READ TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION ENCLOSED
Included with this memo is a Gerald H. Read Travel Scholarship application. Up to 50 scholarships are awarded annually to PDK chapter, area, district, and international leaders. Clearly, more of the recipients are from the chapter level than any of the other levels. If selected to receive a scholarship, you may use the grant to defray expenses on any PDK sponsored trip between summer 2001 and summer 2003. Upon request, scholarships are routinely extended for one more year. Put plainly, persons selected in 2001 have until the summer of 2004 to use the grant. Typically, the scholarship covers approximately 50% of the cost of the travel seminar. Deadline for submission is January 31, 2001; applications should be directed to Connie McCoy at the International Office. Complete yours today!

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
In April, a very special group of PDK members will be selected to participate in the STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. The academy is part of the Bessie Gabbard Leadership Initiative in Education; attendees are limited to college juniors and seniors who are preparing to enter teaching. Applications were mailed to chapters in October and nominations must be received by January 20, 2001. We recommend that chapters nominate one student, although multiple nominations will be considered. Applications are available from the international office; just call April Easter at 1-800-766-1156, extension 2231. The expenses of the students selected to attend the academy will be fully covered by Phi Delta Kappa International and the Educational Foundation.

PROSPECTIVE EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES DUE FEBRUARY 22
Chapters should submit their two candidates for the prospective educators scholarship program to the international office by Thursday, February 22, 2001. Applications were mailed to the chapter's foundation representatives in October; the application also is available on the web.

DON'T FORGET SUMMER CAMP FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS
Applications for PDK's annual summer camp/institute for prospective teachers were mailed to the chapter's foundation representative in December. The applications were delayed by a month due to scheduling problems with the host campus. Students applying must be high school juniors who are seriously considering a teaching career. Students should submit their completed application and $5.00 application fee to the international office by February 28, 2001. The application also is available on PDK's website.

A MILESTONE IN PDK: WOMEN AND A SILVER ANNIVERSARY
The decision to admit women into Phi Delta Kappa International has reached a milestone. More than 25 years have now passed since that decision in 1974. As PDK prepares to install its second female as international president, the association notes the strides made by women in the life of Phi Delta Kappa. Equally as important, Phi Delta Kappa recognizes the significant progress made by females in gaining leadership roles in the broader profession.

At the 3rd Legislative Council next year, 25 outstanding female Kappans will be recognized with the Bessie Gabbard Award Celebrating the Leadership of Women in Phi Delta Kappa International. Nominations should be made by chapters no later than March 2, 2001. Applications are available from Jim Fogarty. Nominees must be good-standing members, practicing educators, and leaders in the chapter, the school, and the community.

FOGARTY JOINS STAFF FULL-TIME ON JANUARY 2
After an 18-month hiatus, the vacancy created when George Kersey, Jr. moved from an associate executive director to executive director will be filled. Jim Fogarty, the immediate past international president, will assume the position of Associate Executive Director for Leadership and Development on January 2, 2001. Fogarty has been employed for 20 days during the busy district conference season and the period which followed. He will have primary responsibility for the Annual Fund, scholarship programs, travel programs, and other foundation programs; he will oversee the membership development area. Welcome aboard, Jim!

3RD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEWS
The 3rd Legislative Council will meet in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 1-4, 2001. Louisville was selected by the Board of Directors to encourage greater participation among PDK chapters. A new PDK program will begin with the 3rd Legislative Council. Paul H. Henkins, a long-time member of the University of Southern California Chapter, provided the association with a $50,000 bequest in his will. Kappans in the early years of their careers and who work directly with students will be awarded grants to attend the 3rd Legislative Council. The grants will cover lodging, transportation, and registration. Chapters are urged to promote this opportunity among their new members who otherwise would not attend the Legislative Council. Expect information on the Paul H. Henkin Award program shortly after January 2, 2001.

SPRING FASTBACK SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
For a $500 contribution to the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation, a chapter or group of chapters can sponsor a fastback this spring -- if they act quickly. Sponsors receive three attractive benefits: 1) acknowledgment in the front of the sponsored fastback, which some sponsors also use to recognize an anniversary or to honor an esteemed member or friend of PDK; 2) 150 copies of its sponsored fastback for distribution to members and other educators in the chapter's service area; and 3) if the fastback author is willing (most are), he or she is a guest of honor of the chapter and makes a presentation on the fastback topic at a chapter meeting. Travel expenses and an honorarium for the author are provided by the Educational Foundation. Many chapters say that this third program benefit alone is well worth the cost of sponsorship. Sponsorships are taken on a first-come-first-served basis. Direct your contribution to Donovan Walling, Director of Publications and Research.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GETS DIRECTOR, ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN DELIVERY SYSTEM AND SUMMER GABBARDS
Shari Bradley assumed the role of director of the Service Area for Professional Development in August. Shari is basically assuming the role Phil Harris occupied prior to his retirement. For many years, PDK has sponsored professional development institutes (PDIs) and these institutes are frequently hotel-based. While some professional development activities will continue to be at hotel sites, increasingly our delivery system will be school, school district, and intermediate school district based. Consistent with that decision, we will take our summer Gabbard Institutes "on the road." Ohio, Florida, Colorado, and New Jersey, along with Bloomington, will be the delivery points for summer Gabbards in 2001. Expect to hear much more later this winter.

DISTRICT CONFERENCES NAME CANDIDATES
The nine district conferences have nominated their respective candidates for the offices of president-elect and vice presidents. The candidates are Dennis Simmons (I), Chloe Coffman (II), Sandee Crowther (III), Jo Ann Fujioka (IV), Rayalene Brizendine (V), John Amato (VI), Mary Justice (VII), Sherry Morgan (VIII), and David Labuhn (IX). Each candidate's position statement and biographical sketch appears in the winter issue of News, Notes, and Quotes; the same information is also available on PDK's website. Balloting begins in mid-January and must be completed by April 15. Ballots will be mailed to each chapter's president along with a videotape on the nine candidates -- VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! (Phi Delta Kappa utilizes a traditional ballot; no chad need to be punched!)