THE ATLANTIC ADVANCE ! ISSUE NO.ONE | SPRING ’13
Mary Breaux Wright, International Grand Basileus
THE REGIONAL NEWSLETTER FOR ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC., - AWESOME ATLANTIC REGION
New Beginnings Although it is not often that I witness it, dawn is my favorite time of day. As the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise, its beauty is breathtaking and its promise is hope. There is a fresh start. The opportunity to build on yesterday—tweak it, devise a new plane, turn a new leaf. The sheer breadth of the opportunities is immeasurable. In that moment you can think upon your life, decide not to dwell upon the past and determine the path you will take in the future. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is like the dawn. Our promise that we give to each other is Sisterly Love. Our promise that we give to the world is Z-HOPE. Each administration builds upon the strong foundation of yesterday and provides new opportunities of raising awareness, providing scholarships, greater impact, greater outreach, greater partnerships and better health. We work together to build a new day. The new day will radiate throughout the world and all will benefit from the work that we do in the name of Zeta. As I shared with you previously, the Atlantic Region will not only meet the challenge of executing the vision of our International Grand Basileus Mary Breaux Wright, but will exceed that challenge as a cohesive Body. We have the talent, creativity and courage, and our communities need and expect us to do so. As you review our newsletter we will delve into aspects of our national programs and regional initiatives. Let me know where you would like to share your gifts. It’s a new day. Embrace every opportunity God has in store especially for you. For it is promised that…”joy cometh in the morning.” For the Love of Zeta,
Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. 16th Atlantic Regional Director
Soror Saniah Johnson, Regional Director - Reclamation discusses this important sorority-wide initiative. - page 4
Soror Charbet Duckett, Regional Coordinator for Life Membership shares important information on Life Membership today and moving forward. - page 3
As we work together to grow our membership with the initiation of new members, join the movement! - page 4
Grand
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ‘13 | Page 2
Ideas!
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated..... Where she’s going, how she’s getting there & the phenomenal women leading the charge!
SERVICE! Early in the sorority year, Breaux Wright unveiled her programmatic thrust, a robust mix of ideas that are set to propel & position Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. as the nation’s servant leader organization to watch! Elder Care
With the rising costs of health care & every day basics, the well being of our senior population is paramount. Mary Breaux Wright, International President Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Through this initiative, ZETAs across the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. International world will be serving as advocates to & for this all important demographic in President Mary Breaux Wright has been our society. busy since her installation into office in July 2012. Military A!reciation
THE WOMAN As a past National First Vice President of the sorority, Mrs. Breaux Wright has also served the sisterhood as Chairman of the Regional Directors, Southern Region Director and Louisiana State Director . A passionate historian, Breaux Wright answered the call, for the love of Zeta, and coordinated & researched tirelessly for the sorority’s history book, Torchbearers of a Legacy.
Type to
The service rendered by the men & women of the United States Armed Forces (active duty & veterans) calls for recognition frequently & consistently. For our freedom they give selflessly, a feat to be celebrated. The women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will show their thanks across the country through targeted programs & services through our local affiliates and chapters.
Heal"y Living
Mir roring the national initiative set for th by our nation’s Fir st La dy Michelle Obama, Zeta Phi Be ta Sorority, Inc. will take a stron g and informative stance on the sub ject of healthy living & eating in our communities. As obesity statist ics among adults and now our chi ldren continue to climb, ZETA plans to be at the forefront of crafting progra mming & ser vices to deal with this ep idemic. Learn more about this projec t on page 5!
A NEW & AWESOME LOOK FOR AN AMAZING REGION!
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ’13 | Page 2
Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths It’s an exciting time in the sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.! Collectively, we are
As we forge ahead, know that when you see this logo it is synonymous with an organization of women who
working to take control of our brand and have our visual imagery match the level of service we provide locally, nationally & internationally as an organization.
consistently give 100% as servant leaders to their communities through next level programming; are educationally voracious producing 100% as scholars;
With that, the Atlantic Region is proud to unveil our official logo mark! A rich royal blue with white accents, prominently featuring the sorority’s principles and of course the dove, seamlessly captures the organizational mission and vision.
selflessly serve as our sister’s keeper 100% of the time, who 100% represent as Finer Women on their daily journey.
