Volume 41
Issue 4
February 2015
Iota Omega Chapter
Texas State Organization
Area 9
Chapter 240
Plano, Texas
THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
MISSION: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society of women
educators promoting professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education.
VISION: Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide
Editor: Linda Miska [email protected]
Associate Editor: JoAnn Brooks [email protected]
State President’s Theme 2013-2015
Expand the Vision: Educate, Inspire, Encourage
International Theme 2014-2016
85 Years and Beyond: Advancing Key Women Educators for Life
Happy Valentine’s Day
Date: Tuesday, February 10
Time: 5:00 p.m. Meet, Greet, and Eat
5:30 p.m. the meeting begins
Place: Robinson Middle School
Program: “Safety First for Women”
What to wear: red in honor of Women’s Heart Health
What to bring: used convention totes to give away
Hostesses: Susan Hayes*, Sherri Eppler, Kim Gregorash, Doris Johnson, Amy
Taylor, Rita Crow, Cecilia Hillman, Karen Beck, Diane Hughes
Door prizes: Sandy Kirk, Shelia Alvarez, Judy Mezick, JoAnn Brooks
If you didn’t sign up to bring a door prize, you may do so anyway. 1
A Message from the President
Happy New Year Iota Omega Sisters,
2014 has gone and 2015 has arrived. Where is the time going? I hope that 2015 has
been smooth sailing for you. I know one of you has water leaking in your slab, another is
recovering from knee surgery, and many of you traveled during the holidays. I just returned
from the snow covered east coast. It was extremely cold, but I arrived to Texas filled with
warm sunshine. I am so glad to be a Texan.
2015 brings to Iota Omega lots of opportunities. We look forward to many activities:
Picnic in the Park, Grants-in Aid scholarships, May brunch, and convention. The legislators are
back in Austin and this session will be very important for health insurance for teachers.
Please keep abreast as to what you can do to help.
The BIG news from state is that
International Convention will be held in Austin, Texas in 2017. More infomation will come on all
of these things.
I am looking forward to see you on February 10, at Robinson Middle School.
Loretta Garcia Williams
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Minutes of the November & December Meetings
November 11, 2014
Robinson Middle School Library
Agenda:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Loretta called the meeting to order at 5:20 PM and welcomed everyone.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Plano East Sr. High ROTC, instructed by Command Sergeant Major Michael Franklin,
presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Amanda Gorski led the singing of “God Bless
America.”
3. INVOCATION
Sue Stinson gave the invocation.
4. INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
Lynn Jorgensen presented the featured speaker, Lisa J. Yates. Mrs. Yates is a retired U.S.
Army lieutenant who attended college on an ROTC scholarship and majored in Spanish. She served
in the Army as a military intelligence officer in various places, including Central America and the
Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. After retirement from the military, Mrs. Yates became
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certified to teach Spanish and has been a teacher for the last 14 years. She is a DKG member and
current chapter president for Lambda Omicron Chapter in Copperas Cove, TX.
5. SPEAKER’S REMARKS
Lisa Yates spoke on her experiences as a Hispanic teenager growing up in New York. She
discussed influential teachers in her high school and college careers, and how the military provided
her with life skills and a drive to succeed, as well as how she met her husband through her military
experiences.
6. VETERANS DAY PRESENTATION
Amy Rhodes showed a PowerPoint visual presentation and reviewed the history of Veterans
Day. Fellow English teachers Linda Miska, Sue Stinson, and Treesia Brannon read aloud the poem,
“In Flanders’ Fields,” written during World War I by John McCrae. Another visual presentation was
shown of pictures and names of military veterans from Iota Omega members’ families. Members
received an American flag pin and a paper poppy made by disabled veterans from the American
Legion as remembrances of the services of our veterans throughout our nation’s history.
7. COMMITTEE WORK/BUSINESS MEETING
Loretta Williams had members break into small groups to discuss committee goals and
projects. She then called on chairwomen to give reports.
MEMBERSHIP: The membership committee planned to call members who have been absent from
recent meetings to encourage them to get re-involved.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Loretta asked for retired members to sign-up to volunteer to help new
teachers at Meadows Elementary on the first teacher workday back in January. She also requested
that members bring new children’s books to our December meeting to present to Meadows.
YEARBOOK: This year’s yearbooks were handed out and Judy Mezick was thanked for her hard
work on this year’s book.
BUDGET: Amanda Gorski and Jerry Cowan gave the budget report. There were questions and
discussion on the division of $680.00, changes to make to the community projects budget,
disbursements, reduction of the convention budget, covering yearbook expenses, pins, and
insurance. It was agreed that grants–in--aid money needs to remain in savings.
