ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. - STATE OF TENNESSEE NEWS ISSUE 1 VOLUME 2
MARY BREAUX WRIGHT INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
ERNESTINE WILSON
DONNA R. WILLIAMS
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION DIRECTOR
TENNESSEE STATE DIRECTOR
From the Desk of…….
Donna R. Williams
Tennessee State Director
Greetings! Thank you tremendous Tennessee Zetas, Amicae, Youth and Community Supporters! It is all because of you that we serve and are able to serve in the great “Volunteer” state of Tennessee. As you thumb through the pages of this Tennessee Times you will read and observe how the Zeta Family has impacted the various communities throughout Tennessee. We continue to embody the spirit of service to help others excel. Being the community conscious action-oriented organization that we are, we see the need and answer the call with countless dollars and hours by Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Path to improve our communities. Keep up the good work Tremendous Zeta Family and Community Partners! Yours in Service and Sisterly Love,
Donna R. Williams Tennessee State Director
East Tennessee Nu Zeta Chapter—Knoxville, TN Building on the principles of Zeta while blazing new paths is exactly what the Nu Zeta chapter has been up to. In scholarship, the undergraduate chapter, Pi Epsilon, had 6 members to graduate from The University of Tennessee with 3 moving forward to the graduate chapter. With service, Nu Zeta has continued annual programs with jointly sponsoring a community health fair, contributing to March of Dimes, participating in Adopt-AHighway, hosting game nights at the local nursing home and several others; along with our youth and Amicae having their own set of service projects. Our sisterly love doesn’t stop at our monthly chapter meetings or being friends via social media, Nu Zeta and Pi Epsilon makes sure to schedule monthly bonding activities whether it is a exclusive Girl’s Night or supporting other organizations as a whole. As a part of being a Finer Woman with distinguished characteristics of quality and intelligence, Nu Zeta refuses to not try to advance ourselves by getting ZOL certified and staying current with our other certifications.
Did you know Zeta had a partnership with TENNESSEE based organization?? ———>
Middle Tennessee
Pi Zeta Chapter of Nashville, Tennessee
has been busy during the past year serving our community in many different facets. As we live by the motto, Community Conscious- Action Oriented, our hard work paid off as Pi Zeta and her members were awarded several recognitions on the Regional and National levels. During the South Central Regional Conference three of Pi Zeta Chapter members were inducted into the Hall of Fame. We congratulate Jeanie Rucker, Brenda Scott, and Carolyn Smith as their commitment to Zeta is evident outside of their local community. Dr. Mary Pleas received a certificate as the Tennessee Stork's Nest Chairperson. Certificates received by the chapter include: 2nd Place - Chapter Growth; 3rd Place - Z-HOPE Award - 51+ graduate chapter size category; Recognition for the National Adopt-a-Highway Program, and Implementation of the required one Woman's and one Senior Programs; Appreciation for our implementing a Stork's Nest in the Nashville community; and Participation in the South Central Regional Community Service Project - contributing to the Clara Mohammed School, Incorporated. Pi Zeta members also received recognition at the 2014 Grand Boulé . Receiving their ZOL Certification certificates and gold pins were: Pecolia Bransford, Vickie Taylor-Epps, Brittany Fox, and Ashley Pinkerton. Sorors Jeanie Rucker, Brenda Scott, Carolyn Smith, Mary Stewart, Marvelyn Thompson, and Ernestine Wilson also attended ZOL 2013 and received Leadership acknowledgements. Soror Olivia Brown was recognized for serving Zeta for FIFTY years. Zeta adopted a new highway located on Murfreesboro Pike between E. Thompson Lane and Donelson Pike. Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church participated in our National Z-HOPE Initiative: St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s Sunday of Hope on May 18, 2014. Pi Zeta Chapter received a Community Service Recognition from Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones for our services to our community. The recognition program was televised and held on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 4:00PM at The Fontanel Pepsi Studio Gallery.
Congratulations to our new Chapter President and 19th South Central Regional Director, Soror Ernestine Wilson!
