Eta State Highlights

Twelve women educators in Austin , Texas , founded the Delta Kappa Gamma Society in 1929. Texas assumed the designation of Alpha State . On October 27, 1934, North Carolina became the seventh state to join the organization and thus was given the seventh letter of the Greek Alphabet, Eta (pronounced a-ta). North Carolina membership is over 6,000 with 113 Eta State Chapters.

Eta State complies with the constitution of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International but has its own Bylaws. Some of the distinguishing features of Eta State are:

1.  Eta State conducts workshops to provide leadership training for women educators

a. For Eta State elected officers and new state committee chairman (in odd-numbered years)

b. For designated new chapter officers and committee chairmen (in even-numbered years)

c. For the general membership (in odd-numbered years and other times)

2. The interest from Eta State 's scholarship fund, combined with the assessed scholarship fees and contributions, makes it possible to award at least one but often two, three, or even four $4000 scholarships annually to members enrolled in graduate studies.

3.  Eta State presents a Founders' Award every other year to a woman who may or may not be a member of the Society, who has made a notable contribution to the quality of life in  North Carolina .

4.  Eta State is divided into 11 regions. Regional Directors, appointed by the state president, serve as a link between the chapter and the state; they are elected on the same schedule as chapter presidents. Eta State is within the Southeast Region of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

5.  Eta State holds a state convention each spring to transact business, to conduct workshops and to award scholarships.

6. Eta State has an Executive Secretary who takes care of much of the State's correspondence, record keeping, and other tasks. The current Executive Secretary, Ellen Gragg.  Eta State purchased a headquarters building in the spring of 1998.  Eta State 's headquarters is located at 805 North Carolina Highway 42 near Asheboro . The building provides adequate storage and work space, as well as a space for meetings and other appropriate activities.

7.  Eta State publishes the ETA STATE NEWS, which is mailed directly to all members four times annually. The current Editor is Carroll Harrell.

8. Outstanding women, not eligible for active membership in the Society, are elected to honorary membership in Eta State .