Volume 1 Isssue 4

Serving chapters in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and The Bahamas

An E-Publication from the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated - Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director

Effecting Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service

ADVANTAGEThe Southern AreaThe Southern Area

In Her FootstepsLessons in Leadership from 9th

National President Regina Jollivette FrazierPage 5

Have You Hugged Your Platinum or Alumni Member?

Page 6

Healthy Linking for the Mind Body and Soul

Page 7

Southern Area Strategic PlanPage 8

Writing that GrantWhat Appeals Most to Funders

Page 9

Operations Spotlight:Maintaing Chapter Archives

Page 14

Dear Link JuneProper Protocol the Links’ Way

Page 15

Number of Blacks in STEM Careers Still Falling

Page 17

Plan to Make Your Rituals a Success

Page 20

Civic Engagement, Advocacy and Action:

Promoting a Relevant Public Policy Page 21

Gant Writing for SuccessPage 22

Q&A with SouthernArea Communications

Page 27

inside this issueinside this issue

* Cover photo: Buckhead-Cascade Chapter of the Links, Incorporated2

Dear Link Sisters,Belated Happy New Year wished to each of you, as we have already began another

year of friendship and service. 2011 was a year of transformation for the SouthernArea. We shared a transition in leadership and also welcomed a new program focus.Our great organization celebrated 65 years of friendship and service and each chapterreceived the defining charge of creating a strategic plan. Thank you for working so hard

on that endeavor as it was not an easy task. The Southern Area’sStrategic Plan is shared with you in this issue.

With great sorrow, the Southern Area Executive Committeeand much of the Links community joined together in mourn-

ing the loss of our Area Technology Chair, Debra Lazare. Animmediate past chapter president, Debra also served theSouthern Area as thechair of Education Linkage in the pastadministration. Link Debra had many plans for advancingthe Area in technology that she did not have the opportu-nity to bring to fruition. We proudly dedicate our fourth

issue of The Advantage to her memory and remain dedicatedto keeping her visions for technological advancement a real-

ity.As we move into 2012, I encourage everyone to continue to

embrace our area theme of “Effecting Change Through thePower of Friendship and Service”. It is exciting to see and read about the many ways

chapters are effecting their communities. Our collective strengths remain unparallelas we strive to continuously make a difference in our communities. As Links, we

touch all walks of life from America’s youngest citizens and those striving for a betterlife, to those who have sacrificed the most such as our senior citizens and veterans. Iam proud of the Southern Area and look forward to our exciting future as we delvedeeper into transformational programming by integrating the arts into STEM educa-tion. We will soon outline details of an exciting new program all 77 chapters can incor-porate. We also have several upcoming initiatives designed to bring our Linkscommunity closer together.

Ladies, it is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Links, Incorporated and ourbeloved Southern Area!

In the spirit, _|Ç~ XÇx|w

Eneid A. FrancisSouthern Area Director

3

This issue of The Advantageis dedicated to the late

Southern Area Technology Chair

Debra Gloston Lazare1955 - 2011

The Southern Area ExecutiveCommittee joins the 18thSouthern Area Director, EneidA. Francis, in regreftully dedi-cating this issue to one of itsown, Southern Area TechnologyChair, Debra Gloston Lazare.

In 2004, Debra joined theBaton Rouge (LA) Chapter of theLinks, Incorporated and hertalents were immediately recog-nized. An immediate past Chap-ter Pesident, she also servedthe Southern Area as Educa-tion Linkage in the past admin-istration. Debra also workeddiligently for her sorority,Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc. Professionally, she wasVice-President, ProfessionalServices of METHODS, an ITcompany she co-founded withher husband.

She was well known throughout the Links community as being ahard working and dedicated sister and friend. She leaves to mournher devoted husband Ben, son Erik Antoine Taylor, and a multitudeof family and friends.

Debra Gloston Lazare

4

There is no secret leadership formula that yields success.

It is your style, your vision, your empathy and your passion

that guide your achievement. Tenacity will take you a long

way. Stay positive and dream…dream…dream.

As women of African descent, we have our leaders to

speak for us, our organizations to work for us, and our

clergy to pray for us. But unless we – each and every one of

us – make the individual commitment to rise to our full po-

tential, we cannot expect our organization and our commu-

nities to do the same.

When you think of our organizational tagline, Linked inFriendship, Connected in Service, I hope you take those

words literally. The yardstick by which we as Links are

measured is global, so we must be radical.

It would be radical to double or triple your 48 hour serv-

ice requirement.

It would be radical to support the Foundation above and

beyond the mandated amounts.

It would be radical to eschew minutiae and concentrate

only on substance.

It would be radical to always be open to new ideas, new

concepts and new ways of doing things. Just because a given

way is the way we have always done things, doesn’t mean it

is the best, most efficient or caring way to achieve our goals.

In the overall scheme of things, we have less than a

nanosecond to justify our existence. And you have less than

that to impact our legacy as Links. That job is not solely

our President’s task. Everything that you do creates a

legacy for you and our organization.

Just look what the legacy, vision, leadership and hard

work of Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott hath wrought.

It is because of these two remarkable women that we stand

more than 12,000 women strong, linked internationally as

a not-for-profit, powerhouse of programming excellence.

In 1986, when I was elected to the presidency, I chose as

my theme: Enhancing the Legacy – Fulfilling the Dream.

Legacy is our raison d’ etre as Links. Plan your legacy!

Where do your strengths lie? What is your level of expert-

ise? Only you can create your legacy! It consists of your

goals, achieved in your unique creative way.

Once you plan your work, the hard part really begins.

You have to work that plan. Marian Anderson knew, “If

you have a purpose in which you can believe there’s no end

to the amount of things you can accomplish”.

You belong to a cadre of women, united under the ban-

ners of friendship, leadership and service. Our significant

and vast support of the United Negro College Fund, the

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. and the

National Civil Rights Museum has placed us high in the fir-

mament of national recognition.

Your skill sets have been honed. Never forget that our

organization demands that you earn your place on our

membership roll each year. To insure your leadership suc-

cess, I offer the following:

1. Set a leadership goal, programmatic or operational, and

maintain the vision of attainment in your mind and heart.

The cause must always predominate over self. Spiritual for-

titude is also essential to success.

2. Get a mentor or be one. Not just anyone will do. I was

truly blessed to be mentored by our 5th National President,

the late Dr. Helen G. Edmonds. She taught me the signifi-

cance of past as prologue in all of life’s endeavors.

3. Remember the global nature of our existence. We op-

erate on the world stage with meaningful initiatives around

the globe. It is a must to act locally, but think globally.

4. Do your homework so that you can be justifiably self-

confident in all that you do. But never lose the humility of

spirit that will allow you to interact openly and effectively

with your sister

Links.

5. Volunteer—

take the initiative.

Don’t wait to be

asked to help, just

help. Work hard,

network effec-

tively and ap-

proach all tasks

with enthusiasm.

I dare you to be

the change you

want to see.

Now go forth

and lead!

In Her Footsteps

Lessons in Leadershipby 9th National President

Regina Jollivette Frazier

5

by Cori Brock CooperChair, Health and

Human Services

The holidayshave come and

gone and many of us are left with theresidue of being surrounded by our fa-vorite foods. And personally, I’ve got areal sweet tooth. The average Ameri-can Thanksgiving and Christmas mealsexceed 3000 calories each - that’s twodays worth of food! I bet there’s evenmore at the dinner table in New Or-leans. In New Orleans, the holidays areparticularly challenging because thereare so many events. In a given week,there could be a Saints home game, Fri-day, a Saints away game, Monday - wehave a holiday for no reason!

So what’s a girl to do in highly tempt-ing situations? Throw the diet to thewind and eat up? NOT!!!

The key to surviving any situationwith a potential to overeat is not toabandon your healthy eating habits.Often people use special occasions asan excuse to eat and drink in excess.While I am in favor of celebration andenjoying yourself, the aforementioned

activity will usually lead to regret. Thetrick to avoiding splurging on bigmeals, is to still eat on schedule.Breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at noon, anddinner at 5 p.m., for example. Eating ona schedule will help you to eat less permeal.

Keeping to your exercise routine isalso important. If you normally walk onMonday morning, you should still walk- even if Monday morning is Christmas.Also, incorporate special exercise intoyour life. Participating as an individualor as a chapter in walks - such as theSusan G. Komen Race for the Cure orother walks for charity promote bothfriendship, service and exercise.

While you should enjoy your specialoccasions and family meals, youshouldn’t abandon your new healthylifestyle that many have pledged for thenew year. Just eat as you normallywould and even have dessert, after all -it’s just another meal. Remember, spe-cial events are an opportunity to savortime with colleagues, friends and family

- not food. Link Cori

MIND BODY SPIRIT

Healthy Linking

Make the Connection!

Special Events are NOT SpecialTimes to Blow Your Diet

6

When Link Gwendolyn Lee (14th National President) developed the Platinum status of membership,she described our platinum members as “rare,” and “service to them is eternal”. A Platinum (thehighest honor attained as a Link) or an Alumna member, has invested in The Links, Incorporateddecades of friendship and service. As a Platinum member, a Link must be 80 years young and haveserved for 30 years. As an Alumna member, a Link must be 70 years young with ten years of serviceor served for 30 years in Linkdom.

As Links, continuing a well established legacy, we owe our alumna and platinum members who havepaved the way for our successful programming known for changing lives across the country. Theybelieved in the mission of The Links, Incorporated. They believed in each other, and they believed inthe service they provided to their communities. They believed in the cause.

Many chapters may see an increase of alumna and platinum members as Americans are now livinglonger, healthier lives. As this change emerges, the newly formed Alumnae and Platinum Member Af-fairs Committee has created several directives to be considered in respect to these valuable members: 1. Her wisdom is empowering and eternal.2. She has been where you want to go, even when you do not know where you are going.3. She is first your sister, never your foe (thank goodness!).4. She wants to be included (sometimes more than you realize). 5. She wants you to use her as a guide, a mentor, and a servant.

