April 2012

Volume 20, Issue 7

Editor: Jerrie Dooley

jemdooley@austin.rr.com

F

THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL

BETA ZETA BUZZ Meeting:

Saturday, April 28

10:00 a.m.

Andy’s Grille for brunch, then tour the Museum of the Pacific War afterward (or during the weekend)

Hostesses:

Linda Grotz* Glenda Fritz Jan Appleby Sherry Hanna Ida Sebera Rita Travis Katie Shafford

Program :

The Nimitz Museum—

A National Treasure in

Our Ttown

Purpose 6: To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.

Purpose 7: To inform the membership of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may become effective members of a world society.

Service: New

children’s books for

Military Project and

Items for the Boys and

Girls Club.

Music: “Delta Kappa

Gamma Song”

Beta Zeta Website: http://betazeta.weebly.com/

State website: www.alphastatetexas.org International website: www.deltakappagamma.org

FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

In her invisible airplane, Karen will escort ten of her Super Friends to Las Colinas and make Beta Zeta known to the chapters of Alpha State. Being BZ Woman for the first time, there is a lot to wrap her head around. Helping her are her superhuman strength and stamina, as well as her trademark bulletproof bracelets and her Golden Lasso of Truth; but it‘s probably her loyal troupe of officers that other chapters will envy the most. While there, she will do her best to promote the personal and professional growth of her Besties. Torn between her power of super-speed and the knowledge that her members need to learn to do their committee work by themselves, Karen will promote cooperation while hoping to unlock the potential of her fellow members. BZ Woman uses her power of super-agility to advance the status of women educators. Her tiara serves as a projectile during chapter meetings, but she is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat against an assortment of super-villains: Apathy, Ignorance, and Sloth. However, to unite her members in a genuine spiritual fellowship, Karen would rather triumph not with fists or firepower, but with love. Her superhuman smile encourages her Super Friends to bring excellence to education in Texas, the world, and the Universe! BZ Woman, we salute you! Tammy Vitek, President

MISSION STATEMENT

The Delta Kappa

Gamma Society

International promotes

professional and

personal growth of

women educators and

excellence in education.

VISION STATEMENT:

Leading women

educators impacting

education worldwide.

Important Dates

May 7: Last day for priority registration for State Convention at http://tsoconvention.weebly.com/uploads/2/8/8/7/2887763/registration_form-las_colinas.pdf June 21-23 : Alpha State Convention in Las Colinas, Irving, TX Aug. 6 –Summer Social and Ex. Meeting, See page 3 for details Sept. 24—First Beta Zeta meeting of the new year.

Last Chance to Donate to the Military United Through Reading Project

You have two ways to donate to our state unifying project for the state convention.

Bring new children‘s books to the April

meeting on the 28th at Andy‘s and/or Bring or mail a donation for books we will buy

and DVD‘s to be used to video deployed servicemen reading the books for their kids. Send to Tisha at 306 W. Ufer St., Fbg.

For more information on this special, heart-warming project, see page 3.

President’s Message

Beta Zeta Woman, Karen Loeffler, the most famous heroine of all time. The full package of beauty, brains, and brawn, she is a woman educator with BZ emblazoned on her chest!

April

Elena Howard—3 Floye Burnett—10

May

Mollye Long – 29

June Ida Sebera--1

Leatrice Haley – 2 Maria Robertson - 5 Sheila Bingham-14

Dolores Klussman – 14

Barbara Heinen--16 Paula Ahrendt--23

Patsy Hejl-27 Lucille Rochs – 30

July

Linda Kesler--4 Amy O’Neil – 8 Leola Mills -10

Karen Loeffler-11 Emily Bierschwale--12

Linda Grotz – 12 Ann Mahnken--15 Jolene Dodd - 16

Helen Usener – 22 Janet Hext – 30

August

Jerrie Dooley – 15 Janie Immel – 16

Evelyn Weinheimer – 20

Beth Luckenbach – 29

September Cynthia Berkmann-3

Linda Kunkel – 3 Jan Appleby--4

Joanne Davis – 5 Lindy Haley - 12

Tisha Clements – 25 Janet Rabke – 29

BETA ZETA BUZZ Page 2

The Nimitz Museum—A National Treasure in Our Town When one walks into the National Museum of the Pacific War (still affectionately called the Nimitz Museum by us locals), the first thought is, “Am I in Washington, D.C. or New York City? Surely this world-class museum can’t be in little ‘ol Fredericksburg, TX, right?” Yes, it is right here under our noses, but how many of us have taken advantage of this amazing place to learn about an important part of our history as Americans? Beta Zeta is giving you this opportunity at our final meeting of the year on Saturday, April 28th. We will start at Andy’s Grill for a dutch-treat brunch, meeting, and brief preview of the Nimitz. Afterward, members (spouses, family, and friends) are invited to go tour the museum for the low group rate of $8 per person. Your ticket will be good for the entire weekend, so if you can’t stay on Saturday, then go on your own that weekend. We must have 20 to get the group rate and you may bring your money to the meeting. You may buy tickets for yourself and others. Need convincing that the museum is amazing, and it’s a shame you haven’t been there already or again? Visit the website at http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/index.asp.

