bluegrass journal december 2011
DESCRIPTION
2nd journal IssueTRANSCRIPT
BLUEGRASSJOURNAL D
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Soror Terina J. MatthewsState Coordinator
Soror Gillian GriggsState Facilitator
Soror Yolanda DemareeState Secretary
Soror Shenita McConisState Social Action Chair
Soror Dawn OffuttRegional Coordinator,Membership Services
Soror Lucera CrossRegional Housing &
Properties Committee
Soror Briggit MillerState PPD Chair
Soror Maxine ThomasState Journalist - East
Soror Shannon DraneState Journalist - West
Soror Mary Elaine HornState Chaplain
2011 - 2012 Kentucky
Leadership Team
Midwest Regional Director - Regina R. Harper, Midwest Regional Representative - Diona Morgan, National 2nd Vice President - Chelsea Hayes,Kentucky State Coordinator, Kentucky State Facilitator and Xi Chapter
State Coordinator and State Facilitator with State of Kentucky Collegiates and advisors (Eta Upsilon, Eta Zeta, Mu Epsilon and Xi)
State Coordinator and Facilitator get their stroll on with collegiates
Midwest Region Collegiate RetreatHeld in Dayton, OH November 11-‐12, 2011
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Happy Holidays to our Bluegrass State Sorors!
As we embark upon the holiday season, it is important for us to reflect on all of the AMAZING programming that each chapter has completed in the areas of Scholarship, Sisterhood and Service during 2011. We believe that a quote to leave by is from Muhammad Ali – “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Thank you Sorors for your service to others!
We are proud of the programming that has occurred all across the Bluegrass state and we look forward to each chapter’s conMnued success in 2012.
We would be remiss if we did not thank our State of Kentucky Collegiate chapters for their overwhelming aPendance at the Midwest Collegiate retreat in Dayton, OH on November 11 – 12. Those chapters present were: Eta Rho, Eta Upsilon, Eta Zeta and Xi. A special THANK you to the advisors of those chapters who made the sacrifice to aPend the retreat as well; we recognize that without the diligence of our collegiate advisors the chapters would not have the ability to host and conduct that AWARD winning programs that they are producing to provide a posiMve impact on their University communiMes and for that we say THANK YOU! It is out hope that every aPendee at the collegiate retreat walked away with informaMon that will assist you all as you conMnue to develop the sisterhood bond within your chapter and that through your DID aPendance, you gained valuable informaMon to ensure a successful Membership Intake process on your campuses.
We have focused on the 3 C’s communicaMon, collaboraMon and connecMon and believe that the State of Kentucky has grown in these areas and will conMnue to grow as we move forward. We should be proud of the fact that we were the 1st state within to region to have 100% compliance and the only state in the region to produce a monthly newslePer. Our presence has significantly increased within the Region and we sMll have work to do! We also want to thank EACH and EVERY member of the State of KY Leadership Team! All of you are AMAZING and we wouldn’t be successful without all of your leadership, diligence and commitment to our state and the success of each chapter within our state.
It is our sincere hope that each chapter will be represented at Delta Days at the State Capitol in February 2012, Delta Days at the NaMon’s Capitol February 4 – 7, 2012 and Hortense Golden Canady Women’s conference in San Juan, PR April 7 – 12, 2012. Sorors, we realize that this will require a great deal of savings and sacrifice, however, we know that we will all walk away with increase knowledge and the ability to conMnue to posiMvely impact our communiMes.
It is important to note that our 24th NaMonal President Cynthia M.A, Butler McIntyre will be the keynote speaker at Louisville Alumnae Chapter Founders’ Day on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Ticket informaMon will follow, but mark your calendars now! AddiMonally, our own Midwest Regional Director, Regina R. Harper will be present as well.
Happy Holidays to you, your families and your chapters! We are PROUD to serve you!
