Happy New Year Sorors and Amicae,

Transcription

1 g{x mxàt VtÄÄ Soror Mary B. Wright, International President Soror Janet Y. Bivins, Esq., Atlantic Regional Director Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., New Jersey State Director Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths! Inside this issue: Z-Lessons 2 Parliamentary Corner 4 State Recognitions 5 State ZHOPE Initiative 6 Webinar Series 7 NJ State Conference 8 Youth Corner 10 NJ Chapters 12 Founders Day 18 Key Dates 20 The Newsletter for the State of New Jersey January 2016 Volume 6, Issue 5 Message from the State Director Happy New Year Sorors and Amicae, I pray that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to seeing those Sorors that will attend the National Executive Board Meeting in Orlando, and to seeing all of you at the Founders Day Observance. Please see details regarding the weekend on page 18. Please also be reminded of our webinar series (see page 7), and remember to register for the State Conference (see page 8). In this edition, we continue our focus on creating leaders. Please see Z-Lessons on pages 2 and 3, and review the role of non-officers in supporting the chapter/ auxiliary, and review tips to ensure proper treatment of our guests at our events. We also continue to focus on our undergraduates, and we highlight Jeniya Webbs, NJ s Chairman of the Undergraduate Council (see page 5). Finally, it s time for the wonderful chapter/auxiliary events. Please support Epsilon Xi Zeta Chapter by attending the Founders Day Luncheon on January 23 in Princeton, NJ. See page 20 for more dates! Have a prosperous 2016!! #CREATINGLEADERS State of New Jersey Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq. New Jersey State Director 325 East Jimmie Leeds Road Suite 7 PMB 144 Galloway, NJ Phone: (609) Website: NJStateDir@aol.com

2 Z-Lessons Monthly Embellishment & Training for the Sorors of New Jersey Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths! January 2016 Part 1 Duties of our Chapter and Auxiliary Members In our last newsletter, we reviewed the duties of role of the president. While all chapter and auxiliary officers have duties, the members also have a role in ensuring the success of the group and supporting the president. Review the role of the members below. Are you a good chapter/auxiliary member? Chapter and Auxiliary members must: Support and contribute to the efforts of the Chapter/Auxiliary monetarily, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Provide constructive criticism rather than bringing negativity into a situation. Not sit in the scorner s seat. Educate themselves regarding Robert s Rules of Order, the rules of the sorority/auxiliary. Work cooperatively with others at all levels. Mentor, support, and encourage one another. Be an ambassador for the organization. Respect the position of the president. Attend meetings and be on time. Prepare reports. Continuously update her knowledge and skills. Be prepared and willing to run for leadership positions.

3 Z-Lessons Monthly Embellishment & Training for the Sorors of New Jersey Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths! January 2016 Part 2 Courtesies to Our Guests As we plan our luncheons, dinners and other Finer Womanhood and Scholarship events, we often plan for our dignitaries but often forget to consider the interests of our guests. Please remember that without our guests, we will not be able to raise money for scholarships. Be sure to consider their interests and ensure their return year after year. Tips are below: Start on time and keep the program moving. Speak clearly and into the microphone. Bless the food immediately after greetings. Keep the program under three (3) hours. Do not read the entire bio of honorees. Eliminate or limit presentations by honorees friends or family members. Chapter/Auxiliary Members are not guests everyone should assist on the day of the event. Remember that most of your audience may not be members of Greek-lettered organizations. Be mindful of this when planning the entrance of members, and when acknowledging/introducing Greeks and chapter members/zeta dignitaries. Present proclamations during low periods - do not read the proclamation. Acknowledge political dignitaries during low periods. Limit the number of door prizes and other contests/giveaways, such as 50/50 s and raffles. Begin giveaways and other presentations before the meal ends. Avoid having too many vendors. Consider whether to sign the hymn and when. Consider whether to sing Lift Every Voice and Sing and the number of verses. Consider a digital or one page program. If there is a full program booklet/journal, the order of the events should be in the center of or beginning of the program booklet and the menu should be listed. To avoid long delays in food service, use double sided/multiple buffets.

4 Page 4 The Zeta Call Parliamentary Corner - Submitted by Soror Smith, State Parliamentarian Greetings Sorors & Amicae! This month I decided to try something different and a little fun with the parliamentary corner. Please enjoy this word search from Basic Parliamentary Procedure from The Resource Center for Technology. For extra learning, challenge yourself by defining each term. Happy New Year! Bonus Words NAY & ZETA

5 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 5 State Recognitions `t~ Çz fàü wxá Tzt Çáà UÜxtáà Update With PTZ Chapter s $1,345, the total raised by the State of NJ is $15,341.54!! We exceeded our $13,000 total! Thank you Sorors and Amicae! féüéü ]xç çt jxuu Chair of the Undergraduate Council Soror Jeniya Webbs is from Williamstown, New Jersey. She is a Psychology major at Rowan University where she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in April, Jeniya has a keen interest in Art and dedicates much of her time to helping others. On December 12 th, Omicron Omicron Zeta Chapter held an induction ceremony for Shanisha Woods. Soror Woods is a navy veteran originally from Tennessee who was excited to become a part of her grandmother s Sorority.

