Actions of the Board of Directors at its July 25-27, 1997 meeting were as follows:

Items Related to Members

• Reviewed the list of service key recipients, noting that both the number of chapters using the award and the number of keys awarded were down.
• Accepted the report of chapters qualifying for Achieve 80 Awards.
• Accepted the request from the Albemarle Area North Carolina Chapter for waiver of 20 years of good-standing membership for emeritus membership for Bishop Marvin Patterson.
• Accepted the request from the Lake Dardanelle Arkansas Chapter for waiver of the retirement requirement for emeritus membership for Kenneth Walker.
• Appointed a board committee to examine various membership alternatives and report back to the board with recommendations.
• Approved the appointment of a board/staff committee to develop a proposal for implementation of the Kappan Core with $5,000 funded from the Contingency Fund.
• Reconsidered the January 1997 requests of the North Coast Ohio Chapter for waivers of the 20 years good-standing membership requirement for emeritus membership on behalf of Royden Garland and Adeline Cerovac and approved emeritus status.
• Directed the staff to investigate the board's membership proposal with the intent of bringing interested parties into PDK membership more expeditiously than currently can occur.
• Asked the executive director to draft legislation for the Board of Directors to bring to the 1st Legislative Council that allows for a two-year pilot project of direct membership recruitment.

Items Related to Chapters

• Approved the petition submitted by the Bridgewater State College Club and authorized the executive director to proceed with its installation as a chapter.
• Took note of the progress made by the Loudoun-Northern Virginia Chapter and changed the charter from conditional to permanent.
• Ratified the mail ballot of 7 March 1997, approving the charter surrender of the CASEA Oregon Chapter (1488).
• Approved the merger of the DuPage Illinois Chapter (1096) with the Northern Illinois University Chapter (0100).
• Approved the merger of the Sangre de Cristo Chapter (1342) with the University of New Mexico Chapter (0065).
• Approved requests from the South Central Ohio Chapter that its name be changed to Shawnee State University-South Central Ohio Chapter, from the State University College-Geneseo Chapter that its name be changed to the Genesee Valley/SUNY-Geneseo Chapter, and from the Rowan College of New Jersey Chapter that its name be changed to Rowan University Chapter.

Items Related to Areas and Districts

• Accepted the reports on the 1997 officer leadership conferences.
• Accepted the 1996 District Conference reports from Districts I and VII.
• Fixed the transportation allowances for the 1998 District Conferences in Districts I, VI, VII and IX at 100%.
• Fixed the transportation allowances for the summer 1997 DR/AC meetings in Districts I, III, VII, VIII, and IX at 100%.
• Fixed the transportation allowances for the winter 1998 DR/AC meetings in Districts II, IV, V, VIII, and IX at 100%,
• Approved that the transportation allowance in those districts where a DR/AC site has not yet been reported be fixed by the staff as information is provided.
• Accepted the geographic boundary descriptors for Districts IV and IX.

Items Related to Professional Program

• Accepted the report on the Future Educators of America program and provided funding from the Contingency Fund in the amount of $25,000 to cover program costs.
• Accepted the report on the Center on Education Policy and commended Jack Jennings for his independent work and collaboration with PDK on support for public schools.
• Reinstated the district project program for 1997-98 using a formula that provides $2,500 for each district and allocates the rest among the districts on the basis of each district's percentage of membership in good standing; the 1997-98 August entitlements are based on a $57,500 total, with the actual allocations made by reducing each specific entitlement by the district's unexpended balance on June 30, 1997.
• Asked that the staff develop an Outstanding Student Teacher Award for student teachers who are members of PDK, with $15,000 to be available from the Contingency Fund to implement the program. It was further agreed that a proposal would be provided to the board at the winter 1998 meeting for review prior to implementation.
• Accepted the public school forum report and asked that Lowell Rose continue as director of the planning committee in conducting future forums and advocacy activities.
• Approved continuation of PDK's relationship with the National PTA and the Center on Education Policy to conduct forums collaboratively in 1997-98, with $20,000 to be made available from the Contingency Fund for support of the forums and advocacy initiative.
• Accepted the PDK/Gallup Poll report, asked that Lowell Rose serve as director for the 30th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll, and gave approval that a contract be negotiated with the Gallup Organization.

