November/December 2011
Volume 4, Issue 6
Chi Zeta Omega's 2011 Year in Review
by Tracee Wysinger
2011 was a year of historic accomplishments for Chi Zeta Omega Chapter and Pearls of Service, Incorporated.
Both organizations started the year under new leadership for the first time in the history of Chi Zeta Omega. This significant change allowed Chi Zeta Omega’s leadership team the opportunity to focus on executing the new Global Leadership through Timeless Service platform, w
hile allowing Pearls of Service to spearhead a record-breaking fundraising year for Chi Zeta Omega. Throughout 2011, Chi Zeta Omega delivered quality programs that answered the call of our community’s needs and the national program agenda.
We started the year continuing a chapter tradition by participating in the City of Plano’s Martin Luther King Jr. weekend of activities in Plano. In observance of Dr. King, the chapter attended a community breakfast, participated in the annual Unity March, and took a stand against violence and violations of civil liberties. Immediately after the unity march, the chapter hosted a Health Fair and Luncheon at the Douglass Center allowing the community an opportunity to participate in health screenings and speak with Chi Zeta Omega health care professionals.
To conclude the MLK Jr. festivities, the chapter participated in “A Day ON Rather than a Day OFF” at the Frisco Resale Shop where chapter members and their families sorted hundreds of articles of clothing.
Continuing in January, Pearls & Ivy held an annual girls retreat and the Emerging Young Leaders initiative officially commenced with an overnight girls retreat.
Under the Economic Security Initiative Chi Zeta Omega presented to the community several financial seminars including “God’s Financial Plan”, “How to Take Back Control of Your Finances”, “Developing a Strategic Spending Plan” and “Financial Strategies for a New Economy”. The series of Financial Seminars was sponsored in conjunction with the Upendo Baptist Church.
Actualizing the program mandate
of “Cultivating the Leader Within” the January Officer and Committee Chair Training was conducted focusing on the essentials of leadership, owning your role, strategic planning and setting and executing standards for success.
Chi Zeta Omega closed the month of January by acknowledging our Founders and welcoming our first 50-Year Member, Ms. Allean Gray, and 5 Members into Silver Stardom: Beverly Bruton-Taylor, Tamme Gaddis, Phyllis Byrd Jenkins, Tracy Everson Lotten, Pamela Lynette Scott and Narva Warren Smith.
In February, Chi Zeta Omega paid its tribute to our Founders in its annual ecumenical service at Camp Wisdom United Methodist Church. It was followed by a luncheon tribute program and celebration.
February’s Health Initiative, a Heart Healthy Month, was emphasized during the chapter business meeting and information was provided on living heart healthy and improving health. Members were given heart healthy gifts and a pedometer to kick-off Chi Zeta Omega’s AKAletics campaign.
During the month, Social Justice and Human Rights made Valentine’s Day special for Hope’s Door residents by spending the evening with women and children residents of the shelter, making Valentine’s arts and crafts and decorating cupcakes.
February concluded with AKA Day at the State Capitol with 10 Chi Zeta Omega Chapter Members in attendance.
February and March were feverish with activity as the chapter prepared to enter several nominations for individual and chapter awards at the upcoming 79th South Central Regional Conference. Success was realized with Chi Zeta Omega bringing home the roses for:
• Mrs. PAT HARTMAN: 2nd Place Good Citizen Award
• Ms. VERONICA JACKSON: 1st Place Initiate of the Year Award
• Mrs. ROBIN COWARD: 1st Place Chapter Exhibit Award
• Ms. LINDA REED: 2nd Place Member of the Year Award
• Mrs. FELICIA LAYENI: 2nd Place Chapter President of the Year Award
(NOTE: All awards fell in the medium size graduate chapter category)
Chi Zeta Omega and Pearls of Service, Inc. collaborated to host the annual Pearls and Ivy Mother/Daughter Tea and the annual Pearls & Ivy Cotillion. There were a total of 11 debutantes presented in the Spring. Both organizations combined gave $5,500 in scholarships to qualified members of Pearls and Ivy, and a member of the community.
