LAMBDA SIGMA NEWS

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

Alpha State, Texas Lambda Sigma Chapter
Sugar Land, Texas

Volume 28, Number 6 May 2010

Area IV, Number 282

President: Carla Meuth Editor: Barb Hansen

President's Message

Dear Sisters,

Where has the new year gone? 2010 sounds like the title of a movie and, if it would be one, I
have several stories to share. Well, let me start with 2008. I walked in a Lambda Sigma meeting
a member and left as the next bienniums President. When I accepted this responsibility I knew
without a doubt that the women who had held this position would guide me and help me grow as
all do for their family members. You didn't let me down! I have enjoyed the road and the travels
we have shared. I leave the chapter in the very capable hands of Cathie Ritchie. She
will assume responsibilities as she attends the convention in Waco this June. Her executive
members, as well as all members, welcome her leadership. Cathie and I have attended many
conventions and we have grown in our knowledge of the purposes of this international group of
women educators. We have seen the faces of Alpha State sisters, those young as well as those
well seasoned, and know that our goals and creed for women educators is a strong and
enduring bond.
Ladies, let me challenge each one of you to attend 3 of our six yearly meetings, and attend at
least one convention. You owe this to yourself. We need your voice and experience to help out
chapter to continue to grow.

This year's convention is in Waco and next year, it will be in McAllen. They are always in June,
so please put the dates on your calendar and ride along with other members. The road trips
have been a blast in the past. Good friends, food, and lots of laughter.

Please welcome our new members and our grants in aid guest at our Founder's Day Luncheon
on May 22.

Again, thank you for the wonderful opportunities you have provided for me as your President.

Bless you,

Carla Meuth
 The Delta Kappa Gamma Mission
Statement
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International promotes professional and
personal growth of women educators and
excellence in education.

Calling all retirees

Membership for the coming year is now open for

the Fort Bend-Harris Retired Educators
Association, the local unit of the Texas Retired
Teachers Association (TRTA). This is the ONLY
voice that helps keep your TRS benefits
May Chapter Meeting financially sound and forthcoming and
advocates for improved benefits for all public
Saturday, May 22, 2010 education retirees. Founded in 1953, TRTA is
the largest association for retired public school
and higher education employees and now ranks
10:00 a.m. at Christi Chrismans home
No. 1 in membership in the nation. TRTA has
3511 Bassett Missouri City, TX more than 70,000 members (out of 265,000
Program: Founders Day Luncheon possible members) who continue to be involved
Hostesses: everyone!! in local public school education and in the well-
being of their communities. In 2009, TRTA
Everyone should bring a salad or dessert to members collected 5,762,973 volunteer hours.
share. New prospective members will be TRTA promotes a wide range of member
benefits, business discounts, social and
introduced, as well as our grant recipient.
educational activities. Many of our Lambda
Sigma sisters are members. Peggy Norman
was instrumental in helping the unit collect 972
books for low income children in Fort Bend
Birthday Girls! County. Pat Caldcleugh chairs the Member
Benefits Committee while Shirley Renfrow
chairs the Community Volunteer Service
Patsy Borochoff May 3 Committee. Mary Ann Dolezal, current
Judy Wallis May 7 president, says the monthly meetings are like a
Marylaura Merritt May 8 district-wide faculty meeting without any
Rita Drabek May 16
responsibilities. Doesnt that sound great? The
Patricia Hall May 16
FBHREA local unit has 302 members. The Oh
Frances Courville May 31
Happy Day welcome luncheon is planned for
Barbara Hansen June 7
August 23, the first day of school, at First United
Methodist Church, Sugar Land. For more
Mary Crochet June 10
information, email 1st VP- membership, Janie
Debbie Reynolds June 11
Holsapple at janieholsapple@hotmail.com
Jean Gardner June 27
Shari Limi June 27
Peggy Norman July 1
Mary Mills Willis July 3
Linda Russell July 18
Carolyn Zaskoda July 21

