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The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Zeta Newsletter Alberta, Canada

Vol. 36 No. 3 June 2015 ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** *****

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Ruth Gleave (Alpha)

As women, we must stand up for ourselves. We must stand up for each other. We must stand up for justice for all . - Michelle Obama

As this is my final newsletter message as your State Organization President,

I thought it would be a good time to recap the highlights of my biennium. The first, of course, is YOU, my Delta Kappa Gamma sisters. What an honour it has been to get to know so many dedicated “key women educators”. I have been constantly impressed by the hard work and dedication to students and to the many Delta Kappa Gamma projects displayed by members from all Alberta chapters. I have appreciated being hosted at various chapter meetings and events, and have enjoyed the delicious food that is always a part of these events.

Beta chapter hosted the Spring Convention in 2013 and celebrated their 50th

Anniversary at last year’s conference in Edmonton. The World Fellowship game we played on my first visit to Beta was fun and a unique way to learn about other

countries and to collect funds for World Fellowship. We were given an update on the Tlama project. Although this is no longer an official Canadian project, I believe some Beta members are still involved with this worthy cause. Besides voting on three new members, this year’s visit also included a World Fellowship presentation by Heather Hill and an introduction of Yasemin Bolkan’s book. I know that they will forgive me for forgetting the lovely scarves made by the ladies in Nepal as these were available for purchase at this year’s convention.

We enjoyed the various musical presentations when Gamma chapter hosted the 2013 Founders’ Day Tea

and the 2014 Spring Conference. Gamma chapter celebrated its 40th Anniversary at this year’s convention. Their Author’s Breakfasts are always a delight. Although small, Gamma chapter is very active. On the meetings I was privileged to attend, I was delighted and impressed to hear of their many accomplishments.

After a delicious meal in the Muttart restaurant, it was a delight to tour the different pavilions with the

gracious ladies of Eta chapter. The frogs and birds sang for us as we enjoyed fabulous strawberry shortcake at the Founders’ Day Tea on Randi Gilmour’s acreage. This year’s Spring Convention in Sherwood Park was a resounding success. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn, to socialize, to meet new friends and to greet friends in other chapters we don’t see that often. Members were blown away by the fantastic food, wine, and socializing activities at the Friday night get-together. We gained new information from our International guest speaker, Sandra Smith Bull. Betty Rose led us in a beautiful Ceremony of Remembrance for three Alpha sisters that have passed away this past year. The response on the evaluation forms showed that attendees found the facility excellent, the speakers and sessions great, and the food delicious and nutritious. They loved the little touches like the napkins embossed with the DKG logo. Congratulations to Eta chapter and the planning committee for a job well done! (Continued on P. 8.)

Ruth Gleave Zeta President 2013-2015

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2015 – 2017 INCOMING PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Betty Rose (Beta)

Leading from any chair; being ‘truly present’ All DKG members lead. No podium or title needed! - Dr. Lyn Babb Schmid, DKG International President DKG Alberta leaders continue to step up, inspire us and lead with

energy and commitment. We are fortunate to have four vibrant chapters in Alberta, growing and evolving as we advance our society, 85 years and beyond.

We thank President Ruth Gleave and the outgoing executive for

their excellent leadership throughout the biennium.

I proudly introduce our new Alberta executive and committee chairs for the 2015-2017 term:

