1!

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

"Minutes(of(the((

42nd(Southern(Area(Conference(Hyatt(Regency(Miami((

Miami,(Florida((

Wednesday,(May(8,(2013(–(Saturday,(May(11,(2013((

First(Plenary(Session(May(9,(2013((

!The!first!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!was!called!to!order!on!Thursday,!May!9,!2013,!at!8:01!am!EST!by!the!Southern!Area!Director,!Link!Eneid!A.!Francis,!in!the!Chair,!and!Link!Anne!T.!Herriott,!Southern!Area!Secretary,!present.!!!Link!Eneid!A.!Francis,!Southern!Area!Director,!opened!the!meeting!with!the!Southern!Area!Opening!Ceremony.!!Link!June!Michaux,!Durham!(NC)!Chapter,!Southern!Area!Protocol!Chair,!introduced!the!members!seated!on!the!dais!and!in!the!reserved!section.!!!!Link!Dolly!Desselle!Adams,!Atlanta!(GA)!Chapter,!Eighth!National!President,!delivered!the!Linkspiration.!!Link!Vanessa!Rogers!Long,!Mississippi!Delta!(MS)!Chapter,!led!the!members!in!reciting!The!Links!Pledge!and!singing!The!Links!Song.!!!!Link!Anne!T.!Herriott,!Greater!Miami!(FL)!Chapter,!Southern!Area!Secretary,!called!the!roll!of!delegates.!!SeventyVeight!delegates!were!present,!with!77!delegates!voting.!!The!Southern!Area!Director!welcomed!the!Mississippi!Delta!(MS)!Chapter,!which!was!chartered!as!the!78th!Southern!Area!Chapter!on!August!25,!2012,!to!the!43rd!Southern!Area!Conference.!!Link!Vanessa!Rogers!Long!brought!greetings!from!the!chapter!and!introduced!the!chapter!members!present.!!

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The!Southern!Area!Secretary!presented!the!first!Credentials!Report.!!

Delegates! ! ! ! ! !73!Alternates! ! ! ! ! !60!Southern!Area!Executive!Committee! !22!Past!Southern!Area!Directors! ! !!!4!National!Executive!Council! ! !18!Past!National!Presidents! ! ! !!!4!Total!Links! ! ! ! ! 317!Connecting!Links! ! ! ! !!18!Guests! ! ! ! ! !!!!3!Total!in!attendance! ! ! ! 423!

!By#direction#of#the#committee,#the#Southern#Area#Secretary#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#Credentials#Report.!The(motion(passed.!!Link!Dianne!Hardison,!Old!Dominion!(VA)!Chapter,!brought!greetings!from!the!Eastern!Area.!!Link!Alice!Strong!Simmons,!Oklahoma!City!(OK)!Chapter,!extended!greetings!from!the!Central!Area.!!Link!Constance!Fitzpatrick!Smith,!Stockton!(CA)!Chapter,!conveyed!greetings!from!the!Western!Area.!!The!Southern!Area!Director!welcomed!the!FirstVtime!Attendees.!!Link!Rosalind!FuseVHall,!Tallahassee!(FL)!Chapter,!Southern!Area!Parliamentarian,!presented!the!standing!rules!for!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference,!as!printed!on!pages!10!and!11!of!the!Conference!Program!Book,!with!one!change.!Appendix!A.!!Rule!21!is!to!be!changed!as!follows:!!

The!maximum!amount!of!time!allowed!for!a!candidate’s!speech!is!three!minutes!for!candidates!for!office!and!two!minutes!for,!striking!the!word!“chair”!and!insert!the!word!“members”!of!the!Area!Nominating!Committee.!Rule!21,!therefore!should!read,!“The!maximum!amount!of!time!allowed!for!candidatesa!speeches!is!three!minutes!for!candidates!for!office!and!two!minutes!for!members!of!the!Area!Nominating!Committee.!

!The#Southern#Area#Secretary#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#Conference#Standing#Rules#with#the#change#to#Rule#21,#striking#the#word#“chair”#and#inserting#the#word#“members.”!The(motion(required(a(⅔(vote,(and(the(motion(passed.!!

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Next,!the!Conference!Program!was!presented!for!adoption.!Appendix!B.!Without!objection,!the#Conference#Program#was#adopted#as#printed#on#pages#5#through#8#of#the#Conference#Program#Book.!The(motion(passed.!!Links!Barbara!Darby,!Bold!City!(FL)!Chapter,!Alison!Summey,!Columbia!(SC)!Chapter,!and!Currita!Waddy,!Pontchartrain!(LA)!Chapter!were!appointed!by!the!Southern!Area!Director!to!serve!as!the!Minutes!Approval!Committee!for!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference.!!Links!Norma!White,!Bold!City!(FL)!Chapter;!Emma!BrooksVSmith,!LeFleur’s!Bluff!(MS)!Chapter,!Renee!Shaw!Jones,!Greater!Miami!(FL)!Chapter,!and!Link!Angela!Robinson!Bellamy!Greater!Miami!(FL)!Chapter!were!appointed!by!the!Southern!Area!Director!to!serve!as!Timekeepers!for!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference.!!The!Southern!Area!Secretary!presented!the!minutes!of!the!41st!Southern!Area!Conference!for!adoption!with!one!correction!–!the!spelling!of!Link!Eneid!Francis’!name.!!Link#Ophelia#Nicholson,#Shreveport#(LA)#Chapter,#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#minutes#of#the#41st#Southern#Area#Conference#with#the#necessary#corrections.!The(motion(passed.(!The!Southern!Area!Secretary!read!the!provisions!of!Article!III,!Section!B,!of!the!Bylaws!of!The!Links,!Incorporated,!which!governs!nominations!of!Area!Officers!and!the!Nominating!Committee.!Then,!Link!Ophelia!Nicholson,!Shreveport!(LA)!Chapter,!Chair!of!the!Southern!Area!Nominating!Committee,!presented!the!committee’s!report.!!She!presented!the!following!candidates:!!Area!Director! ! ! Eneid!A.!Francis,!Pontchartrain!(LA)!Chapter!!Area!Vice!Director! ! ! Tamara!Y.!Lee,!Tuskegee!(AL)!Chapter!Secretary! ! ! ! Anne!T.!Herriott,!Greater!Miami!(FL)!Chapter!Treasurer! ! ! ! Janice!Nelson,!Treasurer,!Bold!City!(FL)!Chapter!!Representative!to!The! ! Bessie!Issom,!Greater!Mobile!(AL)!Chapter!Links!Foundation,!Incorporated!Nominating!Committee! ! Robin!Crawford,!Triangle!Park!(NC)!Chapter!

Kenyonn!Demps,!Jacksonville!(FL)!Chapter!Yolanda!Dixon,!Baton!Rouge!(LA)!Chapter!Michele!Gandy,!Azalea!City!(GA)!Chapter!Kathy!Jones,!ColumbusVLowndes!(MS)!Chapter!

!The!Southern!Area!Director!called!for!nominations!from!the!floor.!!No!nominations!were!received.!Therefore,!because!there!was!only!one!candidate!for!each!of!the!

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respective!positions!and!the!Nominating!Committee,!in!accordance!with!Article!III,!Section!7(b)(1),!of!the!Bylaws!of!The!Links,!Incorporated,!which!provides!“If!there!is!only!one!nominee!for!any!office,!the!vote!may!be!by!any!method!other!than!ballot,!for!example,!voice!vote,”!the!Southern!Area!Director!declared!the!candidates!presented!as!elected!for!the!2013V2015!term.!The!conference!attendees!congratulated!the!newly!elected!Southern!Area!officers,!Southern!Area!Representative!to!The!Links!Foundation,!Incorporated,!and!members!of!the!Nominating!Committee!for!the!2013V2015!term.!!The!Southern!Area!Vice!Director!presented!the!Southern!Area!Director,!who!then!presented!the!State!of!the!Southern!Area!report.!!Appendix!C.!!Next,!the!Southern!Area!Vice!Director!presented!the!Membership!Report.!!The#Mississippi#Delta#(MS)#Chapter#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#Southern#Area#Vice#Director’s#report.!The(motion(passed.!!The!Southern!Area!Secretary!presented!the!Secretary’s!Report.!The#Natchez#(MS)#Chapter#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#Secretary’s#report.!!By(voice(vote,(the(motion(passed.!!The!Southern!Area!Treasurer!presented!the!Treasurer’s!Report.!!First,!she!presented!the!audit!report!of!the!Southern!Area’s!financial!statements!performed!by!Darryl!Jackson,!CPA,!of!Jacksonville,!Florida,!for!fiscal!year!2011V2012.!The!auditor’s!report!issued!on!August!17,!2012,!provided!an!unqualified!opinion!stating!that!the!financial!statements!presented!fairly!the!financial!position!of!the!Southern!Area!of!The!Links,!Incorporated.!!Further,!the!audit!contained!no!management!letter!comments!indicating!internal!control!deficiencies.!!!!The#Tallahassee#(FL)#Chapter#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#audit#report.!The(motion(passed.!(Next,!the!Southern!Area!Treasurer!reviewed!the!Southern!Area’s!revenues!and!expenses!for!fiscal!years!2011V2012!and!2012V2013.!The!Southern!Area!accrued!revenue!from!the!allotment!funds,!Area!merchandise!sales,!and!miscellaneous!contributions.!!The!expenses!incurred!by!the!Area!related!to!the!cost!of!the!Area!Breakfast!at!the!2012!National!Assembly,!the!costs!associated!with!travel,!lodging,!and!registration!of!Executive!Committee!members,!expenses!incurred!by!elected!officers!and!committee!chairs!relating!to!their!Area!responsibilities,!and!the!operating!expenses!of!the!Southern!Area.!!All!of!the!disbursements!were!made!within!the!approved!budget!and!subscribed!to!sound!accounting!practices.!!

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The#Tallahassee#(FL)#Chapter#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#allotment#expense#report#for#fiscal#years#2011U2012#and#2012U2013.!The(motion(passed.!!

Next,!the!Southern!Area!Treasurer!presented!the!budget!for!the!2013V2014!and!

2014V2015!fiscal!years.!Appendix!D.!She!explained!that!the!revenues!stated!in!the!

budget!are!based!on!the!$79,160!in!allotment!funds!disbursed!to!the!Areas!from!

National!Headquarters.!!Similarly,!the!estimated!expenditures!are!based!on!prior!year!

expenditures.!!

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The#Jackson#(MS)#Chapter#move#for#the#adoption#of#the#budget#for#2013U2014#and#2014U2015#fiscal#years.#The(motion(passed.(!

The!Southern!Area!Parliamentarian!presented!the!Parliamentarian’s!report.!The#Fayetteville#(NC)#Chapter#moved#for#adoption#of#the#Parliamentarian’s#report.!The(motion(passed.(!

The!first!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!adjourned!at!10:34!

a.m.!

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!

Second(Plenary(Session(May(9,(2013((

!

The!second!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!was!called!to!order!

on!Thursday,!May!9,!2013,!at!2:43!pm!EST!by!the!Southern!Area!Director,!Link!Eneid!A.!

Francis,!in!the!Chair,!and!Link!Anne!T.!Herriott,!Southern!Area!Secretary,!present.!!

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The!Southern!Area!Secretary!presented!the!Credentials!Report!as!of!1:00!pm,!Thursday,!

May!9,!2013.!

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Delegates! ! ! ! ! !77!

Alternates! ! ! ! ! !61!

Southern!Area!Executive!Committee! !24!

Past!Southern!Area!Directors! ! !!!6!

National!Executive!Council! ! !19!

Past!National!Presidents! ! ! !!!4!

Total!Links! ! ! ! ! 461!

Connecting!Links! ! ! ! !!18!

Guests! ! ! ! ! !!!!3!

Total!in!attendance! ! ! ! 482!

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The#Southern#Area#Secretary,#on#behalf#of#the#committee,#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#second#Credentials#Report.!The(motion(passed.(!The!Southern!Area!Director!announced!that!the!Nominating!Committee!elected!Link!Kathy!Wilkins!Jones,!ColumbusVLowndes!(MS)!Chapter!as!ChairVElect!of!the!Southern!Area!Nominating!Committee.!!The!Southern!Area!Director!presented!Link!Margot!James!Copeland,!National!President!of!The!Links,!Incorporated,!who!gave!the!State!of!the!Organization.!!Appendix!E.!!Link!Glenda!NewellVHarris,!National!Vice!President,!and!Link!Katherine!Wilson,!National!Treasurer,!assisted!the!National!President!in!presenting!the!report.!!Following!the!presentations,!the!National!President!answered!questions!posed!by!the!membership.!!Next,!the!National!Vice!President!presented!the!Southern!Area’s!responses!to!the!Chapter!Assessment!Survey.!!Appendix!F.!!The!second!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!adjourned!at!4:12!pm.!!!

Third(Plenary(Session(May(11,(2013((

!The!third!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!was!called!to!order!on!Saturday,!May!11,!2013,!at!8:03!am!EST!by!the!Southern!Area!Director,!Link!Eneid!A.!Francis,!in!the!Chair,!and!Link!Anne!T.!Herriott,!Southern!Area!Secretary,!present.!!!Link!Patricia!RussellVMcCloud,!Dogwood!City!(GA)!Chapter,!Eleventh!National!President,!delivered!the!Linkspiration.!!Link!Jessie!Jones,!WilsonVRocky!MountVTarboro!(NC)!Chapter,!led!the!members!in!reciting!The!Links!Pledge!and!singing!The!Links!Song.!!!!

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The!Southern!Area!Secretary!presented!the!final!Credentials!Report.!!

Delegates! ! ! ! ! !77!Alternates! ! ! ! ! !61!Southern!Area!Executive!Committee! !24!Past!Southern!Area!Directors! ! !!!6!National!Executive!Council! ! !19!Past!National!Presidents! ! ! !!!4!Total!Links! ! ! ! ! 491!Connecting!Links! ! ! ! !!18!Guests! ! ! ! ! !!!!3!Total!in!attendance! ! ! ! 512!

