The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Psi State Organization

Psi State Membership and Executive Board

Meeting Minutes
February 28, 2015
I. Opening
Psi State President Gail Ford (Alpha Omega) called the Psi State Membership and
Executive Board meeting to order at 9 a.m. on February 28, 2015, at Forest Hills
United Methodist Church in Macon.
Dr. Patti Newman (Beta Theta), Second Vice-President and the 2007-2009 Psi
State President, brought an inspirational message on the gold standard. Its use
in medicine and statistics is the diagnostic test or benchmark considered to be the
best under the circumstances. In the Olympics, it represents the best in any field
or endeavor. For women educators, Delta Kappa Gamma represents the gold
standard. She challenged members to set the gold standard for themselves and
their chapters by recommending for membership those who exhibit potential and
by mentoring new members.
Dianne Padgett (Beta Theta) led members in the pledge to the flag, and Lynda
Byrd (Beta Kappa) led members in singing the national anthem.
II. Business Meeting
Parliamentarian Jo Davis (Alpha Omicron) provided the rules of the day.
Officer Reports
Recording Secretary Dr. Lynn Skinner (Beta Gamma) reported that minutes from
the Fall Executive Board meeting held September 27, 2014, at the Anderson
Conference Center in Macon were approved by the Minutes Approval Committee
and digital copies have been sent to all chapter presidents.
Treasurer Judy Farrigan (Upsilon) reported that the current membership in Psi
State is 2,784 (two thousand seven hundred eighty-four) of which 172 (one
hundred seventy-two) are reserve members. Dues for active and reserve members
totaled $26,808 (twenty-six thousand eight hundred eight dollars). Interest from
investments in the permanent fund is placed in the state organization checking
account monthly. The storage space rented in Macon costs $235 (two hundred
thirty-five dollars) monthly, and insurance for the storage unit is $465 (four
hundred sixty-five dollars). All bills have been paid, and the state organization is
solvent.
Treasurer Farrigan announced that chapters had been notified recently of a
security breach: the Urban Institute which handles E990 filing was hacked. An
informational sheet on the security alert was made available for chapter presidents
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to take to chapter treasurers. Because there are no social security numbers or
dates of birth associated with reporting for our organization, there is little danger
for potential problems unless the chapter uses online banking with the same
password as the E990 filing. In this case, she recommended that the chapter
treasurer change the password immediately and exercise caution when receiving
email from unknown senders and avoid clicking on links that are not recognized.
Chapter treasurer reports are due to the state treasurer by July 15, and the E990
must be completed for the Internal Revenue Service by November 15. Treasurer
Farrigan suggested that chapter treasurers complete the E990 in the July 1-15
window, and at that time the chapter treasurer will have to change the E990
password upon logging in to fill out the annual report. The E990 report
acceptance will need to be forwarded to the state treasurer upon receipt.
Committee Reports
Ad-Hoc Committee on District Workshops. Dr. Hanna Fowler (Alpha Theta),
chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on District Workshops, reported on the work
of the committee. The committee was charged with proposing recommendations
to enhance and improve the design of district meetings so that these meetings
attract better attendance, meet the requirements of the state organizations bylaws
and standing rules, and be more cost effective. To get information about how
other states provide training sessions, the committee sent a survey to 19 state
organizations and received responses from 13. An analysis of survey results and
the resulting domino effect created by making changes informed the
committees recommendations. These recommendations are to:
(1) maintain the September Executive Board meeting but move it to October
in conjunction with fall training and district meetings, eliminate the
February Executive Board meeting, and in odd-numbered years hold the
state convention in May (the purpose remains the same with an executive
board meeting to conduct business, approve the budget, selecting the
executive secretary and treasurer); and
(2) eliminate district workshops and hold in even-numbered years a Spring
Leadership Training Conference in May (for the purpose for training
chapter officers and committee chairs, general workshops and executive
board meeting), and utilize webinar sessions, GoToMeetings, and other
venues for conducting business and training.
Dr. Fowler identified changes to each of the items in the bylaws and standing
rules that result upon approval of these recommendations, and she outlined an
example of a biennium following the proposed changes.
President Ford opened the floor for questions. Missy Collins (Alpha Omega)
asked for clarification on proposed changes to Article X, Section A, 2b and 2c.
The changes would move proposals for amending the bylaws from the purview of
the Executive Board to the Executive Committee, omitting chapter presidents
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from the process. Dr. Fowler said that this is the procedure followed by
international. Although chapter presidents will not be involved initially under the
revisions to the bylaws and standing rules, there is always time for discussion at
state convention where the actual vote on all action takes place.
Dr. Corinne Daniel (Rho) asked for specificity in Article VI, Section C, 1c and in
Article X, Section A, 2b and 2c of the bylaws by adding a timeframe for prior to
the state convention in order for members to understand and study the proposals.
Dr. Fowler said that these amendments can be amended for the vote at
convention.
There were no other questions. President Ford commended the committee on
doing an outstanding job.
Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee. Denise Klesick (Alpha Tau), chairman
of the Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee, made copies of the proposed
changes to the Psi State Bylaws and Standing Rules available to participants. On
behalf of her committee, she brought a recommendation before the Executive
Board that these proposed changes be moved forward to the Psi State Convention
to be voted on in that forum. Coming from a committee, the recommendation
required no second. President Ford opened the floor for discussion. Dr. Corinne
Daniel (Rho) requested that Article VI, Section C, 1c and in Article X, Section A,
2b and 2c include a statement that membership be notified at least six weeks prior
to the convention. Parliamentarian Jo Davis (Alpha Omicron) explained that all
the voting body could do at the present was either to accept or reject the
recommendation from the committee. There was no other discussion, and a vote
was taken. The recommendation was adopted.
Finance Committee. Jonnie Ghetti (Alpha Theta), chairman of the Finance
Committee, reported that the committee developed and brought the proposed
2015-2017 budget to the Executive Board for approval. It was noted that income
from membership dues, the organizations primary source of revenue, has
decreased creating a significant difference in revenue versus expenditures. The
total projected revenue for the upcoming biennium is $57,072 (fifty-seven
thousand seventy-two dollars) and the projected expenditures are $64,173 (sixtyfour thousand one hundred seventy-three dollars), resulting in a deficit of $7,101
(seven thousand one hundred one dollars) in the 2015-2017 available fund budget.
The recommendation from the committee to adopt the 2015-2017 proposed
budget was made with the understanding that monies from the reserve fund may
be needed to cover the deficit. Anticipated expenditures will change based on
whether or not the amendments to the bylaws and standing rules are adopted. The
finance committee recommended that the 2015-2017 Finance Committee conduct
an in-depth analysis of finances immediately at the beginning of their term.
President Ford opened the floor for discussion; there was none, and a vote was
taken. The recommendation was adopted.