Linda Miska made a motion for the finance committee to look at reallocation of funds to “tweak”
the budget and for it to be presented in the newsletter and possibly voted on in December. It was
seconded and approved.
Beginning Balance (11/8/14):
$3,367.28
Operating Funds Available:
$1,301.06
Receipts:
$0.00
Expenditures:
$309.75
Ending Cash Balance:
$991.31
Savings Acct. Balance (for Grants-in-Aid): $6,252.49
PROGRAMS: Loretta reminded members about the next meeting, a holiday pajama party, on
December 11th at Linda Nelson’s house at 6:00 PM. Members are asked to bring a favorite
children’s book to the December meeting to donate to Meadows Elementary
8. REMARKS FROM AREA COORDINATOR
Michelle Grandinetti, Coordinator for Area 9, gave her congratulations on the Annie Award
that was presented to our chapter, and said she believed that we were on track for a PACE Award
because of all our ongoing activities. She reminded everyone to stay involved and be helpful.
9. ANNOUCEMENTS
 November birthdays were recognized and door prizes awarded.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 7:24 PM
Minutes taken by Amy Rhodes, Recording Secretary
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December 11, 2014
Linda Nelson’s Home, Plano, TX
Agenda:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Loretta called the meeting to order at 6:20 PM and welcomed everyone. She thanked
members who brought new children’s books for Meadows Elementary and those who wore
their winter pajamas and sleepwear in keeping with the theme of the party.
2. INVOCATION
Barbara Glassner gave the traditional invocation from the first night of Hanukkah
in Hebrew and English.
3. SPECIAL HOLIDAY PRESENTATION
Marilyn Brooks presented facts about the history and legacy of the beloved
Christmas story-poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” also known as “’Twas the Night
before Christmas.” She gave a reading of the original version, as well as the Cajun Night
before Christmas. Lynn Jorgensen read the Texas Night before Christmas and the
Teachers’ Night before Christmas.
Gloria Redwine presented facts about the date of December 25th.
4. SPECIAL HOLIDAY MUSIC
Kim Ahrens and Alex Morgan, choir teachers from Robinson Middle School, led the
members in a sing-along of favorite Christmas carols and songs.
Choir director Kim Ahrens is in her tenth year of teaching and comes from a Plano
ISD music family. Alex Morgan is the assistant choir director and is a second year
teacher.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS




There was no business discussed.
Loretta reminded everyone of the service project on January 5, 2015. Retired teacher
volunteers will go to Meadows Elementary to help teachers prepare for the new semester.
December birthdays were recognized and door prizes awarded.
Budget report carries over from November.
6. ADJOURNMENT – 7:20 PM
Minutes taken by Amy Rhodes, Recording Secretary
February is Women’s Heart Health Month
Do You Know the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?
1. Chest pain or discomfort 2. Pain in your arm(s), back or neck
3. Stomach pain 4. Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness
5. Sweating 6. Fatigue
Check WebMD.com for symptom specifics.
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Treasurer’s Report
Amanda Gorski, treasurer
November/December 2014
Beginning Cash Balance
Balance in checkbook on 11/8/2014
Less overage from 2012 May Brunch
Less 139.16 overage of Community Funds
Less assessments 54 members x $30
Operating Funds Available
Receipts
None
Total Receipts since 11/8/2014
$3367.28
$ 307.06
$ 139.16
$1620.00
$1301.06
$
0.00
Expenditures
Jo Ann Brooks – newsletter postage (2013/14)
Misplaced receipt
Lynette Jorgensen (gift for speaker) paid 11/3
Mu Mu Birthday celebration+janitor paid 11/3
Linda Miska – flowers B-day celebration paid 11/3
Donna Jenkins – reimbursement of prepaid dues 11/8
Lisa Yates – Guest Speaker paid 11/11
Total Expenditures since 10/30
Ending Cash Balance
***Savings Account Balance (Designated for Grants-in-Aid)
$ 16.35
$ 10.00
$ 73.60
$ 49.80
$ 110.00
$ 50.00
$309.75
$991.31
$6,252.49
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From the Membership Committee
Sheila Alvarez, chairman
The executive committee has not decided whether we will have an initiation
ceremony in April.
However, if you plan to nominate an outstanding
educator, there is form in the back of your yearbook. Nominations must
be presented at the February meeting to be considered for an April
initiation.
If you do not have a DKG pin, they are available from Award Concepts. Go to
www.awardconcepts.net/ greek and select “Delta Kappa Gamma.” Large pins are
$15.45 and small pins are $13.95
Magnetic badges are available from Iota Omicron, 42 Surrey, Iowa Park, TX 76367.