!The#Southern#Area#Secretary#moved#for#the#adoption#of#the#Credentials#Report.!The(motion(passed.! Link!Daisy!Walker,!Charlotte!(NC)!Chapter,!Chair!of!Programs,!presented!the!Program!Report.!!Next,!the!Area!Director!presented!highlights!of!the!delegation!led!by!the!National!President!to!the!countries!of!Liberia!and!Ghana.!!Link!Bessie!Isom,!Greater!Mobile!(AL)!Chapter,!Southern!Area!Representative!to!The!Links!Foundation,!Incorporated,!presented!three!resolutions:!(1)!a!tribute!to!the!officers!and!members!of!the!Greater!Miami!Chapter,!the!Dade!County!Chapter,!and!the!MiamiVBiscayne!Bay!Chapter,!(2)!a!salute!to!the!Hyatt!Regency!Miami!Hotel,!and!(3)!a!tribute!to!the!18th!Southern!Area!Director,!Link!Eneid!A.!Francis.!Appendix!G.!!Link#Isom#moved#adoption#of#the#three#resolutions#as#read.#The(motion(passed.(!The!Area!Director!recognized!the!sponsors!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference:!Florida!Power!&!Light,!Cox!Communications,!Wells!Fargo,!AARP,!the!Miami!Convention!Center,!Pepsi!Beverages!Company,!Bahama!Express!Airlines,!and!the!Bahamas!Tourist!Office.!!Link!Regina!Jollivette!Frazier,!Greater!Miami!(FL)!Chapter;!9th!National!President,!and!the!Liaisons!and!Chapter!presidents!of!the!host!chapters!presented!a!token!of!appreciation!to!Link!DoLores!Washington,!Lead!Liaison,!for!her!leadership!in!helping!to!plan!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference.!!!

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Link!Melissa!Adams,!Bold!City!(FL)Chapter,!Chair,Technology,!presented!the!Evaluations!Report.!Members!were!asked!to!complete!the!evaluation!survey!that!was!eVmailed!to!them!earlier!that!day.!!!Members!of!the!Birmingham!(AL),!Magic!City!(AL)!and!TriVCounty!(AL)!Chapters!extended!an!invitation!to!Birmingham,!Alabama,!the!site!of!the!43rd!Southern!Area!Conference,!May!2015.!!The!third!business!meeting!of!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!adjourned!at!9:33!am!to!meet!again!at!the!White!Rose!Banquet!for!the!installation!of!officers,!representative!to!The!Links!Foundation,!Incorporated,!and!the!Nominating!Committee.!Then,!at!the!end!of!the!Closing!Ceremony,!the!42nd!Southern!Area!Conference!adjourned!sine!die.!!!!A���TurnerH�������/ath!!Anne!T.!Herriott! ! ! ! ! ! ! !04.17.2015!!!!!!!!! Southern!Area!Secretary! ! ! ! ! ! Date!Approved!

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!!!!!!

Appendix A

Standing Rules 42nd Southern Area Conference

1. The Area Director presides at all business meetings of the Area Conference when possible. In herabsence or vacating of the chair, the Area Vice Director or, with the approval of the Area Conference,a chairman pro tempore will preside.

2. A quorum for conducting the business of the Area Conference is a majority of the registered delegatesand three elected officers.

3. The order of business of the 42nd Southern Area Conference shall be the printed agenda as adoptedor amended by a majority of the registered delegates.

4. All cellular phones and pagers must be placed in either the off or vibrate mode during business meetings. No calls should be answered or placed in the meeting room.

5. The Area Secretary is the credentials representative, and at the beginning of the first business meeting she must report the number of delegates and alternates registered and present with propercredentials. Supplementary reports must be presented when the number of registered delegates changes and/or as directed by the presiding officer.

6. A voting member must be registered before assuming her role as delegate.

7. Delegates must wear their official badge at all business meetings, and be seated in the designated section and seat assigned to their chapters at least 15 minutes before the opening of business meetings.

8. A delegate who is not seated in her designated seat at the start of a business meeting will be assesseda $5.00 fine that must be paid before she can be seated.

9. A member registered as an alternate will be considered fully certified by the Area Secretary and canassume her chapter delegate‘s seat at any time during business meetings, except when a motion is on the floor.

10. Only registered Links with official badges will be admitted to the business meetings. Links, Connecting Links and guests must wear their official badge for admission to all other Area Conference activities.

11. All members may participate in debate, but only registered delegates, Area Officers and Area Committee Chairs can make and second motions. Only registered delegates can vote. In the absenceof the delegate, the registered alternate has the same power and privilege as the delegate.

Stan

ding

Rul

es

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Standing Rules

Standing Rules 42nd Southern Area Conference

12. To obtain the floor to make or debate a motion, a member should: (a) approach the microphone;(b) address the chair; (c) state her name, chapter and state, (d) advise the chair whether she is a delegate, alternate or member, and (e) wait to be recognized by the chair.

13. All original main motions and amendments must be submitted in writing on the form provided. The maker of the motion must date, sign her name and chapter, and present the completed form, including a second, to the Area Secretary immediately following its reading.

14. With the exception of recommendations and resolutions prepared by the Area Executive Committee, Area Committees or recommendations and resolutions previously circulated to the chapters, all recommendations and resolutions must be submitted in writing, with rationale, to the Recommendations/Resolutions Committee.

15. Debate is limited to two minutes per speaker on each debatable question. A maximum of 10 minuteswill be allowed per question. No member can speak more than once on the same question until everyone who wishes to speak has spoken. No more than two members from the same chapter canspeak on a given question. To the extent possible, debate should alternate between pros and cons.

16. Voting shall be by general consent or electronic hand-held device. Voting for candidates must be byelectronic or paper ballot. The presiding officer has the authority to direct any necessary change tothis procedure such as a counted rising vote or raising chapter signs.

17. All reports and other materials for permanent records must be typed. One copy must be submittedto the Area Secretary and one copy to the Area Director before the close of the Area Conference.

18. The Area Secretary must record the official business of the Area Conference. This is the Area Secretary’s responsibility irrespective of whether she is assisted by other personnel, employed assistants or mechanical devices.

19. To ensure that the business is conducted on schedule, all meetings must begin at the designated time and adhere to the allotted time.

20. An unopposed candidate for an office or Nominating Committee Chair may waive her right to speak.

21. The maximum amount of time allowed for candidates' speeches is three minutes for candidates foroffice and two minutes for chair of the Area Nominating Committee.

22. Timekeepers shall be appointed for the duration of the Area Conference and shall be considered exofficio members of the Rules Committee.

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Appendix B

Mee

ting

ccc

cccc

cc-

PLENARY SESSION ILINK ENEID A. FRANCIS – SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR, PRESIDINGPONTCHARTRAIN (LA) CHAPTER

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCE

CALL TO ORDER

INTRODUCTION OF THE DIASLINK JUNE MICHAUX, SOUTHERN AREA PROTOCOL CHAIRDURHAM (NC) CHAPTER

LINKSPIRATIONLINK DOLLY DESSELLE ADAMS, 8TH NATIONAL PRESIDENTATLANTA (GA) CHAPTER

THE LINKS PLEDGE AND THE LINKS SONGLINK VANESSA ROGERS LONG, PRESIDENT

MISSISSIPPI DELTA (MS) CHAPTER

SEATING OF THE DELEGATESLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN AREA SECRETARYGREATER MIAMI (FL) CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION OF THE 78TH SOUTHERN AREA CHAPTERMISSISSIPPI DELTA (MS) CHAPTERLINK VANESSA ROGERS LONG, PRESIDENT

CREDENTIALS REPORTLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN SECRETARY

GREETINGS FROM THE AREA DIRECTORS (10 MIN)LINK DIANNE S. HARDISON, EASTERN AREA DIRECTOROLD DOMINION (VA) CHAPTER

LINK ALICE STRONG SIMMONS – CENTRAL AREA DIRECTOROKLAHOMA CITY (OK) CHAPTER

LINK CONSTANCE FITZPATRICK SMITH – WESTERN AREA DIRECTORSTOCKTON (CA) CHAPTER

Meeting Agenda 42nd Southern Area Conference

Thursday, May 9, 20138:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Page 5

B-1

Meeting A

genda

ADOPTION OF THE RULES GOVERNING THE42ND SOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCE

LINK ROSALIND FUSE-HALL, SOUTHERN AREA PARLIAMENTARIAN

TALLAHASSEE (FL) CHAPTER

ADOPTION OF THE 42NDSOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCE AGENDA

APPOINTMENT OF THE MINUTES APPROVALCOMMITTEE AND TIMEKEEPERS

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 41ST SOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCELINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

LINK OPHELIA NICHOLSON, SOUTH AREA CHAIR, NOMINATING

SHREVEPORT (LA) CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEELINK SHIRLEY C. BYERSAFFILIATE

INTRODUCTION OF THE SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTORLINK TAMARA Y. LEE, SOUTHERN AREA VICE DIRECTORTUSKEGEE (AL) CHAPTER

STATE OF THE SOUTHERN AREA ADDRESSLINK ENEID A. FRANCIS – SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTORPONTCHARTRAIN (LA) CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN AREA VICE DIRECTORLINK TAMARA Y. LEE – SOUTHERN AREA VICE DIRECTORTUSKEGEE (AL) CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN AREA SECRETARYLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN AREA SECRETARYGREATER MIAMI (FL) CHAPTER

Meeting Agenda 42nd Southern Area Conference

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Page 6

B-2

Meeting Agenda 42nd Southern Area Conference

Page 7

Mee

ting

Age

nda

LINK JANICE NELSON, SOUTHERN AREA TREASURER

BOLD CITY (FL) CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN AREA PARLIAMENTARIAN

LINK ROSALIND FUSE-HALL, SOUTHERN AREA PARLIAMENTARIAN

CANDIDATE SPEECHES

ANNOUNCEMENTSLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT

PLENARY SESSION IILINK ENEID A. FRANCIS – PRESIDING, SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTORPONTCHARTRAIN (LA) CHAPTER

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL OF DELEGATESLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN AREA SECRETARYGREATER MIAMI (FL) CHAPTER

CREDENTIALS REPORTLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN SECRETARY

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

LINK OPHELIA NICHOLSON, SOUTH AREA CHAIR, NOMINATING

SHREVEPORT (LA) CHAPTER

PRESENTATION OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENTLINK ENEID A. FRANCIS, SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR

THE STATE OF THE ORGANIZATIONLINK MARGOT JAMES COPELAND, NATIONAL PRESIDENTCLEVELAND (OH) CHAPTER

REPORT ON CHAPTER ASSESSMENT SURVEYLINK GLENDA NEWELL-HARRIS, NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA (CA) CHAPTER

ANNOUNCEMENTSLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT

Meeting Agenda 42nd Southern Area Conference

Thursday, May 9, 2013

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

B-3

Meeting A

genda

PLENARY SESSION IIILINK ENEID A. FRANCIS – PRESIDING, SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTORPONTCHARTRAIN (LA) CHAPTER

CALL TO ORDERROLL CALL OF DELEGATESLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT, SOUTHERN AREA SECRETARYGREATER MIAMI (FL) CHAPTER

LINKSPIRATIONLINK PATRICIA RUSSEL MCCLOUD, 11TH NATIONAL PRESIDENTDOGWOOD CHAPTER (GA) CHAPTER

THE LINKS PLEDGE AND SONGLINK JESSIE JONESWILSON-ROCKY MOUNT-TARBORO CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN AREA PROGRAM TEAMLINK DAISY WALKER, SOUTHERN AREA CHAIR, PROGRAMSCHARLOTTE (NC) CHAPTER

REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEELINK SHIRLEY BYERSAFFILIATE

PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTIONSLINK BESSIE ISOM, SOUTHERN AREA REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LINKS FOUNDA-TION, INCORPORATEDGREATER MOBILE (AL) CHAPTER

EVALUATION REPORT LINK MELISSA K. ADAMS, SOUTHERN AREA CHAIR, TECHNOLOGYBOLD CITY (FL) CHAPTER

PRESENTATION OF OFFICERSLINK BESSIE ISOMSOUTHERN AREA REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LINKS FOUNDATIONGREATER MOBILE (AL)

INVITATION TO 2015 SOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCEBIRMINGHAM (AL) CHAPTERMAGIC CITY (AL) CHAPTERTRI-COUNTY (AL) CHAPTER

ANNOUNCEMENTSLINK ANNE T. HERRIOTT

Meeting Agenda 42nd Southern Area Conference

Saturday, May 11, 20138:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

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Appendix C

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C"1#

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

#

State#of#the#Southern#Area##

Link#Eneid#A.#Francis#Southern#Area#Director#

##To#our#National#President,#Link#Margot#James#Copeland;#our#National#Vice#President,#Link#Glenda#Newell"Harris;#our#past#National#Presidents#who#are#here#with#us#today;#our#past#Area#Directors;#the#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee;#the#National#Executive#Council;#and#you,#my#Sister#Links,#good#morning.#Two#years#ago#you#entrusted#me#with#the#leadership#of#the#Southern#Area.#With#humility#and#enthusiasm,#I#thanked#you#for#your#support,#and#together#we#set#out#to#build#on#the#Southern#Area#and#The#Links,#Incorporated’s#rich#legacies#by#transforming#our#communities#and#strengthening#our#bonds#of#friendship.###Energized#by#our#theme,#“Effecting#Change#Through#the#Power#of#Friendship#and#Service,”#we#were#determined#to#raise#the#bar#for#how#the#power#of#friendship#and#service#can#impact#humanity#in#the#Southern#Area.##I#challenged#each#of#you#to#find#creative#and#innovative#ways#to#embrace#our#children,#build#stronger#families,#and#transform#our#communities.##My#Link#Sisters,#you#embraced#the#theme,#accepted#the#challenge,#and#you#have#excelled.#We#have#been#busy#engaging#in#transformational#programming#that#is#sustainable,#enhancing#member#services#and#engagement,#preparing#our#members#to#assume#leadership#roles,#fostering#alignment,#and#promoting#The#Links#brand.##You#are#“Effecting#Change#Through#the#Power#of#Friendship#and#Service”#in#our#world#of#Linkdom.##In#the#programming#area,#our#goal#was#to#prepare#youth#for#the#future,#but#we#realized#that#many#of#our#young#people#liked#positive#role#models#in#our#lives.##Our#esteemed#National#President,#Margot#James#Copeland,#in#her#address#at#the#Civic#Luncheon#for#the#41st#Southern#Area#Conference,#stressed#the#need#for#our#youth#to#become#interested#in#STEM"focused#programs.##We#know#that#the#United#States#is#falling#behind#other#countries#in#the#areas#of#science,#technology,#engineering#and#math,#and#we#can#help#to#turn#this#trend#around.#With#these#concepts#as#the#core,#we#began#the#biennium#by#introducing#Mentoring#With#a#Twist,#a#mentor#program#that#focuses#pairing#young#people#with#mentors#in#the#STEM#field.##The#twist#is#that#we#asked#chapters#not#only#to#

!

