Eta Gamma Holds First General Membership Meeting

Members of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa held its first general membership meeting of the fall semester at 5:30 p.m. Monday, September 23.  Chapter meetings are held in room 107 of Weinberg Hall.  The meeting began with a buffet fellowship supper followed by a get-acquainted ice breaker led by co-vice presidents of fellowship Bethany Walrod and Scott Silknitter.  President Eric Mueller called the meeting to order and Secretary Karen Stoehr read minutes of the September 9, officers’ meeting and correspondence from Ronald McDonald House Charities, Holden’s Hope 5K organizers, CCC Foundation, Children’s Cancer Connection Staff, Inter-State Fair and Rodeo Officials and the International Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. 
Treasurer Conner Traxson reported on the chapter’s fundraising projects including selling Raven Gear at football games, cleaning Veterans Memorial Stadium, and selling Football 101 Jerseys.  The By-Laws Review Committee reported on proposed changes to the by-laws including a 3.5 across the board GPA requirement for membership.  Changes must be voted on by the membership and approved by the administration.

Under officer reports, Eric Mueller shared that chapter leadership had a dinner meeting in Chanute with the Neosho County officer team on September 17.  Darah Sherwood was introduced as Eta Gamma’s newest five-star member while Conner Traxson was named September Member of the Month.  Eric announced he had participated in the northern district meeting and the Alabama Honors in Action Project event also attended by Paige Porter and Jessika Hamrick.  Eric will also attend the western and southern district meetings and the National Center for Student Leadership Conference in New Orleans on November 21-24.  Co-vice presidents of scholarship reported that Brianna Spence had presented a program for the Daylight Defenders Lions Club; new member orientation would be at 4:00 p.m., Weinberg 107, on September 25; and members were invited to Friends of the Brown Mansion meeting September 26 and the Southern District Meeting in Parsons October 5.  Honors in Action and Case Study Challenge updates were given.

Miranda Akers and Beth Acridge, co-vice presidents of service reported on the Elk Falls Outhouse Festival Project, Van Go Color Run in Lawrence, the campus food drive, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Marathon, and the car wash held to assist the Coffeyville Red Cross. The chapter is registered to work in the Denver international processing center of Operation Christmas Child during Thanksgiving vacation.

Fellowship co-vice presidents Bethany Walrod and Scott Silknitter reported that sister chapter Tau Theta from Labette Community College has been invited to the October 19, football game with Butler.   There will be a hayrack ride and wiener roast October 4, and a trip to Oklahoma State Walk-Around October 18.  The chapter will also help with Red Raven Holiday November 15.

Co-vice presidents of communication Sky Birdcreek and Shelby Howard reported that chapter calendars and directories have been distributed and that the chapter has a Facebook page as well as the CCC website under activities.  A chapter “drop box” has also been created.  Additional reports were presented by Li Yang, international students’ representative; vice president of public relations, Paige Porter; Relay For Life Co-Chairmen Bethany Walrod and Darah Sherwood and Advisor Linda McFate.

It was announced that members would be participating in the September CureSearch Walk for Childhood Cancer Research in Tulsa, Oral Roberts University.