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The Newsletter for the State of New Jersey

Soror Mary B. Wright,

September 2015

Volume 6, Issue 1

International President
Soror Janet Y. Bivins, Esq.,

Atlantic Regional Director

Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.,

New Jersey State Director

Building on the Principles of
Zeta
While Blazing New Paths!

Inside this issue:

Z-Lessons

Updates

Conference & ZHOPE

Reminders

Making Strides

Parliamentary Corner

NJ Making History

ZHOPE Initiatives

Amicae News

12

Upcoming Events

14

S t a t e o f N ew J e r s ey

Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.

New Jersey State Director
325 East Jimmie Leeds Road
Suite 7 PMB 144
Galloway, NJ 08205
Phone: (609) 748-1470
Website: www.zphibnj.org
E-mail: NJStateDir@aol.com
www.facebook.com/zphibnj

Message from the SDYear of the Undergraduates

Welcome Back Sorors and Amicae! It is my privilege to
begin my 6th year as your State Director. We have a lot
to be excited about this year! We will convene in Philadelphia for our Regional conference and in Mt. Laurel for
our State Conference. We will prepare for Boule, which
will take place in Orlando in July. We have already welcomed a new chapter into the foldAAXZ Chapter, chartered July 21, 2015. (See pages 78)
This year, we will continue to focus on our undergraduates
and Elder Care, per Madame Grand Wright. We will
also emphasize leadership. To begin the journey to better leadership, see page 2 , Z-Lessons for Conflict Resolution Tips. Also in this edition: National & State Updates ( p. 3): Regional Conf.
Reminders (pp. 4, 5, 9 & 10); & Amicae Awareness Day (p. 12). Reminders:
January 16 and 17State Founders Day Observances
April 22 and 23State Conference
Learn and Enjoy!

Remember:

IF SERVING IS BELOW YOU, LEADERSHIP IS BEYOND YOU!

Z-Lessons
Monthly Embellishment & Training for
the Sorors of New Jersey

September 2015

Building on the Principles of Zeta

While Blazing New Paths!

Soror Mary B. Wright, International President

Soror Janet Y. Bivins, Esq., Atlantic Regional Director
Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq., New Jersey State Director

Conflict Resolution Steps

By Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.

Thank you for all of the great feedback on the Conflict Resolution Workshop held at the State Executive Board
Meeting/Day of Training. I hope that you have arranged to formally address this topic with your chapters, including completion of the Chapter Climate Assessment Inventory. (Contact me if you need a copy.)
Remember, conflict is to be expected but drama should not be tolerated. Conflict is simply opposing needs,
wishes or demands. All leaders need to be prepared to resolve conflict.
To resolve conflict:
Direct communication with ALL involved asap, but ONLY those involved
State the problem
Listen
Understand the views of each side
Determine what each side wants
Seek help
Require confidentiality
Create resolution plan
Communicate and enforce that plan
Follow up
To avoid conflict or the escalation of conflict:
Remove appointees as necessary
Change committee membership as needed
Follow officer removal procedures in the bylaws
Vent and allow others to vent
Accept that there will be conflict
Enforce Roberts Rules of Order
Avoid discussions via email, social media and text

The Zeta Call

Page 3

Updates: NJ & Beyond

New State Treasurer Appointed
Please join me in thanking Soror Janice Evans for nearly 15 years of service to
the State of NJ as a financial officer. Please also join me in wishing her well as
she and her family relocate to Tampa, Florida.
Congratulations to Soror Janelle Williams, who has been appointed to complete
Soror Evans unexpired term. Soror Williams is a member of Omega Mu Zeta
Chapter. She became a member of our sorority in 2003 via Omicron Epsilon
Chapter at the College of New Jersey.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sign Historic
AgreementOur Sorority and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) signed a historic memorandum
of understanding in Washington, D.C. in July to work cooperatively to engage urban youth in outdoor recreation,
biological sciences and healthful activity in nature. The partnership unites Zeta members and the Service in engaging youth in recreation on national wildlife refuges and helping them understand how such activity promotes
healthful living, which aligns with the Zetas Have Heart health initiative. For additional information, please see the national website
www.zphib1920.org.

