November The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Texas State Organization, Area VII No. 187

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1 November 2013 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Volume 48 Issue 4 Eta Tau Chapter Austin, Texas November 2013 Texas State Organization, Area VII No. 187 International Theme: Sharing Our Vision Strengthening Our Society State Theme: Expand the Vision: Educate, Inspire, Encourage Editor: Jean Fajkus jfajkus@earthlink.net The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Vision statement: Leading women educators impacting education worldwide. Next meeting: November 18, 2013 at St. John s United Methodist Church PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Hello Eta Tau Sisters, A big thank you to all of you who participated in the October meeting, making the ornaments for the recipients of Loaves and Fishes. I know the ornaments will be greatly appreciated and cheer someone s day. We had a great time even though we were not without a few casualties (wire pokes). Thank you, Pat, for getting those delivered for us. Our next meeting is always one of our most popular. The silent auction is always a big hit and our biggest fund raiser. Please be sure to come and bring anything you think your fellow Eta Tau sisters would enjoy. Some of the most popular items are baked goods, casseroles that can be frozen for later use, gift items, and holiday crafts. But please do not feel limited by these suggestions. Let your imagination go wild. Also, do not forget your checkbook. I am looking forward to seeing you all on the 18 th. See you soon, Pollye

2 Attendance Goal When: November 18, :45 PM Where: St. John s United Methodist Church 5908 Wynona Austin, Texas Help us meet our goal of 50% at the chapter meetings. Call a friend and carpool to the meeting! See you there! Program: Silent Auction Hostesses: Emily Farnsworth, Mary Wallace, LaVonne Rogers Door Prizes: none, due to Silent Auction Inspiration: Mary Kay Wendel Attendance Our Goal is 50% Members Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. For the November meeting: Program Silent Auction Bring your tasty treats, handmade items, holiday decorations, etc. to be auctioned. And bring cash or checkbook, too, so you can take home some fun items for yourself! We will be collecting money or gift cards for CASA in October and November. (See additional details regarding dues and gift cards in this newsletter.) Don t forget to bring your used books to the chapter meetings. The chapter is selling paperbacks for 50 cents and hardbacks for $1. Directions: From Mopac: Take the Northland Drive Exit (also 2222). Go east on Northland Drive. Northland Drive is also Allandale. Turn left on Wynona Drive. Wynona Drive is 1 block west of Burnet Road.

3 Roses to.. Lois Mayes, Wilda Scott, and Mary Wallace for hostessing the October meeting. Janie Knolle for the straightforward inspiration at the October meeting. Pat Guthneck and Donna Slathar for providing the door prizes for the October meeting. Laura Packard for providing a creative and enjoyable activity for our October meeting. Mary Wallace for all her hard work on the yearbook and great efforts getting it out on time. All Eta Tau members who participated in the Annie Calling program and reached out to former members. Eta Tau members for exceeding our commitment to CASA with the gift cards. Membership News Janie Knolle has a new grandson! Baker James Knolle was born November 4. Stats: 9 lbs., 22 inches long. Janie reports that his big brother, Brady, is concerned because he cannot feed Baker some of his M&Ms. Eta Tau members continue to keep Pollye Hofstedt and her family in our thoughts and prayers. Pollye s father has lung cancer and is in hospice care. Please send your news to jfajkus@earthlink.net. Eta Tau members love to hear about others travel adventures, stories of grandchildren and family, professional news, and anything else you d like to share. Membership Remember that Delta Kappa Gamma is now open to all women educators, active and retired, regardless of the number of years they have been teaching or have been retired. Members can be invited at any time during the year. Note: Eta Tau has voted to reduce dues for new members to half price for the first year. Please submit names of prospective members to Jan Raby, Membership Chair. Happy Birthday to No Eta Tau birthdays this month