They are $13.00. Please include your name and chapter name as well as your mailing
address.
Don’t forget to wear your pin and badge to all of our meetings.
Please RSVP regrets only to Sheila Alvarez or Loretta Williams
if you cannot attend a meeting.
Are You Working on a Graduate Degree?
Consider Applying for a DKG Scholarship
http://www.alphastatetexas.org/scholarships.html Deadline-March 1
https://www.dkg.org/category/committee/scholarship Deadline - February 1
Look at the requirements now!
Applications for Grants in Aid are Coming Soon
If you know a young lady who is graduating from PSHS, PESH
or PWSH and who wants to major in education, have her
check with her school’s counseling office for an application.
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Message from Our Area 9 Coordinator
Michelle Grandinetti
How are SMART phones and chapter programs connected?
Time’s up.
Have you ever attended a meeting (not DKG), watched a TV program, read an
article, or just sat contemplating a topic and thought to yourself, “That would
make a great program”? Then, when you get to the chapter survey for future
program ideas, you can’t remember? Well, whip out that SMART phone, and
record that idea. When you get to the planning meeting, you will be SMART!
And speaking of programs, have you made reservations for the TSO convention
in San Antonio?
It will be sweet to see you there. (I just had to get Valentine’s Day in
somewhere.)
Have a very sweet February,
Michelle Grandinetti
Area 9 Coordinator
[email protected]
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Calling All Past Convention Totes
Do you have a DKG convention tote from past years in
your closet just sitting there feeling all neglected and
useless? Dust it off and give it a new life. This year the
convention committee has taken pity on the retired totes
of past DKG conventions. All returning convention
attendees are being asked to bring and use their
favorite totes of the past. But that leaves the new
convention goers without a tote. The committee is
collecting retired totes that are no longer being used.
These totes will be filled with information for the new
convention attendees. Bring your used totes to the
February or March meeting.
“Happy Birthday to You”
January/February Birthdays
January 6
January 10
January 23
January 29
Nancy Carr
Sherri Eppler
Diane Hughes
Karen Beck
February 11 Trish Always
February 12 Lou Smith
February 14 Linda Engelking
February 22 Jerry Cowan
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We’ve Got Talent Right Here in Iota Omega
The TSO Personal and Professional Enrichment Committee is looking for presenters for the
break-out sessions at the convention in San Antonio this June. There are three kinds of
presentations: CPE – Continuing Professional Education for teachers who need hours to renew
their certificates; PDI – Personal Development Interests; and SB Society Business. The
committee is particularly looking for technology sessions. There are 58 talented members in
Iota Omega, who could present a wonderful workshop.
The deadline for submitting proposals is March 15.
Look for more information at
http://www.alphastatetexas.org/enrichment.html
or contact chairman Cindy Neander at [email protected]
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Y’all Mark Your Calendars
Where will the 87th TSO Convention be held?
Right here in District 9
Embassy Suites
Frisco, Texas
June 23 - 25, 2016
Where will the 2017 International Convention be held?
Deep in the Heart of Texas
in Austin, TX
Home of DKG International
************************************************
News from the Legislative Committee
Linda Engelking, Chairman
This is the first article concerning priorities for education.
Did you know that Texas is the 50th state in nation in appropriations for public
educators’ benefits? This should be of concern to all active and retired teachers.
1. Establish a long-term quality and affordable health care plan for TRS Retirees.
TRS-Care is funded with a pay-as-you-go plan based on active teacher payroll instead
of medical costs: State (1 %), actives (.65%), school districts (.55%). Retirees,
currently 280K, have always paid the highest portion of costs, now 31%. With a
shortfall of $ 750 million, premiums could double for retirees. The current average
annuity for a retiree is $1981. We request funding of the statutory 1% plus a
supplemental $875 million.
2. Preserve the TRS Defined Benefit Plan: It provides financial stability and security
for retirees and is economical for the state and school districts. It is managed by
TRS investment professionals who account for the majority of gains by the pension,
not the contributions. Most TRS retirees, 95%, will not receive Social Security
annuities due to their employers opting out, so depend on this guaranteed pension.
One in four Texans is impacted by TRS Annuities: individuals, children, families.
3. Maintain state funding for TRS as defined in SB 1458: The pension fund became
actuarially sound because of this bill. This allowed about 2/3 retirees to receive a 3%
raise, their first permanent raise in 12 years.
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Are You a Webwatcher?
