MY FIRST MEMO
This executive director's memo is my first to you since I assumed the position on July 1. The items I chose to highlight here have been carefully selected from an endless supply of important matters. I decided to focus, in this edition, on setting the stage for the year. Always remember that your unanswered questions are important to you and to us. Call us and we will attempt to steer you in the right direction.

A VALUABLE ASSET
As a local chapter officer, make sure you have a copy of the 1999-2000 Chapter Officers' Handbook. The handbook carefully outlines the responsibilities of each officer and provides a great calendar for planning. If you do not have your copy, contact your chapter president. Area coordinators received each chapter's supply in the spring. Presidents, if you need extra handbooks, contact PDK's order department.

2ND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, OCTOBER 21-24, 1999
The 2nd Legislative Council is scheduled for Bloomington, Indiana, on October 21-24. Presidents and chapter delegates will find information about the council in this mailing. The legislative council has three major assignments: enactment of legislation from the nine 1998 district conferences, election of international officers, and adoption of the budget for 2000-2002, including the setting of dues.

WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT -- MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP
One of the most important responsibilities of the local chapter is the recruitment/initiation of new members. If you are a vice president for membership, be sure goals are in place for 1999-2000. How many initiates and when initiations will be held are the key components of goal setting. Probably the next most critical issue is establishing a game plan/action plan for the recruitment of new members. It is terrific to set a goal of 24 new members; it is just as important to make the plan for "how" you will attract those new members.

MEMBERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT MONEY
Whenever the importance of membership is raised, some of us react defensively. Do we just want members because these members generate revenue? Absolutely not! New members are needed for two reasons. First, our organization must constantly seek out new members to guarantee the future. The local chapter that replaces members lost through attrition is, in fact, renewing itself. If this renewal does not occur, the chapter's future is uncertain. Second, new members are recruited, I hope, because current members value their affiliation and want to share the benefits with their colleagues.

WHAT EVERY VICE PRESIDENT FOR MEMBERSHIP NEEDS
As a local chapter officer who has been involved with initiating new members for literally 20 years, I think there are three things you MUST have to carry out your initiation efforts: 1) applications, 2) copies of the initiation ceremony, and 3) a set of initiation posters. If you need help with any of these items, please call our order department or contact Billie Spellman or Candice Crandall in our membership development area.

HAVE APPLICATION CAN TRAVEL
Included here is an application for the Gerald H. Read Travel Scholarships. Completed applications are due February 1. Start now and submit your application early. Scholarships vary in amounts from $1,500 to $750, and the amount is determined by the total cost of the PDK trip in which you participate. Before joining the staff at PDK, I was a recipient of a Read Scholarship. Seven years later, that trip to China still represents a personal and professional highlight. I encourage you to apply.

NEW PRODUCTS FROM PDK'S CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES LINE
Chapter presidents will find enclosed with this mailing a sample of one of our new products, a PDK notecard and matching envelope, that can be used for chapter or personal correspondence. The item, sold in sets of 20 cards and envelopes, is now available from the PDK order department for $6 a set. Other new items that have been added since June 1999 include a gray PDK T-shirt with red logo for $10, a red Henley T-shirt with black logo for $18, a PDK mousepad and screen sweep brush for $6, and a black attaché with full-color crest for $15. For more information or to order, call the order department at 800/766-1156. These and other PDK products are also posted on the PDK website at http://www.pdkintl.org/products/caccpage.htm.

1999-2000 ANNIVERSARY CHAPTERS, CONGRATULATIONS!
Twenty-seven chapters will be recognized for 25-year, 50-year, or 75-year anniversaries during 1999-2000. A letter describing PDK's recognition activities was sent to the 27 chapter presidents in July. Phi Delta Kappa International would like to congratulate the following chapters: 75th Anniversary ­ University of Tennessee #0034, and Boston University #0035; 50th Anniversary ­ Ball State University #0064, University of New Mexico #0065, Brigham Young University #0066, University of Hawaii #0067, and University of South Dakota #0068; 25th Anniversary ­ Collier County Florida #1301, Guam #1302, West Georgia #1303, Rose City Texas #1304, New Hampshire Profile #1305, Southwestern Oklahoma State University #1306, Tennessee Technological University #1307, Solano County California #1308, East Central Oklahoma University #1307, State University College/New Paltz #1310, Pace University #1311, Northwest Florida #1312, Howard University #1313, Valdosta State University #1314, Northwest Suburban/Cook County #1315, Northern Kentucky Area #1316, Greater Birmingham #1317, Zumbro Valley-Minnesota #1318, Western Arkansas #1319, and Wright State University #1320.

GREAT PDK/GALLUP POLL COVERAGE
Press coverage for PDK's annual PDK/Gallup Poll on the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools has been extensive. CNN coverage this year was a "first" for them and we have learned that the National Governor's Assocation has distributed the findings widely. A copy of our press release is included in this mailing for presidents. Of course, the complete report is in the September issue of the Kappan. The poll represents a great basis for a chapter meeting if carefully planned and moderated.

ANNUAL REPORTS/OFFICERS' LISTS-IS YOUR'S MISSING?
The International Office needs your chapter's 1999-2000 officers' list and the chapter's 1998-99 annual report. Just a reminder-check and see if your reports have been mailed. Officers' lists were due May 31 and annual reports on July 15.

FOUNDATION PLEDGE CARDS MAILED
Beginning on Friday, September 3, the pledge cards for the 1999-2000 Annual Fund were mailed to foundation representatives. Be sure to support your chapter's foundation representative in the distribution of the cards. Above all, join other Kappans in making a gift of $5 or more.

HOORAY FOR RESEARCH REPRESENTATIVES!
One of the most important PDK chapter officers is the research representative. Let's face it, this is often (not always) a position in which the individual will ask, "What am I supposed to do?" Here are two ideas: 1) Plan a "research" meeting and invite doctoral candidates or "researchers" from the school district, the state department, or the university to share what they are doing, and/or 2) it's not too early to think about possible applicants for PDK's Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. The awards will be presented at district conferences in October 2000. Applications will be sent to chapter presidents and research representatives in January 2000.