The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha State, Texas Area XIV Midland, Texas Volume 20 Issue

1 #158

Mission Statement: The Delta Kappa Gamma society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

President, Lois Hagins Editor, Patti Groce August, 2013 pgroce@midland.e Vision Statement: Leading women educators impacting education worldwide du

zZeta Xi News

August Zeta Xi Meeting

Date: Monday, August 26, 2013 Program: Annual Taco Stack and Recommitment

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: 2912 Shanks Drive Lois Haginss Home Directions: Loiss home is located in Kniffen Estates just off Loop 250 east of Big Spring Street and Fairgrounds Rd. There are two streets that lead into Kniffen Estates (or Skyview Development as it is called on the map below) Kniffen Drive and Todd Drive. Todd Drive takes you to Shanks and Loiss home is on the southeast corner of Shanks. Hostesses: Zeta Xis Executive Board and Selected Chairman

Loop 250

Loiss Home

Benefits of DKG Conventions and Conferences

The Texas State Organization Convention was held in Austin on June 20-22. Nancy Doss, Natalie Eustace, Lois Hagins, Susan Harmon, and Lois Templeton attended this wonderful gathering of Delta Kappa Gamma Sisters from all over the state. The conference planning committee went all out in providing wonderful workshop sessions, some society business, fun and informative activities, entertainment and shopping opportunities. Zeta Xis own Natalie Eustace was installed as the DKG Texas State Recording Secretary at the Austin Convention. Natalie and Lois Templeton joined past Texas state president, Vicki Davis in presenting program "More Than Talk" to all current and past SW Regional State Presidents.
These glamorous ladies are left to right. Lois, Vicki and Natalie at TSO convention.

It is only by moving outside your own chapter that you really see the many benefits of Delta Kappa Gamma.Joanne Davis TSO President 2011-2013

Members Susan Harmon, Natalie Eustace and were lucky enough to attend the Southwest Regional Conference on July 17-20 which was held in Branson, Missouri, the heart of the Ozarks. In addition to the wonderful conference sessions and networking time with other Delta Kappa Gamma members, attendees also enjoyed shows, museums, lakes (yes, lakes plural and they didnt have to drive 200 miles to see a lake) and family attractions. Delta Kappa Gamma is very good at arranging tours for members and their families. If you want to know more about the sessions at the conference, check on the DKG website www.dkg.org . On the home page select the Event Tab, and then select Southwest Regional Conference. On this page you will find a link to Workshop Handouts, click on this link (links are usually underlined and may be a different color). On this page you may read the handouts that were given out at the workshop sessions. Not quite as nice as being there, but very informative. .
Susan, Lois and Natalie at Regional Conference.

