Meeting Agenda

Update June 26, 2007: Several items to call your attention to, before we vote:

  • Please review the new slate of officers (which has changed since it was posted earlier in the meeting) here.
  • The newest version of the bylaws revision proposal (112kb in pdf form) is now linked in the left column and here).
  • Finally, just below are some photos, and a document describing the service project proposed by President Marion Carpenter, which we will vote on during this meeting:
logo for "To Love Children"

Read the Project Concept Paper
(412kb, PDF document)
Gulu village childrenConstruction project in progressStages of construction

 

Update June 14, 2007: Please note the new items in the New Business section of the agenda, below.

Update June 12, 2007: The link to the bylaws in the sidebar now accesses Rewrite Version 5. Chapter officers have been hashing over this document since 2003, with renewed purpose and determination to get things right in the last 6 months. We think now we've incorporated everyone's ideas and suggestions, and that it truly structures an operating system for our chapter that will work well for years to come. We will ask all members to vote to approve the new bylaws (among other things) before the meeting closes.

Unfinished Business

  1. The letter to Simon & Poppenhagen scholars in order to raise more funds for the scholarships is a work in progress. After a draft approval, these then need to be copied & mailed out. It would be nice to see an article about this in our newsletter, too. If you have been helped by these people, or just want to donate to the scholarship fund, please contact Mary Morris. She is the treasurer-elect, and will step into the office as full treasurer as of July 1st.
  2. Andre, Gay, & Marion have completed the bylaws revision as requested by International. Members, please review it here (link at left) and send me any needed information or changes you believe may be helpful.
  3. Medallions to honor our grads at the Walden University commencement can be ordered by emailing me; these may be worn on your commencement sash and are our gift to any member who is graduating. I need to order soon, so please hurry!
    June 15th is the last date to contact me!
  4. All PDK Cyberspace members are asked to consider getting all information from PDK International online, thereby saving everybody about $25.00-$30.00 annually.
  5. Present officers are creating folders of information to pass along to the incoming elect officers with guidelines of steps to complete duties through the year. It will be helpful to any incoming officers.
  6. Don't forget that Karine Clay, Foundations Representative, will sign up members for the fundraiser (link at left). Melaleuca products are ecologically safe home and personal care items, with funds going to our chapter to be used to help others (see below). For those interested, please email Karine.
  7. If any members have ideas for other fundraisers that they would like to write in, please use this form. David & Andre will also research to give members a choice of fundraisers. Thanks to all!
    1. Fundraising dollars will be spent on such things as the Literacy Project, our scholarships, support of PDK International's scholarships, improvement of our website (try to get PayPal for our members convenience), Teachers Without Borders; PDK Int'l. 25/25 club; travel money for officers to attend conventions; and to give to a needy project.
    2. Gary Lettlier, business manager of PDK International, applauds our efforts with our first fundraiser (the ecologically safe products offered by Melaleuca). Email Karine for more information.
  8. Read our journal, and also find information as to how you can write for the journal; follow the link to "JEPSC" in the sidebar at left. Once at the journal site, you will find a sidebar with links to an author's guide and call for papers.
  9. A magazine ad in our own on line journal will be made for our fundraiser.
  10. Please note that you can sit in bed and listen to an audio of the Kappan articles, as well as audio versions of the Edge: Latest Information for the Educational Practioner. Classroom Tips for Teachers is available on the site, also (but not in audio). These are also found at http://www.pdkintl.org. (Might this help convince you to give up your paper copy to get us all a cheaper price for membership? (See Item 4 above.)
  11. Consider turning in names of those (including yourself) who have done service activities deserving of a special award. Please send entry names to me by using this form, and include reasons why this person is deserving. Thanks!

