, it was wonderful, and I simply cannot wait to attend the next convention in person.” Crystal Thompson, VA Gamma Upsilon

“I walked away inspired by impressive internationally known speakers…..ignited a passion to continue to make a difference whether internationally, such as Doctors Without Borders, or in our own town as we were guided to self-reflect and realize that ‘courage doesn’t always roar’.” First timer Dawn Hudson, GA Beta Epsilon

“I realize the International Convention was far from usual. I hadn’t attended in the past for various reasons but this was convenient. I appreciated the variety and quality of the workshops. Convention helped me see how connected we are to so many other women educators and how much our organization does for so many people.” Linda Jones, OR State President, OR Epsilon, First timer

“I gained new insights about Alpha Delta Kappa as I participated with sisters from so many different locations. It was fun to hear all the different accents. The presenters each shared their knowledge and expertise so willingly and passionately and were delighted to answer any questions that came their way. The participants were so appreciative of their sisters’ efforts. It was delightful to see so much encouragement popping up in the Chat Box. All the learning filled me up and I can’t wait to share some of my knowledge and insights with my chapter sisters. I am now feeling a much different interest in attending such as this where I can connect with sisters outside my own chapter and continue to learn and grow as a member of Alpha Delta Kappa. I feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend.” Debra Parker, Ontario Sigma, First Timer

“I really liked the speakers and workshops, especially the one on lavender. Dr. Berry was very interesting. I identified with her because when I was in high school, a counselor told me that I was not going to be anything other than a factory worker. I, too, was told by another counselor not to give up. He did what he could to get me to go to Glassboro State College. When I was hired as a teacher, I also tried to help anyone I could to see their potential. I would have loved it if we were there in person, but overall it was great. Love the new logo, too.”

Gloria Cruz, NJ Alpha Alpha

“It was clear that a great deal of preparation had gone into the convention. The moderators and presenters engaged participants and made the virtual feel personal. I thought the fun activities at the end of the day were great. I particularly enjoyed Avril Benoit from MSF-USA. Her mission and her message truly underscored the idea of world understanding. I participated in several sessions aimed at personal development. While my schedule did not permit me to take it all in, it was overall a good experience. It certainly hardened my resolve to attend the next one in person. I thought Judy Ganzert was so gracious and welcoming given the fact that this convention, her moment, was so altered by the pandemic. She never missed a beat. The installation of officers was wonderful. The regional meeting was another opportunity to get connected with my Connecticut sisters.” Nancy Nowak, CT Mu, First Timer

“Although I have been a member for ten years, this was my first time attending the International Convention. While I knew this would be an unusual convention - with virtual sessions and the long distance Zoom style meetings and workshops that we have all grown accustomed to this past year and a half - other than that, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I quickly discovered that one of the main take-aways for me would be the sense of connection I would feel with my sisters from across the country and internationally. There is so much we can learn from each other. I am so thankful to the sisters who worked so hard to plan the event and to those who volunteered to share their personal stories. I am sure those who attended would agree that the convention succeeded admirably in bringing us together through our shared experiences as sisters.” Karen Ellingson-Nonestied, NJ Kappa, First Timer

Share The Love Biennium Theme

On the cover of this issue is the logo of this new biennium. “Share the Love”, the theme, is inside the large purple heart. Why this logo, why this theme?

“I believe it is ultimately our love of one another that binds us together as sisters in Alpha Delta Kappa,” International President Mollie Acosta said following her installation at the International Convention.

The four gold stars surrounding the heart in the logo represent the Founders and the “brilliant energy and optimism” they had as they shared their vision to honor outstanding women educators. The year 2022 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the realization of that vision with the chartering of the first chapters. The hearts represent the seven regions. Each heart is a different color to show the unique attributes of the regions.

As Founders Agnes Shipman Robertson, Marie Neal, Marion Southall and Hattie Poppino shared their visions, the theme urges members to share the joy and the pride of membership and the love and support sisters give to each other. President Mollie urged members to “share the incredible gift we have to offer,” the gift of membership.

At the conclusion of her speech, President Mollie invited members to “Share the Love of Alpha Delta Kappa and to spread it far and wide with open arms, to celebrate who we are and what makes us different from other organizations.”

A theme focused on sharing with others is not an unusual choice for the new president. As California State President, her theme was “Making a Difference” and as Southwest IVP it was “Sisters Who Make a Difference.”

Joy Shaw, a graphic artist and Colorado President-Elect was instrumental in the design. Joy is a member of CO Alpha Lambda. On the Theme and Logo Committee were International Regional Vice Presidents Conway Blankenship (SER), Roberta Casabon (NCR), and Susan Rae Long (NWR). Marie Hurst, a member of the International Executive Board also served on the committee.

