As our Delta Kappa Gamma biennium changes from 2021-2023 to 2023-2025, your new MSO Officers begin their official duties. I am, and I believe they are excited, nervous, and full of anticipation to carry on the work of all previous MSO/Zeta State presidents, especially that of my most recent predecessors. We have worked through much in these biennia by Adapting and have considered our work through Reflection, Relevance, and Relationships.
Let’s hold on to those words as we move into Persistence with Purpose - our Society’s Seven Purposes. These can be summarized around Membership and Expansion, Scholarship, and Leadership, through nurturing, networking, and yes, playing (spiritual fellowship with fun and laughter)! Let’s not give up on each other, on our State or Society, or on our Purposes, but be as persistent as Momma Wren, until every bird (member) realizes her abilities and reaches full potential! ~ Debby Renfroe, MSO 2023-2025 President
2023-2025 MSO GOALS
Let’s hold on to those words as we move into Persistence with Purpose - our Society’s Seven Purposes. These can be summarized around Membership and Expansion, Scholarship, and Leadership, through nurturing, networking, and yes, playing (spiritual fellowship with fun and laughter)! Let’s not give up on each other, on our State or Society, or on our Purposes, but be as persistent as Momma Wren, until every bird (member) realizes her abilities and reaches full potential! ~ Debby Renfroe, MSO 2023-2025 President
2023-2025 MSO GOALS
- Include all members in creating program, scholarship, leadership, and fellowship opportunities.
- Set specific goals about membership recruitment, retainment, and reinstatement.
- Network among diverse groups of traditional and non-traditional educators, seeking out potential new members.
- Keep members informed regarding District Meetings, State Convention, and all MSO Leadership training and development events.
- Work with other chapters in their Districts and across the state to mentor, encourage, and support one another; plan and implement shared programs; to assess recruitment, retention, and reinstatement initiatives; and outline a joint meeting with multiple chapters, or at least two, during the biennium.
- Be persistent working toward attaining Honor Chapter status.
"Persistence with Purpose" in Action
MSO Leaders have been busy pursuing our theme "Persistence with Purpose." They have expanded their knowledge of DKG, nurtured the progress of MSO, networked with other states, and played along the way.
MSO Officers in training with their Louisiana counterparts.
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Dr. Joanna Alston and Stephanie Jones represented MSO in Detroit.
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Carol Rigby, Debby Renfroe, and Janice Garrett represented MSO in Phoenix.
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Invitation to Central District Meeting |
Invitation to Northern District Meeting |
Invitation to Southern District Meeting |
District Meetings Wrap-up
Check-out the slideshows
From Shirley Hamilton:
Shirley Hamiliton, Northern District Assistant Director, led a painting session at the Central District and Southern District meetings. She has developed instructions for painting the rose for members to follow and share with others. Click on the picture below to download the instructions.
From the MSO Membership Committee:
At each District Meeting the MSO Membership Committee shared ways to increase awareness of the value of membership and actions members can take to promote membership in DKG. Click on the graphic below to download the presentation used at these meetings and share with your chapter members.
From Dr. Aleta Sullivan:
Dr. Sullivan presented a session on creating small boxes from Christmas cards at the Northern District meeting. She provided a video of the process so everyone can create her own box at home.
Meet the 2023-2025 District Directors and Assistant Directors
Misty Whitehead, northern district director
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Misty, a member of DKG since 2015, has a connection going back further than that because her mother Hilda White, and older sister, Beth McKay have been members of Pi Chapter since 2000 and 2011, respectively. Misty lives in Holly Springs with her husband, Dustin, of almost 11 years, daughter, Bailey Rose (age 7), and son, Harrison (age 3). She currently teaches computer science at Oxford High School, while serving as Beta Beta Chapter’s treasurer. She previously held offices in her chapter such as first vice-president during the chapter’s inaugural biennium and then as the chapter’s 2nd president. One of her favorite things about DKG is the opportunity to network with teachers across the state, country, and world. In her downtime (whatever that is), she enjoys crafting and letting Bailey Rose make play videos for YouTube.
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Shirley Hamilton, northern district assistant director
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DKG has come to mean support in many ways to me. There are so many amazing women I have met in my local chapter, Alpha Phi, and at the state level by attending LMS and being involved in committee work. These women are rockstars. They welcome new members, mentor them, and are willing to take on change as long as that change doesn’t oppose the core values that DKG stands for. I want to embody the characteristics that those ladies have. I look forward to making many more friends in my DKG journey.
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Polly Ann White, central district director
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When I was invited to join Delta Kappa Gamma, I had no idea the impact this opportunity could make. When I was growing up, I watched my mother, Sue White, enjoy her time as an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma. I knew the society would provide wonderful opportunities if I dared to give myself this chance to experience them. I have been fortunate enough to live in various areas of the state and be a member of chapters in different communities. This opportunity provided friendships and a wealth of knowledge about how chapters operated. I was asked repeatedly to get involved at the state level and to become a chapter president. Life moved me to a new town each time. I finally accepted the challenge to become president several years ago. I was also asked to join the membership committee where I served as the SEE Representative. The doorway to all those past friendships opened again. I have seen myself grow personally and professionally. It is so easy to sit back and let others do all these things, but based on my experiences, I encourage you to step out and get involved. You will be amazed by the wonderful opportunities that will come your way. I look forward to being your Central District Director and working together to see you make connections and grow both professionally and personally.
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Lindsay Griffin, central district assistant director
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I’m a member of Alpha Chi and teach math at Mendenhall High School. My main goal is to help the second vice president and the central district director prepare the best central district meeting we can.
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Lady Anne Bruce, southern district director
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I was inducted into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of DKG in 1998. That ceremony was an anticipated event as an educator because my mother, Jeannine Stone, is a member of the DKG society. I wanted to be a part of her shared experiences. As a member of DKG, MSO and Alpha Upsilon, I have grown professionally and personally. The women of our organization are a continuous source of inspiration. I believe my experience as Alpha Upsilon President, MSO SEE Representative, and MSO Membership Chair has prepared me for the next opportunity to serve. I am honored to be nominated for the position of Southern District Director.
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Christy Sheffield, southern district assistant director
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Little did I know how much my life would change in 2013 when my mother-in-law invited me to a Christmas social hosted by the ladies of Alpha Alpha. I showed up for a game of “dirty Santa” and walked away with new friends and an invitation to join DKG. I was clueless when I showed up to my first chapter meeting. I never truly understood the impact I could have beyond my classroom. Since then I have learned how I can play a role in impacting education and women educators. In 2019 I joined the ranks of many others as a National Board Certified Teacher. That same year I became a National Geographic Certified Educator and was recognized as Woman of Distinction. In 2020-2021, I received the highest honor of being recognized as Teacher of the Year for my school. I’ve served on various committees at the district level, written for the state science test, and spent my summers leading geocamps across the state alongside the MS Geographic Alliance. I’m a technology nerd, having achieved Google Level 1 Certified Educator, with plans to achieve Level 2 as well as certifications in other technology areas. I currently teach middle school science at Petal Middle School where I serve as the PLC leader for the department. While I absolutely adore working with students, my greatest joy is mentoring and coaching my fellow teachers. Alpha Alpha and MSO have given me many amazing opportunities to serve on both the chapter and state level. I currently serve as my chapter’s president and as the Research rep on the state EEC. I am thrilled to be considered as the Assistant Southern District Director. If chosen, my goal would be to assist the Southern District Director and our chapters in providing meaningful opportunities to grow both professionally and personally as we reach more key women educators.
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