President's Report
December 2020
Cathy Fortunato, Lambda Chapter President
I open this meeting with quotes from two of our sisters. DKGNJ State President Ingrid W. asked for sound bites from each chapter to answer the question “Why did you join DKG?”
Past president, Arlene N. answered:
“I was fortunate to have grown up in a culturally diverse neighborhood. Our community, through shared experiences, taught us tolerance and respect that later enriched and enhanced my future career as a special education teacher. I joined DKG because it promotes an international exchange of educational ideas and values. During this world pandemic, DKG continues to play a pivotal role in uniting women educators from 17 countries.”
In my own words, our chapter is connected to a global community. We presently support a school in Iringa, Tanzania with a connection between a Lambda sister and an educator in Africa.
2nd Vice President and membership Chairperson Miranda M. responded with
“I met several Lambda sisters at a social gathering and was energized by the educational issues we discussed. I am honored to be a member of DKGNJ Lambda, delight in the continual opportunities to grow and contribute and love saying, “I am an educator”, instead of “I was an educator.”
Our connections with each other is what sustains and enriches membership. This was perfectly expressed by Miranda in her words and her artwork aptly named “We are Lambda Sisters.” Miranda’s artwork was sent to all in an email and can be viewed on the ‘Home’ page of our Lambda Chapter website.
Thank you, Arlene and Miranda, for your responses which were published in the DKGNJ State Newsletter.
President’s Report:
Before the order of business, I need to recognize the fear we all feel during the second wave of COVID. Each of us knows a relative, friend, or neighbor who has had the virus or is fighting it now as we speak. As sisters, our thoughts are with you and remember we are one phone call away from each other.
News from Delta Kappa Gamma International
Calling all Lambda artists!
DKG Arts and Humanity Committee- Submissions for the Spring Gallery will be open from January 15 until February 15 in 2021.
News from Delta Kappa Gamma New Jersey
- The state president’s project called “For Love of Books” will continue this year. Save your books to donate. A collection will be scheduled in the spring.
- The next state meeting will be held via Zoom on January 9, 2020.
- The DKGNJ State Convention will be virtual and held on April 17, 2021. All 4 Awards will be presented during the state convention: The Rose and Key, the Rosebud, and the Dedicated Service awards.
Communication: Please use our Lambda Chapter website for information and inspiration maintained by webmaster Felicia Q. dkgnjlambda.com
Contact me or if you have any questions about events or ideas for programs, or other suggestions to enrich our chapter.
Upcoming Events:
The sixth Book Club meeting is scheduled for next week on December 9, 2020 at 12:00 noon.
The second Gift Card Club meeting is set for December 15, 2020 at 6:30 pm.
Save the date of January 14, 2021 at 6:30 pm for a program planned by Susan M. More to follow.
The next Lambda business meeting will be held on March 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon.
Save the date of March 24, 2021 at 6:30 pm for a program with guest speaker Dr. Alan Gertner, a Professor from Kean University with expertise in audiology, hearing disorders, and auditory neuroscience.
Gratitude:
Thank you to all sisters who donated to support the Early Educator Award. Collectively we have raised $950.00 as of 11/29/2020.
Thank you to all sisters who donated to support the Early Educator Award. Collectively we have raised $950.00 and counting. Donations are still being accepted. Thanks to Dr. Marilyn G. and the committee members: Kim F., Gloria G., Jan N., and Dr. Nora P.
Thank you to Fundraising Committee Chair Joan S. and committee members: Wilhelmina B., Miranda M., and Maria S. Your many hours of work from the ‘Roses Campaign’ of selling masks and visors to the fun of the Gift Card Club, are greatly appreciated.
Once again, the generous spirit of our sisters is remarkable. Sincere thanks to those of you who volunteered to donate a gift to a resident at Dina’s Dwelling. The gift list is still open. Contact me if you are able to contribute.
Service Projects:
The funds used to support the service projects are not taken from the treasury account or dues money. The funding is solely disbursed from donations from sisters and the fundraising profits.
Our first service project this biennium is to support Kilolo School in Iringa, Tanzania. Our Lambda sister Maria S. maintains a personal connection with a teacher, Zakayo, and the children at the school from her 3 years of teaching experiences there. Maria’s well researched Power Point presentation was viewed at our last meeting in September. Afterwards, four sisters contacted me in order to donate to the school program. Therefore, donations were accepted.
Many thanks to the sisters who donated a total of $640.00 for the students to continue their education.
Our next service project for the biennium is under the trusted leadership of our Lambda sister Wilhelmina B. We continue to help supply the James O. Bryant Food Pantry with funds for food and donations of books for their library.
Presentation: Our guest speaker tonight is the founder and director of the food pantry we, as a team, help to support. Wilhelmina is truly inspirational and demonstrates to us what it means to be a caring and dedicated sister in our chapter. Let’s listen to her presentation on the James O. Bryant Food Pantry.
The Lambda Committees, as you will hear from their reports, are greatly appreciated and up and running for our benefit.
We are Sisters Standing Together.
Stay positive.
Cathy Fortunato
Many thanks to Linda W. who brought the fun to our Social following the meeting!