Volume XLI, Issue 14
Merry Christmas!
President’s Pointers by Shirley M. Johnson Christmas is the season for counting our blessings, sharing our love and celebrating the love of Christ by gratefully receiving his peace and blessings. As we put up our Christmas trees, ornaments, lights and figurines, fill our homes with the scent of fresh pine, prepare our meals and present gifts let’s remember the reason for the season. Bring some joy and happiness to a less fortunate and unsuspecting family by hosting a Christmas celebration. Remember it is better to give than receive. With this in mind, we will continue our Christmas Caroling tradition by visiting our sick and shut in members, serenading them with the sweet sounds of Christmas carols. The date and time will be announced at a later time. My Christmas wish is that each of you has moments of laughter that lights up your spirits, time to think of favorite memories, and a little
What’s Inside
quiet time to dream and count your blessings. Not only are we celebrate the spirit of Christmas in December, we purposely stop to acknowledge and celebrate those special members in HMAC – our beloved Delta Dears! This year we will honor our Dears with a Grand Celebration of Love. The Membership Services Committee is preparing to celebrate these Delta women of character and wisdom with a program, gifts, all while dining on a special feast created just for the occasion! This year has been nothing short of exciting - thanks to all committee chairs and members for supporting HMAC the way that you do. I look forward to a successful second half with you! HMAC, from my heart to yours, I wish you Joy, Peace and Love during this holiday season.
Merry Christmas with Love!
Shirley M. Johnson HMAC Sisters Lighting the Way: Leading With ACTION The Social Action Committee of the Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter aggressively tackled the 2016 Election through a concentrated effort focusing on Deputy Voter Registrar Training (DVRT), Voter Education, Voter Registration and Voter Mobilization. The HMAC Red Army adopted the theme "Your Vote Matters" urging citizens to Do Something with your voTe and to most certainly “Make It Count.” The committee engaged citizens of Harris and Fort Bend County 11 times over a 2 week period and successfully registered 160 citizens, while assisting 10 more with mail in registration. The HMAC Facebook page was updated almost daily, providing information on Election 2016 with the intent to inform while refraining from endorsing a candidate. The
December 2016
committee also encouraged chapter members to Early Vote and made a concentrated effort to ensure that our Delta Dears were able to roll to the polls. On Election Day, 4 HMAC Sorors answered the call and volunteered at KPRC TV with the League of Women Voters. These members answered phone calls from citizens and provided information on where, how and when to cast their vote. Hats off to the HMAC Red Army for its contribution in making history by Getting out the Vote and turning Fort Bend County Blue and maintain the Blue in Harris County. We are HMAC Proud.
Metropolitan Leadership
2
Program STOPlight: Physical & Mental Health
2
Detour to Grace & Gratitude Committee Crossroads
2 Insert
Membership Services Budget & Finance
3 Insert
HMAC in Pictures (Online) Visit: http://bit.ly/TorchDec16 to view photos.
Raise Your Torch Executive Board Meeting Monday, December 5, 2016 6:30 pm Metropolitan Place 5441 Trafalgar Drive General Chapter Meeting *Delta Dears Celebration* Saturday, December 10, 2016 10:00 am GCCSA (Gulf Coast Community services Association) Business Attire Note: All meetings will begin promptly and as scheduled. Hostess assignments are listed on page 4.
Food for Thought As you get older you understand more and more that it’s not about what you look like or what you own, it’s all about the person you’ve become.
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: Physical and Mental Health As an organization of predominantly African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its membership, but also the well-being of families and communities at large. Journey to Wellness: Committing our Bodies to Physical and Mental Health is now the signature Physical and Mental Health “call to action”. The initiative addresses the challenges of living holistic and health lives. The threepronged approach to Journey to Wellness includes:
1. A refocused Lose to Win! To include physical activity and healthy eating. 2. Physical Health: Chronic Diseases 3. Mental Health HMAC is actively targeting “The Total Woman: Mind, Body and Spirit”, through it’s programs. From personal exercise challenges to sharing healthy snacks and recipes with sorors—the Physical & Mental Health committee is COMMITTED to helping us live better! If you are interested in becoming a part of this incredible committee, contact Shonika Kwarteng at sbabney05@yahoo.com for details.
Detour to Grace and Gratitude “For unto is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
serve others as Deltas. Let our hearts be full of love, peace and joy—not just this holiday season, but always.
The month of December can be overwhelming. We are planning for the long-awaited holiday visit of family and friends, decorating our homes, baking cakes and pies, cleaning our homes of old things and buying new things to show our love. Simply put, we are busy and sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of it all, we forget why we’re even doing all of those things.
Prayer Requests Please keep the following members and their families in prayer:
Take a moment to remember why we celebrate Christmas— the birth of Jesus Christ., the Perfect Servant. This Christmas, let us follow His beautiful example of how we should
Family of Audrey Sparks Pearsall Mary Culpepper Emma Gray Gloria Hays Zoia Jones Jamale Kempt Rosalyn McClenon Demita Sweet Vivian Vincent
December Birthdays * Rosa Cole Monica Coleman ReShane Dawn-Fowler Sonja Eckford Joan Graham Tawana Feimster Darla Hall-Harris Teneshia Hudspeth Muriel E. Jackson Tanjalyn Hill Jasmine Edith Irby-Jones Danielle Jones Orlesia Jones Shonika Kwarteng Keira Miller Frances M. Thompson Dana Smith Deandralette Smith Shani D. Williform * Please contact Eryka M. Robinson, 1st Vice President and Membership Services Chair for corrections or additions.