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mentor#young#people#but#also#to#provide#programs#that#promote#STEM#through#an#arts"integrated#approach.##We#know#that#using#arts#to#support#core#learning#not#only#makes#learning#fun#but#also#helps#children#retain#what#they#learn.##Art#teaches#children#to#be#original#and#to#be#creative.##It#makes#learning#exciting.#The#goal#of#Mentoring#With#a#Twist#is#to#spark#the#interest#among#underrepresented#and#underserved#youth#in#STEM#education#and#careers.##We#hoped#that#by#learning#through#this#delivery#method#and#direct#interaction#with#mentors#our#young#people#would#see#themselves#as#future#college#students#and#professionals#in#these#areas.##As#a#means#for#showing#our#chapters#how#STEM#could#be#presented#through#arts#integration,#we#introduced#the#members#to#quilting#during#the#Southern#Area#Breakfast#at#the#National#Assembly#in#Orlando.##Billie#McCray,#a#quilter,#had#the#audience#spellbound#as#she#told#us#how#quilting#can#be#used#to#take#the#fear#out#of#math,#science#and#technology,#and#make#learning#fun.##She#told#us#quilting#is#so#educational.##It#teaches#history,#mathematics,#art#appreciation;#the#approach#has#limitless#potential.##I#hope#you#registered#for#her#workshop#tomorrow.##If#not,#you#will#miss#learning#how#to#quilt#and#teach#our#children#how#to#quilt.##To#support#mentoring,#we#awarded#five#$1,000#seed#grants#to#assist#chapters#in#implementing#community"based#mentor#programs#targeted#for#African#Americans.##Those#chapters#were#the#Columbia#(SC)#Chapter,#Savannah#(GA),#Tampa#(FL),#Tuscaloosa#and#St.#Petersburg.##The#chapters#selected#used#those#funds#to#implement#dynamic#programs#that#not#only#provided#mentoring#opportunities#for#young#women#but#also#introduced#them#to#STEM.###The#St.#Petersburg#(FL)#Chapter#started#The#Rosebud#Academy#with#the#goal#of#mentoring#eighth"grade#girls#and#giving#them#hands"on#experiences#related#to#STEM#and#also#exposing#them#to#the#social#graces,#service#learning,#and#goal#setting.#The#Columbia#(SC)#Chapter#introduced#GEMS,#an#in"school#mentoring#program#for#middle#school#girls#that#expose#them#to#STEM.##The#participants#were#encouraged#to#dare#to#dream.##According#to#the#chapter,#the#program#increased#the#participants’#self"esteem,#their#science#and#math#readiness,#and#academic#achievement.###When#we#asked#chapters#to#implement#Mentoring#With#A#Twist,#we#also#asked#them#not#to#abandon#the#programs#already#in#place.##They#were#asked#to#find#ways#to#integrate#Mentoring#With#a#Twist#into#their#established#programs.##This#is#exactly#what#the#Tampa#(FL)#Chapter#did.##It#used#its#mentoring#brand#to#support#an#existing#mentor#program,#Radiant#Jewels,#and#to#introduce#STEM#into#the#program.##

!

C"3#

Chapters#across#the#Southern#Area#continue#to#implement#the#Childhood#Obesity#programs#started#during#Mary#Currie’s#administration#with#many#chapters#receiving#grants#to#fund#those#programs.##In#January#2012,#eleven#chapters#received#“Can#You#Imagine#Me:##National#Childhood#Obesity”#mini"grants#in#the#amount#of#$2,000#each.#Alexandria#(LA),#Baton#Rouge,#Charlotte#(NC),#Columbia#(SC),#Crescent#City#(LA),#Dogwood#City,#Durham#(NC),#Fort#Valley#(GA),#Gainesville#(FL),#Jackson#(MS),#and#Natchez#(MS)#were#those#chapters.###Several#Florida#chapters#also#had#the#unique#opportunity#to#participate#in#The#Links#National#Childhood#Obesity#Initiative,#Florida#Pilot#Project,#a#partnership#between#BlueCross#BlueShield#of#Florida#and#The#Links,#Incorporated.##Each#chapter#received#a#$5,000#grant#and#partnered#with#community"based#organizations#involved#in#BlueCross#BlueShield#of#Florida’s#Childhood#Obesity#Initiative,#“Embrace#A#Healthy#Florida”,#to#implement#Childhood#Obesity#programs#in#their#communities.##Those#eight#chapters#in#Florida#are:##Bold#City,#Bradenton"Sarasota,#Daytona#Beach,#Dade#County,#Greater#Miami,#Miami"Biscayne#Bay,#Orlando,#and##Tallahassee.#Linda#Dilworth,#who#served#as#the#Florida#Pilot#Project#Coordinator,#will#be#sharing#the#outcomes#of#the#Pilot#Project#tomorrow#at#the#Public#Forum.##Dr.#James#Gavin#and#Dr.#Henrie#Treadwell#will#also#be#bringing#us#up"to"date#on#where#we#are#in#the#fight#to#eliminate#childhood#obesity.##We#are#extremely#pleased#to#report#that#100#percent#of#our#chapters#submitted#Program#reports#during#this#biennium.##And#we#must#give#kudos#to#our#Southern#Area#Program#team#for#ensuring#that#we#achieved#this#result.##Based#on#those#reports,#the#six#Southern#Area#chapters#were#recognized#for#their#transformational#programming#at#the#National#Assembly.#Chapters#received#awards#in#each#of#the#five#Program#Facets.#For#Services#to#Youth,#Gainesville#(FL)#received#Second#Place;#Birmingham#(AL)#received#Third#Place.##In#The#Arts,#Greater#Miami#(FL)#received#the#Second#Place#award.##For#National#Trends#&#Services,#Fayetteville#(NC)#received#the#Legacy#award.##In#International#Trends#&#Services,#Wilmington#(NC)#received#the#First#Place#award.##And#in#Health#&#Human#Services,#Fort#Valley#(GA)#was#the#First#Place#award#recipient.##On#September#13,#2011,#we#launched#the#Advantage,#the#Southern#Area#e"zine.##The#Advantage#has#received#glowing#reviews#from#our#members#and#has#been#an#overwhelming#success.##It’s#the#vehicle#that#we#use#to#implement#all#of#our#National#Strategic#Priorities.##With#respect#to#programming,#in#each#issue#we#had#articles#written#by#the#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Program#team#to#increase#members’#awareness#of#the#National#Signature#Programs#and#the#National#Initiatives#as#well#as#to#increase#their#understanding#of#the#Service#Delivery#Model.##One#of#the#many#ways#we#used#the#Advantage#was#to#enhance#member#services#and#engagement,#our#second#National#Strategic#Priority.#

!

C"4#

We#know#that#as#women#we#are#always#taking#care#of#others#before#we#think#about#ourselves,#and#Links#are#no#exception.#So#I#asked#the#Southern#Area#Health#&#Wellness#Chair#to#make#you,#our#Sister#Links,#a#priority.##Each#issue#of#the#Advantage#features#Healthy#Linking,#Mind,#Body,#Soul,#Make#the#Connection.##This#column#explores#health#issues#pertinent#to#the#mind,#body#and#spirit#of#African#American#women.##In#each#November#during#this#biennium,#in#celebration#of#Friendship#Month,#Links#received#a#daily#e"blast#with#friendship#quotes.##We#also#encouraged#chapters#to#celebrate#Friendship#Month#in#their#own#unique#ways,#and#many#chapters’#celebrations#were#reported#in#the#Advantage.##In#September#2011,#we#introduced#SOLACE,#“Support#Of#Links#–#All#Concern#Encouraged,”#a#program#that#allows#Links#and#their#families#who#are#experiencing#a#crisis#to#receive#meaningful#and#compassionate#support#from#Links#in#the#Southern#Area.##Assistance#can#range#from#donating#hospital#points#or#airline#miles,#arranging#appointments#for#medical#treatment,#donating#blood,#sending#words#of#support#or#cards.#Link#Sisters,#you#have#not#taken#advantage#of#SOLACE.##Links#are#ready,#willing#and#able#to#assist#you.##Go#to#the#Southern#Area#website#and#click#on#the#link#and#fill#in#your#information.##The#e"mail#comes#to#me,#and#your#information#remains#confidential.##Other#than#you#and#the#Area#Director,#only#the#Link#who#answers#your#SOLACE#request#knows#who#you#are.##Use#SOLACE.##On#November#12,#2012,#we#launched#the#Green#Pages,#an#intra"organizational#resource#guide,#listing#members’#professional#and#entrepreneurial#skill#sets,#as#well#as#their#hobbies#and#special#interests.##Located#on#the#Southern#Area#website,#the#Green#Pages#are#only#available#to#members#of#the#Southern#Area.#And,#when#the#announcement#went#out,#we#heard#from#many#Links#who#wanted#to#be#added.#Needless#to#say,#the#Green#Pages#was#a#hit.###In#the#Southern#Area,#we#are#committed#to#preparing#our#members#to#assume#leadership#roles.##Our#chapters#must#develop#leadership#capacity#and#have#members#in#the#leadership#pipeline#who#are#prepared#to#assume#leadership#positions.##It#is#vital#to#the#future#of#our#organization.##We#are#also#committed#to#providing#our#current#leaders#with#the#tools#necessary#to#lead#with#excellence.##We#ask#much#of#our#chapter#leadership,#and#we#must#ensure#that#they’re#able#to#work#smarter,#not#harder.#In#our#quest#to#fulfill#that#commitment,#we#asked#our#Southern#Area#living#legends#to#provide#Lessons#in#Leadership#that#were#published#in#the#Advantage.##Link#Dolly#Desselle#Adams,#Link#Julia#Brogdon#Purnell,#Link#Regina#Jollivette#Frazier,#Link#Nancy#Shade"Anderson#and#Link#Joyce#Dixon#offered#us#their#sage#lessons#in#leadership#in#Linkdom.##Our#members#stressed#heartfelt#appreciation#for#being#able#to#receive#this#invaluable#

!

C"5#

advice.##And#thank#you#again#to#our#living#legends#for#their#support#of#leadership#in#the#Southern#Area.##On#September#15,#2011,#we#instituted#the#First#Monday#Exchange#to#promote#a#dialogue#between#chapter#presidents#and#the#Southern#Area#leadership.#On#this#monthly#conference#call#held#the#irst#Monday#of#the#month,#the#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee#and#I#participate#in#a#call#to#share#information#and#answer#questions#from#chapter#presidents.##Presidents#have#said#they#enjoy#this#dialogue,#that#it#ensures#they#are#hearing#the#same#message,#and#they#find#the#calls#to#be#very#informative#and#helpful.##In#October#2012,#we#held#“Dreaming,#Daring,#Doing”,#our#Southern#Area#Leadership#Summit,#and#provided#first"class#leadership#training#for#members#of#the#Southern#Area.##It#answered#your#requests#for#leadership#training#expressed#by#members#in#their#responses#to#the#Chapter#Assessment##Survey.##For#two,#full#days,#Links#Faye#Hargrove#and#Karen#Dyer,#two#experts#in#the#field#of#leadership#training,#led#more#than#250#Southern#Area#Links#through#an#agenda#designed#especially#for#them.##The#attendees#had#the#opportunity#to#reflect#on#their#leadership#skills,#assess#their#roles#and#capacities#as#leaders,#and#to#share,#learn#and#grow#their#leadership#skills.##Sharp#tools#are#needed#to#do#what#we#do,#to#lead#our#Link#Sisters,#so#that#we#can#“Effect#Change#Through#the#Power#of#Friendship#and#Service.”##Feedback#was#overwhelming#for#the#training#that#had#a#value#of#several#thousand#dollars#but#is#worth#a#million#or#more#in#our#world#of#Linkdom.##This#commitment#to#providing#first"class#leadership#training#has#continued.##Yesterday#Link#Faye#and#Link#Karen#facilitated#a#full"day#workshop#which,#again,#was#designed#for#Links.##The#workshop#enabled#the#participants#to#identify#the#behaviors#that#are#characteristic#to#effective#leaders#and#to#define#their#leadership#style#while#learning#how#others#perceive#your#actions#and#react#to#them.#And.#I#was#stopped#in#the#hallway#by#one#of#the#members#who#participated#and,#Link#Faye#and#Link#Karen,#she#just#raved#about#that#workshop.##So,#again,#we#thank#you#for#your#willingness#to#provide#leadership#training#in#the#Southern#Area.##Our#chapter#leadership#also#has#questions#and#they#look#to#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee#for#answers.##Our#goal#is#to#provide#meaningful,#timely#responses#that#will#allow#chapter#leaders#to#handle#the#situation#from#a#position#of#knowledge#and#authority.##And,#just#as#members#of#the#Program#team#submitted#articles#to#the#Advantage,#Operational#Committee#Chairs#also#shared#their#knowledge#by#submitting#articles#

!

C"6#

designed#discussing#topics#related#to#their#committees.##There#were#articles#on#chapter#finances,#ethics,#organizational#effectiveness,#rituals,#protocol,#parliamentary#procedure,#advocacy,#public#policy,#archives#and#history,#membership#and,#of#course,#communications,#and#many,#many#more.##In#support#of#our#goal#to#develop#leaders#and#the#support#of#succession#planning,#we#appointed#six#members#under#the#age#of#45#to#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee#and#nominated#10#Links#under#the#age#of#45#to#Cohort#V#of#the#Scott"Hawkins#Leadership#Institute.##Our#younger#Links#are#innovative,#creative#and#sometimes#very#opinionated,#but#they#love#The#Links,#Incorporated#and#want#to#play#a#role#in#shaping#the#future#of#this#organization.##Please#let#them.###We#have#established#and#maintained#an#effective#flow#of#information#in#the#Southern#Area#to#promote#The#Links#brand#through#the#use#of#technology.##As#noted#earlier,#we#introduced#the#Advantage,#the#Southern#Area#e"zine.##We#also#use#e"blasts#to#distribute#information#to#members#area"wide.##For#this#Area#Conference,#all#handouts#will#be#placed#on#the#Southern#Area#website#so#that#all#of#our#members#will#have#access#to#the#handouts.##I#would#be#remiss#if#I#did#not#mention#the#architect#of#this#administration’s#thrust#into#technology,#the#late#Link#Debra#Gloston#Lazare,#this#Area’s#first#Technology#Chair.##We#are#still#using#what#Link#Debra#put#into#place.##Finally,#we#instituted#the#Southern#Area#Newsmaker#Award,#which#will#be#awarded#at#the#Legacy#Luncheon#on#Saturday,#to#encourage#chapters#to#promote#The#Links#brand#in#their#internal#and#external#communications.##Link#Sisters,#as#you#can#see,#the#Southern#Area#is#in#alignment#in#our#programming#and#the#other#National#Strategic#Priorities.##We#ensure#that#information#needed#to#maintaining#that#alignment#continues#to#reach#members#through#the#Advantage,#First#Monday#Exchange,#and#other#electronic#messages.##The#state#of#the#Southern#Area#is#not#just#good,#it#is#great,#but#we#did#not#accomplish#this#without#the#help#of#many#people.##First,#members#of#the#Southern#Area,#without#you,#there#is#no#Southern#Area.##Thank#you#for#your#dedication#and#support.##Please#give#yourselves#a#round#of#applause.#Chapter#presidents,#please#stand.##We#ask#a#lot#of#you#and#it#seems#that#we#are#always#asking#you#to#do#just#a#little#more,#but#you#always#meet#the#task.#You#keep#it#all#together.##Link#Sisters,#please#join#me#in#thanking#our#chapter#presidents,#the#hardest#working#women#in#Linkdom.##

!

