Beta Zeta Increases Participation at State Level in the 2000's
At the helm in 2000-2002 was Carolyn Weber.Carolyn’s goals for this biennium were to focus on improving attendance at meetings, to increase membership, which was in a period of decline at the beginning of her term in office, and to increase the involvement of the group in the programs.Strong officers worked well with her developing outstanding programs.Members collected donations for various organizations including the Women’s Shelter, K’STAR, and Hill Country Family Outreach.They even had a baby shower to help Hill Country Family Outreach with items needed.Members helped when Jim Trelease visited in March 2002.Jim Trelease is a noted speaker and the author of Read Aloud Handbook. Yearbooks were submitted to State each year, and all newsletters went out in a timely manner and kept membership informed of upcoming events and programs.The Chapter newsletter received a Five Star award both years.Several members attended the Area XIII workshop.The group increased their Grant-in-Aid from $400 to $500.The membership was approximately 53 members.When this new biennium begins, nine new members will be joining the group.This biennium was one of growth in members in numerous ways by number and by commitment.The mission statement was one that was evident during the two years, that being one where the members grew both professionally and personally excelling in education. Membership is extended to outstanding women educators and contributors to education and is, indeed, one of the highest honors offered by the teaching profession.Beta Zeta members try to uphold the goals that our Delta Kappa Gamma founders set forth.Each member feels proud to be a part of an organization that “dares to dream dreams and reach for the stars.” Patsy Hejl served as President for the 2002-2004 biennium and focused on developing programs that represented the seven purposes of the society, enlarging Chapter membership, and increasing Chapter meeting attendance.Each program had a service project that supported a community service and the Grant-in-Aid was awarded each year.Membership expanded by fourteen members, three transfers, and one reinstatement.Attendance at Chapter meetings averaged 58% each year.Beta Zeta received the PACE award, the Five Star Award, and Yearbook Early Bird Award for both years.The Annie Award was awarded in 2002-2003. During the biennium the Founder’s Day programs focused on Beta Zeta Chapter’s history. In 2003 the program was a choral reading reviewing Beta Zeta Chapter’s history.The three chapters Beta Zeta “birthed” were invited to the 2004 dinner to relieve the history and renew friendships.The programs were written by Dr. Linda Runkel. Attendance by Beta Zeta members also increased in the area, state, regional, and international area.Five members attended the XIII area meeting in Abilene in 2002, five members attended the 74th Alpha State convention in Waco in 2003, and eight members attended the 75th Alpha State convention in Austin in 2004.Lucille Rochs was one of two recipients of the Golden Rose Award at the 75th Alpha State convention.One member attended the Southwest Regional conference in Arizona in 2003 and the International Convention in Minneapolis in 2004.
Lucille Rochs receiving the Golden Rose Award at the 2004 Alpha State Convention in Austin.
During the biennium Evelyn Weinheimer was a member of the Alpha State Professional Affairs Committee for both years. Lucille Rochs was selected to be a member of the Alpha State Legislative Committee in 2003. Joanne Davis served as the chairman of the Alpha State Finance Committee the first biennium year and then was appointed Parliamentarian for the second year, and was selected as editor of the Lone Star News in 2004.
President for the 2004-2006 biennium was Mollye Long. Programs stressed the purposes of the Society, increasing and retaining our membership, and focusing service on community outreach. Nine new members were initiated, two were reinstated, and two transferred in during the biennium. Beta Zeta hosted the Area VI Workshop in September, 2004. The internet was first used to distribute the newsletter monthly to those with an email address.
