Volume XLI, Issue 12
Happy 42nd Anniversary, HMAC!
President’s Pointers by Shirley M. Johnson Greetings and Happy 42nd Anniversary! As we transition from summer into the fall season, we have a lot to be thankful for! This month, Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter will celebrate 42 years of history and we are blessed to still have with us three active charter members: Sarah Brown, Zoia Jones and Berdine Randle; we are eternally grateful for them and their dedication to HMAC. We would not be the phenomenal “Select” Chapter that we are today if it was not for their leadership, vision, and commitment to our community. God Bless Our Chapter! A Big Thank You is in order to Pamela M. Cashaw, Chair and Karen Bledsoe member of our Protocol and Traditions Committee for coordinating our General Chapter opening with a pomp and circumstance entrance which included a processional of our Charter Members, Past Presidents, Executive Committee, Chaplain, President and Members in the assembly dressed in white.
The Ways and Means committee is planning and anticipating a wonderful holiday season, and Mardi Gras Ball, Carnivale Mystique, on February 11, 2017. This event will support our scholarship program and other Chapter projects. You may begin purchasing your Mardi Gras ticket(s) or table during the October Executive Board and General Chapter meetings. Please see the finance table. Cash, check or credit card through PayPal and Eventbrite will be accepted. In honor of our anniversary, there will be light refreshments after general chapter meeting. Team HMAC “The Select Chapter” your support, talent, leadership skills and commitment will continue to make a positive impact on the needs of the community.
“The October Delta Red Carpet Event will be most exciting, as we attend the much anticipated movie, The Birth of a Nation The Story of Nat Turner. We want to invite everyone—members, family and friends—to join us Friday, October 7th at 7:30 p.m. Edwards Houston Marq'E Stadium 23 for this amazing feature,” said Ja’Milla Lomas, Arts & Letters Chair.
What Metropolitan Leadership
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Program STOPlight: Social Action Updates
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Detour to Grace & Gratitude Committee Crossroads
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Membership Services, Budget & Finance
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HMAC in Pictures (Online) Visit: http://bit.ly/TorchOct16 to view photos.
Raise Your Torch Executive Board Meeting Tuesday, October 5, 2016 6:30 pm Metropolitan Place 5441 Trafalgar Drive
Program STOPlight: Taking A Walk! Arts & Letters Upcoming Red Carpet Events The Delta Red Carpet (DRC) events are some of the most anticipated chapter events of the year. With the evolution of diversity in Hollywood and with more producers, actors and investors of color a new crop of stars are shining and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is showing up in full force.
October 2016
To recap: September's DRC was a special double feature - The Magnificent 7 and a special screening of Queen of Katwe, both of which received solid marks from attendees. Members should be sure to report any DRC attendance to jcklomas@hotmail.com. Something else to look forward to during the latter half of October - The Houston Grand Opera's production of Elixir of Love, starring member Nicole Heaston-Lane. Look for days and times on www.houstongrandopera.org.
General Chapter Meeting 42nd Anniversary Saturday, October 8, 2016 10:00 am Metropolitan Place 5441 Trafalgar Drive RED Business Attire. Note: All meetings will begin promptly and as scheduled. Hostess assignments are listed on page 4.
Food for Thought When you’re up your friends know who you are. When you are down you know who your friends are.
Metropolitan Leadership Shirley M. Johnson President Eryka Robinson 1st Vice-President Keesha Bone-Smith 2nd Vice-President Candra O. Lacy Corresponding Secretary Karen Jackson Recording Secretary Patricia Allison Financial Secretary Elizabeth Humphrey Ja’Milla K. Lomas Assistant Financial Secretaries Sherri L. Daniels Treasurer Mary Kaye Childs-Henry Chaplain Jacquelyn Blossom Delta Internal Development Cassandra Brooks Historian Pamela Cashaw Journalist Gloria Hays Keeper of Properties Barbara Branch Parliamentarian Victoria Lackey Cynthia Larkin Sergeants-at-Arms Chemene Jackson Webmaster
Program STOPlight: Social Action Updates The HMAC Political Awareness and Involvement Committee has been busy with various activities this quarter. This month the Social Action arm will focus on two areas: Voter Registration (a national initiative) and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a new initiated called Violets Against Violence, led by our regional representative Jacquita N. Johnson. The final run of the HMAC Voter Registration efforts will be held on: · Sunday, October 9th at Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church (7034 Tierwester, Houston, TX 77021) Registration will be held before and after services.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiative will be lead at the October Chapter Meeting by member and advocate Candra Lacy and Women’s Center Outreach Advocate/Case Manager Yolanda Russell, BA (Social Services). Mrs. Russell has been serving victims of domestic violence & sexual assault for13 years and works to ensure self-sufficiency in everyone she impacts. Do you want to get involved in this committee? Contact Chair, Karolyn Williams diamondlifeduece@yahoo.com.
