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Report of the Alpha Upsilon State Nominations CommitteeThe Nominations Committee is charged to perform duties as outlined in the Delta KappaGamma International Handbook and the Bylaws of Alpha Upsilon State; specifically, toprepare a slate of nominees for state positions. According to the Section, Officers and RelatedPersonnel, and concurrent with Constitution, VI: International Standing Rules, 6 – SelectionNomination Committee guidelines:According to the Alpha Upsilon State Bylaws,Nominees for state organization presidents andArticle VI (officers and personnel), Section Eofficers should be reviewed for the following(Nominations and election):1. Nominations for office shall be made by a Nominationcriteria:Committee comprised of one member from each ofState organization president: Should have served as chapter presidentShould have state organization committee experienceShould have familiarity with the work of the stateorganization executive boardShould have attended state organization and regionalmeetingsShould have an interest in and time for the positionShould have organizational ability and the ability todelegateShould be able to speak well and communicateeffectively.State organization officers: Should have served as chapter officers and/or committeechairsShould have interest in and time for the position forwhich each is nominated.According to Alpha Upsilon Bylaws Article VIII(Committee), Section C (Composition and duties),Paragraph c. (Finance):The Finance Committee shall consist of:1.2.3.4.5.The state president (ex officio)The state treasurer (ex officio)The state executive secretary (as consultant)The state program chairmanThree chapter presidents elected by the Executive Boardat the State Spring Convention ending a biennium, one ofwhom shall be appointed as chairman by the statepresidentThe committee shall perform the following duties:1. Prepare the budget which shall be presented to theExecutive Board for approval at the beginning of thebiennium2. Review the budget at the beginning of the secondyear of each biennium for presentation to theExecutive Board.4the six areas, elected by ballot at the springconvention in odd numbered years. The chairmanshall be the immediate past state president.a. The committee shall submit the name of one nomineefor each elective office to the sate executive board atthe State Winter Board meeting. The consent of eachnominee must be obtained.b. The slate of officers, with candidate qualifications,shall be published in the Spring issue of The Baystater.c. After the report of the committee has been made tothe spring convention, additional nominations may bemade from the floor, with the consent of those beingnominated.2. Election shall be by ballot and a majority of votes castelects. If there is but one nominee for an office, theelection may be made by voice vote.3. The nominations committee shall prepare the ballotand conduct the election, if it is not a voice vote.Accordingly, the 2015-2017 this Committeepresents the following nominees:President, Martha Cotton, Alpha Iota1st Vice President, Bette Ann Bridges, Kappa2nd Vice President, Lynn Howard, Alpha IotaRecording Secretary, Claire LeBonte, AlphaCorresponding Secretary, Gail Saccone, Alpha ZetaFinance Committee:Kathryn Dunlap, Alpha ThetaCarol LaPolice, AlphaAudrey Smith, ZetaNominations Committee:Area I-Eileen ClearyArea II- Helen Kay Simms, Alpha MuArea II-I Anita Newman, EtaArea IV -Gwen Miller, ChiArea V- Ava Grimason, Alpha Zeta,Area VI-Esther Wilkander, Alpha Xi

Meet the Alpha Upsilon State Nominees for the2015-2017 BienniumMartha Cotton-PresidentMartha Cottoncurrently servesas 1st VicePresident ofAlpha Upsilonstate. She is amember ofAlpha Iotachapter whereshe held manyoffices including president. She is currentlyChapter treasurer.Martha taught for 38 years in the city of Boston.She spent the majority of her career as a middleschool Special Education teacher, but spent the last12 years teaching Advanced Work Class 5th grade.During that time, she served as lead teacher,standards facilitator and mentor.Outside of school, she is actively involved with theteacher’s union. She has served as a buildingrepresentative, delegate to AFT, and is currently themembership chair for the Retired Teachers Chapterof the Boston Teachers Union.Martha serves as a Warden, (lay leader) at St.Michael’s Episcopal Church in Milton. She serveson committees and is involved with manycommunity service projects.On her free time, she enjoys candlepin bowling,sailing and golf. She loves to read and is currentlytaking Art lessons at the Museum of Fine Arts. Shelives in Milton with her husband, graduate schooldaughter and her dog Georgia.Corresponding Secretary. On the Internationallevel, Bette has served as a member of fourInternational committees and on the ElectionsCommittee and Microphone Committee (chair) atInternationalConventions.She hasattended theInternationalLeadershipManagementSeminar and aGolden GiftSpecial StudyStipend. For the past 30 years, Bette has presentedworkshops at all meeting levels.A retired chemistry teacher, she continues to doworkshops for teachers throughout the country inchemistry and laboratory safety. She also workswith teachers, who entered the profession fromindustry, to get their permanent certification.Bette Geocaches and with her husband, Ken, lovesto travel in their spare time.Lynn Howard-Second Vice PresidentLynn was initiated into Alpha Iota Chapter in May2005. She has been very active since joining DKGboth in her local chapter and at the state level.Currently, Lynn is the Recording Secretary forAlpha. Lynn has presented workshops at our Stateconferences and for her chapter. Lynn began hercareer in education in 1994 after working for theHarvard Cooperative Society (The Coop) for 12years as a Retail Sales Manager, Training Manager,and finally as the Human Resources Director. Thenin 1994 she made a career change and went back toschool to receive her Masters in ElementaryEducation at Wheelock College. Lynn did a yearlong internship at the Jackson Mann School inBrighton. Then she was hired to teach first grade atthe Murphy School in Weymouth in 1995. Lynn isstill teaching at theBette Anne BridgesFirst Vice PresidentBette Anne Bridges iscurrently Alpha UpsilonState 2nd Vice President. Apast-president of Kappachapter, she has served herchapter in all areas andcommittees. On the state level, she has served as amember and chair of several committees, as well as5

