_________________The Upsilon State________________

__________ _of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International_______ Spring 2016 Vol. 70 No. 1 Iowa State

Spirited Convention Awaits As the weekend of June 10-12 approaches, Upsilon State’s Area 7

chapters are finalizing plans to host our 80th State Convention at the Julien

Hotel in Dubuque. Lambda, Phi, and Beta Alpha Chapters are planning a

“spirited” welcome to beautiful northeast Iowa and the Mississippi River.

Our Society Representative will be Cathy P. Daugherty, 2014-16

International First Vice President. She currently serves the Society as a

member of the Educational

Foundation Board of Trustees, a

DKG/NGO representative to the

United Nations and chair of the

Administrative Board’s

Strategic Plan Committee,

Educational Excellence

Reorganization Committee, and

Membership Study Committee.

She has been member of Alpha

Alpha Chapter in Virginia since

her initiation in 1989 and is a

graduate of the 1997 Golden

Gift Leadership Management

Seminar in Austin. Daugherty

has held leadership positions at

the chapter and state

organization levels serving as Virginia state organization editor (1997-

2003), president (2003-2005), and executive secretary (2005-2008). She is

currently the state’s parliamentarian.

At the international level, Daugherty has served as Southeast

Regional Director (2008-2010). She has chaired the Educational Excellence

and Professional Affairs Committees and served as a member of the

Program of Work Committee. Daugherty chaired the Administrative Board

sub-committee charged with proposing the Society’s first international

project. She was point-person for the Schools for Africa project from its

official adoption at the 2010 International Convention through July 2014,

authoring all issues of the SFA Newsette. She is a frequent presenter, trainer,

and Society representative to state organizations.

Daugherty, a part-time Latin instructor and supervisor of Latin

student teachers at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, retired

from Hanover County Public Schools in 2007 where she served as both

teacher and supervisor for World Languages. She maintained a presence in

the public school setting through school year 2014-2015 as mentor to

beginning teachers at a local middle school and reader for the Scholarship

Committee of the National Latin Exam (NLE). Daugherty has written

articles and made numerous presentations on classical subjects, especially

those relating to pedagogy and teacher training.

80

“This is the birthday,

This is the birthday,

Upsilon State is 80 years old.”

The installation of the

Upsilon State Organization of the

Delta Kappa Gamma Society took

place on May 16, 1936, in Des

Moines. But the story of Upsilon

State really began fifteen years

earlier—in Des Moines—when Miss

Agnes Samuelson first met the Texas

State Supt. of Schools, Dr. Annie

Webb Blanton. Both were attending

the first representative assembly of

the National Education Association.

Prior to the installation of

Upsilon State in May, four Iowa

women who were to become state

founders had been initiated earlier in

the year in St. Louis. Nina Brown and

Nina Goltry of Indianola and Agnes

Samuelson of Des Moines were

initiated on Feb. 22. Jessie Parker of

Des Moines was initiated on Feb. 25.

On Sat. evening, May 16,

National President Norma Smith

Bristow conducted the initiation and

installation in the Green Room of the

Hotel Fort Des Moines at Tenth and

Walnut Streets in Des Moines. Seven

founders were initiated: Lucile

Douglass of Nevada, Fay Kirtland of

Des Moines, Dr. Tacie Knease of

Iowa City, Margaret Mann of

Primghar, Christine Peterson of

LeMars, Florence Prehm of Creston,

and Isabel Robinson of Des Moines.

The 12th founder, May Holmes of

Davenport, was initiated at the next

meeting on Nov. 4.

In 1936, the national

organization consisted of 3,000

members and 104 chapters in 20

states. (Source: “The History of Upsilon State,

Iowa, 1936-1986)

NEWS BULLETIN

Thoughts from President Wittkamp The 2016 year holds many opportunities for Iowa DKG

members to HONOR, LEARN, & LEAD. You are encouraged

to participate in these opportunities.

