April/May 2013
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Volume 47 Issue 8
Eta Tau Chapter
Austin, Texas
Texas State Organization, Area VII
April 2013
No. 187
International Theme: Sharing Our Vision – Strengthening Our Society
State Theme: Explore the Possibilities: Let Our Vision Light the Way
Editor: Jean Fajkus
[email protected]
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.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.”
― Marcel Proust
“The sixties are like a theme park to them. They wear the costume, buy their tickets, and they have
the experience.”
― Douglas Coupland, Shampoo Planet
Hello Eta Tau Sisters,
As I was preparing to write my message this month I entered the word nostalgia to search for quotes on the
internet. Of the many quotes that came up, these two stood out. I am going to tell you why.
Eta Tau was founded in 1965. I was born in 1964. I remember some things from when I was little in the
1960’s. However, in all honesty, how much attention do small children pay to their surroundings? The 1970’s are
more prominent in my memory. So what is my point? As we gain more members and lose some of our original
members the memories of our chapter will begin to fade. It is true that as we grow we are making new memories as
the years go by, but I also believe it is important that we preserve our chapter heritage. I want to preserve our
heritage and I don’t even know the entire story. However, I am secure in the knowledge that it is preserved in our
archives. That is why we have the archives, so future members can ensure our chapter heritage is preserved and our
future Founders’ Day Birthday Celebration will hopefully not become a costume party in the year 2065.
I hope to see everyone at our chapter Birthday Celebration this month. We will again be at the beautiful
International Headquarters, no hat or gloves required.
Our service project collection this month is shower totes for Breakthrough Austin. We are also collecting
school supplies for the unifying project for the state convention. Anything you can bring will be greatly appreciated.
th
See you on the 15
Pollye
Attendance Goal
When: April 15, 2013 7:00 PM
Where: Delta Kappa Gamma International Headquarters
416 W. 12th St.
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: Eta Tau Birthday Party
Presentation of chapter awards
Hostesses: Mary Wallace, Laura Packard,
Pat Guthneck
Attendance
Our Goal is 50%
70
60
68
64
68
63
53
Sept.
50
Oct.
40
Nov.
30
Jan.
20
Door Prizes: Jan Raby, Murphy McBride
Aug.
63
57
Feb.
10
Mar.
0
Members
Apr.
Inspiration: Pat Guthneck
Attendance at our March meeting was 53%. We’ve met our 50% attendance goal at every
meeting this year! Congratulations, Eta Tau!
For the April meeting:
Program: Be sure to be there to celebrate Eta Tau’s 48th birthday! And you don’t want to miss
the presentation of our annual chapter awards.
Service Project: We will be collecting shower totes for Breakthrough Austin. They load these
up with supplies to present to their graduating seniors.
Directions: From Mopac: Take the Enfield exit and go east on Enfield. Enfield turns into 15 th
street. Turn right on San Antonio Street and then right on West 12 th. International Headquarters
will be on your left.
Roses to…..
Emily Farnsworth and Donna Slathar…for providing the yummy treats at the March meeting.
Donna Slathar... for providing the door prizes at the March meeting.
Pollye Hofstedt…for presenting the inspiration at the March meeting.
Janie Knolle…for keeping up-to-the-minute minutes.
Cathy Harris, Janie Knolle, Laura Packard, and Donna Slathar…for attending the March Executive Board
meeting.
Laura Packard…for guiding us through the convention registration maze.
Donna Slathar…for making sure all the Founders’ Day Brunch invitations got out on time.
All Eta Tau members…for their generous giving to our service projects, BookSpring and BreakThrough Austin.
Jan Raby…for compiling the membership forms.
All Eta Tau sisters…for their January and February contributions to BookSpring.
Membership News
Please send your news to [email protected] . 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.
Happy Birthday to…
Laura Packard – April 21
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.
Don’t forget to bring your used books to the chapter meetings. The chapter is
selling paperbacks for 50 cents and hardbacks for $1.
Eta Tau Traveling Angel
At the March meeting, Janie Knolle presented the Eta Tau Traveling Angel to Donna Slathar for her
unselfish work for the chapter. In addition to serving as a chapter officer and committee chairman, she is
always willing to take on extra duties and completes the jobs to perfection. Congratulations, Donna!