New Business

  1. Fill in the online form to nominate a school library for our Literacy Project award. We will vote to choose a school later during this meeting. If you have tried before and lost, please try again! There have been many schools we would like to help.
  2. Review and vote to accept the new chapter bylaws, which bring us inline with the new PDK International bylaws. Send any information you feel should be added or changed to me ASAP, using this form. We will vote on this (and other items) before this meeting closes.
  3. Members may apply for scholarships: Simon scholarship, $1,000.00 and Poppenhagen Scholarship, $500.00. Dr. Simon will announce the winners for this year at the Walden graduation. We will also send an email.The scholarship application may be found here.
  1. The slate of officers to assume positions on July 1st is listed below, with the officers who were elected last Spring (now stepping up into full positions) listed in normal type. New nominees and open positions that will appear on this meeting's ballot are in boldface:
    • President - Barbara Hopkins-Cox
    • Vice President Membership - David Kenneth Waldman
    • Treasurer - Mary Morris
    • Foundations Representative - Karine Clay
    • Programs Director - Theran Mugleston
    • Communications Director / Newsletter Editor - Candace Stine
    • Webmaster - OPEN
    • Advisor 1 (Walden Faculty)- Dr. Marilyn Simon
    • Advisor 2 (Immediate Past President, automatic) - Marion Carpenter
  2. Service Project - we have not yet chosen a project. Usually it is Teachers Beyond Borders, but this year we know of another needy area: "To Love Children" is situated in the Gulu-District (Northern Uganda). Its purpose is to reach the most vulnerable girl children (not in school) in the war-torn areas, which have been at war for 20 years. The goal is to educate these girls from the most basic matters of hygiene to technology, and to break the cycle of poverty. The women, men, and boys are also included, but the girls are given priority. Funds, books, experts and volunteers are needed. This is the project run by David Kenneth Waldman, our Vice President of Membership. For any questions, contact him. It is to this need that I suggest we donate our charity/service project monies.
  3. Discussions are ongoing regarding a presentation of information and a formal induction for those newly joining as well as some who may not have gone through the formal ceremony at a Walden Summer Session residency. There is also an online induction on our website. Several of our officers are graduating and will be there to present information.
  4. Sandy Weith of International writes regarding our scholarship:
    "Marion, This is great news. I'm particularly grateful to the chapter for establishing this worthwhile initiative. Best wishes to Walden Cyberspace Chapter and to your leadership. —Sandy"
  5. Helpful hints from International:
    1. The 2007 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation competition is also underway. Applications will be accepted until 1 September 2007 for dissertations completed, approved by committee, and accepted by the graduate school between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007. Submission requirements and the application form are available at http://www.pdkintl.org/awards/gradfell.htm. Contact scholarships@pdkintl.org with your questions or requests for additional information.
    2. Also, look for these other free member benefit publications on our website: Access the e-Kappan and Audio Kappan to download the complete text of all Kappan articles in pdf format and to listen to selected Kappan articles in audio (mp3) format. Classroom Tips, topical and timely advice for teachers at all levels, is published on the website bimonthly. Topics and Trends, practitioner-oriented research summaries, is published on the website on the 15th of every month.
    3. Are you looking for a summer adventure? PDK is sponsoring an educator-to-educator professional development trip to New Zealand, 20-31 July 2007. Tour this astonishingly beautiful country's historical and cultural sites; learn how the Te Kotahitanga Project is boosting student achievement in participating schools; and meet with teachers, administrators, and top education officials. The price for the trip, including airfare from Los Angeles, nine nights in first-class hotels, some meals, and much more, is $3,925 double occupancy. Members can apply for a $500 Gerald Howard Read International Travel Scholarship toward the cost of the trip. For more information, visit http://www.pdkintl.org/travel/New_Zealand.htm; or email Monica Overman; or call (800) 766-1156.

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Officers' Reports

Report from VP for Programs
Report from VP for Membership
Report from Treasurer
Report from Foundation Representative
Report from Communications Director/Webmaster
Report from Secretary
Report from Historian
Report from Newsletter Editor

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Report from the Vice President for Programs


Greetings to All,

The meeting will begin the week of June 4th—please check in as early as possible and explore the many wonderful areas at the sight to overview all the meeting's activities. We are very excited to be not only welcoming Dr. Marv Marshall, internationally celebrated author and speaker, but joining with HIS website during the meeting! There will be rapid-fire business, news, and exchanges related to Dr. Marshall's fascinating presentation on empowering children to develop intrinsic motivation to SUCCEED without ANY discipline headaches in the mix. Dr. Marshall will join our discussions-in-progress for four days, June 10-14. Please visit the program page before the 10th, and link to the readings in order to prepare for the discussion ahead of time. This is one not to miss!!!!