Prospective Members for 2012 Our two prospective members are Nancy Stevens, a 40 year teacher/counselor in Richardson ISD who was recommended by Beth Luckenbach, and Cydney Mickelson, a 31 year retiring FES 2

nd grade teacher who was recommended by

Elena Howard, We look forward to getting to know these ladies at our summer social and Sept. meeting. Initiation is in October.

Grant-in-Aid 2012 We are proud to award our grant-in-aid to Alex Ward, daughter of member Laurie Ward. Alex is in her last semester at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and will student teach in fall in Lubbock ISD. She will be certified to teach

Early Childhood-6th

.

New York, New York! Joanne Davis and her sister Carolyn Otto will represent Beta Zeta and Texas at the

DKG International Convention in New York City in July.

Heading to Las Colinas in Irving, TX on June 21-23 will be a delegation of members from Beta Zeta. Presiding at the convention will be our own state president and Beta Zeta Joanne Davis, new chapter president Karen Loeffler, officers Tammy Vitek, Helen Usener, and Janet Hext, and members Carolyn Otto, Catherine Davis, Patsy Hejl, Beth Luckenbach and Jerrie Dooley.

It's not too late to sign up for the convention. Early registration ends May 7. The cost goes up after that day. Let Tammy know if you want to join the travel party. There is hotel space already reserved for more members to attend.

United Through Reading Military Project Ever wonder what you can do to say thank you to our service men and women? How about helping them ease the burden of separation from their children? Bring your new children‘s books to the April meeting to donate to the state project. DVD‘s of parents reading the book will be given to families separated by deployment. Monetary donations are also welcome to buy more books. The convention delegation will deliver them for this worthwhile program. Check out the website for more information: http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/.

BETA ZETA BUZZ

Page 3

On Our Way to Las Colinas

Beta Zeta Officers 2011-2012

President Tammy Vitek 1

st VP Karen Loeffler

2nd

VP Andrea Hudson Treasurer Tisha Clements Rec. Secretary Amy O‘Neil

Corres. Secretary Janet Hext Parliamentarian Jerrie Dooley

Mark your calendar for the summer social Aug.6-Windcrest Party House

4:00 Executive Meeting 6:00 Pot-luck Supper More details to come.

Fun and Fellowship at Founders‘ Day 2012 Beta Zeta celebrated our founders and our 77th birthday in March. A trivia game was played to learn about the original founders and our officers for 2012-2014 were installed. Enjoy the pictures!

Marsha, Paula, and Suzanne Olga, Carolyn, and Andrea Barbara

Yummy salads to taste! Presidents Karen and Tammy Ann, Glendine, Lindy, and Barbara

Beta Zeta Buzz Page 4

Our officers for 2012-2014: Tammy Vitek, Parliamentarian; Olga Peacock, Nominating Committee.; Andrea Hudson, 2

nd VP; Helen Usener, 1

st VP; Karen

Loeffler, President; Joanne Davis, State President; Beth Luckenbach, Rec. Sec.; Janet Hext, Treasurer; Amy O’Neil, Corres. Sec.; Janalee Hannemann, Nominating Committee. Not pictured, Delores Klussmann, Nominating Committee.

Quick Notes:

Eileen Whited was chosen Teacher of the Year at FHS. Check out the story attached with this newletter. Congrats Eileen! We are proud of you. _______________________ Keeping up tradition—the Beta Zeta Buzz won the Five-Star Award for 2012-2013 for Excellence. Jerrie is tickled!

Catherine Davis inspires us just by walking in the room, but her inspirational message at Founders‘ Day was truly special. She got us to laughing, thinking, and enjoying her wonderful words. By popular request, the message, in its entirety, follows this newsletter. Thank you, Catherine, we are blessed you came to Fredericksburg and share yourself with us!

Note from the Editor: Since this is my last newsletter, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me including Eileen Whited who taught me, Carolyn Otto who shared pictures and expertise, Tammy Vitek who proofread, my committee and everyone who contributed information and items. I couldn‘t have done it without you. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. I pass the torch to Tammy, who will do a great job! Keep up with Beta Zeta news this summer at the website: http://betazeta.weebly.com/. Our webmaster, Carolyn Otto, does an awesome job! Thank you again and have a wonderful summer. Jerrie Dooley, Editor

Special Olympic 2012 There was lots of “special” at Special Olympics this year in Marble Falls—special athletes, special teachers and coaches, and special volunteers like Beta Zetas Beverly, Tammy, Lindy, Jerrie, Janet, Helen, and Karen, pictured here . The best part is the look on the athletes faces when the medals are put around their necks. Enjoy this special day with us

Catherine‘s Founders‘ Day Inspiration

Many of you may relate to what I am about to say. One of the hardest things for me to

do is set priorities. I am right brained and an ESFJ personality. Boy, can I get distracted! But,

in my defense, I am not always in control of my own time. Sometimes, if it weren't for the last

minute I'd never get anything done! There are other days when I'm so far behind I think I'm

ahead!

