Wisconsin Alpha Delta Kappa Newsletter September 2022

Please Note: The published version of this newsletter may be found here.

 

Dear Wisconsin A𝚫K Sisters,

The school year has started, and the 2022-2024 biennium has officially begun! Congratulations to all of our new chapter officers and committee chairs, especially our sisters who have taken a leadership role for the first time. The time you devote to making your A𝚫K chapter a success does not go unnoticed, and is greatly appreciated!

During the Wisconsin A𝚫K Convention on April 23, I had the honor of being installed as the A𝚫K Wisconsin State President for the 2022-2024 biennium. I have been a proud member of WI Zeta (Kenosha) since 2011. I recently served as Chapter President 2020-2022. All of the A𝚫K sisters I have met, from long time A𝚫K Wisconsin State Board members to sisters from across the North Central Region, have been so positive and supportive of my decision to accept the role of State President. I feel confident 2022-2024 is going to be a great 2 years for all of us! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any advice or questions. I am learning as I go along, and I am very grateful to our past state presidents and state board members who are helping me learn the ins and outs of my new role.

I have chosen “Be the Difference with Alpha Delta Kappa” as the theme of the 2022-2024 biennium for the state of Wisconsin. I feel this theme reflects how we as Alpha Delta Kappa members are hope-builders and difference-makers for our communities, for education, and for each other.

My monthly newsletters will contain information you will need to know about upcoming events and deadlines, but also news from our chapters. I look forward to working with all of you as we choose to “Be the Difference with Alpha Delta Kappa”!

With A𝚫K Sisterhood,

Theresa

Kathryn Saunders Grant 2022

Applications for the Kathryn Saunders Grant are due October 7. This grant is awarded to an individual, chapter, group, or organization to fund an altruistic project. Each Wisconsin chapter may make one recommendation. The recipient of the Saunders Grant does not need to be a 501(c)3 organization. You are welcome to include one copy of the potential recipient’s brochure or other literature. The recipient of the Saunders Grant will be chosen at the state board meeting on October 15.

 

Wisconsin AΔK State Board Meeting

Our fall state board meeting will be Saturday, October 15, 9:00 am at the Nitty Gritty, 315 E. Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie. We will order lunch (on your own) at 11:30. Thank you so much to Bev Lee for all of her time and effort to secure this great venue again. Please RSVP to me at TheresaHNess@gmail.com by September 30. We will have a special guest at our board meeting- Ann Ainslie, ΑΔΚ International Vice President of the North Central Region.

 

Wisconsin AΔK State Conference- April 28-29, 2023, Kenosha

Zeta Chapter in Kenosha has been busy planning the Wisconsin AΔK State Conference for April 28-29, 2023. Please put these dates on your calendar and plan to join us by beautiful Lake Michigan! It’s going to be an AΔK conference you won’t want to miss!

 

North Central Regional Conference- July 17-21, 2022, Frankenmuth, Michigan

Eight Wisconsin Sisters attended the North Central Regional Conference July 17-21. It was a great week of AΔK Sisterhood with AΔK members from 9 states and 2 Canadian provinces! In addition to presentations, there was time to enjoy the highlights of beautiful Frankenmuth.

Anna Huff Award Checklist

Mentoring a State President-Elect

 

TRAITS OF AN INSPIRATIONAL LEADER
August 1, 2022

We have all had those times when we were embarrassed because we flubbed up a speech, performance, or even a simple introduction.  That instance does not disqualify us for being an inspiration to others.  In fact, that flub just might have been an inspiration to someone who saw it happen. No one is perfect and it’s for that reason that we strive to be better in our lives.

As the upcoming leader of your State/Province/Nation, you will want to inspire your sisters to follow you in accomplishing your goals for your biennium.  Let’s look at some traits that will be needed.  I’m sure you already have many of these that you have developed as a teacher and as a leader in your Alpha Delta Kappa chapter and state.

What is an inspirational leader?  The best definition I found in doing some research was the following:  

 “When you’re an inspirational leader, you’re able to tell people and explain to them what it is that you are doing and where you are going, and it makes them want to go with you,”  Dr. Alyn Waller, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia, PA.

Let’s take a look at some of these traits:

A GOOD LISTENER:

Good leaders learn to really listen and not be thinking of what your response will be while the person is speaking.  Then the response you give will let them know you actually listened to them, that you understand their concerns and that you care.  Someone along your journey has encouraged you to “step up” because in watching and listening to you, they saw in you the potential of a good leader.

“A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” - Zig Ziglar



KNOWLEDGEABLE:

No, you do not have to know all aspects about everything.  You do need a working knowledge of your state’s by-laws, the make up of your membership, expectations of being a S/P/N President, Alpha Delta Kappa International Guidelines, etc. to demonstrate your credibility. 

 
Much of this will come during these two years as President-Elect.  You will work closely with your S/P/N President, attend State Board meetings and, when possible, attend chapter meetings around your S/P/N.
 

You will read the KAPPAN and the E-Blasts that are sent through email, get familiar with CONNECT, and other publications that will come your way.  
 

We all know someone who will know the answer if we don’t.  It’s OK to say you don’t know the answer, but you’ll find out and get back to them.  

“Just breathe. No matter what happens, you can handle it, and you will be okay.” - Lori Deschene



RESILIENT:

As teachers, we all learn to be flexible.  When something would happen and cause our lesson plans to fly out the window, we learned to go with the flow and make the best of those times.  The same is true in Alpha Delta Kappa.  There will be times when those pot holes in the road have to be dodged in order to make things run smoothly.  We use these experiences to grow and learn to support others on our journey.

“Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person that you are.” - Mandy Hale


DEVELOPER OF TALENT:

Look for the talent in those around you, even those you may not even know today.  You have members in your S/P/N that you have known for a long time and you will be meeting new sisters along the way.  Many of these sisters have the talents you would like to have on your Executive and Extended Boards.  You will use your time as President-Elect to learn more about these members. Toward the end of this biennium, you will be looking to build the team that will help you reach your goals and strengthen the membership during your term as S/P/N President and you will know who has the talent needed to do that specific job.

“Great things are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.” - Steve Jobs

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE:

People with a positive attitude believe in themselves. They work with calm and composed minds.  Although negative thinking is important sometimes, a positive attitude will give you the power to keep cool under any circumstances.  There is a direct correlation between a positive attitude and better relationships, health and success.

“A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.”  - Joyce Meyer


As we take this journey together, you will pick up many good traits, ideas, and lessons along the way from one another and from those who have inspired you to begin this trek. Remember that leaders are not made overnight, but one step in the right direction each day will make you the S/P/N President you want to be.


With love and appreciation,
Kitty Nutting
SWR Presidents-Elect Mentor
IPIVP SWR