Mary-Martha W. Harvey
New York State President
2017-2019
"Opportunities To Connect"
New York State President-Elect Mary-Martha W. Harvey’s Message
To the President’s Banquet at the 2017 New York State Convention
29 April 2017
To the President’s Banquet at the 2017 New York State Convention
29 April 2017
Madame President, Past Pi State Presidents, Executive Committee, Executive Board and members, I humbly accept the position of Pi State President for the 2017-2019 Biennium and pledge to do my very best.
Thank you for placing your trust in me.
My theme for this biennium is “Opportunities to Connect.”
Pi State is 80 years strong, honoring key women educators and a part of the International Society in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Japan.
As a DKG member for 28 years, I have been privileged to know, work with and be mentored by incredibly talented and dedicated key women educators in my Omega Chapter, in our East Central Area, in the State and Internationally. I often think of my Sponsor, the person that gave me the invitation of membership, our Primary School’s Reading Teacher. Pauline was quiet, efficient and firm and absolutely loved her struggling students. She was an exceptional educator. I knew very little about DKG as an Initiate-to-be and even less about the Chapter when I was invited. She shared stories and took me to a tea, introducing me to absolutely everyone. I shall never forget her pride in and forever commitment to the local, State and International Society. I know you all have those special sisters that you hold dear. We can honor them by our contributions and commitment to DKG and be taking opportunities to make connections.
Recently at our Omega Executive Board Planning Meeting, members described that sometimes intangible … what DKG means to them and why they value and keep their membership. Though there were many ideas, the common thread was connection and thus commitment to what DKG is and to each other. I hope you share your thoughts, developing a brief personal statement about DKG, that you share with members of your Chapters and prospective members as well when you are asked ... what DKG is and what it means to you.
Our newly adopted 2017 Pi State Strategic Plan provides a roadmap to our future and challenges for achievement in the present. Recommendations include implementing the International Membership Plan, instituting Area Leadership Trainings, developing strategies and resources to support initiatives, maintaining and increasing communication on all levels of our State Organization from Chapters, State Committees, Areas and most importantly members. These recommendations will guide my leadership in Pi State this biennium. I encourage you to share ideas to meet these challenges. Communication and collaboration on all levels will be priorities.
I hope you visit the State Website frequently and send your comments and recommendations. It is designed to provide the information you need about our State Organization, upcoming events, applications, procedures and much more.
In recognizing Chapter Initiates with our beautiful and meaningful ceremony, Chapters instill in members the significance of the symbols, tradition and honor of membership and in Founders’ recognitions, histories and Celebrations of Life, the debt we owe to those who came before us. Continuing to honor, remember and celebrate our current members at the Chapter and State is vital. No one in this Organization exists in a vaccum. We are connected by our mission … “DKG promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.” … vision … “Leading women educators impacting education worldwide” … and seven essential purposes.
In this biennium, I hope we stay connected. Technology gives us many avenues from phone calls to emails to texts to websites to meetings to online and print but it is the one-to-one connection with our members that truly means the most. In our Chapters, truly the heart of our Society, we have many opportunities to involve, encourage, support, connect and collaborate with members, our key women educators.
I hope each of you embrace an opportunity to connect, to let members shine, feel valued and lead and to invite and honor educators you know with membership. I hope this biennium provides you with “Opportunities to Connect.”
Thank you for placing your trust in me.
My theme for this biennium is “Opportunities to Connect.”
Pi State is 80 years strong, honoring key women educators and a part of the International Society in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Japan.
As a DKG member for 28 years, I have been privileged to know, work with and be mentored by incredibly talented and dedicated key women educators in my Omega Chapter, in our East Central Area, in the State and Internationally. I often think of my Sponsor, the person that gave me the invitation of membership, our Primary School’s Reading Teacher. Pauline was quiet, efficient and firm and absolutely loved her struggling students. She was an exceptional educator. I knew very little about DKG as an Initiate-to-be and even less about the Chapter when I was invited. She shared stories and took me to a tea, introducing me to absolutely everyone. I shall never forget her pride in and forever commitment to the local, State and International Society. I know you all have those special sisters that you hold dear. We can honor them by our contributions and commitment to DKG and be taking opportunities to make connections.
Recently at our Omega Executive Board Planning Meeting, members described that sometimes intangible … what DKG means to them and why they value and keep their membership. Though there were many ideas, the common thread was connection and thus commitment to what DKG is and to each other. I hope you share your thoughts, developing a brief personal statement about DKG, that you share with members of your Chapters and prospective members as well when you are asked ... what DKG is and what it means to you.
Our newly adopted 2017 Pi State Strategic Plan provides a roadmap to our future and challenges for achievement in the present. Recommendations include implementing the International Membership Plan, instituting Area Leadership Trainings, developing strategies and resources to support initiatives, maintaining and increasing communication on all levels of our State Organization from Chapters, State Committees, Areas and most importantly members. These recommendations will guide my leadership in Pi State this biennium. I encourage you to share ideas to meet these challenges. Communication and collaboration on all levels will be priorities.
I hope you visit the State Website frequently and send your comments and recommendations. It is designed to provide the information you need about our State Organization, upcoming events, applications, procedures and much more.
In recognizing Chapter Initiates with our beautiful and meaningful ceremony, Chapters instill in members the significance of the symbols, tradition and honor of membership and in Founders’ recognitions, histories and Celebrations of Life, the debt we owe to those who came before us. Continuing to honor, remember and celebrate our current members at the Chapter and State is vital. No one in this Organization exists in a vaccum. We are connected by our mission … “DKG promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.” … vision … “Leading women educators impacting education worldwide” … and seven essential purposes.
In this biennium, I hope we stay connected. Technology gives us many avenues from phone calls to emails to texts to websites to meetings to online and print but it is the one-to-one connection with our members that truly means the most. In our Chapters, truly the heart of our Society, we have many opportunities to involve, encourage, support, connect and collaborate with members, our key women educators.
I hope each of you embrace an opportunity to connect, to let members shine, feel valued and lead and to invite and honor educators you know with membership. I hope this biennium provides you with “Opportunities to Connect.”