HONOR chapter officers and committee chairs for their

service to your chapter during the 2014-2016 biennium. Honor

long-time members. As a state, we will honor our 50-year

members at the state convention. Honor a member of your

chapter by nominating her for an Upsilon State Memorial

Scholarship or a chapter scholarship. Honor an area student

with a chapter grant-in-aid. Honor fellow educators for

educational achievements with an Excellence in Education

certificates. Honor our International and State Founders with a

special celebration or program. We will honor our State

Founders at the Birthday Luncheon during the state convention.

We will honor chapters at the state convention with Chapter

Excellence Awards.

Opportunities to LEARN abound this year. Iowa

members had the opportunity to learn about political candidates

seeking their party’s nomination for president as they

crisscrossed the state. Members had the opportunity to learn

about educational issues in Iowa when they attended the Iowa

Legislative Day. Chapter officers for the 2016-2018 biennium

will have an opportunity to learn about Delta Kappa Gamma

during officer training at the state convention. Chapter

committee chairs for the 2016-2018 biennium will have an

opportunity to learn about the work of committees during

training at either the state convention or the fall executive board

meeting. All Iowa DKG members will have opportunities for

learning about our Society and personal interests in workshops

at the state convention and the international convention. I

encourage everyone to make plans to attend the state

convention in Dubuque and the international convention in

Nashville.

Chapters are only as strong as their leaders. Help LEAD

your chapter in the next biennium. Take a leadership role by

serving as an officer or a committee chair and attend the

leadership training provided by the state leaders. Our

International Representative at the state convention, First Vice

President Cathy Daugherty, will speak on leadership. Mentor

new members and encourage them to become chapter leaders.

Upsilon State First Vice President Karen Dole has been selected

to attend the DKG Leadership Management Seminar in Austin,

TX in July. The Leadership Management Seminar is open to

any DKG member; consider applying for the 2018 class for a

great leadership experience.

The chapters of Area 7—Lambda, Phi, and Beta

Alpha—along with Upsilon State leaders invite you to come to

Page 2 Upsilon State News Bulletin

Dubuque June 10-12

for a great 80th birthday

celebration of Upsilon State,

Iowa. Friday afternoon

provides an opportunity for

tours of historic downtown

Dubuque and the Hotel Julien

Dubuque. A Mississippi River

cruise will be available for a

cost of $21.50. Water exercises

for arthritis will be available

Friday night. A yoga session

will be held on Sunday

morning. Leadership training

and workshops will be held

Friday evening and Saturday

morning. Take back to your

chapter information on the

mini-grants which were

awarded this year. Participate

in the business meeting of your

state organization. Listen to

speakers on human trafficking,

leadership and surviving

lightning strikes. Mark your

calendar and make your

reservation to participate in

great opportunities to

HONOR, LEARN, & LEAD. Pam Wittkamp, Upsilon

State President (Alpha Iota)

~ 80 Years & Beyond, Honoring, Learning,

Leading ~

Upsilon State 2015-2017 Officers

President

Pam Wittkamp Alpha Iota

Burlington, IA pkwittkamp@indsvccorp.com

First Vice Pres.

Karen Dole Xi

Mason City, IA

dolekare@mach3ww.com

Second Vice Pres.

Laurie Marple Alpha

Eldridge, IA

marple854@aol.com

Secretary

Sherry Craig Mu

North Sioux City, IA

scrunie@gmail.com

Treasurer

Sandy Aronson Alpha Omega

Albert City, IA sandy.k.aronson@gmail.com

Parliamentarian

Janet Hayes Tau

Des Moines, IA

mjhayes96@gmail.com

Immediate

Past President

Mary Zirkelbach Tau

Johnston, IA

mezirk@gmail.com

Honoring Our Sisters Please come celebrate and remember the lives of our

DKG sisters who we have had to say goodbye to since last June.

