Z-Lessons

Monthly Embellishment & Training for

the Sorors of New Jersey

Building on the Principles of Zeta

March 2015
Volume 4 Issue 10

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
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
State of New Jersey
Soror Gina Merritt-Epps, Esq.
New Jersey State Director
325 East Jimmie Leeds Road
Suite 7 PMB 144
Galloway, NJ 08205
(609) 748-1470
Website:
www.zphibnj.org
www.facebook.com/ZPhiBNJ
E-mail:
NJStateDir@aol.com

Message from the State Director: Finer Focus

orors, welcome to Finer Womanhood

Month! With everyone emphasizing our
obligation to Be Finer, it is important to
reflect on exactly what it means to be a Finer
Woman of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. As we
attend chapters Finer Womanhood events,
please remember the tips outlined in the February newsletter. This is also a great time to reflect
on why we celebrate Finer Womanhood. Take
the quiz on page 2 and test your knowledge.

Remember, no matter where you are, you represent Zeta at all times! Please govern yourselves
accordingly!
Thanks to all that wore red in acknowledgement of Heart Healthy Month and to all who will
acknowledge Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day on March 3! Thanks also to those who supported Epsilon Xi Zeta Chapter on January 31 and Rho Tau Zeta on February 28.
In addition to the Finer Womanhood focus, this edition of Z-Lessons includes information designed to assist as you prepare for the State Executive Board Meeting and the upcoming March
for Babies walks. I look forward to seeing you all upcoming events! Thanks for being Finer!

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Z-Lessons

Z-Lesson - Quiz
1. Before we celebrated Finer Womanhood Month, we celebrated Finer Womanhood ______, which was
introduced in _____.
2. Past Grand _________________ began the tradition of declaring the last full week of February and
the full month of March as Finer Womanhood month.
3. True/False: Honorary members are not allowed to participate in Finer Womanhood activities.
4. Finer Womanhood describes a woman who is _______ to duty, ideal of womanhood, noble in character, engaging in manner, responsible to a trust, _______ in conduct, obedient to a higher self, magnanimous in spirit, affable in receiving others, noteworthy in deeds, __________ to strangers and guests,
obliging to neighbors, open-hearted to the poor and needy, and deserving of ___________ (adopted
from an acrostic written by Soror Evelyn L. Foster and published in the December, 1925 X-Ray.)
(The answers to questions 1 -3 can be found in Torchbearers of a Legacy.
Check your MIP Manual for the answers to # 4)

The first person to email correct answers to all 4 questions to zphibnjsocialmedia@gmail.com will
be placed in the spotlight on the States Facebook page!

Z-HOPE Initiative - NJ State Executive Board Elder Care Project

For our State Executive Board Z-Hope Initiative we will be collecting socks and lap blankets to be donated to the senior population through the Volunteers of America (VOA). We
are asking that chapters and auxiliaries only donate NEW items for this cause, as VOA
does not take used items.
Please use the National Z-Hope Forms for this initiative and use the code S2S13 for Seniors/Spirit (Meeting the Basic Needs). The point scale for these items will be as follows:
20 items=25 points
40 items=50 points
60 items=75 points
80 items=100 points
*Please note, if the socks come in multi-packs you
will be given credit or each pair and the same goes
for the lap blankets.
Collection for the Z-Hope Items will be during registration Friday
Evening and Saturday Morning

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Z-Lessons

Parliamentary Corner: State Executive Board Meeting

Lets review some provisions of our bylaws to help us prepare for our upcoming State Executive Board Meeting. It is important that you understand who is on the Board, and the Boards duties. Please review the State bylaws for a full understanding of NJs meetings and conferences.
Whos On the Board?
Our Executive Board consists of the State Director, Atlantic Regional Director, Elected State Officers, Past State Directors,
Chapter Basilei in the State or her designee, State Undergraduate Coordinator, Chairperson of the Undergraduate Council,
and Past Atlantic Regional Directors with financial membership in a New Jersey chapter. The members of the Executive
Board have the right to cast a vote during the Executive Board meeting. The Grand Basileus is an honorary member of the
Board and receives one vote should she attend.
When Does the Board Meet?
While the State Director schedules the meeting once per year in compliance with the bylaws, the Executive Board may be
called into session upon written request of two-thirds of the financial chapters or by the State Director.
What Does the Board Do?
The Executive Board has several duties, including general supervision of the affairs of the State between its business meetings, executing State policies, formulating questions of policy for presentation to the State, and passing upon routine matters of business between State meetings.
Submitted by Titessa Smith

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Executive Board Meeting Information

Z-Lessons

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Z-Lessons

Executive Board Meeting Information

Features include:

MIP Certification
9 workshops (including a demonstration of
the Burial Ritual, and sessions for graduates and
undergraduates)

Chapter and Soror awards

FRIDAY, APRIL 24
5:00 6:00 pm

Meeting Registration and Z-HOPE Collection

6:00- 6:45 pm

MIP Registration

7:00 pm

MIP Certification

SATURDAY, APRIL 25
7:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m.

