November 2008 Wdc Dg Hannah's News Bytes

DC Hannahs’ News Bytes WDC Delta Gamma

November 2008

Letter from the President Looking back on my days in school, I learned that Thanksgiving is the traditional American holiday where we give thanks to the conclusion of the harvest season. The Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in 1621. They celebrated, feasted and gave thanks. Despite these trying economical times, we still have so much for which to be thankful. I am thankful for my health, my family and my friends. I am thankful that my boyfriend just survived a 3month deployment on an oil platform near Saudi Arabia. I’m also thankful for precious niece, Caroline Edith, who was born in September. I am so grateful that she is healthy with a full head of brown hair. (Just like Suri

Cruise). If only I can convince her to go to University of South Carolina instead of Clemson. Her parents went to Clemson and little Miss Caroline is already decked out in orange and purple. Anyway, I digress.

I’m also very thankful for Delta Gamma. You are family to me. I am so grateful my sisters are there for us whenever we need them. From our DG Does Good

team to simple emails letting another sister know you’re thinking of them, these are things I am thankful for. This month, our chapter will be making dinners at Entree Vous on November 15. Perhaps you could donate one of the meals to those who are less fortunate. I think that’s what I may do. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I would like to share that with others. During this time of giving thanks, please remember those less fortunate than us. And I hope you have a memorable time with your family, friends and Delta Gamma. ITB, Tonya Richardson, Epsilon Chi President, WDC DG

What not to miss this month Join WDC Delta Gamma and DG Dineout for a private event at Entrée Vous, an innovative store where you can assemble (or simply pick up) family-friendly dishes designed to be frozen and cooked when you need them. Entrée Vous chefs take all the hassle out of cooking by doing all of the timeconsuming prep work for you. The November holiday menu choices

include southwestern chicken casserole, a holiday pork roast, mesa verde flank steak, shrimp in garlic sauce, and much more. When: Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. Where: 2200 N Westmoreland Street, Arlington, VA (Near East Falls Church metro station)

Inside this issue:

Cost: Order as much or as little as you want! Family sized entrees (46 servings) range from $20-$26, regular size entrees (2-3 servings) range from $12-$15, sides and desserts (4 servings) range from $8-$11. For more info or to RSVP, contact Danielle at [email protected].

Special points of interest:

SIG Calendar

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Foundation Focus

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Member of the Month

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Well Aware

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WDC Delta Gamma alumnae t-shirts are here! See page 3 for more information on how to purchase yours!

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DC Hannahs’ News Bytes

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Book Club Join us for the next book club on Wednesday, Nobember 12 at 7:30 p.m. at a member's home in Capitol Hill near the Eastern Market metro station. Contact Danielle at [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.

Volunteer at the American Girl Fashion show benefiting the Prevention of Blindness Society! See ‘Foundation Focus’ for more info.

Dineout Dineout is co-hosting the chapter-wide event this month at Entrée Vous on Saturday, November 15. Please see the “What not to miss this month” section on page 1 for more details. Lunch Bunch Join our newest SIG for lunch on Wednesday,

November 12 at Sequoia in Georgetown (3000 K Street NW). Contact Helen at lunchbunch@ wdcdeltagamma.org for more information or to RSVP. Sweetpeas Relax and enjoy a morning with DG moms and their sweetpeas in the Kogod courtyard between the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Friday, November 7 at 10:00 am. The courtyard, enclosed by glass, connects the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. With a courtyard café and water scrim, this is a beautiful

space in which to spend a morning. The Kogod Courtyard is located at the Reynolds Center, National Portrait Gallery, 8 Street NW and F Street NW, near the Gallery Place-Chinatown station (Red, Yellow and Green lines). For more information contact Kerri at [email protected]. Wine Tasting The date and location for the next Wine Tasting has not yet been determined. Please check the WDC DG website (wdcdeltagamma.org) or contact Meredith at wt@ wdcdeltagamma.org for more information.

Foundation Focus Volunteer Opportunity The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington® (POB) invites girls and their friends and families to experience the American Girl Fashion Show® November 15-16 at the Inn at Brookeville Farms in Brookeville, Md. This new and unique program to the metropolitan area showcases historical and contemporary fashions for girls and their dolls. Proceeds from the event will benefit POB. The

event also includes tea party refreshments, and a photo opportunity with Valerie Tripp, author of the American Girl Felicity, Josefina, Kit, and Molly series and three of the books in the Samantha series. Tickets are $60 per person and are on sale. For more information call 202-234-1010 or visit ww.youreyes.org. WDC Delta Gamma alumni interested in volunteering at the event should contact Jen Olsen at foundation@wdc-

deltagamma.org before November 8, as there are some last minute opportunities for volunteers still available. "Helpful Hannah" Listserv If you are interested in volunteering with other local DGs at a variety of events (both Foundationfocused and others), please contact Jen Olsen at [email protected] to be added to this listserv.