Zeta Organizational Leadership

Congratulations to all NJ Sorors that attended ZOL in July. A special
congratulations goes to Sorors Ireisha Vaughn (Psi Pi Chapter) and Jeniya Webbs (Rho Theta Chapter), who were sponsored by the State of NJ
and pictured, right.

State Conference Hotel Block Now Open

The State Conference will take place on April 22 and 23, 2016. The venue for the meeting is the Doubletree Suites Hotel located in Mt. Laurel.
The room block is AVAILABLE NOW. BECAUSE OF THE PENN RELAYS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
YOU BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW. YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL NOT BE CHARGED. ALL ROOMS ARE
SUITES WITH A PULL OUT SOFA BED IN THE LIVING ROOM AREA. The cost is $119 per night plus tax.
THERE ARE 70 ROOMS IN THE BLOCK. Please contact the hotel directly with any problems.
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/P/PHLFRDT-C29-20160422/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Group Name: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority-State of NJ

Group Code: C29
Check-in:
22-APR-2016
Check-out: 23-APR-2016
Hotel Name: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Mt. Laurel

Phone Number: 856-778-8999

The Zeta Call

Page 4

Regional Conference Reminders

Sorors and Amicae, key information regarding the 56th Atlantic Regional Conference (October 8 11,
Philadelphia, Pa) is below. Please see the conference brochure for full details.

Registra on Deadlines: REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Hotel: Philadelphia Hilton at Penns Landing (see page 5 of the Conference Brochure)

Reserva on Details
Book online: h p://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/ personalized/P/PHLPNHHZEPH20151005/index.
jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
Call: 1800HILTONS
Use Booking Code: ZEPH/Atlan cRegion,ZetaPhiBetaSorority
Creditcardwillbeusedtoholdasleepingroom.Creditcardwillbecharged(onenightstay)ifyou
cancellessthan72hourspriortoarrival.
Open: Immediately
Deadline: September 14, 2015 (or until sold out)
Attendance
Each Chapter and Amicae Auxiliary needs to send 2 delegates
All NJ Life Members should attend

ZHOPE Ini a ves (see page 20 of the Conference Brochure)

Friends to the Elderly Senior Program Meeng the Basic Needs for Seniors
TheAwesomeAtlan cRegionwillraise$10,000forFriendstotheElderlySeniorProgramsthrough
outourAtlan cRegion
State Compe on for Zetas and Amicae (see page 22 of the Conference Brochure)
Help Give Domes c Violence Vic ms and Survivors Back Their Voice.
HopeLine from Verizon puts the nations most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network
to work in our communities by turning unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence, while helping the environment by disposing of wireless phones in an environmentally sound way.

Remembering Arizona (see page 24 of the Conference Brochure)

Sororsand Amicaeareinvitedtopar cipateinanastoundingproject(MemorialMonument)that
willensurethatthegravesiteofFounderArizonaCleaverStemonsis clearlyrepresenta veofthe
leadFounderandPresidentEmeritaofourgreatsisterhood.IndividualSororsandAmicaedona ng
$30 or more in support of the Memorial Monument will receive a commemora ve token: pair of
whiteglovesandalapel/hatpin.Addi onally,donorsatthelevelof$125.00willbelistedonthe
plaqueofgra tudetoalsobeunveiledduringtheRegionalConference.Alldonorsatthe$125.00
levelorhigherwillbelistedinthedigitalconferencejournal.

Contribu onscanbemadeonlinevia:
www.memberplanet.com/s/founderarizonacstemonsgravemarkerproject/acs_project2015
or by check made payable to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority - Atlantic Region and mailed to Crystal Johnson,
Atlantic Region Tamias Grammateus, 2152 Ralph Avenue, Suite 242, Brooklyn, NY 11234.