Murphy School, she is now teaching third grade.For the past twelve years she has also taken on the role of Head Teacher, and for the past three years she hasalso been the Data Coach for her school. Lynn has also been on many district-wide curriculum committeesduring over the past several years. In addition, to her activities in Weymouth, she is currently serving as aBoard of Director at the MTA (Massachusetts Teachers Association for Region 32D.Outside of school, Lynn is involved in many community groups. She is currently the Chairperson of theWeymouth Democratic Town Committee and the STEM Committee Chairperson for the American Associationof University Women South Shore Branch. In her free time, Lynn and her husband, David, enjoy traveling.Over the past several years they have traveled to Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, England, and Poland.She has also traveled to China, Peru and Ecuador with teachers on professional development study tours. Lynnalso enjoys reading, knitting, attending Red Sox games, and spending time at the beach in Maine.Claire LaBonte- Recording SecretaryA member of DKG from Alpha Chapter since 1999, Claire has held variouspositions at all levels; in her chapter (President, Vice President, RecordingSecretary), on the state level (State Corresponding Secretary, State MembershipChair for three biennium), and on the International level (Northeast RegionalRepresentative on the International Membership Committee, presently chair ofthe International Educational Excellence Committee). Since becoming amember Claire has been a delegate at all but one Northeast RegionalConference, and at every International Convention. Claire has regularlyattended state meetings and has presented several workshops.Gail Saccone- Corresponding SecretaryGail is a retired School Psychologist. Gail worked in the Norwell Public Schoolsystem for 32 years before retiring in 2007. Gail was initiated into DKG in2002. My chapter is Alpha Zeta. I have been my chapter’s President and FirstVice-President. Currently Gail is a Recording Secretary. At the State level,Gail is currently on the Scholarship Committee and was appointed as one oftwo representatives to the 2013 U.S. Forum in Washington, D.C. Gail hasattended two Northeast Regional Conferences (Burlington, VT and Hersey,PA) and her first International Conference was in N.Y.C.Mark Your Calendar!!!Upcoming Dates for Alpha Upsilon StateJune 13, 2015-State Planning Meeting-Holiday Inn-BoxboroughJuly 8-12, 2015-Northeast Regional Conference-Baltimore, MarylandSeptember 18-19, 2015-Fall Workshop-Holiday Inn-Boxborough)*Room Rate- 105-Single/Double-2 beds; 115-Triple: 125-Quad (plus 11.7% occupancytaxJuly 5-9, 2016-International Convention-Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention CenterNashville, Tennessee*per night6

Area MeetingsArea III MeetingEighty-eight Area III sisters and President KaySimms gathered at the Century House in Acushnetfor an evening of celebration and entertainment.Kay brought greetings from the state board andreminded all sisters about the need to be vigilant insearching out deserving educators to join the DKGSociety. Her remarks included information onrecruiting, a reminder of the important jobs thatneed to be filled at the state level, and a call tomembers to seriously consider applying for thescholarshipsavailable forcontinuingeducation.Kay’s remarks werefollowed by thecelebration of ourArea IIIAchievement awardrecipient who wasArea III Achievement Award Recipient Maryann Rogersof Alpha Lambda Chapter with State President Kay Simmsunable to attend the Fall Workshop. As Jo-AnneButler read the nomination letter, everyone’s eyeswere on Maryann Rogers of Alpha Lambda. Shehad no idea that Jo-Anne was talking about her.Her surprise and emotion upon receiving the awardwas evident to all in attendance.As dinner concluded, Dr. Anita Newmanintroduced the entertainment for the evening. Dr.Newman is a member of the NoteAble BlendWomen’s Chorus that performed. Their infectioussinging had the audience toe tapping, hand clappingand mouthing many of the words to familiar showtunes, movies tunes and #1 hits on the old hit paradelist.NoteAbleBlend’s lastsong was arequest.They sangHappyBirthday toJanetRatcliffe ofEta Chapter Janet Ratcliffe conducts NoteAble Blendwho turned97 that day. Janet has been a member of DKG for63 years. Janet followed up the birthday serenadeby directing the NoteAble Blend Chorus as theysang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Herenthusiastic directing brought the house down. Itwas truly a magical evening.Many thanks go to each of the chapter presidentsfor their part in making the evening such a success.Special thanks go to Jo-Anne Butler who continuesto be the heart and soul of Area III. Her tirelessefforts on our behalf have always assured a meetingthat is organized, entertaining and enjoyable.Area VI MeetingOn October 27, Area VI chapters met for dinner at Angelica’s Restaurant in Middleton. Twenty-four DeltaKappa Gamma members enjoyed a delicious dinner. Alpha Upsilon State president Kay Simms joined us andbrought greetings from the state. The speaker for the evening, Cindy Veatch, representing the Girls Scouts ofAmerica, was enthusiastic as she described the impact on girls who undertake a project and bring it to asuccessful conclusion. Her examples delighted everyone. She also spoke about the Ban Bossy campaign and itsgoal.The lovely fall centerpieces on the tables and the invocation were provided by Alpha Xi. Arrangements weremade by Alpha Eta, and the program was handled by Epsilon. Epsilon Chapter also created and raffled anautumnal themed basket to support their scholarship fund. The meeting closed with the Delta Kappa Gammasong. EARN REVENUE FOR YOUR CHAPTER BY RESERVINGTABLES AT THE STATE SPRING CONVENTION ON MAY 1-2CONTACT COLLEEN AZZARO AT: cazzaro@verizon.net7

Area V MeetingThe Area V Meeting was held on October 23, 2014at The Neighborhood Club in QuincyMassachusetts. We were in the midst of a terribleNor’easter.Kay Simms,our StatePresident, hadto travel threehours thatnight just toreach themeeting. Weare trulygrateful to her and her husband for going above andbeyond that evening. Inside, we had a warm andwonderful meeting gathering together with old andnew friends. We played some Massachusetts triviaand then had an exceptional dinner buffet.After dinner we were entertained and enlightenedby a wonderful presentation by Kelly Cobble, theCurator of the Adams National Park Service, whichjust happens to be right around the corner fromwhere we were gathered. She was so enthusiasticabout Louisa Catherine Quincy’s life. It was betterthan a made for TV movie. Never again will wefeel that our lives are difficult. Wow, that womanpersevered through many trials. She was aninspiration.Area V for the first time ever has developed a PDPprogram. Lynn Howard, past President of AlphaIota and currentRecordingSecretary for ourState ExecutiveBoard is thecreator of thiswonderful way toaccumulateProfessional Development Points. It was explainedto all and has many exciting upcoming trips,discussion/presentation of products and plans tomake sure all ten hours are included. Many of ourmembers who don't even need the PDP's signed upjust to go along! If you may be interested or formore information please contact:lynnhoward82@comcast.netLiteracy CouncilLiteracy Council Co-Chairs; Beverly Shaw Johnson (beetleej@verizon.net)Jacqueline Trotta, (jtrotta@townisp.com)Just a friendly reminder of the leaders and books for our book discussions at the Spring Convention.Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline led by Maureen Kellman, Alpha ChapterBetween 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlandsof the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck.Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hardlabor and servitude? Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is apowerful tale of upheaval and resilience, second chances, and unexpected friendship.The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh led by Bette Bridges, KappaChapterThe Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysucklefor devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s beenmore useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the fostercare system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world isthrough flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system withnowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers shechooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has herquestioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painfulsecret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.8