Items Related to Organizationally Focused Items

• Approved that $198,163 of the unused spending authority from the 1996-97 budget be used to provide for previously approved expenditures and to rebuild program lines as recommended; that $60,000 be set aside for transfer to the Reserve Fund to pay the costs of the 1997 PDK/Gallup Poll; and that the remaining unused funds be transferred to the Board Reserve Fund as allocated money for membership development.
• Accepted the reports relative to the depreciation of buildings, land, and equipment with the specific understanding that depreciation funds transferred prior to the recent policy change remain available for the replacement of depreciated funds.
• Approved that $97,155 in the Board Reserve Fund be earmarked for programming and development of technology at the international office.
• Recommended that the budget to be presented to the 1st Legislative Council for the 1998-2000 biennium request a spending authorization of $9,289,120 with accompanying authority to draw up to $334,760 from the Reserve Fund to bring the budget into balance.
• Approved a recommendation to the 1st Legislative Council that the dues for the 1998-2000 biennium remain at $35 with the reinstatement fee of $5.
• Approved the revision of the Statement of Purpose and Future Directions as presented by the Future Planning Committee with the revised statement to be placed on the agenda of the 1st Legislative Council.
• Approved jewelry and accessory prices for 1997-98 as presented.
• Approved adding a red-and-white honor cord and a PDK medallion with red-and-white ribbon to the accessories inventory for members to use at commencement ceremonies.
• Approved the revised schedule for the 1st Legislative Council.
• Approved the election procedures for president-elect and two vice presidents.
• Approved inviting the international past presidents to attend the 1st Legislative Council, with expenses paid by PDK, to select questions for the question and answer forum, to serve as a committee to hear complaints regarding campaigning, and to be assigned other duties as identified by the Board of Directors.
• Approved the registration fees for the education conference/forum and 1st Legislative Council.
• Re-appointed Bessie Gabbard to a three-year term on the Board of Governors with the appointment effective August 1997.

Items Related to International Office and Board Operation

• Approved the revision of the international office organization chart to add the director of membership development, the director of MIS, and the business manager to the executive staff.
• Took note that all checks for the disbursement of fraternity funds, except those drawn against the operating funds as hereinafter provided, shall bear the actual or facsimile signatures of either the business manager or the executive director and of either the president or president-elect.
• Approved the revision of Board Policy as presented by the Board Policy Committee to reflect the change of personnel at the international office, in particular, the retirement of Bob McDaniel.
• Defeated the recommendation to remove the waiver requirement for 20 years of good-standing membership for emeritus membership.
• Approved the recommendation from the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to revise section 1171 of the bylaws to remove the provision for written approval to purchase longevity pins.
• Accepted the bid of United Graphics, Inc. for the fall and winter 1997 issues of News, Notes, and Quotes.
• Approved $47,600 to be made available from the Contingency Fund to purchase memory and Windows 95 updates for eight personal computers, to purchase four new PCs for the accounting/membership area to replace "dumb" terminals, to purchase a new high-speed laser printer for accounting, to purchase site licenses for all application software, and to complete the networking of the international office building.
• Fixed the dates of 24-26 July 1998 for the next summer meeting of the Board of Directors.

Challenges for the New PDK Year

Phi Delta Kappa International, like many organizations, is at a crossroads. It is an organization in transition, as is the profession it represents. The grey-hairs and no-hairs are retiring, and new educators are replacing them. PDK must continue to welcome new educators as members of Phi Delta Kappa International and make them part of our activities and programs. Chapter leadership must be identified, nurtured, and supported, because the success of the local chapter depends on strong leadership. To the new officers, thank you for accepting the challenge. To all members, support your chapter and volunteer to help make this the best year ever for Phi Delta Kappa International. Be assured that the international office staff stand ready to assist you. Just let us know what you need. Are you willing to give your best to ensure that your chapter and PDK continue to be significant players in the education picture? I sincerely hope so and extend best wishes for the year ahead.

Goal Setting and Action Plans

At the July meeting, the Board of Directors reviewed the action plans compiled by the PDK staff for the seven goals adopted by the board last January. Suggestions and modifications were made, and time was spent identifying specific actions the board can take to implement the goals. One of the steps taken by the Board of Directors was to discuss the goals with area coordinators and to challenge them to develop their own action plans with chapters. District representatives will meet with area coordinators following the board meeting and will discuss how to help chapters and members support the seven goals. As an example of what can be done, the Board of Directors agreed they would each recruit 10 new educators next year and ask the area coordinators to do the same in response to goal three. The bottom line is simple. Everyone in PDK must buy into the mission and goals of Phi Delta Kappa International and must work diligently to achieve them. It is not the responsibility only of the Board of Directors, the area coordinators, or the PDK staff. We all share in the responsibility. What is your chapter going to do to help PDK achieve its seven goals? What are you going to do as a member to help achieve the goals? If every PDK member recruited one new member next year, goal three could be achieved in one year. PDK's mission statement and goals are listed on the inside front cover of the Chapter Officers' Handbook.

October Conference/Forum/1st Legislative Council: Advocacy for Public Schools

With ratification of the governance amendment last year, it no longer is mandated for each chapter to send a delegate to the Legislative Council. The amendment changed the Biennial Council to a Legislative Council. The 102 area coordinators, who have been elected by the chapters, and the 15 board members will serve as the representatives to the Legislative Council in October. During the officer leadership conferences last spring, your area coordinator shared with you the proposed legislation that resulted from the nine district conferences. They also sought input from chapter officers and members to guide them in the action that will be required for each legislative item.

