Members of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Upsilon chapter, learned about the Land of the Rising Sun during their April meeting. The meeting theme, “Putting Pieces Together in Japan,” provided an opportunity to review the culture of their international sisters in Japan through foods, cultural decorations and art while also recognizing leadership opportunities.

The DKG Society International founded its 80^th state organization Oct. 14 in Kochi, Japan, on the island of Shikoku. Approximately 60 Japanese women educators became part of the society’s more than 90,000 worldwide members. Japan is the first Asian nation in the organization and the 18^th country.

The meeting took place in the Calvary Baptist Church tearoom. Hostesses for the meeting included Debbie Nale, Dianne Pace, Sandy Gibson, Molly Bates King and Shannon O’Neal. Members enjoyed refreshments with an Asian theme. Each table featured decorations with silk cherry blossoms, oriental fans and chopsticks. A display table featured items including Japanese silk, pottery, ink and woodblock paintings, jade, calligraphy and art.

In the business session, four names, along with their biographies, were submitted for DKG Alpha Upsilon membership. These nominees will be voted on by the chapter members. Their formal installation will be conducted at the first DKG Alpha Upsilon meeting in the fall. Another DKG member requested transfer of her membership from a sister chapter to Alpha Upsilon since she now teaches in Franklin County.

Members discussed final plans for the May DKG Founders Day banquet. DKG Alpha Upsilon will serve as the host club.
Invitations will be sent to the three club presidents and their members in District I. Club president, Cheri McCain, stressed the importance of all members attending the banquet and helping with the preparations and clean-up. Following the banquet, installation of the Alpha Upsilon officers for the 2024-2026 administration will be conducted.

Nomination for the Alabama State Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Rosebud Award is due by June 1. This award acknowledges exceptional members of each chapter who have served for eight years or less and have shown a strong commitment to serving within their respective chapters. This award is presented at the fall board meeting in Montgomery in August. Those Alpha Upsilon members that qualify are Cindy Bailey, Patricia Cox, Angie Garrison, Leah Masterson, Shannon O’Neal, Emily Rush, Ginger Saylor and Kristy Smith. Chapter members will make the selection by secret ballot at the May meeting.

DKG Alpha Upsilon will continue to honor area schools outstanding senior female students with the highest grade point average.
In the past, this recognition has been presented at the society’s May meeting, but because of the conflicts preventing the honor students from attending, it was decided that a representative of DKG Alpha Upsilon would attend the school’s awards program to make the presentation.