Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Eta Zeta Press August September 2023
Eta Zeta Press August September 2023
Eta Zeta, Chapter 174, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas DKG Vision Statement:
Texas State Organization, Area 9 Leading Women Educators, Impacting Education Worldwide
Volume 60 Issue 1, August/September 2023 The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes
professional and personal growth of women educators and
excellence in education.
Mary Claire Welch, Editor terrencemary@att.net
It is time to honor outstanding educators you know by asking them to become a member of Delta Kappa Gam-
ma Eta Zeta Chapter. There are two categories of membership described for membership.
*An Active Member candidate would be a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator. It
could be anyone who is in the process of educating children or adults in a school, business, library, health profession, or
the public as a professional educator.
*A Collegiate Member is an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in an institution offering an
education degree, and has the intent to continue, academically and professionally, in the field of education. The under-
graduate student must be enrolled within the last two years of an undergraduate education degree.
Eta Zeta members can begin the process of Membership Recruitment by recording the potential member’s name
and contact information on a Prospect Card. The Membership Committee will reach out to your prospective member to
complete an application. The applications will be shared with the chapter at the next chapter meeting and a vote will be
taken on the acceptance of the recommended outstanding women educators nominated. An invitation to an Orientation
Tea will be extended to each of the phenomenal women educators where they will be given information about The Delta
Kappa Gamma Society International at the international, state and chapter levels. Upon the payment of their dues, the
candidates become members. An induction ceremony will be held at the next chapter meeting.
Please cut out the two Prospect Cards and
choose two outstanding women educators you would like Eta Zeta Chapter
to honor with an invitation for membership in Eta Zeta DKG Prospect Card
Chapter. Please submit this card to Mary Bixler, Member-
ship Chair at the next meeting. Please Print Clearly
Women educators can change the world. Eta Zeta Name: _________________
members can grow our chapter and change the world. We Address: _________________ City: _______Zip ______
can SOAR if we have a plan, we know our direction, and
E-Mail: _____________________
the winds of change are with us. Let’s make the decision
Employer: _____________________
to ride the wind and SOAR.
Position: _____________________
Sponsor: ____________________________
Marian Willard
Please Print Clearly
Name: _________________
Address: _________________ City: _______Zip ______
E-Mail: _____________________
Leigh Taylor
Employer: _____________________
Jeannie Morrison
Position: _____________________
Sponsor: ____________________________
Bradley Sue Howell surrounded by her col- Bradley Sue surrounded by her grand-
leagues and friends Marcia Lee Bircher, John children and great grandchildren,
Beautiful Bradley Sue
Beard, Anna Ruth Penn (Eta Zeta), Judy Bry-
Howell being honored
ant (Eta Zeta) and Patti Hardeman.
on her birthday.
Members Present: Mary Bixler, Evelyn Hamilton, Elaine Hudson, LaToya Maxey, Jeannie Morrison, Leigh
Taylor, Melba Timms, Marian Williard
Members Present Via Zoom: Sandra Foster Brown, Jane Walker, Mary Claire Welch, Cassandra Jones,
Betty Ackerman
Special Guest by Zoom: Kim Cole, guest of Maria Viera Williams and Mary Bixler
Location: LaCalle Doce Restaurant, 1925 Skillman St., Dallas, TX and via Zoom
Meeting Called to Order: The Eta Zeta Chapter Meeting was called to order at 6:03 P.M. by President Mari-
an Willard, who extended a welcome to members and one visitor present in person and by Zoom. President
Willard explained that the Texas State Organization Theme for this Biennium is SOAR, Soar to new heights.
Meditation: LaToya Maxey offered a prayer from the heart for the meditation.
Quorum Check: The quorum of 1/3 of active members was met with 11 members in attendance, in-person or
by Zoom, for conducting business of the chapter.
Adoption of the Agenda: There was a motion to approve the agenda and a show of hands to approve it.
Minutes/Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting: A motion was presented, seconded, and unani-
mously approved to accept the minutes from the May 8th meeting.
Correspondence: Mary Claire Welch reported that there was correspondence with Pam Burge, the previous
Communications and Publicity Committee Chair for the Texas State Organization to correct the omission of
Eta Zeta Chapter as a recipient of the FIVE STAR NEWSLETTER AWARD for 2022-2023. Mary Bixler
shared correspondence with TSO Webmaster Debbi Ball regarding the omission of Eta Zeta Chapter from the
www.dkgtexas.org website list of Certified Chapter Websites for the Biennium 2022-2024 and its correction
on on August 24, 2023.