Added June 8, 2007:

Also at our Spring Fling gathering, one of the most exciting and far-reaching events of the year begins—our annual Literacy Project!

It is time to nominate a deserving school to be this year's recipient of our wonderful award. If you work at or know of a school whose library is in need of books--or does not even have a library--your school is a prime candidate for our award! The needier, the better! Through our Literacy Project, the winning school will be showered with books provided by our chapter, hand-picked by the school's librarian (or other appropriate contact person). As educators, we all realize the impact and necessity of providing our students with every possible chance to read and love books. Here's our chance to really affect positive social change as an organization in a big way! As a teacher from a school that was a past recipient, I can vouch for the very moving and powerful effects winning this award has on children.

More details on how you can be a part of this fabulous project will follow as we move past the selection of the new Literacy Project winning school and get the requested books to the students!  For now, nominate a school during this meeting! Click here, or use the link in the sidebar.

Remember, by just responding to my emails about the meeting...or better yet, participating in them, you are registered for a fabulous DOOR PRIZE!!!! (do both and increase your chances!)

See you soon!

Jenny

Jennifer K. Pullman (with Bianca Elliott)
Vice President for Programs
Walden Cyberspace Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa

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Report from the Treasurer


Added June 8, 2007:

Marion, Mary, et al.:

The following is the treasurer's report. I am still waitiing for the May bank statement for the final reconcilliation, which I will do just as soon as I get it, but it should be no later than mid-June.

Sorry for the rush, rush, but things have been rather hectic for me and us. I am still in the process of moving into my new position and I have to travel to Orlando Wednesday for a week, then back for two days, then to Chicago. It is driving my wife, Elizabeth, crazy but I get home only on the weekends and this is one of them. She is left with the bulk of packing for the move and I have great guilt for that!

BALANCE on hand as of 11/7/06 $5,076.97
Deposits 11/8/06 through 5/30/07 $2,639.12  
Interest in account through 5/30/07 17.87  
TOTAL of BEGINNING BALANCE plus NEW REVENUE $7,733.96
EXPENSES PAID  
West Cape May School (Literacy Project award) 300.00  
Melaleuca, Inc. 259.27  
Flowers - Dr. Smith's mother's funeral 103.00  
TOTAL PAID OUT   $662.27
TOTAL NET BALANCE AS OF JUNE 4, 2007 $7,071.69

 

As you can see, we are in good shape. We DO have enough to increase the scholarships, if we so wish. Also, there is the issue of the web hosting. The bill, which is due at the end of June will be $179.40 and we have just been sending a check when it is due. But if we are to change, we need to let them know very soon.

Respectfully submitted,

Arthur G. Ogden, Ph.D.
Treasurer
Walden Cyberspace Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa

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Report from the Communications Director/Webmaster


Added June 8, 2007:

Hello all,

This meeting is supposed to be the last of my long run as webmaster. Sadly, we have lost touch with Greg Williams, who was to take over as chapter webmaster on July 1st. I am hopeful someone else with web design skills will step forward and begin preparing to take over.

The job is demanding, and it is especially time consuming before, during, and after the three seasonal meeting periods we have each year. Knowledge of website coding and styling with (X)HTML and CSS is essential (or, at the very least, a super-serious willingness and committment to learn). A familiarity with the differences between Windows/Mac/Linux operating systems, and with the vagaries of the various popular internet browsers will be quite helpful. Experience managing email accounts and managing email group subscriptions is also important.

