Women Educators International (DKG) BC
Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting 2024
Saturday April 20, 2024
Highlights
Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting 2024
Saturday April 20, 2024
Highlights
Special International Guest Speaker
Dr. Renee Richer, a DKG member from Minnesota, came to us on ZOOM from Kunshan University in China, just outside of Shanghai. Although it was half past midnight in Shanghai, Dr. Richter spoke to us at 9:30 Saturday morning!
Her first topic, “Teaching in an International School and International Environment”, was enlightening and interesting. Her last teaching position was at Qatar Medical College, where she was for 8 years. She has been at Kunshan for the past 16 months. She related that working abroad earns about six times the salary than at a university in the U.S. Teachers are treated with more respect and her working conditions are better. The greatest challenge was getting her students to mix with each other, and even interacting with other faculty members was often difficult. They had to be encouraged to ask questions!
Her first topic, “Teaching in an International School and International Environment”, was enlightening and interesting. Her last teaching position was at Qatar Medical College, where she was for 8 years. She has been at Kunshan for the past 16 months. She related that working abroad earns about six times the salary than at a university in the U.S. Teachers are treated with more respect and her working conditions are better. The greatest challenge was getting her students to mix with each other, and even interacting with other faculty members was often difficult. They had to be encouraged to ask questions!
One’s viewpoint or perspective of one culture often becomes offensive to another, as she illustrated in this cartoon.
She spoke about the “Conservative Cultural Countries”, not using the word religious or other adjectives.
She spoke about the “Conservative Cultural Countries”, not using the word religious or other adjectives.
She explained that . . .
As an example, she told of an incident that took place in a chemistry lab, where the instructor was helping a student pour a beaker. He touched her hands as she was pouring. She was shocked and had only ever been touched by her father, brother or uncle! (in Qatar)
In the Sciences and Technology areas, there a few female role models.
She also felt that the word “Globalization” gave a connotation of one dominant culture. On the other hand, the term “Internationalization” sounded much more equitable - with greater opportunities to learn about others. With that, there are four modes in Internationalization. . .
She also felt that the word “Globalization” gave a connotation of one dominant culture. On the other hand, the term “Internationalization” sounded much more equitable - with greater opportunities to learn about others. With that, there are four modes in Internationalization. . .
To achieve that goal of Internationalization, Universities are moving towards joint ventures with other universities in foreign countries. Qatar’s Education City was a combination of many American and other universities providing programs.
Next, Gloria led us in a “Connecting” exercise where we shared with another attendee, an influential personal in our career. Gloria explained that to develop relationships, we grow as we connect and have a chance to talk to new friends.
Our second speaker, our own Sarah Wethered, from Fraser Shores Chapter, a teacher-librarian at NWSS and First Vice-president of DKG BC, explained how she was “Decolonizing the Library Catalogue – Why we are Kicking Dewey to the Curb”. Sarah shared her Power Point with the Executive Board so if you want to see it, check with your chapter President.
Basically, she and her two teacher colleagues are undoing 150 years of Library Book Classification, originated by Dewey. There are two major reasons: one, Melvil Dewey was not a very nice person and not a good role model. (To find out about his sordid past, check out Sarah’s slide show!!) Secondly, the model they are transitioning to was created by Brian Deer who based his organizational system on letters, rather than numbers. The alphabet represents clusters of topics that are usually spread out among many numbers of Dewey’s system. They will complete the reorganization of the library books at Queensborough Middle School as well as New Westminster Senior Secondary School. Their hope is to use it as a model of a more precise and logical organization of topics so that the students will more easily find the references they need in their classroom studies. In addition, it becomes part of their reconciliation plan.
DDC is the Dewey Decimal Classification and BDC is the Brian Deer Classification
Our lunch break gave us time to chat with each other again.
Gale, Norma, Elaine Karin, Jessica, Joan Sandy and Miz
Gale, Norma, Elaine Karin, Jessica, Joan Sandy and Miz
Helen, Francis, Lauryn (from the top) Gloria, Orrie, Marilyn, Ellen, Lennor, Phyllis, Orrie, Marilyn
Louise, Gisela, Lennor (Gloria insisted I be in the photo!!)
Louise, Gisela, Lennor (Gloria insisted I be in the photo!!)