Middle Tennessee
Sigma Chi Zeta Chapter has started blazing its path into the 2014 Sororal year by hitting the ground running. Reaching out to reclaim Sorors at its “Finer Women in Flip Flops Beach themed Round UP”, as the torch of sisterhood continues. In serving the Rutherford County Community, through our ZHOPE initiatives and awareness we will educate Sorors and others about Domestic Violence: “Remember that Love Don’t Hurt”, You Have Been Pinked!- Breast Cancer Awareness Project, Adopt -A-School Pencil Drive, March of Dimes Walk and Prematurity Awareness, Elder Care Initiative and Adopt-A-Highway. Through the vision Sigma Chi Zeta Chapter we are continuing to Impact the lives of the citizens in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Psi Phi Zeta Chapter in partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Brentwood Alumni Chapter), and Brentwood Leadership Foundation held our 2nd Annual Community Health Fair at The Global Mall at the Crossings, on August 9, 2014. We had 33 community partners who provided free blood pressure checks, dental, foot & ankle, and sickle cell screenings accompanied by a wealth of educational / wellness information to over 200 community participants. Back pack donations were made to Johnson Elementary, Freedom Middle, Freedom intermediate and the Gentry Foundation. Psi Phi Zeta attended the 2014 Grand Boule and had a wonderful and productive week attending workshops, handling the business of Zeta and supporting our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma during their Centennial Celebration.
Middle Tennessee Rho Mu Zeta Chapter returns from with zealous excitement from Boule and begin our new year, we are reminded of the stark realities for nearly 500,000 babies born in the United States. The cover story of September’s Time© magazine shows us what an impact our annual donations are to organizations like March of Dimes©. Elinor Carruci’s story of baby David, an infant born at 27weeks old, invokes the heart-wrenching experience of millions of parents each year. According to the article, premature births “account for more than a third of all infant deaths in the U.S.; cost the American health care system tens of billions of dollars annually; and are “a leading cause of long-term neurological disabilities in children” (2014, para.1). Rho Mu Zeta-Clarksville is working hard to capture the attention of the city of Clarksville in the battle to save preemies. Last year, Rho Mu Zeta had a reach of nearly 1,000 participants in its PreMaturity Awareness Campaign, setting up educational information in local churches, our local university, and throughout social media. This year’s campaign is even more important for babies like David and their parents who face staggering medical care costs to provide the early medical interventions needed. While PreMaturity Awareness is a major initiative for the Clarksville Chapter, our Z-Hope Committee Chair, Soror Victoria Sutherland, organized efforts that allowed us to have donated nearly $1,000 in back-to-school supplies and basic need materials for local Clarksville school children and men and women in need. Our focus on Elder Care Initiatives, facilitated by chapter Chaplain Dianah Mines, allowed us to accumulate 54 clocked community service hours working directly with Grace HealthCare Facility. Our work in Rho Mu Zeta allowed us to reach a total of 4,000 individuals this last sorority year, and with our zeal and fervent hearts we intend to reach twice that this year.
West Tennessee
Mu Zeta Zeta Chapter of Bolivar, TN is soaring to heights in Zeatdom while continuing to build on principles of Zeta while blazing new paths. The Chapter is excited about the upcoming sorority year as we embark on our Thirty-Fifth celebration of Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service, and Finer Womanhood in Hardeman County. The event will be held January 18, 2015 at 2:00pm at First United Methodist Church Community Center, 218 West Market Street in Bolivar. The chapter kicked off the sorority year by delivering snack boxes to Jackson General Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Mu Zeta Zeta will continue to adhere to all national Z-Hope service projects. Mu Zeta Zeta with Tremendous Tennessee State Director at the South Central Regional Conference held in Little Rock. Nu Gamma Zeta Chapter More than 85 people wearing reflective orange jackets and gloves canvassed the neighborhood around the Hub Club near Hillcrest Circle in East Jackson, TN to help clean up trash on the streets. Of those people, 55 were working toward completing their community service hours through Jackson City Court. Jackson City Councilman Johnny Dodd and City Court Judge Blake Anderson, along with members of Nu Gamma Zeta led the charge. The clean sweep has sparked requests to make this an annual event. This event was featured in the Jackson Sun. Nu Gamma Zeta Sorors volunteered at the Area Relief Ministries annual Salt and Light Fundraiser Banquet. We also participated in and volunteered at the Area Relief Ministries 5K color run. ARM holds this event annually to raise funds to provide services for the community. We also held A backpack drive at the beginning of the school year. Book bags, pencils, crayons, rulers, and notebook paper were donated to the HUB Club. These donations will to support the youth in the community and build future leaders.
