Alabama DKG members travel for international convention
Columnists, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:51 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Alabama DKG members travel for international convention

By Susie Hovater Malone

More than 60 Alabama Delta Kappa Gamma members traveled by bus, train, plane or car to New Orleans this past month to attend the International DKG Convention, July 12-16. More than 800 members spent five days in the Big Easy, attending workshops and business sessions, touring historical sites or just rolling on the mighty Mississippi River.

Three members of the Franklin County DKG Alpha Upsilon Chapter – Cheri McCain, Gayle McAlister and Beverly Donaldson – were among the DKG Alabama State Delegation.

Cheri, president of the DKG Alpha Upsilon Chapter, said one of the highlights of the convention was getting to hear Iceland’s acclaimed Teacher of the Year, Ingvi Omarsson, speak about five guiding principles in education.

Omarsson is considered as one of the top 200 teachers in the world. Among his guiding principles, he said standardized tests tell us nothing; they exist for administrators and political purposes.  His second guiding principle is that collaboration is key while educating a child.

He also said he believes students learn best by doing, and playing is the ultimate form of doing.

The fourth principle states, “To be intelligent is to be creative.” Top scientific Nobel Prize winners have also had interests and hobbies as artists, musicians, stage performers and dancers according.

The fifth principle is that “The purpose of education is to make us more human, not machines.” Instead of being second-rate robots, we should strive to be first-rate humans.

He ended his presentation with the message, “To be educated is to be more human.”

Gayle said this was one of the best conventions she’s ever attended. She was impressed by the handheld vote counters that were used for the first time by delegates voting on amendments. The vote counters were controlled by the head of technology, and results posted within seconds on a screen, with percentages.

Beverly, former DKG Alabama state president, attended three workshops at the convention. The first one was “What in the World Is ‘World Fellowship’?” The history and background of World Fellowship were presented. Funding and how chapters raise money for World Fellowship were shared. A video featuring some of the World Fellowship recipients were shown.

The “Challenges of Membership: Encouragement to Change” workshop covered how DKG is relevant to different stages of our life. Programs should be meaningful as well as add some life back into the chapter. The workshop shared many ideas on how to keep members interested in DKG and make sure the chapters are visible in their communities.

The workshop titled “Like Tulips in the Snow: Pushing through Personal Stagnation” gave suggestions to help participants release emotional stagnation in their daily lives and navigate feelings of being overwhelmed. Participants learned how to push through and rise above personal tensions toward purpose and joy and were encouraged to give personal examples of how they need help with struggles in their lives.

Beverly said all these workshops were very informative and helpful, and she really enjoyed all three.

Each day was filled with business meetings, workshops and more, but the evenings were for fun! DKG Alabama President Penny Christian scheduled various entertaining events each evening. A Jazz Dinner Cruise was hosted on the Riverboat City of New Orleans. One evening was dedicated to a

two-hour bus tour of the “Dead of Night Ghosts & Haunts.” Dinner was enjoyed at Cafe Du Monde, and everyone enjoyed eating beignets. It’s a must when in New Orleans to go to Pat O’Brien’s and enjoy singing along with the group!

Also on Franklin County Times
Bill would eliminate YO status in cases of murder
Franklin County, Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
MONTGOMERY — A local state representative has pre-filed a bill that would prevent someone 16 or older who is charged with murder or capital murder fro...
Strickland takes council seat after Trulove’s withdrawal
Main, News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RED BAY — Jonathan Strickland has been declared the next Place 3 memberof theRedBayCity Council after incumbent Herbert Trulove withdrew from the Sept...
School threats are no joking matter
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — The saddest thing about the Sept. 3 bomb threat at Phil Campbell High School is the lasting impact the hoax will have on the life of t...
Ambassadors program gives students taste of leadership
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE --the Ambassadors program at Tharptown Elementary is giving students an introduction to leadership. The program gives elected fifth and s...
Book Lovers Club to host violence awareness program
Columnists, Opinion, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
“We look forward to expanding our knowledge of the issues while engaging members and communities to unite in addressing this pervasive societal epidemic.”
September 10, 2025
The GFWC Book Lovers Study Club will host an awareness session about domestic and sexual violence at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Russellville First Methodis...
Opinion: SPACECOM headquarters should be in Huntsville
Columnists, Opinion
September 10, 2025
After years of political wrangling, President Trump is bringing Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters back to its rightful home in Huntsville. This wa...
Space Command could boost region’s economy
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
FLORENCE—Northwest Alabama officials said the Sept. 3 announcement that the U.S. Space Command will be moved to Huntsville could boost local economies...
RHS volleyball team pushes record to 17-5
High School Sports, News, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
The busy week for the Russellville volleyball team was highlighted by a home match against county rival Phil Campbell, the first area match of the sea...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *