April 2011 - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - State Of New Jersey

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Page 6The Zeta CallNew Jersey State Amicae Presidents (continued)Amica Geraldine Hamilton, President of Zeta Amicae of MoorestownGeraldine Hamilton is a resident of Mount Holly. She retired from Lourdes Hospital after 36 years of service.Amica Hamilton became a member of the Zeta Amicae of Moorestown in 2001. She has hosted theauxiliary’s Chat & Chew Information for new members and the annual Southern Tea which is a scholarshipfundraiser. Amica Hamilton served as the vice president for four years before assuming the office of president.One of her specialties is baking pound cakes. She is a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Burlington.Amica Yvonne Shannon, President of Zeta Amicae of Newark/OrangeAmica Yvonne Shannon became a member of the Newark/Orange Auxiliary in 1979. She has held manyoffices on the Local, State and Regional levels.Her past positions on the State level include Chaplain, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President andPresident, and on the Regional level, she has served as Chaplain, Financial Secretary, Vice President andPresident.At present, she is the President of her auxiliary. The Newark/Orange Auxiliary has received severalawards. She has also been awarded the Amica of the Year for the Newark/Orange Auxiliary.Amica Shannon was married to the late Deacon James Shannon for 41 years.Amica Shannon has two daughters, both of whom are Zetas — Yvette M. Shannon-Salter (Gamma OmicronZeta Chapter) and Yvonne M. Shannon. Last but not least, she has her “Favorite Granddaughter,” AshleyM. Salter.Amica Jerone Steel, President of Zeta Amicae of Princeton/Trenton (see biography on page 4)Amica Sandra Wilson, President of Zeta Amicae of Plainfield (see biography on page 5)Atlantic Regional Amicae Officer from the State of New JerseyAmica Janice Gillard, Amicae Regional TreasurerJanice is an active member of Union Baptist Church in Trenton, New Jersey. She is a member of the Media Ministry and the churchchoirs. She enjoys going to Bible study to learn and show others about the goodness of the Lord.Janice is a native Trentonian and a graduate of Trenton Central High School. Following her graduation, she started her career withVerizon, formerly known as New Jersey Bell. She worked there for 37 years and retired as Exchange Layout Assigner in 2007. Duringher time there, she received several honor certificates and attended Mercer County Community College to study Mass Media Communications.Janice has been a member of Princeton-Trenton Zeta Amicae since 1994, and served in several executive and committee positions.She is currently serving as Vice President, and the newly elected treasurer of the Atlantic Region.She currently resides in Trenton with her husband Robert, who is a Sigma. Janice always will lend a helping hand when needed, becauseshe is reminded of the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Phil 4:13

Z-LessonsMonthly Embellishment & Trainingfor the Sorors of New JerseyApril 2011Volume 1 Issue 7Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. State of New JerseySoror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., New Jersey State DirectorEmail EtiquetteAs someone who is admittedly not a “phone person” and is addicted to myiPhone, I’ve come to rely on email as a primary method of communicationin both my professional and Zeta life. However, just like any other mode ofcommunication, email can be misused and overused, and can decreaseefficiency. Below are some email etiquette tips that should be implemented into yourcommunications for Zeta at all levels whenever possible, keeping in mind thatsometimes, a phone conference or face-to-face meeting works best.1. Be concise. Attempt to keep emails to one line or less.2. Note the topic of your email in the subject line. The subject line should tell therecipient what the topic is, and whether you are providing information orrequesting an action. For example, an appropriate subject entry is “Request for approval of new charter.” Or, if theemail is only providing information, use “FYI” in the subject line. When replying to an email, be sure to amend thesubject line if your reply is in reference to another topic.3. Communicate “action steps” first, not last. Bring attention action items by listing them in the beginning of theemail.4. Number your questions. Itemize multiple points or questions as numbered items in all email correspondence.5. Include deadlines. By respectfully proposing deadlines, you assist the reader prioritize their many tasks.6. Explain if you are unable to meet a deadline. If someone sends you an urgent email that you can’t get to by theproposed deadline, reply with a quick note to let them know when you will be address the request. This will reducethe sender’s anxiety, and prevent a future “reminder” email from them.7. Don’t send “Thanks!” emails. In a business setting, the general rule is, if you don’t have anything substantive and/or actionable to say, don’t send the email. Refraining from sending the one-word “Thanks!” email is tough, becauseit can feel ungrateful. However, the sender will probably be grateful for one less email.8. Never send an angry or contentious email. Email is a severely limited medium when it comes to conveying tone.Angry emails are never a good idea. More often than not, they just create more anxiety – and more email.Occasionally, writing an angry email can be therapeutic. If this is the case, get it off your chest, and then delete theemail. Emails leave too much room for misunderstanding. Also, remember that the recipient can forward youremail, which can create further misunderstandings.9. Avoid using “reply all.” If you’ve received an email sent to a large group of people, do your best to avoid replying toall when you respond. Generally, only the sender needs your response. If using the “reply all” feature really seemsnecessary, you are probably having a conversation that would be better (and more efficiently) had face-to-face.10. Do not send confidential information by email. Once you hit “send,” you cannot control how or to whom theconfidential information is sent.