C"7#

Now,#you#met#this#next#group#of#women#earlier#this#morning#but#I#want#you#to#see#them#again.##Would#the#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee#please#stand.##I#call#this#group#of#women#the#A"Team.##Because#they#are#assertive,#agreeable,#appreciative#and#astute#in#keeping#the#Southern#Area#running.##Link#Sisters,#join#me#in#thanking#the#A"Team#for#their#dedicated#service#to#the#Southern#Area.##Now,#Link#Roz#and#Link#Ophelia,#would#you#please#remain#standing.#Link#Ophelia#is#leaving#the#A"Team#at#the#end#of#this#Area#Conference.##She#has#served#on#the#Nominating#Committee#for#two#terms#and#as#the#Chair#of#the#Nominating#Committee#for#one#term.##Link#Ophelia,#we#thank#you#for#your#service.##We#will#miss#you#and#your##ever"present#smile#and#your#wit#and#the#special#love#you#have#for#Linkdom.##Again,#let’s#give#Link#Ophelia#another#round#of#applause.##Link#Rosalind#Fuse"Hall,#we#only#recently#learned#that#she#will#not#be#able#to#continue#with#us#on#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee#as#our#Southern#Area#Parliamentarian.##Link#Roz#has#much#greater#business#to#take#care#of.##Link#Roz#was#named#the#president#of#Bennett#College#last#Saturday.##And,#Link#Roz,#there#will#be#an#e"mail#blast#going#out#to#all#of#the#membership#to#let#them#know#of#what#a#great#appointment#you#have#just#received.##And,#I#am#certainly#going#to#miss#Link#Roz,#and#I#think#the#other#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Committee#will#miss#her.##Because#you#have#seen#her#work#here#this#morning.##And,#I#truly#rely#on#Link#Roz#and#she#has#never#failed#me#or#any#of#the#other#members#of#the#Southern#Area#Executive#Committee.##Thank#you,#Link#Roz.##On#a#personal#note,#I#would#like#to#thank#each#and#every#one#of#you#for#your#e"mails,#your#cards,#your#telephone#calls#and#your#prayers#after#the#recent#passing#of#my#mother.##My#sister,#Valera#Francis,#who#is#sitting#out#as##chapter#president,#my#niece#and#I#thank#you.#And,#I#ask#you#to#continue#your#prayers,#and#we#also#thank#you#for#your#donations#to#the#scholarship#fund#in#my#mother’s#name#–#I#didn’t#think#I#was#going#to#do#that.###Southern#Area#Links,#thank#you#for#your#support#and#continued#vote#of#confidence.##This#journey#of#love#would#not#have#been#possible#without#each#of#you.##Thank#you.##

Appendix D

p gINCOME: 5/1/2013-4/30/2014 5/1/2014-4/30/2015 National Allotment 79,160.00$ 79,160.00$ Candidate Fees -$ 500.00$ Total Income 79,160.00$ 79,660.00$ PROJECTED EXPENDITURES:Meetings: Area Conference (registration, travel, lodging) -$ 32,000.00$ Executive Committee Meetings (travel, lodging, meals) 23,000.00$ -$ Leadership Summit (travel, lodging, registration) -$ 20,000.00$ National Assembly -Stipend (travel, registration, lodging 25,000.00$ -$ Area Breakfast National Assembly -$ -$ Hospitality Suite National Assembly -$ -$ Total Meetings Expense 48,000.00$ 52,000.00$ Officer's Expenses Area Director Expenses 5,000.00$ 5,000.00$ Area Vice Director 1,000.00$ 1,000.00$ Area Secretary 300.00$ 200.00$ Area Treasurer 300.00$ 200.00$ Nominating -$ 500.00$ Southern Area Representative, Links Foundation -$ 500.00$ Total Officers Expenses 6,600.00$ 7,400.00$ Program CommitteeFacet/Programming -$ -$ Total Program Expenses -$ -$ Other CommitteesParliamentarian -$ -$ Ethics and Standards -$ -$ Organizational Effectiveness 1,500.00$ 1,200.00$ Archives -$ -$ Awards and Recognition -$ -$ Communications -$ -$ Conference and Event Planning 2,000.00$ 1,500.00$ Protocol and Courtesy 3,000.00$ 2,500.00$ Rituals -$ -$ Technology 1,500.00$ -$ Vendors -$ -$ Total Other Committees 8,000.00$ 5,200.00$ Operating ExpensesPrinting, Duplicating Services 2,500.00$ 1,500.00$ Postage 400.00$ 400.00$ Accounting and Auditing 7,700.00$ 7,700.00$ Bond Insurance 330.00$ 330.00$ Supplies 2,000.00$ 1,500.00$ Telecommunications 1,500.00$ 1,500.00$ Publication E-Zine 1,500.00$ 1,500.00$ Bank Fees 100.00$ 100.00$ Contingency 530.00$ 30.00$ Total Operating Expenses 16,560.00$ 14,560.00$

Total Expenses 79,160.00$ 79,160.00$

Proposed Southern Area Budget 2014-2015

D-1

Appendix E

E"1$

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

$

State$of$the$Organization$Report$$

Link$Margot$James$Copeland,$National$President$Link$Glenda$Newell"Harris,$National$Vice$President$

Link$Katherine$Wilson,$National$Treasurer$$$

Link$Margot$James$Copeland$$Good$afternoon$again,$my$sisters.$$How$wonderful$it$is$to$be$here.$$Shifting$gears$a$bit$from$just$a$few$moments$ago,$one$of$the$most$important$things$that$a$leader$in$this$organization$has$to$do,$whether$she$is$the$leader$of$the$National$Organization,$an$Area$or$the$Chapter,$she$has$to$have$a$full$grip$and$understanding$of$the$intricacies$of$the$job$and$the$State$of$the$Organization.$$You$should$expect$your$chapter$president$to$have$a$conversation$with$you$like$this$on$an$annual$basis,$and$it$is$our$obligation$at$this$level$to$do$the$same.$$$So,$with$that,$I$want$to$tell$you$what$we’re$going$to$do$this$afternoon.$I$could$go$on$and$talk$indefinitely$for$the$time$I’ve$been$allowed$about$the$State$of$the$Organization,$but$much$of$that$you$know$and$you$can$see$and$read.$$I’m$going$to$give$some$high"level$information$to$you$about$the$organization$and$then$I’ve$asked$our$National$Vice$President$to$give$you$some$information$on$where$we$are$with$membership,$especially$around$statistics,$and$then$our$National$Treasurer,$so$that$I$can$say$that$when$we$talk$the$State$of$the$Organization$we’re$going$to$talk$about$membership$and$money.$$So$these$are$my$sidekicks$right$now;$they’ll$be$a$part$of$this$presentation.$$Now,$what$I$want$you$to$know,$too,$after$I’m$complete,$after$the$three$of$us$are$done,$we’re$going$to$go$into$a$Q&A$session$with$you$from$the$audience.$$I’ve$had$the$privilege$of$visiting$many$of$your$chapters$and$clusters.$$I$was$in$New$Orleans$last$weekend$and$Baton$Rouge$on$Saturday$and$had$a$marvelous$time.$$You$know,$more$than$gumbo,$it$was$just$great.$$But$in$both$cities,$with$all$the$chapters$in$those$respective$cities,$we$had$an$informal$time$where$they$could$ask$the$president$anything.$I$have$done$this$all$over$Linkdom.$$In$fact,$in$New$Orleans,$I’ve$done$it$twice.$$I$did$it$at$the$beginning$of$my$term,$and$I$did$it$again$last$weekend.$$So$I$enjoy$this.$$This$is$your$time$to$ask$us$anything$you$want$to$ask.$$And$anything$that$I$don’t$know$we’ll$just$find$out$

E"2$

for$you.$$Okay,$so$we$don’t$know$everything,$but$we$pretty$much$have$our$hands$on$what$else$is$going$on.$So$I’m$going$to$have$at$the$conclusion$of$our$remarks$the$three$visiting$Area$Directors,$the$National$Secretary,$and$the$National$Executive$Director,$they$will$be$facilitating$questions$for$me$so$as$not$to$have$one$person$""$sometimes,$and$I$love$all$my$sisters$dearly,$but$sometimes$you$go$to$the$mike$and$you$really$don’t$ask$a$question.$$You$kind$of,$you$know,$have$a$lot$to$say$and$somewhere$in$there$is$a$question.$So$we$really$want$you$to$put$a$question$in$so$more$people$can$have$questions.$$I$said$it$sweetly,$didn’t$I?$$So$they’re$going$to$give$""$there$are$cards,$I$believe,$Link$Eris?$$There$are$cards$that$they$will$have,$and$you’ll$write$your$question$down$and$give$it$to$them$and$then$we’ll$go$through$from$there.$$What$I$really$want$to$say,$that$we$have$accomplished$a$great$deal$in$our$time$together.$$When$I$say$“we,”$I’m$not$just$talking$about$the$Executive$Council.$$I’m$talking$about$“we”$as$the$collective$body$of$The$Links,$Incorporated.$$We’ve$completed$and$extended$our$footprint$at$1200$Massachusetts$Avenue,$and$we$are$the$first$African$American$building$in$the$United$States$to$be$designated$with$the$prestigious$Gold$LEED$Certification.$$That’s$significant.$$We$celebrated,$and$many$of$you$were$there,$a$fabulous$65th$Anniversary,$and$we$hosted$right$up$the$road$the$38th$National$Assembly$in$Orlando$where$we$had$just$a$marvelous$time$and$record$attendance.$In$fact,$our$attendance$was$registered$over$3,300$Links$were$registered.$$And,$as$much$as$I’d$like$to$think$that$you$all$came$to$see$me,$a$third$of$the$people$who$came$were$for$the$one"in"five,$but$that’s$okay.$$That’s$all$right.$$However,$you$came$I$was$happy.$Because$many$of$those$individuals$said,$“My$first$time$here$but$I$will$always$come$back.”$$We$have$engaged$in$and$supported$the$integration$and$alignment$of$our$chapters$through$our$superbly$executed$Strategic$Plan,$and$I’m$so$proud$that$over$85$percent$of$our$chapters$are$participating$and$are$fully$engaged$in$the$plan.$$It$is$a$sight$to$see$how$we$now$can$collectively$say$who$we$are,$what$we’re$doing,$how$many$chapters$do$this,$how$we$weighted$in$a$particular$area.$$When$you$come$to$the$National$Assembly$next$year$and$really$just$go$online$and$see$the$work$that$we’re$doing$collectively,$no$longer$will$we$have$to$fumble$to$say,$“What$do$we$do.”$$Our$corporate$partnerships$and$the$community$impact$model$have$expanded.$And$we$are$growing$The$Links$Foundation$coffers.$$You’ll$see$some$of$us,$I$don’t$have$mine$on$today,$but$you’ll$see$some$members$of$not$only$the$Executive$Council$but$there’re$members$in$the$audience$that$have$a$beautiful$pin$on$with$the$insignia$“L”$and$three$roses.$$That$pin$you$too$can$have.$$You$will$not$be$able$to$go$to$the$vendors$and$find$it.$$That$pin$has$been$commissioned$for$us$to$give$to$our$givers.$And,$we’re$about$to$

E"3$

launch$our$“1,000$from$1,000”$campaign$where$we’re$going$to$go$directly$to$the$members$of$the$organization$to$ask$you$to$help$us$build$the$endowment$and$strengthen$the$endowment$of$The$Links$Foundation.$$We$say$we$do$encourage$your$generosity$and$your$giving,$and$there$is$a$variety$of$giving$levels.$$$And,$I$know$when$I$left$Louisiana$last$week$I$really$had$no$fewer$than$eight$Links$who$had$committed$to$be$engaged$in$the$campaign.$$In$fact,$they$said,$“All$you$have$to$do$is$ask.”$$So$we’re$not$trying$to$get$everybody.$It’s$optional.$$But$“1,000$from$1,000,”$that$nets$a$million$dollars,$and$it$would$be$a$wonderful$thing$to$be$able$to$walk$into$the$National$Assembly$next$year$with$those$individuals$and$you$all$wearing$your$pins.$$I$love$it$when$I$go$to$visit$a$chapter$or$cluster$and$I$see$women$in$the$organization,$""$they’re$not$national$officers;$they’re$area$officers$–$but$they’re$proudly$wearing$those$pins$because$they$know$it’s$special,$and$they$know$what$it$means$to$be$a$part$of$this$very$important$giving$circle.$$We’ve$given$more$focused$and$deserved$attention$to$our$Alumna$and$Platinum$members.$$We’ve$published$the$second$edition$of$our$magazine$LINKED,$and$a$third$issue$is$about$to$be$produced$later$on$this$year.$$Most$recently,$we$welcomed$into$our$ranks$Honorary$Member,$President$Ellen$Johnson$Sirleaf,$the$president$of$Liberia.$$What$a$sight$it$was$to$be$a$part$there$with$50"plus$Link$Sisters,$a$ceremony$honoring$her.$$She$was$deeply$moved$and$proud$to$be$a$member.$$Several$members$of$the$Southern$Area$were$a$part$of$the$delegation.$$In$fact,$those$of$you$who$are$here$that$were$a$part$of$the$delegation,$would$you$please$stand.$$I$know$Link$Cheryl.$Thank$you$very$much.$$Thank$you.$$It$was$a$very$impressive$time.$And,$I$am$very$delighted$to$announce$to$you$today$that,$per$the$nomination$and$the$recommendation$of$the$Western$Area$Executive$Committee$and$then$an$endorsement$and$acclimation$by$the$Executive$Council,$we$have$invited,$and$she$has$accepted,$Condoleezza$Rice$into$honorary$membership.$$And,$she’s$as$excited$as$President$Ellen$Johnson$Sirleaf.$$And,$her$induction$will$be$October$4th;$we$will$do$that$in$Pablo$Alto,$California,$her$home,$and$we’re$looking$forward$to$that.$$And,$you’ll$have$details$on$that$as$plans$become$a$bit$more$definitive.$$Over$1,500$of$you$have$visited$the$National$Headquarters$since$the$building’s$rededication$in$2011.$$And,$you$took$us$up$on$the$invitation.$$Whenever$you’re$in$Washington,$D.C.,$come$to$your$house.$$In$fact,$one$chapter$from$the$Western$Area,$Beverly$Hills$West,$has$hosted$an$event.$$That$house$is$your$house.$$God$forbid$you’re$delayed,$your$plane$is$not$leaving,$you$need$a$place$to$be$several$hours,$that$is$your$home.$$So$call$us$and$let$us$know.$$Every$member$of$the$staff$is$trained$to$take$you$on$a$