6. As we reach out to our alumna and platinum members infriendship and service, stay connected as this year’s Assemblyplans the inaugural workshop - especially designed with ouralumna and platinum members in mind. Now that a New Year is upon us, what better time to fellowship

and reignite our love for our platinum and alumna members.Here are a few sisterly gestures:1. Continue to invite her to chapter meetings and give her a big

hug!2. Make sure she is included her in the mailings and if she is

email savvy, that’s even better.3. Allow her to share and listen to her constructive feedback. 4. Include her by creating a special role.5. Encourage her to be active and visible.

Content for this article was provided by National Platinum andAlumna Member Chair Mary Currie and compiled by KenyonnDemps. All photos were randomly submitted and selected.

Evelyn Rich

Greater Huntsville (AL)

Have You Hugged Your Platinum

or Alumna Member Today?

Clinita A. Ford, Florazelle Teele and Bettye P. Stevens of the Tallahassee ChapterDurham (NC) Chapter Platinum and Alumna members

Nancy AndrewsAzalea City (GA)

Azalea City (GA) Chapter Platinum and Alumna members

7

Southern Area

Strategic Plan2011-2013

Submitted by:

Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director

Southern Area Executive Committee

Effecting Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service

SERVING CHAPTERS IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA, THE BAHAMAS, ALABAMA

NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSPPI

8

SERVING CHAPTERS IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA, THE BAHAMAS, ALABAMA,NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

Southern Area Vision

We envision the Southern Area of The Links, In-corporated to be an organization that providesglobal leadership and impactful service that em-powers the communities we serve through a richlegacy of friendship and service.

Southern Area Mission

To promote friendship and provide services that impact and

transform the communities we serve.

The 2011-2013 Southern Area Executive Committe “A” Team

STANDING (L-R) Sharlyn Smith, Debra Lazare, Natille Duncan, Kimberly Sweet, Faye Hargrove, June

Michaux, Maxine Smith, Lucinda Sullivan, Denise Cooper, Karyn Combs, Cori Brock, Brenda Jamerson,

Selma Robinson-Ayers, Ruth Waters, Marguerite Archie-Hudson, Juanda Maxwell, Ruth Terrell and

Sylvia Perry. SITTING (L-R) Rosalind Fuse-Hall, Charlotte Henderson,Bessie Isom, Anne Herriott,

Tamara Lee, EneidA. Francis, Janice Nelson, Ophelia Nicholson, Daisy Walker and Mignon Breaux

Early.

9

Southern Area Goals and Objectives

1. Deliver and Sustain Transformational Programs

Objective 1: Develop and introduce the Southern Area programinitiative, an umbrella program focusing on mentoring, which introducesSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through an artsintegration approach in Spring 2012 for implementation in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

- Strategy 1 - Develop an arts integrated program for introducingscience, technology, engineering and math to youth, which also includes guidance for integrating STEM intothe childhood obesity prevention program initiative.

- Strategy 2 - Prepare a brochure discussing the Southern Area program initiative for release to theArea by e‑blast by early 2012.

- Strategy 3 - Meet with the National Services to Youth committee to determine opportunities for part-nership with NASA by January 2012.

Objective 2: Develop a model for recruiting, training and monitoring mentors in Spring 2012 for implemen-tation in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Objective 3: Provide funding to chapters to implement a mentoring program by 2012.

Strategy 1 Construct a rubric to evaluate the proposals submitted by chapters for funding by October 2011. - Strategy 2 - Disseminate a RFP to chapters in November 2011 for a $1000 seed grant.- Strategy 3 - Select five chapters to receive the $1000 seed grants by January 2012.

Objective 4: Train chapters to effectively understand and use the Service Delivery Model.- Strategy 1 - Develop training modules.

Objective 5: By 2013, support the development of health and wellness programs within the communities thechapters serve.

- Strategy 1- Encourage chapters to use the childhood obesity curriculum in the development of healthand wellness programs in their communities.

Objective 6: Ensure access to education in Haiti by increasing resources in a pre-identified school by 25percent by 2013.

- Strategy 1 - Identify a partner based on pre-identified partners available through the National StrategicPartnerships Committee by January 2012.

- Strategy 2 - Establish a relationship with the selected partners and identify the baseline resources cur-rently available in the specific school within Haiti by March 2012.

- Strategy 3 - Seek funding to implement resources within Haiti by May 2012.

Goal 1 - To decrease the existing disparities among the

minority populations that we serve in the United States

and abroad through a Southern Area program initiative

that is transformational and sustainable and in alignment

with the organization’s program initiatives by 2013.

10

2. Enhanced Member Services and Engagement

Objective 1: Beginning Fall 2011, implement SOLACE (Support

of Links - All Concern Encouraged), a program allowing Links and

their families who are experiencing a crisis to receive meaningful

and compassionate support from Links in the Southern Area who

can assist them.

- Strategy 1 Introduce SOLACE to the Area members in

October 2011.

- Strategy 2 Provide a mechanism for members to communi-

cate their needs by placing a SOLACE link on the Southern Area

website November 2011.

Objective 2: Beginning in November 2011, publish periodic

articles in the Southern Area e-zine, the “Advantage,” that dis-

cusses issues that are pertinent to the mind, body and spirit

of African American women.

Objective 3: Send a daily e-blast to the members of the

Southern Area with a friendship quote during Friendship

Month in November 2011.

- Strategy 4 Continuously assess the needs of the

members of the Southern Area to determine additional form

of tangible support to be provided by the Southern Area.

Objective 1: Recognize Southern Area

chapters at the National Assembly and

Area Conference for increasing friendship

activities.

- Strategy 1 - Through various com-

munication media, request that chapters

submit a report of their Friendship Month

activities to the Area Vice Director and Na-

tional Vice President no later than January

1, 2012.

- Strategy 2 - Encourage chapters

to submit information on chapter friendship

activities for publication in the “Advantage.”

- Strategy 3 - Publish articles in the

“Advantage” relating to chapter friendship

activities.

Goal 1: To increase the tangible support to members of the Southern Area by 10 percent by 2013.

Goal 2: To increase the number of chapter friendship

activities by two additional activities in each fiscal year by 2013.

Volume 1 Isssue 1

ADVANTAGEThe Southern AreaThe Southern AreaServing chapters in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and the Bahamas

An E-Publication from the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated - Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director

Effecting Change through the

Power of Friendship and Service

11

3. Fund Development and Fiscal Responsibility

Objective 2: Seek partnerships with 10–15 foundations, corporationsand individuals, with similar funding interests and goals as The Links, In-corporated, for individual grants of $1,000-$10,000, for a total allocationof approximately $50,000.

- Strategy 1 - Identify approximately 50 foundations, corporationsand individuals with similar funding interests and goals as the Links, In-corporated.

- Strategy 2 - Solicit funding from the foundations, corporationsand individuals identified to obtain the desired funding goal.

Objective 3: Activate fund development liaisons in 25 percent of theSouthern Area Chapters to collaborate with the Fund Development ChairSouthern Area to generate funding.

- Strategy 1- Encourage chapter presidents to designate a fund de-velopment liaison.

4: Organizational Assessment and Alignment

Objective 1: Ensure consistent member communications via various medi-ums.

- Strategy 1 - Continue to use “The Advantage” as a vehicle for communi-cating Area information.

- Strategy 2- Conduct the First Monday Exchange to promote a dialoguebetween the Southern Area leadership and chapter presidents with a focuson operational issues and member needs.

Objective 2: Determine member satisfac-tions through surveys.

- Strategy 1- Conduct a Southern Areamembership satisfaction survey by April2012.

Objective 3: Implement recommenda-tions obtained from the Area membershipsatisfaction survey.

- Strategy 1 - Develop programplans to implement changes in servicesrecommended by the membership viathe membership satisfaction.

Goal 1: To increase fiscal support by $50,000 for the Southern Area’s ex-pressed initiatives by January 2013. $50,000

Goal 1: To increase member satisfaction with the effectiveness of the South-ern Area Executive Committee by 10 percent by March 2013.

12

5.Leadership Development

Objective 1 - Prepare our members to assume leadership roles at the chap-

ter, Area and National levels.

Strategy 1 - Conduct a Leadership Summit focusing on leadership training

in Fall 2012.

Strategy 2 - Conduct follow-up leadership training and training on other

relevant issues through webinars and other modalities.

Strategy 3 - Assist chapters with succession planning by ensuring that the

chapters receive timely information about the Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute

and encourage chapters to nominate members age 45 and under with demon-

strated leadership potential.

Strategy 3 - Demonstrate through example by appointing members age

45 and under to the Southern Area Executive Committee.

Objective 2 - Provide resources to the chapter leadership that will enable them

to better serve their chapters.

Strategy 1 - Conduct the First Monday Exchange to promote a dialogue

between the Southern Area leadership and chapter presidents.

Strategy 2 - Publish Ethics Advisory Opinions.

Strategy 3 - Implement the Presidents’ Circle composed of seasoned

past chapter presidents who will serve as mentors to new chapter presidents.

Strategy 4 - Develop an Organizational Effectiveness Plan by April 2012.

Strategy 5 - Provide prompt, substantive responses to questions re-

ceived from chapter officers.

6. Promote Links Brand

Objective 1: Establish and maintain an effective flow of infor-

mation to promote the Links brand both internally and exter-

nally

Strategy 1- Publish the “Advantage,” the monthly Southern

Area e zine newsletter.

Strategy 2 - Redesign Southern Area website.

Strategy 3 - Use e-blasts to release information Area-wide.

Strategy 4 - Encourage chapters to use local media outlets

to publicize Links service programs and events.

Strategy 5 - Create a chapter communications toolkit to as-

sist chapters in effectively communicating the Links brand to

the public.

Strategy 6 - Implement a review procedure to ensure that all

communications from the Southern Area Executive Committee

are consistent with the Links and Southern Area brands.

Goal 1: To increase effective chapter leadership by 2013 as evidenced by a 10

percent increase in member satisfaction with their chapter leadership. (A base-

line will be established through member surveys.)

Goal 1: By 2013, the 77 chapters in the Southern Area will consistently use the Links brand in a manner that

is 100 percent in alignment with the goals of the organization.

13

By Kimberly Sweet,Southern Area Archivist

Happy New Year! May it bring many wonderful thingsto all of you, even if some of them are not new. We allknow that at the top of many January agendas are lastyear’s pounds, last year’s bad habits and last year’staxes. But not everything from the past is negative. Infact, without a good understanding of who you are andwhat you have or have not accomplished, future suc-cess could be highly unlikely.