Kentucky State Coordinator,Soror Terina J. Matthews
Kentucky State Facilitator, Soror Gillian Griggs
Love, Laugh & Lead
By Soror Maxine L. Thomas
“The Leading Role”(Part 2)
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Leadership does not happen by chance, neither are its characteristics inborn. Rather good and effective leadership is honed as one intentionally pursues such. In his book, Christian Leadership Essentials, author David S. Dockery presents four critical roles that effective leaders recognize and accept. The first two were discussed in the previous Love, Laugh & Lead. They are: Leaders set the direction for the organization and second, they function as change agents. Having digested these two, we will now consider the third and fourth roles that effective leaders engage. They are as follows: Thirdly, effective visionary leaders expect to be the spokesperson who keeps all constituents aware of the importance of the mission, purpose, values, and goals of the organization. They give voice to the vision by talking about it to others in a way that convinces, challenges, and stirs them to buy into the dream. The visionary leader is very well familiar with the purpose of the organization, and objectifies to keep it fresh and in the forefront in conversation. Values of the organization should be closely in line with those personal values of the leader as well as team members and therefore, will reflect the ethical stance of those persons in the organization. And so the effective visionary leader not only verbalizes the values of the organization, but lives them and encourages the constituents of the organization to do the same. The leader shares the goals in word and also by demonstration, planning activities and other opportunities for giving legs and feet to these goals. Finally, a visionary leader functions as a coach, and therefore, devises a game plan and makes sure that each team member understands the strategies that will be employed to play the game. In order to accomplish this, the wise leader must interact decisively with team members and in such a way that members are not only made aware of expectations and their responsibilities, but that they also feel validated, respected, affirmed, and empowered to carry out their individual assignments. A wise and effective visionary leader knows the strengths and weaknesses of individual team members and is able to make allowance for team members who compliment one another’s skills, abilities, and personality traits to work closely together. If the game plan must be changed or adjusted, the leader is willing to do so, as he/she realizes that when even one player fails to carry out his/her assignment, the team usually loses. Effective visionary leaders are on the cutting edge to change and revitalization in arenas of life that are both critical and relevant.
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Eta Zeta Chapter Working Hard At Western Kentucky University
By Soror Ambria L. Cunningham
The Eta Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has worked very hard all semester to provide the campus of Western Kentucky University with beneficial programs and here are a few things that we have done:
• Workout with the Divas: This is a bi-‐weekly event held on Wednesdays, where we take Zumba and Awesome Abs and invite the enMre campus to work out with us. This is a great way to stay in shape while gefng to everyone who comes out to support this program.
• Wisdom Wednesday: This is a bi-‐weekly event that is held on Wednesdays, where we invite the campus to come study, do homework, and possibly tutor anyone who may need help with their classes. We have challenged the parMcipants and ourselves to get a 3.0 and above this semester. This is not only a way for our chapter to bond, but we also bond with the ladies who come to support this program.
These have been the programs that have had the biggest turnout amongst our fellow classmates. We are very proud that we provided programs that people truly enjoy parMcipaMng in. We provided a survey asking how we may improve these programs, and almost every survey said, "I wish the program could be longer." With this being said, we will conMnue to make these programs bigger and bePer in future semesters.
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AL Eta Rho Chapter
at Diabetes Day On Saturday, November 19, 2011 the Eta Rho Chapter of Eastern Kentucky University assisted at the Diabetes Day at First ChrisMan Church in Richmond, KY. There were local agencies present to administer health screenings; glucose, blood pressure, body mass, vision, kidney, and feet sensiMvity to name a few. The Eta Rho Chapter aided a special Diabetes program called F.A.C.E., Fearless African American Connected and Empowered. This program was geared toward African Americans in the Madison County area to educate them about the truths and myths about Diabetes. There was a large turnout for the enMre Diabetes Day event and the Richmond Health Department and EKU Nursing Program, who co-‐sponsored the event, appreciated the assistance from Eta Rho.
Ft. Knox Alumnae ChapterOn the Move and Making a Difference
By Soror Brenda TuckerFt. Knox Alumnae Chapter acknowledged Breast Cancer Awareness Month by organizing and parMcipaMng in a
“Pink out Day” at New Hope Missionary BapMst Church, where several of the chapter members aPend. This event was held on October 23, 2011. Soror Cynthia French presented a brief summary about breast cancer and its impact on the African American community that was shared with the church congregaMon. Soror Tucker made pink ribbons for the church congregaMon which they wore on that day.
The chapter also acknowledged Breast Cancer Month by observing a moment of silence in honor of members baPling breast cancer at the October chapter meeMng. Pink ribbons and hats were provided and worn by the chapter members.