Prior to the Legislative Council, PDK is conducting an education conference and public forum on advocacy for the public schools. Every chapter and every Kappan is invited and welcome to attend the conference, the forum, and the Legislative Council in Indianapolis 23-27 October 1997. Three different opportunities for participation are presented. The first is a series of Professional Development Workshops on October 23 and 24. A second activity is a Forum on the Need for Public Schools that will begin on Friday, October 24, and end on Saturday night, October 25. The third activity is the 1st Legislative Council that will begin Friday night and conclude by noon on Sunday, October 26.

Three outstanding speakers will be featured in the conference. Jonathan Kozol, author of Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation; Bruce Biddle co-author with David Berliner of The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools; and John Goodlad, author of In Praise of Education and The Purposes of Public Education and Schooling.

During the coming year PDK will sponsor a second series of 40 Forums planned with host chapters. Attending the conference and participating in the Forum on the Need for Public Schools would be a good way to get first-hand experience with the forums project. A special reduced registration fee is available for PDK members. Brochures and registration forms will be distributed to chapter presidents. You also can obtain a brochure by contacting PDK's international office.

Thank You, Vice-Presidents for Membership

I want to personally thank each Vice President for Membership who completed a successful recruitment and initiation last year. Membership is the lifeblood of Phi Delta Kappa International. We know there are thousands of high-quality educators in our schools who are not members of PDK. If your chapter met its membership goals last year, my congratulations and most sincere "thank you."

I especially want to pay tribute to vice presidents and chapters who recruited undergraduate students and initiated student teachers. There is no better way to acquaint students with the importance of professional affiliation than to be part of Phi Delta Kappa. The rapid turnover of educators that is occurring at all levels of the profession makes it imperative that new educators receive high-quality mentoring. If your chapter has not made plans to contact area teacher training institutions to collaborate in student membership, I urge you to do so this fall.

Travel Seminars

Included in this mailing is the latest brochure for PDK's travel seminars. Remember, also, the Gerald Howard Read Travel Seminar Scholarships that are available to members traveling with PDK. Applications for the 50 travel scholarships are available from local chapter officers or by writing to the international office.

International Office Reorganization

Several changes have taken place among the professional staff at PDK International. Robert McDaniel retired on July 1 after 31 years as business manager and associate executive director. Gary Lettelleir is the new business manager. William Hyman has been hired as director of management information systems. His duties include responsibility for the computer operations, PDK's Web Site, and office technology. The position of director of membership development has been elevated to the professional staff level with additional responsibilities for membership recruitment and retention. This position is held by Billie Spellman. Instead of all professional staff reporting directly to the executive director, four departments now report to the associate executive director and the remaining departments to the executive director. The executive director (Ron Joekel), associate executive director (George Kersey), and assistant executive director (Sandy Weith) will be working as an administrative team to provide leadership for the international office of Phi Delta Kappa International.

Sponsor a Fastback

Enclosed is a flyer providing details on how a chapter can sponsor a fastback. This is an excellent way to honor a chapter member or mark a chapter event. The fastbacks continue to deal with current topics in an easy-to-read format. The fastback series is one of the premier publication efforts for classroom teachers. Contact Donovan Walling if your chapter is interested in a sponsorship opportunity.

Membership Dues to Educational Foundation

One of the last requests that Bob McDaniel made before he retired was to ask that I include in the Executive Director's Memo a statement regarding increasing chapter dues by $5.00 as an automatic donation to the Educational Foundation. Bob's statement is as follows:

"Dues to Phi Delta Kappa International are professional dues for membership in the fraternity. The fraternity is recognized as a 501(C)3 organization with the dues being recognized by the IRS as professional dues. The money from members for dues, received at the international office, is general fund income. The Board of Directors or the PDK staff have no authority to "give" general fund income to any other organization, including the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. Donations to the foundation are 'voluntary.' The bottom line is that PDK returns to the chapters that amount indicated as 'chapter dues.' Chapter dues cannot be increased as automatic contributions to the Educational Foundation."

A Challenge for a Service Project

Natural disasters occurred in various parts of the world this past year. One of these was in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where severe flooding almost destroyed the town. The University of Nebraska/Lincoln Chapter made a contribution to the Grand Forks Chapter to be used for replacement of professional resources and materials that were lost in the flood. The University of Nebraska/Lincoln Chapter has committed to raising additional funds as a service project for the chapter throughout the year. They challenge other chapters in Phi Delta Kappa International to support this project as well. Please contact Harriet Gould of the University of Nebraska chapter for more details. The address is: Harriet Gould, University of Nebraska/Lincoln Chapter, 118 Henzlik Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0355.

Constitution and Bylaws Requirements

The Constitution and Bylaws of Phi Delta Kappa International provide for chapters to suggest amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws for consideration at the 1st Legislative Council in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 24-26 October 1997. If your chapter wishes to submit an amendment to either the constitution or the bylaws, it must be received in the international office at least 40 days prior to the date of the council. The deadline for submission is 14 September 1997.