... programs affecting women's health, such as breast cance

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Welcome toThe United States ForumThe Delta
Kappa Gamma Society InternationalKey Women
Educators since 1929
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The Mission of the US Forum

• The US Forum plays an integral role in The Delta
  Kappa
• Gamma Society International in the United States
  by
• serving the interests of members which reflect
  the purposes and mission statement of the
  Society, with emphasis on sharing information and
  ideas which explore solutions to common problems
  
• advocating for children, women, families and
  quality education by implementing programs and
  practices which enable change and improvement in
  social institutions, systems, legislation, and
  practices affecting them.

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Who Can Belong to the US Forum?

• The membership of the US Forum is made up of
  every Society member who lives in the United
  States.
• US members elect a chairman.
• Each region of the Society elects a
  representative.
• The Forum is a non-partisan organization which
  does not support individual candidates for
  political office.

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2006-2008 US Forum Representatives
(L-R) Roberta Johnson, MN, NW Representative
Dr. Betty Wiser, VA, SE representative Peggy
King, LA, Chairman Elvoid Mayers, MA, NE
representative Dr. Mary Ann Roldan, CO, SW
representative.
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Goals of the 2006-2008 US Forum

• Expand communication from the Forum to all levels
  of the Society
• Return to the forum concept of free discussion
  of issues at Forum sessions
• Gather input from members to identify key issues
  of concern
• Revise and update the US Forum handbook
• Provide members with information regarding
  pending legislation in the US Congress
• Conduct workshops at Regional and International
  conferences to assist members in educating
  students on the importance of lifetime
  involvement in the democratic process
• Present well-respected speakers on topics of
  interest to members
• Clarify the relationship between the US Forum and
  the International Professional Affairs Committee
• Explore networking opportunities with
  organizations of similar purpose
• Plan and host the National Legislative Seminar
  for 2008

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Issues of Concern to US Forum Members

• Educational funding, especially full funding for
  all federally mandated programs, such as No Child
  Left Behind
• Repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and
  the Government Pension Offset penalties
• Funding of research and educational programs
  affecting womens health, such as breast cancer
  and heart disease
• Spiraling health care costs, including
  prescriptions
• Family Medical Leave Act
• Others? Share your views with your Regional
  representative!

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Activities of the US Forum2004-2006

• Keeping members informed of legislation through
• e-mails and regional forums
• Presenting speakers of interest on relevant
  topics of interest
• Planning and hosting the National Legislative
  Seminar in Washington DC
• Communicating with policy-makers on important
  issues
• Maintaining a web site and an e-mail newsletter
• Selling Mamies Girls pins to support Forum
  projects
• Selling pink bracelets for breast cancer research
• Awarding free registrations to the NLS seminar at
  each of the Regional Forums.

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The National Legislative Seminar!March 19-22,
2006Doubletree Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA
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Members gathered from across the country to learn
more about issues affecting women, children,
education, and the legislative process.
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Lisa Maatz ,Director Government Relations and
Public Policy, American Association for
University Women
Linda McCrary, Trustee The Delta Kappa Gamma,
Educational Foundation
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Shilpa Reddy, Lobbyist National Education
Association Government Relations
Jan West CA member
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Women Who Influence Policy (l-r) Amy Conroy,
Executive Director, Sewall-Belmont House and
Museum Clare C. Giesen, Executive Director of
National Womens Political Caucus Kati Haycock,
Director, Education Trust Stephanie Mohl,
American Heart Association, Government Relations.
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2004-2006 Highlights from the Southwest Region

• SW Forum was held in San Antonio, TX
• Dr. Jane Nelson spoke on the WEP/GPO.
• Featured a workshop on hosting a Legislative Day.
• Breakouts sessions addressed issues of concern to
  members followed by reports to the entire body.
• SW Forum representative worked closely with AZ
  Legislative Committee on their Legislative Day.

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2004-2006 Highlightsfrom the Northeast Region

• Established an extensive e-mail network for
  sharing information.
• Arranged for Joan Dashield, Nurse Supervisor,
  educator, and 30 year volunteer with the American
  Heart Association, to speak at the NE Regional
  Forum.
• Served as registrar for the NLS, preparing a list
  of registrants, name tags, Certificates of
  Completion.
• Arranged for tours of the Capital through
  Representative Stephen Lynchs (D MA) office.
• Prepared and presented a workshop Retraining
  Women as Politicos for the Massachusetts Spring
  State Convention in May, 2006.

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2004-2006 Highlights from the Southeast Region

• Established an extensive e-mail list for sharing
  information.
• The SE Regional Forum was held in Williamsburg,
  VA.
• Speakers included Miriam Bender, CEO of Womens
  Health Virginia, and Ellen Freudenheim, noted New
  York author and runner up of the 2005 Educators
  Award for her book, Looking Forward An
  Optimists Guide to Retirement.
• Surveyed members on issues of concern to them.
• Based on the survey, prepared and presented a
  PowerPoint presentation on prime legislative
  issues to the NLS and to other interested
  educational groups.

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2004-2006 Highlights from the Northwest Region

• The NW Regional Forum was held in Milwaukee, WI.
• Gwen Moore, 4th District, Wisconsin, House of
  Representatives, US Congress, welcomed members
  and issued a letter of commendation.
• Alberta Darling, 8th Senate State District,
  Wisconsin, was the featured speaker.
• Carol Iverson, Iowa, moderated a panel on the
  NLS. Other participants were Delores Fletcher,
  Janet LeBeau, Robbie Johnson, and Ruth Ranum.

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Links to Other Informative Sites

• Thomas.gov (Library of Congress, with text of
  proposed legislation)
• Congress.org
• AAUW
• National Education Association
• League of Women Voters
• AARP
• National Womens Law Center
• American Heart Association
• National Association of Retired Federal Employees
• The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
• Childrens Defense League
• National Council on Aging
• Medline Plus for information and education of
  womens health issues

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Get Involved! Make a Difference!
Subscribe to the Forum Connection! Contact Dr.
Angela Bedenbaugh, Editor Angela.Bedenbaugh_at_usm.ed
u Check the web site often for updated
information! Shelley Werner, Webmaster wernersr_at_ho
tmail.com