Donnis' Dialogue

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Epsilon State Annual Report 2013 Part 2 of 4

30 chapters have projects that support excellence in education and below are some of the projects within the chapters:

1) Zeta Chapter is providing small "gift packs" to teachers and staff at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport and Keithville Elementary/Middle School in Keithville. This includes a total of about 280 people. Our effort is to encourage and show appreciation to educators for their efforts in our profession.

(2) "Top female graduate project recognizes senior girls with highest GPA in class

Keagan's Center After-School Tutoring Program-donated money, school supplies/snacks

Literacy Project - donated books (Pre-K - 5th grade) to the local Parent Center

Red Apple Award (non-member recipient) & Gold Apple Award (member recipient)

Maude Anderson Grants ($300 each) - presented to two parish female student teachers"

We presented a gift card to a Teacher of the Year from our Parish.

"Our chapter sponsors a scholarship to a local woman pursuing an educational degree."

(3) Eta uses funds from an annual auction to support two endeavors which promote educational excellence. First, we support Broaden Horizons. This group provides academic tutoring and personal mentoring to at-risk pre-teens and teenagers, with a strong emphasis on African-American males. Next, we support the University of Louisiana at Monroe Child Development Center (ULM-CDC). The director of the ULM-CDC is a member of Eta. The CDC promotes early childhood learning for an ethnically diverse student population and aids in the education of pre-service educators.

(4) "We give $100 Teacher Grants to be used by new teachers to purchase classroom materials.

(5) We work closely with the New Teacher Induction Coordinator as she provides professional development to new teacher. In August, our chapter assisted with the New Teacher Orientation session. Wearing our red Delta Kappa Gamma shirts, we were introduced to the group, we provided an afternoon snack, gave eight lucky winners an educational supply basket, one lucky winner a $50 Wal-mart gift certificate. Our sisters offer support to these new teacher by giving them our phone numbers through the coordinator for special assistance throughout the year.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Epsilon State Annual Report 2013 Part 1 of 4

Information below is a snapshot of 2013 Epsilon chapters as reported by chapter presidents. Check out the four-part series published over the next few days.

55 chapters in our state and 50 chapters completed report
45 chapters initiated new members in 2012
Chapter presidents participating in the new officer workshop submit comments on the leadership training

(1) Brainstorming activities that would interest members.

(2) Guidelines booklet.

(3) meeting with other new presidents - who felt overwhelmed also.

(4) The nice way that the Calendar of Events is set up so nicely. Also the phone numbers.

(5)Informative information was given at this workshop in order for me to know the direction I wanted to take our chapter into the next biennium.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Save our Libraries

Red Rose Alert

from Epsilon State Legislative Committee

Help save our school libraries. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has proposed changes to Section 1705 (School Library-Media Programs) of Bulletin 741 - Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators. The proposed changes, if made official, could possibly eliminate school libraries/media centers
in grades K-8 and could diminish the number of professional librarians serving in grades 9-12.

Please take a few minutes to send a quick message to your BESE representative in opposition to the changes to Section 1705 of Bulletin 741 from the Louisiana Library Association: http://capwiz.com/ala/la/issues/alert/?alertid=62568176

SER Talent Search

Southeast Regional Conference

Orlando, FL

July 10 - 13, 2013

TALENT SEARCH

Gerry Hacker and Nancy Davis are working on filling all of the talent spots for SE Regional. Many of DKG faithful talented members have offered their services. However, they are still looking for some new faces or members that have not performed at the regional in a while. If you are attending SER in Orlando in July and would like to participate, please send you name and information to Gerry and Nancy (Email below).

SER Music Co-chairs

Gerry Hacker pianosteel@hotmail.com

Nancy Davis 941davis@embarqmail.com

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Epsilon Order of the Magnolia receive special gifts

During our recent state convention, past presidents received a special gift - a piece of jewelry from Wanda Gunn's collection. Cooper Knecht and Anne Anderson were instrumental in making this special moment happen during our convention. This year's convention was also a special time for the Wanda Gunn Scholarship. The information and guidelines for the "Wanda Gunn Live and Learn Stipend" were shared with the participants. Please take advantage of this special scholarship opportunity.

Wanda Gunn was a success in all aspects of her life. Her beauty, insightful qualities and leadership skills will always be remembered. Thank you Cooper and Anne for your thoughtfulness and generosity in the presentation to members of the Order of the Magnolia. I cherish the blue flower that I received and wear it with honor. Donnis

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Omicron Welcomes State President to Birthday Luncheon 2013

Thank you Omicron Chapter for inviting me to attend your Hat and Glove Birthday Luncheon today in Hammond. The luncheon was held at Chapter President Gwen Traylor's home. The decorations, food and friends were all extraordinary. Gwen shared information about the charter members of the chapter and give great insight to members about the impact these great women made in education in our state.