As the Southern Area Archivist, I began this year bylooking back at all we have accomplished as individu-als, chapters and an Area. We have an incredible storyto tell. Our families, friends and communities are wait-ing to hear it. ChapterArchivists and Historiansare primarily responsiblefor compiling the docu-ments and details, butthey cannot accomplishthis task without every-one’s help. We must alltake on the roles of collec-tor, protector and story-teller.

Archives are defined asnon-current records pre-served because of theircontinuing value. Char-ters, photographs andawards, as well as finalminutes and budgets from past administrations couldfall into this category. These are not to be confusedwith active records which chapters need for current ad-ministrative, fiscal, legal or basic operational pur-poses.

Each Chapter should have an Archivist, an ArchivesCommittee and begin work establishing a collection, ifthey have not already done so. Those who havestarted should have a mission and policy statementswhich guide the purposes and parameters of the Com-mittee’s archival efforts. Many chapters have selectedand budgeted for a repository to house their records.They previiously determined the types of documents,

artifacts and records that should be included. Chap-ters are also using proper methods to ensure recordswill be preserved.

Wherever your chapter might be in this process,everyone must have an updated chapter history andchapter profile. It is also imperative that Archivistsmake sure that documents are properly transferredfrom one administration to the next. Chapters shouldalso have copies of both national and Area historybooks. The Southern Area of The Link’s Incorporated:Embracing Our Legacy, which documents our history,is available for those chapters and members without acopy. As I gathered information from our 77 chaptersfor that publication, I was impressed and empowered

by all that has been achieved in our area. We will do amuch better job of promoting the Links, Incorporatedbrand through showcasing our legacy - if we knowwhat that legacy is. I look forward to reading the up-dated versions of each Chapter’s history, and seeingcharter and other significant photos as this informa-tion is gathered. Feel free to contact me atarchiveschair@salinks.org if you have any questionsor need my assistance.

This “New Year” season is a great time to rememberthat the best of this year may be in the discovery ofwhat we find in our past. Happy collecting, protectingand storytelling in 2012!

AA RR CC HH II VV EE SSHow chapters can properly preserve the history of the Southern Area

C H A P T E R   O P E R A T I O N S   S P O T L I G H T : A R C H I V E S

Kimberly Sweet

14

by June MichauxChair, ProtocolIt is indeed my pleasure to serve as the Southern Area Protocol Chair as we

transform protocol to the national prospective. For the next two years, you willhear from me regarding changes at the National level - as well as to relay Proto-col information, questions and answers and tips that I feel will be helpful to youas chapter presidents and protocol chairs and members.

If you have a question you would like addressed in an upcoming issue, emailprotocolchair@salinksinc.org.

When do we wear uninterrupted

white?

Uninterrupted white is worn at all in-

duction ceremonies for new members,

new chapters and honorary members. It

is also worn at memorial services con-

ducted at the National Assembly and

Area Conferences, by chapters for

Links, Connecting Links and Heir-O-

Links, and at memorial services con-

ducted for National Officers, current

and past. Remember that proper attire

is required to be admitted to the cere-

monies/services as indicated above on

the National, Area and Chapter levels.

What is uninterrupted white?

It has been defined as attire where

white is the only color introduced. Prop-

erly attired in uninterrupted white

would be:

- White attire (pants/ pantsuits are

optional)

- White footwear

- White headgear (if worn)

- White jewelry (pearls)

- White or flesh colored hosiery

A white purse is preferred if not car-

rying the conference bag.

Can eggshell or winter white be worn

as uninterrupted attire?

Yes, they are appropriate as uninter-

rupted white attire and can be worn.

Email your questions for Dear LinkJune to protocolchair@salinksinc.org.

I hope that this information will be

helpful to you. I wish each of you a

Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sisterly, Link June

Dear Link June

Proper Protocol... The Links Way.....15

Defining Uninterrupted White

The 18th Southern Area Administration welcomes you to utilize SOLACE

S O L A C ES O L A C ESupport of Links All Concern Encouraged

The Southern Area’s new initiative, SOLACE, allows Links

and their families who are experiencing a crisis due to death,catastrophic illnesses, sickness, or other life altering events,

to receive meaningful and compassionate support from Links throughout the Area who can assist them.

The way the program works is simple:1. A Link will go to the Southern Area website, click on the SOLACE link to send a

confidential communication discussing her need or the need of a chapter member. 2. The Southern Area Technology Chair, who is responsible for monitoring the com-

munications, will then send a confidential e-blast across the Area requesting mem-bers for assistance.

3. The donor(s) will then be connected to the Link in need. Assistance can rangefrom donating hotel points, airline miles, arranging appointments for medical treat-ment, donating blood, providing financial assistance to sending words of support orcards.

S

ECALO

Visit the salinksinc.organd click on SOLACE

Technology Chair anonymouslyblasts your need to our sisters

You are connected withyour voluntary donors

Florida - Georgia Bahamas -North CarolinaLouisiana - Mississippi-

South Carolina - Alabama

Support

of

Encouraged

Concern

All

Links

16

The acronym, which carries national weight, is alsoa focus of the Southern Area. Programming empha-sizes mentoring to our youth through arts integration.

The answer to the absence of more African-Ameri-cans entering the STEM arena turns out to be a com-plex equation of self-doubt, stereotypes,discouragement and economics — and sometimesjust wrong perceptions of what math and science areall about.

The percentage of African-Americans earning STEMdegrees has fallen during the last decade. It may seemfar-fetched for an undereducated black population toaspire to become chemists or computer scientists, butthe door is wide open, colleges say, and the shortfallhas created opportunities for those who choose this

path.STEM barriers are not unique to black America. Our

nation does not produce as high a proportion of whiteengineers, scientists and mathematicians as it usedto. Women and Latinos also lag behind whitemen.Yet African-Americans remain in the very rear.

Black people are 12 percent of the U.S. populationand 11 percent of all students beyond high school.In 2009, they received just 7 percent of all STEMbachelor's degrees, 4 percent of master's degrees,and 2 percent of PhDs, according to the NationalCenter for Education Statistics.

From community college through PhD level, thepercentage of STEM degrees received by blacks in2009 was 7.5 percent, down from 8.1 percent in 2001.

The numbers are striking in certain fields. In 2009,

African-Americans received 1 percent of de-grees in science technologies, and 4 percentof degrees in math and statistics. Out of 5,048PhDs awarded in the physical sciences, suchas chemistry and physics, 89 went to African-Americans — less than 2 percent.

Several factors are cited by scientists, edu-cators and students. One is a self-defeatingperception that STEM is too hard. Also men-

tioned are a lack of role models and mentors, pressureto earn money quickly, and discouraging academic en-vironments.

The impact reaches beyond the black community asAmerica struggles to produce enough scientists toprosper in a world ruled by technology.

"White men make up less than 50 percent of the U.S.population. We're drawing (future scientists) from lessthan 50 percent of the talent we have available," saysMae Jemison, the first black woman astronaut, whohas a medical degree and a bachelor's in chemical en-gineering.

"The more people you have in STEM," she says, "themore innovations you'll get."

by J. Washington, Black America Web

With black unemployment reaching historiclevels, banks laying off tens of thousands and law school graduates waiting tables, why aren't more African-Americans looking toward science, technology, engineering and math —the still-hiring careers known as STEM?

What’s the problem with

STEM?STEM?Numbers of Blacks in STEM Careers Still Falling

17

Growing up in Murfreesboro, Tenn., ChristopherSmith used to tutor fellow black students at his highschool.

The students would often start solving a complicatedmath problem by doing everything right. "Then theywould say, 'I don't know what I'm doing!'" recalls Smith,now pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering atJohns Hopkins University.

He thinks some African-Americans psych them-selves out of STEM.

"Today I talk to friends back home, and they say, 'Iwouldn't be able to do good in college anyway.' A lotof it is just confidence," Smith says. "If people convinceyou that science and math is harder than everythingelse, and you already have low self-esteem, maybe

that's one reasonthere are so fewblack scientists."

"Few" is a gen-erous term inSmith's field of bi-ological and bio-m e d i c a lsciences, where6,957 PhDs wereawarded in 2009.

Only 88 went to black men — that's 1 percent. (176went to black women.)

Money is another factor in the STEM disparity. Ittakes many years after college to get the advanceddegrees needed to become leaders in math and sci-ence fields — university professors, directors of re-search labs, heads of engineering departments — andsome black students can't afford to wait that long.

Before one recent New Year's Eve, Smith, the JohnsHopkins student, was debating whether to purchase abus ticket from Baltimore to New York City to hang outwith friends. It was a tough decision — the ticket cost$37.

Smith, 27, received a fellowship for black scientiststhis year from Merck and the United Negro CollegeFund. As he works toward his PhD, Smith lives on a

salary and stipend of about $25,000 per year.Like many black students, Smith comes from modest

means. His mother was a homemaker with a highschool diploma; his father earned a GED, became anelectrician and eventually owned a business.

"I get paid to go to school, so I don't want to com-plain," Smith says.

But he's still several years away from completing hisPhD, and he's tired of agonizing over a $37 bus ticket.Even after he gets that degree, he'll need to do a yearof post-doctoral study. "If I stay here at Hopkins" forpost-doc work, he says, "I'll make the same or lessthan a city sanitation worker."

At each stage of science education, many black stu-dents feel pressure to stop studying and start earningreal money. Smith, who has an undergraduate degreefrom MIT, says he could be making as much as$115,000 per year in a corporate job.

Yet it's hard to advance far in science without at leasta master's, if not a doctorate.

Joseph Francisco, a black chemistry professor atPurdue and past president of the American ChemicalSociety, has a PhD from MIT. He says his undergradstudents are always telling him, "I got to think about ajob."

"With first-generation college students, there is enor-mous pressure," Francisco says. "Without a mentorwho can tell you about what to expect beyond under-grad, who can explain what are the opportunities aftera postgraduate degree, they just stop at a bachelor'sdegree."

Francisco mentions another source of pressure af-fecting black STEM students: isolation.