Beta Zeta was awarded the PACE Award both years, the Early Bird Award for the yearbook both years, Outstanding Yearbook Award in 2006, and the Five-Star Newsletter Award both years. The Fredericksburg Standard newspaper was honored with the Key Award at Convention 2005 in Dallas a result of the hard work by Carolyn Otto. Helen Weiss was given a 50 year pin and certificate for 50+ years of membership. Two members of Beta Zeta, Leola Mills and Annabel Wilkinson, were named Teachers of the Year by the Fredericksburg ISD. Patsy Hejl became Area VI Coordinator in 2005, and she was awarded the Members in Print Award in 2006. Membership in 2004 was 47 members and in 2005 was 51 members. The 70th birthday was celebrated on March 21 with dinner and "The Beta Zeta Follies: A Musical Revue." The 71st birthday banquet was on March 28, 2006, and members were asked to bring pictures of their education years, as a student as well as teacher. At one other meeting, members also enjoyed an informative program on the one-room school houses of Gillespie County by members who actually attended those schools in their childhood. Construction on Alpha State Headquarters in Dallas, Texas, was started and nearing completion by Convention, 2006, in Beaumont, Texas. Carolyn Otto served as Beta Zeta President for the 2006-2008 biennium and focused on awareness of the Society beyond the local chapter. As part of this emphasis, the chapter held its February 2007 meeting in the Annie Webb Blanton Room at International Headquarters in Austin. Chapter participation at area, state and regional levels increased. Lucille Rochs, Evelyn Weinheimer, and Carolyn Otto served on state committees; Patsy Hejl completed her term as Area VI Coordinator and in 2008 became chairman of the Alpha State Communications Committee. Joanne Davis continued as Editor/Photographer of the Alpha State Lone Star News and served on the state Leadership Development for Chapter Presidents committee. The chapter voted to increase funds for convention travel to make it possible for more members to attend Alpha State Conventions. The list of Beta Zeta achievements during the biennium include winning the Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence both years, Five Star Newsletter both years, Early Bird Yearbook both years, Bronze Level Hundreds for Headquarters Award both years, Outstanding Yearbook in 2007, Membership Award in 2007, and The Annie Award for outstanding program in 2008 for the program “Sponge Annie” presented by Beta Zeta Professional Affairs Chairman Yvonne Olenick. Two members were recognized in the community for their leadership and professionalism. Olga Peacock was named FISD Teacher of the Year and Leola Mills was elected to the Fredericksburg School Board in 2008. Chapter membership grew from 51 members in 2006 to 62 members in 2007. During the biennium, Beta Zeta initiated 13 new members, reinstated 4 members, and welcomed 2 transfer members.
February 2007 Beta Zeta chapter meeting in the Annie Webb Blanton Room at International Headquarters in Austin.
Beta Zeta ushered in the 2008-2010 biennium with new officers: Jerrie Dooley, President; Janet Hext, 1st Vice-President; Beth Luckenbach, 2nd Vice-President; Tammy Vitek, Recording Secretary; Olga Peacock, Corresponding Secretary and Carolyn Otto, Parliamentarian. A focus for Mrs. Dooley’s biennium was to further the society purpose of advocacy and mentoring. A new partnership between Beta Zeta and the Boys and Girls Club was initiated. Members donated books, supplies, games, educational materials, and other items each month to help the Club meet the needs of the children. Some members also volunteered as tutors. In addition, a new service project was introduced in which members were matched one on one with a teacher education student at ACC and Texas Tech sites in Fredericksburg. Members continued to amaze with more members becoming involved at the state and international level. Of note, Catherine Davis, immediate past president of Alpha State (Texas) transferred to Beta Zeta. Milestones were reached with members Lucille Rochs reaching her 45th year in DKG and Helen Weiss attaining an amazing 60 years in our organization. Beta Zeta launched its very first chapter website to keep members informed of upcoming events and chapter news. Carolyn Otto was the first webmaster. The biennium ended with a record 64 members celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Beta Zeta in Fredericksburg. Members returned to the site of the first Beta Zeta meeting at the Nimitz Hotel where Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and Lalla M. Odom first came to establish a chapter for this part of the Hill Country. Members enjoyed a wonderful program of reminiscing on the history of Beta Zeta and our glorious sisterhood.
Special guests attended the 75th Anniversary celebration of Beta Zeta Chapter. Catherine Davis, state president 2005-2007; Sandi Causey, state finance chairman; Jerrie Dooley,chapter president; Dr. Carolyn Rants, Delta Kappa Gamma International president; Marilyn Gregory, state vice president; Joanne Davis, editor of the Lone Star News.
President’s 2010-2012 Biennium Report by Tammy Vitek
A wonderful group of Beta Zetas at the Waco Convention in June 2010.
In June 2010, ten Beta Zetas represented our chapter at the Texas State Organization convention in Waco along with 1,000 members from across the state. Our group included Joanne Davis, Carolyn Otto, Catherine Davis, Jerrie Dooley, Janet Hext, Andrea Hudson, Amy O’Neil, Lucille Rochs, Karen Loeffler, and Patsy Hejl. President Tammy Vitek was unable to attend, so Karen Loeffler, first vice-president, attended the chapter presidents’ training. Beta Zeta received the President‘s Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE), the Annie Award for outstanding programs, the Early Bird and Outstanding Yearbook award, the Five-Star Newsletter Award, and the Tudor Rose Award for increased membership. Janet Hext, Beth Luckenbach, Eileen Whited, Andrea Hudson, and their committees did outstanding work to earn these awards. Carolyn Otto and Joanne Davis spent a week in July 2010 at the DKG International Convention in Spokane, Washington. Joanne served on the International Communications Committee and assisted in the Editor/Webmaster training and photography workshop. Carolyn served as a floor page during the business sessions at which the new constitution was adopted. Catherine Davis, chairman of the Constitution Committee, had led the revisions, but illness prevented her from attending. Beta Zeta was recognized in the Shoe-In Challenge for increasing membership and adding a member from a new educational environment. Fourteen Beta Zeta members made up the largest delegation at the Area VI Workshop in San Antonio on Sept. 18, 2010. Patsy Hejl, Lucille Rochs, Joanne Davis, Helen Usener, Jerrie Dooley, Tammy Vitek, Evelyn Weinheimer, Karen Loeffler, Janet Hext, Tisha Clements, Andrea Hudson, Jo Dodd, Carolyn Otto, and Lindy Haley participated in workshops. Patsy, Helen, Joanne, and Carolyn were presenters. Beta Zeta was recognized as a PACE winner. Tammy and Jerrie were recognized as presidents. Joanne, Patsy, and Carolyn were recognized for their state and international committee work.