Volume 6, Issue 1

Page 5

Are you ready for 2020? (see page 25 of the Conference Brochure)
Our Centennial Celebration is right around the corner. The Atlantic Region will host a Centennial Launch
Party on Friday, October 9, at the 2015 Regional Conference. Now is the time to order your Official Atlantic Region Launch Party T-shirt.
Support the Conference by submitting an ad (see page 19 of the Conference Brochure)
Ad submission and payment Deadline: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 Making

Making Strides of Edison

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Making Strides of Jersey City

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making Strides of Newark NJ

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making Strides of Ocean City NJ

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making Strides of Parsippany

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making Strides of Pennsauken

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Making Strides of Point Pleasant Beach Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making Strides of Ridgefield Park

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Challenge: $1,000 per Chapter

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Zeta Call

Page 6

Parliamentary Corner: Atlantic Region Leadership Conference

Submitted By: Titessa Smith, NJ Parliamentarian
Our 56th Atlantic Region Leadership Conference is fast approaching. The proposed Bylaw amendments have been
disseminated to all the chapters. There were nine proposed changes submitted, so please discuss them at your
chapter meetings. Please be advised that the Constitution has been removed from the document as required by
the vote of the body at 2014 Boule.
The proposed amendments and rationale are summarized below:
Article XVII Section: 2 (amendment of previous Constitution)
To delete Section 2- Suspension, as bylaws cannot be suspended except under specified conditions.
Bylaws V Article VI- Regional Structure
To delete Geographic Area Coordinators, as we no longer have those positions.
Bylaws V Article VII- State Structure
To delete Geographic Area Coordinators, as we no longer have those positions.
Bylaws X Article XV- Budgets, Assessments, and Fees
To revise and add wording in order to accommodate the change in the month of the Regional Executive Board
meeting from February to October and for chapters to be seated, all chapter taxes, fees, and/or assessments must
be paid no later than 60 days preceding the Regional Leadership Conference. No chapter taxes, fees assessments, and/
or late fees will be accepted at the Regional Conference or Executive Board Meeting.
Bylaws X Article IV- States
To revise and add wording to include the locations of those chapters that were newly chartered in the Country of
Belgium and Town of London.
Bylaws X Article VIII Section 1- Officers Elections
To revise the wording to state that on a regional level, a state shall not have more than two elected officers
Bylaws X Article VIII Section 1- Officers Elections
To add that time should be set aside for election of officers except where there is only one person running.
Bylaws X Article XI Section 2b- Election Committee
To add that conducting the election of officers by secret ballot, except where there is only one person running. If
only one person is nominated and the bylaws do not require that a ballot vote be taken, the chair, after ensuring
that no member present wish to make further nominations, simply declares that the nominee is elected, thus the
nominee is elected, thus effecting the election by unanimous consent or acclamation. The motion to close nomination cannot be used as a means of moving the election of the candidate in such case.
Bylaws X Article XII Section I- Committees
To revise and add in Budget & Finance and Protocol under Standing Committees in Section 1; and Awards, Bylaws,
DOARS, Elections, Fundraising, Necrology, Nominations, Recommendations, Resolutions, Scholarships, and Zeta Doves
under Special Committees in Section 2 as they are all functioning committees of the Atlantic Region.

***Please remember to bring your governing documents and RONR 11th Edition to the
Regional Conference.

Page 7

Volume 6, Issue 1

NJ Making History
Monmouth County Graduate Chapter
Part of the State Directors job is to grow Zeta, expanding her reach to underserved and unserved areas of the
State. As announced at the State Executive Board Meeting in April, plans were made to establish the chapter,
starting with an Open House held on June 4. Six weeks later, Grand Wright approved the establishment of Alpha Alpha Chi Zeta Chapter, NJs 13th Graduate Chapter. The Chartering Ceremony was held on August 22.
Honored guests included Soror Valerie Hollingsworth, National First Vice President and Regional Director
Janet Y. Bivins, Esq., who presided over the ceremony. Over 120 Soror attended the ceremony, followed by a
reception where guests included Sigmas New Jersey State Director Nigel Coelho and Monmouth County
Greeks. Soror Chasity McDonald is the president of NJs first four letter chapter!

