The Xi State Leadership Development Seminar was held April 25 through April 27 at the Park Vista in Gatlinburg. The seminar was changed from the traditional two-day format to a three-day format allowing for more time for the participants to engage in meaningful activities in leadership development as well as network with each other. Some of the topics reviewed were:
- Values, morals, ethics
- Beliefs, vision, mission, goal setting, actions
- Women and leadership
- Communication, networking, relationships
- Creating your personal appearance
- Finding your voice
The presenter for the weekend seminar was Dr. Hanna Fowler, Executive Secretary for Psi State (Georgia). She has served Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in many positions both at the state and local levels. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota and currently facilitates leadership workshops and mentors leaders in education.
The participants were:
- Dianne Anderson (Gamma Alpha)
- Marsha Brewer (Beta Upsilon)
- Donna Campbell (Beta Pi)
- Gail Huffstutler (Alpha Xi)
- Donna Jerden (Beta Beta)
- Tricia Jones (Zeta)
- Sara Key (Zeta)
- Trina LeMarr (Beta Phi)
- Betty Scarborough (Beta Phi)
- Sandra Smith (Alpha Gamma)
The theme of the seminar, "Climb Your Mountain, Reach Your Goals," followed the theme of this Xi State biennium. Dr. Fowler conducted activities that challenged the participants to reflect, seek, strive, and evaluate themselves as individuals as well as leaders.
The participants wrote the following insights after various sessions of the seminar:
- "By doing what is right, not what is easy or convenient, we have the opportunity to influence others by quiet examples--not loud direction."
- "Letting others see you risk doing something new can set a powerful example, even if things do not work out as well as you'd hoped."
- "Crisis does not build character, it reveals it."
- "An action plan is where the rubber hits the road. It is important to follow an action plan."
- "It's important to know your preferred leadership style. However, flexibility and ability to know when to use a different style to better fit a situation makes a leader even more effective."
Upon reflection of the impact of the seminar upon herself, participant Marsha Brewer wrote: "As other leaders in the organization have mentored and guided me, I hope through leadership training to be able to guide and sustain other Delta Kappa Gamma sisters as we grow together in the society, and as we grow as educators." Read her entire reflection entitled "Pearls."
Others in attendance were Nancy Davis, Xi State President (Gamma Mu); Linda McCrary, Xi State Treasurer (Alpha Gamma); Mary Evelyn Perkinson, Co-Chair, Leadership Development Committee (Gamma Zeta,); Michelle Steen, Co-Chair, Leadership Development Committee (Theta); and Barbara Summers, member, Leadership Development Committee (Beta Beta).
For an enriching, fulfilling, and inspiring weekend, encourage your members to apply for the next Leadership Development Seminar!