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Jonnie Ghetti also reported that, on September 27, 2014, the Executive Board
approved the deposit of $15,000 (fifteen thousand dollars) in the building fund
checking account and reinvestment of $85,000 (eighty-five thousand dollars) in a
certificate of deposit (CD) when the building fund CD with face value $100,000
(one hundred thousand dollars) came due in February 2015. The Psi State
treasurer deposited $20,000 (twenty thousand dollars) and reinvested $80,000
(eighty thousand dollars). The Finance Committee recommended that these
actions be approved. President Ford opened the floor for discussion; there was
none, and a vote was taken. The recommendation was adopted.
Nominations Committee. Kim Hobbs (Xi), chairman of the Nominations
Committee, presented the proposed slate of candidates for 2015-2017 Psi State
officers:
President Gail Springstead (Delta),
First Vice President Virginia McChesney (Iota),
Second Vice President Dr. Kathy Brown (Mu),
Recording Secretary Alice Bass (Mu), and
Corresponding Secretary Merrimac Forsyth (Iota).
In addition, candidates for the 2015-2017 Nominations Committee were
announced:
District I Donna Riordan (Iota),
District II Yvonne Jett (Omicron),
District III Debbie Ball (Epsilon),
District IV Barbara Maddox (Gamma Tau),
District V Becky Avera (Xi), and
District VI Shelly Foster (Alpha Tau).
The slate of officers and nominations committee members will move on to
convention.
Membership Committee. Judy Scarboro (Beta Theta), chairman of the
Membership Committee, recognized members in all longevity categories with a
particular emphasis on those who have been members for 20 to 34 (twenty to
thirty-four) years. Her committee presented golden nugget pins to all members in
this category.
Reservations Committee. Ann Clark (Delta), Reservations Committee
chairman, reported attendance at the meeting. The number of members who preregistered was 145 (one hundred forty-five). Of that number, 16 were no
shows. Four members registered on-site, giving a total of 133 (one hundred
thirty-three) in attendance. She reported that a quorum was present with 63%
(sixty-three percent) of the voting members in attendance.

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III. District Meeting
Officer/committee chair announcements were submitted to and compiled by First
Vice-President Virginia McChesney and given to the district directors to be
disseminated via email to chapter presidents. Announcements about key
initiatives were shared with those in attendance.

Award for Chapter Excellence and Outstanding Chapter Program

recognition. First Vice-President Virginia McChesney (Iota) asked that
chapter presidents send an email to her at va_mcc@yahoo.com to confirm
that the chapters Award for Chapter Excellence (ACE) application has
been sent and another email to Second Vice-President Dr. Patti Newman
(Beta Theta) at pnewman81@aol.com to confirm sending an application
for the Outstanding Chapter Program recognition.