Zeta Call

Page 8

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc

Alpha

Alpha Chi Zeta Chapter

Monmouth County, NJ
Mary Breaux Wright, International President
Janet Y. Bivins, Esq., Atlantic Regional Director
Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq, New Jersey State Director
Chasity McDonald, Chapter President

OnSaturday,August22,2015thelegacyofZetacon nuedastheStatecelebratedthecharteringofits13thGraduateChap
terandthe1stfourle eredchapterinNewJersey.TheceremonywasperformedbytheNa onalFirstAn BasileusValerie
Hollingsworth,Atlan cRegionalDirectorSororJanetY.Bivins,Esq.andNewJersey13thStateDirectorSororGinaMerri
Epps,Esq.Alsoina endancewereSororsfromOmegaMuZeta,GammaOmicronZeta,ZetaDeltaZeta,EtaOmicronZeta,
EpsilonXiZeta,SigmaZetaZeta,XiTauZetaandGammaNuZetachaptersaswellasSororsformanyotherchaptersinthe
Atlan cRegion.
TheMonmouthCountyGraduateChaptercharteredonJuly21,2015willservicebothMonmouthandOceanCoun es.With
thiswonderfuladdi ontothestateandmoreimportantlytotheMonmouthandOceanareasthechapterisexcitedtowel
comeback10reclaimsandgratefulfor8transfers.TheMonmouthCountyGraduateChaptercurrentlyhasthelargestchar
teringgroupintheState.
TheMonmouthCountyGraduateChapterrespec ullyknownasTheGreat18chartermembersare:

Chasity McDonald, President: LifeMember

Tiany Cox, First Vice President
Pamela Felder, Second Vice President
Sandra Rodriguez, Third Vice President
Kenya I. Pace, Recording Secretary
Nehemiah Smith, Corresponding Secretary
Stephanie Chapman, Treasurer
Tracy Durham, Financial Secretary
Karen Odom, Parliamentarian
Dawn Durant
Alisha GarnerDickerson
Kimberly HinnantLogan
Iyeshia Jeerson
Shemea Marshall
Sajdah Muhammad
Shalonda Tanner
Kimberly Te erton
Patricia Thomas
Withover50yearsofZetaexperiencecombinedthechapterisconfidentthattheirworkinMonmouthandOceanCounty
willraiseconsciousnessofpeople,encouragescholas cachievement,andfosterunityamongthecommuni es.Thechapter
willstrivetoincreasemembershipthroughfoundingprinciplesofservice,scholarship,sisterhoodandfinerwomanhood.It
isagreathonorforthechaptertojointheMonmouthCountysGreekPanHellenicCouncil.A eralongoverduearrival,
THEZETASAREHERE.

Volume 6, Issue 1

ZHOPE INITIATIVES

Page 9

Page 10

ZHOPE INITIATIVES - Contd

Zeta Call

Volume 6, Issue 1

ZHOPE INITIATIVES - Contd

Page 11

Zeta Call

Page 12

Amicae News

Statewide Amicae Awareness Day

& Weekend Activities
September 25 - 27, 2015
Each of the nine auxiliaries is hosting an Amicae Awareness Day and public event to raise awareness about the
auxiliary and increase membership, and to continue the National branding of the Amicae.

Friday September 25, 2015 Amicae Awareness Day

Zeta Amicae of Atlantic City
Amica Beverly Conner, President
Zeta Amicae of Jersey City
Amica Cynthia Hicks, President
Zeta Amicae of Newark/Orange
Amica Yvonne Shannon, President

Zeta Amicae of Camden

Amica Ataya Pitts, President
Zeta Amicae of Middle/Southern Middlesex County
Amica Rhonda McCall, President
Zeta Amicae of Plainfield
President TBD