Aside from the technical skills, keeping the site current and preparing new pages for each meeting requires communicating closely with the other officers—effective email communication skills are essential, as are strong general writing and editing skills. The webmaster, like a good newsletter editor, must be persistent (almost aggressively!) about getting needed content for the site, and must also be diplomatic and respectful and patient. It is no small job, and there has been some discussion among the officers about offering a stipend to make it more enticing to the right individual. Please use this form to contact our president if you have questions, or would like to be considered for the position.

Cheers, Gay

Gay Wiseman
Communications Director/Webmaster
Walden Cyberspace Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa

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Archived Discussion Posts


NameComment
JennyWelcome, welcome! Remember that the early part of our meeting can be used to familiarize ourselves with Dr. Marshall's website and his extremely user-friendly approach to creating an amazingly productive, problem-free learning environment for our students and ourselves. Enjoy the exploration! We can also attend to the business areas of the meeting...there are many exciting projects to advance at this time. "The times they are a-changin'" for us, and it's thrilling that we are making the changes happen together in this dynamic organization! This is definitely a key meeting to be a part of, one that will be especially memorable. Jump in!
Gay WisemanHi all!

I know things are kind of weird with the way this page is displaying in your browser as of June 4--I'm so sorry about that--I just ran out of time to get it all up working perfectly by the date we'd set. (WHY does it ALWAYS become a last minute almost-all-nighter, no matter HOW EARLY I start on it?) But as usual, I'll get the kinks worked out over the next few days. Every meeting, even though I'm always running short of time, I can't resist trying some new things, and then I run into snags and have to research... such is my life... This time I am also taking more care to document my code as I create and update these meeting pages, and I am also creating some purpose-built templates as I go along, which hopefully will help whoever takes over after me.

Marion is also sending me changes to her opening message, and to the agenda items I've posted above, which I'll get updated soon--so do be sure to browse over everything a second time if you have visited this page prior to the weekend of June 9-10. Some changes will have been made. But we can surely go ahead and get this meeting started without waiting for perfection; please jump right in, everyone, with your thoughts on the agenda items... and if you're a new member, use this board to introduce yourself. And if you're a "not-so-new" member, you surely have something to contribute about the many items Marion is putting before us at this meeting.

Most of all, (this is coming from my own heart and my own personal need right now) let's just slow down, sit back, take a breather, cut each other some slack, and feel like a group of friends. That has been an important element of my association with this chapter since its inception, and if it weren't for the friendiness of my chapter colleagues, it would not be something I would have stuck with as long as I have.

Recently, a Walden representative expressed her justifiable concern to the officers of the chapter about some unprofessional aspects of this website, and I apologize for not being able to build and maintain the most slick, professional, cutting-edge website I would like to see us have. I do what I can, as I can... however, that's really not the most important thing about this chapter. For some reason, our group of educators has hung together, GROWN EVERY YEAR, toughed through some serious challenges... and this year we are seeing a new level of tangible results from this unique joint venture in cyberspace. That is so rewarding to see and I wish to thank and commend all who have hung on with us, joined us without really knowing yet what we are about, and held the faith...

Now, I need to take time to prepare my own report to the members to be posted above, so that'll be one of the additions that will appear this week. (I'm getting to it Marion, I promise!) I understand Arthur has already sent in his Treasurer's report but I haven't found it yet--not sure why--Marion can you forward that to me?

Finally, THANKS, MARION!!!!! I can't use enough exclamation marks for this thank you. Thanks for your extraordinary leadership of the last *3* years!!! Your dedication, your hard work (even through some times of HUGE personal difficulty) will never be forgotten by me. You are wonderful. You have inspired ACTION. We are a better group because of your leadership. I <<>> you!!! Gay, webmaster

Gay, againNotice the difference in line height and the indents in my post above? That's a result of using the paragraph "tags" as described under the subhead "Join the Discussion". You put in an anglebracket-p-anglebracket wherever you want to start a new paragraph. It's totally optional, and I hope this doesn't confuse anyone, but if you do long posts like I sometimes do, it makes them more readable.
MarionFor sure, the most rewarding thing about our chapter are are the people -caring, kind, considerate, helpful, flexible, encouraging.... I could go on & & on. I agree with Gay, I would not have been able to hang in there for 3 years, either, had it not been this way. There is a very special feeling of great pleasure snd honor to have helped to birth this unique chapter, write goals, and see them fulfilled, as well as the unwritten dreams we had back then, which are now a reality. Who would have thought that within 7 years we would have both a journal and two scholarships to offer? My cup runneth over!!