During our lunch break, we also enjoyed the music from Brian,
a Grade 11 student at NWSS.
After lunch came the AGM. Frances presented Dr. Lauryn Oates, the Executive Director for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, with our Woman of Wisdom and Passion Award for 2024.
Helen began her President’s report, but we interrupted that to hear Dr. Richer make her second presentation, entitled The Increasing Risk of Neurodegenerative Disease Associated with Poor Water Quality. By this time, it was 1:30 PM here, but very dark o’clock in Shanghai. We were assured that Dr. Richer had a nap in between! Once again, her information was extremely interesting and punctuated with anecdotes and stories to illustrate this research.
Her slide shows three areas of her research, Saudi Arabia, Lake Erie (Michigan) and the Shanghai area.
Simply put, chemicals from water pollutants, including fertilizer run-off “bloom” in the shallow warm waters of these water bodies. They had even found toxins in the ground (dirt, sand), that came about during photosynthesis. The result has been increased rates of diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s on the downwind sides of even Lake Erie. Fish also accumulate the toxins, and in turn are eaten by humans. She reported that two times the rate of soldiers deployed during the Gulf War exhibited ALS. In drought areas, the people collect ground water and save it, using it later – accumulating the toxins in their bodies. One story revealed that she and her daughter had taken their dog out for a walk, after a rainfall, and he lapped the water in a puddle – yes, he had to be rushed to a vet! (He had been contaminated but survived, happily.)
In a question about the Hajib, she replied that the traditional dress of Islamic women (and men as well) helps reduce the exposure to inhalation of these toxins in the air.
The lesson: Pay attention to your water quality.
Her slide shows three areas of her research, Saudi Arabia, Lake Erie (Michigan) and the Shanghai area.
Simply put, chemicals from water pollutants, including fertilizer run-off “bloom” in the shallow warm waters of these water bodies. They had even found toxins in the ground (dirt, sand), that came about during photosynthesis. The result has been increased rates of diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s on the downwind sides of even Lake Erie. Fish also accumulate the toxins, and in turn are eaten by humans. She reported that two times the rate of soldiers deployed during the Gulf War exhibited ALS. In drought areas, the people collect ground water and save it, using it later – accumulating the toxins in their bodies. One story revealed that she and her daughter had taken their dog out for a walk, after a rainfall, and he lapped the water in a puddle – yes, he had to be rushed to a vet! (He had been contaminated but survived, happily.)
In a question about the Hajib, she replied that the traditional dress of Islamic women (and men as well) helps reduce the exposure to inhalation of these toxins in the air.
The lesson: Pay attention to your water quality.
The AGM
After we said our thanks and farewells to Dr. Richer, we resumed the AGM.
Helen completed her President’s report. CLICK HERE TO LINK TO HER REPORT.
Orrie gave her Financial report, reminding us that our 2024 – 2025 chapter fees were due by June 15th and a reminder that $2000 was available for members to attend the International Convention in Maryland this summer.
Helen wrapped up with her Membership report. CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THIS REPORT. She also reminded us that we are in need of a Membership person to keep track of the membership lists, basically.
For all other reports, check the minutes of the AGM, ask your Chapter President.
Helen completed her President’s report. CLICK HERE TO LINK TO HER REPORT.
Orrie gave her Financial report, reminding us that our 2024 – 2025 chapter fees were due by June 15th and a reminder that $2000 was available for members to attend the International Convention in Maryland this summer.
Helen wrapped up with her Membership report. CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THIS REPORT. She also reminded us that we are in need of a Membership person to keep track of the membership lists, basically.
For all other reports, check the minutes of the AGM, ask your Chapter President.
Karin presented a Celebration of Life for Loretta Greenough, a Fraser Shores member who we lost this past year.
Karin presented a Celebration of Life for Loretta Greenough, a Fraser Shores member who we lost this past year.
Helen presented Miz of the Vancouver Chapter her 50 year Membership pin.
The Raffle Baskets were won by Del (the Vancouver Basket), Helen (the Fraser Shores basket), Frances (the SVI basket), and Norma (another Vancouver basket).
Door prizes were won by Joan, Del, Jessica, Miz, Orrie, and Lennor.
Helen gave a final thanks to all who attended, her Executive Board for their service, and to the committee who put together this wonderful program today.
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