Who We Are
Our Values: Faith, Compassionate Caring, Collaboration
IOKDS on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution since 1920
Our History
- Founded January 13, 1886, in the New York City home of Margaret Bottome along with her ten friends.
- Vision: Caring for all God’s children
- The silver Maltese cross was chosen as a badge. Those who could not procure a cross pin wore a purple ribbon to proclaim their membership.
2024-2025 International Board
President: Sandy Pace, Virginia
Vice President: Cathy Duncan, New York
Secretary: Norma Stack, Missouri
Treasurer: Wanda DeLee, Mississippi
Around the World Director: Linda Hilmer, Indiana
Branch President Representative: Della Garrett, Virginia
Communications Director: Christine Bourgeous, Ontario
Health Careers Scholarship Director: Lori Frank, Arkansas (Board Member 2024 – 2025)
Native American Scholarship Director: Terry Pearson, Tennessee (Officer – potential future Board Member)
Student Ministry Director: Gayle Templeton, Tennessee (Officer – potential future Board Member)
Past International President: Susan Kildow, Ohio
Parliamentarian: Phoebe McLelland, Ontario
Historian: Norma Stack, Missouri
*Note: All Board members, officers, and staff sign a Conflict of Interest certification form annually.
Branch Presidents
Organizational Structure
- At the International level, our membership totals around 1,600 members from North America. Our international headquarters have been located in western New York at the Chautauqua Institution on Lake Chautauqua, but due to the decline in membership numbers, we are in the process of dissolution (pending the outcome of a near future vote).
- If there are at least 50 members located in one state or province, the group is organized as a Branch.
- At the local level, a Circle is formed with a group of three or more members.
Mission:
We embody God’s love transforming lives of all kinds of people of all age and circumstance.
Several International Service Projects listed in center above will be discontinued in 2025.