Gay, thank you for your very kind words. Without you, we would not be where we are today either. The website looks better than ever and is so easy to find your way around- it's a true pleasure to browse. And who can forget the winter meeting snowstorm in your area? You took your laptop down the mountain to be able to get the connection out so we could finish our meeting! Talk about dedication!!! Though I have never seen most of these people, they are dear friends. Some of you who just think of being an officer but haven't done it are really missing out on the enjoyment and sense of really helping others - doing something to better the world. I don't think you'd regret it!

Marilyn K. SimonIt is, indeed, an honor and a privelge to be the faculty advisor of this amazing organization. When I was first approached with the idea of starting the first PDK cyberchapter, online education was still in its infancy. We were holding our summer residency at IUB (the birthplace of PDK) and it seemed appropriate for a group of us, lead by Dr. Andre Elliot to visit the home of PDK and begin the process of becoming a chapter. Due to the dedication of our officers and members, our cyberchapter continues to thrive. As many of you know I am a proud Walden Alum. I was also granted the first accredited Walden degree. I am so very fortunate to work with so many gifted people that are part of PDK.
David Kenneth WaldmanAs the Vice President of Membership I want to extend the offer for each of you to consider taking a more active role in our chapter. If everyone would spend just 2 hours of service to the chapter, writing for our Journal, serving on a committee, sending in feedback how how we can reach out more to serve our mission we would have over 2,500 volunteer hours by the end of the year. To each of my colleagues I want to take a moment to say thank you and to appreciate your dedication in seeing that there is a chapter that supports education virtually and one that reaches out to the entire country as well as the world as I write this sitting in Germany. I am looking forward to exploring the Dr Marshall offering and will submit my report shortly.
Randy FreemanFirst, I would like to thank you for the door prize. It has come in very handy. While there may be some formating upgrades that can be done on this website, I am very encouraged about how easy it is to use. I know that it will evolve over time but I don't see any major upgrades that have to be done in a hurry. I visit many website that throw sudden changes at me without any explanations, causing me to relearn how to navigate through it. A question to David - what committees need members and what would I have to do?
Doris E. Sweeney, Ph.D.Hi everyone, First of all, congrats to everyone for staying with cyber PDK! It's been a long journey as many of us could tell the initial stories of using Telnet to "chat" with each other. Anyone remember Pine? Thanks to Marion for adding the Literacy Project to the agenda. This was our first service project when we were "just a club" trying to get things off the ground. I can personally vouch for the rewards of being on the receiving end of this project first as the Literacy Coach at Azalea Park, and then as the Literacy Coach at Winegard. Yes, I'll probably stick our name into the hat again...we are so needy with all of the budget cuts this year, I was only able to order $3,000 in books for the media center. More on that later. Our chapter has taken on wings. We've come along way. I wouldn't let the naysayers get to us. We know where we've been and where we need to go. We do things a bit differently here, but we get it done and our service benefits the children. Our journal is the next step and I think it's headed in the right direction. My thanks to everyone!
MarionHi, Randy. Thanks for your interest!! Right now, Barb, our present news letter editor, is running for the presidency, so there are definite openings in Communictions/Newsletter Director (OPEN) and also the Website Director (OPEN). These jobs could also use helpers. We hope you are interested in accepting something!
Randy FreemanCommunications/Newsletter Director sounds like something I could do. What does it entail?
MarionThis is great news! At this point, the main job is to get out a newsletter 3 times a year -Spring, Fall, and Winter. The present director has a wonderful template she uses and can probably pass on. I'll contact her with your email address so she can explain more. Thanks so much! I don't think that you'll regret it.
GayQuestion re Agenda item 7a: I thought the Maleleuca funds were specifically intended for the scholarships--is that the case? Will funds that we raise through that and/or any other fundraisers be managed separately than the funds that come from our dues payments? Or will all monies simply accrue to our chapter "general fund"?
MarionYes, Melaleuca funds are specifically for the scholarships. Unless other fundraisers are specified for other projects, they will go into the general funds.
Andre ElliottGay and Marion, hats off to you for focusing on our most important asset. We are most fortunate to have colleagues who have hearts of gold. I too believe that despite the challenges we continue to face as the only cyberspace chapter, the hearts of gold keep our forever forward winning team dancing and singing songs of tomorrow's promises. David, how remarkable we will be if each member gives two hours a year in service. Who can say no to such a request? Randy has already answered the call. Dr. Sweeney reminds us of the power of ideas. Having been with us for a long time, Dr. Sweeney, I think, gave us the idea of the literacy project. Thanks for your staying power. Staying power is shoulder to shoulder with our hearts of gold. Dr. Marilyn K. Simon is the name that is like the sun in our solar system. Our beloved and admired advisor is finally honored with a $1000.00 scholarship given annually in her name. I can go on and on about our fortune. Dr. Smith, Gay Wiseman, Marion Carpenter, Dr. Ogden...talk about staying power and the reasons we are the luckiest chapter in PDK. There is something remarkable about a people who can create a professional online journal, offer scholarships, maintain a literacy project...in cyberspace.
GayRandy, I hope you WILL jump into the Communications/Newsletter position on the board of officers for the next term! The Communications Director position was intended initially to oversee and coordinate all three of our chapter's means of communications--the newsletter (with its own editor); the email listserve (which is in limbo, but one day I hope we'll get someone focused on revising and managing this); and the website (managed by the webmaster, currently me, but I'm needing a break). I see Marion has listed that job now as "website director". We fiddle a bit with titles and job descriptions... as needs warrant... because we haven't been able to recruit enough officers to fill all these jobs every term--but communciations are the chapter's life blood, there's always a lot to do, and wherever you think you might be able to help, we welcome you!

