A∆K

AZ Mu Celebrates Sixty Years of Sisterhood

AK Zeta

AK Zeta really connected this past year. They celebrated the chapter’s fiftieth anniversary and honored two Golden Sisters, Fran Zawacki and Nancy Norum, with sisters from AK Alpha and AK Gamma joining in. Using Zoom, the members connected with former Zeta sisters in California, Arizona and other states in the Northwest and Southwest regions. International President Mollie Acosta joined the connections.

Other connections the chapter has made include: keeping in touch with NW ITE student Trang Haong, providing and serving food at the celebration of life for sister Linda Gage and connecting training sessions. They also forged a connection with Georgia sisters when a Georgia member moved to Alaska and joined Zeta chapter.

MD Beta

MD Beta held eleven virtual social “Happy Hours” this past year, creatively planned and executed by Vivian Hu and Betsey Bell. Members of MD Epsilon, along with prospective A∆K members, were invited to take part. The September theme was “Back to Beta -- Share a Recipe.” Mary Yeates and Terry Melo did zoom cooking demos of their savory and sweet favorites. Vivian and Betsey compiled all the recipes shared from MD Beta sisters and created a virtual cookbook for Beta chapter. Other “Happy Hours” were Disney Theme bingo, Fashion Night In, Making a Pie, Winter Scavenger Hunt, Name That Tune, Poetry Reading, What’s in the Box, Escape Room, Never Ever Have I and Beach Life.

Arizona Mu celebrated its sixtieth anniversary with beautiful decorations, delectable appetizers and cake. The program included the Mu sixtieth anniversary song, a hula hoop contest, a puzzle contest, candies from the 60’s and AZ Mu Trivia. Twenty-four members and nine guests took part in the fun.

President Peggy McKitrick reminded sisters that even though Mu chapter might look different today, its mission is still the same – excellence in education, altruism and world understanding. State President Nancy Martinez spoke of the great altruistic work Mu has been involved in, placing it among the most altruistic in the state.

The meeting ended with sisters hand in hand singing “The Lamp of Alpha Delta Kappa”.

NY Alpha Zeta

Four of the original 15 charter members of NY Alpha Zeta were part of the chapter’s fortieth anniversary celebration in September, one year late. The anniversary party was postponed until members could attend in person. The chapter celebrated with cake and a short ceremony and listened to stories from the charter members about the founding of Alpha Zeta. One of the memories shared was the visit of Agnes Shipman Robertson to Watertown to meet with the charter sisters.

Audrey Blackburn, Margaret Hefferon-Roberts (standing) and Sally Scott (seated) are three of the four remaining charter members. Margaret was the chapter’s first president. Ruth Seaman, the fourth remaining charter member, was unable to make the meeting.

Sunbeams

The Sunbeams, the presidents-elect in the Southeast Region, show their delight in being able to meet for the first time. Pictured at the July Tennessee State conference are (l to r) Margie Hogshead, TN, Craig Norton, NC, Michele DeCarlo, WV, Darlene Duseberg, SC, International President Mollie Acosta, SER mentor Connie Cathey, NC, Dana Meriwether, VA and Gena Richardson, KY. Maryland vice president Linda Lawrence was unable to attend.

Alpha Delta Kappa Mexico held its Winter Convention on December 4. It was in hybrid mode with viewing parties in Morelos and Mexico City plus other areas of Mexico, and others in the world zooming in. Thirty people enjoyed the fellowship and information.

Elizabeth Elmer, MX Epsilon, welcomed members and guests and acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Greetings were brought on Zoom by Rachel Shankles, International Vice President for the South Central Region and Kathleen Buligan, International Executive Board Member and Chair of the International Relations Committee. Many Mexico sisters were recognized for various accomplishments and awards by national officers Mary Yonker and Lorraine Castanares.

One of the main speakers was from Guardians of the Forest and included A∆K sister Laurie Saunders. Each spoke about the ecology education program of reforestation. The final presentation was given by Eta President Paola Rodriguez and National President Marli Camargo about the altruistic efforts of all three of the chapters and Mexico’s National altruistic project of helping the shelter of Domus Alipio, an organization for helping women and children. Special congratulations were given to the efforts of the Toy Drive volunteers who distributed toys, books and other items to over 1,300 children at various locations in the midst of the pandemic.