The 2nd quarter opened with a collaborative effort with other metroplex chapters to host an EYL Leadership Conference. The event allowed members to reach out to girls in grades six through eight to provide workshops on self-esteem, true beauty, leadership, health and fitness. The keynote speakers were Pat Smith (wife of football Hall of famer, Emmitt Smith) owner of Treasure You and nationally acclaimed fitness guru Donna Richardson Joyner (wife of Radio Host, Tom Joyner). Over 250 girls were in attendance.
The month of May continued the AKAletics theme with a Health and Fitness Extravaganza which allowed the community to participate in fitness classes, and become informed about healthy and affordable eating choices through home gardening.
Members of the South P.E.A.R.L.S. hosted an event at a domestic violence shelter in Garland where we stuffed gift bags for mothers residing in the shelter, and worked with their children to create Mother’s Day greeting cards.
In the month of June, Chi Zeta Omega continued its tradition of participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k. The chapter raised $1,830 to support efforts in breast cancer research.
The first half of the year ended with the annual chapter retreat focusing on Re-energizing the mind, Rejuvenating the body & spirit, and Re-dedicating our commitments to our sisterhood.
Although the chapter was on summer break, that did not stop Chi Zeta Omega from serving mankind. The Social Justice and Human Rights Committee assisted 3 Sister's Beauty Supply store with their glitz and glamour event, designed to motivate and boost self-esteem of young girls in our community. This committee also purchased backpacks and school supplies for the children of families housed at the Hope's Door Women's Shelter.
During the summer, Chi Zeta Omega also partnered with other organizations in the Pan Hellenic Council to host a Back to School Extravaganza. Free haircuts, hair products, schools supplies, and an HBCU College Fair were made available to over 200 boys and girls in the community.
The summer closed out with a sisterly relations event with members attending a cooking class where they were allowed to flaunt their culinary skills.
The fall season started with a focus on leadership development with XZΩ University offering Fall Refresher courses in Standards, Protocol, Rituals, and Parliamentary procedures.
In October, Chi Zeta Omega successfully executed the largest endeavor of the year, the 1st annual XZΩ 5K Fun Run/Walk. With more than 150 participants, this program event was able to raise funds for Heifer International as well as Chi Zeta Omega Scholarships.
Former Dallas Cowboy, Darren Woodson was in attendance and gave all race participants a motivational speech to start the race.
Chi Zeta Omega also supported the Plano Housing Authority annual Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Fall Festival. We donated funds as well as gave away a bike to help an underserved child whose family is a member of the FSS Program.
November’s crescendo was the delivery of the largest Northeast Texas Cluster Meeting with over 300 registered attendees, hosted by Chi Zeta Omega. The theme was “Developing and Educating the Leader Within for Timeless Service”. The entire chapter participated in the delivery of an outstanding conference that received praise from the Regional Director, International Committee Members and all in attendance.
Chi Zeta Omega ends 2011, and heads into its 10th anniversary year with 117 Powerful, Elegant AKAs Radiating Leadership through Superior Service and Sisterhood.
A Message from Our President
My Dearest Sisters of Chi Zeta Omega,
This is always a fun and exciting time of year for me. I love everything about the Holiday season. From time off of work, to the great meals, all of the sweet treats, time with family, decorating, shopping, gift sharing, and bringing in a new year. It is even more special this year because it ends year one of a two year term.
As this first year of the 2011-2012 administration comes to an end, I must reflect on the greatness of this chapter. We traveled trails that we’ve never traveled before, and in true Chi Zeta Omega style, we SHINED.
I hope that each of you is proud of the accomplishments we achieved and the service contributions we have provided. Thank you for making 2011 a SUCCESS!!!
Happy Holidays!
Sisterly,
Shelby Reece
ΧΖΩ's Precious Pearls
by Phyllis Jenkins
Chi Zeta Omega congratulates our October Pearl of the Month, Ms. Cassandra Gallaspy.
Born in Gauitier, MS, Cassandra labels herself as a Navy Brat.
She joined CZO in 2010 and is active in the following committees:
Membership, Social Welfare and Fundraising. Cassandra’s hobbies
include: reading, traveling, Live Music, Fashion, and her new found
interest is painting.
A favorite quote of Cassandra’s is:
Love Like You've Never Been Hurt
Laugh Til You Cry
Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Happiness is A Journey Not A Destination,
So live life to the fullest.
May your Christmas be filled with Love and Laughter. May Your New Year begin Peaceful and Bright. May God pour down his blessings upon you and warm you with His wonderous light.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!