The DKG Alabama State Organization is part of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, which is a professional honorary society of key women educators.

The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education. Membership is by invitation only and considered a prestigious honor with a variety of benefits and privileges.

The Franklin County DKG Alpha Upsilon Chapter has been affiliated with DKG International for 67 years. Now, while things are different, our chapter and leaders are using technology and their talents to carry on the work of DKG and to keep in touch with each other.

For the first time in the history of DKG, Alpha Upsilon Chapter officers participated in the DKG Alabama State Leadership Workshop through Facebook Live June 13. This training format was necessary because of COVID-19.

The 2020-2022 officers participating were Karen Townsend, president; Cheri McCain, vice president; Debbie Nale, treasurer; Debbie Beason, secretary; and myself as parliamentarian.

The training included segments for the chapters’ presidents, treasurers and parliamentarians across the state. Presenting the Facebook workshop were Teresa Noell, state president; Joann Skinner, state treasurer; and Martha Knight, state parliamentarian.

President Noell stressed the importance of following The Order of the Rose as chapters planned their calendar for the upcoming year. She stressed that chapters work to induct or reinstate one or more members and participate in chapter and state projects.

Encouragement was given to support international projects such as World Fellowship and Schools for Africa and to support early educators.

Our state parliamentarian reinforced the use of Roberts Rule of Order, Revised, in conducting meetings. The purpose of these rules is to benefit the members.

An agenda should list the order of business. Before the meeting convenes, the president and parliamentarian should meet and review the agenda. Make sure there is a quorum present to conduct business and start the meetings on time.

The state treasurer urged chapter dues and the treasurer’s reports to be mailed to the Alabama State treasurer by June 30.  Four hard copies of the chapter yearbook are to be mailed to the state first vice president by Dec. 1.

Important dates were given, and members were encouraged to attend the fall board meeting and the convention in Huntsville Feb. 19-21, 2021.

The live broadcast permitted more than 254 members to participate. During this broadcast, participants could make comments and ask questions. Packets of information will be mailed to the incoming chapter presidents to distribute to their chapter’s appropriate leaders.

This was a unique experience that might become more common as this difficult time requires more use of technology to keep members informed and involved in our organizations.