Page 8The Zeta CallNew Jersey State Z-HOPE Initiative: Jersey Cares —Please Support Our State Initiative!he State of New Jersey is pleased to announce its statewide initiative, The Jersey Cares’ First Night Kit Program. JerseyCares’ (http://www.jerseycares.org) mission is to meet compelling community needs by encouraging civic en-Tgagement. With local service agencies, corporations and civic-minded individuals as their partners, they link volunteerswith meaningful service projects to improve and enhance our communities.The Jersey Cares First Night Kit Program provides hygiene item kits for domestic violence shelters, transitional housingfacilities, runaway safe havens, foster homes and other agencies with transitional populations in need of hygieneitems on the "first night" of their stay.First Night Kits items: shampoo/conditioner, lotion, body soap, toothpaste/brush, deodorant, comb and body puffpacked in a one-gallon Ziploc® bag. (Extra items (note pad/pen, book, crayons, pencils, envelops & stamps) can beadded.)Contribution Levels for Chapters and Auxiliaries (Individual Donations are welcomed!) Contribution of 20 kits OR $50 = 50 bonus points Contribution of 40 kits OR $75= 75 bonus points Contribution of 80 kits OR $100 = 100 bonus pointsChapters/Auxiliaries can also do a combination of Kits and funds for points as well.Earn Z-HOPE Points for participating!1. Z-HOPE Chapter Summary Reporting form must be turned in to NJ State Z-HOPE Coordinator.2. Make all checks/money orders payable to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated-State of New Jersey. The state will presentone check to the organization. In the memo section of your check, write NJ Z-HOPE Initiative: First Night Kit.3. Kits/funds will be collected on Friday 7-8 p.m. and Saturday 7-8 a.m. ONLY4. Chapter credit will be given for the 2010-2011 membership year.SAVE THESE DATES!April 29 and 30, 2011 — New Jersey State Executive Board MeetingJuly 7-10, 2011—Zeta Organizational Leadership ConferenceAug. 28, 2011— MLK MemorialSept. 21, 2011—Zeta Day on the HillOct. 13-16, 2011—54th Atlantic Regional ConferenceJuly 6-12, 2012— Boule’, Chicago, IL

