THE YEAR WAS 1936
Brief history of Chi State
Birthday Luncheon, Convention 2006
By Mary Lou Willett
I would like to quote Grace Knoles, Chi State President, 1959-61, when she so beautifully defined a birthday. A birthday is a moment of awareness, a pause along the bridge between the present and the past, a moment when the light of all our yesterdays is gathered in the prism of today and separated into the multi-colored spectrum of our experience. Our birthday is a time of memory, a time to pay tribute to the past and those who created Chi State. And so we celebrate the 70th birthday of Chi State.
The year was 1936.
The population of the United States was 127 million.
38% of American families had incomes of less that $1,000 a year.
The Supreme Court ruled on June 1st that a New York minimum wage law for women, passed in 1933, was unconstitutional.
The opening of the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland was marked with a four-day celebration.
Yes, it was 1936; and Chi State, the 22nd State of Delta Kappa Gamma, was ready to begin. Many months of planning and organizing by Dr. Madilene Veverka and 15 Co-founders were culminated on that day. There to preside at the initiation was Delta Kappa Gamma founder, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, who had come from Texas for the occasion.
The date was November 26th, Thanksgiving Day, in 1936. At the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles where rooms were renting for $3.50 and up, a distinguished group of dedicated educators, a total of 45 members, gathered at an initiation luncheon to begin at one time both the Chi State organization and Alpha Chapter. They were a prestigious group of women whose goals and dreams of 70 years ago still touch us today.
Strangely enough, no minutes were kept of those earliest ceremonies or of the first year of the organization. A great deal of what happened must be a matter of conjecture, but we do know that Chi State began at once to set the foundation for many great and wonderful things.
Expansion began rapidly and during the first year eleven chapters were chartered. The first convention was held at the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena on Nov. 27, 1937, with Alpha Chapter as host. It is interesting to note that each person paid a $ .75 registration fee and $7.00 for hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner. At this convention, five chapters were chartered. Hats and gloves were a required part of the convention dress, and a school of instruction for chapter presidents and members was held.
The first decade of Chi State closed with 47 chapters even though no chapters were chartered during the World War II years of 1943 and 1944.
Chi State's continued interest in expansion during the second decade led to the chartering of 58 chapters for a total of 105 by the year 1956. During this time the need to foster communication between chapters and state led to the publishing of the Chi State News.
It was during this decade that group dynamics was introduced for problem solving and decision making. Greater emphasis was placed on scholarships with the awarding of 3 for $175 each. Later these were increased for more extensive graduate study. During this decade Chi State members contributed voluntarily to the National Headquarter's building in Austin, Texas, and then contributed an additional $1,000 for the building's furnishings.
During the third decade, 1956-1966, several innovations were introduced:
Peak expansion in Chi State was reached with the chartering of 69 chapters bringing the total to 172.
With the challenge from Dr. Helen Koch at the International Convention in 1967 to Chi State to go back home and develop a model legislative program, provided a lively beginning to the fourth decade. Immediate action on the part of the Professional Affairs Committee resulted in the approval of the Chi State Legislative Program at the 1969 state convention. The appointment of the first legislative consultant/advocate led to a program of action. The need for on-site experience with the legislative process was the incentive in 1974 for the establishment of the annual legislative study sessions at Sacramento.
Other changes during the fourth decade included:
Dreams for a building owned by Chi State to house its records and office began in the fourth decade, but actual planning did not begin until the appointment of an ad hoc committee in the fifth decade to study all aspects of the Office needs in 1977. After the approval by the Executive Board to purchase a building and establish a permanent office in the Sacramento area, special task forces were appointed to locate an appropriate site, plan activities for fund-raising and for keeping records. Five years later the dream came true.
Other significant developments during this decade, 1977-1986, were:
Efforts were made during the sixth decade, 1987-1996, to meet the needs of a changing society. A modified committee structure was developed and adopted by many chapters in order to simplify chapter work and increase efficiency.
The Ad Hoc Building Fund Committee became the Chi State Education Center Management Committee. Fund raising continued to ensure the furnishing and maintenance of the Center. The $300,000 goal was met and debt-free status became a reality. The interior decorating and furnishing were essentially completed. Work began in earnest on locating and preserving Chi State's Archives.
Addressing the problem of declining membership became high priority each biennium for state leaders. Various strategies, programs, and incentives were tried in order to assist chapters in need. The Order of the Rose was created honoring a chapter gain of five members by initiation, reinstatement, or transfer. Eighteen new chapters were chartered.
During the 7th decade, 1997-2006, the Education Center has proved to be invaluable as a meeting place for committees and chapters as well as the centralization of business activities. One feels pride in recognizing the efforts of the total membership of Chi State that have gone into making this facility what it is today. Here is the elegance exemplifying a professional organization and the efficiency of a modern business office. Within its walls is preserved the past, but the business of carrying out the various functions necessary to provide services to the membership is for the now and the future.
The L.I.F.E Foundation was chartered to provide chapters and members the opportunity for additional funds to support projects in reading and literacy in our communities. Through donations and fund-raising activities, the Board of Directors has granted projects and the use of the I.D. number for applications to other non-profit organizations.
With the announcement that International Convention, 2006, would be held in San Diego, Chi State rallied to ensure adequate funding and personnel for a successful and rewarding event.
Leadership training continues to play an increasingly integral part in meeting the needs of Chi State members. The Leadership Development Committee took the annual Leadership Study sessions to members by scheduling them in various sites, alternating in the North and in the South.
The Scholarships Committee continued the extensive program of scholarships, awards, and stipends providing the opportunity for members to attend Leadership and Legislative Study sessions, and Hostelships. The total amount awarded to members during this decade was $218,669. What will be given this year is not included in this amount.
Yes, a birthday is a time of memory, a time to pay our tribute to the past and those who created Chi State. Many of our reflections measure our growth in numbers. But we have had growth in understanding and depth of purpose; we have acquired a maturity to face the challenges of the time with creative leadership; and, we have a greater realization of the need and value of spiritual fellowship among those of us with the task of leading youth toward their fulfillment of capabilities.
The course of action we have used to meet the challenges of the past is best summarized in the first line of A Creed For Delta Kappa Gamma Women of California, by Madilene Ververka: Through organizing we pool our strength for the task.
We shall continue to pool our strength for any future task.
Congratulations, Chi State.
9/8/2007