It was different when he was growing up on the blackside of segregated Beaumont, Texas. He was raisedby his grandmother, who had a third-grade education,and his grandfather, who laid concrete pipes. Therewas a black pharmacist in his neighborhood, andFrancisco worked part-time in the shop. There was ablack doctor, teachers, a college professor.

That changed when he went to the University ofTexas and then MIT, where there were few blackfaces.

In 2009, they received just 7 percent of all STEM bachelor's degrees, 4 percent of master's degrees, and 2 percent of PhDs, ac-cording to the National Center for Education Statistics.

18

In a 2010 Bayer Corp. survey of 1,226 women andunderrepresented minority chemists and chemical en-gineers, 40 percent said they were discouraged frompursuing a STEM career. Sixty percent said collegewas where most of the discouragement happened.

Jemison, the astronaut, says that while at Stanford,"some professors were not that thrilled to see me intheir classrooms."

"Stereotypes impact the people who have an oppor-tunity to influence your career," she says. "They don'tsee you as a peer."

In the world of atoms and numbers, does the colorof the person who studies them really matter?

Many of America's technology giants say, yes. Merckhas funded tens of millions of dollars in United NegroCollege Fund scholarships. Bayer has a special focuson recruiting and promoting minorities. Technology gi-ants such as Boeing, General Electric and Xerox sup-port organizations dedicated to raising black STEMparticipation.

Their motivation is simple math. If bright and capablestudents' talents go undeveloped, "this represents aloss for both the individual and society," the National

Science Board said in a 2010 report.The report said that after the Soviet Union beat

America into space with Sputnik, the U.S. was inspiredto educate a new generation of innovators. This na-tional urgency faded by the 1970s, the report said, andwas replaced by complacency.

Some 16 percent of all U.S. undergraduates majorin natural science or engineering, compared with 25percent in Europe, 38 percent in South Korea and 47percent in China, the report said.

To reverse this decline, the report said America must"cast a wide net to identify all types of talents and tonurture potential in all demographics of students."

Jemison identifies another incentive. Even thoughscientists may use the same methodology, "what top-ics they choose to research, even the interpretation offacts or what they choose to look at is influenced byexperience."

"So many times it's the diversity of thought and per-ception and experience base that starts to make thedifference in the problems you research and the solu-tions you consider," she says.

"It's a much more robust reason for diversity that justthe head count."

- Quilting as a means toteaching geometry andfractions.

- Reading books topreschoolers that teachnumber sense, patterns,size, shape and problemsolving.

- Exploring the relation-ship of planetary bodies in space through dance

- Music to teach numbers to preschoolers.

- “Because It Flew” – A free innovative arts inte-gration educational program offered by NASA, theNational Institute of Aerospace (NIA), and USATODAY Education that introduces students grades4-12 (ages 9-17) to the impact of the NASA SpaceShuttle Program on our planet and people.http://usatodayeducate.com/wordpress/index.php/because-it-flew-home/

- Using music to learn about the weather http://weather.about.com/od/educationalmaterials/ss/songlessonplan.htm.

The Southern Area Program Iniative The Southern Area Program Iniative Mentoring with a Twist: STEM introduced through Arts Integration

The program emphasis in the Southern Area forthe next two years focuses on our youth. By in-tegrating several of our national program initia-tives, chapters in the Southern Area will have thepower to effect change in the lives of youth livingin the communities we serve.The initiative is essentially a mentoring programwith a twist. Chapters are asked to design a pro-gram integrating mentoring with STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math), which is in-

troduced using an arts integration approach. T heyouth who participate in the program will bepaired with mentors, who optimally, have careersin science, technology, engineering or math. Inaddition to being mentored, using arts integra-tion, the chapters will develop a program that in-troduces STEM to the participants. Chapters canalso present other principles such as childhoodobesity prevention, anti bullying and good citi-zenship.

Examples of how art can be used to introduce STEM

19

By Juanda MaxwellChair, RitualsThe Southern Area is rich in serv-

ice and tradition and we are com-mitted to enhancing our bonds

of friendship through our cere-monies. As we strive to make our rituals a part of eachchapter’s yearly program, the following should makemake doing so, easier.

Suggested items for each chapters’ Ritualstoolkit are:

1. Five pronged candelabra and a one candle holder(silver or crystal)

2. Box of fourteen inch cathedral candles3. Bible (white)4. Three large links connected (Hardware store of sil-

ver or gold)5. Box of six inch candles or pen lights (for the num-

ber of members in each chapter)6. Candle sniffer7. Candle lighter8. Music for “The Candlelight Song” by Brahms,

“Hold Close the Rose” by Leona Morris, “Ave Maria”

by Schubert, “The Lord’s Prayer” by Malotte and “TheNational Song of The Links, Incorporated” by FrancesAtkinson

9. CD player or music sheets as needed10. Copies of rituals as needed11. White table cloth of linen and a white shirt12. Crystal vases (one large and small)13. Small paper dollies to catch the candle wax for

the number of links in your chapter14. Remember to order flowers and ferns as neededHaving these items readily available for all cere-

monies with the Ritual’s Chair as the care-taker, will help us to facilitate ourceremonies sucessfully. Friendshipsthat are stroked by words of love, kind-ness and commitment are strength-ened and linked forever.

As we move throughout the year, we arereminded that our rituals, friendships andour good works unto the Lord are, “EffectingChange Through the Power of Friendship andService”.

cÄtÇ lÉâÜ e|àâtÄá yÉÜ fâvvxáá

Plan to make you or your chapter a part of future issues and

become eligible for the

SSOOUUTTHHEERRNN AARREEAA’’SS

NewsmakerNewsmakerAwardAward

The winning chapter will receiverecognition at the Area Conference

and a new chapter camera

Eligibility for the NEWSMAKER AWARDwill be based on an ongoing point basedsystem. Points wil be awarded for eachitem submitted to area and national publi-cations beginning with the October 1, 2011issue.

2. Additional points will be given for localmedia publication including newspapers,radio, television and web. Chapters are re-sponsible for collecting and documentingdata for April 1st reporting.

20

byMarguerite Archie-Hudson,

Chair, Southern Area Legisla-tive Issues, Public Affairs andDisaster Relief Committee

The primary goal of the Legislative Issues, Public Af-

fairs and Disaster Relief Committee is to maximize op-

portunities for The Links, Incorporated to engage in

and influence public policy on issues of concern to the

communities we serve. This committee has evolved

since its inception as we increase our civic engage-

ment among the membership and expand our influ-

ence on public policy. The committee emerged in 2002 when 13th National

President, Gladys Gary Vaughn, established the Na-

tional Resolutions Committee as a component of the

National Governance Team. In 2006 President Gwen-

dolyn Lee combined the Public Affairs, Resolutions

and External Relations Committees to ensure the

alignment of philosophy and content between Reso-

lutions, Programs and Public Affairs in addressing crit-

ical societal issues. In 2008, all three Committees

were reorganized as the National Legislative Issues,

Public Affairs and Disaster Relief Committee . Link

Karen Jefferson Morrison currently serves as National

Committee Chairperson.In the Spring of 2010, under the leadership of Link

Johnese White Gilmette, the committee developed the

“Legislative Issues and Public Affairs Handbook - APathway to Inspire, Influence and Impact Public Pol-icy.” The goal of the handbook is to serve as a helpful,

relevant and user-friendly guide for our organization

as we engage in advocacy and action designed to pro-

mote progressive public policy. The handbook describes the mission and vision of

the committee as follows: to identify and share critical

information on societal public issues and matters af-

fecting persons of African ancestry; to inspire collec-

tive action from our organization through strategic

alignment with the goals of everyone from national of-

ficers to local chapters and individual members; and

to impact our world through purposeful leadership that

creates sustained positive change. This mission reflects our strategic priorities, shapes

the nature of our public engagement and directs our

collaborative relationships with elected officials, public

and private institutions and individuals in the broader

community who share the same goals.

2012 presents a number of daunting challenges for

our nation and the communities we serve. Among

them: guaranteeing the protection of our vot-

ing rights; combating childhood obesity;increasing educational achieve-

ment through S.T.E.M.Education; in-

c r e a s i n gvo te r

par-ticipation in the 2012 presidential election; seeking af-

fordable health care; providing relief and disaster

assistance to those who need our help. However,

these challenges also represent major opportunities

for our organization to engage in public advocacy that

promotes solutions that are truly transformational, sus-

tainable and empower our communities.

In anticipation of the 2012 elections, the committee

has completed an initial draft of a Get Out The Vote

and Voter Education Toolkit that chapters can share

with their local HBCUs, community colleges and high

schools. These tools will help increase voter education

and participation in elections that will have such major

impact on our communities. The Tool Kit provides a

template for comprehensive election activities includ-

ing: the basics of voter registration, voting eligibility re-

quirements, how to conduct candidates’ forums, the

basics of effective contacts with legislators and leg-

islative issues of critical importance to students.

The Legislative Issues and Public Affairs Handbook

identifies a number of steps chapters can take to be-

come powerful advocates for their communities.

Among them are the following:- Link the critical societal issues to chapter facet pro-

gramming – appoint a Chapter Legislative Issues and

Public Affairs Committee; create joint meetings be-

tween this committee and the Facet Chairs to clearly

align advocacy concern and facet programming.

- Establish a Rapid Response Team for emerging or

emergency local, national and international issues.

The National Legislative Issues, Public Affairs and Dis-

aster Relief Committee has developed a “Rapid Re-

sponse System” that serves as a guide for this activity.

- Develop chapter information and expertise regard-

ing the current political climate and design effective

strategies for communicating with legislative leaders,

the membership, the media, the public and the com-

munities we serve. - Utilize Links Day At The Capitol to make an effec-

tive case for our issues with our State Legislators,

Governors, State Superintendents of Public Instruction

and other executive agencies that have an impact on

our communities.Prepare our Chapters and membership to have an

effective voice in the critically important 2012 state and

national elections. The GOTV and Voter Education

Tool Kit will be available to all chapters as we engage

in this critical work. Watch for it on the national web-

site!The Legislative Issues, Public Affairs and Disaster

Relief Committee’s major goal is to provide timely in-

formation and support to our membership as we meet

our strategic national priorities. We look forward to a

great new year where we will exert our considerable

influence in shaping public policy, benefitting the com-

munities we serve.

