Dallas Alumnae News Volume IV, Issue IV December 2014 "Uncompromising Commitment to Communities - Service, Leadership, Empowerment"
D A L L A S A L U M N A E N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 PRESIDENT Sharon Royal Hunt VICE PRESIDENT Bertha Whatley RECORDING SECRETARY Karla McGary ASST. RECORDING SECRETARY Vanessa Gray CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Andrea Hilburn FINANCIAL SECRETARY Kabrina Luckey FINANCIAL ASSISTANT Stephanie Coleman Newton TREASURER Carol Crawley PUBLISHER Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dallas Alumnae EDITOR Emily Blue Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dallas Alumnae Chapter P.O. BOX 222051 Dallas, Texas 75222-2051 Phone: 214-428-7400 E-mail:dallasalumnae@yahoo.com www.dallasalumnae.org The DALLAS ALUMNAE NEWS is the official newsletter of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Published monthly, DALLAS ALUMNAE NEWS communicates the programmatic thrusts of the Sorority as well as Chapter s programs, initiatives, events, and announcements. All articles and photos are to be submitted by Executive Board members and Committee Chairs. Send all articles, photographs (in JPEG format) announcements, and advertisements to ahilburn8414@att.net or emilymblue@yahoo.com.
Message from the Chapter President Happy Holidays! T he true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, dinner with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas? For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Family dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some. Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child. The truth is that God became man in order to make us godlike. He came to give us something that would make us like himself. God became man because we did not have it in ourselves, in the weakness of our flesh, to become like God. Love is the greatest gift God ever gave man. Never take someone's feelings for granted because you never know how much courage that they took to show it to you. Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God. Let me take this moment to say to you Dallas Alumnae, I LOVE YOU and that my Sisters is the true meaning of Christmas! Sharon Royal Hunt Chapter President D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 3
Membership Matters CONDOLENCES Soror Andrea Shaffner and family in the loss of her father Mr. Robert Earl Jackson. Soror Elonka Caldwell (Century 9) and family in the loss of her grandfather. Soror Sharlene Andrews (Century 9) and family in the loss of her grandfather Mr. George Jackson Sr. PRAYER REQUESTS Soror Eleanor Roger s daughter and Dallas Alumnae member Soror Erica Rogers Brazil who had extensive back surgery in Frisco, Texas. Betty Bryant s mother in ICU in Alabama and her nephew Michael Lewis also in ICU in Riverside, California. Soror Charlie Mae Smith - recently released from Baylor Rehabilitation and currently resting at her brother Joe Brown s home in Oak Cliff. 4 D A L L A S A L U M N A E N E W S
Membership Services When you think of the Membership Services Committee, please remember it s all about you. We exist to serve you, with sisterly devotion, and we hope you will not forget this. Our services include our comfort and care outreach for the sick, shut-in and bereaved. We want to support you as you face the most challenging events in life and commemorate your professional or personal accomplishments. We announced the reclamation program at the September meeting. We want you to seek out 90 inactive Sorors, and invite them to Reflect, Renew and Return to Delta Sigma Theta Inc. by affiliating with this chapter. Our accomplishments during these 90 years are unparalleled, and our reputation should attract many inactive Sorors. Please extend an opportunity to serve our community through membership in Dallas Alumnae Chapter to each and every inactive Soror you meet. Reclaiming Sorors can also be rewarding. The chapter member who accumulates the highest total number of points through reclamation and program activities will be deemed the Chapter Member of the Year, and awarded $250 for chapter dues (2014-2015). Each participant will receive 100 points for each reclaimed Soror referred by the chapter member. You will receive 50 points for each visiting Soror you bring to a chapter meeting. 25 points will be awarded for each Five Point Program event and/or community service program attended by a chapter member. If a chapter member brings a visiting Soror to a Five Point Program, 10 points will be awarded. Please take the time to send a friendship card or note to a shut-in Soror, particularly if your birthday occurs in October. The committee is aware of the following Sorors who are homebound: Maxine Thornton Reese, Tommie Nell Canaday, DeArtis Stinson, Mary Louise Williams, Bobbie Lander and Marilyn Mask. Sharing good times with Sorors is the greatest joy. This is the stuff that makes life worthwhile. Anonymous D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 5
World AIDS Day World AIDS Day is held on December 1 st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988 Why is World AIDS Day important? Around 100,000 are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding. You can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support. Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV, we need to remember the importance of raising awareness of HIV all year round. 6 D A L L A S A L U M N A E N E W S
Donor Sabbath Soror Verna Mitchell shares her transplant experience at Saintsville Cathedral, and encourages the congregation to become organ donors. There are over 100,000 persons in the US awaiting transplants, with a third of them being African American. As we approach the new year, have a conversation with your family about sharing the gift of life. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 7
Announcements Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated A Service Sorority Founded in 1913 1707 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 986-2400 Telefax (202)986-2513 NOTIFICATION TO ALL MEMBERS The Call for Nominations for the 2015-2017 biennium which includes the Guidelines, Instructions and Application for Seeking Office in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have been posted in the Chapter Mailing section of the Members Only area and the National Nominating Committee section of the restricted website. Dr. Paulette Walker National President Beverly E. Smith Brittani N. Blackwell Cheryl A. Hickmon National 1st Vice President National 2nd Vice President National Secretary Terri E. Rivalte National Treasurer Roseline McKinney Executive Director *************************************************************************************** ATTENTION! From: Beverly E. Smith, National First Vice President and Chair, National Scholarship and Standards Committee RE: S&S: Hot Off the Press Updates are currently available to all financial members through the National website, Members Only Section under the National Committee in the Scholarship & Standards Committee folder. This current edition of "Hot off the Press" will include: Δ Amendments to the Chapter Policies and Procedures Review and Timeline, Policy and Δ Election of the Chapter Assistant Financial Secretary and Assistant Treasurer Offices *************************************************************************************** 8 D A L L A S A L U M N A E N E W S
Announcements REMINDER During the ritualistic opening of sorority meeting, the right hand is placed over the heart when saying the Delta Oath, only. Dr. Thalia F. Matherson, Parliamentarian All articles/pictures/flyers for the January 2015 Delta News Magazine deadline date is December 30, 2014, to Soror Dr. Andrea Hilburn at ahilburn8814@att.net *************************************************************************************** Sorors, ****DFW FOUNDERS DAY 2015**** Sorors please join us as we collectively celebrate our Founders Day with all of the DFW metroplex chapters. This will be a beautiful joyous occasion as all of the DFW Alumnae and Collegiate chapters join together to celebrate our Founders. Saturday, January 24th at 11:30 a.m. Irving Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now! Cost is $50. How can you help? Volunteers are needed to serve on Sub-committees now. Vendors are needed! Come sell your products and services. Sponsors would help make this event a huge success. Do you know one? If you have never been honored for your 25th or 50th year Delta Anniversary then this event is for you! *This information is needed immediately. Please contact Misha Stennett via email misha.stennett@gmail.com or phone 972-345-8918 for all the above. ** A list of committees may be obtained from Soror Misha Stennett. Dallas Alumnae representation is needed on EVERY committee. Thank you in advance for your participation. *************************************************************************************** D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 9
DALLAS ALUMNAE 1924 2014