Fourteen Beta Zetas attended the Area 6 Workshop in San Antonio on Sept.18, 2010.
Beta Zeta member, Joanne Davis, active in DKG for over 30 years, announced that she is the nominee for president of the Texas State Organization! Joanne was initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma in 1978 in Beaumont. She has been her chapter president (twice), area coordinator, chairman of a state convention, state parliamentarian, and a member and chairman of many state and international committees. Most recently, Joanne served as state editor/photographer. She writes and publishes the “Lone Star News” four times a year. At the international level, she is chairman of the Communications Committee.
Thanks to Jerrie Dooley, six local non-traditional college students applied for Alpha State Aspiring Educator Awards. Each one of them has a letter of endorsement written by a Beta Zeta member. Eileen Whited was chosen 2012 Teacher of the Year at Fredericksburg High School!
In June 2011, Joanne Davis was installed as president (2011-2013) of the Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International at the 82nd annual state convention in McAllen! Joanne’s theme was “Explore the Possibilities: Let our Vision Light the Way.” She chose a lighthouse and its beam as the symbol of going forth to light the way to new possibilities. Other members attending the convention were Tammy Vitek, Beth Luckenbach, Karen Loeffler, Catherine Davis, Jerrie Dooley, Andrea Hudson, Helen Usener (convention first timer), and Carolyn Otto. More than 800 members from across the state attended. Each Beta Zeta member assisted at the convention by serving as “hummers” (convention hostesses), program presenters and facilitators, saleswomen, and photographers. Tammy was presented as a chapter president and accepted the President’s Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE). Karen Loeffler accepted the Annie Award for outstanding programs and participation in the Special Olympics. The “Beta Zeta Buzz”, written by Jerrie Dooley, won the Five Star Award, and our yearbook by Andrea Hudson, won the Early Bird and the Excellence Awards. We earned the Rosebud award for maintaining membership at 64 with Janet Hext leading that committee. Our chapter website by Carolyn Otto, webmaster, was recognized as well. We brought 22 treasure boxes from Beta Zeta members, and over 1100 boxes were donated in all. This is me showing off my convention name badge with all the ribbons that Beta Zeta earned signifying the awards we won—all pointing to an outstanding chapter!
President Tammy Vitek and Past State President Catherine Davis at the McAllen Convention.
Catherine Davis is one of ten past state presidents whose autobiographies were featured in Autobiographies of TexasPresidents 1991-2011.
Thirteen Beta Zetas attended the June 2012 83rd Annual Texas State Organization Convention at Las Colinas. Shown at the Presidents’ and Founders’ Banquet on the final night: Tammy Vitek, outgoing president who accepted the President‘s Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE); Joanne Davis, current Texas State Organization president; Catherine Davis, past state president (2005-2007); Jerrie Dooley, editor of the award-winning “Beta Zeta Buzz;” Donna Itz, convention first timer; Karen Loeffler, incoming chapter president who authored the Annie Award-winning program “It Takes a Whole Village. . .”; Beth Luckenbach, recording secretary; Janet Hext, treasurer; Carolyn Otto, chapter webmaster; Amy O’Neil, corresponding secretary; Leatrice Haley, professional affairs chairman; Helen Usener, first vice-president; and Patsy Hejl, state committee member. Andrea Hudson was unable to attend, but her yearbook was recognized with the Early Bird Award and the Excellence Award. In addition, two Fredericksburg education students, April Fischer-Trujillo and Valentina Salinas, won Aspiring Educator Awards from Alpha State with endorsement letters from Beta Zeta members.
Beta Zetas after the Presidents' and Founders' Banquet at the Las Colinas Convention 2012.
Joanne Davis led the convention of 1,100 DKG members with poise and confidence as she reached the mid-point of her biennium. The special guest from The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Dr. Jensi Souders, international president, arrived by gondola, escorted by Joanne. Tammy Vitek surprised everyone at the banquet when she sang the outgoing chapter president speech.
Tammy brought down the house with her Presidents' Song at the Las Colinas Convention .
Catherine Davis presents the Chapter Achievement Award to Lucille Rochs as other recipients, Linda Runkel, and Evelyn Weinheimer look on.