Civic Engagement, Advocacy and Action: Promoting a Relevant Public Policy

Participate in the Southern

Area’s Links Day at the Capital

FF ll oo rr ii dd aa Thursday, Feb. 9th

Linking Arts, Mentoringand S.T.E.M. Education:Empowering Students

to Achieve." Chair: Thelecia Wilson.thelecia@bellsouth.net.

(904) 705-5911

MM ii ss ss ii ss ss ii pp pp ii Thursday, March 1st8:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.Chair: Irene T. Jones

irenetjones@gmail.com(601) 497-3609

Focus: Advocacy for aChildhood Obesity Com-mission and full-funding

of Mississippi's Adequate Education

Program (MAEP).

GGeeoorrggiiaaWednesday, March 14th

7:30 A.M. - 2 P.M. Theme:Understanding Linkagesamong Childhood Obe-sity, S.T.E.M. Education

and Closing theAchievement Gap.

Chair: Ruth Simmons-Herts rsimmon-

sherts@aol.com

SSoouutthh CCaarroolliinnaaThursday, March 1st Stateco-chairs: Tamara Curry -

ekcurry@aol,com andLink Virginia Weaver -

vawdst@aol.com

LLoouuiissiiaannaaApril 12th

State co-chairs:Cheryl Evans -

cartiseg@aol.com andRobyn Merrick

robynmerrick@cox.net(225)771-5361

21

by Mignon EarlyChair, Programming

Programming is alive and well in the Southern Area and time is rapidly approaching to report on howchapters have been transforming their communities. In some instances, this will also require reportsto those who have provided funding for our programs. No matter what the project, if you have securedfunding, you are going to have to complete some type of paperwork to show the funder where andhow their money was spent. Many funders will provide specific details on their requested report’s content, and may even provide

a template, while others will only provide a general statement that a report is expected. One consistenttheme is that all reports should include information on the outcomes of the project or any predictedresults. You should always ensure that you answer the question, “did you deliver on the promises out-lined in your proposal?”.

There are also instances where no report is requested. This should not be the end of your commu-nication with your funder. It is strongly recommended that you prepare some type of report even whena report is not required. According to Susan Fox, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive and authorof Grant Proposal Makeover), a well crafted grant report can have a positive effect on the way organ-izations are viewed and greatly increases the chances for future funding. “It’s a way to build relation-ships and get more money from them in the future,” says Fox.While there is no one size fits all to grant reporting, there are some key elements that should be con-

sidered for inclusion:• Financial Statement – Tells the funding entity how you spent their money.• Results and Impact of the Project – Discuss whether or not you were able to meet your goal and

provide an assessment as to why or why not. Additionally you will want to speak to the impact of theproject specifically focusing on measurable positive outcomes.

Grant ReportingDoing What It Takes To Keep the Money Coming

22

• Lessons Learned – A grant report should also include discussion of the challenges encounteredand explanations or action plans as to how the challenges can be addressed. If there is an opportunityfor the project to be beneficial to other communities, that should be highlighted as well.

• Sustainability Plans – If the program was a success, you will probably want to continue and willmore than likely want to obtain additional funding, therefore outlining a plan to continue the programwill help in obtaining a renewal of funds.

Not enough can be said for the writing of the report. Below are some helpful tips for preparing thegrant report

• Organize the report using subheadings and bullet points.• Use charts and graphs to visualize findings.• Include stories about the people (populations) you have helped.• Strive for brevity. Write clearly, concisely and simply being careful not to oversimplify.• Meet your deadline.• Say thank you!

These are just a few tips on how to make the most of re-porting which can be used as a mechanism to build andsustain relationships with funders. Remember, the grantexperts tell us that we should not look at grant reportingas a chore but as an opportunity to strengthen relation-ships with those who are providing funds. Strong rela-tionships yield continuous and often additional funding.So in closing Happy New Year, Happy Programming andHappy Reporting!

“ It has been said that good

writing won’tsell a bad

program but badwriting can sink

a good one.”- Mignon Early

Congratulations to thefollowing chapters:

Columbia (SC)Tuscaloosa (AL)

St. Petersburg (FL)Tampa (FL)

Savannah (GA)

Recipients of the $1000

Southern AreaMentoring Grant

* SAVE THE DATE *Southern

Area Leadership

SummitOctober 4-6, 2012

Savannah, Georgia23

by Sylvia PerryChair, Communications

Q: What happened to

the Southern Area

Newsletter The Focus?

Will we get another

one?

A: The Southern Area Focus, whichserviced the Southern Area's eight states for severalyears, has been transformed into the present internetcentered e-zine, The Advantage. Due to budget con-straints and the ability to give you "more" with lessthrough technology, the Advantage (on a test run forthe 2011-2012 program year) is currently the majorcommunication forum for the Southern Area. To pro-vide a printed version of the Advantage to its near4,000 member roster would cost upwards of $10,000per month.

Q: What does "Advantage" mean? Where did thename one from?

A: The 18th Southern Area administration has setthe goal of maintaining an atmosphere of trans-parency, effectiveness and education. Our Area Direc-tor, Eneid Francis, sought an immediate resource toaccomplish these tasks, resulting in The Advantage.Each month, we bring you a variety of informationranging from program and operational initiatives tofeature stories and the much anticipated chapter ac-tivities. It is her goal that Southern Area Links "takeAdvantage" of this valuable resource.

Q: What else does your committee do besidesthe Advantage?

A: The Communications Committee operates undera number of hats. At our most basic function, we sup-port the Southern Area Director, committees andfacets in reaching Links in the Southern Area. Thisranges from educating and informing membersthrough the Advantage, enabling chapters to betterpublicize their good works in their respective commu-nities to maintaining the consistency of all materialbeing disseminated from the Southern Area. Any ma-terial printed, communicated or implied, travelsthrough our tunnel.

We are also tasked with monitoring Southern Areachapter websites to make sure all content is timely andin alignment with the national goals of the Links, Incor-porated. Currently we are updating the Southern AreaCommunications Tool Kit to help chapter's keep theirchapter's service known in the community.

We try to maintain an error free quality consistencythat our members can be proud of.

Q: How do I submit to the Advantage?A: Submissions are done through regional chairs:

Kimberly LaMotte (Louisiana and Georgia ), NatilleDuncan (Mississippi and North Carolina) and Joy Wal-lace (Florida, South Carolina and The Bahamas).These three industrious Links reach out to each chap-ters public relations chairs and presidents monthly toinform them of deadlines and ease the transition of in-formation for publication. Their email addresses arelocated on the back page.

Q: Why are your deadlines so strict, my chapterdid something last year I want to share with theArea?A: While we applaud your chapter's excellent event,

old news is no news. We strive to present a timely pub-lication but it works two fold. Not many people want toread about an Easter Parade in December. Old newsalso takes the space of more relevant articles. Wepledge if you submit your information on time andmeet publication guidelines - it will be published! The

Advantage requires all submissions have oc-

curred within the last 30 days.

Q: My regional chair sent our photos back? Whywere they not accepted?

A: Hopefully, previous issues set the example for ac-cepted quality photos. Pictures taken with cell phonesand disposable cameras generally don't make goodphotos. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch!

Q: I would like to serve on the CommunicationsCommittee, how can I be involved?

A: Due to our vast nature, we always have a littlesomething going on. Contact your regional chair withyour particular skill set and we will find the best fit foryou within our team.

Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A Q

CCoommmmuunniiccaatt iioonnss

24

SAVANNAH, GA - Link Carolyn Eve-

lyn Hodges Bell, a member of the Savan-

nah Chapter, was recently elected

Alderman-At-Large Post 1 - Savannah

City Council. The Inauguration was held

on January 3, 2012.

Her life of public service began in 1976

when she became the first African-Amer-

ican female administrator for the City of

Savannah. She served in local govern-

ment as Central Services Director for 38

years before retiring in 2011.

Over the years, Link Bell has been com-

mitted to serving the Savannah commu-

nity and the State of Georgia. In 1998, she became Chairman of the

Board of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, a first for an African-

American in the Agency’s history. She also served on the Governor’s

Children and Youth Coordinating Council for 12 years. In addition, she

produces the local United Negro College Fund’s annual telethon and is

a past president of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa

Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

A native of Selma, NC, Link Bell is a 1967 graduate and Valedictorian

of Richard B. Harrison High School in Selma, North Carolina. She re-

ceived a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Shaw University in

Raleigh, North Carolina and a Master of Public Administration from

the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She has completed post-

graduate work at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government

and Georgetown University, earning certification as an Executive Lead-

ership Coach.

She has been an actve member of the Savannah Chapter since her in-

duction in 2004 and has served as the chair of fund-raising, the Arts

facet and currently as the archivist.

Savannah’s Carolyn Bell Elected Alderman-At-Large

Link Carolyn Bell

HeartLinks to Heart HealthNational Wear Red Day® February 3 The Red Dress is the national symbol for women and heart

disease awareness, and the centerpiece of The Heart Truth® – a

national awareness campaign that warns women about their

risk of heart disease and inspires them to take action. Friday,

February 3 is National Wear Red Day®, and chapters

are encouraged to plan a simple activity for their Feb-

ruary chapter meeting – i.e. all members wear a red

pin or scarf – in support of The Heart Truth®

campaign. Another idea is to integrate the

heart health message into a chapter or com-

munity activity, such as a chapter fundraiser

or church service.

One of the HeartLinks To Heart Health signature

program goals is to have every chapter plan an

annual Wear Red event during the month of Feb-

ruary, to raise awareness in our chapters and

local communities about the seriousness of

heart disease - the #1 killer of women.

To learn more about Red Dress activities, visit

The Heart Truth® website at www.hearttruth.gov.

The Red Dress program is also listed in the

HeartLinks e-toolkit.

For more information on the HeartLinks to

Heart Health signature program or National Wear

Red Day®, please contact: Link Mary E. Clark

Chair, HeartLinks to Heart Health Signature Pro-

gram mary.e.clark@verizon.net.

If your chapter elects to participate, pleaseshare your photo in The Advantage!