The Torch Contributors Candra O. Lacy, Editor-In-Chief Cassandra Brooks, Photographer Pamela Cashaw, Journalist 2
December Contributors MaryKaye Childs-Henry, Sherri Daniels, Sonika Kwarteng, Shirley M. Johnson, Eryka Robinson, Donna Scott, Karolyn Williams and all announcing committees.
RED ZONE ALERTS Membership Services Delta Dear Celebration! We are having our Delta Dear Celebration at Gulf Coast Community Service Association, Inc. located at 9320 Kirby Dr on December 10th. The celebration will occur immediately after sorority meeting at the same location. Let’s plan to celebrate our new Delta Dears on that day. We are asking all Delta Dears to wear Delta Red to the December meeting. Are You Celebrating a Delta Milestone? 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 ASAP so that your milestone plaque can be ordered. Monthly Jewel: The Jewel for the month of December is Fellowship. Fellowship is the common spirit of Sisterhood.
Friendliness and sisterly attitudes are essential qualities of a positive Sisterhood. It is the relationship with one another that makes us happy, the communion with God which helps us understand. Sorors, please reflect on the following: are you cultivating relationships amongst your sisters who you may not know or you deem are different from you. Are you willing to forgive and move on to experience a community of fellowship. Remember the jewel Fellowship in your Delta walk and dedicate some time to reaching out to those sisters who you haven’t seen in a while. 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.
Special Updates Time is running out to purchase your Joint Founders Day tickets, so don’t delay! Tickets are $35 for alumnae members and $30 for collegiate members. See the Finance Team to purchase your Founders Day ticket today. Limited availability.
Yes, It’s OUR Turn to Serve… Let’s show up and serve Breakfast With Santa to those little smiling faces on Friday, December 2nd! This day of service is in partnership with the Houston National PanHellenic Council. Hope to see you there!
3
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 December Meetings: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Stephanie Adams CHAPTER MEETING Michelle Elijah Tina Elzy Freddie Ferguson Sandra Finger Julie Fitzpatrick Tracee Fletcher Valencia Fletcher Gabrielle Floyd Christine Fortson Luella Frazier Donnisha Frison Yvette Marie Gallien Katrice Galloway Tyra Gamble Shalaire Garnett Miranda Gary Genevieve Gaynor Shirlane George
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 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 Soror Sherri Daniels, Treasurer Soror Patricia Allison, Financial Secretary Soror Elizabeth Humphrey, Asst. Financial Secretary Soror Ja'Milla Lomas, Asst. Financial Secretary
One Heart! One Purpose! Southwest!
Committee Crossroads: Announcements Scholarship Committee The Scholarship Committee placed applications in Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter’s service area schools by October 31, 2016. Forms can be found online at http:// hmacdst.org/Forms.html. Carnivale Mystique Scholarship Gala Tickets are now on sale! Join us on Saturday, February 11th at the Houston Westchase Marriott Hotel for a the ultimate “party with a purpose”! Tickets are $65 or $650 for a table of ten. See Barbara Branch or Grace Macklin to purchase your tickets today!
Announcements continued on next page... Insert
Committee Crossroads: Announcements continued... Economic Development: Be dFree! As we continue on this journey of Financial Freedom and Debt Reduction the Economic Development Committee “EDC” are proud to report the 12 Step dfree program is yielding great results with members paying off debt since the start of class in October. We are excited you have joined us as we breakdown generational curses of living in debt. The 12 Step dfree classes are going well and are very informative and inspirational. December Tip of the Month “How Not to Go BROKE on Christmas Shopping!” AND “Celebrate this Holiday Season with Spending Less Money”
Start early and identify the names on your Christmas List. Create a budget with the amount to spend on each person. Don’t Get tricked into “Black Friday” It’s a trick to get you in the store to spend more money! Prices Go Down After Christmas—Do NOT Go Into Debt in 2017!
52– Week Saving Challenge Continue your 52-Week Saving Challenge! As of Nov. 30st you should have $1,176 in your account. Please add $49 the first week of December. Count Down!!!
Remember, It's Your Money! Manage It, Don't Let it Manage YOU! Educational Development: Set Your Own P.A.C.E.! The Educational Development Programs ( Delta Academy, Delta GEMS and EMBODI) invite you to attend their Youth Empowerment P.A.C.E Conference on December 3, 2016 at The Hiram Clark MultiService Center from 10AM - 2PM. Please sign up to volunteer or come out and support our youth program. See you there! For more information please contact MaryKaye Childs-Henry, Lindsay Seymour or Frances MontgomeryThompson.
Physical & Mental Health: Sisters Network—Stop the Silence! The Physical and Mental Health Committee is excited to announce that HMAC will participate in the Sisters Network’s 8th Annual Stop the Silence 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, April 8th, 2017 with a VIRTUAL TEAM! Sisters Network is one of our Project 13 Partners as outlined by Grand Chapter, so your financial contributions are needed! Please make your donation at www.stopthesilencewalk.org and look for Team HMAC-DST. Let’s go, #TeamHMAC!
Insert