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​2/24/2026
 Ladies, I am sure that you are as excited as I am for the beginning of spring.  What a winter for Baltimore County!  As I write this, the Eastern Shore sisters are trying to get out of feet (not inches) of snow.  We fared well this time in Baltimore County, with only several inches and no ice! Continue to stay warm and safe.
 
The Executive Board Meeting on March 7th will be held at Oak Crest, but this time, in the Garden Room. It is near the main entrance (behind the chapel). I know you will appreciate the beauty of the room and the outside view. The room again contains all the technology we need, and it adds much to the meeting. The Leadership Development Committee has begun planning the May 2nd DKG Maryland Conference.  There will be something for everyone. The theme is “Women Who Inspire Us, Women Who Excite Us, and Women Who Ignite Us into Action”. This newsletter contains all the details of the upcoming May 2nd DKG Maryland State Conference in Bowie. There is a copy of the registration form in this newsletter, and an additional email with the registration form will follow soon after the Executive Board Meeting.
Please continue to send me pictures of your chapter events, and you may see them on the screen at the next meeting.  There will be some holiday pictures on display. Please continue to forward to me at janeysnyder1@gmail.com.
 
 I enjoyed holiday chapter events on December 6h  in Annapolis and in the Garden Room at Oak Crest.  Rho hosted Epsilon, Alpha Beta, and Omega for a holiday brunch, and the Baltimore County chapters had a holiday luncheon scheduled for Alpha, Mu, and Xi.   It was a lovely day of fellowship with many sisters and lots of food.  It was a delightful day and a great way to kick off the holiday season.  Thank you, especially to Pat Piluk and the members of Rho Chapter, for brunch in Annapolis. Then I immediately headed back home for lunch with my local chapters.  Thank you to the members of the Coordinating Council for planning a lovely day. The Coordinating Council includes the Presidents of Alpha (Kathy Bateman), Mu (Allison Gradwell and Kathy Corley Murray), and Xi (JoAnn Velten), as well as one or two additional members from each chapter.  I am looking forward to visiting Zeta and Omicron in March and Tau in April. Please, I am open to visiting all chapters. Just give me a call, 410-746-1751
 
Remember to save the dates, June 30th – July 4th, 2026, for the DKG Society International Convention in Aurora, Colorado, at the Gaylord Rockies. Registration is open now online at www.dkg.org. Sign in, go to the Events tab, then scroll down to International Convention. Soon you will be getting a copy of the proposed bylaw changes in the international newsletter, DKG NEWS. By attending the convention, you will have the opportunity to vote on the revisions. The January/February issue of DKG NEWS contained the bios of the nominees for international officers, 2026-2028. In May at the DKG MD State Conference, Eileen Little, Northeast Regional Director, will be sharing a bit about these bylaw revisions. Quoting from the International website: “Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful presentations, inspiring speakers, and vital discussions on the future of our society.”
                                                                                                                                        
Thank you to Sally Nazelrod, Xi, and JoAnn Velten, Xi, who plan to attend the National Legislative Seminar beginning March 8th.  I am sure they will have a great time, and we will expect a report for the next newsletter.
 
 I wish to remind you to send notes, email messages, or cards to the World Fellowship recipient(s) assigned to your chapter.  They are far from home, so I know these are meaningful to them.
 
Again, stay safe and warm. See you on May 2nd.  Happy Spring!
 

11/2/2025
​Dear DKG Maryland Sisters,

I guess that fall is officially here. I hope you are enjoying the fall weather with warm days and cool nights.
It is that time of year that our lives become very busy planning for the holidays and enjoying those special times with family and friends.  Have a wonderful holiday season, enjoying Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas and New Years Day.  Also, remember a kind word and a little grace go in a long way during this season, as there are still many who are suffering.   
I have enjoyed chapter visits to Alpha Alpha and Eta and have several more scheduled.   Please remember to invite me to your chapter.  I am looking forward to seeing every chapter. 
​On November 1st, I attended the Society Workshop, full of outstanding workshops planned by the EEC Committee.  It was a great day for all in attendance.

                                      DKG Maryland State Conference 
                                      Comfort Inn and Conference Center
                                                          Bowie, MD
  Just a hint about 2 of the speakers at the conference and  more details will be available in the winter newsletter.  Registration available by March Executive Board meeting.
TODAY's 2025 Maryland Woman of the Year,  Angela Crenshaw, will speak at the Conference during the morning. This recognition honors her leadership, which includes being the first Black woman to lead the Maryland State Park service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  She is recognized for her leadership and service, particularly championing Maryland's parks and history. She will include information on Harriet Tubman, as she has spent much time working at this park on the Eastern Shore.
 
