Greetings!

How wonderful it is to meet with you again! This has got to be the most exciting meeting I have had the opportunity to lead as president. There is much to cover, and we'll be busy.

It is also my last meeting as president of the chapter. It has been a wonderful trip, with great growth in what we have accomplished these last three years - the scholarships, the online journal, new bylaws created to update us, documentation of goals fulfilled set back at our inception in the year 2000, a money making plan for the chapter by Foundations Representative Karine Clay, tax exempt ID numbers for our chapter which Treasurer Arthur procured; and a new awards program - all dreams fulfilled. It never could have happened without the dedicated, hard working members and officers who give their time to help others. I am grateful for the experience and joy of working with all of you. Thanks so very much for making it the superb experience it has been. However, all good things come to an end, and a wonderful new set of officers will lead this chapter onward to even greater heights. That is the way of progress, and how it should be. Once more, grateful and heartfelt thanks to all.

We will conduct a search for a needy school to win the Literacy Project. If your school is needy, just fill in the blanks on the form found on the Business Meeting page. We will vote for the most deserving before this meeting concludes. Why not nominate your school, or one of which you know? Your librarian will then make a list of books needed for the library, and list them on Amazon. Members will go there to order them for you and will help to fill your book needs. In addition, the chapter will present you with a gift of money to order even more! Jenny Pullman and Bianca Elliott, Program Chairs, will assist you in the ordering process.

Large, beautiful, bronze PDK medallions on a red, white, and blue ribbon to be worn around your neck will be given as gifts when you graduate to honor you. You need to contact me before June 15th so I can order them. Dr. Marilyn Simon, a Walden professor and our chapter advisor, will present them to you at that time.

For those of you who have not yet graduated, the forms to participate in the new scholarships to be awarded are online here so that you can print them, fill them out, and send them to me as head of the Scholarship Committee. The Simon-Poppenhagen Scholarship has one scholarship of $1000.00 in the name of Dr. Marilyn Simon—our chapter advisor who has helped us so much along the way—she has been invaluable to us; and we are also awarding the Poppenhagen Scholarship which honors the former head of the Education Department at Walden, who helped us in the beginning of the formation of our chapter. That scholarship is $500.00.

You will also be voting for officers for the upcoming two year term of service (6 meetings altogether), and there are spaces to be filled. You will have a most enjoyable and edifying experience by becoming an officer—think about it and feel free to email me to ask any questions you may have.

An internationally famous speaker honors us as program guests—see Jenny & Bianca's report on the Chapter Business page. The actual program discussion will begin June 10th and run through the 14th —but please visit the program page earlier than that date and follow the links to Dr. Marshall's readings to prepare for the discussion. There will be rapid-fire exchanges related to Dr. Marshall's fascinating presentation on empowering children to develop intrinsic motivation to SUCCEED without ANY discipline headaches in the mix. MARK YOUR CALENDAR the 4 days Dr. Marshall will join our discussions. This is one not to miss!!!!

Remember, by just responding to my emails about the meeting...or better yet, participating in them, you are automatically registered for a fabulous DOOR PRIZE!!!! (do both and increase your chances!) Randy Freeman won at the last meeting. This time, it could be you simply for taking part in the discussions online or emailing an officer.

These are just the highlights! Be sure to join us for more at the meeting beginning on Monday, June 4th. You'll be so very glad you came, and we will, too!

Thank you!!
Marion