Welcome from New Alpha Delta Kappa President for 2023-2025 Biennium (2024)

The “Bridge to the Future” theme and logo were designed to represent the transition that Alpha Delta Kappa will embark upon in this biennium. The 2023-2025 International Biennium is transitioning to a new form of governance, with the International Executive Board (IEB) as the only International governing body. The International Chapter is retired, streamlining management. The Constitution and 2023 Bylaws of Alpha Delta Kappa have been updated to reflect the changes made through the provisos from the 2019-2023 Biennia and the adopted bylaws amendments for 2023. The IEB Chairman position is retired; therefore, the International President will serve as the organization’s chief executive officer and ambassador.

The Regional leadership structure is reorganized. The alignment of the terms of service for regional leaders with the leaders of the states, provinces, and nations (S/P/N) is anticipated to increase two-way communication and collaboration.

The Regional President is the region’s leader as she plans and organizes the regional conference and leads her regional executive board. The Regional Presidents are connected to the International level through a Regional Council.

The Regional President-Elect and the Regional Vice President for Membership (RVPM) can focus on critical membership issues while being part of the regional leadership team and the International Membership Committee. A priority of this biennium should be retaining the chapters we have. When a chapter disbands from Alpha Delta Kappa, we sometimes lose 20 to 30 members at once, but we also lose a geographic location for potential members join the organization. Starting a new chapter requires twelve new members; keeping our existing chapters is more manageable. Find assistance from the S/P/N vice president for membership, the leadership team, or the RVPM before the decision to disband is in motion.

The International Executive Boards have worked on changes to the organizational structure for over three biennia. The boards responsible for these changes have studied, deliberated and made challenging decisions. The changes are being made with the organization’s long-term health in mind. Strengthening our beloved Alpha Delta Kappa for the next twenty-five years and more has motivated us to move the organization forward.

Technology is a necessity to move us forward. However, not all members are comfortable with using technology. Regional, S/P/N and chapter leaders are encouraged to have a technology chair to assist those members in becoming more comfortable using devices and software programs. A chapter sister with skills may be available at a meeting to help her sisters navigate the website or complete the required forms online. We must address what acts as barriers to membership and engagement in the organization.

The International Standing Committees, Scholarships and Grants Committees, and Boards were filled with numerous volunteers—my appreciation for many members who filled out the Volunteer Application to help fulfill the almost 100 appointments. I share my sincere gratitude to those who said yes.

Always looking to the future, Agnes Shipman Robertson had as her banquet address “A Look Back, A Look Forward” at the first National Convention in 1955. Let us look to Alpha Delta Kappa’s future opportunities as we take this “Bridge to the Future.”

Travel with us. Ann Marie