West Tennessee
Upsilon Gamma Zeta Chapter of Martin, TN, is reaching service heights, communities have greatly benefitted from this chapter actively participating in 1920 activities such as donating back to school supplies and mentoring youth on education and social affairs. Surpassing the ideals of scholarship and finer womanhood, sorors are continuing to further their education and instilling the younger women in their auxiliary groups the qualities of a Zeta woman. Last, but not least, the chapter is constantly committed to the idea of sisterhood. The sorors are not just sisters, but friends and family. The chapter is in the process of reclamation and has plans to complete membership intake. Since its inception, Upsilon Gamma Zeta has been a significant example of truly trailblazing the paths of our founder’s vision. Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter celebrated Seventy-Five years of service to the Memphis community with a “Diamonds and Pearls” weekend that featured a kickoff event, a Blue and White picnic, and the our Diamonds and Pearls 75th Celebration hosted at the Hall of Mayors. Our chapter was also honored by the city of Memphis for providing 75 years of astounding service! Sorors have taken to the streets to walk, cycle, and exercise their way to health through the Zetas Have a Heart initiative. AHZ has the largest numbers of individuals signed up for the initiative and chapter members have partnered up to complete daily activities like walking, kickboxing, and crossfit exercises to establish and maintain healthy habits. Our chapter has hit the ground running with our annual Community Health Fair and School Supply Give Away in partnership with Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and the Alpha Eta Zeta Dove Foundation, Inc. Sorors gave out school supplies as local health agencies provided information to the public and free health screenings. Alpha Eta Zeta continues to support our Adopt-a- School - Hamilton Middle. President Charlotte Ghoston and other members of AHZ presented Hamilton Middle school leaders with supplies to help students at the start of their school year due to our overwhelming response from Sorors with supplies.
West Tennessee
Chi Lambda Zeta continues to work toward the mark of meeting the vision of our Founders and to Build on the Principles of Zeta, While Blazing New Paths. During the South Central Regional Conference in Little Rock, AR. Past President Yalaunda Taylor was recognized as a New Life Member and the chapter received 2nd Place in the Scrapbook Competition. During the summer Chi Lambda Zeta Chapter donated fans to the Memphis Commission of on Aging to be given to the elderly residence in the Greater Memphis Metropolitan Area. We also participated in the Annual St Jude Baptist Chuch Health Fair and Back to School Rally. The chapter made donations of school supplies for students in need to ensure they have a great start this school year in Shelby County. Sorors Yalaunda Taylor and Beverly Jackson served as delegates to the Grand Boule that was held in Washington DC. What an awesome experience to be in fellowship with Sorors and Fraters from all over the globe. The highlight of the Boule was that all the business of Zeta was taken care of in a timely and sisterly manner.
Mu Sigma Chapter We are excited to begin the new year on the campus of Tennessee Technological University. We are always on the mission to spread our Zeta light. Last semester we lcomed two new sorors, Brittany Taylor and Tiana Jackson, into our chapter. As two of our doves Joined our grad chapter! We welcomed new students with goodie bags and sweet love at the Minority Affairs and Organization Fair. Some of your upcoming events include: Moment of Silence, Blue & White Fish Fry and Girlz Night In.