Maryland Beta and Epsilon Chapters Finally Connect In Person

MD Beta and Epsilon Sisters were delighted to be able to participate in their annual holiday party once again. In addition to the party, sisters with friends and family gathered for their annual trip to a Olney Theater musical. This trip they enjoyed “Beauty and the Beast.” Conversations between sisters this year focused on how important and valuable in-person and faceto-face connections are for mental health.

Southwest Sisters Lend a Helping Hand

When the Southwest Sisters heard that their ITE student, Karina Munoz Baltazar, needed a new computer they jumped into action. Karina’s computer died in the fall and although the university loaned her a computer to finish the semester, she still needed a new one. Sisters from Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada quickly took care of that. Karina and her mother were brought to tears by the generosity of the members and the Christmas miracle they provided. Notice the big smile on Karina’s face as she displays her new computer.

Remembering the Ladies

“Remember the ladies,” Abigail Adams told her husband, US President John Adams. The members of MA Xi took her advice to heart when, in celebration of A∆K month, they donated a framed poster of the 1985 Abigail Adams U.S. postage stamp to Quincy High School in Quincy, MA. The school is known as the home of presidents.

In 1776, Abigail sent a letter to her husband saying, “In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.”

For several years the chapter has met in the newly designated Abigail Adams Function Room. Hung in the room were pictures of President Adams and his son, President John Quincy Adams, but there was no picture of the wife and mother of the presidents. The Presidents’ pictures now flank Abigail’s. School Principal Lawrence Taglieri placed a plaque acknowledging Xi’s donation near her picture. On the day of the presentation, Xi members were treated to refreshments from the school’s culinary department.

NV Beta

NV Beta’s Maria Macaluso presented a workshop on quilting at the Nevada state virtual interim conference. Maria created a quilt that included the signature of the 140 Nevada sisters and presented it to Nevada State President Becky Hawkins. The quilt embodied Becky’s theme, “Better Together.”

TN Alpha Theta

To celebrate the seventy-fourth anniversary of the founding of Alpha Delta Kappa and to show their appreciation to their actively teaching members, the retired members of TN Alpha Theta presented bouquets of flowers to the members who are still in the classroom.

PA Delta celebrated “World Kindness Day” at a recent meeting by honoring Pittsburgh, PA’s Mr. Fred Rogers. The sisters wore cardigan sweaters to celebrate his life of promoting kindness to others. Members received pens with the inscribed message, “Remember. Kindness Always.”

MO Upsilon

MO Upsilon sisters are preparing to celebrate seventy years of sisterhood. The chapter was chartered on April 6, 1952. At a recent meeting, the MO State President Susan Nichols spoke to members about the fellowship among educators, as well as establishing high standards in education and promoting charitable projects and activities.

Meeting Place Liability Insurance, Say Whaaat?

You’re holding a meeting or a special event and suddenly the venue asks you for a copy of your liability insurance policy. Now what? A∆K already carries an umbrella policy for this protection. Requests for certificates of liability, also referred to as proof of protection from damage, are commonplace and leaders needn’t worry that they have to use chapter funds to pay for the coverage.

To receive a Certificate of Liability Insurance, chapters can either complete the A∆K website’s online application under Chapter Documents and Forms or contact Headquarters at (800) 247-2311 for assistance. Chapters are not to apply directly to the insurance company.

To complete the form, provide:

· The venue’s full name and complete address

· Applicant’s name, state, province or nation, chapter name (Greek letters) and email address

If the venue needs to be identified as an additional insured, A∆K’s insurance company requires a separate, signed contract stating that they must be shown as an additional insured before the certificate can be issued. That signed contract, which may be uploaded or acquired from Headquarters, must be included with the Certificate of Liability Insurance request.

A chapter may request a certificate that will designate their chapter as the certificate holder and will cover them at most places. Allow at least one week for processing that certificate which is valid June 1 to May 30 of the following year.