E"4$

tour$and$to$really$address$your$comfort$while$you’re$there.$$We$are$delighted$with$the$number$of$visitors$that$we’ve$seen$at$the$house,$and$we$encourage$even$more.$$Our$fund$development$efforts$have$reached$higher$levels$of$giving,$as$we$talked$a$bit$earlier,$and$our$corporate$partners$have$expanded$to$include$partners$like$Chevron,$who$stepped$up$with$$250,000$for$our$STEM$Initiative;$""$and$if$things$go$as$well$as$we$think$they$will,$they$may$even$match$that$for$the$next$time$""$The$Lumina$Foundation$is$a$new$partner$supporting$our$efforts$with$HBCUs,$which$you’ll$hear$more$about$in$the$workshops;$and$AT&T,$which$has$just$been$a$new$and$terrific$partner;$as$well$as$we$don’t$forget$those$partners$that$brought$us$across.$$We$have$worked$very$hard$to$retain$many$of$the$corporate$partners,$and$they$too$are$listed$in$all$of$our$publications.$$Our$focus$in$education$continues$to$sharpen$as$we$award$scholarships,$deliver$STEM$education$programs,$and$all$those$programs$that$support$what$I$outlined.$$It’s$a$very$healthy$place$to$be,$and$we’re$excited$that$we$are$undergirding$what$we$need$to$do$to$be$excellent.$$We$have,$when$you$basically$look$at$all$the$things$that$we$have$accomplished$collectively$as$an$organization,$as$a$member$of$my$chapter$says:$$We$have$transitioned$from$“who$are$the$Links”$to$“what$do$the$Links$think.”$I$cannot$tell$you$how$many$times$I$get$invited$to$The$White$House.$$Now,$most$people$would$just$get$on$a$plane$every$other$week$and$do$that.$$Because$I$probably$get$an$invitation$to$do$something$at$The$White$House$every$week.$$I$said,$“These$people$think$I$live$in$Washington,$D.C.$and$these$people$think$that$I$don’t$have$a$job.”$$So$your$president$has$and$knows$a$number$of$very$well"positioned$sisters$in$the$D.C.,$Maryland,$and$Virginia$area,$and$often$times$they$are$asked$to$go$represent$me$at$major$and$significant$events$in$Washington.$$And,$you$know,$you$take$a$step$back,$yes,$I$would$love$to$do$all$of$that$myself$because$that$would$just$be$great$and$cool$for$me$to$do$that,$and$selectively$I$have$taken$advantage$of$that,$but$what$would$happen$if$I$did$all$that$myself$and$haven’t$begun$to$develop$future$leaders$for$you.$These$are$all$leadership$development$opportunities$for$our$people,$as$well$as$cost"savings$for$you$as$well.$$We$have,$and$will$be$going$online$soon,$the$edition$of$the$history$book,$the$next$edition,$the$fourth$edition$I$believe$it$is$of$our$history$book.$$And,$many$of$you$have$been$engaged$already,$and$when$you’re$called$upon$by$your$chapter$archivist$or$your$area$archivist,$be$responsive$and$be$timely.$$This$book$is$going$to$be$phenomenal$because$it’s$going$to$profile$our$history$by$decade$and$basically$juxtapose$the$work$that$we$

E"5$

were$doing$at$that$time$against$the$events$of$the$decades$from$the$‘40s,$the$‘50s,$the$‘60s$and$what$have$you.$$So$it’s$going$to$be$wonderful.$$We’re$going$to$have$a$pre"sale.$$I$predict$it’s$going$to$sell$out.$$It’s$going$to$be$a$history$book$that$you$really$will$read$this$time.$$So$it’s$wonderful,$so$look$forward$to$that.$$$A$lot$of$this,$I$said$a$few$minutes$ago,$so$I’m$just$going$to$skip$a$couple$pages,$which$is$great.$$At$the$beginning$of$my$administration,$I$promised$that$we$would$be$open$and$transparent,$and$we’ve$done$just$that.$$For$67$years,$our$organization$has$been$able$to$accomplish$much$with$very$little.$$We$are$working$on$building$our$monetary$strength,$as$I$just$mentioned$earlier,$but$our$major$thrust$and$authority$rests$with$the$number$of$women$who$join$and$are$retained$in$our$friendship’s$chain.$$Although$we$take$in$about$500$to$600$new$members$per$year,$our$overall$membership$numbers,$as$you’ll$hear$from$Link$Glenda$in$a$minute,$remained$flat$over$the$past$several$years.$$In$other$words,$we$bring$in$500$or$600$and$we$can$lose$a$couple$hundred$for$a$variety$of$other$reasons,$and$that’s$just$not$good.$$Right$now,$we$show$that$we$have$9,614$financial$members$or$the$active$members.$$We$have$2,149$Alumnas.$$We$have$a$total$of$11,763$members$of$The$Links,$Incorporated.$$I$no$longer$can$say$that$we,$nor$can$you,$that$we$come$from$an$organization$with$12,000$members.$$We$can$say$“approximately.”$$But$we$don’t.$$And,$that’s$not$good;$that’s$not$good.$$These$numbers$are$an$indication$of$what$our$plan$must$be$and$what$our$strategy$must$be$going$forward$from$2014$and$beyond.$$We$must$identify$new$members$for$the$organization$to$not$only$carry$the$banner$but$make$us$even$stronger$in$both$human$and$financial$resources.$$I$am$convinced$some$of$the$unreadiness$and$sadness$and$disagreements$that$we$have$in$our$chapters$are$because$the$chapters$are$too$small,$and$a$core$group$of$individuals$are$overworked$and$tired,$and$when$they’re$overworked$and$tired,$they’re$grumpy.$$So$bring$in$some$people$to$help$carry$the$water.$$So$that’s$what$we$look$for.$$And,$seriously,$seriously,$if$we$were$to$do$a$profile$of$our$chapters,$the$majority$of$the$concerns$we$get$are$from$the$smaller$groups$versus$the$larger$groups$because$there’re$more$human$and$women$power$in$there.$$We$must$identify$sisters$to$our$position$to$add$tremendous$value$to$our$organization$that$is$destined$by$its$past$and$its$future$to$be$acclaimed$as$the$premier$women’s$service$organization.$$We$need$sisters$who$are$gifted$both$in$talent$and$leadership,$with$a$giving$heart,$and$who$will$work$as$hard$as$you$do$and$will$contribute$to$our$great$work.$$And,$while$we$add$new$members,$we$must$make$sure$that$we$strive$to$be$a$place$of$unconditional,$positive$regard,$a$place$of$respect,$love$and$friendship.$$It$

E"6$

doesn’t$do$any$good$to$bring$in$new$members$if$the$chapter$is$challenged$to$retain$the$existing$members.$We$must$be$a$place$for$each$other$and$not$against$one$another.$$It$boggles$my$mind$some$of$the$calls$and$concerns$that$we$receive$as$your$National$officers,$and$your$Area$officers$receive$it,$and$certainly$your$chapter$presidents$and$leadership$receive$it;$it$boggles$my$mind$the$little$things.$$We’re$majoring$in$minors,$my$sisters.$$We$give$excellence$to$the$programs,$we$give$excellence$to$our$programs,$we$give$excellence$to$our$community,$but$we$don’t$give$that$same$excellence$to$each$other.$$We$don’t$share$that.$$So$it$boggles$my$mind$why$we$are$not$as$superb$inside$with$each$other.$$Because$when$we$say$“Leading$With$Excellence,$Serving$With$Grace,”$that$serving$with$grace$is$not$just$for$the$outside;$it’s$for$the$inside$as$well.$$We$must$serve$each$other$as$sisters$and$be$that$place$of$grace.$Your$leadership$is$determined$to$do$what$is$necessary$to$keep$Links$strong$and$viable$and$to$stay$on$mission,$but$not$unlike$other$non"profits$or$for"profit$businesses,$government$agencies,$et$cetera,$we’ve$had$to$face$significant$financial$challenges$to$make$a$change.$$While$we$are$financially$strong$and$healthy,$the$reason$we$are$financially$strong$and$healthy$is$we’ve$had$to$make$some$very$difficult$fiscal$decisions,$but$we$are$fiscally$responsible.$$$We’ve$had$to$eliminate$and$cut$some$expenses.$$We’ve$had$to$eliminate$three$positions$at$the$National$Headquarters.$We’ve$had$to$eliminate$the$National$Governance$meeting,$which$several$of$you$historically$know$about$or$participated$in$because$we’ve$had$cost$reductions.$$We’ve$had$to$eliminate$funding$other$programs$that$are$very$special$and$near$and$dear$to$us$so$that$we$can$remain$viable$and$healthy.$$So$our$Treasurer$is$going$to$present$a$great$report$but$we$have$had$to$cut$our$way$to$prosperity.$$That’s$not$how$you$run$an$organization$of$the$future,$and$that’s$not$how$you$run$a$premier$organization.$$We$need$to$grow$our$chapters$systemically,$and$while$we$grow$our$chapters$systemically,$we$need$to$also$grow$and$charter$chapters$strategically.$$So$that$you$know,$I$could$not$be$prouder$to$see$our$dear$sisters$from$the$Mississippi$Delta.$$They$are$a$sight$to$see$and$delight$to$behold.$$And$when$we$chartered$that$chapter$last$summer,$""$was$it$last$summer;$time$just$flies$""$there$was$not$a$dry$eye$in$the$place.$$I$mean$it$was$the$most$powerful,$incredible$chartering$that$I’ve$had$the$pleasure$and$privilege$of$being$involved$in.$$These$are$women$who$love$Links,$came$to$Links$with$a$full$commitment.$You$see$them$here$in$these$beautiful,$green$jackets.$$I$said,$“What$are$you$all$wearing$tomorrow”?$$$$

E"7$

But$my$hats$off$to$Link$Vanessa$and$the$whole$team$from$Mississippi$Delta,$how$proud$

we$are,$and$I’m$so$proud$when$I’m$talking$about$you$all.$$You$all$stand$up$again$

because$you$look$so$great.$$Look$at$them.$$They’re$all$over$the$place.$$Yes.$Yes.$$I’m$so$

proud.$$Because$when$I$talk$about$The$Links$and$what$have$you,$I$said,$“We’re$in$the$

Mississippi$Delta.”$$I$mean$that$just$adds$so$much$cache$to$our$brand,$so$thank$you$

very$much.$

$

I’m$also$real$tickled$that$we$have$seven$interest$groups,$seven.$$So,$if$they$go$well,$as$we$

predict$they$will,$by$the$time$we$get$to$the$National$Assembly$next$year,$we$would$

have$chartered$nine$new$chapters$during$this$administration.$$I’m$very$proud$of$that.$$

So$two$of$the$groups$are$in$the$West,$one$is$in$Central,$one$is$in$the$South,$and$three$are$

in$the$East.$$So$we$are$looking$forward$to$what$they$will$come$forward$with.$

$

As$your$president,$I$put$forth$to$you$a$Call$to$Action.$$Let$me$say$that$again.$$As$your$

president,$I$am$putting$forth$to$you$a$Call$to$Action$to$proactively$identify$and$retain$

members$who$add$value$to$our$organization$and$build$our$programs$and$support.$$We$

need$them$for$our$fund$development$efforts.$$We$need$them$to$drive$our$program.$$We$

need$them$to$continue$the$legacy$created$by$our$beloved$co"founders.$$

$

I$am$sure$you$will$heed$this$call.$$Because$we$all$love$this$organization,$and$we$must$

grow$it$and$prepare$this$organization$for$the$next$generation.$We$are$and$remain$

strong,$but$we$want$to$be$stronger.$$We$are$financially$sound,$but$we$need$to$be$more$

than$sound;$we$need$to$be$a$provider$of$futures.$$We$have$exceptional$programming,$

but$we$want$to$have$consistent$and$exceptional$delivery$and$measurements.$$We$are$

becoming$more$engaged$in$the$issues$confronting$our$nation$and$the$world.$

$

We$want$to$seek$out$more$partners$as$partners$continue$to$seek$us$out.$$People$really$

come$to$us$thinking$we$can$do$everything.$$You$wouldn’t$believe$some$of$the$requests$

that$we$get.$$So$we’re$held$in$very$high$esteem.$$We$want$to$continue$to$grow$in$

presence$and$reputation,$and$we$need$to$grow$in$membership.$

$

My$sisters,$let$us$not$forget$that$we$are$sure$that$our$mantra$of$“service$and$friendship”$

will$guide$us.$$But$to$you,$my$sisters,$it$is$so$important$for$us$to$continue$this$dedication$

and$commitment$and$also$to$make$sure$that$we$are$transferring$knowledge$to$newer$

and$younger$women$as$they’re$coming$into$the$chapter.$In$a$meeting$""$my$chapter$at$

home$is$relatively$a$young$chapter.$$I$mean$literally$at$my$stage$I$am$one$of$the$older$

members$in$the$chapter,$so$I$would$say$probably$the$average$age$in$my$chapter$is$

mid"40s,$which$is$young.$$And$listening$to$some$of$my$sisters$who$are$in$my$age$

category$complain$about$what$the$younger$members$were$not$doing,$I$said,$“You$

know,$when$we$came$in$as$young$members,”$and$I$began$to$rattle$off$all$the$Cleveland$

