Lambda Biennium Summary
2020-2022
This biennium has been an unusual one for Lambda Chapter as our first business meeting was held virtually on Zoom and continued to do so for two years while meeting as often as possible in person. Truly thankful for our executive board members, committee chairpersons, and all of our sisters to be able to move forward within new boundaries and accomplish strategic goals.
Congratulations to our DKGNJ State President, Dr. Nora Pollard and 2nd Vice President, Annabelle Boehm, our State Photographer Michele Contala, and all of our Lambda sisters who are State Committee Chairpersons.
One of our sisters, Maria Sell worked for three consecutive summers in Tanzania. She presented a meaningful slide show presentation about the Kilolo School in Africa during our first meeting of the new biennium. For the second consecutive year with her as our liaison, we donated $1,000.00, that is 2,201,470.00 TZN, to benefit the female students attending the school. Supporting global education directly fulfils the vision of DKG International. All of the donated money came from fundraising profit.
Another one of our noteworthy sisters, Wilhelmina Bryant is the successful director of the James O. Bryant Food Pantry for 26 years now. During recent times the number of food insecure families has tripled with the onset of the Covid virus. At our first December meeting she presented the mechanics and the heart of her mission to obtain food provisions. With a plan to support our community, we donated $400.00 each year to her food bank. Once again, all of the donations came from fundraising profit.
In fact, the position of a Fundraising Chairperson was created at the start of this biennium for the purpose of fulfilling the goal of supporting the two afore mentioned service projects. Our volunteer extraordinaire, Joan Stuart led many projects. One memorable one was the ‘Merry Mask Makers of Lambda’ allowing sisters a chance to buy masks or visors and concurrently contribute to the service funds.
A magnificent new endeavor was achieved by Committee Chairperson, Dr. Marilyn Gonyo and her committee. The initial Early Educator Award of $1,000.00 was given to a graduate senior student from Georgian Court University. Some sisters attended and were recognized at the Convocation Ceremony last August. Our recipient joined us as a guest speaker at the last December meeting. Hannah was well spoken and appreciative. Most importantly, she began her full-time teaching career at a local high school the next day after our meeting. There is another GCU recipient this year, Megan. The committee decided to award her $1,500.00 this year. Plans are in place to continue this annual award to support new female educators fulfilling one of the purposes of DKG.
The Chairpersons, Annabelle Boehm and Dr. Barbara Glazewski and their committee met and updated Lambda Chapter Rules for 2021, a great achievement.
One sister is an Event Organizer and two sisters are on the Board of Trustees in worthwhile programs for outside organizations. Therefore, we were able to offer the opportunity to support Jason’s Run in Hillsborough and Dina’s Dwelling in New Brunswick.
An insightful officer, Miranda McMahon gave a MY1 presentation with accompanying artwork leaving us with the challenge of who is your “my one?”, who do you wear a mask for?
Miranda’s artwork was published in the DKG Art Gallery along with two other sisters, Michele Contala in photography and Felicia Querrey in drawing.
An exceptional officer, Susan Muniz arranged many meaningful programs such as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment preceding the last presidential election, and a presentation with a panel of sisters who enlightened us on the challenges and best practices of virtual teaching. She organized guest speakers from Caring Contact, a local suicide prevention program, and a program presented by a university student who expounded on the topic of “Memory Sites and Mass Atrocity Prevention.” Other sisters booked presentations by Larry Abrams from BookSmiles and Dr. Alan Gertner, an audiologist from Kean University.
A new sister, Felicia Querrey is our extraordinary webmaster and was our guest speaker at our most recent meeting with a beautifully prepared presentation on “Women in Art.” Another creative new sister, Darlene Tammara provided a fun craft activity for us to do together at the Bridgewater Library. Happy to welcome new sisters to the leadership team.
Our sister, Brenda Bradley continually leads monthly book selections and discussions, a great group who incredibly continued to meet 12 times each year.
Finally, we were able to meet for a tea social at the Mulberry House in Westfield. The teas and accompanying food were delicious but overall, we were grateful for each other’s company.
A generous new sister and new Treasurer, Linda Walton offered her backyard for our end of the year meeting and picnic complete with decorated tables in a tent and an abundance of food and hospitality. During the meeting, we honored our 50-year members Dr. Marilyn Gonyo, Judy Jordan, and Maryann Mironchik with DKG pins and celebrated other membership anniversaries. I created and distributed a Lambda brochure for sisters to give to quality potential members.
All of these programs have a common theme as they begin with and are brought to fruition by sisters. I have been able to work with remarkable and visionary women. If you have not already stepped up to a leadership position, I recommend you do so. Your sisters will amaze you.
Congratulations to our DKGNJ State President, Dr. Nora Pollard and 2nd Vice President, Annabelle Boehm, our State Photographer Michele Contala, and all of our Lambda sisters who are State Committee Chairpersons.
One of our sisters, Maria Sell worked for three consecutive summers in Tanzania. She presented a meaningful slide show presentation about the Kilolo School in Africa during our first meeting of the new biennium. For the second consecutive year with her as our liaison, we donated $1,000.00, that is 2,201,470.00 TZN, to benefit the female students attending the school. Supporting global education directly fulfils the vision of DKG International. All of the donated money came from fundraising profit.
Another one of our noteworthy sisters, Wilhelmina Bryant is the successful director of the James O. Bryant Food Pantry for 26 years now. During recent times the number of food insecure families has tripled with the onset of the Covid virus. At our first December meeting she presented the mechanics and the heart of her mission to obtain food provisions. With a plan to support our community, we donated $400.00 each year to her food bank. Once again, all of the donations came from fundraising profit.
In fact, the position of a Fundraising Chairperson was created at the start of this biennium for the purpose of fulfilling the goal of supporting the two afore mentioned service projects. Our volunteer extraordinaire, Joan Stuart led many projects. One memorable one was the ‘Merry Mask Makers of Lambda’ allowing sisters a chance to buy masks or visors and concurrently contribute to the service funds.
A magnificent new endeavor was achieved by Committee Chairperson, Dr. Marilyn Gonyo and her committee. The initial Early Educator Award of $1,000.00 was given to a graduate senior student from Georgian Court University. Some sisters attended and were recognized at the Convocation Ceremony last August. Our recipient joined us as a guest speaker at the last December meeting. Hannah was well spoken and appreciative. Most importantly, she began her full-time teaching career at a local high school the next day after our meeting. There is another GCU recipient this year, Megan. The committee decided to award her $1,500.00 this year. Plans are in place to continue this annual award to support new female educators fulfilling one of the purposes of DKG.
The Chairpersons, Annabelle Boehm and Dr. Barbara Glazewski and their committee met and updated Lambda Chapter Rules for 2021, a great achievement.
One sister is an Event Organizer and two sisters are on the Board of Trustees in worthwhile programs for outside organizations. Therefore, we were able to offer the opportunity to support Jason’s Run in Hillsborough and Dina’s Dwelling in New Brunswick.
An insightful officer, Miranda McMahon gave a MY1 presentation with accompanying artwork leaving us with the challenge of who is your “my one?”, who do you wear a mask for?
Miranda’s artwork was published in the DKG Art Gallery along with two other sisters, Michele Contala in photography and Felicia Querrey in drawing.
An exceptional officer, Susan Muniz arranged many meaningful programs such as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment preceding the last presidential election, and a presentation with a panel of sisters who enlightened us on the challenges and best practices of virtual teaching. She organized guest speakers from Caring Contact, a local suicide prevention program, and a program presented by a university student who expounded on the topic of “Memory Sites and Mass Atrocity Prevention.” Other sisters booked presentations by Larry Abrams from BookSmiles and Dr. Alan Gertner, an audiologist from Kean University.
A new sister, Felicia Querrey is our extraordinary webmaster and was our guest speaker at our most recent meeting with a beautifully prepared presentation on “Women in Art.” Another creative new sister, Darlene Tammara provided a fun craft activity for us to do together at the Bridgewater Library. Happy to welcome new sisters to the leadership team.
Our sister, Brenda Bradley continually leads monthly book selections and discussions, a great group who incredibly continued to meet 12 times each year.
Finally, we were able to meet for a tea social at the Mulberry House in Westfield. The teas and accompanying food were delicious but overall, we were grateful for each other’s company.
A generous new sister and new Treasurer, Linda Walton offered her backyard for our end of the year meeting and picnic complete with decorated tables in a tent and an abundance of food and hospitality. During the meeting, we honored our 50-year members Dr. Marilyn Gonyo, Judy Jordan, and Maryann Mironchik with DKG pins and celebrated other membership anniversaries. I created and distributed a Lambda brochure for sisters to give to quality potential members.
All of these programs have a common theme as they begin with and are brought to fruition by sisters. I have been able to work with remarkable and visionary women. If you have not already stepped up to a leadership position, I recommend you do so. Your sisters will amaze you.