6 Page 6 The Zeta Call NJ State Conference Z-HOPE Initiative - Submitted by Kimberly Tetterton The Z-HOPE Initiative for the 2016 New Jersey State Conference is Say Cheese - A Healthy Smile for Seniors. We will collect oral care toiletries for seniors that include but are not limited to: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, denture fixative, denture cleaner, etc. Please be mindful when purchasing products that they are for seniors so try to get items that are gentle (such as soft or medium toothbrushes, toothpaste that is not extreme whitening, etc.) The items will be donated to the Burlington County Aging and Disability Resource Center. The resource center services seniors 60+ years of age at 4 local senior centers and home-bound seniors throughout Burlington County. The resource center is very excited about partnering with us for this initiative so let s show them we mean business when it comes to community service especially since it is one of our founding principles! Our goal is 2,000 items and the point scale for this initiative is as follows: Left to right is Carla Fynan, Registered Dietitian Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meals, Soror Nicole Boston, NJ State Elder Care Coordinator, and Linda Cushing, Director of the Burlington County Office of Aging and Disability Resource Center Graduate Chapters and Amicae Auxiliaries UG Chapters and Youth Auxiliaries 25 items = 25 points 20 items = 25 points 50 items = 50 points 40 items = 50 points 75 items = 75 points 60 items = 75 points 100 items = 100 points 80 items = 100 points *Please note, if you have large items in multi packs such as toothbrushes or toothpaste then each item in the multi pack counts as 1 item. However, multiple small items in a pack, such as floss picks, count as 1 item. Also, please count your items in advance and report them by category such as the number of toothbrushes, number of toothpaste tubes, number of floss packs, etc. Please use the National Z-HOPE Reporting Form for this initiative and use the code S2S13 for Seniors/Spirit (Meeting the Basic Needs). We will have reporting forms on site as well. The collection times will be on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 7:00am to 8:00am only. Please advise your chapter family of this initiative and if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you in advance for donating towards this cause, and as always #BeFiner. Sorors Tetterton, Stansbury and Boston Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. State of New Jersey New Jersey State Z-HOPE and Elder Care Coordinators njzhopecoor@gmail.com, njzhopeasst@gmail.com, zphibnjeldercarecoor@gmail.com

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9 Page 9 The Zeta Call State Leadership Conference Reminders Scholarships are now available! Due by March 1st Awardees will be announced at the Conference. See page 20 and check with your chapter president for details. Nomination forms for Executive Board positions are available! Due by March 17th Contact Soror Gloria J. Wilkerson NJ State Nominations/Election Chairperson for more information. Registration will close on the date below or when capacity is reached, whichever is sooner. March 22nd Regular registration March 23rd April 1st Late registration Digital ads are requested from all chapters and auxiliaries. Due by March 28th Soliciting ads from other Greek organizations, groups or individuals is encouraged.

10 Page 10 The Zeta Call Z-E-T-A (Zealous Engaged Talented Awesome) Youth Corner A Small Box with a Big Impact Omicron Omicron Zeta, Archonette Youth collected 60 items to be divided among three boxes for their Christmas Z-HOPE Project. They created boxes for girls between the ages of Some of the items in the box included stickers, books, pencils, toothbrushes and small toys. Each girl wrote a short holiday message and placed a holiday card in the box. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal. The Archonettes were happy to be a part of changing children's lives all over the world through the power of a simple gift with Operation Christmas Child. The boxes were delivered to a local church to be sent oversea. Archonettes Jamiyah Spaulding, Annaya Baynes and Doshjinira Love putting items into their gift boxes. Gamma Nu Zeta Archonettes Participating in the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Rho Sigma Chapter & Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter Holiday Party for children in the Foster Care System with Department of Children Protection and Permanency for Camden County on December 13, 2015 Archonettes with their advisor. Archonettes: Naiya, Cameron, Sasha & Leia