E"8$

Chapter$""$we’re$one$of$the$old$chapters;$we’re$63"years$old.$$I$said,$“When$we$came$in,$they$sat$down$with$us,$we$learned,$and$we$did$things$together.$$We$went$to$lunch$and$what$have$you.”$$You$never$wanted$to$be$taken$to$lunch$because$that$was$never$a$good$sign.$$But$we$don’t$take$anybody$to$lunch;$if$we’re$not$happy$with$you$now,$we$just$talk$about$you.$$That’s$not$good.$$It$doesn’t$work.$$You$got$taken$to$lunch$back$in$those$days.$$They$wanted$to$right$the$ship.$$So$that’s$what$we$have$to$do.$$We$can’t$assume$that$people$are$going$to$learn$if$we$don’t$teach$it,$and$we$have$to$teach$it$and$be$an$example$and$show$that$and$be$that$example.$$So$I$say$to$First"Time$Attendees$that$I’m$so$happy$to$see$you.$$And,$I$came,$I$started$to$come$as$a$first"timer$my$first$year$into$the$organization,$and$I$was$hooked$at$that$point.$$And,$even$one$day$you$too$can$be$National$President.$$So$that$was$not$the$plan$at$the$time$but$you$never$can$tell$the$commitment$that$you$will$see$and$the$breadth$of$the$relationships$that$you’ll$develop$outside$of$your$chapter.$$The$Links$is$bigger$than$your$chapter.$$It’s$bigger$than$your$community.$$It’s$big$like$here$in$this$Area$Conference,$even$bigger$and$grander$at$the$National$level.$$And,$the$women$that$I’ve$had$the$privilege$of$knowing$and$working$with$for$over$31$years$in$this$organization,$I$would$have$never$known$them$had$it$not$been$the$fact$that$I$deliberately$engaged$in$attending$Area$and$National$meetings$and$developing$friendships$that$have$lasted$and$served$me$and$will$serve$me$the$rest$of$my$life.$$I$am$proud$to$serve$with$an$excellent$and$exceptional$Executive$team.$You’ve$met$them$earlier$today,$but$I$cannot$say$enough$about$the$leaders$that$you$have$elected$and/or$either$appointed.$$I’d$like$all$the$members$of$the$Executive$Council,$who$are$here$right$now$and$the$Leadership$Council$to$please$stand.$$They$have$done$an$incredible$job.$$And$the$only$thing$I’ve$done,$I’m$not$that$great$but$I’m$smart$enough$to$select$bright$people$and$enclose$the$leadership$model$with$that,$and$then$you$select$them$and$you$let$them$do$what$they$do.$$I$don’t$micromanage.$$I$just$let$them$do$what$they$do.$$I’m$here$for$questions,$what$have$you.$$So$a$lot$of$the$great$stuff$we’re$doing$I$had$nothing$to$do$with.$$Anyway,$I$am$very$happy$to$tell$you$that$the$State$of$your$Organization$is$solid$and$sound,$and$to$give$evidence$and$proof$of$that,$I’m$going$to$call$on$now$our$National$Vice$President.$$She’ll$be$immediately$followed$by$your$National$Treasurer,$who$is$from$the$Southern$Area.$So$Dr.$Glenda$Newell"Harris$and$then$Kathy$Wilson.$$Thank$you$very$much,$my$sisters.$$ $

E"9$

Link$Glenda$Newell"Harris$$To$our$Area$Director,$Link$Eneid$Francis;$and$to$my$friend,$my$mentor,$our$National$President,$Margot$James$Copeland;$to$all$of$my$Sister$Links,$good$afternoon.$$$I$have$the$wonderful$opportunity$to$share$with$you$a$little$bit$of$data.$$I’m$going$to$be$very$businesslike$and$move$on$because$I$do$have$a$time$requirement,$and$we$want$to$make$sure$that$we$have$adequate$time$for$question"and"answer.$So$I’m$going$to$talk$to$you$a$little$bit$about$membership.$$I’m$going$to$show$you$the$numbers.$$You’ve$heard$us$talk$a$little$bit$about$membership.$$You$talk$about$membership,$where$the$numbers$are.$Well,$today,$you’re$going$to$really$get$to$see$it$up$close$and$personal.$You’re$going$to$see$a$little$bit$about$the$historical$perspective,$where$we$have$been,$how$we’re$looking,$and$then$where$we$plan$to$go.$$So$where$are$all$of$our$Alumna$members?$$Here$they$are.$$This$is$just$a$graph$that$shows$you$a$little$bit$about$where$our$Alumna$members$are$and$what$they$have$done$in$the$last$four$years.$$As$you$can$see,$between$2009$and$2012,$we$had$approximately$1,100$members$to$go$into$Alumna$status.$$And$if$you$take$a$look$at$the$Areas,$they$really$are$pretty$much$across$the$board.$$It’s$not$really$one$more$so$one$in$Central,$Western$or$Eastern.$$It’s$really$pretty$much$across$the$board.$$You$will$see$that$it$spikes$just$a$little$bit$in$the$2012$year,$and,$of$course,$you$know$that$was$the$year$of$the$final$year$for$the$one"in"five.$$Membership$Forfeitures:$$So$we’ve$talked$a$little$bit$about$this$as$well.$$These$are$the$Link$Sisters$who$elected$to$resign$from$our$organization.$$They$elected$to$resign.$$This$is$not$related$to$""$well,$we$don’t$know$whether$it$was$related$to$one"in"five,$but$they$resigned$prior$to$the$National$Assembly.$$And$if$you$take$a$look,$there$is$a$bit$of$a$progression,$and,$of$course,$it’s$more$significant$in$the$2012$year.$$But$what$is$important$is$to$see$that$we$have$been$losing$members$over$the$entire$four$years,$and$that$is$a$concern.$$I$need$to$make$a$correction.$$The$membership$forfeitures$were$the$ones$that$actually$left$the$organization$due$to$the$one"in"five.$$Correction.$$748.$The$membership$forfeitures$were$the$members$who$left$the$organization,$at$least$in$2012,$due$to$the$one"in"five.$$In$‘11,$‘10$and$‘09,$it$could$be$any$one$of$reasons.$$It$could$be$service$hours;$it$could$be$dues.$Is$that$clear?$$I$apologize$for$that.$$Membership$Resignations:$$The$next$one$is$membership$resignations.$$These$are$the$members$that$elected$to$resign$from$our$organization$for$whatever$reason;$it$wasn’t$working,$bad$timing.$$And$as$you$can$see,$those$numbers$are$also$very$interesting$

E"10$

across$the$board.$If$you$look$in$all$the$Areas,$we’re$losing$them$in$all$the$Areas$for$the$

same$reason.$

$

New$Membership$Intake:$$So$let’s$take$a$look$at$what$happens$when$we$get$on$the$

other$side$of$this,$and$we$invite$members$to$come$into$our$organization.$$You$can$see$

between$2009$and$2012$we$took$in$2,400,$approximately$2,400$members.$$And$if$you$also$

take$a$look$at$those$numbers,$you$will$see$that$that$is$across$the$board.$$And$even$

though$we$know$that$there’re$some$Areas$that$tend$to$be$larger$than$other$Areas$as$it$

relates$to$chapter$numbers,$the$number$of$members$that$are$being$invited$into$

membership$across$the$four$Areas$are$very$similar.$

$

So$what’s$going$on$right$now?$$New$membership$candidates$for$2013,$we$have$

extended$invitation$to$approximately$1,200$members$this$year.$$So$you$might$ask$me,$

“How$does$that$look$in$comparison$to$previous$years.”$$It’s$very$similar.$$We$will$invite$

membership$invitations$to$about$1,200.$$And$if$you$go$back$and$take$a$look,$we’ll$

probably,$out$of$that$number,$get$about$800$that$will$accept$our$invitation.$$And$I’m$

unable$to$provide$you$with$accurate$numbers$right$now$about$our$membership$intake$

because,$as$you$know,$some$of$our$Link$Sisters$where$we$have$extended$invitations$to$

be$a$part$of$this$organization$are$still$making$their$decisions.$$So$that$means$you$still$

have$an$opportunity$to$influence$them$into$coming$into$our$organization.$

$

How$are$we$looking?$$So$right$now$we$are$276$chapters.$And$this$is$the$distribution:$$73$

in$the$East;$78$in$the$Southern$Area;$69$Central;$56$Western.$$And$nothing$has$changed$

about$our$maximum$number,$60$is$the$same,$and,$of$course,$that$does$not$include$

daughters$of$Links.$

$

Next$we$want$to$talk$about$the$number$of$members$in$a$chapter.$$If$you$take$a$look$at$

“50$or$more,”$only$about$37$of$our$276$chapters$are$at$“50$or$more”$members.$$And$then$

if$you$go$down$to$the$lower$one$to$“29$or$less”$you’ll$see$that$we$have$a$lot$of$chapters$

also$that$are$at$“29$or$less.”$$So$we$truly$have$room$to$grow.$

$

So$I$want$to$show$it$to$you$in$a$different$kind$of$way.$Thirty"eight$percent$of$our$

chapters$have$“29$or$fewer”$members.$$That’s$107$of$our$chapters$are$at$“29$or$fewer.”$

Sixty"nine$percent$of$all$of$our$chapters$are$at$“40$or$fewer,”$193$chapters.$$And$11$

percent$of$our$chapters,$only$11$percent$of$our$chapters$are$at$“50$or$more”$members.$

$

Now,$I$also$want$you$to$pay$very$close$attention$because$you$gave$us$this$data.$And,$

for$those$of$you$who$are$sitting$in$those$seats$right$there,$you$have$""$Margot$and$I$and$

the$rest$of$the$executive$team$think$that$we’ve$got$one$of$the$hardest$jobs,$but$we$know$

that$those$seats$that$you’re$sitting$in$right$there$are$the$hardest$jobs.$$And,$we$want$to$

E"11$

thank$you,$chapter$presidents,$for$providing$us$with$this$data.$$This$is$the$data$that$

came$forth$from$the$Chapter$Assessment$Survey$that$you$all$completed,$and$I$will$be$

giving$a$report$on$that$a$little$later$on$this$afternoon.$

$

Most$of$our$members,$the$highest$prevalence$of$our$members$are$between$“50$and$69.”$$

And$if$you$take$a$look$at$“20$to$29,”$the$Southern$Area$has$4;$Eastern$has$9.$$We’re$all$

low$in$that$area.$$And$if$you$look$at$“30$to$39”,$we’re$all$low,$but$you$see$where$we$are,$

and$you$know$when$we$get$there$we$get$tired.$

So$here$it$is$in$another$way.$$Fifty"eight$percent$of$our$membership$is$between$50"$and$

69"years$old.$$Seven$percent$of$our$members$are$between$20$and$39.$$Those$are$the$ones$

with$the$energy,$the$technology,$how$to$do$it$differently,$they$tweet$and$everything$

else.$$Some$of$us$are$trying$to$do$that,$too.$

$

Members$that$are$between$one$to$three$years$in$Linkdom,$20$percent;$members$that$

have$a$relationship$with$us$between$four$and$fifteen$years,$45$percent;$and$so$forth.$$

You$get$the$picture.$

$

New$Member$Induction:$Between$2009$and$2012,$only$half$of$our$chapters$extended$

membership.$The$number$of$chapters$that$have$been$inducted$was$still$only$139$

chapters.$$And,$we$don’t$have$that$figure$for$the$lower$number.$

$

So$where$are$we$going$with$this?$$Well,$we’ve$brought$this$data$to$you$so$you$can$

really$see$where$we$are.$$And$I’m$reaching$out$to$you$today$to$ask$for$your$suggestions$

and$help.$$What$we$want$to$do$is$we$want$to$grow$this$organization.$$We$want$to$

increase$the$number$of$chapters$inducting$new$members.$As$you$see,$only$half$are$

doing$that.$$We$want$to$invite$members.$$We$want$more$members$that$are$invited$to$

membership$and$then$we$need$to$have$some$way$to$make$sure$that$they$understand.$$

Because$I’m$getting$many$too$many$calls$from$National$Headquarters$saying,$“Well,$

Chapter$So"and"So$said$they$had$six$that$had$accepted$but$then$they$pulled$back$and$

now$it’s$only$four.”$$So$something$is$happening$between$them$getting$that$letter$and$

getting$excited$and$then$not$joining$us,$so$we$need$to$work$in$that$area.$

$

And,$then$we$need$to$talk$a$little$bit$about$our$mentoring.$$What$do$we$do$with$our$

members$when$they$come$in?$$Do$we$invite$them$into$membership$and$just$expect$that$

they$know$everything$that$we’re$supposed$to$know?$$Or$do$we$really$talk$to$them?$$

And$if$they’re$really,$really$busy$people,$then$just$like$the$rest$of$us$it$might$be$good$for$

you$to$just$call$them$in$and$say,$“Look,$you$need$to$block$this$date,$this$date;$every$

second$Wednesday$you$just$need$to$block,$and$I’ll$tell$you$about$it$later.”$$Because$

many$of$us$find$time$to$do$all$the$kinds$of$things$that$we$want$to$do.$But,$if$we$get$

notified$late,$it’s$very,$very$difficult.$$$

E"12$

$

And,$of$course,$we$want$those$ladies$that$are$doing$things,$and$of$course,$if$they’re$

going$things$with$us,$they’re$doing$things$in$the$community$as$well.$So$we$really$want$

to$work$on$how$we$mentor$our$Link$Sisters$when$we$bring$them$in.$$Do$we$bring$them$

in$in$some$chapters$""$and$I’m$in$my$own$chapter,$so$I’m$sometimes$speaking$about$my$

own?$$But$do$we$bring$them$and$they’re$in$there$nine$months$and$we$want$them$to$be$

treasurer?$$Or,$vice$president?$$Because$you’re$tired?$Because$you’ve$been$in$that$role$

for$so$long,$and$nobody$else$has$been$willing$to$step$up?$It’s$just$not$even$fair$to$our$