4 Eta Tau Book Club There will be only one selection for Eta Tau s Book Club this year To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This classic novel has so much to discuss that 10 or 15 minutes wouldn't do it justice. Also, the movie is so true to the book that those who don't want to read it can watch the movie instead. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells of two children in Alabama and how a series of events shook their innocence and taught them about human nature. Lee tells a page turning story in a wonderful, Southern voice. It is widely considered to be a must-read American classic. Eta Tau Traveling Angel At the September meeting, Jan Raby presented the Eta Tau Traveling Angel to Cathy Harris for her continued work in keeping Eta Tau s finances in order. Congratulations, Cathy! Our current service project is donating gift cards to CASA to be given to the older children in their program for Christmas. We will be collecting money and/or cards at the October and November meetings. CASA has requested $30 gift cards. Members can bring money which will be pooled to purchase gift cards, or members can purchase gift cards on their own. Preferred stores are Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy. Delta Kappa Gamma websites: Lone Star News is available online at DKG Travel Program If you love to travel, check out the TSO website to learn about the Road Scholar Travel Adventure Program sponsored by ASTEF. FYI: The Texas Conference for Women will be held November 19 th at the Austin Convention Center.

5 Back to the beginning. It was late afternoon of a balmy spring day May 11, 1929 when a few friends of Dr. Annie Webb Blanton gathered at 2610 Whitis Avenue in Austin, Texas. The large two-story, red brick house with its Victorian cupolas was listed in the telephone directory as the University Faculty Women s Club. Great oaks shaded the veranda where Dr. Blanton greeted her Austin friends and those who had come by train to help her found Kappa Gamma Delta, later to be renamed The Delta Kappa Gamma Society. The founding group of twelve women educators represented a cross-section of the teaching profession a grade-school teacher, a dean of women, three high school teachers, three elementary school principals, and four college professors. The founding of the society was the culmination of several years of dreaming and planning. Ideas for the structure of the organization, its purposes and procedures had been evolving gradually. Letter after letter from Dr. Blanton to the prospective Founders carried drafts of the Constitution and Ritual to be scrutinized and criticized. Frequent meetings of the Austin women, especially those who lived at the Faculty Women s Club, brought modifications and refinements. By the lengthy process of conferences and correspondence, many differences of opinion had been resolved among the twelve Founders before May ll. The financial aspects of the Society had to be determined. There were committees to be appointed and duties to define. The symbolism and the insignia were to be discussed. The official song seemed to be the one finished product in readiness. Mrs. Martin had somewhat rephrased Dr. Blanton s lyric so that it could be sung to the tune Men of Harlech. The Founders were well aware of the criticism that might be leveled at this new Society. Not only men, but also many women, opposed women s organizations. The suffrage movement had stirred strong reactions that could not be ignored. Within the teaching profession, discrimination was the rule rather than the exception. The practice was general that as soon as a woman teacher married, she was dropped from the staff. The few scholarships granted by colleges usually went to men. In university faculties, as in public schools, efficient qualified women educators were denied promotions. They were rarely elected to office or boards of professional organizations. These conditions combined to influence the purposes of the Society, the qualifications for membership and the manner in which Kappa Gamma Delta was developed. Patiently, meticulously, the Founders worked through the mass of details. Dr. Blanton was authorized to secure drawing for a fraternity key to be submitted to others for their choice. They adopted the colors of crimson and gold. It had been a strenuous and important business meeting which had stretched into the early morning hour. But, by adjournment time, the pattern had been drawn for a Society unique in the annals of organizations and destined to become the largest of its kind in the world. (Adapted from information on DKG website several years ago) Upcoming Events for Mark your calendars. October 21 Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church November 1 deadline for submitting articles for Lone Star News (see info in August 2013 newsletter) November 18 Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church January 13 Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church February 1 deadline for submitting articles for Lone Star News February 17 - Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church March 17 - Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church April 1 deadline for submitting articles for Lone Star News April 21 - Eta Tau Chapter Meeting St. John s United Methodist Church June th Texas State Convention Lubbock, Texas July 28-August 1 International Convention Indianapolis, Indiana Chapter Officers President: Pollye Hofstedt First Vice-President: Laura Packard Second Vice-President: Jan Raby Secretary: Janie Knolle Parliamentarian: Lola Carter Treasurer: Cathy Harris Past President: Donna Slathar Send your Eta Tau committee reports and membership news to Jean Fajkus. The deadline for the January newsletter is January 2, jfajkus@earthlink.net