Thursday, September 24, 2015

6PM 8PM
Zeta Amicae of Middle/Southern Middlesex County
Game Night
Franklin Township Public Library
Community Room A & B
485 Demott Lane, Somerset, NJ
Z-HOPE Military Initiative: Toiletry Drive collecting toiletry items for veterans
GET ENGAGED: Voter Registration Drive
Friday, September 25, 2015
1PM 3PM
Zeta Amicae of Newark-Orange
Back to School Supplies Drive
Madison Ave School, Irvington, NJ
St. Joseph School, East Orange, NJ
Z-HOPE Initiative School Supplies Drive
Friday, September 25, 2015
6PM 8PM
Zeta Amicae of Moorestown
Bowling Party
Burlington Bowl & Recreation Center
4486 Route 130 South
Burlington, NJ Donation: $10.00
Includes: Bowling, Shoe Rental, Pizza and Soft Drink.
Z-HOPE: Food Drive collecting Nonperishable items
GET ENGAGED: Voter Registration Drive

Zeta Amicae of Gloucester County

Amica Pauline King, President
Zeta Amicae of Moorestown
Amica Barbara Baltimore, President
Zeta Amicae of Princeton-Trenton
Amica Janice Gilliard, President

Saturday, September 26, 2015

11AM 3PM
Zeta Amicae of Newark-Orange
Voter Registration Drive
I-HOP Restaurant, Irvington, NJ
Saturday, September 26, 2015
12 Noon 3PM
Zeta Amicae of Princeton-Trenton
Afternoon Bowling Party
Colonial Bowling & Entertainment
240 Brunswick Ave (Route 1), Lawrenceville, NJ
GET ENGAGED: Voter Registration Drive
Adopt-a-School Project: Donate a Box of Tissues or Hand
Sanitizer
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Zeta Amicae of Jersey City
Light Blue Shoe Informational
The TCB Lounge Jersey City, NJ
Z-HOPE Initiative School Supplies Drive
GET ENGAGED: Voter Registration Drive
Saturday, September 26, 2015
7PM 11PM
Zeta Amicae of Gloucester County
Line Dancing and Old School Cabaret
Elks Lodge #2132
Broad & Walnut Street, Clayton, NJ
Tickets: $20.00
Collecting Empty Toner & ink cartridge - 5 empty cartridges will receive a free set-up for table

Volume 6, Issue 1

Page 13

Amicae News - contd

A Grand Inspiration
International Grand Basileus Mary Wright (center)
pictured with the Amicae who attended the Amicae
Retreat in Washington DC this summer. Amica Wanda Bryant-Ison, Zeta Amicae of Gloucester County
represented the State of New Jersey. She is seated on
the left in the white outfit. Amica Bryant-Ison is
the Amicae Regional President and State Vice President.

NJ Chapters at Work
Omicron Omicron Zeta Chapter Honored at Awards Party
The Zetas and Amicae of Omicron Omicron Zeta
Chapter accepted the 2015 Gloucester County March
for Babies 2nd Place Adult Club Team award at the
March of Dimes Award Party on June 25th Pictured lr: Soror Priscilla Wims-Green, Amica Lorraine G.
Wallace, Soror Therese Lightfoot, Amica Pauline
King, Soror Vanessa Hamilton-MOD Chair, Soror
Irene Richardson, Amica Raemona ONeal, Soror
Madeleine Leach, Amica Doris Still-Moore, Soror
JoAnn Miller, Amica Yolanda Still and Soror Stephanie Hawkins.

Sorors attended Women Veterans Rock Summit - June 27th and June 24th
200 people attended a two day Women Veteran Rock
Summit at Chester Hill College in Philadelphia, PA.
Women Veterans Rock is one o the sororitys national
partnerships.
Sorors Shawndra Johnson, Navy Veteran from Rho Chi Zeta (PA);
Cynthia Chandler Army Veteran from Rho Chi Zeta (PA); Alicia
Johnson, Active Army from Epsilon Eta Zeta (DE) and Tuwanda
Anderson, Army Veteran from Omicron Omicron Zeta (NJ); not
pictured: Sharon Suber, Military family from Omicron Omicron
Zeta (NJ).

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Zeta Call