Alpha Rho Northwest District

Detail-oriented, determined, dedicated—Tonia Haynie has recently served our chapter as President. Her attention to detail was perfect timing for our chapter. She computerized our membership records and yearbook. She was the perfect president to have during COVID and beyond—she had our chapter in numerous Zoom meetings. With the help of her leadership team, she had our chapter members filling out Google Forms to update membership records, marking our Google Calendar with chapter events, and responding by Google RSVP to special events. She is currently serving our chapter as Immediate Past President and as a member of the Finance Committee. She has served on numerous committees; however, we are most impressed with her work in honoring our local educators and rewarding 1st year teachers with Grant in Aids. She has worked very closely with our district director to help plan the 2022 Northwest/ Northeast District Meeting. Last year at the state convention, she introduced our district meeting along with the Northeast representative with a very creative invitation. She is serving her third year on the Bossier-Caddo Coordinating Council as the Yearbook Chairman.

Tech-savvy, natural-leader, and “get-it-done”-organizer—Taylor Wilkes was initiated into our chapter in January 2021 and by June 2021 she stepped up to serve as 2nd Vice President when the current officer stepped down. She worked very closely with our president to help our chapter get organized through Google Docs, Invites, Forms, etc. As the school year began, she also took on 1st Vice President duties as needed to fill a vacancy. She helped with preparation and distribution of the chapter yearbooks both printed and digital copies. In addition, she sent monthly Google calendar invites for chapter events. This biennium she is serving our chapter as Professional Affairs Committee Chairman. She will be organizing our chapter’s efforts to honor local educators as well as helping with providing selected new teachers with Grant in Aids. Always willing to serve, she has helped the new president to continue to keep the chapter stay organized through Google Docs, Invites, Forms, etc. If Taylor is in charge, there is no doubt that she will “get-it-done.”

The regular monthly meeting of Alpha Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International was held on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Renesting Project Warehouse at 1331 Driftwood Drive Bossier City, LA. The meeting was called to order at 4:45 by Chapter President Martha Turner, with Margene Watters as recording secretary. There were 12 members in attendance. (*Attendees’ names listed on last page)

The collect/prayer was spoken by Deborah Mullinnix.

The minutes from the Monday, April 11, 2022 chapter meeting, were not available nor the treasurer’s report. However, both will be obtained by President Martha Turner for the next chapter meeting scheduled in November.

Reports:

President Martha Turner stated that our meeting was actually held on World Literacy Day, September 8, 2022. Monetary donations collected for Literacy/Numeracy Project will be donated to the Renesting Project. Renesting Project is Alpha Rho’s ongoing project for the year.

Business:

• NE/NW District Meeting Saturday, October 1, 2022

Grace United Methodist Church, Ruston LA

Registration forms are online.

Alpha Rho and Beta Chi are hostesses. Alpha Rho‘s responsibilities include door prizes, breakfast, and lunch. Ponchatoulas’ Seafood Restaurant of Ruston, LA will cater lunch.

All members are encouraged to attend the district meeting.

• The Louisiana State-Epsilon Convention will be held March 10-12, 2023 at Hilton Garden Inn, Bossier City. All NW chapters will have responsibilities. Alpha Rho has been asked to furnish 10 door prizes and other duties will be assigned at a later time.

• Literacy/Numeracy Project – as stated in the Reports, monetary contributions for the Literacy/Numeracy Project will be given to the Renesting Project of Bossier City. Chapter members brought school supplies, children’s books, and flashcards which were given to the Renesting Project.

• Grant-in-Aid – The following names were given as prospective recipients of the Grant-in- Aid stipend: Bethanie Dunn at Benton Middle School and Rita Snyder at Airline High School. It is the chapter’s desire to present each chosen first year teacher $50 (cash- $50 bill). The Grant-in-Aid stipend is given to teachers who are in their first year of their teaching career. Chapter members recommend first year teachers in the Bossier Parish School System.

• Honoring Educators –After much discussion, it was decided to invite Grant-in-Aid recipients from last year and this year to the November chapter meeting. That meeting will be held at the Do Good Store at the Boardwalk, Bossier City.

• Yearbook – information needed for the yearbook will be updated, assembled, printed, and distributed soon.

New Business:

Martha Turner asked Pam Haley and Ann Allred to co-chair the Music Committee. They accepted.

Martha Turner then announced the meeting information for 2022-2023.

Date of meeting Venue

September 8, 2022- 4:30 p.m.

Renesting Project 1331 Driftwood Drive Bossier City, LA

NE/NW District Meeting – Ruston, LA

Grace United Methodist Church 3401 N. Trenton Street

Do Good Store 100 Boardwalk Blvd. Bossier City, LA

Christmas Party – Deborah Mullinnix’s Home

105 Chesterton Ct. Bossier City, LA

Chapter Officers’ Meeting - Martha Turner’s Home

2429 Clearbrook Way

Bella Nonnas Olive Oil & Vinegar

1409 E. 70th St. Unit 107 Shreveport, LA $10 – to make a Charcuterie Board

Louisiana State-Epsilon Convention Hilton Garden Inn Bossier City, LA

At Art Workz 1311 Airline Drive Bossier City -Paint Class

Founders’ Day Luncheon- Place TBA by Bossier/Caddo Coordinating Council.

Alpha Rho responsible for luncheon arrangements and program.