Three new members from the Lackawanna Trail School District were initiated into the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International at the October meeting in Montrose. The initiates included Donna Biglin, special education teacher, Janeen Nieratko, retired music teacher, and Linda Zalewski, retired computer science teacher.
Co-president, Jeanette Saulo reported on the State Convention when Beta Rho member and past state president Rebecca Place was awarded the Alpha Alpha State Achievement Award. This is the highest honor bestowed on any DKG member at the state level. An album of photos was circulated among the membership which recorded the prestigious event. Members Mary Ann Cunningham and Kathy Fuller were awarded Enrichment Grants for travel at the convention as well.
Pictured (l-r) are Donna Biglin, Linda Zalewski, and Janeen Nieratlo
Chapter co-president Sheri Wolfe, conducted the business meeting. Items of business included reports on projects to raise money to encourage members to attend state, regional and international conventions. The membership committee presented two names for possible membership, which were approved. They will be initiated at the December 5th meeting. The nominations committee reported that the slate of officers for the 2016-2018 biennium is complete except for the corresponding secretary and will be voted on at the next meeting.
An overview of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) process for the chapter was reviewed. Members were asked to write two strengths and two weaknesses of the chapter. These will be compiled and used at the next meeting to develop the focus objectives and activities to achieve the objectives. Members were reminded that all members have a part in the development of the plan, which is projected to be completed over the next three meetings and submitted to the state in May, 2016. Webmaster Heather Dunn reported that the chapter website is now certified by international and is accessible as a link through the state website. Ann Marie Leber donated a lovely basket with handmade afghan items. Nancy Simon won the basket.
Just prior to dinner, a lovely candlelight initiation ceremony was conducted by membership chairman and second vice president, Dr. Nancy Simon, and her committee, Rachael Gilleran, Kathleen Hinkley and Ann Marie Leber. Each of the initiates was escorted to the presentation table by her sponsor where Dr. Simon, her membership committee and co-presidents, Jeanette Saulo and Sheri Wolfe conducted the initiation ceremony. The backdrop for the ceremony was the beautifully designed quilted banner of the symbols of the Society. The new initiates lit a red candle, signed the chapter register, and received their membership certificates and key pins. Their sponsor presented them with a lovely single red rose, which symbolizes friendship, loyalty and helpfulness—the work of each for all. The group sang “Symbols of Delta Kappa Gamma” and “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song” and welcomed each new member.
A delicious dinner was served in The Tea Room following the initiation. The hostess committee chaired by Rebecca Place prepared snacks prior to the meeting. Individual favors decorated the tables with an anonymous quote that Rebecca used when she received the Alpha Alpha State Achievement Award: “Care more than others think wise; risk more than others think safe; dream more than others think practical; expect more than others think possible.”
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 82, 000 members in seventeen different countries around the world. The Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
The Beta Rho Chapter is one of sixty-three chapters in Pennsylvania whose members are key women educators in Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties. The Society offers more leadership training opportunities for women educators than any other professional organization. These include scholarships for both active and retired members, stipends for educational projects, and online courses for professional growth.
The next Beta Rho Chapter meeting will be at MaZar’s Greenview Restaurant in Montrose on December 5th. The program will be “Discipline in the Classroom”, presented by member Carol Goodman. The International Convention will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, July 5-9th, 2016.