Deep South Region - Director's Message

I begin my service as your Regional Director with feelings of pride and humility. I have to be honest with you – at first, I was very apprehensive; but now, apprehension has given way to enthusiasm and excitement. Alternate Director Carol Keefe and I, want to thank you for agreeing to serve with us. Now, we have a request – when you receive your Deep South Directory, locate your counterpart in each state. Please contact them immediately and offer your assistance. At that time, let them know that you will need a report from them so that it can be included in the report you file at the Deep South Conventions. They do not receive the Directory and many will not utilize the Web site; therefore, it is important that you initiate the contact. Unless you do so, they won’t know who or where you are. When I think about all of us working together, I realize how much we are like snowflakes – no two are alike, but they stick together and work on projects they couldn’t possibly do alone and the results are awesome.

Aware of the need to reach out and connect with youth; and, using the previous administration’s project as a spring-board, we have chosen as our theme, “Today’s Youth – Tomorrow’s Future”, and Dollar$ For $cholar$ for the project. The project is broader than it appears at first sight. A scholar being defined as, “one who studies under a teacher”, we will work with youth groups of different ages, backgrounds, and mental and physical abilities.

Scholarship will be a major emphasis. We want to vigorously promote State, Deep South, and National Life Memberships. Artist Carol Keefe, has a “Scholarship Jug” for each of the State Presidents. Use it to collect monies at your meetings for scholarship. There are some fun ways to get members to contribute to the “Jug”. For example: a penny for each year of your age. A lot of people will put in a dollar so that someone standing nearby can’t find out their age by counting as each penny drops. There will be competition among our six states for the greatest percentage increase in State, Deep South, and National Life Memberships.

Fund-raising will be of great importance; and, we hope you’ll give us some new and innovative ideas. At the end of the project, the ideas will be collected into a brochure, for sale at a nominal price, which will further enrich the Deep South Scholarship Fund.

Let’s fast forward to the 2008 Convention. Each state is asked to submit a floral design for competition. However, there won’t be any judges. This will actually be a vote-getting campaign with each vote costing a dollar. The highest vote-getter will be declared the winner. All the monies will go to the Deep South Scholarship Fund. Each state can request Deep South Life Memberships for the number their collection will fund; and, will decide how their recipients are selected. Even though we’re talking about 2008 – the voting can start now.

It is not expected that all your monies go toward Life Memberships. When you review the suggested programs and activities and scale of points, you’ll note that how the money is used is important; and, probably as interesting, if maybe not more so, than the fund-raising.

This is such an important and worthwhile project, we all wish for its success. I have to tell you though, the elevator to success is out of order, so we have to take the stairs one step at a time. But remember, if you take a step and you need help, Carol and I will be there for you.