Each of these women left a legacy that should inspire us all, both

personally and professionally. The Membership committee

invites you to join us on Sunday, June 12, in Dubuque, for a

special ceremony of remembrance. (This list is complete

as of 4-07-16)

Alpha Theresa Stelk 8/1/15

Alpha Alice Louise Henry 11/30/15

Delta Marjorie Thomas 5/8/15

Epsilon Beulah Walker 11/3/15

Zeta Mary Homeier 10/26/15

Eta Mary Ann Quint 11/12/15

Theta Alice Henline 2/16/16

Mu Mary Speckhart 1/15/16

Phi Margareta March 3/19/16

Alpha Epsilon Florence Long 4/20/15

Alpha Eta Twila Parker 1/15/16

Alpha Nu Mary Kopsieker 8/4/15

Alpha Nu Doris Mae Connor 2/24/16

Alpha Omega Marjorie Perry 12/8/15

Beta Gamma Lauri Netz 12/14/15

Beta Zeta Esther Severin 11/16/15

Beta Theta Evelyn Humke 1/24/16

Beta Rho Cynthia Vogel 3/10/16

Provided by Kristin Merkle, Membership Chair

Fish Receives Cornetet Award Karen M. Duke, Chair, of the Cornetet Individual

Professional Development Awards Committee of The DKG

Education Foundation announces the awarding of one of the

awards to Kelsey Fish, Shellsburg. The award in the amount of

$1,959 will be used by Kelsey to attend the I Teach K!

Kindergarten National Conference.

All educators, members and non-members, who need

professional development assistance are

encouraged to check the Foundation website,

dkgef.org, for the Cornetet Individual

Professional Development Award information

and application. Apply as Kelsey did.

Awards will fund participation in

conferences, seminars, lecture series, national

certification, online courses as well as

workshops and other non-degree programs for

employed educators.

Upsilon State News Bulletin Spring 2016 page 3

In Memory of Mary

Upsilon State Past President

Mary Speckhart, Mu Chapter,

passed away January 15, 2016.

Longtime friend Connie Hoag

provided your editor with the

substance of this tribute to her.

During Mary’s long-time

membership in DKG, she served

in many capacities of Mu Chapter

and was Upsilon State President

1975-77. She participated in the

Golden Gift Seminar in 1984 and

served on the Intl. Insurance

Committee 1976-80 and Intl. Ad

Hoc Committee to Study

International Conventions 1980-82.

Mary was a Spanish teacher and counselor in the South Sioux

School District for many years. Since retiring she has been a volunteer

Spanish teacher at the Senior Center and helping with tax preparation.

Mary was a gracious woman, but one who loved to have a good time.

She was always organizing trips with friends to theatre or music

productions!

Dr. Hoag wrote, “Mary was an early mentor for me. She was

Mu Chapter president when I moved to Sioux City and transferred my

membership. She involved me in chapter activities right away,

especially the Program of Work committee, and took me along to state

meetings. Mary was state president the year I was chapter president and

the state convention was held in Sioux City. Because of her friendship,

I met many of the state and regional leaders at that time and started my

involvement at the state level.”

More thoughts about Mary came from Dr. Carolyn Rants,

“Mary, Connie Hoag, and I were all initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma

in 1962 but in different chapters, all eventually finding ourselves in the

same one. Mary was initiated into Mu chapter where she provided

leadership for many activities and programs during her 54 years of

membership. Since her health decline in recent years, many of you may

not know her but she valued her membership in the Society over the

years. She will be missed!” Marie Haley shared these thoughts about her friend, “Mary,

Barb Van Every and I attended the International Convention in Dallas.

We drove to Texas and when we reached the hotel we had reservation

problems. The hotel did not have a room for us, but we had

confirmation of a room. The hotel had no choice but to place us in the

only available room—-the Penthouse. Mary invited the entire Iowa

delegation up to the room to enjoy the view.

One of Mary’s accomplishments as president was initiating the Area

Workshops for training of chapter officers. The program built a strong

state knowledge base that remains a vital factor in Iowa’s Society

presence today. She is also responsible for our connections to Iceland

as Iowa sponsored their membership into the Society.

Mini-Grants

Announced for

2015-2016

The Upsilon State Educa-

tional Excellence Committee is

pleased to announce the 2015-2016

recipients of the $100 DKG State

Mini-Grants. Each of the recipients

will have a display at state

convention to share their project.

