Installing officers, initiating a new member, and presenting grants to new teachers was on the agenda for the Alpha Tau meeting on Tuesday, October 13th , at the Kaufman County Library. Since our March outing, due to the pandemic, Alpha Tau has met virtually, which put installation of officers and the initiation of our new member on hold. Finally, after 7 months, we met live and virtually, since some of our members are in the vulnerable category.
Although we were not able to have our usual light supper and social time 30 minutes prior to the meeting, members still showed early with masks on to sign in, purchase raffle tickets for a door prize, and visit socially at a distance. The usual buffet-style light meal was replaced by prepackaged snacks and bottled water, placed at each member’s seat. President Vivian Themer called the meeting to order at 5:30 by welcoming all members back from an exceptionally long hiatus! Cathy Stewart led the pledges, and Joan Moore presented a very meaningful inspiration, including a reading from Ecclesiastes 3.
After the inspiration, each executive board member spoke. Vice President, Cathy Stewart, reviewed the upcoming events—postcard collecting in November and the Christmas brunch in December. Karrie Pharris, Second Vice-President, shared the goals for membership and led members in a birthday/anniversary jingle for all those celebrating this month. Corresponding Secretary, Suzy McCook, talked about “The Tales,” our monthly newsletter. Jerri Coates, Board Treasurer, presented the budget, and members voted unanimously to accept it.
The business portion of the meeting was followed by the presentation of grants to teachers by Dr. Nancy Shaw. Alpha Tau is comprised of 6 towns in Kaufman County. One of our goals is to help women educators. We give back by presenting 2 teachers from each of the school districts in Kaufman County with a $100 check. The selected teachers are asked to attend the meeting and share with us their educational experiences thus far. We had 4 teachers in attendance: Alexa Pace from North Forney High School; Taylor Speratti from Kemp Primary School; Courtenay Forward from Kaufman High School; Skileya Mitchell from Wood Elementary School, Terrell.
The last item on the agenda was the initiation of one new member, Marnie Cushing, and the installation of the 2020-2022 officers. Ms. Cushing is currently a Librarian at Crandall Middle School and is also the Librarian Coordinator for Crandall ISD. The new officers are the following: President— Vivian Themer; Vice President—Cathy Stewart; 2nd Vice President—Karrie Pharris; Secretary—Aydee Reyna; Corresponding Secretary—Suzy McCook; Treasurer—Jerri Coates; Parliamentarian—Mollie Kasper.
The meeting adjourned promptly at 6:30 with members singing the DKG song, accompanied by Sondra Perry on the piano.
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