11 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 11 Z-E-T-A (Zealous Engaged Talented Awesome) Youth Corner Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Slavery On November 27th, the Archonettes and Amicettes of Omicron Omicron Zeta Chapter visited The Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Museum of Slavery in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale, the curators told the girls about the conditions of the slave ships and the hardships that our African Americans ancestors endured. During the tour the girls were able to see and learn about a variety of artifacts. One point of interest were the laughing barrels. Years ago, black people could not laugh or smile in public. If they felt like they were going to laugh or smile, they had to stick their heads in colored laughing barrels or risk being put in a chain gang, doing jail time, or death. Thus the phrase a barrel of laughs was formed. While slavery was a dark and tragic period in American history, acknowledging its existence and learning from its lessons will prevent history from repeating itself. Mr. and Mr. Ragsdale founded this museum to increase the awareness of the impact of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Their vision is that every child should channel the strength and perseverance of our ancestors and exemplify the legacy of our greatness. The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are Maya Angelou GNZ Pearlette Jazmin Marrero and Sigma Beta Jaydon & Jordan Marrero participated in Chestnut Street UAME Church Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless. Pearlette Jazmin & Sigma Beta Jaydon and Jordan serving food to the needy. Pearlette Jazmin cleaning the tables

12 Page 12 Zeta Call NJ Chapters Working Chi Rho Zeta chapter was given a certificate of appreciation by the Family Success Center of Winslow for providing programming that meets the communities needs with their monthly Elder Care Seminars. PPZ Sorors were Santa Helpers at our Adopt A School Quarter Mile Lane School during Xmas Holiday Store. Thursday November 26 th at the Plainfield Senior Center in Plainfield, New Jersey. Plainfield Amicae and Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter donated various desserts and helped setup, serve food, and clean up. This is an event that we have participated in for many years which has attracted the support of the other Zeta chapters as well as other Greek-letter organizations. Amica Jasmine Garris, Amica Nadiyah Zachery, and Amica Sandra Wilson (not pictured), did a fabulous job making this event a huge success We look forward to attending again next year.

13 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 13 NJ Chapters Working To observe World AIDS Day 2015, Rho Tau Zeta Chapter partnered with four Paterson, N.J.-based service organizations to provide free HIV/AIDS rapid screening services and information to the community. Led by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Paterson Alumnae Chapter, PTZ joined the Paterson Health Department, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Xi Omega Chapter, and the Paterson Branch of the NAACP. St. Luke Baptist Church of Paterson also sponsored the event and provided the venue. The Scholarship Committee of Rho Tau Zeta Chapter partnered with the Youth Ministry of St. Luke Baptist Church of Paterson to host a financial aid workshop on November 20, 2015, for nearly 20 students, aged 14- to 20-years-old. Show Me the Money encouraged real talk about what it takes to pay for college. The event was hosted at the church and PTZ Basileus, Soror Shavon Chambers, serves as one of St. Luke s youth leaders. During the 60-minute workshop, the group reviewed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, discussed the real cost of attending college, and the risks of student loan debt. The workshop produced valuable conversation and is worth repeating for other youth groups in PTZ s service area. Soror Jasmine Smith (near center, in blue) and Soror Shavon Chambers (2 nd from left, in front)

14 Page 14 Zeta Call NJ Chapters Working Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Zeta Delta Zeta (ZDZ) Chapter Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program In celebration of National Prematurity Awareness, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter (Moorestown, NJ), presented information on premature awareness at the First Baptist Church of Jericho (Deptford Township, NJ) on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at both the 8am and 11am services. Totaling both services, 159 parishioners listened attentively to the information presented by ZPAP committee chair and church member Soror Tousha Bailey-Herout (pictured below). Also in attendance (and shown below) was ZDZ Chapter president Soror Lynette Harris, Soror Violet Melton and church member Soror Loretta Holloway (not shown) of Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter (Camden, NJ). (Pastor Clabon Bogan and 2 members of the youth congregation are also shown) Omega Mu Zeta Thanksgiving Service, Elder Care On Thanksgiving Day, Omega Mu Zeta Sorors serviced Abington, our adopted senior citizen home, by helping with Thanksgiving Dinner. Omega Mu Zeta and Zeta Amicae of Middle & Southern Middlesex County, ZHOPE On November 29th, Omega Mu Zeta and their Amicae stuffed 40 stockings filled with 700 toiletries to send to Soldiers Angels Holiday Community Partners. These will be delivered in time for Christmas. Omega Mu Zeta gives away Teddy Bears to DCP&P In lieu of regular toys, the department of children and families requested Teddy Bears this holiday season. Omega Mu Zeta Sorors donated over 75 Teddy Bears to make Christmas special for the youth.