SEE Supporting Early Career

Educators

*Sigma Chapter—“Raise the Roof

with Rhythm”

EMBRACE Your ENVIRON-

MENT

*Mu Chapter—One Milkweed

Seed at a Time

*Nu Alpha Gamma—

Remembering One Room School-

houses

*Beta Omicron—Board Books for

Babies

*Alpha Omega—Backpack Meals

for Kids

*Alpha—Warmth and Comfort

During Winter Months

Meet You In Dubuque

Do your homework and

be ready to come to the 80th

Upsilon State Convention, June

10-12!

Dubuque and the Tri-

State Area have lots of things to

see and do. Bring your family

to visit the Mississippi River

Museum and Aquarium, see the

city from the top of the 4th St.

Elevator, take a walk along the

River Walk, enjoy a "Spirited"

River Cruise, or see America's

River Music Festival. Google

"Dubuque, Iowa" and learn all

the possibilities!

Page 4 Upsilon State News Bulletin Spring 2016

Chapter Tidbits . . . . . . . . .

Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter members, from

left, Cathy Clark, Marilyn Bode and Marlene Johnson

inspect the items in the silent auction at the group's

December meeting. Proceeds from the auction support

two $500 scholarships in memory of longtime Perry

educator Opal Strassburg.

Omega Chapter recognized Kimberly

Stonehouse of Seymour Community Schools with

an Excellence in Education Award. In her third

year of teaching at Seymour, Kimberly taught

kindergarten one year and special education two.

Pictured with Kimberly are her principal Jamie

Houser and Omega President Lona Aldrich.

Spring 2016 Upsilon State News Bulletin page 5

During the school year, Mu Chapter, Sioux City,

has supported five new teachers at Spaulding Park

School. At their April meeting, the five teachers

will share their year’s experiences. Beta Omicron held a “bakeless bake sale” to

support World Fellowship. At their March meeting, a

representative from the Auxiliary at Kossuth Regional

Health Center spoke of the many opportunities for

participation.

Alpha Phi members met in Sioux Center for

their November meeting and visited Atlas. Atlas is a

faith-based, non-profit, community organization

existing to help those in the community who are hurting

or in need and to work closely with the local churches.

Their services are free. Their funding comes from

businesses and individuals but no government

involvement. They rely on volunteers and are always

looking for more. Amy, the director said that a lot of the

people they see need someone to talk to. They do a lot

of mentoring and “walk beside them”

A visit to the Hardin County Correctional

Facility was part of Beta Theta’s agenda March

12. The visit proved to be interesting and enlightening

as they discovered what happens behind those walls. In

an effort to expand their chapter, they have invited 17

outstanding women educators to join Delta Kappa

Gamma

. Looking for a quick way to add a few dollars to

your treasury or to one of your causes? Chi Chapter

uses “Fun-raisers.” In March, for example, members

contributed 10 cents for every letter in their name that

matched the letters in the word “green.”

In May, Epsilon Chapter will celebrate the 60

year membership of Maxine Robinson who was

initiated in 1956. Congratulations, Maxine!

Jeopardy fans, were you watching the show on

March 21? If you were, you know there was a

contestant from Des Moines, Iowa. What you didn’t

know is that Melissa Spencer is a member of Epsilon

Chapter. She was competing against the returning

champ Steve Stoffle and another man Kim Vu from

Washington, D.C. At the end of the first round,

Melissa led with $6,000, Kim had $3,600, and Steve

$2,200. Going into the final Jeopardy question, Melissa

bet all she had and finished with $13,600, Steve with

$13,599, and Kim with $11,500.

Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter celebrated its

60th birthday April 2 with an anniversary reunion

of current and former members. Among those

honored was surviving founding member Wilma

McManus.

Upsilon State Convention June 10-12, 2016 80 Years & Beyond: Honoring, Learning, Leading

Mail-In Registration * There’s still time to register * Late Registration after May 27

Please Print

Name ________________________________________

Address______________________________________

City _________________________________________

Telephone ____________________________________

Email ________________________________________

Chapter ______________________________________

Is this your first time to attend an Upsilon State

Convention? Yes ____ No _____

Are you an Upsilon State Past President?

Yes ____ No _____

*Are you an incoming 2016-2018 Chapter President?