WDC Delta Gamma

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Member of the Month! November’s Member of the Month is Amanda Haff!

Amanda graduated from Kent State this past spring. Upon arrival in DC, she immediately got involved with the WDC Alumnae Chapter. She's involved in Book Club, Wine Tasting and other SIGs.

thusiastic and has already given awards to our members at Book Club and at the Champagne Brunch. Amanda has great ideas for her position, and she brings a lot to the DC Alumnae Chapter.

Amanda also recently took the Awards Chairman position for our chapter! She is very en-

Many thanks to Amanda for all of her contributions thus far to the WDC Delta Gamma chapter!

opportunity to network and share lively conversation. The tea will also serve as an opportunity to welcome graduating seniors from American University into the alumnae chapter.

Union Station metro stop (Red line).

Holiday Tea Don’t forget to mark your calendars for WDC Delta Gamma’s annual and time-honored holiday tradition— the Holiday Tea! This exciting afternoon tea gathering will incorporate various tea selections, mini-sandwiches, baked goods, and sweets. WDC DGs are encouraged to invite their mothers to join us for this special

When: Saturday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. Where: The Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 North Capitol Street, N.W. Near the

Cost: $30 for members; $35 for non-members Deadline to RSVP: Monday, December 1

For more information, please contact Kerri Ann Hayes at holidaytea@ wdcdeltagamma.org.

WDC Alumnae T-Shirts Now Available! Have you bought your Delta Gamma Alumnae tshirt yet? T-shirts are available for $12 in sizes Medium - X Large. Wear it loud and wear it proud!

If interested in purchasing a t-shirt, please contact Ashly Mitchell at [email protected].

Mark your calendars now for this year’s Holiday Tea— Saturday, December 6!

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DC Hannahs’ News Bytes

Well Aware: Developing Credible Leadership Consider a leadership moment when you felt compelled to support the work and message of a leader? Identify a time when others willingly followed you creating that seamless relationship that propelled your work forward?

Develop your leadership potential by utilizing the “Leadership for Life” tools on myDG at www.deltagamma.org.

According to Kouzes and Posner (2002), constituencies are more willing to follow leaders who possess a set of four characteristics. These characteristics have withstood the test of time and remain consistent amongst continents. Since 1987 Kouzes and Posner have been asking others what they look for in their leader and consistently found the following four values remain at the top of the list time after time. Honesty – Individuals want their leader to be truthful, ethical, and principled. Leaders of integrity and character instill confidence and help to strengthen the leader/ follower relationship. The familiar phrase, “do what you say you will do” is how individuals measure a leader’s degree of honesty which in turn affects the leaders ability to enable others to act. Forward-looking – Leaders who possess a vision for the future, clearly articulate this vision to others, and consider the future when making decisions demand respect from others. Indi-

viduals want to rally around a leader who envisions a better future. Competent – In order to work towards a vision, leaders who are capable and effective rally the troops. Even though a leader may be able to inspire a shared vision, followers must trust that the leader is able to implement this vision. Without competence, the vision seems like “pie in the sky.” Inspiring – Individuals want a leader who is enthusiastic and passionate about the future. A leader who articulates the vision in an encouraging manner receives high marks from others. Individuals want to envision a positive future and inspiring leaders provide this picture. Leaders who confirm negative emotions and feelings of hopelessness do not generate the paradigm shift needed to generate optimal performance that results from positive emotions. Together these four qualities define credible leadership. Individuals whose leadership philosophy and ways of leading demonstrate these values generate constituencies who (1) are proud of their organization, (2) feel a sense of team, (3) articulate how their personal values align with the values of the organization, (4) feel committed to the organization, and (5) have a sense of ownership in the organization.

Kouzes and Posner (2002) share that before becoming a credible leader, we must first find our own voice which essentially means to clarify our values. Values “supply us with the moral compass by which to navigate the course of our daily lives” (p. 48). When a difficult decision arises in our personal, professional, or collegiate lives, values provided the foundation for our decision-making. Values not only tell us what to do but give us energy when we act from a valuescentered framework. Making decisions from this perspective provides a sense of control and generates order in one’s life. Values clarity also increases commitment to the organization. Research indicates even if the organization clearly articulates its values but an individual is unclear on her or his values, commitment to the organization decreases. How do we gain clarity around our own values? There are many ways to consider your personal values thus leading to credible leadership. One way is to utilize DG’s Leadership for Life, which is accessible via myDG at deltagamma.org. Best of luck on this journey of self-exploration. References: Burns, J. M. (2003). Transforming leadership. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press.