6 Draft Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Eta Tau Chapter Minutes October 21, 2013 The October meeting was held at St John s United Methodist Church. Hostesses for the meeting were Lois Mayes, Wilda Scott and Mary Wallace. Program The chapter members enjoyed making wreath and candy cane Christmas ornaments which will be donated to Mobile Loaves and Fishes to be used during the holidays. Thanks to Laura Packard for organizing and directing the activity. Call to Order Pollye Hofstedt called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m. Fifteen members were present. Inspiration Janie Knolle gave the inspiration: Drug Problems, which described the kind of drug problems we had as children that are entirely different from the drug problems of youth today. Member News/Brag Bag Lois Mayes remembered Mildred Rucker, a charter member of Eta Tau Chapter, who died recently. She was the second president of Eta Tau and was instrumental in getting our chapter started off on a successful path. Laura reported that her granddaughter Becca is now sleeping through the night which delights her parents. She is no longer scared of men which makes her grandpa very happy. Lois Pendley is doing well and plans to come to our next meeting. Sandra Holt just finished as chairman of the Flower Show at Zilker Gardens and is looking forward to some rest. Marion Horowitz who has visited our chapter several times has been hired as a full time tutor at Summitt Elementary. Lola Carter s granddaughter, Dainique, is a freshman at Cedar Ridge High School and will be dancing in the school s performance of Rag Time in January The minutes were approved as printed in the newsletter. Approval of the Minutes Treasurer s Report Cathy Harris reported that only one member had not paid her dues at this time. The bank balance was $3,410. No correspondence has been received. Correspondence Committee Reports Program: Laura Packard reminded everyone that the Silent Auction will be next month. Members can bring whatever they want with food items always being a big hit. Our February and March meeting programs may be switched depending on Evelyn Barron s schedule. Laura also reported that as Area Coordinator she is enjoying visiting with chapters. Thus far she has visited four chapters and will visit two more in November. The Fall Workshop will be Saturday, September 13, 2014 in Elgin. Laura is looking for volunteers to lead workshops during this event. Also, Laura has 2013 Convention items for sale at great prices. The 2014 Convention will be June in Lubbock. Personal Growth and Services: Pat Guthneck and Donna Slathar delivered the much needed school supplies we collected to Breakthrough Austin. Tonight, 14 gift cards were collected for CASA which was well above our promise of eight cards. Yearbook: Everyone gave a big Thanks to Mary Wallace for organizing and ing the new yearbook to all members. Newsletter: Laura reminded members to send articles, poetry, book reviews, etc. for the newsletter to Jean Fajkus. Legislation/Professional Affairs: Lavonne Rogers reported that although we made many gains during the past legislative session, we as members of TRS are still facing the issue of how to fund health care. Also, the push by certain parties to move our pension plan from defined benefit to a defined contribution plan will certainly come up again during the next session. All issues are further complicated because there are many friends of TRS in the Legislature who will be retiring this year. Web Watcher: Donna Slathar asked everyone to check the TSO website to learn about the Road Scholar Travel Adventure Program sponsored by ASTEF. Also, The Texas Conference for Women will be held November 19 th at the Austin Convention Center. None was discussed. Unfinished Business New Business Annie Calling: Pollye Hofstedt asked members the results of their contacts with former members. Seven former members were contacted. Traveling Angel: Jan Raby presented the traveling angel to Cathy Harris for her continued work in keeping Eta Tau s finances in order. Adjournment of the Business Meeting Pollye Hofstedt adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Door prizes were provided by Donna Slathar and Pat Guthneck. Door Prizes Cathy Harris led the members in singing our song. Delta Kappa Gamma Song Respectfully submitted, Janie Knolle Secretary