Yes ____ No _____

*Are you an incoming 2016-2018 Chapter Membership

Chair? Yes ____ No _____

Registration Registration Fee (Required)

Regular Reg. (Postmarked April 28-May 27) ___$30.

Late Reg. (Postmarked after May 27, 2016) ___ $45.

Meal & Gratuity

Friday Night Italian Buffet _____$22.

*(2016-2018 Chapter Presidents and Membership

Chairs, No Charge) Indicate if attending _____$ 0.

Saturday

Birthday Luncheon (mark preference) _____$19.

___ Paradise Salad w/grilled chicken

___ Turkey, Bacon, Ranch Sandwich

w/homemade chips

Banquet (mark preference) _____$33.

___ Roasted Pork Tenderloin

___ Chicken Cordon Bleu

Sunday Brunch Rise & Shine ______$18

.

Total enclosed for Registration & Meals

$________

Is a special diet required? _____Yes _____No

If yes, please explain.

Page 6 Upsilon State News Bulletin Spring 2016

Friday Events (optional~see descriptions on next page)

Check all you plan to attend

_____"Discover Dubuque" downtown walking tour

_____Self-guided tour of Hotel Julien Dubuque

_____"Spirit of Dubuque" river cruise ($21.50 pay

@dock)

_____Water aquatic exercises for arthritis

Make checks payable to . . .

DKG Upsilon State Convention

Mail the registration form and check to: Evie McCready, Registrar

2990 VanBuren Ave

Dubuque, IA 52001

Phone: 563-556-1927

Email: lecma5@a ol.com

Convention Site Hotel Julien Dubuque

200 Main Street

Dubuque, IA 52001

Hotel Reservations

Make reservations directly with the hotel

563-556-4200; indicate you are with Delta Kappa

Gamma

*Rooms: 1 king or 2 queens $129 plus tax for 1-2

people; $10 charge per each additional person up to 4

persons

*Reservations must be made by May 12, 2016, to secure

group rate

*If you are sharing a room, only one person should

be responsible for making the reservation

Photo Release: By your attendance at this event, you

are granting permission to be filmed, videotaped,

audiotaped or photographed by any means and are

granting full use of your likeness, voice and words

without compensation.

Upsilon State Convention June 10-12, 2016 KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

Registration Mailed____________Amt__________

Ck#___________

Registration Fee (Required)

Regular Reg. (Postmarked April 28-May 27) _____$30

Late Reg. (Postmarked after May 27, 2016) _____$45

Meal & Gratuity

Friday Night Italian Buffet _____$22

*(No charge for 2016-18 Chapter Presidents and

Membership Chairs) Indicate if attending _____ $0

Saturday

Birthday Luncheon (indicate preference) _____$19

___ Paradise Salad w/ grilled chicken

___ Turkey, Bacon, Ranch Sandwich

w/ homemade chips

Banquet _____$33

___ Roasted Pork Tenderloin

___ Chicken Cordon Bleu

Sunday Brunch Rise & Shine _____$18

Total enclosed for Registration/Meals $_______

Friday Events (optional~see descriptions below)

_____"Discover Dubuque" guided walking tour

_____Self-guided tour of Hotel Julien Dubuque

_____"Spirit of Dubuque" cruise pay $21.50 @ dock

_____Water aquatic exercises for arthritis

Bring your Dubuque postcard for an added surprise!

Make checks payable to . . .

DKG Upsilon State Convention

Mail registration form and check to: Evie McCready, Registrar

2990 VanBuren Ave

Dubuque, IA 52001

Phone: 563-556-1927

Email: lecma5@aol.com

Refund Policy

Cancellation requests must be in writing to the

following address: DKG c/o Evie McCready, 2990

VanBuren Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001 or email

lecma5@aol.com. A processing charge of $2.00 shall

be retained on all cancellation requests. Refunds for

meals shall be contingent on the resale of tickets.