Detour to Grace and Gratitude Then saith He unto his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:38)
Prayer Requests Please keep the following sorors and their families in prayer:
There’s an African Proverb that says, “Many hands make light work” and in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. the time is here for all hands to be involved.
Monica Coleman Mary Culpepper Rhysia Edwards Emma Gray Zoia Jones Rosalyn McClenon Paulette Prince Darlene Robinson Vivian Vincent Nicole Blake Wright
In our hands are the ability to serve and love. In our hands are the keys to faith in action. In our hands are the endless possibilities, as we work to meet the needs of others. Prayer: God, thank you for reminding me that through the work of my hands, your amazing will is done. Amen
October Birthdays* Arceneux, Rosalyn Ausbie, Loretta E. Bennefield, Annie Johnson Brooks, Cassandra Brown, Dana Brown, Felecia Brooker, Sarita
The Torch Contributors Candra O. Lacy, Editor-In-Chief Cassandra Brooks, Photographer Pamela Cashaw, Journalist 2
· Monday, October 10th 9 am to Noon at Brentwood Baptist Church (Food Pantry) (13033 Landmark Drive Houston, TX 77045)
Fletcher, Tracee Fortson, Christine Gaynor, Genevieve Herrington, Shani Humphrey, Cynthia Jackson, Karen Jones, Kimila Jones, Zoia Leverett, Valeria McGhee, Karen Melton, Percy Ly Moss, Daphne Newsome, Ella Payne-Shaw, Melba Turner, Annette Turner, Nicole Vincent, Vivian Whitlock, Katrina Zone, Ashley * Please contact Eryka M. Robinson, 1st Vice President and Membership Services Chair to have your birthday announced.
October Contributors Sherri Daniels, Shirley M. Johnson, Ja’Milla Lomas, Eryka Robinson, Donna Scott, Karolyn Williams and all announcing committees.
RED ZONE ALERTS Membership Services Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter’s Charter Day Celebration Congratulations HMAC on 42 years! In our 42 years of existence we have made waves in the Delta community and have lots of accomplishments that make us HMAC Proud! Are You Celebrating a Delta Milestone? If you are reaching a Delta milestone of 25 or 50 years in 2016 or 2017, OR have already reached your 25 or 50 year milestone and have never received your plaque, please contact Eryka M. Robinson so that your milestone plaque can be ordered. No Hazing In Delta! Last month we observed National Hazing Prevention Week. As proud members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. we charge you to uphold our mission, principles and values of our glorious sisterhood. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a non-hazing organization and has a zero tolerance hazing policy. While this is a matter that we embrace within our organization it is as equally as important that we educate our communities on the dangers of hazing in an effort to eradicate the culture of hazing!
Social Action: Natl’ Voter Registration Day
HMAC Love Train! Yes, the HMAC Love Train is taking off on Saturday, October 29, 2016, so save the date! We have two stops planned and more details are forthcoming. So, if the song “Love Train” by the O’Jays comes to mind or if the Quad City DJs “C’mon N Ride It” makes you bob your head, we want all HMAC Sorors to get on the HMAC Love Train! Monthly Jewel: During the month of October let us demonstrate Courtesy. Webster defines courtesy as the showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior toward others. This month let us all meditate on how to incorporate courtesy (gentleness, politeness, civility) in our daily encounters with others. Future Membership Services Updates If you have any questions or concerns about any of the Membership Services projects or activities or if you want more information on how to join this committee, contact Eryka M. Robinson, 1st Vice President & Membership Services Chair at EMRobinson1913@gmail.com for details about these items.
