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Volume 97 - Issue 11| May 2025
Cathy Tenney, Editor
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A Message From OSO President Melodie McGee
Greetings…It’s a beautiful day today in our OSO Delta Kappa Gamma Society neighborhood!
When all the members attending the OSO State Convention got together what a time, what a time, what a time we shared together…
There was an exuberant spirit in the air, lots of smiles, sharing of ideas, collaboration of experiences, and celebrating events throughout the night and day, and of course eating delicious food, what a time we had, what a time, what a time!
We had a wonderful time together at our 87th DKG OSO Convention. Let me share with you some of the highlights from the convention at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Resort.
- We welcomed our special representative from Texas, Sy Franco Stern, DKG International Membership Director, who shared ideas on how to improve communication and marketing techniques. She spent time answering questions about things that were happening at the International level. In her presentation on Saturday, she provided those OSO members in attendance with information from a detailed Power Point presentation.
- The Friday evening session was filled with fun and fellowship, interactive games, yummy refreshments that included birthday cake, lemonade, tea, and coffee. The evening concluded in the mezzanine with the singing of many melodious, harmonious sounds of campfire songs that filled the air from many OSO members sitting around a campfire (courtesy of Amazon and designed by President Melodie).
- On Saturday, we held our Executive Board and General Session meetings, nominated, elected, and voted on new officers. We were saddened after hearing a motion from Mu Chapter requesting to dissolve. The motion passed. We will miss them. We listened to several committee reports while others were to be read silently.
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We experienced a meaningful Celebration of Life service remembering the lives of our OSO sisters who passed away during the 2023-2025 biennium.
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Then we entered back into the Ballroom for the Presidential Parade with our OSO Past State Presidents leading the way, followed by our OSO Chapter Presidents, who were introduced by OSO President-Elect Dr. Molly Helmlinger. Last to enter was your current OSO President, all to the recorded music of Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder.
- We lit special birthday signs at every table in honor of our 87th OSO Birthday and even sang a special birthday song together, that was written and recorded just for OSO by my brother Minister Frank C. Cleveland, III, who is the Minister of Music at The Church of Oakland in Jacksonville, Florida.
- The invocation was sung by Cheryl Quay & our OSO Ensemble followed by a lovely lunch.
- The Scholarship Committee gave a report on the Scholarship winners!
- The Gold Key OSO Chapters received their award certificates for 2023-2024…congratulations!
- ADSOEF gave an appeal and received an outpouring of donations for scholarships, fellowships and awards and then the winners of all the raffle baskets were announced!
- The installation ceremony of newly elected OSO officers was very exciting and witnessed by all.
- We listened and watched as new elected OSO President Dr. Molly Helmlinger shared her plan of action for OSO’s next biennium with a PowerPoint presentation.
- OSO members bid farewell to our current OSO President as she gave her parting proclamation to the OSO membership followed by numerous thank yous and red rose presentations! All the OSO chapters who participated in the Domestic Violence Initiative during her biennium received certificates specially designed by President Melodie.
- One lucky OSO member found a flower under her seat and won a special surprise gift from President Melodie.
- President Melodie was presented with several gifts, our Convention Coordinators gave their concluding reflections, the flags were retired and members sang the Delta Kappa Gamma song to close the convention.
If you were not able to be with us at our 87th OSO Convention, I hope that this summary gave you a glimpse into the moments that we shared together, and to those of you who attended the convention, I hope that these were some of the memories from this weekend that you experienced at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Resort on April 4-5, 2025.
Until next time. . .