Alpha State Convention: Information regarding speakers, the Unifying Project, convention schedule,
registration form, and other news about the convention to be held in Austin in June can be found in the
Lone Star News.
Lone Star News is available online at www.alphastatetexas.org.
Delta Kappa Gamma websites:
www.orgsites.com/tx/etatau
www.alphastatetexas.org
www.dkg.org
Upcoming Events…..Mark your calendars.
April 15 - Eta Tau Chapter Meeting – Delta Kappa Gamma International Headquarters
May 4 – Founders Day Celebration Brunch
June 20-22 – 84th Texas State Convention - Renaissance Hotel, Austin, Texas
July 17-20 – Southwest Regional Conference – Branson, Missouri
Founders’ day Brunch
Date: May 4, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Embassy Suites Central Austin
Tickets will be $25. Checks should be made out to Eta Tau and given to Cathy Harris as soon as
possible. Eta Tau is in charge of invitations, flowers, place cards for the honors table and the
processional.
***See attached flyer for more information.
Focus on our Founders:
Ruby Cole b. December 2, 1885, Navasota, TX; d. November 20, 1940, San Antonio. In 1929 she was an
elementary principal in San Antonio. She was the first Second Vice President of Delta Kappa Gamma. She
assisted Dr. Blanton in organizing Beta Chapter in San Antonio.
Lela Lee Williams b. July 20, 1883, Wills Point, TX; d. February 18, 1974, Kenedy, TX. In 1929 she was Director of
Auditorium Activities in the elementary schools of Dallas. She was the first Recording Secretary of Delta Kappa
Gamma. She, Dr. Blanton, and Cora Martin installed Epsilon Chapter in Dallas. Her teaching career in Dallas spanned
1908 to 1953. In 1917 she was the first classroom teacher and second woman to be elected president of TSTA. She
received the International Achievement Award in 1967.
-Information from brochure by Alpha Chapter, March 1996, revised August 1996, Research by Jane Garner, Chair, Alpha Chapter Archives
Committee
TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN AUSTIN
(From Lone Star News, Spring 2013)
Barton Springs
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Texas State Capitol
4. Warehouse and Sixth Street Entertainment Districts
5. Congress Avenue Bats
6. Highland Lakes
7. Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail
8. SoCo
9. Harry Ransom Center
10. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library
1.
2.
3.
FROM WATCHING THE MOON
I TURNED
AND MY FRIENDLY OLD
SHADOW LED ME HOME.
-SHIKI
THINKING COMFORTABLE
THOUGHTS
WITH A FRIEND IN SILENCE
IN THE COOL EVENING…
-HYAKUCHI
(from Haiku Harvest)
Chapter Officers 2012-2014
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 August
newsletter is August 1, 2013.
[email protected]
Delta Kappa Gamma Founders Day Brunch May 4, 2013, 10:00
Location: Embassy Suites. Central Austin
Longhorn and Colorado Ballroom
5901 N IH 35
Austin, TX 78723
Program Highlights:
Tribute to founders
Guest Speaker: Mary Gordon Spence
Outstanding Educator Presentation
Menu:
Assorted Breakfast Bakeries To Include:
Fresh Baked Muffins and Plain Croissants
Sweet Cream Butter and Jams
Vegetable Strada (Crust less Quiche)
Pan fried Potatoes with Onions and Bell Peppers
Grilled Tomato or Fresh Fruit and Berries
House Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea
Tickets: $25
Directions to hotel:
From IH-35 South (San Antonio Area):
Northbound on IH-35, take exit 238-A, (also known as RM 2222), and stay on the access road going north. Hotel is
on right North of Capital Plaza Shopping Center.
From IH-35 North (Dallas Area):
Southbound on IH-35, take exit 238-A, (also known as Hwy 290 East/RM 2222 toward Houston) and stay in the right
lane of the exit ramp heading toward RM 2222W. Go through the lights at Hwy 290 East and RM 2222 and stay in
the left lane of the IH-35 South access road. Take the 51st Street turnaround. Then head North on the access road of
IH-35 past Capital Plaza Shopping Center. The hotel is on the right just North of Capital Plaza.
From 290 East (Houston Area):
Westbound on Hwy 290, exit IH-35 North to Waco and remain in left lane. Go under IH-35 and make a left onto the
access road of IH-35 South. Stay in the left lane and take the 51st Street turnaround. Head North on the access road of
IH-35. The hotel is on the right just North of Capital Plaza Shopping Center.
