Kansas OES Alpha-Omega Association

Alpha-Omega Association

Kansas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star

Here you can find news and information about the Kansas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star Alpha-Omega Association.

Alpha-Omega was originally formed to support Kansas female chapter and Grand Chapter line officers during their journey through the line. As with many organizations, the membership of the Alpha-Omega Association has decreased consistently for the last several years. In an effort to revitalize Alpha-Omega, a proposal was made at the Alpha-Omega meeting, held at the Alpha-Omega Sewing Day on July 10, 2021 in Emporia, Kansas, to change the purpose of Alpha-Omega to focus on mentoring and relationship building. Included in the proposal was a change to open the membership to any OES member currenty in good standing of a subordinate chapter in Kansas. It should be emphasized that this is currently still a proposal, pending a vote of the Alpha-Omega Association membership.

Alpha-Omega will have a Zoom meeting to vote on the proposed by-law changes on DATE. For security purposes, anyone interested in attending the Zoom meeting will need to register. Click here to register for the meeting.

Feedback on the proposed by-law changes is still being accepted and can be sent to Danni Altman-Newell. All current Alpha-Omega members are requested to attend the Zoom meeting and participate in the discussion and voting. A copy of the proposed by-law changes has been provided below as an Adobe PDF. To assist in providing clarity of proposed verbiage changes, the proposed changes have been included in italics immediately after the original by-law verbiage.

Click to download proposed by-laws

History of the Alpha-Omega Club

The Alpha and Omega Clubs were originally founded by Francis Eckhoff, Grand Conductress, and Virginia Johnson, Associate Grand Conductress. The Alpha Club was formed in April 1987 with plans for the Omega Club to be formed in 1988.

Alpha Club April 1987 – April 1991

The first meeting of the Alpha Club was held on April 21, 1987 in the Regency Room of the Ramada Inn Downtown in Topeka, Kansas. Membership was open to subordinate chapter Conductresses and Associate Conductresses and Grand Conductress and Associate Grand Conductress of Kansas. The Alpha Club’s purpose was “to form a close relationship among those who shall serve as Worthy Matrons during the same term as the Grand Conductress and Associate Grand Conductress; to support the goals of these Grand Offices and our Eastern Star Projects; to study and familiarize ourselves with the Ritual, Constitution and By-Laws of the Order; to project love and sociability among our members; and to promote the ideals and purposes of the Order of the Eastern Star.” (The Alpha Club, 1987) A visitor’s provision for Grand Conductresses and Associate Grand Conductresses from other Grand Jurisdictions was written into the original by-laws. The first officers elected were:

President – Shirley Case from Lawrence, Kansas
Vice-President – Arlene Willey from Solomon, Kansas
Secretary – Hazel Buick from Manhattan, Kansas
Treasurer – JoAn Legan from Wichita (Derby), Kansas

Omega Club April 1987 – April 1991

The Omega Club was formed in April 1987. Membership was open to subordinate chapter Worthy Matrons and Associate Matrons and Worthy Grand Matron and Associate Grand Matron of Kansas. The Omega Club’s purpose was “to form a close relationship among those who shall serve as Worthy Matrons during the same term as the Worthy Grand Matron and the Associate Grand Matron; to support the goals of these Grand Officers and our Easter Star projects; to study and familiarize ourselves with the Ritual; Constitution and By-Laws of the Order; to project love and sociability among our members; and to promote the ideals and purposes of the Order of the Eastern Star.” (The Omega Club, 1987) A visitor’s provision for Worthy Grand Matrons and Associate Grand Matrons from other Grand Jurisdictions was written into the original by-laws. The first officers elected were:

President – Sarah Short from Goodland, Kansas
Vice-President – Beth McCord from Garnet, Kansas
Secretary – Ellen Neis from Wellsville, Kansas
Treasurer – Elna Fitch from Clearwater, Kansas

Two Clubs Become One

Formed at the same time, the clubs were intended to work together, with the members of the Alpha Club advancing to the Omega Club at each Grand Chapter session. At the 1991 Grand Chapter session, a proposal to join the Alpha Club together with the Omega Club was presented for consideration at both club meetings. Ultimately, both clubs made motions and voted to join together to form the Alpha-Omega Club. The by-laws of the joint club were a combination of both clubs, with the purpose of the club being expanded to include all Worthy Matrons, Associate Matrons, Conductresses, and Associate Conductresses of subordinate chapters of Kansas and the Worthy Grand Matron, Associate Grand Matron, Grand Conductress, and Associate Grand Conductress of Kansas. A visitor’s provision for Worthy Grand Matrons, Associate Grand Matrons, Grand Conductresses, and Associate Grand Conductresses from other Grand Jurisdictions along with Past Matrons of subordinate chapters was written into the by-laws of the joint club.

The Alpha-Omega Club April 1991 – present

The first meeting of the joint Alpha-Omega Club was held Tuesday, April 28, 1992 at the Kansas Grand Chapter session, held at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kansas. The first officers elected were:

President – Janice Hendrickson
Vice-President – Sue Young
Secretary – Kathy Ditty
Treasurer – Charlotte Ratliff

the consolidated Chapters and are looking forward to many years of continued service to the Order of the Eastern Star.