KEY NOTE SPEAKER for the conference, Norina Bentzel, M.Ed. is an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania and a motivational speaker.  Formally, she was a teacher and principal in the Red Lion Area School District including the North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School where a mass machete attack occurred.  She is a York County native and a 1981 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University.  Norina has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in science.  She received her master’s degree in Education in 1998 and directly thereafter, in 1999, earned her Administrative Certification.  Norina retired from public education in June 2017. Norina brings important insight and observations about leadership, resiliency, and ongoing support in times of crisis to her audiences.

Be sure to save the date and join us in Bowie for the DKG MD State Conference at  8:00 am on May 2nd.          

 
DKG Maryland offers a big  thank you to Dr. Terri Showers, Lambda,1st Vice-President,  and members of the Education Excellence Committee (EEC) for an enjoyable day filled with new information and lots of fun.
​
EEC planned a special day for members. There was an Informative legislative update from Kathy Bateman, Alpha and an excellent update on the U.S. Forum from JoAnn Velten, Xi.  She reminded everyone of the upcoming Legislative Forum in the spring of 2026.  Information can be found on the website for the US Forum:  www.dkgusforum.org/events-1. This is an informative time to learn about Congress and to visit with your Maryland Congress members. 
Other workshops included:

1. Passport to Possibilities: Serving DKG Internationally                      Linda Adcock, Beta Phi, Illinois

                                                                                                State Organization
 This breakout session offered  a passport to the various ways you can explore pathways of the opportunities offered by DKG International.
 
2. From Paychecks to Purpose:                                 Christina Snyder, CFP®, ChFC®,
 4 Essentials for Retirement Security                          RICP®, CISP™, AEP®, Partner
                                                                                and Wealth Advisor, Jacob William      Advisory
The workshop had information offered information
a.  Why Retirement Planning Matters
b.  Unique Challenges Retirees Face
c.  The 4 Essentials for Retirement Security

3. ‘Tis the Season for YOU…DKG Sister!                                           LaTanya Eggleton, Rho     
 Certified Coach LaTanya offered an engaging co-active coaching workshop designed to support your specific desires/needs right now. 

 4. Silent Health Crisis: Coping with Isolation and Loneliness              Dr. Janet Moya Cornick, Lambda 
The presenter will shared tips to help one cope with isolation and loneliness.
 
5. Jewelry Shadow Boxes                                                                          Wendy Happel, Mu
Do you have jewelry that you no longer use, but you still want to keep?  Well, Wendy Happel will showed you a way to use these items to create a beautiful work of art.  She  explained how she decides what she is going to create, what materials she needs, and how she goes about making jewelry shadow boxes. 
As a special treat, Wendy had a drawing for one of her shadow boxes, won by Kathy Corley Murray, Mu.
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Dear DKG MD Sisters,
I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of president and begin this new biennium (2025-2027) with you. Many of you know me as the finance leader who has been your state treasurer and finance committee chair for over 20 years. Even though that role has changed over the last four years, I hope to continue to assist you and your chapter.

The 2024-2025 school year is over and now many are beginning the 2025-2026 school year. As women educators, we know what it means to lead with strength, compassion, and resilience and I have a deep admiration for the dedication and strength that lives in each of our chapters. DKG MD State leaders, chapter leaders and chapter members continue to INSPIRE me as our chapters serve each other, our schools and our local communities.

Let’s EXCITE this new biennium with fresh energy. Together, we’ll build DKG MD State leadership that lifts up chapter members and chapter leaders. The potential, the passion, the spark for DKG Maryland chapter leadership is already there. My state goal is to INSPIRE that spark with the tools, encouragement, and partnership you need to step confidently into a new (or continuing) leadership role when new officers are installed next spring.

I want you to know I’m hitting the ground running, working hard with our team to ensure your voices are heard, your work is valued, and your needs are met. This community is a force, and I believe wholeheartedly in what we can do together. The DKG MD State Leadership Team is here for you. We are here to support each chapter in the state. Please know my door is always open to chapters and their leaders. The state can offer assistance, just ask. All questions are important. I hope to make chapter visits to meet our members, but the State Leadership Team may be happy
to visit to offer assistance and support, to be your chapter’s ROCK. DKG MD ROCKS!

​I am looking forward to visiting all chapters. Please don’t forget my offer to visit. I want to meet and learn about all members. I cannot wait to visit. My first visit to Alpha Alpha and Eta is already scheduled. Please contact me and get your chapter on my calendar. Let’s stay connected, lift each other, and keep pushing for the progress our state, our chapters, our members, our profession—and our students—deserve.
Have a successful school year! 
Fondly Your Sister,
Janey Snyder
DKG Maryland State Organization President, 2025-2027
Janeysnyder1@gmail.com