Zeta Xi Member News

Have you heard?
Bilie Merriman had to have her hip re-done on June 5 at the Texas Center for Joint Replacement in Plano, Texas. Improvement is evident and hopefully Billie will be walking with a cane the next time we see her. Billies other good news is that she and Jim are now great grandparents of a beautiful great-granddaughter, Kira Madison Mathews , born August 8th. Dorothy Blair visited her sister in Colorado with her daughter and two of her grandchildren. Dorothy and her family hiked up a 12,000 ft. mountain to a beautiful lake. The Colorado family didn't think the flatlanders could handle it, but they showed them. Natalie Eustace had a busy summer attending both the DKG State Convention in Austin and the Southwest Conference in Branson, Missouri. At the TSO Convention Natalie was installed as DKG Texas State Recording Secretary. Also At the Texas State Convention , Natalie and Lois Templeton sang the song "Happy Talk" as a duet. Natalie sang "Because You Loved (Helped) Me" at the Birthday Luncheon in Branson. This luncheon was dedicated to mentoring new teachers. Joy Cunningham attended the American Library Association Conference in Chicago. They heard speakers including Giada DeLaurentis, Olivia Spencer, the actress who received an Oscar for her performance in The Help and attended the Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder Award Banquet . The architectural tour by boat on the Chicago River was Joys favorite. She stayed at the Palmer House Hotel, a lovely hotel built in the mid 1800s; and kept in mint condition. Closer to home Joy, Susan Harmon and other librarians drove to Big Spring to have lunch at the renovated and reopened Settles Hotel. Joy says that they found it to be lovely, with good food and wonderful ice tea, and definitely worth the drive over. Susan Harmon also attended the ALA Conference in Chicago with Joy and took the trip to Big Spring. Librarians just want to have fun. Susan also attended both the DKG Conference in Branson and the DKG State Convention in Austin. More recently she completed the DKG Alaska cruise benefitting ASTEF. (More details about this trip in next months newsletter.) Anita Patton spent several weeks with her children and grandchildren in San Antonio and in Midland . Anita and her husband took a trip to Sedona, Arizona to attend graduation ceremonies of a nephew from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. They are planning a cruise to Hawaii in September. Lois Templeton and family, after attending the Southwest Conference in Branson, traveled through Arkansas to east Texas and visited Jefferson, Texas. There they stayed in a beautiful cabin on Caddo Lake where they canoed and explored the only natural lake in Texas. They also visited the Templeton ancestral towns of San Augustine and Jacksonville, Texas. Jann Pullig is feeling good these days. Visits from family and friends have kept her busy this summer. Including a visit from former Zeta Xi member Lorelei Pullig, Janns stepdaughterin-law. Jann has taken several trips to her lake house on LBJ Lake and is planning a trip to Walla Walla, Washington to help her stepmother celebrate her 95th birthday and attend a family reunion. Marsha Boykin sadly had a family tragedy a couple of weeks ago. Her family lost her 8 1/2 month old grandson (son of their oldest son, Jeff, in Florida). Please keep Marsha and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Reminders
Remember to wear red to show our society color. Please bring toiletries for Safe Place.

Dont Forget !

Remember to wear your membership pin and enter your name in the drawing for a door prize.

Casa de Amigos is no longer accepting magazines, but they do have a need for bingo prizes for seniors, toys for children (ages 1 to 4), cleaning supplies, and office supplies. Remember to bring birthday pennies for your May through August birthdays. The birthday pig/kitty feels neglected this summer. Dont forget you can read this newsletter and view more member pictures online at www.zeta-xi.org. Please bring your loose change for Schools for Africa, a UNICEF project. We will gladly lighten your purse each month for this worthwhile project. Please bring dues of $86. Deadline is Oct. 15. You can pay Susan Harmon at the August or October meeting or mail dues to Susan before the deadline.

Happy Birthday Members

Wish these members a happy birthday. The birthday pig awaits their donation of birthday change. May
11-Darlene Olson 15-Margaret Cowden 27- Carolyn McGaha

June
14-Dorothy Blair

August
3-Joy Cunningham 19-Billie Merriman 20-Lois Hagins 22-Gloria Grunenwald 24-Sandy Hammontree

29-Jean Alvey

DKG App Updated

The DKG app has been updated. Search the free DKG app at the app store of your choice. Download on your phone, Kindle, laptop, or tablet. The Schedule button has new features tailored to each regional conference. For example, if you had selected the Southwest Regional Conference you would have found a daily schedule and list of speakers by date and time that could be added to individual schedules. Each regional conference has its own section under the Schedule tab. Under Maps, find a city map of each location with local connections. Some hotels will have map layouts of the rooms for events that aid one in finding sessions and spaces. Under the More tab, the Postcard feature encourages friends to Meet You in Indianapolis (next years International Conference destination). Take a photo and send a postcard to a friend. The app has uses for times other than conferences and conventions. The DKG app also provides general information about DKG that you can quickly show that prospective member you are trying to recruit.

Program Preview for 2013-2014

Member surveys have been reviewed and considered for developing of the following programs:
August 26, Taco Stack and Recommitment (short talk from CASA) at 6:00 Lois Hagins home October 3, Decorating Tips for the Seasons at Miss Cayce's New Store November 4, International Potluck and World Fellowship December 7, Saturday, Storybook Christmas & Brunch at DeZavala January 6, Girls Night Out at Johnny Carinos February 3, Genesis Center Tour at the former Trinity Presbyterian Church March 3, New Midland County Public Library Tour April 7, Art Therapy May 3, Saturday, Area Wide Meeting to install officers and luncheon. Also in the works is a Saturday or Sunday tour of the Wildlife Preserve and Jenna Welch Nature Study Center, Inc. The Wildlife Preserve is 86 acres of urban playa habitat that is essential to the survival of local bird populations, native wildlife, and thousands of migratory birds. It is located in the West Central Flyway where migrating birds, waterfowl, and butterflies can be seen throughout the year. The 3.4-mile trail around the wetland area is paved and you can walk as much as you want or sit in the blinds and watch the birds. This extra meeting will give members a chance to socialize. Everyone will be encouraged to bring a camera and hopefully we will have someone to give us pointers on wildlife photography. This would be an extra meeting that would give members a chance to socialize (a suggestion offered by several members on the surveys).

