Beta Rho Chapter Minutes (12/5/15)
Meeting Location: Dryer Hall, Montrose Bible Conference
A delicious light breakfast was enjoyed by the group while gathering and socializing before the December 5th meeting of the Beta Rho chapter.
Co-President, Jeanette called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. The group recited the Flag Salute and the Collect, and then sang the National Anthem. Jeanette welcomed the initiates, Heather Oldford, Deana Patson and Peggy Walker, as well as Heather’s guest Brooke and Peggy’s guest Jill.
A very lovely initiation ceremony was conducted by Nancy Simon and her committee. After the ceremony the new members were welcomed by their sisters and the Delta Kappa Gamma song was sung by the group.
Business Meeting
As the roll was called, each sister responded with the first word she thinks of when the holidays are coming. There were many expressions of joy, family, love and peace and of course cookies! A moment of silence was observed for the members that passed away over the biennium: Joan Peters, Rose Dobrosielski, Jayne Manzer, Inez Lyne, and former member Charlotte Slocum.
As there were no additions or corrections, the minutes of the October meeting were approved as sent by email.
The treasurer’s report was accepted and placed on file for audit.
Correspondence: Pat Carpenter read a note from Teresa Cavalier that she was not able to attend but says hello to all. New initiate Janeen Nieratko sent a thank you note for the warm welcome at her initiation in October. Pat also read the resignations of Kim Lee (who asked if there is a process to rejoin in a few years), and Madonna Munley. Sheri Wolfe made a motion to accept the resignations with regret. It was seconded by Lansdale Shaffmaster and the motion carried. Treasurer Carol Davis stated that she has already communicated with Kim Lee about the process for rejoining.
Co-President’s Report
Co-President Sheri Wolfe reported that a successful orientation was held at Faith Mountain Christian Academy for our new initiates. Co-President Jeanette gave congratulations to member Karen Voigt who was sworn in as the new superintendent of the Mountain View School District. She asked member Cindy Reynolds to be present at her swearing in ceremony. It was Cindy who recommended her for membership in Beta Rho. Congratulations go out to new member Deana Patson who has earned her Doctorate’s Degree in Educational Technology Leadership. Jeanette also welcomed Catherine Escandel, a longtime member who will turn 95 on December 23rd. It was wonderful to see her.
Committee Reports
Educational Excellence—Ann Gay will email or call to ask members if they wish to remain on their present committees for the next biennium.
Professional Affairs/US Forum—Agnes reported that she will have one Grant-in-Aid nominee for next meeting. She has forms if anyone else would like to nominate a junior or senior education major for a grant-in-aid scholarship. Agnes also asked for members for her committee.
Projects—Carol reported that a group of sisters will scratch off the lottery tickets that the members brought and will report at the next meeting. The fundraising idea for next meeting is to collect change. Start saving your coins and bring them in March. A Perkins fundraiser will be discussed in March. The Perkins in Tunkhannock will donate a portion of their proceeds for part of a day to a non-profit group. The group must invite people and pass out coupons. (Details to follow)
Jeanette reported that the executive committee had discussed the fundraising and had come up with a plan for the money that is being raised. The money from December and March will go into the fund for scholarships for conventions, etc. as discussed at previous meetings. After that a Serendipity Fund will be created to help augment the expenses of the chapter. Treasurer Carol stated that we normally spend more than we take in so this would mean that we did not have to dip into the savings account as much. It is possible that some of this money could also be used for convention and workshop scholarships. Those in favor of the committee recommendation were asked to say aye. The recommendation was confirmed.
Carol also reported on the possible Focus Table at State Convention. She showed examples of some things that could be made such as clear plates that have fabric on the back with modge podge, clear ornaments that are swirled with mop and glow (inside). Glitter or acrylic paint can be added. She showed cards created by Pat Arnold. Cindy Wooden has been working on potholders and pin cushions. All of the projects shown were beautiful. Please let Carol know if you are interested in working on any of the items. She will try to set up some workshops for sisters to get together to work on a project.
Standing Committees
Membership---Cindy reported for Nancy that sisters are encouraged to sponsor others for membership. Jeanette stated that we have received Delta Kappa Gamma pins from JoAnne Kelly and Carol Ferguson. They will be kept by the treasurer and may be purchased from Carol.