ALBERTA EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR THE 2015-2017

Past President Ruth Gleave (Alpha) Early Career Educators Janet Jack (Beta) President Betty Rose (Beta) Schools for Africa Julie Kirsch (Beta) 1st Vice Pres/EEC Elaine Whitford (Eta) Canadian Project Bonnie Edgecombe (Eta) 2nd Vice Pres/Membership Sylvia Gray (Alpha) UN Liaison Marg Brucker (Beta) Record/Corresp Secretary Dolaine Koch (Eta) Music Tannis Helmcken (Beta) Treasurer Bea Ceretzky (Alpha) World Fellowship North Sherri Eichhorn (Gamma) Finance Sylvia Duffus (Gamma) World Fellowship South Dr. Adriana Bejko (Beta) Editor Alice Halvorsen (Alpha) Leadership North Lorna Berlinguette (Gamma) Nominations Ruth Gleave (Alpha) Leadership South Debbie Johnston (Beta) Parliamentarian Dr. Shirley Machura (Alpha) Scholarship Jolene Marks (Alpha) Archivist/Historian Wendy Polhill (Alpha) Educational Fdn. Liaison Tannis Helmcken (Beta) Standing Rules Jackie Symbaluk (Eta) Webmaster Edna Dach (Eta)

The Zeta Spring Convention hosted by Eta in April was outstanding. Thank you to Eta members for the

time and creativity that went into planning for the excellent sessions, mixer activities and a program that was inspiring, entertaining and fun. Eta’s hospitality was friendly and inviting, making everyone feel so welcome. As conference attendees we were royally treated with fabulous food, great prizes and lovely, handcrafted gift bags. Thank you!

Our Leadership Meeting on Saturday, June 6th in Red Deer promises to be helpful and informative.

Outgoing executive officers will have an opportunity to share their materials and expertise with the new incoming officers and committee chairs. Various officers will outline the duties and responsibilities of their positions.

‘Savor Saskatchewan’ July 29 – August 1 are the dates of our Northwest Regional Conference in Regina.

Wonderful tours and excellent sessions are already planned. There are so many benefits for members: Opportunities for new learnings, meeting new friends, networking and reacquainting with others. Alberta will be very visible in support of our sister province. To date, our Alberta delegation totals twenty-nine! Can we raise this number to thirty-five? (Early bird deadline for registration is June 29.) We would love to see you in Regina! The Regina Conference is certain to be a summer highlight for me as I look forward to the pre-conference training sessions for incoming presidents. Perhaps only then I may feel the position as president a little less scary.

You’re so DKG if . . . You have been a member for more than 40 years and still love attending meetings

with professional educators and friends of all ages. – Alice Wagner, Beta Chapter, RI  

Betty Rose Zeta President 2015-2017

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ZETA STATE ORGANIZATION SPRING CONVENTION 2015

The Pursuit of Happiness F.R. Haythorne J. H. School

Sherwood Park, AB April 17-18, 2015

FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION

Getting to Know You

The opening social arranged by Eta Chapter members was both invigorating and great fun. The wine and snacks buffet was filled with tasty fare. It was enjoyed by the 30+ members present as was Edna Dach’s activity which succeeded in enabling members to learn more about each other. Their escalating laughter demonstrated their enjoyment as each new subject was discussed.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Opening Session:

International Guest Speaker Sandra Smith Bull,

Interim Executive Director By Lorna Berlinguette (Gamma)

Sandra Smith Bull had a wild

ride to Edmonton with several flight delays and no luggage when she arrived. That did not faze her: in her opening address she brought greetings from our International president Lyn Schmid.

Reading the poem

“Exhalation”, Sandra tied in Lyn’s theme of “85 Years, we are a Legacy Organization” with the line “reupholstering a rut” and our own Delta Kappa Gamma song, “moving forward, moving ever”. We are the latter. When we look to expansion we must look to the demographics; where is the city or province expanding? We must simplify,

remembering there are only the 8 mandates that we must follow.

We, of course, will mentor new executive officers, supporting them with care. There is a new framework for membership. “Tools and Strategies for Recruitment” is a must-read for the incoming executive.

In Sandra’s address, she

noted our strength in numbers. She reminded us to go to DKG’s website for information. It will be changing slowly to enhance the online experience of our members.

Registration for the Regional

NW Regional is available online. If we have difficulty, don’t hesitate to call their offices. It is indeed all in Canadian dollars.

Two announcements ended

Sandra’s presentation: the fact that the Delta Kappa Gamma website is undergoing major change, and a new magazine “Collegial Exchange”, will have a focus different from The Bulletin. We appreciated Sandra’s updates.