Pi Epsilon along with the Mu Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, participated in the annual Freshmen MoveIn Day. Our chapter along with Nu Zeta and the Kappa Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated participated in the National Moment of Silence held in Knoxville, Tennessee for Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri. Pi Epsilon volunteered at the TENSE Summit held on the University of Tennessee’s campus. TENSE, (Teaching to Eliminate Negative Stereotypes through
Education) is a
program geared towards encouraging the youth to rise above negative stereotypes. At the annual Welcome Back Celebration, Pi Epsilon welcomed the new and returning students to campus. This year Pi Epsilon held its second annual Sapphire Leadership Program Introductory Meeting. Sapphire is a mentor program for underclassmen women in which they are provided with different resources such as academic support and professional development. Pi Epsilon was charted October 10, 1974. This year the chapter will be celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Kappa Gamma
Chapter The MIGHTY “Kaptivating”
Kappa Gamma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has been on a mission to uphold the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood, not only on the campus of Fisk University, but throughout the community as well. Last spring, Kappa Gamma ended the semester with a bang by receiving a community service award from Fisk University’s Student Activities Board. Shortly succeeding, our chapter was then recognized at the South Central Regional Conference as eleven of our fourteen members received a certificate of achievement in recognition of outstanding scholastic attainment. In addition, Soror Zae German received a certificate of scholastic achievement for being in the Top Ten for Individual GPA for fall 2013. This year, Kappa Gamma kicked off the semester by participating in Organization Day in which we set up a table to represent our organization and to show the Fisk campus what Kappa Gamma is all about. Every year, we love reaching out to the new freshmen on campus by holding a basket raffle just for them. The basket included toiletries, food, and other items that we consider to be dorm room necessities. We would like to congratulate our freshman basket raffle winner, Jeremy! Kappa Gamma’s members are always ready to do the work of Zeta. We are excited to see what this school year will bring. We believe that above all, we must stay humble. We thank God for every past and future achievement because we know that through Him, all things are possible. Alpha Mu Chapter at Christian Brothers University holds true to its Lasallian traditions and Catholic values. This university stresses the motto “Enter to learn, Leave to serve” and the members of the Alpha Mu chapter have been doing just that! At the 2014 South Central Regional Conference, the Alpha Mu chapter received an award for ZHOPE. During the 20132014 fiscal year, the chapter completed events such as fundraising for March of Dimes, Domestic Violence Awareness Forum, Standards of Beauty discussion, Aided Girl Scouts of America in fundraising, as well as serving at the St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen. Members of the chapter hold the principle of Service in high esteem. The principle was instilled in us from our illustrious sorority as well as our prestigious university. Members of the chapter plan to build on the principle of service, along with our other founding principles, as we continue to blaze new paths .
Parliamentarian Corner The matching quiz highlights the role of president when presiding over meetings. THE PRESIDENT - MATCHING EXERCISE*: Place the appropriate letter beside the number. Use each letter only once. _____ 1. Adjourn
_____6. Committee
_____11. General orders
_____2. Agenda
_____7. Decorum
_____12. New business
_____3. Assume the chair
_____8. Dilatory motion
_____13. Special orders
_____4. Call to order
_____9. Executive board
_____14. Unanimous consent
_____5. Chairman
_____10. Executive committee
_____15. Unfinished business
A. A person appointed or elected to be in charge of a committee B. A statement made by the chair to open the meeting C. An outline, or established sequence, for business to be taken up in a session D. A voting procedure used to save time without taking a formal vote E. An absurd or frivolous motion F. Group of members authorized in the bylaws to act for the society between meetings G. Items of business uncompleted when the previous meeting adjourned H. To close a meeting I. Items of business postponed from the previous meeting by a majority vote J. Group elected or appointed to consider or investigate a subject K. Proper behavior L. To take over responsibilities of the presiding officer during a meeting M. New items of business presented to the assembly N. A group of members, usually the officers, authorized by the bylaws to act for the executive board between its meetings O. Items specified in the bylaws to be taken up at a particular meeting of the society *Adapted from the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP)
Friends with Purpose I am elated to bring you greetings as your South Central Region Amicae Coordinator. I am humbled and honored to be reappointed by our illustrious Regional Director, Madam Ernestine Wilson. I offer a special “THANK YOU” to your wonderful State Director, Soror Donna R. Williams. On April 12, 2014, at the invitation of Soror Williams I traveled to Murfreesboro to conduct the nationally mandated Amicae training. During this session, ten sponsors were trained including your State Director. Tennessee has the bragging rights of having the only State Director in the South Central Region trained under the nationally mandated Amicae training. Your State Amicae President, Amica Arlita Swanson has shown herself to be a great leader for the Amicae for Tennessee. I look forward to continue the working relationship with the Amicae and Sorors and to Tremendous Tennessee’s continued success. Respectfully Submitted, Bobbie J. White South Central Region Amicae Coordinator
Memphis Pearlettes : Participated in several AHZ sponsored service events including the Health Fair, , Christmas Caroling at Bethel Towers, Founder's Day celebration, and March of Dimes walk. We had a fundraiser- candy apple sale. We had a sleepover that included games about healthy food choices. The Pearlettes also read to a rescue dog at the Benjamin Hooks library. Memphis Amicettes:
Our year end program,
Daddy’s Little Girl, recognized all of our Amicettes and parents for their dedication and commitment during the past year.