Convention Site

Hotel Julien Dubuque

200 Main Street

Dubuque, IA 52001

Hotel Reservations

Make reservations directly with the hotel 563-556-4200;

indicate you are with Delta Kappa Gamma

*Rooms: 1 king or 2 queens $129 + tax for 1-2 people;

$10 charge per each additional person up to 4 persons

*Reservations must be made by May 12, 2016, to secure

group rate

*If you are sharing a room, only one person should

be responsible for making the reservation

_____________________________________________________________

Friday Events

· Self-guided tour of Hotel Julien Dubuque

· "Discover Dubuque" (1:00-2:00) Guided walking mini-tour of historic downtown Dubuque

· "Spirit of Dubuque" Mississippi River Cruise (3:00-4:30) Ticket is $21.50 to be purchased dockside prior to

boarding the boat

· Water Aquatic Exercises for Arthritis in the Pool (8:00-9:00)

Sunday Morning Event

· Sun Rise Yoga (6:45-7:45) Start your morning right with a yoga session. Please sign up at the registration table

upon arrival at convention.

Spring 2016 Upsilon State News Bulletin page 7

Brunch Speaker There’s still time to register for the 2016

Upsilon State Convention in Dubuque and attend the

Sunday morning brunch. At that time, you will meet

Beth Peterson and hear her amazing story

Beth is a two-time lightning strike survivor and

author of Life After Lightning -A Journey of Spiritual

and Self-discovery. After being struck the first time

while on patrol at U.S. Army Fort Benning, Georgia,

she was accompanied by three Angels to Heaven and

given the choice of remaining there with God or

returning to her life on Earth. Despite facing

tremendous physical, mental, and emotional pain she

found strength in her faith and has persevered to

become the person she is today. She is a lover of

nature, an Army veteran, and a model of mind-over-

matter enthusiasm. She lives in Iowa with her husband

and two children.

Julien Hotel—Convention Central Built in 1839, the old Julien Hotel was the first

building travelers saw as they crossed the Mississippi

River into Iowa’s first city. It has survived fire and

hosted famous guests including Abraham Lincoln,

“Buffalo Bill” Cody, Mark Twain and even mobster Al

Capone (who was said to visit when it got “hot” in

Chicago).

After you attend the 2016 Upsilon State

Convention in Dubuque June 10-12, you can say you

stayed there, too.

Page 8 Upsilon State News Bulletin spring 2016

Mu Chapter Participates in.

Festival of Trees

Mu Chapter participated in the Sioux City 23rd annual Festival of Trees event for the first time in December of 2015. By tradition, businesses and organizations are invited to purchase, decorate, display and then have their tree or wreath auctioned off with the proceeds going to a local charity.

Mu Chapter was delighted to contribute to this year’s charity, the Siouxland Autism Support Group. A Mu member purchased the tree, others donated unbreakable ornaments and others completed the process by decorating.

The site of the displays and auction was the Ho-Chunk Centre (former Terra Center) in downtown Sioux City. The foyer was filled with beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Bidding by silent auction took place for several weeks. The event concluded with a live auction in the atrium with a gala of music and competition.

Mu Chapter was thrilled that our tree brought $550 for the Siouxland Autism Support Group. We are making plans for our second Festival of Trees event in 2016.

Contributed by Connie Hoag, Mu Chapter

Omega Chapter Celebrates 60 Years

2015 was a special year for Omega Chapter as they celebrated the

60th Anniversary of their chartering in Wayne County on October 3 at the

Inn of the Six-toed Cat in Allerton.. Chapter members (left to right) are

Natalie Brown, Shirley Cook, Rith Maddallozzo, Cheryl Housh, Paula Dal

Ponte, and Chaper President Lona Aldrich. Guests included Peggy Rupe,

Lori Marple, Karen Dole, and Pam Wittkamp.

Lambda Honors 50-Year Member Bethany Home was the setting on June 25, for Lambda Chapter to

honor its newest 50 year member, Helen Watts. At age 98, Helen is truly

the educator of the twentieth century. She taught every grade, but not

every subject. She was a principal and a college assistant professor of

education.

Helen began teaching in a one room school house on the

Mississippi mud flats near Burlington. She taught several places in Iowa,

in New York City, and globally in Trinidad, Cuba, Spain, and

Morocco. Helen spent forty-five years as an educator retiring as emerita

professor from the University of Dubuque in 1982.