Watercolour Painting Speaker: Cynthia Clarke By Sheila Busch (Eta)

Cynthia had the members

sketch a poppy from a picture she gave us. We were very proud of our sketches. We were quickly asking where to go next.

We learned about

watercolour paper, paints and brushes, with regard to quality and the cost of taking up watercolour painting, as well as brush techniques.

Everyone loved their pictures.

Alison Fennel http://eastwitching.com/

Wine Bag and Matching Coasters

Speaker: Barb Leger (Eta)

Barb provided written instructions and then demonstrated how to sew a wine bag. With a piece of fabric, two easy seams and a piece of ribbon, she made a lovely wine bag to use as a gift. Barb then showed us how to make coasters to match using 5 inch square charm packs, available at material stores.

She cut two circles and put

the wrong sides together. She pressed each of four other circles in half, wrong sides together. Working counterclockwise, Barb laid the four folded pieces on top of the two circles.

Sandra Smith Bull

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She stitched around the circle using a ¼ inch seam. She then turned it inside out and she had made a coaster to fit on the bottom of a wine glass.

Choral Workshop

Presenter: Barb Sadler Wells

Yes, we wish we could sing, and participants learned a few steps leading up to becoming choral singers. Breathing exercises together with emoting interesting sounds seemed helpful in training the body/mind to sing our best. This could easily become a weekly session.

Yoga with Jean Presenter: Jean Wishlof

By Sonya Bushell

Members were given suggestions regarding the following: breathing techniques, relaxation, stretches and body awareness. Great session!

Chair Yoga Presenter: Carol Daymond

By Jackie Symbaluk

Eleven ladies enjoyed the session with Carol. This session was particularly good for ladies with limited movement in the leg area. Great relaxation and stretches. Enjoyed it very much!

Technology on a Trip Presenter: Edna Dach

Members learned about applications and were given helpful hints when taking technology with you on a trip. There are great travel apps that can be used on iPhone or iPad.

As well as the Getting to Know You activity on Friday night, the next day Edna introduced us to design thinking by giving us a partner-oriented creative thinking activity to design the ideal wallet.

ZETA BUSINESS MEETING

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Treasurer’s Report: Bea Ceretzke (Alpha)

Financial Statement: April, 2015 Balance Forward: (Jan. 2015) $18,637.69 Receipts: $10,124.59 Disbursements: $ 9,495.65 Balance (R-D) $ 628.94

Standing Rules Jackie Symbaluk

The following motion was

presented and passed.

Standing Rules p. 9 4.87 State Organization Travel Fund

For the purpose of attending Regional and Canadian Conferences and International Conventions, a total amount of $1800.00 will

Barb Leger

Fran Losie, Marlene Norquay, Shirley Machura and Alice Halvorsen at work designing an out-of-this-world wallet.

Edna Dach

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be paid on submission of a requisition for a travel allowance, supported by receipts, by December 31 of the calendar year in which the conference/convention is held. President $500 (No change) Chapter Presidents $150 (increase of $50) Chapter Members $50 each (or an amount of equal portion determined by the remainder of the $1800, to a maximum of $100 per chapter member.)

Membership

Betty Rose (Beta) Zeta Province Membership Active Reserve ALPHA 23 8 BETA 40 6 ETA 43 0 GAMMA 15 3 Total 121 18 Zeta Total Membership = 138

Vote for Area Representative Canada

The biographies of Barbara

Angus from Quebec and Joan Wolfe from Ontario were submitted for members to read. Some comments were made by members to further outline their backgrounds. The members from Alberta selected Joan Wolfe as their choice to be the next Area Representative Canada.

Dr. Donna-Faye Madhosingh, ARC, will collate the results and the name of the Canadian selection will be sent to the International Nominating Committee.

Our Canadian Nepalese Project

Presenter: Bonnie Edgecombe

Great things are being

accomplished in the Dang region of Nepal. That is the location of the Canadian Project accepted by members of the Canadian Forum at the

Northwest Regional Conferences in 2013.