Link$Sisters$to$bring$them$in$and$give$them$the$treasurer$role.$$I$spend$time$sometimes$

trying$to$hold$back$some$of$our$members$saying$“Ooh,$don’t$do$it,$not$yet.”$$They’re$

anxious,$and$they$get$involved,$and$they$want$to$get$involved.$And$they$feel$like$you’re$

giving$them$a$vote$of$confidence,$but$they$don’t$really$know$all$about$the$dead$bodies.$$

They$can’t.$They$haven’t$been$there$long$enough.$$And$we$do$need$to$know$where$

they’re$buried$in$order$to$be$able$to$handle$these$roles.$Because$sometimes$we’ll$eat$

them$alive$when$they$get$up$to$give$their$report$because$the$report$is$not$like$the$other$

Link$Sister$used$to$do$it,$you$see.$

$

So$what$we$also$want$to$do$""$and$that$leads$to$the$whole$point$of$I$really$want$us$to$

also$take$a$serious,$serious$look$at$our$younger$Link$Sisters$because$there$are$some$

dynamic$women$that$are$out$there$doing$great$things.$$And$guess$what,$some$of$them$

are$your$daughters.$$So$that$leads$to$the$next$point.$

$

But$when$we$did$the$survey,$we$also$asked$you$about$your$daughters,$and$you$very$

kindly$told$us$about$your$daughters.$$And,$what$we$found$out$is$that$between$about$

400$and$600$of$you$have$daughters,$and$guess$what,$they$fit$right$in$the$age$range$of$

where$we’re$looking.$$They’re$between$30$and$49.$$Nobody$reported$any$60"plus"year$

old$daughters.$$But$they’re$out$there,$and$some$of$them$may$not$be$in$your$household,$

but$they’re$in$and$out$of$your$household.$

$

So$I’m$very$curious$to$know.$I$mean$I$know$some$of$them$are$still$trying$to$get$their$

degrees$and$still$trying$to$do$things.$$But$if$we$need$to$help$them$out,$we$help$them$out$

with$everything$else.$$So$why$not$help$them$out?$$And$if$we’re$going$to$spend$all$this$

time$in$this$organization,$why$don’t$we$want$to$pass$this$legacy$onto$our$girls?$$So$I$

would$encourage$you$""$and$maybe$you’re$not$the$one$to$talk$to$your$daughter$but$this$

Sister$Link$over$here$is$the$one$to$talk$to$your$daughter.$$Because$she’s$seeing$you$all$

day$and$night,$and$she’s$looking$to$build$a$bridge$with$another$Link$Sister,$who$might$

be$working$in$an$organization$or$a$corporation$that$she$is$interested$in$participating$or$

joining.$$So$we$want$you$to$give$us$some$ideas.$$I$did$get$some$ideas$when$I$was$in$

Boston$about$how$we$can$encourage$younger$members.$And$I$am$proud$to$say,$in$

closing,$that$last$Sunday$my$chapter$inducted$""$I$think$she’s$23,$and$I’m$proud$to$

E"13$

report$that$this$young$sister$was$born$and$raised$right$in$the$Southern$Area.$$She$comes$""$her$mother$is$from$Link$Mavis’$chapter,$Jackson$(MS).$$Her$name$is$(Lacey).$And$I$want$to$tell$you$when$that$Link$Sister$got$up$to$the$podium$to$tell$us$why$she$was$joining$The$Links,$Incorporated$we$all$just$had$our$mouths$gaped$open.$$I$mean,$dynamic$women.$$There$was$none$of$this,$“my$mother$wanted$me$to$join,”$none$of$that.$$She$was$talking$all$about$why$she$really$wanted$to$be$there$and$what$she$thought$she$could$contribute.$$That’s$who$is$out$there,$and$we$need$to$go$and$tap$them$and$we$need$to$bring$them$in$and$we$need$to$embrace$them$and$let$them$know$that$we$need$them$and$we$need$their$engagement$in$our$organization.$$Thank$you$for$your$time.$$$

Link$Katherine$Wilson$$Thank$you,$Madam$Vice$President,$and$to$our$illustrious$Area$Director,$who$I$take$pleasure$in$owning,$and$to$our$National$President.$$I$am$going$to$present$to$you$membership$in$the$dollar$format.$$What$these$numbers$show$you,$this$is$our$audited$numbers$that$we$report$and$that$the$auditors$have$analyzed,$and$these$are$the$correct$dollars.$$You$can$see$from$2009$to$2012$we’re$pretty$flat.$$This$does$not$include$program$fees$and$other$items$that$are$restricted.$$This$is$strictly$membership$dues,$the$$115$per$member$that$we$used$for$operations$and$other$things$that$we$need$to$use.$$We$have,$as$you$can$see$at$the$bottom,$a$flat$line$on$about$9,000$members,$around$9,400$really,$if$you$average$it$out,$and$so$we$haven’t$grown.$$What$Link$Glenda$has$shared$with$you$is$that$we$are$stable,$and$it’s$very$unfortunate$because$there$are$so$many$qualified,$young$women$out$there$that$we$could$take$under$our$wings$and$make$very$fine$Link$Sisters.$$By$fiscal$year,$I$am$showing$you$the$number$of$members$who$have$changed$their$status.$$Again,$you$can$see$in$‘09$you$had$180$members$that$went$Alumna;$in$2010,$it$was$210;$in$2011,$it$was$325,$and$in$2012,$it$was$403.$$Forfeitures,$you$can$see$that$also$has$spiked.$$And$2012,$of$course,$was$impacted$by$one"in"five$and$by$people$who$did$not$pay$their$building$assessments.$$Resignations,$we’re$running$rather$healthy$in$resignations.$$In$2009,$we$had$226$members;$in$2010,$we$had$280$members;$we$had$a$slight$dip$in$‘11$for$174,$and$in$2012,$we$had$231$members.$$A$grand$total,$you$can$see$at$the$bottom$that$we’re$averaging$around$a$little$over$500,$550$members$that$leave$every$year,$and$this$does$not$include$

E"14$

members$who$are$deceased.$$On$average,$we$lose$around$175$members$per$year$across$the$entire$Linkdom$kingdom$that$die.$And$you’d$have$to$add$that$number$in,$but$I$did$not$add$that$in$because$I$didn’t$want$to$inflate$the$number.$$I$took$the$assumption$that$members$who$are$deceased,$who$have$passed$away,$are$in$the$Alumna$group.$$So$I$just$wanted$to$share$that$with$you.$$We$have$a$lot$of$work$that$we$need$to$do.$$Now,$this$specifically$addresses$the$Southern$Area,$and$you$can$see$I$have$taken$these$numbers$and$analyzed$them$the$same$way$that$I$did$on$a$National$level.$$So,$in$2009,$we$had$58$members$that$took$Alumna;$in$2010,$we$had$55$members;$in$2011,$we$had$73$members,$and$in$2012,$we$had$137$members.$$Forfeitures,$in$‘09,$we$had$22;$2010,$there$were$70;$2011,$67;$and$in$2012,$78.$$Resignations,$we$were$following$lower$than$the$National$trend,$but$we$still$had$a$significant$number$of$resignations.$In$‘09,$we$had$28;$in$2010,$we$had$62;$in$2011,$we$had$38,$and$in$2012,$we$had$58.$So,$as$you$can$see,$the$grand$total$is$shown$here$across$the$bottom.$$I$won’t$read$that$to$you.$$But,$what$I$wanted$to$show$is$the$estimated$lost$dues$opportunity$that$we$had.$$So,$in$‘09,$we$had$12,420,$and$that$has$grown$to$31,395$as$of$the$fiscal$year$2012.$$Cumulatively,$we’ve$lost$almost$$86,000$from$loss$in$members.$$That’s$a$lot$of$money$that$I$know$the$Southern$Area$could$use$to$make$things$better$for$the$chapters$that$are$under$its$umbrella.$$Now,$you$have$your$total$estimated$lost$members,$the$total$that$was$on$the$previous$sheet;$you$have$the$number$of$new$members,$and$then$you$have$a$net$change.$$So,$in$the$year$that$we$lost$108,$we$took$in$150;$we$had$a$net$advantage$of$42.$$In$2010,$we$lost$187,$we$took$in$181,$so$we$have$a$negative$loss$of$six$members.$$We$had$six$more$people$go$out$rather$than$come$in.$$In$2011,$we$had$178$members$that$left;$we$only$took$in$151.$$We$had$a$net$loss$of$27$members.$$So$we’re$not$even$keeping$up$with$the$number$of$members$that$are$leaving.$$In$2012,$we$had$273$members$that$left,$we$have$176$that$we$took$in,$and$we$have$a$97$net$loss$in$members.$$We$are$not$supporting$our$organization$the$way$we$should.$$And$this$is$critical,$as$you’ve$heard$from$our$National$Vice$President;$you’ve$heard$it$from$our$National$President.$$We$don’t$want$our$organization$to$go$stale;$we$don’t$want$it$to$die.$$When$you$look$at$the$majority$of$us$in$age,$you$look$at$us$that$are$50$to$69.$How$much$longer$do$you$think$this$organization$is$going$to$stay$alive$and$viable?$$We’re$looking$at$our$own$future$if$we$don’t$change$our$attitude$and$look$forward$to$inviting$new$people$into$our$family.$$

E"15$

The$benefit$of$bringing$in$new$members,$as$we$all$have$talked$about,$is$shared$work$responsibility,$stronger$chapters,$shared$financial$responsibility$and$strength$in$numbers$and$influence.$$Unfortunately,$we$can’t$continue$like$this,$and$if$we$continue$like$this,$we’re$going$to$be$looking$at$the$option$of$having$to$go$to$the$National$Assembly$and$ask$for$a$dues$increase.$$We$have$people$who$work$for$us$whose$families$depend$on$us,$and$if$we$have$to$go$back$again$this$year$and$say,$“I’ve$got$to$let$you$go,”$I$don’t$feel$like$a$good$Link$in$doing$that.$$These$people$come,$they$work$for$us,$they$work$hard$for$us,$they$work$without$overtime,$and$we’re$looking$at$the$possibility$of$having$to$do$that.$$So,$sisters,$I$ask$you$to$rise$to$the$occasion.$It’s$too$late$for$this$year,$but$you$have$a$wonderful$opportunity$to$do$it$next$year.$We$worry$about$chapter$dues.$$If$you$add$new$members,$that$also$keeps$your$chapter$dues$lower.$$That$concludes$my$report,$Madam$President.$$Thank$you,$Link$Kathy$and$Link$Glenda,$for$your$excellent$presentations.$$Ladies,$this$is$the$state$of$your$organization,$and$I$am$honored$to$be$your$president.$$Thank$you.$$

Appendix F

!

F"1#

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

##

Report#of#the#National#Vice#President##Good#afternoon#again,#Sister#Links.##I#have#the#opportunity#to#share#with#you#""#actually,#I’m#going#to#share#with#you#all#of#the#information#about#the#National#Chapter#Assessment#Survey.#And,#as#Link#Margot#pointed#out,#this#presentation#will#be#made#available#to#you#on#the#Membership#page#of#the#website#just#prior#to#July#1st#at#the#very#end#of#the#Western#Area#Conference.##So#how#many#of#you#remember#that#Chapter#Assessment#Survey#that#you#filled#out?##Okay,#of#course,#because#we#needed#your#support#in#order#to#do#this,#and#you#had#to#get#with#all#of#your#chapter#members,#and#we’re#very,#very#grateful#to#you#for#that.##So#why#did#we#do#this?##We#did#this#because#we#felt#that#it#would#be#important#for#us#to#gather#this#data#to#be#able#to#present#some#of#the#information#that#we#shared#with#you#in#the#previous#presentation.##But#what#surveys#will#do:##It#will#give#you#trends,#it#will#give#you#disrupters,#foresight,#innovative#insights#is#what#we#really#think#is#going#to#come#out#of#this,#and#then#strategic#actions#as#well.##The#areas#of#focus#on#the#assessment#were#membership,#programs,#partners,#leadership,#basic#operations#and#funding.##I’m#going#to#focus#most#of#my#presentation#in#the#area#of#membership,#although#I#will#touch#briefly#on#the#others.##Facts#about#the#survey:##Well,#of#course,#the#Central#Area,#where#our#president#comes#from,#they#were#the#leaders#to#start#this,#so#it#was#done#first#in#Central#Area.##And#we#thought#that#it#was#such#a#great#report#that#we#decided#to#do#this#in#the#other#Areas,#so#it#was#recently#done#in#the#other#three#Areas.##The#survey#was#sent#to#the#chapter#presidents.#Responses#from#the#members#came#back#to#the#chapter,#and#we#had,#believe#it#or#not,#a#97#percent#response.##So#I#think#you#should#give#yourselves#an#applause#on#that.##Good#surveys#I’m#told#from#the#research#folks#are#33#percent,#so#you#tripled#that#number.##Membership#Demographics:##Now,#you#saw#a#little#bit#of#this#earlier.##So#43#percent#of#our#chapters#are#between#26"#and#49"years#old,#we#learned;#33#percent#are#over#50;#but#most#of#all,#more#than#75#percent#of#our#chapters#are#older#than#26#in#age.##And#our#

!