President’s Report: Marian shared that she enjoyed attending many good workshops and social events at the
TSO Convention in McAllen in June with Mary Claire Welch and Mary Bixler. Marian stated that she learned
that chapters can have fewer meetings to make time for more fun gatherings, such as playing Bingo or having
a Christmas party. She encouraged members to think of activities they would like to have and share any budg-
et requests for activities.
Marian reported that the biggest news from the McAllen Convention is the decision to change the an-
nual convention schedule to a biannual schedule. There will be Regional Area Workshops on June 22, 2024.
Our Area Workshop will include Areas 1, 9, and 17 and will meet in Dallas. The next state convention is
scheduled for June 2025 in Denton, Texas. Marian commented that you “need to do things differently to get
different results.”
Marian reminded members that dues must be submitted as soon as possible to Treasurer Leigh Taylor.
Marian reported that 1st Vice President Natalie Brown stepped down from her office due to increased
work travel, work commitments and family needs. Marian reviewed the “Year At A Glance”, stating that we
will have the new Area 9 Coordinator visiting Eta Zeta Chapter on October 23. Betty Ackerman resigned the
office of Secretary for personal reasons, but she is continuing her membership in Eta Zeta. Marian comment-
ed that we need replacements for the Secretary and the 1st Vice President, and asked if anyone is willing to
take on one of the offices to let her know. A scholarship deadline is in October. Scholarship Chair Cassandra
Jones was planning to share scholarship information, but she was in a car accident on the way to the meeting.
Scholarship information will be shared by email to members.
2nd Vice President’s Report: Mary Bixler read the report prepared by Maria Viera Williams, who was out of
town for work. 17 of 23 active members and 3 of the 8 reserve members have paid their dues. The 6 active
and 5 reserve members who have not paid are being contacted. Suggestions for recruiting new members were
shared, such as sharing a flyer of DKG benefits to prospective members. One suggested strategy is to go in
pairs to a library willing to allow you to share flyers and a prospect card with library patrons who are curious.
Wearing DKG paraphernalia can create curiosity that leads to discussion of DKG with women who may be
prospective members. Suggestions for retaining members are to plan engaging meetings and fun activities.
Flyers and prospect cards were given to members present and will be distributed by email to members unable
to be present.
Marian offered a Labor Day recruitment suggestion. Prepare and share goody bags at a school for the
return to school after Labor Day. Little bags with a piece of candy and a bit of information about DKG and
Eta Zeta can be placed in teacher boxes with the school’s permission.
Mary Bixler introduced our visitor Kim Cole, who is interested in joining Eta Zeta. She is a coworker
of Maria Viera Williams at International Leadership of Texas, where Kim is a Transition Coordinator. Marian
thanked Kim for visiting our chapter.
Treasurer’s Report: Leigh Taylor reported that the savings account has $1207.09 and the checking account
has $9469.28 currently. The amounts given do not reflect all the dues checks and payments made to state and
international. The Credit Union’s statement is issued at the end of the month. An update will be emailed to
members. Funds needed in the budget should be turned in by Sept. 1. The budget will be presented next
month.
Marian suggested a popcorn fundraising program as a way for Eta Zeta to raise funds to offer scholar-
ships to prospective teachers. Giving scholarships makes others aware of our chapter. We could target colleg-
es to add collegiate members to Eta Zeta also. The Popcorn fundraiser is not set up yet, but when it is, it has a
short window of collecting orders. We will discuss the fundraiser again in September.
LaToya Maxey offered to take on the Secretary role for September through May 2024. Elaine Hudson
expressed a willingness to act as 1st Vice President through May 2024.
Parliamentarian’s Report: Evelyn stated that Amendments, Chapter 5, of the Robert’s Rules of Order will
be presented at the September meeting by LaToya Maxey and Lauren Timms.
Newsletter: The deadline for articles to be included in the August/September Newsletter is September 10.
Please share any awards or good news that you have received.
Birthday and Other Acknowledgments Song: The following members were identified as having birthdays:
Ida Durham, Bradley Sue Howell, Debbie Duke, Marian Willard, and Mary Bixler in July; Lauren Timms,
Natalie Brown, and Mary Claire Welch in August; Joanne Szalay, Rosemary Rumbley, Jean Morrison, and
Betty Ackerman in September. Mary Claire and Terry Welch celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in
July. Leigh Taylor and her husband Gerald celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August. Mary Bixler
led the members in the celebration song.
Meeting Adjourned: The Eta Zeta Chapter Meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. with members in a circle
holding hands singing “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song.”