CongratulationsCongratulationsto the 11

(out of 27)

Southern Area

Chapters

receiving $2500

Childhood

Obesity GrantsAlexandria (LA)

Baton Rouge (LA)

Charlotte (�C)

Columbia (SC)

Crescent City (FL)

Dogwood (GA)

Durham (�C)

Fort Valley (GA)

Gainesville (FL)

Jackson (MS)

�atchez (MS)

25

The Raleigh (NC) Chapter is an industrious chapter

with a track record of service to be reconded with!

They are using their time and talents in a very produc-

tive manner. While many of the members have full time

jobs, they utilize their free time participating in service

projects that benefit the community. The ladies are in-

novative and dedicated to serving others.

Their service roster for this program year alone in-

cludes:

• Assisting with the RexHealth Care Annual Prostate

Cancer Screening event.

• Helping to plan the 2012 Strengthening the Black

Family Conference.

• Promoting a Health Initiative Kick-off at Bugg Elemen-

tary.

• Assisting with planting a Butterfly Garden at Bugg.

• Tutoring fourth grade students at Bugg in reading.

• Participating in “Dress For Success” clothing drive.

• Forming a team and supporting the Susan G. Komen

Race for the Cure.

• Supporting the Organ Donation Drive.

• Donating to National and International educational in-

stitutions.

• Walking with students around the Walking Track at

Bugg Elementary.

Future plans include:

• Continuous work with Bugg Elementary students.

• Supporting a trip to Washington, DC for Bugg’s fifth

graders.

• Working with students to plant a vegetable garden.

• Continuing to walk with students on the track (Let’s

Move program).

• Assisting with planning of an “International Day”

event for fifth grade students.

The members of The Raleigh Chapter pledge to con-

tinue to seek out additional projects where they are serv-

ing others. Albert Einstein once quoted, “Only a life lived

in the service of others is a life worth living.” We believe

that our lives are worth living.

At the top of the year, the Huffington Post named Rep. Fred-

erica Wilson of the Greater Miami (FL) Chapter as one of its

Best Dressed Politicos. She joins ten others on the list - in-

cluding Sen. John Kerry and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Dubbed ‘power dressing’ , the online news outlet describes it

as “the kind that moves crowds and makes voters and con-

gressional colleagues take a second look. This is a list of politi-

cians who cultivate their power through their public image --

and this being politics, it's always deliberate. Power dressing

in politics is not just about what (or who) you are wearing -- it

is also about how you communicate your message. Body lan-

guage, charisma and the ability to carry oneself well factor

heavily into the overall look. You have to own it. This list of

politicians includes heavyweights with decades of experience

in the public eye, as well as a healthy dose of newcomers -- all

of whom have the political clout to move (and sway) people.

According to the Huffington Post, “Frederica Wilson single-

handedly redefined what it means to "dress up for work" this

year on Capitol Hill. When she arrived in January, members of

Congress - sensitive to the optics of a recession - had all but

forsaken costume jewelry and bright colors, to say nothing of

big hats. Wilson challenged all of that, and the results are a ray

of sartorial sunshine.”

Rep. Frederica Wilson Named One of BestDressed Politicos by the Huffington Post

Raleigh (NC) Program Year in Full Gear

With Over 10 Service Projects Underway

Rep. Frederica Wilson

26

Birmingham, AL - The Birmingham

Chapter provided five holiday cheer

and healthy gift baskets to recent re-

cipients of homes from Habitat for

Humanity, in the Shiloh Creek subdi-

vision in Calera, AL . The gift bas-

kets included the Kiss the Cook - TheLink to a Healthy Life cookbook, and

all of the ingredients to prepare four

healthy dishes from the cookbook.

The cookbook was part of the chap-

ter’s initiative to promote a healthy

lifestyle and to help bring awareness

to childhood obesity.

Last year, the Birmingham Chapter

was chosen to participate in a Links’

national pilot program which imple-

mented the Childhood Obesity Pre-

vention Curriculum. The curriculum

was designed to introduce and rein-

force the message regarding better

nutritional habits and fitness prac-

tices - with the aim of preventing and

reversing the childhood obesity

trend. The cookbook was youth in-

spired with recipes provided by chap-

ter members. Both the front and

back cover of the cookbook were de-

signed by students from the Birming-

ham Public School System.

Habitat for Humanity is also a Na-

tional Partner of the Links, Incorpo-

rated. The “Homes without Borders”

partnership allows chapters to strate-

gically respond to the long-term

housing needs of people living with-

out decent and affordable housing

shelter in the United States, Africa

and the Caribbean.

The members of the National

Trends and Service Facet spear-

headed the project. The baskets

not only included recipe ingredients,

but also kitchen towels, oven mitts,

potholders - as well as seasonings

that could be used for future dishes.

Each family was also given a deco-

rated Christmas wreath designed by

Kim Hitchens to place on the front

door of their new house. Members

who helped make this holiday cheer

possible were: Vanessa Falls, Presi-

dent, Carol Kirby McElderry, Chair of

National Trends and Services, Kim

Hitchens, Co-Chair of National

Trends and Services, Brenda

Adams, Cathy Bradford, Diann Jack-

son, Demetruis Taylor and Iris

Williams.

Shown above are chapter members with the Patel Family: Front row: Left to right- Jermiah Patel, Tara Patel,

Izahiah Patel, Jaydien Staffiney, Zachary Patel, Back row: Left to right- Links Carol K. McElderry, Kim Hitchens,

Brenda Adams, Iris Wiilliams, Cathy Bradford, Diann Jackson and Vanessa Falls.

Birmingham Links Spread Healthy Holiday Cheer to New Home Owners

27

Annual Holiday Spectacular Educatesand Enlightens South Florida

Members of the Greater Miami Chapter were

joined by hundreds of guests in December to

usher in the season with its’ 6th Annual Over-

town Holiday Spectacular. It was held at the

Historic St. Agnes’ Episcopal Church in

Miami’s Historic Overtown. The concert fea-

tured youth from the Coral Gables Congrega-

tional United Church of Christ’s Community

Arts Program, Conservatory for the Arts

Young Musicians’ Junior, Intermediate, and

Advanced Orchestras and the ALL-STAR Jazz

Ensemble. Guests enjoyed the sounds of Bach,

Tchaikovsky and Ellington and actively partic-

ipated in a holiday medley sing along.

During the festive reception, vital information

regarding breast cancer awareness and organ/

tissue donations was provided. As one of eight

chapters selected to participate in the

“AARP/The Links Are You Ready?” initiative,

attendees were provided free AARP member-

ships, as well as health and wellness informa-

tion.

Under the guidance of chapter president

Renee Jones, the event was hosted by the Arts

and the Health and Human Services commit-

tees chaired by Leatrice Damus and Angela

Robinson Bellamy, respectively.

Angela Bellamy (right) demonstrates the breast cancer self exam. AARP/Links Are You Ready? display.

Jennifer A. Grant, Yolanda Cash Jackson, Chapter President RenéeS. Jones, Leatrice Damus, Martha A. Welters, Angela Robinson Bel-lamy and Donna L. Ginn holding the AARP/The Links Are YouReady? sign at the Holiday Spectacular reception.

Leona Swilley, Virla Barry & Kay Sullivan discussing AARP Are You Ready?

Greater MiamiChapter

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Greater Miami Links Help Launch Art Exhibition to Inner CityYouth Providing Cultural Passport to the Artwork of Kadir Nelson Thanks to the efforts of members of the Greater Miami Chapter,

acclaimed artist/author, Kadir Nelson is among the great AfricanAmerican painters, who have now become a household nameamong youth in the South Florida community.

A month of cultural activities began on November 3rd with aGrand Opening of Mr. Nelson’s art exhibition – We Are the Ship- The Story of Negro League Baseball, co-sponsored by Miami-Dade College, the Florida Marlins and Greater Miami Chapter atthe famed Freedom Tower. We Are the Ship is the first book thatMr. Nelson has both written and illustrated for children. The bookbrings the story of Negro League Baseball to life. During hisMiami tour, Mr. Nelson also participated in a reading and signingof his latest book, Heart and Soul – The Story of America andAfrican Americans during the 2011 Miami International Book Fair,a Friendship Month activity for Chapter members.

In an effort to locally expand the exhibition’s reach, Arts FacetChair Leatrice Damus incorporated an educational componentfor the youth of the chapter’s Links Educating Talented Youth toDraw (LETS DRAW). The arts program provided important insightabout the role exhibitions can play in sharing African Americanhistory.

As part of the schedule of events surrounding the exhibition,

the students received a tour of the exhibit, and participated in aworkshop at the Gallery with Mr. Nelson, focused specifically onmethods used in sketching. Students also paid homage to theNegro League Baseball's historical legacy at Dorsey Park, knownlocally as the "The Dust Bowl" and site of their games in the1930s and 40s. Students also joined Mr.Nelson and received in-struction on mural painting, before working with him on perfectingtheir thumbnail sketches for the murals which they painted, as atribute to the Negro Leagues.

As part of the ongoing events, students were able to apply whatthey learned, and were on hand at Dorsey Park, alongside theMiami Marlins, for the installation of large scale banners of DizzyDean and Satchel Paige. The students culminated their experi-ence during Art Basel, launching the ‘Ship of Tolerance’ project,where they created paintings for the mast of the large ship at theMiami Children’s Museum.

As a remarkable end to a fun-filled and educational experiencededicated to the arts, Mr. Nelson had the opportunity to see theimpact the Chapter’s program is making first-hand. To his sur-prise, upon his departure he was met by a large scale paintingcreated by the students titled “It’s Our World”, currently on displayat the Miami International Airport.

Greater

Miami Chapter

Shown above clockwise LETS Draw students atthe exhibit opening; Arts Facet Chair LeatriceDamus and Artist/Author Kadir Nelson and stu-dents participating in Nelson's workshop onsketching.

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Greater

Miami ChapterHonors the Dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.

L-R: seated – Kay Sullivan, Beverly Nixon, Sabrina Salomon and RobbieBell. Standing – Marsha Saunders, Verne Croskey, Anne T. Herriott, SouthernArea Secretary, Renée S. Jones, Greater Miami Chapter President, MargaretMcCrary, Tammy Reed, Shirley LeFleur and Teresa Brown.