LM NAT’L GOALS
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ‘13 | Page 3
One: Develop special project(s) especially for Life member participation Two: Develop a standardized reporting format/procedure for life member activities Three: Develop a Life Members’ newsletter Four: Attempt to obtain past records of life members meeting minutes from prior Boules, etc. Five: Reestablish a Life Members’ Business meeting at the Grand Boules. Six: Develop !a special new life membership level for the 2020 Centennial (ex: “Pearl Status”) Seven: Establish Life Member Business meetings at Regional and State Leadership Conferences Eight: Ensure reports from Life member coordinators on the Regional and State level are included in the Conference workbooks for review by the membership
Communication is the key to the smooth running of every organization and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is no different. Therefore, I am pleased to communicate our national and regional Life Member goals with you. Regularly through various mediums, updates will be provided. ! As the Atlantic Region Life Member Coordinator, I see Life Members as the backbone of the organization who go ABOVE AND BEYOND the average to move Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Atlantic Region to higher heights! !Our regional focus will be on Communication, Service, and Sisterhood. !We want to increase communication and interaction between Life Members at all levels and support a national and regional service project. !Our regional team includes our fabulous state coordinators: Soror Simone Safford (New York) simone694130@netzero.net Soror Monica Younger (Pennsylvania) IIzetadiamondlm@gmail.com Soror Lisa Hudley (Maryland) blueblood1021@yahoo.com Soror Rosa Howze (Delaware) descocialactioncoordinator@gmail.com Soror Jorelle Green-Smith (New Jersey) zeta2nv@aol.com Soror Robin Preston (Tri-State) Rlpzeta74@aol.com If you have any questions, suggestions or accomplishments to report, please let us know! With the opening of Life Membership, Congratulations to the future Atlantic Region Life Members and welcome to a very special group! Sisterly, Soror Charbet Duckett, Atlantic Region Life Member Coordinator cmduckett@williamsadley.com
LIFE MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
Nine: Coordinate the documentation and maintenance of Zeta history as it relates to Life Membership and key events !!
How many Sorors will be accepted during this life membership cycle?
Ten: Review Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum levels of giving (IE: criteria, incentives and how will these levels of giving be recognized moving forward)
3.31.13
250 *When is the application due?
How much does life membership cost?
3500.00 *or until 250 applications are approved
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ‘13 | Page 4
From the desk of the Reclamation Director Now is the time to return to!Zeta, a!sisterhood that will remain close to!our hearts.! During reclamation we focus on reconnecting with sorors who have become inactive through the years.! There is a role for each of us!to play as we build towards a legacy of 100 years of service to our community.!! "Sisters, We Want You Back!"!
For assistance with identifying a chapter home contact Soror Saniah M. Johnson, CPA, - Regional Director, Reclamation sjohnsoncpa@aol.com or 215-740-6120
Become a ZETA Billboard in 5 easy steps!
1. Visit the #FWDH t-shirt website by
following the link on the official National Twitter, Facebook or send a friendly email. http://bit.ly/FWDH2013
2. !Make
a $19.20 donation on the website or by snail mail and receive an official #FWDH t-shirt.
3. W! ear your official #FWDH t-shirt on the 20th of every month.
4. T! ake a picture of
yourself, on the th 20 each month publicly wearing the official #FWDH t-shirt.
5. O! n
the 20th of each month, post your picture on the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incor porated (official) Facebook page and/or @ZetaInAction twitter page using the #FWDH hash tag.
#FWDH Be Heard. Be Seen. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated joined campaign after shipping and handling our constitutionally bound brother fraternity, expenses will go towards the immediate Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the needs of Our House.! National Action Network in the fight to eradicate the culture of hazing in August 2012.! To raise awareness of this impor tant initiative, the sorority’s International President Mary B. Wright, National First Vice President Scarlet Black and National Trustee Board ask that sorority members become human billboards for Zeta.! Starting on January 20, 2013 and on the 20th of every month thereafter, every member is asked to become a Zeta billboard for the #FWDH (Finer Women Don’t Haze) campaign.! #FWDH t-shirts are available for order via the “Finer Women Don’t Haze” website for a donation of $19.20 (includes shipping and handling). This campaign has two goals: to support the Anti-Hazing Initiative and to raise funds specifically for the maintenance of National Headquarters.! All proceeds from this
As noted by our International President Mary B. Wright, “Hazing paralyzes all of us.” “Our sons and daughters are not pursuing higher education to experience hazing. We stand in solidarity with our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma in this major effort to stop the culture of hazing.” Awards will be announced in June 2013... So the competition is on!