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May each of you have a bouquet of red roses in your lives every day…
Melodie
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Dr. Marian Kurner
State President, 1993-1995
Omicron
Christina Newlin
Chi
Mae Chisae Prentice
Chi
Mary Lorane Davis
Alpha Delta
Rebecca Lybarger
Beta Upsilon
Georgia Mae McNeal Gillfillan
Delta Epsilon
| | | | Beta Gamma Chapter members are pictured with guest speaker Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education at the Ohio Statehouse. Dayna visited Beta Gamma to discuss her book The Art and Artistry of the Ohio Statehouse. | |
Gamma Sigma Chapter held a Night of Service meeting where members brought in donations of personal care items in support of President McGee's initiative to be donated to the local Survivors Advocacy Outreach Program and Victims Services Unit as well as books in support of the chapter's literacy initiative to be donated to Perry County Help Me Grow. They also participated in a delicious sundae bar fundraiser for the UNICEF-GIRLS fund. Following the business meeting, members stayed to tie blankets which will be delivered to Perry County JFS Children Services. | | | | Gamma Pi Chapter members displaying their artwork at their March meeting in the top left picture are Rosemary McLaughlin, Sonia Tsvetkoff, Mary Tsimouris, Barb Ade, Mary Ellen Wilcox, Susan Harris, Laura Sullivan, Laura Dedo-Spencer, and Holly Buente. Pictured in the bottom left picture displaying their artwork are Barb Murray, Pat Schultz, JoAnn Vlacancich, Betsey White, Melissa Hackett, Priscilla Beck, and Pat Scalzo. Pictured on the right is Susan Harris, Co-President with Lindsey Chisholm and Betsey White. Lindsey Chisholm who is from the Helms Organization guided us in a stress relief activity. The HELMS Organization provides community based art therapy for people with mental health, developmental and physical disabilities. | |
Inside International
DKG Ohio members are encouraged to participate in the monthly Inside International Meetings via Zoom. Join the meeting for half an hour to enjoy conversation with International leaders and staff. Directors and elected leaders will be available to answer questions and welcome comments. As the links to these meetings are available, Ohio members will be notified via Constant Contact.
Upcoming Inside International Dates:
Tuesday, May 6th at 1:30 p.m. Eastern
Tuesday, June 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Eastern
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2025 DKG Spring Fine Arts Gallery Selections
From OSO Members
Congratulations!
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Prague Peacock
Katie Gantz
Gamma Phi
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Insel Schwanau on Lake Lauerz
Switzerland
Cathy Tenney
Beta Kappa
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Sunset at Burgenstock Resort
Lucerne, Switzerland
Cathy Tenney
Beta Kappa
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Tuscany
Two Dimensional Art
Melissa Hackett
Gamma Pi
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Beta Alpha Chapter held its March meeting at the Artisan Studio in Gallipolis OH. We all made a stained glass Fleur-de-lis piece. Our instructor, Tracey French Staten, is a teacher from Buckeye Hills Career. All participants appreciated this project since it blended with the history of our city. Gallipolis is called The Old French City and was founded in 1790 by 500 French descendants. | | | | |
DUES
DKG International dues and Ohio State Organization dues remain unchanged for each membership type.
| | | Membership Type | International | State | Total | | Active | $40.00 | $13.00 | $53.00 | | Collegiate | $20.00 | $6.00 | $26.00 | | Reserve | $20.00 | $6.00 | $26.00 | | | |
The amount of chapter dues is determined by the membership of each chapter and will increase the above totals.
Your dues are to be paid to your chapter treasurer no later than June 30, 2025.
Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi
OSO Treasurer
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Beta Chi
Ava Bloom
Bonnie Everitt
Amy Mark
Becky Seiple
| | | | Beta Chi Chapter welcomed Bonnie Everitt, Becky Seiple, Amy Mark, and Ava Bloom as new members. | | | |
DKG Ohio Membership and Chapter Update
July 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
| | | Active Members | 2,161 | | Collegiate Members | 5 | | Reserve Members | 292 | | Total Membership | 2,458 | | Ohio Chapters | 67 | | | Statement of Financial Activity | | | Revenue | $54,771.00 | | Unrealized Revenue | $ 13,610.00* | | Total Revenue | $66,381.00 | | Expenses | $ 23,381.00 | | Net Income | $45,248.00 | | | *investment interest & dividends + change in market value - management expenses | | Statement of Financial Position | | | Checking/Savings | $ 53,527.00 | | Investments Assets | $232,036.00 | | Total Assets | $285,563.00 | | Credit Card Liability | $ 466.00 | | Total Equity | $285,097.00 | | | |
Diana Haskell, Gamma Phi
OSO Treasurer
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Alpha Phi Chapter members combined their energies and resources to make fleece blankets for the Linus Project. The Linus Project provides blankets to children ages 0-18 who are seriously ill, traumatized or have other needs. | | | | Alpha Nu Chapter hosted Mr. Cody Tatum, Executive Director of Harcum House. Harcum House is a facility for sexually and physically abused children in Lancaster. They believe every child victim should have a clear path to healing in a community that supports, believes and empowers them. Their services include forensic interviews, medical exams, advocacy, trauma therapy and prevention and awareness education. The trauma therapy is provided at no charge to families through a grant. | |  | Beta Rho Chapter hosted Drew Wichterman, Director of the Pickaway County Library. He shared that since 2022 there has been an increase in intellectual freedom challenges with 4,200 books challenged nationwide, each which must go through a formal review process. Drew encouraged everyone to keep informed on these bills and any future bills that may be introduced for legislation as this affects everyone using our local library. | | |
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Join Us in Ohio’s Amish Country, June 11-12, 2025,
for Two Days of Fun-Filled Learning!!