Greater Miami and Dade County Links cele-brated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,during 19th Annual 5000 Role Models UnityScholarship Breakfast. The 5000 Role Modelsof Excellence Project is a dropout preventionprogram for at risk minority boys founded byLink Frederica S. Wilson in 1993. The keynotespeaker was Isaih Lord Thomas, III, retiredNBA Hall of Famer and current Men’s HeadBasketball Coach at Florida International Uni-versity. Actress Kerry Washington broughtgreetings on behalf of President Barack Obama.The Highwaymen, a group of 26 self-taught andself-mentoring landscape artists, who beganpainting in the 1950’s, were honored by Con-gresswoman Wilson. Connecting Link Albert E.Dotson, Jr., Esq., Chairman – 100 Black Men ofAmerica, Inc. was honored for his dedication tomentoring.

Brunswick (GA) Presents GiftCards to New Homeowners

The Brunswick (GA) Chapter’s National Trends andServices facet madethe holidays a bitmore festive for afew families by part-nering with Habitatfor Humanity intheir local commu-nity. The chapterpartnered with Habi-tat for Humanity of

McIntosh County, Inc. by presenting their latesthome recipient, Ms. Sonya Lotson, with a $100 Visagift card. The committee members participated inthe dedication of her new home, and provided re-freshments to the guests in attendance. TheBrunswick Chapter also partnered with Habitat forHumanity of Glynn County Georgia, Inc. and pre-sented Ms. Felecia Woods with a $100 Visa gift cardwhen she received her new home. Congratulationsto the Brunswick Chapter for making a difference!

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Brunswick (GA) Preparingfor Men of Distinction

The Brunswick Chapter (GA) will present Men of

Distinction, their second annual Men of Distinction banquet on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

The event will be held at the Grand Oaks Hall ofthe Jekyll Island Historic Meeting Campus at 7 PM.The chapter continues to recognize men of Camden,Glynn and McIntosh counties who are extraordinaryin their commitment to community involvement andachievement. This year’s honorees are: Peter J.Baker and Craig Peebles (Camden County); Rev.Craig B. Campbell, Charles Duane Harris, Robert E.Griffin, Joseph L. Lanham, Jr., Floyd Phoenix andMayor Bryan Thompson (Glynn County) and NathanGilbert, Commissioner Charles E. Jordan and Rev.Griffin Lotson from McIntosh County.

Brunswick native, Dr. Jerry Hardee, Special Assis-tant to the President of Life University, will be theguest speaker for the event and State Representa-tive Al Williams will serve as the master of cere-mony. Tickets are available at a cost of $60.00 perperson. For ticket information please contact LinkCarrie Risher at 267-9558. Link Jacqueline W.

Bryant and Link Marvara H. Green serve as co-cap-tains of this year’s event.

New Orleans, LA - Members of theCrescent City Chapter hosted a re-ception in December honoring EneidFrancis as the new Southern AreaDirector. The event was held at theStella Jones Gallery.

The honoree was presented with aframed photograph signed by RosaParks, who is shown entering thecourthouse when she was on trial forsitting in the front section of the busthat was reserved for white peopleonly.

Members of the Crescent CityChapter (LA) and Presidents fromboth the New Orleans (LA) andPontchartrain (LA) Chapters were inattendance.

by Karen Winston FoxBirmingham, AL - The Magic

City (AL) chapter remains onthe move with the BrownBaby Initiative, its most recentendeavor spear headed by theInternational Trends facet.The chapter members gath-ered brown baby dolls in aneffort to instill personal pride,build self-esteem and pro-mote confidence in orphanedchildren in Africa.

The chapter members areacutely aware of the need forchildren to see positive im-ages of themselves, particu-larly the opportunity to makebeautiful dolls with shades ofbrown skin available to them.Inspired by that thought, thechapter began collecting dollsin the first of its endeavors todeliver dolls to the children.The chapter has established apartnership with an orphanagein Africa, with plans to providesupport and assistance to its

children.Celebrating the beauty that is

unique to people of color pro-vides a perfect opportunity topresent positive images. This is

the goal of the chapter as itreaches across the miles totouch the lives of these deserv-ing children.

Magic City Instills Pride in African ChildrenThrough Their “Brown Baby” Initiative

Shown (L-r) Lila Hackett, Chapter President Deborah Byrd-Walker, Nichelle Gainey,International Trends Facet Chair and Belinda Hall.

Southern Area Director Eneid Francis is shown above flanked by Links from the Crescent

City (LA), New Orleans (LA) and Poncharttrain (LA) Chapter.

Crescent City Hosts Holiday Reception in Honor of Area Director

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Columbia (SC) Participates in “First

Nail” Ceremony to Provide Housing

The Columbia Chapter of theLinks, Inc. recently participatedin "The First Nail Ceremony" atthe South Carolina Departmentof Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Thechapter has partnered with DJJ,Habitat for Humanity and theFriends of Juvenile Justice in the“House that DJJ Built” initiative.The project will enable the incar-cerated youths at DJJ to partici-pate in the construction of ahouse. At “The First Nail Cere-mony,” the piers on which thehouse will be built and the con-struction lumber were in place atthe site of the proposed houseconstruction.

The students and partners ofDJJ wore hard hats as they ham-mered the “First Nails” into theconstruction of the new house.The young residents will buildthe house behind the DJJ fence.Upon its completion, the housewill be lifted over the fence bytwo, big cranes and transportedto a residential site where a fam-ily will take residence. The familywho will receive the home wasalso in attendance at the cere-mony.

The home building experiencewill be one of empowerment forthe DJJ residents. The project issupported by many friends from

the construction trades whohave committed their time andexpertise. The benefits of this ef-fort are multifaceted:

- The construction skills thatthe youngsters will acquire willgreatly reduce recidivism andserve as a rehabilitative tool thatwill equip them with employableskills for use when they return totheir respective communities.

-The receiving family will real-ize their dream of homeowner-ship come true.

- Volunteers will acquire asense civic responsibility withtangible results.

Shown (L-R) are Mary Miller McClellan, Columbia Chapter, Katrina Shealy, Chair, Board of Friends of DJJ;Ruby James, Friend of DJJ; Gretta Jackson, Recipient of the Habitat Home; Stacey Atkinson, Director of theCommunity Behind the Fence; Lynne Rogers, Columbia Chapter, and Margaret Barber, Director of the SCDepartment of Juvenile Justice at the ceremony. A house being raised across the prison gates is in the inset.

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The Altamonte Springs (FL) ChapterThe members of Black Faculty/Staff and the African American Cultural Forum and Heritage Collegiate

Choir at Seminole State College of Florida commemorated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King by cel-ebrating and honoring the achievements of local African American leaders. Among their honorees werethe Altamonte Springs Chapter. The program was held on the college campus during the 2012 HeritageJubilee under the theme ‘Branching out to a New Generation’.

Altamonte Springs (FL) Receives SeminoleState College of Florida Heritage Award

Pictured seated: Dr. Joyce Solomon Moorman, Link Mary Solomon (honoree),Link Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston (President), Standing: Link Mary Miller McClel-lan, Link Olive J. Foster, Link Karen Johnson, Link Doris Leevy Johnson, Link

Kim Devlin, Link Karen Rutherford, Link Breon Walker, and Link Gloria S. James.

Columbia (SC) Celebrates 40

Years of Servicewith PlatinumMember Mary

SolomonMembers of the Columbia Chapter

recently celebrated a milestonewith their sister, Mary Solomon.Chapter President BrandolynThomas Pinkston delivered andpresented to the 97 years youngLink, an award from the SouthernArea honoring 40 years of loyal,dedicated service to The Links, In-corporated.

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North Broward (FL)

by Sheri BrownThe North Broward County

(FL) Chapter is proud of the suc-cess of the Chapter’s first everDenim, Diamonds, and Dancingfor a Cause” friendraiser” heldat the Hard Rock Hotel. Themain attraction was the line-upof local celebrity dancers andjudges that included: local politi-cians, business leaders, formerNFL players, a former pageantwinner and a Miami Heat dancer,to name a few. Dance contest-ants competed for first, second,and third place awards. Theydanced to a range of tunes and

genres, fromEarth, Wind andFire (I Like theWay You Move) to a medley ofMichael Jackson tunes.

According to contest judgeRoy Campbell, celebrity eventplanner and former judge ofAmerica’s Top Model, “I planand attend many high profileevents, and this one by far wasone of the most fun and excitingones I have been apart of in along time.”

The couple that was the high-light of the dance contest andsecond place winners were Con-

necting Link Christopher Smithand wife Desorae. Smith’s oldschool break dance had thecrowd on their feet. The winningcouple, Lynda Nation and LeonJenkins, won over the judgesand the crowd with theirsmooth, urban ballroom numberwith captivating synergy.

Chapter President, LindaHouston Jones, exclaimed “Wewere so excited to host this awe-some event to raise awarenessin the community and to raise

Crowd pleasersDesorae andChristopher Smith

North Broward Chapter

34

funds to support programs thathelp our county’s youth and fam-ilies in need.” Event sponsors,such as AutoNation and BJWholesale, were pleased to beassociated with the event. Theevening’s activities combinedlive jazz and R&B music withprofessional dance perform-ances and a full course buffet.Local 10 news anchor Connect-ing Link Calvin Hughes, (BacardiJackson) kept the crowd laugh-ing with his quick wit.

The event was chaired by JoeAnn Fletcher and Chan Abney -who exceeded their friendraising

goals. The proceeds will enablethe chapter to advance its initia-tives - including their new “Girlson the Move” program whichteaches middle school girls howto make healthy lifestyle choicesto combat obesity. Inspired byFirst Lady Michelle Obama’s na-tional program, the chapter hasestablished partnerships withRamblewood Middle School,Crockett Foundation, CoventryHealth Plan, and HuntingtonLearning Center to provide acomprehensive nutrition curricu-lum combined with academic tu-toring. Moving into 2012, “Girls

on the Move” will host a series ofworkshops featuring local pro-fessionals and experts. Some ofthe topics include: anti-bullying,body image, karate and self de-fense instruction. This year’sprogram will conclude in Maywith a Mother/Daughter work-shop and luncheon. “Girls onthe Move” program chairs,Yvonne Jones and TamashiaBuckner are both pleased at thereception of the program in thecommunity and the growing sup-port it is receiving.

Winning teamLynda Nation andLeon Jenkins

Denim & Diamonds

North Broward Chapter President Linda Jones with

First Place Winners Lynda Nation and Leon Jenkins.