The End of Membership As We Know It by Sarah Sladek led by Martha Cotton, Alpha Iota Chapter(Available on amazon.com)How new membership models can help associations survive and thrive in today's evolving environment. The erawhen associations could count on members joining and renewing, even with a relatively unchanging menu ofmembership benefits, has passed. No, membership is not dead, argues author Sarah Sladek. But associations doneed to change their thinking and their models. In The End of Membership As We Know It: Building theFortune-Flipping, Must-Have Association of the Next Century, Sladek offers practical, proven ways thatassociations can respond to changes affecting participation such as the generational shifts in the workforce,social changes, and technology-eased access to content and community.We are always looking for leaders and titles for our book discussions. Just let us know.WANTED: 2015-2020 ALPHA UPSILON STATE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY!! MANYOF YOU POSSESS THESE QUALIFICATIONS .PLEASE CONSIDER APPLYINGFOR THIS POSITION!!Alpha Upsilon State Executive SecretaryDuties:The primary duty of the Executive Secretary is to assist the State President and the State Executive Board inimplementing the policies of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She is a member of theInternational Executive Board and is expected to attend not only all State and Regional Meetings but allInternational Conventions as well.Assisted by the State President, she chooses the location of State Fall Workshops, Winter Board Meetings, StateSpring Conventions and any State Planning Meetings needed. She accepts reservations for registrations, mealsand other activities.Qualifications:Leadership experience at the chapter and state leveland demonstrated leadership/management skills.Criteria for selection include:Member in good standing in the stateServed as chapter president and is active on thestate levelAttends state, regional, and international meetingsPossesses management/administrative skillsTerm of Office:Five yearsState President recommends the appointment and the State Executive Board must approve the selection.(As of 2009, the Honorarium is 1700 annually)Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to the State President. Your term will begin July 1,2015-June 30, 2020.Please contact me if you have any questions/concerns. My email address is maffeotr@msn.com.My home address is available upon request.Terri MaffeoAUS State Executive Secretary-2010-20159

BaystatementsAlpha Members and guests enjoyed a delightful holiday meeting at the Collegian Court in Chicopee hostedby Kathy Balakier, 1st Vice-President and Program Chairman.Elves came to ignite the spirit of the season by leading a jollysing-a-long. O’Rita Swan, Executive Director of the Girls’ andBoys’ Club Family Center in Springfield shared the work of theorganization. Ninety-eight brightly wrapped gifts were presentedby members for the children as part of the Mary McGrath’s “AChild’s Wish” project headed each year by past president,Marilyn Spedding. Past President Mary Jane Kostek chaired ourHoliday raffle of fabulous items. Pictured are guests SusanChapell and Linda McCarthy with Program Committee MemberAnita Magnani capturing the minutes of the meeting.Congratulations go to long-time member Geraldine SchillingNordal. She had a marvelous exhibit of her travel photosAgawam High School for 46 years, retiring in 2003.-Alpha Lambda The December meeting ofAlpha Lambda is traditionally a Christmas auction,primarily to raise money for our scholarship fund.Each year a rotating school in the district of ourmembership, chooses a senior who will pursue aneducation degree, to be the scholarship recipient. Onthis night a sum of 1019 was raised for the scholarshipETA In April, 2014, eight new members were inductedfund. There were Christmas wreaths, even a decoratedinto the chapter. Julie Bosworth, Janet Ferreira, KathyChristmas tree! Other items contributed by members,Goes, Linda Huston, Paula Jardin, Laurie Petrarca,as well as local restaurants and businesses wereShelly Powers, and Lori Weiderauctioned off.A business meeting conducted by President Cindy Berry, was held before a wonderful dinner at Lindsay'sRestaurant in East Wareham. This site has become a yearly event for the December meeting. Even some of thewaitresses stayed to bid on items!A group of members took turns as auctioneer including Jane Goodwin, Susan Norton, Joan Reilly and BarbaraAdams. They made the bidding fun and encouraged members to bid higher, making this endeavor a realsuccess. Besides being a fun night, all were thrilled to raise such a large sum.Alpha Xi A Potluck Supper on November 19, at the lovely home of member Janet Dubner. Memberswere delighted to welcome Kay Simms, state president. Kay spoke to us about strategies for attracting newmembers, as well as events at the state and national level.Members Margie Berenson and Janet Dubner presented samples of four delicious homemade soups that wereavailable for purchase, to be delivered in December. Members responded enthusiastically and many orders wereplaced. The success of this program may mean there will be another soup sale in the future. The soup salesbenefited our chapter’s annual scholarship. Selling Hannaford gift cards is an additional way our chapter israising funds to support our scholarship.Alpha Xi continues our literacy program, contributing children’s books for the Pediatric Department at LowellGeneral Hospital. Our next meeting will be held in March, as we welcome new members at

get yourself a roommate and "Come on Down"! Membership in our chapters, which in turn increases our International membership is also an important goal. I urge each of our chapters to consider adding new members. Check with either your chapter membership chair or our state membership chair, Dr. Anita Newman. Some of the requirements have