Zeta Xi Chapter The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Chapter Meeting Minutes

Alpha State Texas April 1, 2013

The April meeting was held at Manor Park. Zeta Xi hostesses were Heather Bostic, Linda Brown, Kathy Graves, Kathy Landrum, Darlene Olson and Lois Templeton. Midland Chapter Epsilon Eta also met at Manor Park, sharing refreshment responsibilities and enjoying the program with Zeta Xi. Following refreshments, Margy House, President of Epsilon Eta, introduced Nathan Knowles, Executive Director and Land Manager of the I -20 Wildlife Preserve. Mr. Knowles power point presentation and brochures provided a glimpse into the history and facilities of the Preserve. Attendees were also afforded a question and answer session. The Zeta Xi meeting was called to order by President, Lois Hagins at 7:40. Lois noted the 2013 State Convention will be held in Austin, June 20-22; the Southwest Regional Conference will take place in Branson, MO, July 17-20. The March minutes were approved as written in the March newsletter. Treasurer, Susan Harmon, distributed the Financial Statement, informing members $600.00 is available for the Scholarship. Scholarship Chair, Kathy Anderson reminded attendees the Application for Grant-in-Aid forms were still available and to note the April 19 deadline. Nancy Doss, Delta Kappa Gamma Area 14 Coordinator, distributed invitations to the Founders Day Celebration to be held May 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Greentree Country Club. The Celebration will include program, luncheon and style show. The $25.00 registration fee is payable to Zeta Xi; Susan Harmon will collect the fees starting tonight. . Natalie Eustace and Cathey Graves, Achievement Awards Chairs, presented current officers of Zeta Xi with a Whats in My Purse award. The tote represented the tasks officers have carried to ensure a successful 2012-2013 year for the local society. Personal Growth Chair, Heather Bostic, shared the thank you received from Memorial Christian Church for the canned goods and foodstuffs Zeta Xi collected and distributed for the Churchs needy families. . Under New Business : Lois H. announced Natalie Eustaces election to the State Office of Secretary. Virginia Conner won a door prize for wearing red and Dorothy Blair won for wearing her pin. The meeting was adjourned with the Delta Kappa Gamma song.

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Jan Perkins, Recording Secretary

Lois Hagins, President

Letter from Lois

Ladies, I hope you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer because we have a busy year ahead of us. As you may remember the Texas State Convention will be held in Lubbock in June of 2014. Areas 12 and 14 will be the hostesses for the convention and our own Nancy Doss is one of the co-chairmen of it. What I am really saying is, we are going to be asked to help in any way that we can to make this a great convention. For those that have gone to convention, you know there are many large and small responsibilities to be filled. A big thank you to Nancy Doss for serving as our Area Coordinator for the last two years. She has been a tremendous help to me and our Chapter. As she takes on another leadership role as co-chair for the State Convention, I look forward to our Chapter being involved. Our new Area Coordinator is Kathy McCollum who is a member of Epsilon Eta Chapter, our sister chapter here in Midland. I am sure many of you already know Kathy as she is a native of Midland having gone through the MISD schools. I look forward to working with her this year. Thank you to all who responded to the survey Patti Groce sent out this summer asking what you would like to have as programs. As a result of that survey, Patti has assembled a great schedule of programs. There should be something of interest for everyone. One area that was discussed at Convention was how to attract more women educators to our organization. Our first meeting will be our traditional Taco Salad Stack. This would be a good time to invite someone you think would be interested in being a part of our chapter and would be an asset as well. The executive board will provide the fixings. Blessings, Lois