THE REBEL JOAN OF ARC CHAPTER ATTENDED THEIR 1ST ANNUAL UDC GENERAL CONVENTION, HELD IN HOUSTON THIS YEAR!
Submitted by RJOA Chairman of Public Relations:
Elaine Collings, with contributions from Evelyn Miller, Anita Stevens, Lyn Howard,
Dianne Kebodeaux, Donna Summers, Charlotte Belin, Mary Lee Malek, Karen DeBerry.
As Quoted by RJOA EVELYN MILLER: TX Div. District 111 Treasurer,
RJOA Chairman of Benevolence, Year Book & Directory, and The UDC Magazine:
Eight beautiful Belles from the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Rebel Joan Of Arc #2721 The Woodlands, Texas, packed up all RJOA Chapter things RED (including Ball Gowns, Formals, and Hats), and attended the 132nd Annual General Convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. This year it was held in Houston, Texas, on October 30-November 2nd. These ladies worked long hours alongside almost 300 UDC Sisters from across the Nation. They reviewed policies, by-laws, and the effects of current events on our heritage. Time was also spent in remembrance of our fallen heroes, as well as the UDC ladies lost this past year marked with a solemn and respectful Celebration Of Life Ceremony.
It was not all work. There was time spent making new friends, getting reacquainted with old friends and strength of the Sisterhood of Rebel Joan Of Arc. The highlight of the Convention was the Sunday Night Friendship Dinner. Everyone dusted off their denim, cowgirl hats, and boots for a good ole Texas Barbecue complete with DJ playing traditional Texas Country music. Merle, Conway, George , and Willie were Rockin’ the ballroom. ~A good time was had by all according to “MRS EVELYN”…~
RJOA HISTORIAN ANITA STEVENS commented:
“I was impressed and enjoyed seeing the pageantry of the State Flags on Historical Evening, something that has not been happening at Division level for quite some time.
I appreciated the way the bylaw revisions were read, presented and voted on.
(Not rushed!) and in a Dignified and Organized manner.
I especially appreciated the expertise of the Parliamentarian.
I wish “The TEXAS MIXER” could have been earlier in the Convention, as many couldn’t stay till the Sunday Night function.
I adore the UDC President General!”
* CHEERS TO YOU MRS ANITA, as many had your same sentiments.
You are always a Faithful Attender! THANK YOU with ALL YOUR HELP WITH UDC!! *
RJOA CHARTER OFFICER: LYN HOWARD commented:
How easy the access is to the General Officers and how delightful they were to all we RJOA. LYN especially appreciated the ‘one on one’ she had with the Parliamentarian who answered her questions honestly, without reserve. LYN commented on how lovely it was to meet President General Julie Hardaway who was eager to meet RJOA on their Arrival at Convention! Then again the personal interactions LYN had with VP President Gail Brosk, who seemed very eager to meet the Rebel Joan Of Arc Chapter. She was delightful. RJOA VP CHARLOTTE BELIN commented on all the same feelings as well. LYN also happened to meet up with the General Officer who calls herself “The Money Lady”, and LYN showed her our Design and Development that RJOA CO-CH: ELAINE COLLINGS & LYN HOWARD created of the “Texas Convention Attendees Pin & Bar”, that we had offered to Texas Division and they passed on, and so RJOA does it now as their own Money-Maker for a future Confederate Monument/Marker. She thought that was a magnificent idea and had to take photos of it!!!!
Who knows, maybe RJOA just helped UDC General?!?!!!
Lyn is pictured wearing the Largest Hat Auctioned at TX Division Education Hat Luncheon, and RJOA Bid the highest Bid for it, and of any Hat at the Education/Scholarship luncheon.
RJOA VP CHARLOTTE BELIN reported:
CHARLOTTE was delighted to attend General Convention with her RJOA Sisters!
She often acts as Car Pool Driver and Facilitator so her other RJOA Sisters can attend!
As VP, CHARLOTTE was even able to organize the Forms/Paperwork/Proofs for 4 last minute orders from her qualified RJOA Sisters: BARBARA EDDLEMAN, EVELYN MILLER, ELAINE COLLINGS, and ANITA STEVENS for the New UDC “Ultimate Sacrifice Pin”, that was picked up at General Convention with the “Proofs” required. What a Thrill! CHARLOTTE said MORE are coming! Since RJOA has 2 Republican Ladies Group -Presidents- and many RJOA active participators in our Patriotic Organizations, she was really focused on the handling of the UDC General ByLaws at this Convention. She has had the personal Invitation to be a Texas Representative at our National Elections!
