Epsilon Executive Board prepares for member change

Chapters are initiating new or returning officers for the coming biennium. This unique group of women play an important role in the health of their chapter. Their leadership role is essential to creating a biennium of events that will present informative, essential and interesting programs. There will be deadlines to meet, programs to plan, speakers to coordinate and the list goes on..........

Chapter president's will also play another role in our state as members of the Executive Board. As a member of the Executive Board, presidents will vote on matters of the state representative of their chapter preference. Also, attendance at the state convention, district meetings, SER and international conventions.

Highlighting chapters of excellence: Alpha Zeta

Alpha Zeta Chapter, Southwest district recently installed incoming officers for the 2012-2014 biennium. Yvonne Normand leads Alpha Zeta members as chapter president. Alpha Zeta is the home of Southwest district director, June Inhern. The installation meeting was held in Washington at the historic Cafe Opera House. Approximately 42 members and guests were on hand. Four prospective members were on hand to participate in the events, ask questions and get to know other members of Alpha Zeta.

As part of the evening, members toured the town with stops to talk with DKG founders Annie Webb Blanton, Ray King and others as part of the Founder's recognition of the program. The toured was led by June Inhern, Historian and came to a close on the front porch of June's home. June is shown above talking to the group about the home and its heritage within the community. Keep up the great work Alpha Zeta Chapter!

Epsilon Salutes those who gave their all!

Memorial Day is a national observance with the presence of flags throughout our cemeteries, yards and buildings. Curious as to the information about this special day, I googled and found the narrative below to be interesting. It has been included to share with you on this special day. Please take a moment and "raise the flag in honor of those who gave their ALL for us".

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. (Taken from http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html. May 26, 2012)

Summer events of DKG

What are the summer events going on in your chapter? Some of the chapter events being scheduled are:

• Fashion show
• Garage sale
• Bake sale
• Tutoring

These are just a few of the items that will happen during the coming months around our state by DKG chapters and members. If you would like to publish your event, please send the information to me for my blog and also to Dolores at dawhackler@att.net for the distribution to the state.

DKG Sisters - What do they mean to you?

Many of us have stories about the experiences of our DKG life and the sisters we have made along the way. Some of the stories are hilarious, sad and hard to image. But these memories "cement our friendships or bond" with each other. All of the meetings, "eatings", travel, conventions, etc. continue to strengthen this relationship with our sister in DKG.

I want to take this time to encourage each of you to take a moment and let your DKG sister know how much she means to you. You can send a card, make a phone call, send an email - or whatever. But take a moment to send your love and appreciation to your DKG Sister.

DKG Purpose #7

To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.

DKG Purpose #6

To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action; 

DKG Purpose #5

To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators;

DKG Purpose #4

To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators;

DKG Purpose #3

To advance the professional interest and position of women in education;

DKG Purpose #2

To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education;

DKG Purpose #1

To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship;

Many chapters are bringing this year to a close as meetings are held to initiate new members, conduct ceremonies for those who are no longer with us, have committees report on the activities of the chapter, and much more. Take the time to be on hand for these special events in your chapter. Members are a vital part of the chapter.

Key Chapter Form - Newly Designed

Chapter president's - you have been heard! The Key Chapter Form has been re-designed as a user-friendly document. The redesign makes it easier for you to quickly check off the items achieved/accomplished. Achievement of the Gold is within reach! Check out the new form on the Epsilon website.

Why is communication important?

Communication to our members has been the "Number 1" goal of the Epsilon Executive Committee throughout this biennium. In talking with members and traveling around the state it is a topic that all members want to reinforce - The need for greater communication!  It is without a doubt essential for chapter officers and newsletter editors of chapters to keep members "in the loop".

As our state sends out information via Donnis' Dialogue, Red Rose Alert, D&D Weekly, and website. It is vital that chapter presidents push this information onto their membership upon receipt. Members have to be kept informed. Epsilon State is dedicated to sharing news far and wide across our state. Help us by ensuring that information is shared with members of your chapter.