Dances for a Cause

35

As the holidays approached, the Monroe-Grambling (LA) Chapter

seized an excellent opportunity to stage an etiquette seminar. The

hands-on seminar was conducted with

youth residents of the Grambling Housing

Complexes on December 17, 2011. Hazel

Hunter, was assisted by her chapter sisters

along with several members of the Gram-

bling Housing Authority staff in presenting

the seminar.

At the outset, the boys and girls were in-

structed on the appropriateness of proper so-

cial behavior - chief among them was using

good table manners. Each participant

learned the importance of the ‘dos and

don’ts’ of sitting and dining as they received

instruction individually and in pairs.

Following in-depth instruction and

demonstrations, the youth were given an opportunity to put what they

learned into action. Each child dined on a full course meal while

demonstrating the appropriate techniques learned from the seminar.

The participants expressed their amazement at how easy it was to trans-

fer what they learned and put it into prac-

tice. Each table of diners was closely

monitored by Mrs. Hunter to ensure that

each child was on his and her “etiquette Ps

& Qs”.

The seminar helped to jumpstart the hol-

idays with enhanced social behavior of the

youth who participated in this hands-on in-

structional clinic. The program was made

possible through the Monroe-Grambling

Chapter’s Services to Youth Facet and the

Grambling Housing Authority’s Residents

Service Segment provided refreshments.

Bridgette T. Tanner serves as the Executive

Director of the Grambling Housing Au-

thority; Mertrude A. Douglas serves as President of the chapter and the

Services to Youth Facet is chaired by Shirley J. Jackson.

Monroe Grambling (LA) Enlightens YouthThrough Etiquette and a ‘Royal’ Visit

The Monroe-Grambling Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

enlisted the services of Miss Grambling State University, Jamecia

Leonard, and her Court to celebrate National Headstart Month.

Miss Senior, Colby Johnson, Miss Junior, Chuntell Thomas, Miss

Sophomore, Ambra Brice, and Miss Freshman, La’Resha Taylor

,helped perform acts of kindness and enjoyment at the Paul E.

Slaton Headstart Center in Ruston, Louisiana.

The chapter members donated baskets of newly packaged un-

derwear and socks for the 3 and 4-year old students at

the Headstart Center. Mildred Hill, Head Start Di-

rector, suggested the

Center receive the dona-

tions since the center

serves approximately

200 children in an area

of great need. After the

donations were ac-

cepted, a segment enti-

tled, “Reading With

Royalty” followed.

Miss Grambling and her

court enthralled the two

groups with interesting

reading and storytelling

sessions. Each young

lady read a book, or told a story that engaged and cap-

tivated the youngsters who sat attentively and

awestruck throughout! Miss Grambling was a big hit

when she culminated each of the storytelling sessions

with an interactive dance and sing-a-long.

Director Hill had high praise for the reading and

storytelling team of queens. She assured both the

Links and the Queens that their donations and storytelling made

an indelible impact on the youngsters. Both rendered an impor-

tant and desired service to the 200 boys and girls served by the

center. She was so pleased with the programming that she invited

the Queens to conduct a repeat performance as their college

schedules would permit.

This planned activity and donations were coordinated through

Services to Youth Facet.

Above is Miss Grambling State University, Jamecia Leonard, and hercourt entertaining the kids with quality reading time during NationalHeadstart Month. She is also shown to the right.

Hands on Classic Etiquette Seminar Held During the Holidays

36

The “Classics through the Ages” National ArtsFacet program featured the melodic voices of Kha-lada Smith, a junior at Clark Atlanta University andChani Maisonet, a junior at Kennesaw State Univer-sity; a cello rendition by Cheyenne Boyce, a soph-omore at Spelman College and a trumpet concertoby Anthony Scruse, a sophomore at MorehouseCollege. Candy Tate and Laura English Robinsonco-chair the Arts Facet and worked closely withevent co-chairs, Links Brenda Kennedy and JessieWatson.

The program’s goal is to celebrate the outstand-ing talents of students as they develop their artisticpotential by providing them with a supportive audi-ence that will encourage them to continue their pur-suit of excellence in the arts. Students are awardeda scholarship incentive to assist them in their stud-ies. Also featured on the program was a perform-ance by guest artist, Jayme Allilaw, soprano.

Buckhead Cascade ChapterOn Sunday, December 11, 2011, the Buckhead Cascade Chapter of The Links, Incorporated celebrated

Christmas with a Holiday Glitz and Glam Day Party at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. Co-chaired by Eliz-abeth Espy and Rene Pennington, limited edition customized Christmas tree ornaments were given asgifts and the Links and their guests feasted on tasty food and jammed to the latest tunes. A great timewas had by all.

Buckhead Cascade (GA) Highlights Holiday Season with Arts Celebration and Annual Soiree

Morehouse sophomore, Anthony Scruse, entertains theaudience at the 10th Annual Musical Cascades.

37

Vice DirectorTamara Y. Lee

Tuskegee (AL) Chapter

vicedirector@salinksinc.org

SecretaryAnne T. Herriott

Miami (FL) Chapter

secretary@salinksinc.org

TreasurerJanice R. Nelson

Bold City (FL) Chapter

treasurer@salinksinc.org

ParliamentarianRosalind Fuse- Hall

Tallahassee (FL) Chapter

parliamentarian@salinksinc.org

Chair, Nominating

CommitteeOphelia Nicholson

Shreveport (LA) Chapter

nominatingchair@salinksinc.org

Southern Area Rep.

The Links Foundation, Inc.

Bessie Isom

Greater Mobile (AL) Chapter

linksfoundationrep@salinksinc.org

Financial SecretaryCharlotte Henderson

Baton Rouge (LA) Chapter

financialsec@salinksinc.org

Chair, ProgramsDaisy R. Walker

Charlotte (NC) Chapter

programschair@salinksinc.org

Assistant Chair, ProgramsMignon Breaux Early

Greenville (SC) Chapter

asstprogramschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, National Trends

& ServicesDenise M. Cooper

Savannah (GA) Chapter

nationaltrendschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Legislative Issues,

Public Affairs and Disas-

ter ReliefMarguerite Archie- Hudson

Charleston (SC) Chapter

publicaffairschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Services to YouthBrenda T. Jamerson

Orangeburg (SC) Chapter

youthchair@salinksinc.org

Education LinkageLucinda R. Sullivan

Augusta (GA) Chapter

educationchair@salinksinc.org

Chair, International

Trends & ServicesSharlyn Wilson Smith

Nassau (Bahamas) Chapter

internationaltrends@salinksinc.org

Chair, The ArtsKaryn M. Combs

Pensacola (FL) Chapter

artschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Health

& Human ServicesCori M. Brock

Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter

healthchair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Ethics and

StandardsSelma Robinson-Ayers

St. Petersburg (FL) Chapter

ethicschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Organizational

EffectivenessFaye Hargrove

Augusta (GA) Chapter

effectivenesschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, ArchivesKimberly Sweet

LeFleur’s Bluff (MS) Chapter

archiveschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Awards and

RecognitionMaxine Smith

Charleston (SC) Chapter

awardschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, CommunicationsSylvia Perry

Bold City (FL) Chapter

communicationschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Conference

& Event PlanningRuth H. Terrell

Fayetteville (NC) Chapter

conferencechair@salinksinc.org

Chair, Fund Development

Ruth Waters McKayBold City (FL) Chapter

fundchair@salinksinc.org

Chair, ProtocolJune W. Michaux

Durham (NC) Chapter

protocolchair@salinksinc.org

Chair, RitualsJuanda F. Maxwell

Selma (AL) Chapter

ritualschair@salinksinc.org

Chair, TechnologyDebra G. Lazare

Baton Rouge (LA) Chapter

techchair@salinksinc.org

Chair, VendorsNatille E. Duncan

Jackson (MS) Chapter

vendorschair@salinksinc.org

As a pledge for my administration, we will have an open door policyfor all Links. The Executive Committee is here to discuss everythingfrom membership issues and facet questions to grant writing and protocol.

If you have a question or concern for any member of the leadershipteam, feel free to contact us. Eneid

Southern Area Exec.Committee Directory

Area Director:Area Director: Eneid A. Francis

Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter

(H) 504.284.3660 (F) 877.284.3660 Southernareadirector@salinksinc.org

38

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Coming Soon...Coming Soon...

The Southern Area

Green Pages

Bringing our community closertogether one Link at a time

ADVANTAGEIInnss iiddee the

Southern Area Communications Team

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSWe encourage you to submit your information by the 15th of the month for inclusion in future issues. Submitted events

must have occurred within the past 30 days. Information can be sent from chapter members as well as Chapter Communi-cations Chairs to their regional chair shown above. Members of the Area Communications Team are in contact with their re-gion’s chapter Communications Chairs to ensure a channel of communication is maintained.

Be in the Advantage1. Stories/articles on your various programs. Please submit QUALITY high resolution photographs in .jpeg

or .bmp format and details surrounding your program. If there are less than five people in the picture, please in-clude names (L-R) for EVERYONE (including children) on the photo. “Cell phone” quality photos will not be pub-lished/accepted.

2. Upcoming dates. Is your chapter celebrating an anniversary, hosting a fundraiser or having a special event?Share the news with your sisters! You never know just who may come. Please be sure to include a contact num-ber and email address for more information.

3. Post-event information. After your special events, please feel free to share your photos and details.4. Going Places. Have you recently received a promotion? Celebrated a significant milestone? Getting married?

Graduating? Expecting? Elected to public office? Retiring? We want to know! Please share with your Area sis-ters as we join in celebrating your accomplishment.

REGION 1

REGION 2

REGION 3

KIMBERLY LaMOTTELa Capitale (LA)

Louisiana and Georgia Email: LinkKimberlyLaMotte@yahoo.com

JOY WALLACESt. Pete (FL)

Florida, South Carolina and the BahamasEmail: wallacejoy27@yahoo.com

NATILLE DUNCANJackson (MS)

Mississippi, North Carolina and AlabamaEmail: krossdun@yahoo.com

EDITORS AT LARGE: Kimberly Sweet, Kenyonn Demps and Thelecia Wilson

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