Amicette Kennedy Anderson
was named Amicette of the Year, Soror LaKeisha Pearson was named Parent of the Year, Amicette Elise Pearson was name Most Helpful, Amicette Jalea Davis was given the Butterfly Award and Amicette Mikayla Williams was given Best Smile. Amicettes Alycia Triplett and Makayla Jackson will be transitioning to the Archonette Club and we wish them much success! The Amicette club also welcomed 6 new girls to our program: Kiarston Blackman, Larissa Bowen, Zion Dowell, Trinity Franklin, Jada Powell and Lawryn Temple. Memphis Archonettes: We endedthe 2013-2014 club year by welcoming in five new young ladies to the club at the annual Daddy's Little Girl Program. The new Archonettes of the Club are Archonette Zaria Watson, Archonette Channing Bowen, Archonette Alycia Triplett, Archonette Autumn Jackson, and Archonette Janae Anderson. The Club also had six girls to graduate from high school and go on to pursue their college endeavors: Deonna Williams, Dai'Jah Milan, Jonneisha Prater, Terreca Stewart, Taylor Bobo, and Briana Giles. The Club wishes these young ladies the best success as they pursue higher education.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
“Greatest moments of the 2014 Boulé were reuniting with Sorors from other states and regions; experiencing another Boulé with my mother, Soror Bernice G. Wilson, who won one of the Amicae gift card baskets.” Soror Ernestine Wilson “My greatest moments were when Soror Myrtle Tyler Faithful's daughter, Soror Frances Faithful became a Diamond Life member of Zeta; US Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD, 4th District) and Elisabeth Omilani, human rights activist and CEO of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless were given Honorary Membership in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; and finally, the ‘UNBREAKABLE BOUND’ Zeta and Sigma Reaffirmation Ceremony led by the Zeta and Sigma Presidents.” Soror Marvelyn Thompson
“Centennial Highlight was the Sigma/Zeta Reaffirmation Ceremony. It was a beautifully touching event. You left from the program knowing that you were indeed brother and sister, not because of words on a document, but a bond borne of reflecting ideals, principled purpose, and spirit of oneness. I left that ceremony knowing that we are meant to do more things together because we are stronger as a Unit.” Soror Tracey Thomison-Duke
“Boulé was awesome! Fellowshipping with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma as they celebrated their centennial and seeing the sea of Blue and White was a Kodak moment. The sisters of Zeta took care of business!” Soror Carolyn Smith
“The most memorable moments were the united Rededication Ceremony that was held with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in the presence of Founder Faithful and Honorable Morse Legacies and the huge Sea of Blue and White on the campus of Howard University on the day of the unveiling of the Sigma Monument. Frats and Sorors left Washington DC with a renewed sense of Sisterly and Brotherly Love and look forward to coming together again for a Blue and White Family Reunion in 2020 to celebrate Zeta’s Centennial” Soror Yalaunda Taylor “I pledged Zeta as an undergrad in 1993. Sadly I graduated a year later and became busy etching out my academic and professional career and just living life in general. I joined as a graduate member earlier this year and honestly felt as if I was joining for the first time all over again. I did not make it to DC until Friday morning but the experience of walking into the Zeta host hotel is one I can not assign an emotion to. I have never felt so loved and embraced by a sisterhood of complete strangers. I was honestly over-whelmed. Nothing could have reaffirmed my commitment and dedication to my sorority the way my experience this past weekend has. I have always been a person willing to do anything needed of me but now I am eager to be apart of our wonderful sorority as we 'blaze new paths'!!!!”