Theran MuglestonOh yes, Telnet, Pine, what memories. Also memories of the creation of the chapter with Andre leading/spearheading the effort. The chapter has indeed come a long way. Marion, thanks for the considerable service you have given the chapter. Those are some very large shoes you are leaving for others to fill. Gay, thanks so much for all the effort, for those of us that have watched through the years, we do have a much better platform from which to work, because of your work. Aurthur, thanks for all you have done for the chapter. There are many of you that have borne the leadership, and carried us now to the point that others that are quite capable can now step in and move the chapter to new heights. Their willingness to serve is deeply appreciated. A new dawn appears.
Andre ElliottTheran, hearing your name reminds me of the great number of individuals who have remained with Walden PDK through the years. I certainly think we need to write the story of our first ten years, as it is fresh in our minds. Very few people know that Steve and Doris Sweeney, Ph.D., served as treasurer and secretary in 1998. Many among us do not know that Dr. Charles Smith served as VP of programs in 1999. Dr. Smith became the first president to serve as we were established as a chapter. We need to share the story of our first ten years. My hat is off to all among us who have stayed the course. Our strength is built on your sustained support.
Andre ElliottMarion and All, I submitted several suggestions to Marion regarding our bylaws. Here is one additional thought regarding the officers. Our current bylaws have the following text: 3.1.1.7 The president shall assume primary responsibility for all chapter activities. The aforementioned is as it should be. I simply think we should add "All officers shall use the Phi Delta Kappa online Management Guide for descriptions regarding their responsibilites, action plans, and materials. I welcome all of your suggestions regarding our bylaws.
Gay WisemanAndre, I like that suggested addition to the bylaws.
Gay WisemanI'd like to make a motion that we support the "To Love Children" project in Uganda this year, and I suggest a donation amount of $500 dollars.
AndreI say yes to Gay's motion to support the service project in Uganda. Service, I think is the greatest of the three PDK tenets which are research, service and leadership.