Next Eta Zeta Meeting: September 25, 2023 at La Calle Doce Restaurant, 1925 Skillman St.
Members present: Betty Ackerman, Mary Bixler, Evelyn Hamilton, Bradley Sue Howell, Elaine Hudson,
LaToya Maxey, Leigh Taylor, Lauren Timms, Melba Timms, Maria Viera-Williams, Jane Walker, Mary Claire
Welch, Marian Willard
Members present via Zoom: Sandra Foster Brown
Special Guest: Maria Viera-Williams’ husband, Jim Williams
Location: La Calle Dolce on Skillman, Dallas, TX, and via Zoom
Meeting Called to Order and Welcome: The Eta Zeta Chapter Meeting was called to order by President Mari-
an Willard at 6:03 pm, and a welcome was extended to all present either in person or via Zoom.
Quorum Check: President Marian Willard confirmed a quorum being present for conducting business.
Meditation: Bradley Sue Howell shared with members an inspirational fable that in a humorous way re-
minds educators to recognize students as individuals and to set them up for success by helping each one to
develop their own unique strengths.
Adoption of Agenda: A motion was made by Mary Claire Welch and seconded by Bradley Sue Howell to ap-
prove the agenda as printed. A vote was taken to approve the agenda.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March 27th Eta Zeta meeting were provided for review by the
members. Betty Ackerman moved to approve the minutes, and Bradley Sue Howell seconded the motion. A
vote was taken to accept the minutes as recorded.
Correspondence: Mary Claire Welch reported there has been correspondence regarding DKG members who
have passed away. She also reported that she was asked by the DKG state president to encourage Eta Zeta
members to explore the international website (www.dkg.org). International President Debbie LaBlanc is
providing podcast sessions to get members focused on becoming more active.
President’s Report: Marian Willard extended special thanks to Mary Claire Welch for chairing the Coordi-
nating Council of Dallas County and leading Eta Zeta to be able to host the spring luncheon event which took
place at the Lakewood Country Club on April 22nd.
Marian shared plans to attend the state organization conference that will be held June 13-18, 2023, in
McAllen, TX. At least three Eta Zeta members are making plans to attend the conference.
Recommitment Ceremony: President Willard led the members as they stood in the DKG rededication and
renewed commitment ceremony.
Founders & Chapter Celebration: Mary Bixler led the members to remember and celebrate dedicated
founders. Several members participated in the celebration by reading about various founders.
The names of Eta Zeta charter members were read and honored. Eta Zeta was established in Dallas exactly
sixty years ago; April 27, 1963. One of the charter members is still living. The names of the charter mem-
bers are listed in the yearbook.
Ceremony of Remembrance: Mary Claire Welch conducted this white rose ceremony to remember Eta Zeta
members who have passed away; LaDelle Rose Smith, Cynthia Virginia DeVies, and Sharon Ann Kraus. A
generous amount of time was taken during the ceremony to share personal recollections and remember the
contributions and unique qualities of each of these ladies.
To conclude the Ceremony of Remembrance, Mary Claire read the poem, “Gifts and Giving.”
First Vice-President’s Report: Natalie Brown was not able to attend tonight’s meeting. Marian Willard
thanked Natalie for suggesting wearing different hats to celebrate the special contributions of the founders.
Treasurer’s Report: Leigh Taylor shared the treasurer’s report for March 2023. Annual dues of $100 should
be paid by June 15th.
Parliamentarian’s Report: Evelyn Hamilton with the assistance of Lauren Timms and LaToya Maxes guided
the membership to consider procedures for Making an Amendment to a Motion. This procedure will be
demonstrated at the August meeting.
Announcements: Mary Claire reported that the Eta Zeta Chapter is eligible for the Five-Star rating because
five newsletters were submitted.
President’s Achievement Awards: Certificate of Achievement were presented by Marian Willard to:
Evelyn Hamilton, Mary Bixler, Mary Claire Welch, Betty Ackerman, Leigh Taylor, and Maria Viera-Williams.
Perfect Attendance Awards: Marian Willard presented awards for perfect attendance.
Songs: Mary Bixler led members in singing the birthday/congratulations/anniversary song, the birthday
songs for Delta Kappa Gamma and for Eta Zeta, and the Delta Kappa Gamma song.
Meeting Adjourned: The Eta Zeta Chapter meeting was adjourned at 7:17 pm and cake was served.
Next Eta Zeta Meeting: August 28, 2023, at La Calle Dolce on Skillman in Dallas, TX, as well as on Zoom.