Ft. Knox Alumnae Chapter parMcipated in an H20 boPle collecMon for soldiers returning from Afghanistan. These soldiers are part of the Wounded Warrior TransiMon Unit, staMoned at Ft. Knox that are recuperaMng and healing, amer experiencing trauma associated with the war. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is very proud to be a part of the program.
For World AIDS Day, the chapter provided to a local church, informaMon pertaining to the impact that the disease is having on the African American community. Soror Lanier sent chapter members informaMon about AIDS for our personal reading and educaMon.
Louisville Alumnae ChapterConRnues Legacy of
PromoRng College EducaRon
By Soror Nancy Shelton
November 12, 2011 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Louisville Alumnae Chapter, parMcipated in the Black Achievers Career Fair. Three hundred and fimy Black Achiever students, 8th through 12th grade aPended the event. There were forty vendors represenMng colleges, businesses and Greek organizaMons. The vendors greeted the students, answered their quesMons, and provided valuable informaMon. Soror Nancy Shelton and Soror Tina Johnson distributed Jabberwock informaMon and scholarship applicaMon forms. The members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. conMnue a legacy of promoMng higher educaMon with expected returns of preparing college trained men and women to become future leaders and community servants.
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Hopkinsville Alumnae ChapterPromotes Mental Health Awareness
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) a non-profit organization provides support, education, and advocacy for individuals with mental illness and their families. NAMI Hopkinsville sponsored an awareness walk that supported Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Physical and Mental Health Awareness programmatic thrust. Community supporters included over 200 participants in 1-mile walk. Members of the Hopkinsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc included Sorors Wallace, Leavell, Lynch, B. Standard, and Moss (Chair of Physical and Mental Health Awareness Programmatic Thrust).
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SexYOUal Awareness & Domestic Violence
Health Forum
While sexual and domesMc violence are prevalent issues in our society today, they are not commonly addressed. The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Xi Chapter, saw these maPers present at the University of Louisville, and decided to take acMon. The SexYOUal Awareness and Domes3c Violence Health Forum aimed to provide students at the university with a safe place to both openly discuss these issues and to also become more educated about sexuality and healthy relaMonships. Xi chapter collaborated with the University of Louisville’s Office of Health PromoMon in order to get the job done. With the help of guest speaker, Ms. Stacie Steinbock, who works for U of L Health PromoMon, a successful program centered around increasing our ability to have relaMonships that match our values and minimizes risks in sexual relaMonships was derived. Unlike in a typical program of this nature, students were forced to acMvely take part in each topic presented. The speaker uMlized a holisMc approach to learning, allowing parMcipants to openly communicate their ideas about topics such as characterisMcs of potenMal mates, healthy and unhealthy relaMonships, and ways to make sexual encounters safer. It was evident through the crowd that was aPracted and the eagerness of the parMcipants that this was something needed on our campus. Adults, especially those on college campuses, need outlets such as these to discuss these maPers that have been kept private for so long in order to learn from one another and improve their own well-‐being.
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Frankfort Alumnae ChapterDelta Programming on Steroids
It has been a very exciting and busy year so far. The Frankfort Alumnae Chapter Programs and Projects committee has been busy trying to keep up with the current and future Grand Chapter and Regional initiatives as well as continuing to plan for the Chapter’s legacy programs and projects.
Delta GEMS and Delta Academy began their year with an Open House in August to welcome new girls and welcome back our current girls. Since then, we have hosted four separate workshop sessions covering topics such as, Sisterhood, Self-Esteem, Health and Wellness and Preparing for College.
We also continued one of our favorite projects, which was started about 3 years ago. This project is the Kentucky State University Homecoming float project, which involves the girls working together as a team along with sorors in designing and building a float to be entered in the Homecoming Parade. We are proud to say that we have won 2nd place for our float for the last two years. However, the most important thing is not winning, but the fun that the girls have working together and with us.
As we approach the holiday season, we will continue to give back to the community through our service projects around Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will also make time to have some fun by attending a performance by The Dance Theatre of Harlem around Thanksgiving.
Frankfort Alumnae Chapter hosted a workshop, "Personal Finances" which very beneficial and informational for budgeting and investment strategies.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me:Telma [email protected]