Finance—Sue Kilmer sent the proposed budget to the membership. It will be acted upon at a later date. Treasurer Carol pointed out that last year we spent $600 more than we took in and there are always some expenses that are not in the budget. The Serendipity Fund should help with this. We have 55 active members and 3 reserve members.
Historical Records—Cindy asked members to continue to save articles for the scrap book. They do not have to be about Beta Rho. Anything that members are recognized for will go in the scrapbook.
Presentation of the Beta Rho Achievement Award—Mary Ann Cunningham first thanked Lansdale Shaffmaster for her help in ordering and picking up the pin. She then presented Lansdale with a plant for her help. Next, Mary Ann presented the Beta Rho Achievement Award to non-other than Lansdale! Congratulations, Lansdale on this well-deserved award.
Strategic Action Plan—Cindy and Lansdale have been working on this. At the October meeting members submitted what they felt are the strengths and weaknesses of the chapter. This meeting sisters broke into small groups and each group worked on one of four focus areas, stating where we are and where we want to be in each of the areas. They are programs, membership/attendance, involving members, and information. Cindy and Lansdale will summarize the information and send it out to the members. The next step will be to narrow the focus to one or two areas and discuss where we want to be in a year and how we are going to get there.
Nominations—Gail Franko reported that the nominations are complete for the next biennium. They are: President-Nancy Simon, 1st Vice President-Ann Gay, 2nd Vice President-Pat Carpenter, Recording Secretary- Barbara Davis, Treasurer-Carol Davis, Corresponding Secretary-Kathy Fuller. These will be voted upon in March and installation will be in May.
Unfinished Business
- The executive committee recommended that memorial gifts for deceased members be a contribution that is mentioned in the obituary. This was approved by the membership with an amount of $25. Carol Davis will be in charge of this.
- Heather Dunn has developed general guidelines for Website entries. Please let Heather know if you have other suggestions. Items will be approved by the President before placement on the website.
- The guidelines for the Serendipity fund were discussed earlier in the meeting.
- Kathy Fuller and Mary Ann Cunningham are members who received Enrichment Grants. They may do a workshop or write an article to report on the grant. Kathy and Mary Ann will be doing a workshop at State Convention in June.
- Bell Ringers are needed for the holiday season. Money goes to Interfaith or the Salvation Army. Please call or email Ruth Donnelly if you can help. (570-396-2968, email [email protected].
- How can we participate in the state project, “Little Free Libraries”? One way is to volunteer at your library to work or read stories. Please keep track of volunteer hours for the report. There is a picture of a “Little Library” on page 5 of the Keystonian.
- Jeanette’s goal is to find a place to house our archives. It would need to be accessible to members and a safe place. A committee of Jeanette, Cindy, and Barbara Kelly will work on this.
- Biennial reports are due February 1, 2016. The Necrology report is now separate. The committee chairs will get together to fill out the report instead of each committee writing its own. Reports can be found at www.DKG.org.
- The “Get Connected Newsletter” which Jeanette gets indicates that changes are coming.
- The Winter Edition of the Keystonian is out. Please let Jeanette know if you don’t get it and she will help. It is also available on the Alpha Alpha state website.
- There is a membership in DKG survey on DKG.org. If you wish you may go to the site and fill out the survey and send it to Jeanette.
- There is an updated Go-To guide for members on the DKG website. It is 75 pages long and may be printed or it may also be purchased from DKG.
- Carol Goodman is on the State Educational Excellence Committee chair and is also the State Workshop Chair. She has categories for the state workshops; please let her know if you would like to present a workshop.
Thank you to Ann Gay for arranging the meeting. Consensus was that the dining room is a nice place to hold the meeting.
Jeanette showed the Collegial Exchange Magazine.
Ann Gay prepared the festive tree table decorations, herbal tea bag favors with the clever verse, in addition to the nut cups. The table decorations were given to the person having the tea bag that was tied with the red ribbon.
A light lunch was served during which Carol Goodman gave her presentation on “Discipline in the Classroom”
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Davis, Recording Secretary