Mary Ann, Mary C., Janie and other FBHREA
members visit Newmans Castle in Bellville for
the spring field trip. For a slide show go to
http://tombunkley.name/castle/castle.html
Chapter News
Jeannette Spain's youngest son Logan will
graduate from the University of Texas on
May 21 from the College of
Communication's RTF (Radio TV Film)
Program.
Amy Stoesser is sorry to say that in June
she will be moving to Lubbock. She has
enjoyed our fellowship though she has not
had a lot of time to be with us these last few
years. Amys mother is a DKG sister in
Lubbock, so she will be well taken care of by
that chapter. She thanks all of you for the
friendship she has enjoyed.
Lambda Sigma incoming president, Cathie
Ritchie, incoming treasurer, Dale Araujo,
Mary Crochet and Mary Ann Dolezal will be
heading to Waco June 17 for the 81st Alpha
State Convention. Mary Ann has received
her music to sing with the State Chorus.
They are looking forward to a fun time in
Waco. Sic em, Bears!
Mary Ann and Phil Dolezals son, Jimmy, will
be graduating from Texas A&M University
this month and heading to the University
Houstons graduate school in Economics
this fall.
Barb and Steve Hansen, with their older
son, Roy, just returned from Utah where
they attended their younger son (and
brother), Pauls graduation from BYU. Paul
is awaiting news from the Univ. of Houstons
school of law to confirm plans for next year.
Please let Martha Ewell know if you have
received any awards this past year, if you
are retiring, or if you are receiving a service
award for 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years in Ft.
Bend. Also, if you know that you have
perfect attendance for this year and/or last
year, we would like to recognize both years
at the May luncheon.
Just email Martha at
m.ewell@sbcglobal.net
 DELTA KAPPA GAMMA
Lambda Sigma Minutes
March 23, 2010
Home of Abby Grobe

The called meeting of Lambda Sigma Chapter, Alpha State, of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
was held on Tuesday, March 23 at the home of Abby Grobe. The meeting was called to order by Carla Meuth
at 5:03 pm. Refreshments were provided by Abby Grobe.

REPORTS:
Christi Chrisman, 2nd Vice President, reported that 22 members were present.
Cathie Ritchie, Treasurer, reported that we have a balance of $3,159.00.

OLD BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Bluebonnet Field Trip to the Chappel Hill Bluebonnet Festival will be on April 10. There are presently four
members on the list to attend. Members who are interested should contact Mary Ann Dolezal or Carla Meuth.
If bad weather occurs on that day then the field trip will be to Brookwood for shopping and lunch.
Linda Russell reported that a late donation to the January basket had recently been donated. It is to Fantasy
Hair and Nails. Mary Ann Dolezal moved that it be given to Linda Russell for the awesome job she had done in
getting the donations for that basket. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Carla Meuth announced that Austin Parkway Elementary has donated more items to the Cinderella/Cinderfella
Program. The program has been such a success in Ft. Bend that Needville is copying the program calling it
Fairy Dust.
The Grants-in-Aid for this year were discussed. Mary Ann Dolezel moved that the chapter give one grant this
year valued at $1,000. Joan Eubanks seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:
State Convention was discussed. In the past, the chapter has paid for the hotel rooms while registration was
paid by the members attending. Registration includes the banquet and two meals. After discussion, Cathie
Ritchie moved that the Chapter pay for the rooms again this year. Linda Russell seconded the motion. Mary
Ann Dolezal asked the motion be amended to say the chapter would pay for up to three rooms. The motion
was amended and was passed unanimously. It was suggested that each member attending should get a hotel
occupancy form from their school. If you are interested in attending the convention, please contact Cathy
Ritchie or Mary Ann Dolezal.
The Founders Day Luncheon will be on Saturday, May 22 at Christy Chrismans home. The Grants-in-Aid
recipient and new members will be invited to attend. All members are to bring either salads or desserts for the
luncheon. Plates, silverware, tea, and coffee will be provided by Christy.
The new slate of officers will be initiated at the Founders Day Luncheon. The officers for 2010 - 2012 will be:
President Cathie Ritchie, First Vice-President Linda Russell, Second Vice-President Sally Cain,
Recording Secretary Marylaura Merritt, Corresponding Secretary Lana Petrizzo, Treasurer Dale Araujo,
and Parliamentarian Carla Meuth.

PROGRAM:
The ballot for new members was introduced. Three proposed members were sponsored for membership. All
three were unanimously approved by secret ballot. Their names are Harriet Mantini sponsored by Debbie
Reynolds, Selethia Morris sponsored by Carla Meuth, and Julie Gehring sponsored by Cathie Ritchie.
Invitations and booklets will be given out by the sponsors to these new members. A discussion occurred
regarding the fact that new members can be voted on more than once a year but there can only be one initiation
a year.

REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mary Ann Dolezal had shoulder surgery and is recuperating well.
Ima Joe McCall, the mother of Bonnie Alverson, was a visitor.
Be sure to visit our web site at deltakappagamma.org/tx-lambdasigma

The next meeting will be on Saturday, May 22. It will be held at Christi Chrismans home and is the Founders
Day Salad Luncheon.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m with the singing of our Delta Kappa Gamma song.

_________________________________ _______________________________
Carla Meuth, President Bonnie Alverson, Recording Secretary