Share the Love

2021-2023

Alpha Delta Kappa

Delegates Adopt Bylaws and Resolutions

The adoption of all proposed Bylaws Amendments and Resolutions was announced by International President Judy Ganzert during the Second Business Session of the International Convention. A copy of the “2021 Revised Bylaws Proposals as Amended by the Delegates’’ document is available on the website under Meetings> International Convention. The document also includes the Resolutions submitted by the California and Tennessee Executive Boards. The International Executive Board will conduct feasibility studies on the two adopted resolutions in this biennium.

The International Bylaws and Resolutions proposals with debate and voting were conducted online for the 2021 International Convention. Discussion and amendments progressed through timed blocks for comments.

“The 2021 International Bylaws and Constitution” can be found under Documents and Forms> Guiding and General on the web site. The document incorporates all the adopted Bylaws Proposals from the convention.

EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT Oldies Bring in Dollars for Foundation

“Where it began, I can’t begin to know when…” Jeff and Rhiannon of Dueling Pianos rocked the homes of 574 members, several taking part in watch parties during the Evening of Entertainment, a tradition at International conventions. The duo filled the evening with energy and musical memories as members donated to hear their favorite songs. Seventy-two requests brought $3,516 in donations, and votes for the final song raised another $805, for a total of $4,321. “Sweet Caroline”, the number one pick, closed the evening, and as the song says, “Good times never seem so good.” Mollie Acosta stumped the stars with her request for the instrumental “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy. Pippy Rogers topped the donor chart with a $300 request for Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” And International Executive Board (IEB) members, loving that “I got all my sisters with me,” made “We Are Family” the most popular song.

Members of IEB kicked off the evening with the parody “Grueling Pianos”, a movie that featured their musical talents. IEB members serve as trustees of the A∆K Foundation, which directly benefits members through scholarships and grants. It funds the ITE program and contributes $35,000 each year to each of the two International altruistic projects. A portion of each convention registration will be donated to the Foundation.

NE Region Sister Receives Excellence In Education Award

As I think about their (my students) lack of choice, I realize the overwhelming responsibility that we have each day, the gift to choose,” Michele Davis told her audience when she was named the recipient of the Excellence in Education (EIE) Award at the 2021 International Convention.

Michele received a check for $5,000 to be used for educational materials for her fifth grade class at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School, Milford, DE. She is a member of DE Epsilon. Michele is also the recipient of the Northeast Region EiE award

“As we receive students of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and orientations who do not choose their situations, we have the power to choose how we accept their arrival. We have the opportunity to choose how we embrace their abilities and empower them to reach higher than their highest potential. And we have a choice in how we accommodate, incorporate, and include them in our classroom. It is evident that Alpha Delta Kappa is an organization full of current and former educators who made or currently make the choice, each and every day, to equally value all students in their classrooms, no matter their different needs,” she said.

In her application for the award she wrote that she felt “the most effective method to build self-determination, work ethic and the ability to persevere through life’s problems is empowering students to live beyond their immediate surroundings.”

Michele holds a BA in Education from the University of Delaware, Newark and an MA in Education from Wilmington University, DE where she is completing work for her Ph.D. in Education.

She is the fifth grade instructional coach at her school and a Special Olympics Program Director for a nationally recognized Special Olympics Unified Champion School.

Also receiving the EiE award in their regions were: Pamela Hughes, Gulf - LA Eta; Valorie Sailors, North Central - NE Kappa; Laura Drake, Northwest - WY Delta; Pamela Winter, South Central - MO Beta Nu; Victoria Merritt, Southeast - SC Upsilon; Gina Lopez Ferguson, Southwest - CO Alpha Iota.

Numbers Tell The Convention Story

Registered Delegates Gulf 350 266

North Central 226 185

Northeast 171 136

Northwest 88 64

South Central Southeast Southwest Collegiate Club ITE 235 172 469 333 299 193 10 2

Headquarters TOTAL

2 1852 1,349

Contributions to Convention Altruistic Project Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.................................................... $28,500 Evening of Entertainment Attendance ......................... 574

Donations to the A∆K Foundation......................... $4,321 Altruism Donations 2020-2021 ....................... $16,155,842

Educational Symposium Attendance

Diversity Pathway...............................................1041

Learning Pathway ...............................................1445

Leading Pathway.................................................1448

Sisterhood Pathway.............................................1566

Number of Sessions ................................................78

A∆K and A∆KA Members Honored at Omega Service.. ....828

A Call to Share

Oscar Hammerstein surely knew that someday Alpha Delta Kappa would choose a theme about sharing love. His profound words epitomize the theme of this biennium. “Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay: love isn’t love ‘till you give it away.’”

Remember this and the first rule of Robert Fulghum’s famous essay, “Share everything,” especially love. The last two words are mine, but you get the idea, “Share the Love.”

Judy Barnhill, TN Beta Zeta, 2023 International Convention Chaplain