We still have to learn to set priorities. A priority has first claim on your time, your

energy, your resources, and your happiness. A priority can be consciously chosen or it can be

set for us by outside circumstances. As women and as educators, we know our priorities are

often at odds with the priorities others impose on us.

Charlie Brown never understood the value of setting priorities. One day he was in his

backyard, involved in target practice with his bow and arrows. Charlie would pull the string

back as far as his muscles would allow and let the arrow fly into the fence. Then he would run

over to the fence and draw a target around the arrow. Lucy finally showed up and told him

that was no way to have target practice. She screamed, "You are supposed to draw the target

and then shoot at it!" Charlie responded, "I know that, Lucy, but if you do it my way you never

miss!"

Many of us are like Charlie Brown. We never set priorities because we think we can do

it all. However, in real life, decision making and applied effort become much easier when we

clarify where we are going and how we intend to get there.

You belong to an honor society of key women educators. You are sisters with

wonderful, intelligent, creative, successful women. 77 years ago our founders got together

and set some priorities. We benefit today from that time. YOU are part of an amazing

organization. Our new officers are now leaders in that organization! Consciously or, maybe

with some arm-twisting, they set a priority --- for the next two years we will be one of their top

priorities.

So that you can set your priorities with the least amount of stress, I ask that you repeat

after me:

I shall not be perfect or even try to be.

I shall not spread myself too thin.

I shall "switch off" and do nothing at least twice a week.

I shall not try to be all things to all people.

I shall leave undone things that ought to be done

but that can wait for another time.

I shall be boring, untidy, inelegant, and unattractive at times

and not feel guilty.

I shall schedule time for myself.

I shall treasure my network of support at home, at work and in my chapter.

I shall be my own best friend.

Be positive. Living on Earth IS expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun

every year. Happiness really does come in through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Have you ever noticed that the people who are late are usually smiling much more than those

that had to wait for them?

You are here because others trusted you and believed in you. You set a priority when

you accepted that invitation to membership.

It is Beta Zeta’s 77th birthday --- Did you know this would also have been Elvis

Presley‘s 77th year? Tammy said, ―We are looking forward to another year of ‗Fabulous.‘‖ I

don‘t know about you, but I still love to hear Elvis sing, especially gospels. I know they called

the Beatles the Fab Five, and they were, but I think the word fabulous also described Elvis. I

thought it might be fun to use some of Elvis‘s titles in this inspiration, so here goes:

“HEARTBREAK HOTEL” might be sung by Joanne if we don‘t make our room block in

Las Colinas --- of course, it won‘t be because Beta Zeta didn‘t try. Jerrie reported lots

of us are going!

“DON’T” might be the response from our new president when she asks you to do

something during the next two years and you tell her you can‘t. When she comes back

to you the second time, you might hear her say, “DON’T BE CRUEL.” If she has to

come the third time, she might think you are a “HARD HEADED WOMAN!”

“HOUND DOG” is kind of how you might feel if you miss a Beta Zeta meeting because

they are fun, we always learn something, and the food is never “RETURNED TO

SENDER”.

“TOO MUCH” never describes Beta Zeta --- “THE WONDER OF YOU” is more

descriptive of our chapter and our members.

“LET ME BE YOUR TEDDY BEAR” might indicate our projects --- we do so much

good for others and make such a difference in our community and our state.

Some of Elvis‘s songs might also relate to our committees, such as:

“NOW AND THEN THERE’S A FOOL SUCH AS I” – something Music Chairs might

think when they plan for us to sing some of those songs!

“IT’S NOW OR NEVER” and “GOOD LUCK CHARM” – words you might hear when

Program of Work plans for the year.

“SURRENDER” – is something the Nominations Committee sometimes feels like

saying when they approach someone for an office and they aren‘t really sure if they will

accept or not!

“THE WONDER OF YOU” – is something Membership might tell new initiates so they

know we really do want them.

“ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT?” – if you find yourself feeling that way, give a

sister a call and enjoy a chat, or, if you need a shoulder, there will be one for you.

“WOODEN HEART” – something perhaps for a door prize gift

“THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE” – how Finance Committee members might feel when they

have to recommend raising dues!

Finally,

“ALL SHOOK UP” is what Joanne will be saying as she prepares for her first

convention --- we will have to treat her gently before and after Las Colinas. She‘ll be

okay, but she will be tense and feeling shook up before we go and then tired and ready

for some verses of “LOVE ME TENDER” and a lot of TLC when it‘s over. I know.

Congratulations to our new officers. You are role models. Bet we don‘t find you

―CRYING IN THE CHAPEL!‖ This biennium may be even better than fabulous! Best wishes

―FOR THE GOOD TIMES‖ of leading and learning.