~ MRS CHARLOTTE SAID: I JUST LOVE RJOA & UDC! I JUST KEEP LEARNING AND GROWING!~. THESE ARE VERY SPECIAL SISTERS TO ME….
RJOA 2nd VP DONNA SUMMERS said:
I just Loved-Loved-Loved the UDC General Convention! DONNA is a Faithful Attender with RJOA to Texas Division Forums and Conventions, but she said “this Convention” really tied the whole thing together. DONNA said I received a lot of insight from this Convention, and I really loved how we were divided by States, which of course: –
TEXAS was SO OUTSTANDING! I LOVED THE HANDBOOK OF STATE SONGS, and when TEXAS sang the “TEXAS OUR TEXAS” it was clear who was the Loud and Proud!
DONNA said that she already has a special love for her RJOA Sisters, and when she discovered she forgot her RED Formal, she couldn’t believe it when a Texas UDC Lady,
Sheran Weible from another Chapter offered to loan her , her own dress! (Sheran had brought 2 Formals to General Convention!) Those acts of Kindnesses we never forget DONNA said.
UDC is so special. ~ MRS DONNA, YOU ARE SO EASY TO GIVE TO, BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS DO THE SAME FOR OTHERS!~ WE LOVE YOU!!
RJOA DIANNE KEBODEAUX described General Convention:
DIANNE TAYLOR KEBODEAUX (Sister to Donna Taylor Summers) told me that this General Convention was absolutely Wonderful! DIANNE was Co-Founder of Rebel Joan Of Arc and Charter Registrar. DIANNE possesses every quality that we hope for in every RJOA Sisters. DIANNE commented that she was so surprised when the Registrar General: Martha Pickering came to find RJOA in the Lobby and wanted to meet this outstanding Chapter! They only had minutes to talk but that “She Knew About the RJOA Chapter”, and what a Great Job RJOA does! DONNA said how “sincere” she was…
When RJOA KAREN DeBERRY was asked what was her Favorite time at General Convention, KAREN said without hesitation-
DONNA’s and DIANNE’s PRIVATE SLUMBER PARTY for RJOA! They really knocked themselves out for their RJOA Sisters again! They always do… Over and Above…
~Well MRS. KAREN, YOU ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST FOR RJOA TOOOOO…~
RJOA REGISTRAR: MARY LEE MALEK, (like the rest of us, attended her 1st General Convention, but is faithful in Attendance to all Rebel Joan Of Arc does.)
MARY LEE thought the whole experience was WONDERFUL and that the PRESIDENT GENERAL was just FANTASTIC! MARY LEE was delighted how easy she was to talk to, how friendly, and yet how dignified at the same time. MARY LEE said the General Convention was run very precise and all issues conducted in “good order”. MARY LEE commented what a Great Hotel it was, and that the Food was actually delicious! “Someone must have actually taken the time to go taste the food that would be served to us”! MARY LEE said her favorite part was the “Friendship Evening”, it was SO FUN!
~THANK YOU MARY LEE FOR ALL YOU DO FOR RJOA and UDC!~
FOUNDER & CHARTER PRESIDENT Of RJOA (2 Terms) ELAINE COLLINGS was unable to attend at the last minute due to Hospitalization of her precious husband, YET, the Blessings from General Convention flowed to her daily with calls and even gifts from other Texas Chapter UDC Members. THANK YOU CAROLYN COX for sending me such a personal kind remembrance….
RJOA President JENNY LEHR was also missed, and a very devoted member of RJOA.
IT was also so Great to hear THE REBEL JOAN OF ARC 2721 ~NAME~ ANNOUNCED FROM GENERAL AT CONVENTION, FOR RECEIVING 2 AWARDS:
1. Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721, The Woodlands, Texas: Chapter with the Greatest number of new members between the ages of 16 to 40.
2. Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721, The Woodlands, Texas: Chapter registering the Youngest Member.
TEXAS again was an outstanding State in our accomplishments.
**Thank You to Texas Division Officers and Texas Division Chairman, and most especially: TEXAS CHAPTERS OF THE UDC!
~GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THE USA,
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR PRESIDENT,
AND GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR UDC, AND OUR SOUTHERN HISTORY ~