ASTEF 101.3 The basics and beyond

What is ASTEF? The Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 2010 to support and enhance charitable activities of the Texas State Organization (TSO) of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

Mission Statement The mission of the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation is to provide funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas, and to promote educational excellence for Texas students. Slogan: Impacting Education by Impacting Educators

All members of the Texas State Organization (TSO) of Delta Kappa Gamma are automatically members of the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF) ASTEF members may apply for a Texas State Organization (TSO) state scholarship; participate in leadership events; and apply for project stipends Note: TEXAS women educators and TEXAS students MUST BE THE FOCUS OF THE PROJECT APPLICATION

MEMBER BENEFITS Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation manages three funds for members : SCHOLARSHIPS LEADERSHIP PROJECTS

SCHOLARSHIPS One of the main purposes of the Foundation is to be the FUNDING ARM by which member scholarships are given for: Earning advanced degrees or certifications, Attending specialty training, and Life-long learning opportunities. $67,000 awarded this year (2018-2019) Deadline: March 1

ASPIRING EDUCATORS ASTEF awards Aspiring Educator Grants to prospective women educators for the completion of a teaching degree or certification. Applicants are sponsored by TSO members. $9,000 awarded this year ($10,000 IS SET ASIDE EACH YEAR) Deadline: March 1

LEADERSHIP ASTEF FUNDS leadership training through Leadership Seminars and sponsored speakers at state events. Co-sponsored Elizabeth McCormick at “ASTEF Salutes” in Arlington Leadership Seminar is held in odd number years whereby 30 members are competitively selected from across the state. Deadline is October 15 – Application and guidelines are on the TSO website and a link will appear on the ASTEF website @ www.astef.org.

PROJECTS ASTEF provides stipends for chapter projects, area projects, or individual members that support educational endeavors designed to benefit Texas students and educators. Our first project stipends were awarded in 2012 with $1,000 being awarded. Now flash forward to 2019 and the State Convention in Arlington, where $39,560 was awarded at the ASTEF Business Meeting. Deadline: April 1

How are funds generated? ASTEF is able to support Scholarships, Leadership and Projects because of the very generous donations made to the Foundation. Donations come from members, individuals, groups, businesses and corporations. The process of applying for grants that support our mission has begun. All gifts to ASTEF are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Fundraising Opportunities For Chapter Recognition… Deadline: April 1 Scholarship Honors- Honors $1, Double $2, and Triple $3 Leadership Categories- Journeyers $1 and Trailblazers $2 Projects Categories – Groundbreakers $1 and Builders $2

Annual Events February has been proclaimed ASTEF Giving Month. Chapters are encouraged to have a program or part of a program on ASTEF. Members are encouraged to make a tax- deductible contribution during this month. ASTEF GIVING MONTH provides an ONLINE AUCTION ~ members are encouraged to take a look and place a bid.

Conventions TSO Conventions have proven to be our best time to fundraise. Members see the work of the foundation and want to participate. The board strives to have “Fun” fundraisers. Some ideas tried: Raffle baskets, treasure boxes, mystery mania, silent/live/online auctions, ticketed events, product sales, piggy posse, and collections Do you have an idea? Please share with us! We are always looking for new ideas!

ASTEF Travel Opportunities Trips are planned each year with a small portion of the fee going to ASTEF. Past: two cruises, three Road Scholar trips, and three weekenders Upcoming: Road Scholar Trip 4th ASTEF weekender – Galveston Pt. 2 will be October 11-13. This trip will focus on a scientific look at the city on the Gulf. Have an idea? Share with us! president@astef.org or travel@astef.org

Corporate Connections ASTEF has connected with several corporations to raise funds, including: Kroger and Randall’s/Tom Thumb – Directions to sign-up are on the ASTEF website. Kendra Scott (convention events) Road Scholar (sponsored trips) Amazon Smile (DKG International is also part of Amazon Smile.) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Giving Ideas HONOR your friends, your mentors, your chapter, or yourself. MEMORIALIZE your loved ones with a gift in memory of. CELEBRATE an achievement, recognize your champions, honor your membership, participation in Leadership Seminar, in lieu of Christmas cards, etc.

Remember! A gift to ASTEF is a gift that keeps on giving as it is used to support scholarships, leadership, and projects that impact Texas educators and students.

Job of an ASTEF Director ASTEF is managed by a Board of Directors. Members of the Board are elected by members at the Annual Meeting held during the Texas State Organization (TSO) Convention during odd years. Applications for Director positions are found on the ASTEF website during the second year of the biennium after October 1. Directors serve a 6-year term and meet three times a year.  PLEASE CONSIDER APPLYING ~ WE NEED YOU!

Current Board The current elected board consists of: 17 elected Directors Ex-Officio Members TSO President TSO Treasurer TSO Executive Secretary Multi-Media Coordinator TSO Scholarship Chair TSO Leadership Seminar Chair In 2021, five directors will rotate off the board. At least five new directors will be elected in Denton.

Talents needed We need directors with many different skill sets: Some include: If you fit one of these, please apply! If you have questions, contact one of the directors! We need you! Finance Familiar with DKG Fundraising Creative thinkers Grant writing Writing skills Technology skills Outgoing personalities Marketing skills Organizers Familiar with work of a board of directors and/or foundations WORKER BEES!!!

www.astef.org RESOURCE PAGES Sample Chapter Programs Sample PowerPoints Giving month ideas and information Graphics for use in newsletters, websites, etc. Archived materials for your use Register to receive information about ASTEF There is a form on the Resource Page under contact us. Suggestion – do this as part of a meeting—takes less than 2 minutes Aspiring Educator video – looking to complete- any past recipients teaching and now members?

Contact us Have questions? Considering applying to be a director? Just want more information? Ideas for chapter programs? Fundraising ideas? Contact us via the website! president@astef.org webmaster@astef.org