Donations are being accepted through IWEN, the Intercultural Women’s Education Network, a nonprofit organization which supports Nepalize families and provides educational opportunities for young girls who would usually have been sold into bondage and denied access to schooling.

Bonnie had many scarves for sale on display made by Nepalese women which members were happy to purchase. On sale there were also bracelets made by Jeannie Sargent.

Thank you to each of you who bought scarves and/or bracelets and helped support our Canadian Project.

Enjoy wearing them, and think of the young girls in Nepal that we are helping to educate. All monies realized were donated to IWEN. The final total was $1,376 raised for the Canadian Nepalese Education Project, of which $116 was raised through the sale of bracelets.

Bonnie Edgecombe

President Ruth Gleave, with Jackie Symbaluk presenting the Standing Rules motion.

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AN APRIL 29, 2015 NOTE

FROM BONNIE EDGECOMBE:

My heart breaks for all the

people of Nepal who have lost their lives, their loved ones or their homes. In spite of living in great poverty and without the modern conveniences we are blessed with, I found the Nepalese people to be so joyful and grateful. Spending time with them during my school building mission was a life changing experience.

I have been receiving Facebook messages from friends I made in Nepal. Two people who oversee operations of IWEN ( the non- profit organization who DKG is connected with in our Canadian Project ) were in Kathmandu at the time of the Earthquake and report that they and students who live in a group home with them are all safe and their group home was not destroyed in the quake. They are living outside as there have been four aftershocks. They had been without water but water has now been brought in. They are really shaken but are working to try to help others who are in need.

The school we helped build and the training centre in Lamahi were not affected and our girls and workers are all safe; thank goodness! A Canadian team of volunteers led by the Canadian Director of IWEN, (Kevin Edgecombe, my brother-in-law), had a trip planned leaving on May 16 to do further work in the Dang region. They are still planning on going to Nepal but know their task may be different.

People can donate to the Earthquake Relief Effort through the IWEN website and Kevin has ensured that all donations will be matched by the Canadian government. Kevin was interviewed on Global in Kelowna and has planned a huge bottle drive in Kelowna to further raise funds for the cause. IWEN has a Facebook page as well.

GAMMA CHAPTER BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to Gamma Chapter on 40 great years of DKG membership. Best wishes from all Zeta members as you celebrate on June 5, 2015.

Gamma Chapter was installed on June 2, 1975, a highlight of Zeta Province president, Alma Webster’s biennium. Sylvia Dubrule served as Gamma’s first president.

Gamma Chapter has had several projects over the years.

In the 70’s and 80’s the chapter published a first and second edition of a booklet entitled Beginnings, To a Child, with Love. These booklets were distributed to new mothers at the main hospitals in Edmonton. The booklets included an emphasis on language development, containing songs, poems and Mother Goose rhymes. The members of the

committee in charge of this project were Annabelle Bourgoin, Lillian Wight, Doreen Armstrong and Louise Nordin.

Many of us remember the musicianship of Gamma Chapter. We sang Shirley Paustian’s funny new lyrics to well-known songs. We were entertained by the Gamma Chapter Ukulele band.

An amazing project which Gamma Chapter has sponsored over the years is The Author's Breakfast. The first Saturday in February is reserved for this event held at Robertson-Wesley United Church Memorial Hall. They invite local authors to be the guest speakers. This brain-child of Jill Lambie originated when Edmonton poet Alice Major was invited to speak at a conference; there followed six official authors-only brunches: speakers included Sharon Butala Perfection of the Morning, Marion Endicott Good to a Fault, Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal columnist, Corrine Jeffery, The Ursula trilogy, Janice MacDonald the Randy Craig mystery series, and now in the seventh year, the first male, Marty Chan. As a fund raiser, this event is a great way to entertain friends, make money for projects, and support Alberta literacy.

Mention should be made that the Joint Breakfast in January realized a profit of $300.00 which was given to IWEN.