Soror J. Nicole Jones “The Zeta-Sigma Reaffirmation Ceremony was beautiful! Just to be present and in the room was breathtaking. I could only think WOW this all started with three young men and five young ladies daring to be different! Tremendous site to behold! “
Soror Donna R. Williams
T e n n e s s e e
Z e t a s
H a v e
H e a r t
Outdoor Opportunities for Fun and Great Exercise Hi Sorors, As we continue our dedication to feeling better and living longer, we are partnering with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to provide outdoor opportunities for fun and great exercise. There are hiking trails all over the country. Get your walking buddy or chapter team together and visit a hiking trail for great outdoor fun. There are also some wonderful Refuge Centers to educate the youth on the benefits of taking care of wildlife and nature on our food supply, health and so much more. The Site Directors or staff can even talk to your youth group about volunteer opportunities, internships and careers in the great outdoors. Please use the links below to find either a hiking trail or Refuge Center near you! Take pictures and send to Zetas Have Heart. The Great Outdoors misses you. Check out the following: National Wildlife Refuge System | http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ Hiking Trails and Refuge Center Near you | Trails by State:
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/trails/ Zetas Have Heart Team
Donna R. Williams
At which store would you like to max-out your credit card? None, I don’t like debt What was your favorite TV show when growing up? Soul Train Choose a movie title for the story of your life. Soul Food What was your favorite toy as a kid? Paper Dolls How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet? 18 years old Can you play any instruments? No What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time? With church, family and Zeta, I do not have spare time What, if anything, have you ever re-gifted? Lotion gift set What was the worst punishment you received at school? Hand paddling for being tardy Have you ever had a poem or a song written about you? Yes BONUS Questions: If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
Superhuman Endurance Zeta Fact DRW has been financially active with Zeta since 1984. She has never taken a break from the sisterhood!
If you have ever thought that Madam C. J. Walker was the first black woman millionaire, think again. The first black woman to become a millionaire was actually a former employer and mentor of Madam Walker, Annie Turnbo Malone. Malone was a St. Louis business woman, inventor and philanthropist. She established the first educational facility dedicated to black cosmetology, Poro College. It was home to the National Negro Business League and Lincoln University’s Law School. The Chicago branch of Poro would house the nation’s first black aviation school. Malone was well-known for her philanthropy. She gave generously to black colleges such as Howard University and Tuskegee Institute, and financially supported students at several black colleges around the country. Within her company she was known to give gifts to employees who invested in real estate or helped their parents to do so, and gave 5-year employees diamond rings. Annie Turnbo Malone became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in the mid-1920s. #FINERWOMEN
Tennessee Spotlight Soror
Soror Jerri Sutton is a recent graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Soror Sutton completed the 10-week world renowned leadership and management training program in June of this year and is now among the limited few law enforcement officers nation-wide to be accepted and graduate from this invitation-only federal program for law enforcement leaders. Soror Sutton graduated in the 255th session of the FBI NA, the session originally disbanded due to the 2013 government shutdown. Of the 287 original members, she was 1 of 204 that made it through. This endorsement now makes her more highly sought after in the law enforcement community as a leader and innovator of progressive policing. Soror Sutton serves as the Chapter President of Gamma Iota Zeta.
Adapted from an article by Mike Myatt, Forbes Not all leaders are created equal. It is important that we identify negative traits so that we can improve. Mike Myatt has identified the following as traits we should avoid: 1. No Vision: Leaders without vision will fail. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams, motivate performance, or create sustainable value. A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind. 2. Unethical Behavior: A leader who lacks character or integrity will not endure the test of time. Optics over ethics is not a formula for success. 3. Lack of success: Nothing smacks of poor leadership like a lack of performance. Someone who has consistently experienced success in leadership roles has a much better chance of success than someone who has not. 4. Beware the know-it-all: The best leaders are acutely aware of how much they don’t know. If a leader isn’t extremely curious about every aspect of their organization, there are huge problems on the horizon. 5. When there’s a failure to communicate: Great leaders can communicate effectively across mediums, constituencies, and environments. They are active listeners, fluid thinkers, and know when to dial it up, down, or off. 6. It’s all about them: If a leader doesn’t understand the concept of “service above self” they will not engender the trust, confidence, and loyalty of those they lead. Any leader is only as good as his or her team’s desire to be led by them. An over abundance of ego, pride, and arrogance are not positive (leadership traits. Real leaders take the blame and give the credit – not the other way around. 7. No Sisterly Love: While love and leadership are certainly two words you don’t often hear in the same sentence, rarely does great leadership exist without love being present and practiced. 8. One size fits all leadership style: The best leaders are fluid and flexible in their approach. They understand the power of, and necessity for, contextual leadership. “My way or the highway” leadership styles don’t play well in today’s world, will result in a fractured culture, and ultimately a nonproductive organization. Think open-source not proprietary, surrender not control, and collaborate not dictate.