Draft
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Eta Tau Chapter Minutes
March 18, 2013
The March meeting of Eta Tau Chapter was held at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Hostesses for the meeting were Emily Farnsworth and Donna Slathar.
Program
The program, Convention Countdown, was led by Laura Packard. She discussed all aspects of the Convention including: volunteer activities, guest speakers,
program opportunities and luncheon/dinner meetings at the upcoming Alpha State Convention. She asked members to bring their completed registration forms
and checks to the April meeting if they want to sit together at the Birthday Luncheon. The TSO is partnering with Hands on Central Texas to gather school
supplies for early childhood and middle school students in Central Texas as the Unifying Project for 2013. Lists of needed supplies can be found on the TSO web
site.
Call to Order
Pollye Hofstedt called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm. Ten members and two guests were present.
Inspiration
Pollye Hofstedt gave the inspiration – A Stress Free Life.
Introduction of Special Guests
We welcomed Mary Kay Wendel, teacher at Summitt, and Marion Horowitz, retired teacher who is working part-time at Summitt, to our meeting.
Member News/Brag Bag
Lola Carter talked to former members, Martha Hodges and Vietta Fair, and invited them to come back to Eta Tau. Jan Raby is ill this evening. Pat Guthneck had
a conflict with a church meeting tonight. LaVonne Rogers is attending an important meeting at the Legislature. Margaret Eisenbeck is in Tennessee attending
her son’s wedding. Laura Packard has a new granddaughter, Rebecca Elise. Her big brother, Aiden, is recovering from scarlet fever. Also, Laura was selling $10
raffle tickets to support the Children’s Advocacy Center. Mary Wallace shared pictures of her recent visit with her son, his wife and granddaughter, Avery. Lola
Carter shared pictures of her granddaughter, Dainique, performing in the Martin Luther King Parade. Cathy Harris’s oldest grandson, Paden, just deployed to
South Korea.
Approval of the Minutes
The February minutes were approved as printed in the Newsletter.
Treasurer’s Report
Cathy Harris reported a bank balance of $3,300.21.
Committee Reports
Membership – no report given.
Correspondence – Joan Hester, Area Coordinator, sent an email asking that we submit names of members who qualify for the Members In Print Award so they
can be recognized at Convention.
Program - Our next program will be Eta Tau’s birthday celebration at International Headquarters in April.
Personal Growth and Services – Members were asked to bring shower caddies to the April meeting for students in Breakthrough Austin. Hobby Lobby and
Dollar Tree have the caddies at a reasonable price.
Legislation – Members were reminded of the TRTA Rally at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 20th. Wear red and plan to meet with your legislators to discuss
concerns of retired teachers.
Web Watcher – Donna Slathar reminded members that the Convention Newsletter is on the website and the Spring Lone Star News has been mailed to all DKG
members. Also, the Texas Historical Commission has recognized Annie Webb Blanton for her significant role in Texas history with a historical marker.
Unfinished Business
None
New Business
Chapter Donations – After discussion members decided to make the following donations to State and International Funds: Emergency Fund - $25; Educational
Foundation - $10; Scholarship Fund - $19; and Leadership Seminar - $20. Mary Wallace made the motion and it was approved by members.
2013 Convention Business – Eta Tau needs to donate a gift card for the Area VII raffle basket at the Convention. Lois Mayes moved that we purchase a $20 gift
card from Walmart using chapter funds. The motion was passed.
Achievement Award – Donna Slathar distributed the list of previous Chapter Achievement Award recipients and the ballots so members could choose the 2013
winner. She will also send ballots to members who are absent so they will have a chance to vote.
Traveling Angel – Janie Knolle gave the traveling angel to Donna Slathar for her unselfish work for the chapter. In addition to serving as a chapter officer and
committee chairman, she is always willing to take on extra duties and completes the jobs to perfection.
Adjournment of the Meeting
Pollye Hofstedt adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.
Door Prizes
Door prizes were provided by Donna Slathar and Pat Guthneck.
Delta Kappa Gamma Song
Cathy Harris led members in the singing of our song.
Respectfully submitted,
Janie Knolle
Secretary