BETA RHO CHAPTER MEMBERS ATTEND STATE CONVENTION
Eleven members of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International (DKG) recently attended the DKG Pennsylvania State Convention and Purposeful Seminar at the Wyndham Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. State President Eileen Little’s theme was “You Have a Voice and a Choice” and she asked three members at different times throughout the convention to talk about why they joined DKG. Two-hundred and thirty-four Pennsylvania members and guests attended representing 44 chapters. Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society of women educators whose membership includes seventeen countries and promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The Society provides a variety of educational opportunities for women internationally. The DKG vision is Leading Women Educators and Impacting Education Worldwide. |
Purposeful Seminar |
A change this year was that the Purposeful Seminar was added to the beginning of the convention. Five Beta Rho members were among the fifty from across the state who chose to participate in the seminar. They gathered a day early to learn about and visit the Ten Thousand Villages, a retailer selling fair-trade handmade crafts and housewares
from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. In the afternoon they toured the Mennonite Resource Center, a collection point in the United States for receiving, packing and shipping material resources which gave the DKG women a hands-on experience with some of the many ways volunteers aid in the preparation of supplies. Comforters, dignity kits, relief kits and canned meats aid requests from around the world. The DKG members had collected and donated school supplies and supplies for relief kits from their chapters at home. |
Highlights of the Convention |
To highlight Pennsylvania members, an art exhibit which included two dozen artworks jury selected and posted on the on-line International Gallery of Fine Arts website over the past four years. Co-chaired by Cindy Reynolds and Jackie Thomas, a variety of photographs, paintings, fiber creations, crocheted items and unique crafts were a part of
the Wednesday evening display. Beta Rho members Pat Carpenter, Donna Biglin, Janeen Nieratko, Amy Radford and Cindy Reynolds exhibited their work. Album of Distinction presentations were made to twelve Pennsylvania members and a chapter for a distinction or honor outside of DKG. Beta Rho Chapter members Heather Pavuk and Cindy Reynolds were awarded certificates and Cindy accepted the certificate for Janet Small who could not attend. A reception followed as well as a time for members to view the art exhibit. A fun-filled evening of musical bingo followed and Beta Rho member Jeanette Saulo, a member of the State Educational Excellence Committee (EEC), provided several lovely gift baskets for the event. Thursday morning began early with an invitation breakfast which Teresa Cavalier attended as a first timer followed by the First General Session where committee reports were reviewed and discussed. The international guest and keynote speaker, Southwest Regional Director Susan Perkins gave an update on international aspects of the Society. A variety of workshops followed providing personal as well as professional topics. The morning workshops included one by Beta Rho Chapter member Amy Radford entitled “Writing Memories: A Recipe for Preserving the Past.” The Celebration Luncheon began by celebrating thirteen birthday chapters. Author and keynote speaker, Kim Kluxen Meredith, enlightened everyone with her talk “You Are You and I Am Me.” Recognition of twenty-nine members present for forty plus years of membership included Beta Rho members Cindy Reynolds and Jeanette Saulo. Twenty- seven chapters were recognized for their newsletters, websites or both by the Communications Committee. Afternoon workshops then followed. Each chapter donates a unique basket to be raffled off to defray the cost of the convention. Beta Rho’s basket included two rose pillows designed, crocheted and donated by member Janeen Nieratko. The tickets for the baskets were drawn and awarded just prior to the banquet which began with the procession of the chapter presidents where Pat Carpenter, Beta Rho Chapter president, was recognized. Beta Rho members Teresa Cavalier and Gayle Cobb sang in the state chorus during its delightful musical presentations. Friday morning began with a lovely Celebration of Life Ceremony which recognized members from across the state who passed away within the last year utilizing the “Visitors Among Us” cardinal theme. Following a delicious breakfast buffet, seven scholarships and eight enrichment grants were awarded to members which is just one of the many benefit opportunities of DKG membership. The first of five $1,000.00 Rebecca Place Honorary Awards was presented and the others will be given each of the next four years. |