*Registration Fee is $120.00, which includes the cost of theater tickets for Elvis Forever ($40.00); the day-long bus tour of the Amish Community around Millersburg/Berlin, Ohio; the Behalt Museum fee, and the luncheon meal at an authentic Amish home ($80.00). ADSOEF will provide the bus, as well as the gratuities for the tour guide and bus driver.
*Please register early as registration (complete with payment) is limited to the first 55 participants. Electronic registration ends
May 1 and there will be no refunds after May 15.
*Everyone is responsible for securing their own hotel accommodations. See important information below.
*Your 2025 Biennial Seminar Registration can be achieved by using: (1) the link with payment by PayPal/Credit Card; or (2) the link with payment by personal check Links are located at the bottom of this page.
*Dinners for Wednesday and Thursday evenings will be at your own expense and at venues of your own choosing.
*FYI…Many Amish venues or establishments accept cash only. Come prepared!
2025 Biennial Seminar Registration with PayPal/Credit Card Payment Link
2025 Biennial Seminar Registration with Payment by Personal Check Link
Biennial Seminar Itinerary
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Encore Hotel & Hall + Amish Country Theater
RESERVATION INFORMATION
Encore Hotel & Hall + Amish Country Theater
4365 State Route 39
Millersburg, Ohio 44654
Call: 888-988-2414
Group Name: Delta Kappa Gamma OSO
Group Code: b528407
All reservations must be confirmed by credit card. (Discover, American Express, Mastercard)
Check in: after 3:00 p.m. Check out: by 11:00 a.m.
Complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
ROOM RATES: To take advantage of the DKG Room Block, room reservations must be made by May 1, 2025. The cut-off date for reserving rooms in the Room Block is 5:00 p.m. local time at Encore Hotel & Amish Theater on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Be sure to mention the Group Name and Group Code when making your room reservation! After that date, it is at the hotel’s discretion whether to accept additional reservations, which will be subject to prevailing rates and availability.
The room rates for June 11 and June 12 are as follows:
*Deluxe Guest Room – the room rate is $129.00 each night ($146.00 with applicable state and local taxes or occupancy taxes included).
*Two Queen Suite room rate is $149.00 each night ($160.00 with applicable state and local taxes or occupancy taxes included).
Rates are for a single or double occupancy per room. Additional charges of $10.00 per guest per night for triple or quad occupancy.
Cancellations - Guests must call in and cancel 72 hours prior to their stay.
| | | | Delta Theta Chapter members Bev Babbert, Co-President Ellen Anglim, Keynote Speaker Sy Franco Stern, Margaret Archangel and Co-President Carmel Jenkins. | | Gamma Theta Chapter's April meeting included a presentation on Financial Literacy from Theory FCU. | Gamma Theta Chapter members Sheryl Millet, Robin Echols Cooper, and Cheryl Kleps attended the Civil War Roundatable meeting where Robin presented a moment in history about Stagecoaches Mary, the first Black American mail carrier. | | Delta Phi Chapter member, Tiffany Shaw, gave a very informative update on Artificial Intelligence to our chapter. She is a Technology Specialist at Tusky Valley, a member of the Lt. Governor's AI Coalition, Ambassador of Google Applied Digital Skills, and ISTE AI and its Practical Use in the Schools 2023 Cohort. | |
Ohio State Organization Related Links | | | | Delta Kappa Gamma promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. | | | | |