Helen's daughter from Washington state and her son from

Minnesota were present for the event and to witness her ring the school

bell once rung by her mother.

Happy Birthday, Pauline On January 16,

Pauline Antons,

celebrated her 90th

birthday. Her daughters

Sharon and Karen and

their families hosted a

fun, memorable event

with a German Heritage

touch. Over 200 came to

wish her a happy

birthday.

Pauline is president

of Beta Nu Chapter and

a member of the state

scholarship committee.

In Sympathy

Upsilon State extends its

sincere sympathy to Beta Rho Chapter

and the family of Cynthia Vogel.

Cynthia was co-president of the

chapter located in Davis County and

Title I Math teacher at Davis Co.

Elementary. She became ill at school

March 10 and passed away that

evening.

Cynthia is survived by her

husband Leon of Bloomfield and

grown children.

State Legislative Day Report On March 2, Karen Dole-Xi

joined five other DKG members from

around the state to attend her first

Upsilon State Legislative Day. They

met at the Capitol cafeteria for coffee

and a briefing with Brad Hudson from

ISEA, to get an update on education

bills, funding and other issues. She was

then able to spend some time with

Representative Sharon Steckman and

Senator Amanda Ragan and to sit in

the gallery during Senate debate on

Medicaid Oversight. I

Karen even ran into former Xi

Chapter Mary Giese. Lunch with

several of the DKG participants

completed the day.

Also attending were

Legislative Rep. Judith Olsen-Chi,

Janet Hayes and Kathryn Winslow -

Tau, and Cyrena Buschmann and

Colleen Deitrich-Alpha Nu.

Chapter Tidbit

At their March meeting,

members of Theta Chapter

learned from the past as Ann Harris

shared information on Victorian

wedding traditions. In April they

learned about the plight of the

Monarch butterflies.

Spring 2016 Upsilon State News Bulletin

page 9

Proposals for Change in the Standing Rules

The Upsilon State Rules Committee encourages you to read, study and be prepared to act upon the following

proposals at the state convention this June in Dubuque. The amendments proposed are to Standing Rule 10.31.

Current Wording--

10.31 Guidelines for Upsilon State Achievement Award

a. Nominations for the award may be submitted to the Achievement Award Committee by any member or

chapter using the official nomination form which includes the criteria for selecting the recipient.

b. Nominees for the Achievement Award must meet the following criteria:

(1) Active membership in Upsilon State for a minimum of ten years.

(2) Full-time employment as a professional educator for a minimum of ten (10) years.

(3) Active membership at the time of nomination for the award.

(4) Service to Upsilon State for at least six (6) years in two or more of the following capacities: officer,

committee chair, committee member, parliamentarian, editor or webmaster.

(5) Attendance at state, regional, and international meetings.

c. A member shall not be considered for the award while she is serving the state organization in an elective

position. No member may receive the award more than once.

d. Nominations for the award shall be received by the chair of the Achievement Award Committee postmarked

or electronic date stamped by February l5.

e. Ballots and resumes for each nominee shall be sent by postal mail or electronic mail to voting members of the

State Executive Board by the committee chair by April 1. Votes must be received by the chair postmarked or electronic

date stamped by May l to be considered in the election of a recipient.

f. If there is only one nominee for the award, the candidate must receive four-fifths (4/5) of the ballots cast to

receive the award. If there are at least two candidates, the preferential ballot shall be used. In case of a tie, the

Achievement Award Committee shall make the final decision.

g. The presentation of the Achievement Award certificate shall be made at the state convention. The award shall

be given to only one member each year. In a year when no candidate has been nominated for the Achievement Award, it

shall not be given.

Three Proposed Amendments--

1. Amend 10.31 b (5) – By Striking “Attendance at state, regional and international meetings” and substituting

“Participation at state meetings.”

Amendment 10.31 b (5) if adopted would read 10.31 b (5). Participation at state meetings.

Rationale: By making these changes to the eligibility standards, the Achievement Award will more closely reflect

honoring chapter members that serve Upsilon State in many capacities. The current criteria place a priority on

attending regional and international conventions. These conventions are limiting to many members who

contribute greatly in other ways to the state organization. The changes will better reflect the many roles and ways

various members contribute to Upsilon State. This will make the award more meaningful and more accurately

reflect state contributions.