Page 6 Z-Lessons
Continued 9. Lack of focus: Leadership is less about balance and more about priority. The best leaders are ruthless in their pursuit of focus. Intentions must be aligned with results for leaders to be effective. 10. Death by comfort zone: The best organizations beat their competition to the future, and the best leaders understand how to pull the future forward. The best leaders are focused on leading change and innovation to keep their organizations fresh, dynamic and growing. 11. Not paying attention to the members: Leaders not attuned to the needs of the membership will fail. As the old saying goes, if you’re not taking care of your customers, someone else will be more than happy to. 12. Get Invested: The best leaders support their team, build into their team, mentor and coach their team, and they truly care for their team. A leader not fully invested in their team won’t have a team – at least not an effective one. 13. The “A” word: Real leaders are accountable. They don’t blame others, don’t claim credit for the success of their team, but always accept responsibility for failures that occur on their watch. 14. It’s the culture: Culture matters – forget this and all other efforts with regard to talent initiatives will be dysfunctional, if not altogether lost. People, their traits, attitudes, and work ethic (or lack thereof) are contagions. This can be positive or negative – the choice is yours. 15. Be courageous: It takes courage to break from the norm, challenge the status quo, seek new opportunities, cut your losses, make the tough decision, listen rather than speak, admit your faults, forgive the faults of others, not allow failure to dampen your spirit, stand for those not capable of standing for themselves, and to remain true to your core values. You can do none of these things without courage. Leaders need to be honest, have a demonstrated track record of success, be excellent communicators, place an emphasis on serving those they lead, be fluid in approach, have laser focus, and a bias toward action. Be sure that these traits are possessed by your current leadership team, or your emerging leaders
Z-Lessons Courtesy of Zeta Ph Beta Sorority, Inc. - New Jersey Z-Lessons
Do you have your TN Zeta license plate? Tennessee license plates may be purchased at any Tennessee County Clerk office locations throughout the state. You’ll need your membership card or proof of membership to get it! Make sure you’re repping TN Zetas whenever you’re out and about!
Editor’s Note I hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the Tennessee Times! It’s a pleasure creating each edition highlighting the great works of the Finer Women of Tremendous Tennessee!! SZL, Igina D. Perteet Tennessee State Media Coordinator
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in partnership with the March of Dimes, will hold our 12th annual Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program (ZPAP) during the entire month of November! The ZPAP serves as our sorority's effort to support the March of Dimes in their Prematurity Awareness Month® campaign by targeting our community’s religious congregations. Since adopting this as a project in 2003, Zetas, Zeta Amicae and Zeta youth auxiliaries have impacted the lives of well over 500,000 men, women and children in more than 39 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A
BIG THANK YOU to our numerous supporters for our TN Leadership Conference Souvenir Journal! Your support in our efforts helped us to provide an awesome conference and support our scholarly efforts!
DIAMOND & PEARLS CELEBRATION
75 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE THE FINER WOMEN OF THE ASTOUNDING ALPHA ETA ZETA CHAPTER EXTEND A WARM
Welcome to Memphis
TENNESSEE ZETAS & AUXILIARIES SERVING THE CITY OF MEMPHIS SINCE 1939
Tennessee's Newest ZOL Certified Zetas
Pecolia Bransford, Pi Zeta Brittany B. Fox, Pi Zeta Robin W. Jones, Nu Zeta Ashley Pinkerton, Pi Zeta Rosalyn B. Pope, Psi Phi Zeta Vickie Taylor-Epps, Pi Zeta
2014 Tennessee South Central Hall of Fame Inductees
Doris Hall, Alpha Eta Zeta
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Tau Iota Sigma Chapter Memphis Visitors & Convention Bureau All Star Limousine
Doris Owens-Smith, Alpha Eta Zeta Jeanie Rucker, Pi Zeta Brenda Scott, Pi Zeta Carolyn Smith, Pi Zeta Donna R. Williams, Alpha Eta Zeta
T ENNESSEE S TATE L EADERSHIP C ONFERENCE M E M PH IS , T N | O CTO BE R 1 7 - 1 8 , 2 0 1 4
T HANKS TO OUR S PONS ORS