F"2#

average#size#is#37.##Now,#it’s#important#to#know#that#this#information#actually#came#forth#before#the#Orlando#assembly.#So#what#this#has#shown#us#and#what#you#told#us#is#that,#due#to#your#small#numbers,#this#is#what#you’re#seeing.##You’re#seeing#burnout,#people#are#tired,#and#with#fewer#members,#then#you#don’t#have#the#capacity#to#be#able#to#do#the#kinds#of#things#that#you#want#to#do.##Age#Demographics#of#Our#Current#Members:##Once#again,#this#is#between#2011#and#2012.##This#is#what#you#told#us#in#this#recent#survey.##But#guess#what,#it#looks#just#like#what#we#showed#you#for#the#last#four,#five#years,#that#our#most#prevalent#ages#are#between#50#and#69.#So#50"#to#59"year#olds#are#the#largest#numbers#that#we#have;#and#50"#to#59"year#olds#are#the#largest#numbers#of#new#members#that#we#have;#and#that#many#of#our#daughters#are#between#30#and#39#that#are#eligible#for#membership.##What#you#told#us#was#that#you#love#this#organization.##Look#at#that.##Membership#Satisfaction,#90#percent#of#the#chapters#that#reported#said#that#they#enjoyed#their#experience.####What#you#want#to#hear#from#us,#though,#you#wanted#information#on#training,#operations,#leadership#development.##You#wanted#increased#interaction#with#Area#and#National#Officers.##You#wanted#more#leadership#training.##You#wanted#more#realistic#timelines,#so#we#don’t#need#to#have#five#different#things#due#on#February#1st.#We#heard#you#in#that#area,#and#we’re#working#very#hard#to#try#to#be#conscious#of#that.#You#told#us#that#you#wanted#information#on#how#to#do#fund"raising,#and#you#wanted#to#learn#more#about#technology.#Well,#stay#tuned#for#this#fabulous#Leadership#Summit#that#our#National#President#is#pulling#together#for#all#of#us#in#October,#and#I#am#confident#that#you#will#have#some#of#these#things#happen#right#there.##Area#Recommendations:##So#this#is#what#came#from#the#""#let#me#stop#for#just#a#moment#and#also#acknowledge#the#person#that#is#responsible#for#this#survey#that#actually#worked#very#hard#to#make#this#survey#happen,#and#that’s#Link#Sister#Patricia#Larkins"Hicks#from#the#Central#Area.##She#was#just#outstanding#in#creating#the#survey#and#working#with#the#Area#Coordinators.##And,#let#me#give#a#shout"out,#and#they#are#listed#at#the#end#of#this#presentation,#to#the#Area#Coordinators#that#worked#with#Link#Patricia#in#order#to#be#able#to#collate#this#data#and#provide#this#information#back#to#you.##So#what#we#learned#is#that#we#want#to#encourage#the#Areas#to#develop,#this#is#a#recurring#theme,#Sister#Links,#develop#Area"specific#member#recruitment#strategies;#identify#best#practices#to#recruit#20"#to#39"year#olds;#and#work#with#our#small#chapters#to#find#out#how#we#might#be#able#to#help#them#be#able#to#recruit#and#retain#members.##

!

F"3#

What#are#our#challenges?##Well,#it’s#some#of#the#same#things#we#mentioned;#attracting#

members,#retaining#members,#attracting#younger#members.##And#then#this#other#one,#I#

just#had#to#put#it#up#there,#people#just#don’t#want#to#vote#for#people#they#don’t#know.##I#

mean#they#can#be#the#most#outstanding#person#in#the#world#but#they#don’t#know#them.##

So,#if#you#know#that#that#is#a#challenge#in#your#chapter,#you#know#the#dynamics#and#the#

culture,#you#invite#that#person#to#the#fund"raiser,#you#invite#them#to#the#program#

events,#you#have#a#social#at#your#home#that’s#totally#not#Link"related,#and#they#just#

happen#to#be#there.##Sometimes#it’s#just#getting#a#chance#to#be#up#close#and#personal#

with#that#person,#and#it#just#seals#the#deal#because#you#do#need#the#votes#to#get#that#

member#in.#

#

We#also#know#that#there_re#some#challenges#with#family#obligations,#but#Link#Margot#

had#talked#about#that.##Both#of#my#children#were#born#in#the#chapter.##I#carted#them#

around.##I#was,#at#that#time,#I#was#one#of#the#younger#members,#and#they#were#happy#to#

have#a#baby#in#the#chapter.##And#we#just#carted#the#baby#around#and#he#or#she#rolled#

through#until#they#got#to#walk,#and#then#I#clearly#couldn’t#bring#the#baby#to#the#chapter#

meeting#at#that#point.##But#we#need#to#think#about#how#we#work#with#our#younger#

members.##Because#we#were#young#one#time,#and#we#were#having#children#one#time.##

And#we#just#need#to#be#cognizant#of#that.#

#

Some#are#also#challenged#with#the#one"in"five#and#then#the#membership#burnout,#which#

we#addressed#earlier,#which#often#times#is#related#to#just#fewer#members#in#the#chapter,#

and#sometimes#it’s#because#we#need#to#really#think#about#what#we’re#doing#and#maybe#

consolidate#some#of#our#programming#and#then,#of#course,#economics.#

#

Other#Membership#Challenges:##Limited#members#who#desire#leadership.##Limited#

succession#planning.##I#wonder#why#that#is.##I#mean#we#need#to#really#think#about#how#

we#plan#for#our#leadership.##I#mean#you#just#kind#of#just#don’t#go#out#of#office#one#day#

and#then#bring#somebody#in#the#next#day.##Also,#when#they’re#up#there#at#the#podium,#

we#don’t#just#say,#“That’s#not#the#way#I#do#it.”##So#we#need#to#be#more#supportive#and#

embrace#our#new#leaders#when#they#step#up.#

#

And,#then#intergenerational.#So,#in#the#chapters#I’m#finding#where#there#are#a#lot#of#

mother"daughter#combinations,#there#are#not#as#many#challenges#with#that.#Because#if#

your#daughter#is#up#giving#a#report,#nobody#is#going#to#say#anything#about#that#

situation.##You#know#that.##I#mean#that#happened#in#one#of#my#Areas.#We’ve#got#so#

many#mother"daughter#combinations.##And#then#what#happens#is#the#mother#Chairs,#

the#daughter#co"Chairs,#the#daughter#learns#everything#from#the#mother.#If#the#daughter#

gets#up#and#says#something#that’s#not#quite#right,#you#will#go#to#that#Link#Sister#after#

the#meeting#and#help#her.#But#if#your#daughter#is#in#Jackson#(MS)#and#I’m#in#Oakland,#

!

F"4#

we#just#forget#that#that#Link#Sister#in#our#chapter#is#somebody’s#child,#whether#the#mother#is#sitting#in#the#meeting#or#not.##We#need#to#be#supportive#and#embrace#that.##So#let’s#engage#our#more#senior#members#as#well#because#it’s#on#those#shoulders#that#we#stand,#and#they#provide#a#lot#of#historical#information.##And#history,#that#when#Link#Sadie#is#sending#us#e"mails#and#asking#us#what’s#going#on,#we’re#looking#around#in#our#chapter,#“Well,#who#knows#that?”##Your#charter#members#know#that.##So#250#chapters#responded#in#the#area#of#programming.##And,#I’m#just#going#to#run#right#through#this#because#programming#is#not#my#primary#area#of#focus.##However,#you#spoke#about#your#programs#and#you#talked#about#how#tired#you#were#and#that#there#were#too#many#programs#going#on#and#you#were#burnt"out#about#trying#to#make#them#happen#and#the#leadership#turnover#and#those#types#of#things#and#not#enough#members#to#be#able#to#do#all#of#the#things#that#you#want#to#be#able#to#do.##Partners:##Who#are#we#partnering#with?##We#are#partnering#with#other#Links#chapters,#other#community#organizations,#healthcare#organizations,#educational#institutions,#sororities,#and#fraternities.##Across#the#board,#we#have#partnerships#everywhere.##Leadership:##Two#hundred#thirty"nine#chapters#responded#in#this#area.##Few#chapters#are#offering#succession#planning,#and#that’s#something#to#think#about#when#it#comes#to#having#trouble#finding#leaders.#Membership#capacity,#relations#and#then#the#time#commitment.##And#let#me#be#realistic#about#our#time#commitments.##Are#our#meetings#going#on#three"and"a"half#hours?##And#if#they#are,#we#may#want#to#begin#to#think#about#how#we#might#be#able#to#tighten#that#up#so#that#the#leadership#opportunity#is#more#attractive.##I#just,#in##closing,#would#like#to#thank#Link#Patricia#Larkins"Hicks,#the#co"Chair#of#Organizational#Effectiveness,#and#all#of#the#Area#Coordinators,#specifically#from#the#Southern#Area.##Special#thanks#go#out#to#Faye#Hargrove#from#the#Southern#Area,#who#was#very#instrumental#in#helping#to#collate#this#information#from#the#Southern#Area;#and#to#all#of#the#Area#Directors#who,#without#their#support,#this#survey#would#not#have#been#possible.##That#ends#my#report#on#the#survey.##Thank#you#very#much,#Sister#Links.#

Appendix G

G"1$

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

$$

Resolution$$$A$tribute$to$the$officers$and$members$of$the$Dade$County$Chapter,$the$Greater$Miami$Chapter,$and$the$Miami"Biscayne$Chapter:$$WHEREAS,$the$members$of$the$South$Florida$Cluster$Chapters$of$The$Links,$Incorporated,$located$in$Miami$(FL),$validated$their$reputation$and$commitment$to$making$a$positive$difference$in$their$local$communities$by$implementing$the$local$planning$and$preparation$for$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$Link$DoLores$Washington$as$Lead$Conference$Liaison$coordinated$the$task$and$responsibilities$of$committees$composed$of$members$of$three$chapters$for$The$Links,$Incorporated,$those$being$the$Dade$County,$Greater$Miami$and$the$Miami"Biscayne$Bay$Chapters,$which$are$located$in$the$Greater$Miami$area;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$the$three$chapters$partnered$with$the$Life$Alliance$Organ$Recovery$Agency,$a$Division$of$the$Daughtry$Family$Department$of$Surgery$at$the$University$of$Miami,$Miller$School$of$Medicine,$to$host$Linkages$to$Life$to$raise$awareness$about$the$importance$of$organ$and$tissue$donation$in$minority$communities;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$the$chapters$are$saluted$for$the$multicultural$culinary$and$artistic$experience$provided$by$conference$participants$during$A$Taste$of$South$Florida,$pass$hope$to$friendship$and$fun;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$the$members$of$the$Dade$County,$Greater$Miami$and$Miami"Biscayne$Bay$Chapters$have$been$outstanding$hosts$who$welcomed$all$Links,$Connecting$Links$and$guests$to$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$with$hospitality,$warmth$and$embrace.$$NOW,$BE$IT$THEREFORE$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates,$members$in$attendance$and$guests$of$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$commend$the$officers$and$the$members$of$the$Dade$County,$Greater$Miami$and$Miami"Biscayne$Bay$Chapters$for$hosting$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$with$the$charm$and$courtesy$embodied$in$friendship$and$service;$and$$$

G"2$

BE$IT$FINALLY$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates$of$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference,$held$on$May$8th$through$12th$of$2013,$hereby$acknowledge$the$diligent$work$and$multitude$of$tasks$performed$by$the$three$chapters$of$The$Links,$Incorporated.$$Signed$Eneid$A.$Francis,$Southern$Area$Director$$Bessie$Isom,$Southern$Area$Representative$to$The$Links$Foundation,$Incorporated$$ $

G"3$

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

$

$

Resolution$

$

A$salute$to$the$Hyatt$Regency$Miami$Hotel:$

$

WHEREAS,$the$Hyatt$Regency$Miami$Hotel,$official$headquarters$for$the$42nd$

Southern$Area$Conference$of$The$Links,$Incorporated,$is$one$of$Miami[s$premier$hotel$

facilities;$and,$$

$

WHEREAS,$the$hotel$management$and$staff$offered$authentic$hospitality$and$

personalized$service$to$ensure$a$successful$conference;$and,$

$

WHEREAS,$the$Hyatt$Regency$Miami$Hotel$staff$of$experienced$meeting$and$events$

planners$provided$spacious$meeting$and$entertainment$facilities$to$accommodate$the$

needs$and$enjoyment$of$all$the$conference$participants;$and,$$

$

WHEREAS,$the$attractive$$environment$and$distinctive$culinary$services$enhanced$the$

overall$enjoyment$of$the$delegates,$members$and$friends$who$attended$the$42nd$

Southern$Area$Conference.$

$

BE$IT$THEREFORE$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates$and$members$applaud$and$salute$

the$management$and$staff$of$the$Hyatt$Regency$Miami$Hotel$for$excellent$service$

provided$during$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$of$The$Links,$Incorporated$held$

$on$May$8th$through$12th$of$2013.$$$

$

Signed$by$Eneid$A.$Francis,$Southern$Area$Director$

$

Bessie$Isom,$Southern$Area$Representative$to$The$Links$Foundation,$Incorporated$

$ $

G"4$

Southern Area The Links, Incorporated

$$

Resolution$$Tribute$to$the$18th$Southern$Area$Director,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis,$esteemed$visionary,$considerate,$resolute$and$loyal$leader$extraordinaire:$$WHEREAS,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$was$duly$elected$and$installed$as$the$Southern$Area$Director$of$The$Links,$Incorporated$in$New$Orleans$(LA)$at$the$41st$Southern$Area$Conference$on$May$28,$2011;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$established$a$strategic$plan$of$goals$and$objectives$that$are$successfully$being$implemented$by$the$chapters$of$the$Southern$Area;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$identified$the$Southern$Area$theme,$“Effecting$Change$Through$the$Power$of$Friendship$and$Service”;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$the$Southern$Area$Director$has$improved$the$Southern$Area$communications$and$increased$the$utilization$of$technology$and$broadened$membership$through$the$establishment$of$the$78th$Southern$Area$Chapter;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$has$conducted$leadership$training$throughout$the$Southern$Area$and$convened$the$2012$Southern$Area$Leadership$Summit$in$Savannah$(GA)$in$October$of$2012;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$has$provided$outstanding$leadership$in$the$planning$and$implementation$of$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$as$evidenced$in$the$array$of$workshops$that$provided$more$choices$which$empowered$members$with$more$knowledge$and$appreciation$for$effecting$change$that$makes$a$difference$in$our$chapters$and$communities;$and,$$$WHEREAS,$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$was$creative,$innovative,$enlightening,$productive,$meaningful$and$fun.$$NOW,$THEREFORE$BE$IT$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates,$members$in$attendance$and$guests$of$the$Southern$Area$Conference$commend,$applaud,$congratulate$and$hold$in$high$esteem$our$18th$Southern$Area$Director$for$having$presided$over$the$42nd$

G"5$

Southern$Area$Conference$with$excellence,$embodying$the$power$of$friendship$and$

service;$and$$

$

BE$IT$FURTHER$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates$of$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$

record$their$appreciation$for$the$substantive$and$varied$tasks$performed$and$the$

numerous$duties$fulfilled$by$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis$throughout$the$conference;$and$$

$

BE$IT$FINALLY$RESOLVED,$that$the$delegates$of$the$42nd$Southern$Area$Conference$

hereby$acknowledge$the$dynamic$Southern$Area$Director,$the$effective$Program$and$

Operational$Workshops$held$during$the$conference,$and$the$diligent$work$of$our$

esteemed$Southern$Area$Director,$Link$Eneid$A.$Francis.$$$

$

Signed$by$Link$Tamara$Lee,$Southern$Area$Vice$Director$

$

Bessie$Isom,$Southern$Area$Representative$to$The$Links$Foundation,$Incorporated$

$