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CEREMONY OF

REMEMBRANCE Betty Rose (Beta)

The ceremony of Remembrance paid tribute to three Alpha Chapter members who passed away this year. Remembered were Jane Churchill, Kathleen Doeling and Marion Irwin. INVITATION TO REGINA NORTHWEST REGIONAL

CONFERENCE July 29 to August 1, 2015

Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan

Dr. Phyllis E. Van Buren,

NW Regional Director reminds us that Regina, Saskatchewan awaits your arrival in late July –

Members of Gamma Chapter present at the convention: Sylvia Duffus, Janet Clark, Lorna Berlinguette, Alice Bell, Karen Hansen. 40-year pins were presented to Alice, Lorna and Karen.

Betty Rose, paying tribute to our dearly departed members

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for preconference training for newly elected officers and tours for attendees and guests before the conference. Deadlines: June 1. Deadline for reserving your ticket for fabulous tours to explore Regina and Saskatchewan. June 29. Deadline to register for the 2015 NW Regional Conference of DKG.

2015 ZETA PROVINCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dolaine Koch accepted the

achievement award for Margaret Beames.

Unable to attend, Margaret was recognized for her distinguished service to Delta Kappa Gamma.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT –

Ruth Gleave (Alpha) (Continued from Page 1)

Of course I can’t forget

Alpha chapter. We donned our cowboy hats and western gear for our western themed Joint Chapters’ Breakfast. We’ve been to the Harness Races and

on an Art Walk. Alpha members have continued to learn about African countries through our Global Minutes and to learn more about our members through Blow My Sister’s Horn. We have also learned from various guest speakers at our chapter meetings. Noel Somerville spoke to us about seniors’ interests and Assistance in the Home. Wendy Aujla talked about her research with domestic violence as it applies to South Asian immigrant women. From Bea Ceretzke we learned about computers and how to navigate Google. Kathleen Todoruk spoke about her work as a couturier. We’ve had several “pot lucks”, been to Christmas dinner at the Petroleum Club, enjoyed African food at an Ethiopian Restaurant and a reception with Angela Hostetler, our Grant-in-Aid recipient, at the Faculty Club. Angela and Maryam Elyasi, one of this year’s World Fellowship recipients, will be our guests at the Founders’ Day Tea on May 23rd.

I love the uniqueness of each chapter. Whether it’s a conference or convention, an Author’s Breakfast, Founders’ Day or a Joint Chapters Breakfast, any occasion where the chapters get together is special. I can feel the energy and enthusiasm as members socialize and network with their sisters from other chapters. Each chapter has welcomed new initiates during my biennium.

On July 1st, I officially pass the gavel to Betty Rose, your next Zeta State President. I know that you will continue to give the new Executive the

support you have always given me.

We still have work to do. We continue to face many of the same hurtles, especially the challenge of attracting and bringing in new young members and retaining the wonderful members we have now. We need to develop innovative, interesting programs for our meetings that members will want to attend. We need to include every member in planning the chapter activities and assign responsibilities to each. There are those who would like to contribute, but are reluctant to speak up. We need to look at those things that don’t work and revamp them to make them successful. My hope is that every member of every chapter realizes the important role she plays in making Delta Kappa Gamma strong and vibrant. The future is in your hands.

The Leadership Meeting on Saturday, June 6th will be an opportunity for the outgoing executive to speak about the duties/responsibilities of their positions and to hand on any materials, etc. to their counterparts on the incoming executive.

I know we’ll have a great time in Regina. We will be rejuvenated, both personally and professionally. I look forward to seeing many of you there. Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.

Margaret Beames, shown holding her achievement award which Debbie Johnston had just given to her. Sadly, Margaret passed away on May 3, 2015.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Zeta Newsletter, Alberta Published October, March, June

Editor: Alice Halvorsen eahalvorsen@shaw.ca

Photographs courtesy of Edna Dach, Debbie Johnston, Ruth Gleave, Betty Rose