International Website
www.dkg.org
Texas Website
Chapter Website
www.alphastatetexas.org
www.iotaomegatxdkg.com
Check these web sites for legislative news:
Texas Retired Teachers Association
http://www.trta.org/index.cfm/legislation/legislative-updates
Also consider subscribing to Tim Lee’s “The Inside Line.”
http://www.trta.org/index.cfm/features/theinside-line/
Association of Texas Professional Educators
http://www.atpe.org/en/Advocacy/Issues/Legislative-Action-Network
Texas State Teachers Association
http://www.tsta.org/issues-action
League of Women Voters of Collin County
http://www.lwvcollin.org/
The Texas Senate
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/
The Texas House of Representatives
http://www.house.state.tx.us/
Texas Legislature Online
www.capitol.state.tx.us
Who Represents Me
www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us
Please Note
The web address of the Texas State Organization has
changed to
alphastatetexas.org
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News from ASTEF
ASTEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established to support and enhance charitable
activities of Texas State Organization (TSO), The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
All gifts to ASTEF are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
In the past year, ASTEF has:
• funded $56,000 in scholarships,
• financed $5,000 in competitive stipends for aspiring educators,
• provided leadership training for 32 professional educators,
• involved 943 women educators in a leadership event at state convention, an
• awarded $10,000 in project stipends to benefit Texas students and teachers.
How can members and chapters support ASTEF?

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
Contribute to ASTEF. Interactive contribution forms are available online. Contributions
may be made in honor or in memory of someone, and all individual contributions are tax
deductible.
Participate in ASTEF fundraising activities, such as cruises, Road Scholar programs, and
raffles.
Apply for a state scholarship; participate in leadership events sponsored by ASTEF; apply
for a chapter project stipend. The next application deadline is April 1, 2015.
If you would like to be on the mailing list please contact Shirley Owens –
[email protected] or go to www.astef.org
Iota Omega Mourns Loss of a Long-time Member
Mary Katherine Baxter, a 66 year member of Delta Kappa Gamma,
passed away on November 11, 2014. She was a teacher and administrator for
over 41 years in the Beaumont, TX Independent School District. She retired
from Beaumont as Director of Secondary Instruction and moved to Plano, TX
in 1983. During her career, Mary Katherine was proud of her involvement and leadership
roles with Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Kappa and the Texas State Teachers
Association. She was honored by Iota Omega at the beginning of her 65th year of
membership at our Founders’ Day Brunch. Never one to sit idle, Mary Katherine traveled
the world with her friends and younger sister. At home, she was generous of her time
serving others in multiple civic and social organizations. She was a member of the First
Methodist Church in Plano. She was an avid bridge player and loved to read. She worked
her crossword puzzles daily. She was an inspiration to so many and will be missed.
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Nov./Dec. Photo Gallery
The ROTC presents the
colors on Veterans Day.
Guest speaker Lisa Yates,
DKG member and Desert
Storm veteran, tells about
her experiences in the
armed services.
Mrs. Santa (Bernadette
Delgado) and her Elf on the
Shelf (Barbara Glassner)
Members in their pjs
ready for Santa to come.
Important Dates 2014-15
February 10
March 1
March 15
March 17
April 1
April 1
April 1
April 1
April 14
May 1
May 2
June 25-27
July 2-25
Chapter meeting at Robinson M.S.
Applications for TSO scholarship and Mini-grants
Convention Break-out Session Proposal due
Chapter meeting at Robinson M.S.
Annie award applications due
Contributions to state funds due
ASTEF Project applications due
Nominations for Members in Print due
Chapter meeting
PACE award applications due
Founders’ Day at the Hilton Garden Inn in Allen, TX
TSO convention in San Antonio
SW Regional convention in Wichita, KS
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2012-2014 Iota Omega Officers
2011-2013 Texas State Organization
Officers
President: Loretta Garcia Williams
First Vice-President: Lynn Jorgensen and
Sue Stinson
Second Vice-President: Sheila Alvarez
Recording Secretary: Amy Rhodes
Corresponding Secretary: Gloria Redwine
Treasurer: Amanda Gorski
Parliamentarian: Llinda Miska
President: Nancy Newton, Burleson, Area 10
1st Vice President: Sharon Daugherty, Abilene, Area 13
2nd Vice President: Shirl Hawes, Fulshear, Area 18
Recording Secretary: Natalie Eustace, Midland, Area 14
Corresponding Sec.: Dr. Jo Murphy, Oak Point, Area 16
Parliamentarian: Andi Kirby, Texarkana, Area 17
Who Said It?
“We loved with a love that was more than love.” “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” “Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination.” “You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally
better than your dreams.” "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." “My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.” “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou
goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and
thy God my God:” -
Possible answers: Shakespeare Plato Dr. Seuss Voltaire
Ruth in the Bible
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Edgar Alan Poe Charles Schultz
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