Volume 1, Issue 2Page 9The Zeta-Sigma Relationship: A view from the Zeta-Sigma LiaisonsBy Soror Ivory Marrero,Zeta-Sigma Liaison (S)The origins of the bond betweenPhi Beta Sigma Fraternity,Inc. and Zeta PhiBeta Sorority, Inc. date backto the very inception of ourdynamically unparalleledsorority. As we all know, PhiBeta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.was founded on the campusof Howard University onJanuary 9, 1914. Likewise,on the very same campus,Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.was founded on January 16,1920 by our most honorableFive Pearls, who were supportedin organizing byBrothers A. Langston Taylorand Charles R. Taylor. Theconstitutionally boundbrother/sister organizationswere similarly founded upona shared admiration anddedication to the ideas ofscholarship, community serviceand distinction.As a Zeta, I have sharednothing short of the “truefamily” experience with ourSigma brothers, particularlywith the gentlemen of KappaEpsilon Chapter, many ofwhom are now graduatemembers of Chi SigmaChapter. Having been “bornand raised” in the Blue andWhite world on the campusof Montclair State University,I have always had the privilegeof having the encouragement,support and loveof not only my Sorors, butSoror Ivory MarreroGamma Nu Zeta Chapteralso that of my Frat. Havingthis relationship has extendedfrom my undergraduateyears of campus communityservice, programmingand stepping for fun and forcompetition, until the presentwhere we have continued ourcommitment to communityservice, bonding socially withone another as well as sharingin one another’s familylives with weddings, babyshowers and everything elsein between.Today I proudly serveas the NJ State Zeta- SigmaLiaison (South). I am certainlyhonored to have this opportunityto work in the name ofZeta doing something that isso naturally enjoyable forme under the leadership ofour state director, SororGina Merritt- Epps, Esq. Iapplaud the collaborativeinsight and efforts of SororMerritt-Epps, Esq. andBrother State Director HasanSoror Denise D. SmithEpsilon Xi Zeta Chapterto not only maintain but toalso strengthen the communicationlines and support ofour respective organizationswith one another. During myshort tenure in my appointedposition I have had thepleasure of supporting anumber of Sigma events including: -Kappa Upsilon SigmaChapter’s Blue and WhiteGala Chi Sigma Chapter’s BlackFriday All Black Affair“Party for a Cause” Zeta Rho Sigma Chapter’sCommunity Service HolidayCelebration Bro. Jean “Jet” Lamothe’sCampaign kickoff for candidacyfor internationaloffice Kappa Upsilon SigmaChapter’s Founders’ DayBrunchI truly feel that the additionof the state appointedposition of Zeta-Sigma Liaisoninitiated during SororMerritt-Epps’ administrationcontinues a legacy and bondlike no other and has indeedbeen an honor to be a partof.By Soror Denise D. Smith,Zeta-Sigma Liaison (N)The founders of Phi BetaSigma Fraternity, Inc. wereinstrumental in encouragingour five founding Pearls toestablish a Sorority thatwould be a sister organizationto them. The vision wasto establish a sisterhood withsimilar interests and one thatwould be constitutionallybound to share the commitmentof service and charitablework to help the communityand less fortunate. Weowe gratitude to the visionthat inspired the brother/sister relationship that noother Black Letter GreekOrganization (BLGO) canclaim.In 1985 at Buffalo StateCollege, I started my journeyto Zetadom along with threeothers, as two brothers begantheir journey to Sigmadom.We shared experiences,including triumphs ortribulations, and we had noother choice but to rely oneach other to become mem-(Continued on page 12)

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Zeta P hi Be ta Soro ri ty, Inc .Sta te of New JerseySoror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.New Jersey State Director325 East Jimmie Leeds RoadSuite 7 PMB 144Galloway, NJ 08205Phone:(609) 748-1470Website:www.zphibnj.orgE-mail:NJStateDir@aol.comSAVE THE DATE!Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, IncorporatedAtlantic Region54th Atlantic Regional ConferenceOctober 13-16, 2011Doubletree Hotel DowntownWilmington – Legal District700 North King StreetWilmington, DE 19801The Zeta-Sigma Relationship: A view from the Zeta-Sigma Liaisons(Continued from page 9)bers of the royal blue andwhite family. During ourjourney, we developed lifelongbrother/sister relationshipsthat are still strongtoday, after 25 years ofcompleting our goal. I recallhaving admiration and respectfor my brothers asthey met every challengegracefully. Their zeal forSigma was as strong as myzeal for Zeta. I am veryproud of men they havebecome. Both are still activemembers of Phi Beta SigmaFraternity, Inc., working hardto ensure the fraternitythrives. One has a son thatrecently became a memberof Sigma, and we are allproud of the legacy. Becauseof his father’s passion,he now carries the torch.The role as Zeta/SigmaLiaison is ideal to ensure thatwe continue the brother/sister relationship accordingto our constitutional agreement.As NJ State Zeta/Sigma Liaison (N), I am responsiblefor communicatingpertinent information regardingthe Northern NewJersey Sigma chapters. Wewant Sorors to be informedand support the cause.In my role, I’ve experiencedthe willingness of bothorganizations to uphold ourcommitment. I’ve had theopportunity to introduce the2011 Sigma of the Year,Bro. Carthell Myers (LambdaLambda Sigma Chapter).Bro. Myers is phenomenal inhis community and I wasproud to present the awardon behalf of my chapter(Epsilon Xi Zeta Chapter).Another great experiencewas the endorsement BrotherJean Lamothe (better knownas “Jet”) on his campaign forInternational Director ofEducation. Brother Lamotheis an extraordinary brotherwith an impressive Sigmaresume. He’s the only brotherin our region running for aninternational position andI’ve encouraged Sorors toget the word out about hisc a n d i d a c y(www.jeanblamothe.com) sothat he can be elected in atthe 2011 Conclave.Overall, my experienceas Zeta/Sigma Liaison (N)has been rewarding, I’veseen both Zeta and Sigmamotivated to collaboratemore with one another topromote unity, just as ourFounders intended.