Communications awards. Communications Committee chairman Betty

Richardson (Beta Kappa) reminded members that applications for
communications awards ends midnight on March 1, 2015. Any newsletter
and media release whether it was accepted for publication in a
newspaper or not counts for recognition.

Delta Kappa Gamma Day at the Capitol. Dr. Cindy Gibson (Delta),
chairman of the Educational Law and Policy Committee, recognized
committee members and reported on Psi States first Delta Kappa Gamma
Day at the Capitol. Psi State had 20 (twenty) to participate in the event,
and a special proclamation was read in the Georgia House of
Representatives.

Leadership Seminar II. Dr. Hanna Fowler (Alpha Theta) announced that
Leadership Seminar II will be held June 5-7, 2015, at the Hampton Inn
and Suites in Macon. The registration fee is $75 (seventy-five dollars).
The application deadline is March 25, 2015, and the application is on the
states website.

Scrapbook. Missy Collins (Alpha Omega), Scrapbook Committee

chairman, asked for each chapter to send her a total of four pages to go
into the states digital scrapbook. She suggested two pages for each year
of the biennium from each chapter. The pages should be sent as
PowerPoint slides attached to an email addressed to her at
missycollins333@gmail.com with the subject line DKG Chapter Name
Scrapbook. If sent within the next two weeks, the pages can be inserted
into our Psi State scrapbook.

2015 Southeast Regional Conference (SERC). Peggy McCall (Beta

Eta), 2015 SERC chairman, reminded members about the event to be held
at the Westin Resort in Savannah July 15-18, 2015. She encouraged
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members to book their rooms at the Westin, register for the conference,
sign up to volunteer, and buy apron to identify themselves as members of
the hosting state.

Shining Stars of Georgia Gold. Corresponding Secretary Alice Bass

(Mu) made an announcement about the Shining Stars of Georgia Gold
recognition fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go the
Leadership Fund. She encouraged members to nominate those who
exhibit enthusiasm, excellence in education, and/or pitch in and work
behind the scenes. Forms are on the state website and are still being
accepted.

2015 Psi State Convention. Ann Fitzgerald (Gamma Lambda), Psi State
Convention Committee co-chairman, made an announcement about the
upcoming convention at the Macon Marriott Centreplex on April 17-19,
2015. Registration forms were made available at the meeting and are on
the state website.

Psi State Chorus. Lynda Byrd (Beta Kappa), Music chairman,

encouraged members to join the Psi State Chorus and perform with the
group at convention. Chorus members will not be required to come to
Macon prior to convention for practice. The music will be provided ahead
of time and practice will be held during a designated time during the
convention.

IV. Lunch and Networking

President Ford gave directions for lunch and E-Pal groups. Music chairman
Linda Byrd (Beta Kappa) led members in singing The Blessing Song. Lunch
and networking followed. Mrs. Margaret Bell and her crew did an outstanding
job preparing the meal, and they were given a round of applause.
V. Closing Session
Awards for the chapter in each district with the largest percentage of members
present were announced. Chapters received certificates, and contributions to the
Schools for Africa project, sponsored by international, will be made in their
honor. The following chapters received recognitions.

District
I
II
III
IV
V
VI

Chapter
Iota
Gamma Chi
Gamma Psi
Eta
Xi
Alpha Omega

Percent of Members
in Attendance
16.13%
14.63%
23.08%
12.50%
12.50%
19.23%

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President Ford asked participants to complete the meeting evaluation form. She also
asked members to complete the state committee application form which were made
available on-site and can be downloaded from the website.
Raffle drawings were held. Winners were Louise Cox (Gamma Chi), Gina Luck
(Gamma Chi), Kathryn Hodges (Eta), Denise Golden (Xi), Kay Shelnutt (Gamma
Alpha), Leslie Giraldo (Tau), Shannon Robertson (Eta), Missy Collins (Alpha
Omega), Denise Klesick (Alpha Tau), Mary Francis Wellborn (Omicron), and
Becky Avera (Xi). A total of $218 (two hundred eighteen dollars) was raised for
Georgia Night at SERC.
Music chairman Linda Byrd (Beta Kappa) led members in singing The Delta
Kappa Gamma Song, and President Ford adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.
Following the meeting, a work session was held for the purpose of allowing any
chapter president the opportunity to meet with district directors or other state
personnel as needed. The work session also provided an opportunity for any state
committees to meet, if necessary, and a time for members of the 2015 SERC
Steering Committee to meet, review progress, and make plans.

Minutes submitted by: Dr. Lynn Skinner, Psi State Recording Secretary
Minutes approved by: Minutes Approval Committee

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