Educational Development: Preparing Our Youth for the Future
Budget & Finance The Finance Team is accepting 2016-2017 dues. Please complete the "Annual Membership Dues Renewal FY 2016-2017" form and place it with your payment of cash, check, or money order in the HMAC payment envelope. Forms will be available at the Finance table. Dues must be paid in full and cannot be divided into payments. The current Grand Chapter assessed late fee is $15 for Regular Members. Golden and Diamond Life Members are NOT assessed late fees. If you have any questions or concerns , please contact Sherri Daniels at (713) 304-7289 or shrrdnls@verizon.net. Your profile in the Sister Portal of the National website dictates how your name appears on HMAC sign-in sheets. If updates are needed, please log-in and make them. If assistance is needed with your Sister Portal
PMH: St. Jude Walk/Run
account, please contact Grand Chapter at (202) 986-2400. Lastly, when submitting vouchers for reimbursements, please include original receipt and a copy of the original receipt if it is an ink generated one. Sorors, ink fades and disbursements need to be verified for accuracy by Internal Audit during Quarterly Audits. If you need to be reimbursed for expenses, it is greatly appreciated that you notify the Finance Table at the beginning of HMAC meetings before the Finance Table is closed. Your Faithful Finance Team Sherri Daniels, Treasurer Patricia Allison, Financial Secretary Elizabeth Humphrey, Asst. Financial Secretary Ja'Milla Lomas, Asst. Financial Secretary
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The Torch
Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter Post Office Box 56108 Houston, Texas 77256-6108
About HMAC The Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter (HMAC) was charted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in October of 1974. Since its inception, HMAC has been actively involved in supporting national and local service agencies, all while sponsoring and presenting community workshops, awareness forums and health fairs. HMAC members and partners have provided over $200,000 in scholarships, directly benefitting the youth of the Greater Houston area. If you or your company/organization are interested in joining our community efforts, visit us at www.HMACDelta.org to learn how.
Place Postage Here
Hostess Assignments The following sorors will host the October Meetings: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Stephanie Adams Keesha Bone-Smith Cassandra Brooks CHAPTER MEETING Deatra Bennett Felicia Berry Pearl Black Nicol Blake Jacqueline Bostic Jacqueline W. Bostic Simone Bray Dana Brown Felicia Brown Rosalind Brown Sarah Brown Sarita Brooker Anteyya Bryant Tonya Bryant
52 Week Money Savings Challenge Keep up the good work , Sorors! As of October 1st, members should have save saved $783!
It’s Your Money… Economic Development Tip of the Month
Develop a household budget you can follow”. Using the data you’ve compiled by tracking your monthly expenses, develop a realistic budget so that it’s easier live with. Track how well you follow it each month – that means continuing to track your monthly expenses.
Let’s Be dfree! We are very excited to start the 12 Steps to Financial Freedom sessions next month, October 6th at Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center at 6:15pm. We have identified our “Champion” team leaders and assistants that will facilitate this process. Thank You for supporting TEAM HMAC! Yes, we would like to stay No. 1 as an Award Winning program for Economic Development Financial Fortitude. If you have enrolled into the 12 Steps to Financial Freedom class please contact MaryKaye Childs-Henry to pick up your folder. You need to complete the forms listed below prior to the first class. Please bring the completed documents to your first class. 1. Assessing Your Readiness 2. dfree ® Training Participant Commitment Statement 3. dfree ® Pre and Post Questionnaire –Complete One Before and One After completion of sessions You also need to accept the invitation in your email to join the www.billiondollarpaydown.com challenge. Click on Join Now and complete the enrollment. Please complete your Personal Information, Debt Plan and Email Preference.
Remember, It's Your Money! Manage It, Don't Let it Manage YOU!
Committee Crossroads: Announcements Congratulations! Let’s celebrate the achievements of our sisterleaders in the “Oh, So Hot!” Blazing Southwest Region! We wish them well and support them as they labor in our Chapter and in their Regional and National positions. 2016-2018 Regional Positions/ Appointments Cassandra Brooks Photographer
National Appointment Daphne Moss National Conventions/Regional Conferences Housing and Site Committee
One Heart! One Purpose! Southwest!
*IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT*
~ MANDATORY CHAPTER DID TRAINING (two) will be held on Saturday, October 29th from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM . Location TBD. Please note: Both sessions are required for chapter members.
Eryka Robinson Arts & Letters Coordinator Jacquelyn A. Blossom TX/NM State DID Coordinator
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