15 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 15 NJ Chapters Working Prematurity Awareness Program On Sunday November 22 nd the ladies of Alpha Alpha Chi Zeta worshiped at Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park where their ZPAP program was held. During the announcement portion of the service, the prematurity script was read to the congregation in addition to the handouts of hand fans, bookmarks and postcards donated by the March of Dimes. Prematurity Awareness is very important especially in the African-American community and AAXZ will continue to do all that is necessary to educate and inform the public. Food Bank Donation and Volunteering On Thursday, December 3 rd AAXZ donated time and can goods to the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The ladies donated can goods, water, pasta, rice, beans and cereal which equal 71 pounds of food items. AAXZ also volunteered at the food bank to help sort all of the incoming food items. The volunteers checked donated items to see if they were opened or expired then sorted the food into various categories to be donated to families, shelters, senior homes or other feeding programs. The food bank distributes over 10 million meals annually through a network of over 300 feeding programs throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Wreaths across America On the warm Saturday of December 12 th the ladies of AAXZ volunteered at the Atlantic View Cemetery in Manasquan where they laid wreaths on the grave sites of veterans from various branches of the military. There was an opening ceremony which included giving thanks to our veterans and a moment of silence for the fallen. The Atlantic View Cemetery received about 300 wreaths this year which is the most they have ever received. The chapter also purchased a wreath for the cemetery through Wreaths across America during Military Appreciation Week.

16 Page 16 Zeta Call NJ Chapters Working - cont d GNZ Sorors Simmons, McDowell-Medley and Wise are giving their time at Cathedral Kitchen, serving those in need. Our chapter is looking forward to next month's initiative. Sorors celebrated the holidays with Youth Consultation Services (YCS) and brought gifts for the Haddon Heights house which hosts young ladies. The ladies said they loved the gifts and we hope they will enjoy them. Sorors packed bags and sandwiches for Camden residents at Chestnut Street United Methodist Church and also served them a nice Thanksgiving Meal for the holiday. Soror Staci Gibson supported Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Zeta Rho Sigma ChapterNajuma76 at the Hatch Family School "Desserts from All Over" event. She made the gift baskets which were raffled off to the kids for Christmas. Once again, GNZ Sorors spread cheer to our fellow seniors in Camden. We do this #ElderCare initiative, at least, once a month. They look forward to us coming and putting a smile on their faces. This month we did Christmas Carol Bingo!! Good fun! it was a great time and we gave out token gifts of nonslip socks and tasty holiday cakes as treats.

17 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 17 Xi Tau Zeta Chapter collected 30 gently used pocketbooks to stuff with toiletries. The pocketbooks were donated to women of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Emotions were high as the chapter's Basileus took a leap of faith and delivered the bags on a Sunday evening. These women cried and expressed heartfelt thanks for the blessing. Soror Davis reported back to her chapter and expressed that there was a greater need at the mission. On Tuesday, Sorors Allen and Davis, visited the mission again and were greeted by some of the same women. This time around, Sorors handed out clothes, scarves, footwear, jackets and more pocketbooks. Lastly, one woman requested some warm boots if we returned. Soror Davis gave the woman her Uggs. It is more of a blessing to give; rather than receive. Happy Holidays from Xi Tau Zeta!!! with Military toiletries and Prematurity Awareness.

18 Page 18 The Zeta Call MIP Registration is Closed. MIP Certification will be offered at the 2016 State Leadership Conference.

19 Volume 6, Issue 5 Page 19 Support Sister Events Boule Registration Deadlines Early Registration December 15 January 31 Regular Registration February 1 March 31 Late Registration April 1 April 30

20 Page 20 The Zeta Call Upcoming Dates Chapter Date Location Epsilon Xi Zeta January pm Westin Princeton NJ Rho Tau Zeta February pm The Bethwood, Totowa, NJ Zeta Delta Zeta March 5-11 am The Merion, Cinnaminson, NJ Eta Omicron Zeta March pm Woodbridge Renaissance Gamma Nu Zeta March pm Paris Caterers at the Palace Blackwood, NJ Gamma Omicron Zeta March 26-11am The Atrium West Orange Xi Tau Zeta April 8-8 pm Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, NJ Chi Rho Zeta April 9-11:30 am Paris Caterers Berlin, NJ Sigma Zeta Zeta April 9-7pm The San Carlo Lyndhurst, NJ Omicron Omicron Zeta April 16-11am Auletto s Caterers Deptford, NJ Rho Rho Zeta May 7-9:30 am Scarpinito s Catering Bridgeton, NJ Omega Mu Zeta May pm Ocean Place Resorts & Spa, Long Branch, NJ Alpha Alpha Chi Zeta June 3-8pm Double Tree Hotel Tinton Falls, NJ *****Key Dates and Deadlines***** State Conference Planning Call 1/4 *Graduate Basilei Webinar 1/5 MIP Certification 1/16 *Founders Day Observance (Franklin St. John, Newark) 1/17 *State Webinar Series Part 2 - Smart Growth 1/26 Deadline: General Scholarship (UG s only) 3/1 Deadline: Life Members Scholarship 3/1 Deadline: Natalie Goode Education Award 3/1 Deadline: State Elected Office Nomination Forms 3/17 State Conference Registration 3/22 Deadline: State Conference Ads 3/28 State Conference 4/22 and 23 March for Babies 4/ 24 Boule (Orlando Hilton, Orlando, Florida) 7/ 6 10