The highlight of the December meeting of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was the surprise presentation of the Beta Rho Achievement Award. Committee chair Mary Ann Cunningham praised the work and involvement of the recipient prior to announcing her name. Applause shook the walls of St. Mark’s Parish Hall in New Milford as the ladies stood in recognition of Jeanette Saulo, a retired consumer science teacher from the Susquehanna Community School District. In her ever present graciously, humble demeanor, Jeanette accepted the beautiful pin in recognition of her service and contributions. During her forty-three years of membership, Jeanette has served as chairman of many of the chapter committees including projects, newsletter, professional affairs, research and scholarship. She is the immediate past co-president of the chapter and is also the incoming chapter president for the next biennium, 2018-2020. She was asked by the state president to serve as the speaker and presented her “DKG Journey” at the Celebration Luncheon at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College during the 2016 state convention.
Jeanette Saulo, far left, was presented with the Beta Rho Chapter’s Achievement Award at the recent chapter meeting in New Milford. With Jeanette is Mary Ann Cunningham, committee chair and Janet Small serving with Mary Ann on the committee. The award is given each biennium to recognize and honor a member who has given distinguished and outstanding service to the Beta Rho Chapter and has promoted the purposes and policies of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Prior to the meeting and program, members enjoyed refreshments and conversation. President Dr. Nancy Simon called the business meeting to order and honorary member Barbara L. Kelly led the flag salute and the reading of the collect after which the Achievement Award was presented. In order for members to understand the responsibilities of the membership committee, chairman Pat Carpenter, Gail Franko and Donna Biglin presented an overview of the committee’s work. During the Personal Growth and Services “Toot Your Own Horn” report it was announced that member Cathy Escandel would turn 97 on December 23rd and members were encouraged to send cards to her at Gracious Living.
The committee reports began with Pat Arnold calling attention to the “Fill a Bag for Kids” project, donated by members. The forty bags collected were taken to the Women’s Resource Centers in Montrose and Tunkhannock to be given to children who are displaced from their homes with a parent. World Fellowship chairman Marsha Eaton reminded members to write to or send small gifts to the three women studying in Pennsylvania. These brave women have come to further their education, one from Vietnam and two from Pakistan.
Nominations chair Gail Franko presented the proposed list of elected officers for the 2018-2020 chapter biennium: Jeanette Saulo, president; Susan Lee, first vice president; Pat Carpenter, second vice president; Barbara Davis; recording secretary; and Kathy Fuller, corresponding secretary. Proposed appointed positions are Sheri Wolfe, treasurer and Carol Goodman, parliamentarian. The slate of officers will be voted on in March and those elected will be installed at the May meeting.
Other committees presented the following reminders and reports: state scholarship and enrichment grant deadline is February 1, 2018, and Album of Distinction nominees are due March 1, 2018; DKG Girl Scout Patch committee is working on a checklist of guidelines and will contact troops in the counties served by Beta Rho Chapter. A total of $200.00 was collected for the International Emergency Fun which provides funds for members who have suffered emergencies from recent hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.
The next Beta Rho Chapter meeting will be at the Mountain View Elementary School in Kingsley on Saturday, March 3, 2018. The program will be presented by member Heather Dunn focusing on technology and how it relates to DKG. Members were encouraged to attend other upcoming events beyond the chapter level which includes the PA State Organization Leadership and Professional Development Seminar on April 13-14, 2018, at the Penn Stater; the Alpha Alpha State Convention is June 15-17, 2018, at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College and the International Convention in Austin, Texas on July 16-20, 2018, which is the home of the International Headquarters of the Society.
The meeting was adjourned and then the membership was treated to a lovely Christmas concert by the Chimette Choir of Mountain View directed by elementary vocal music teacher Molly Birosak.
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.