Fiscal Impact: none Submitted by: Achievement Award Committee

2. Amend 10.31 c – by adding the phrase “or as a member of the Achievement Award Committee” to the end of

first sentence.

Amendment 10.31 c if adopted would read 10.31 c. A member shall not be considered for the award while she is

serving the state organization in an elective position or as a member of the Achievement Award Committee. No

member may receive the award more than once.

Rationale: The rules of eligibility would be changed.

Fiscal impact: none Submitted by: Achievement Award Committee

3. Amend SR 10.31 b (4) - by adding at the end of the sentence the words “or music representative.”

Amendment SR 10.31 b (4) if adopted would read SR10.31 b (4). Service to Upsilon State for at least six (6)

years in two or more of the following capacities: officer, committee chair, committee member, parliamentarian,

editor, webmaster or music representative.

Rationale: In the past the music representative was a member of the Program of Work Committee and qualified

for the award in this way. When the committee structure was changed a few years ago and the Bylaws and Rules

were revised, the music representative was removed from a specific relationship to any committee. Some music

Page 10 Upsilon State News Bulletin Spring 2016

representatives have contributed substantially to state convention and other meetings, but that position alone does

not currently qualify them for the Achievement Award.

Fiscal impact: none Submitted by: Rules Committee

2015-2017 Upsilon State Rules Committee: Odelia Schrunk, Chair;

Mary Pieper, Linda Podhjsky, Liz Poock and Janet Hayes (Ex-officio)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These photos provided by Susan Carlson. Spring 2016 Upsilon State News Bulletin page 11

Members of

the 2015 Neva

Barnhart

Leadership

Seminar were

(front) Leslie

Steward-Alpha

Omega, Sandy

Aronson-Alpha

Omega, Mary

Toflon-Alpha,

Kathy Vitasek-

Beta Theta; (back)

Yvonne Fielder-

Tau, Mary Harris-

Psi, and Kristin

Merkle-Tau.

The seminar

was June 14-16 at

Gloria Dei

Lutheran Church

in Urbandale.

NW

Re

gio

na

l C

on

fere

nce

Att

en

de

es

July

28

-Au

g. 1

, 20

15

, Re

gin

a, S

ask

atc

he

wa

n

Special Event in

Nashville

Dust off your western

wear and boots as you pack for

Nashville this summer! The DKG

Educational Foundation (DKGEF)

will sponsor Call Me Country at

the world-famous Wildhorse

Saloon during the 2016 DKG

International Convention. All DKG

members and their guests are urged

to purchase tickets when registering

for the convention, either online

(www.dkg.org) or using the

registration form found in the

Jan./Feb. issue of the DKG News.

Plan to spend Thursday

evening, July 7th in the Wildhorse

Saloon located in the heart of

Nashville’s entertainment district.

This three-level historic warehouse

has been converted into a 66,000

sq. ft. country music dance hall,

restaurant, concert hall, and TV

production site. Your ticket ($165) includes:

transportation (buses will

run every 20 minutes between the

Wildhorse Saloon and the Opry-

land Hotel)

access to all levels and

activities plus buffet dinner

entertainment – DJ, live

band, line dance instruction, dance

floor

a tax deductible donation

to the Educational Foundation

page 12 Spring 2016

Upsilon State News Bulletin

Nancy Middaugh, Editor

PO Box 71

Hamburg, IA 51640

sn25midd@gmail.com

712-382-2081

Cathy O’Keefe to Speak at Convention

Convention planners are pleased to announce that Cathy

O’Keefe, Executive Director of Braking Traffik, will speak before the

beginning of the General Session.

Cathy first became passionate about fighting human trafficking

in 2008 while living in China, where sex trafficking was often out in

the open. Upon returning to the U.S., Cathy joined Braking Traffick

to eradicate this form of modern day slavery from the Quad Cities

community and to give a voice to the hundreds of thousands of

American children and young adults who are victims in our country

each year.

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Hamburg, IA

51640 Permit No. 19