Eat + Exercise = SUCCESS!
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ‘13 | Page 5
HEALTHY LIVING & YOU!
by Soror Camille Titus Atlantic Region Healthy Living Coordinator Contact me! atlreghealthyliving@yahoo.com
3. Eat plenty of fruit
•••
4. Drink water, tea or coffee with little or no sugar
Greetings Sorors!
5. Eat whole grains
It is my hope that you and your families are enjoying good health, happiness and prosperity as we continue progressing through 2013. ! As you may know, our International President Soror Mary Wright has identified healthy living as one of the areas in which she would like her administration to concentrate. Not only is this in line with one of the main initiatives introduced for American youth by our First Lady Mrs. Obama, efforts toward improving health and wellness are sorely needed in communities of color. *Of all minority groups, African-Americans have the most, and many times the largest, differences in health risks when compared to other minority groups. African-Americans have more disease, disability, and early death as well. Many of these problems are chronic, which means they last a long time, sometimes forever. Yet, many also can be prevented. Whatever the reasons for this health gap, African-American women can take charge of their personal health and seek the
6. Choose fish, poultry, beans & nuts.
1.Use healthy oils like olive & canola 2. The more veggies and the great the variety, the better!
health care they need. Knowing your risks gives you power. By making healthy lifestyle changes we can improve our health outcomes and those of our families. Additionally, as we model healthy behavior we may influence others without even knowing that we’re doing so! The first Atlantic Region Healthy Living initiative will be introduced at the Atlantic Region Executive Board meeting and I look forward to your feedback and more importantly, your participation as the Atlantic Region
implements this programmatic thrust. I encourage you to approach this challenge with passion and creativity. Your participation in this endeavor benefits us all, and I’m excited to see the changes that we collectively will make! *source: http://womenshealth.gov/ minority-health/african-americans/
Exercise Can... CONTROLS WEIGHT ! COMBATS HEALTH CONDITI ONS & DISEASES IMPROVES MOOD! BOOSTS ENERGY! PROMOTES BETTER SLEEP !
PUTS THE SPARK BACK INT O YOUR SEX LIFE! CAN BE FUN!! * source: Mayo Clini
c
The Atlantic Advance | Issue No. One | Spring ‘13 | Page 6
B#le 2014! + Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths Atlantic Region Executive Board Meeting February 8-9, 2013 | Philadelphia, PA
Two days of conducting business of Zeta, for the love of Zeta. Zeta Organizational Leadership Conference July 19-21, 2013 | Indianapolis, IN
The Zeta Organizational Leadership Program (ZOL) is a future-focused, nationally structured, intense leadership training certification program and a blue print for leadership development and enhancement. The overarching goal of the ZOL program is to provide members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority with the essential knowledge and skills to be exceptional leaders. 55th Atlantic Region Conference October 9 - 13, 2013 | Buffalo, NY
Four power packed days of development workshops, committee meetings, interactive fellowship opportunities & more! Boule 2014! Washington, DC
While conducting the business of ZETA we’ll take time to commemorate the Centennial of our constitutionally bound brother fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, as they celebrate in DC during the same time. Finer Womanhood Reclamation Observance
Going on NOW through March 31st! Contact your local chapter or the Atlantic Region Reclamation Director for information on how you can re-connect to our amazing bond by checking out page 4 of this newsletter!
Atlantic Region Leadership Team Janet Y. Bivins, Esq. - 16th Regional Director Janice M.T. Johnson - Secretary
Martha Sims-Wilson - Delaware State Director
Kathy Gilmore - Assistant Secretary
Danielle R. Green - Maryland State Director
Krystal R. Brown - Treasurer
Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq. - New Jersey State Director
Lauwana Martin - Financial Secretary
Shanell L. Robinson - New York State Director
Loraine Richardson-McCray - Parliamentarian
Barbara A. Cousar - Pennsylvania State Director
Reg. Rep to the National Nominating Committee Nilda Rivera, Esq.
Annette Draper-Moore - Tri-State Director
A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. —Lao Tzu
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. —Warren Bennis A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. —John Maxwell
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
Atlantic Region www.atlanticregionzetas.org
For y#r rea$ng pleasure! If you are interested in contributing to The Atlantic Advance, please email Monica Britton, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Atlantic Region Social Media Coordinator at zpbarsocialmedia@gmail.com