April, 2005

Beta Gamma Chapter

Skinner: Issue 4

For Key Women Educators

Delta Kappa Gamma Inspirational Program Set For April 16

Our own Psi State executive secretary, Malissa Cox, will bring an inspirational program about our organization at the next meeting of Beta Gamma chapter on Saturday, April 16, 2005. The meeting will be held in the fellowship hall of the Manchester United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Malissa has served as Psi States executive secretary for a number of years. In addition to being knowledgeable, Malissa is also very personable. Our program will be one that will reach out to everyone both those who have had a long association with DKG and those who have joined more recently. Newer members will benefit by learning more about our organization, and veteran members will be able to renew their commitment to it. Manchester members will be hostesses for our meeting, and the cost of the meal is $10. Your contact person will be calling you to get your reservation for lunch. Please be sure to inform her whether or not you are planning to eat. Contact hostesses are asked to call in counts to Beverly Wadsworth by Wednesday, April 13, 2005. Committee chairmen: Please remember to bring your table place card so that your committee members may sit together.

Nomination Forms For New Members To Be Submitted At April Meeting

Do you remember receiving your invitation to join The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International? Remember how thrilled and humbled you felt at being recognized as a key woman educator? Remember your initiation ceremony, being informed of the seven purposes of the society, taking the commitment pledge, receiving your rose, writing your name in the membership book, and listening to the DKG song for the first time? Remember special times of fellowship? Remember the hospitality shown by members who have opened their homes for meetings and by others who have acted as gracious hostesses for meetings? Remember special programs some that were reflective, some that were entertaining, some that were informative, others that required involvement? You can invite other deserving women to join our chapter so that they can be recognized for being key women educators, they can begin serving our society, and they can begin accumulating these wonderful memories as well. Bring your completed nomination forms to the April meeting so that they may be submitted to state for approval. Nomination forms and qualifications for membership were included in the February newsletter. Additional forms will be available at the meeting.

THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT

To promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

The Beta Gamma Website can be accessed

by www.meriwether.ga.us/betagamma/index.html or through International at www.deltakappagamma.org, then clicking on Links then Chapter Websites. Scroll down the list which is in alphabetical order by states.

Vote Taken At Convention

Sell Boylston House

Two proposals regarding the Boylston House were presented at the Psi State Convention on March 19. The first proposal to keep the house by assessing each member an annual fee failed to pass. The second proposal was that the house be sold and the proceeds used to establish an educational fund; it passed. Since the house will be sold, Beta Gamma chapter will need to entertain a motion at our April meeting regarding our previous vote to support the house by a $5 per member contribution.

Red Roses For Retirees

Several of our members will be retiring from teaching this spring. They have been of great service to their students, schools, and communities, and they continue to be vital members of Beta Gamma chapter. Lets cheer each of these as they graduate into retirement.

Noteworthy News
This column is devoted to sharing information about our members, celebrating their joys and achievements and sorrowing with them in their difficulties and grief. Bay Porter fell recently and broke her hip. Sue Geer recently had surgery on her neck. Her granddaughter was hospitalized recently as well. Melanie Williams has a new little one Amanda Grace. Bethany Lucas has great expectations! Monty Strickland has been named a teacher in the REACH program in Coweta County. She currently works with gifted students at Grantville Elementary and at Newnan Crossing Elementary. Lynn Skinners mother and sister have had extended hospital stays recently. Lynn was recently named Teacher of the Year at East Coweta High School. Bill Atkins, Yvonnes husband, was selected to coach the South All-Stars Class AA basketball team. Bill also took his Greenville High Patriots basketball team to state, winning second place in state in his division. Keep Marilu Goolsby and Patricia Yeager and our other reserve members in your thoughts and prayers.

Yvonne Atkins (and her husband Bill)

Sherrill Darby

Janet Fowler

Sue Geer

Lisa Tuttle If you know of others who are retiring, please let Lynn Skinner know by phone at 770-2548657 or by email at [email protected].

Did You Know . . .

o Our society was founded in 1929 in Austin, Texas, with 12 founding members. o One of those founders, Mamie Sue Bastian, helped get chapters started in Georgia, establishing Psi State in 1936. o Georgia was the 23rd state to be organized. o Psi States first chapter was begun in Atlanta and had 12 founding members.

Beta Gamma Represented, Recognized At State Convention

Beta Gamma was one of approximately 25 chapters were asked to create a vignette for a table decoration for the hat-and-gloves birthday luncheon at the Psi State Convention, held March 18-20, 2005, at Lake Blackshear. Beta Gammas table featured an old-fashioned southern garden theme. After the luncheon, a number of awards and recognitions were made. Beta Gamma received a communications award, again being recognized for its Creation and Maintenance of a Chapter Website. The initiation of founders of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society was recreated at as part of the luncheon festivities. Members of Omicron chapter created and wore outfits to replicate those worn by founding members of the society. The reenactment of the very first initiation ceremony was impressive and dignified. Did you know that the honor society originally was named Kappa Gamma Delta and annual dues were $3? Omicron chapter also created a display in the lobby area about the founders, with a framed picture of each woman alongside a china doll dressed in the outfit depicted in the picture. Gloria Beinstock, a member of Omicron chapter and a previous state president, was the recipient of the Psi State Achievement Award, and for the first time ever witnessed by those assembled, Gloria was speechless. A sand covered table backed by a beautiful painting of an ocean vista was on display in the lobby area. Imprinted on the sand were footprints. Sand dollars, each with the name of a deceased Psi State member, were placed on the beach. Our own Mary Braddy was recognized in this way. Each chapter was encouraged to take the sand dollars for their members. Marys will be at our April meeting. Prior to the banquet on Saturday night, a new slate of state officers was installed in an impressive ceremony. Dr. Hanna Fowler is now our new Psi State president. She is a charming woman, and we have a lot to look forward to in her biennium. As the banquet began, each chapter president was announced and marched in bearing her chapters flag. Lynn Skinner felt privileged to represent Beta Gamma chapter in this way. In addition to business meetings, participants could chose two of the six workshops offered: The ABCs of DKG; Put a Little Music in Your Chapter; Go for the Green; What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life; Travel Wise Economize; Mentoring Matters in Georgia; and Whats So Great About You. The friends, fellowship, food, and learning opportunities were great! Make plans to get involved in DKG beyond the chapter level. The next opportunity to do so is the Southeast Regional conference, scheduled for July 20-23, 2005, in Williamsburg, Virginia.