REGISTRATIONCONTINENTAL BREAKFASTZ-HOPE
COLLECTION

8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

BUSINESS SESSIONS

1. The room block will remain open until it is full

or March 24, whichever is sooner.
2. The room rates are $129 plus tax for 1 - 2
persons and $159 plus tax for 3 - 4 persons.
3. When booking your room you MUST provide
the name of all persons that will be using the
room.
4. The link to be used to reserve the room is
https://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp
?groupID=1300897&hotelID=11530.
To reserve by phone, call 609-279 6430.
Please contact Karen Finkelstein at the
Chauncey should you have any problems
5. Check in is at 4 pm and check out is at 11 am.

Location:
Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center
Princeton, NJ

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Zeta NJ Co-Sponsored Event

Z-Lessons

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Z-Lessons

Zealous-Engaged-Talented-Awesome Youth Corner

MLK Day of Service - Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter Amicettes, Pearlettes and children of our Sorors volunteered to make greetings cards for Senior Citizens and donate toys to the children being treated at
CHOP-Virtua. The Archonettes participated at Burlington County Library MLK Day Program.

1. Pearlette Flower - Blue Bell

2. Amicette Flower - Tulip
3. Archonette Flower - For-Get-Me-Not

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Z-Lessons

Zealous-Engaged-Talented-Awesome Youth Corner - contd

January 19, 2015, Martin Luther King Day of Service at

Rutgers University, Camden, NJ the Youth had the opportunity to hear the charge from Congressman Donald Norcross, Senator Nilsa Cruz- Perez & Assemblyman Angel
Fuentas. They also took the time out to meet our youth and
pose for a picture.

MLK Day of Service Gamma Nu Zeta Pearlettes made Get

Well & Valentines Day Cards for Childrens Hospital.

The Youth Auxiliary of Epsilon Xi Zeta participated in the Joint Blue and White Day of Service on
January 19th at the West Trenton Community Center. The Youth had a great time helping out at
the center! The Youth collected canned goods to help replenish the center's pantry as well as
stocked the goods on the shelves. They also assisted in folding the donated clothing as well as
cleaning the Children's Garden. The Sigma Beta Club of the Lambda Lambda Sigma Chapter of
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. also assisted with the project. The Youth were a big help and they
look forward to performing more community service in the near future.

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Z-Lessons

Zealous-Engaged-Talented-Awesome Youth Corner - contd

Penny Harvest
Fundraiser in which Gamma Omicron Zeta
Pearlettes collect loose change and donate to
March for Babies.
Hasinah Reed, Ajaya Johnson, Suliah Boxton, Sani Thomas, SaNayah Alexander, Marguerite Cambridge, Rochelle Gardner

Congratulations!!!! To Gamma Nu Chapter Zeta Youth Auxiliary during their Induction Ceremony on
January 25, 2015 at Chestnut Street U.A.M.E Church.
Kudos to GNZ Archonette,
Najeaya Singleton for
winning State Title in Shot
Put Relay!!!

Gamma Nu Zeta Archonettes traveled to Brooklyn, NY

to support their sister Archonettes from Sigma Kappa Zeta
Chapter, Zora Neal Hurston Oratorical Contest on February 7, 2015.

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Z-Lessons

March of Dimes
The Reasons We Walk

In the United States, 1 in 9 babies is born prematurely.

Premature birth is the #1 cause of death in newborns.
Premature birth is the leading cause of lasting childhood
disabilities such as learning, vision and lung problems.
We give hope to the more than half a million babies
born to soon each year.

Our Accomplishments
The March of Dimes led a broad coalition of organizations
in championing Congressional passage of Public Law 113-240, the Newborn Screening Saves
Lives Reauthorization Act, a bill to renew federal programs that support states efforts to
screen every newborn for dozens of conditions that can threaten their lives or health. Across
the nation, March of Dimes chapters accumulated 88 victories on key maternal and child
health issues, such as newborn screening, access to care, and immunizations.
In 2014, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and our auxiliaries national fundraising goal was
$340,000. As of December 2014, we have raised $383,000 , a BIG THANK YOU, we did it
Sorors, Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes and Pearlettes. The State of NJ contributed to these
fundraising efforts with collecting over $11,000.00, shout-out to Zeta Delta Zetawho
raised $1,765.00.

2015 March for Babies campaign: Five for the Founders

The Sororitys national goal is to increase our fundraising efforts to $415,000.00. The State
of NJs challenge for each chapter family is $1,000.00. Chapter reporting forms are due to
NJ State March of Dimes Coordinator- Soror Sarecia Johnson- njmarchofdimesrep@gmail.com by May 15, 2015. For 2015, the final reporting date to the local
March of Dimes office is October 31, 2015.
Challenge ZFB:
Recognize all Zeta chapters & auxiliaries who raise funds for M4B that exceed
$5,000.00 in 2015
Recognize the Top 5 Regional & National Fundraising- undergraduate chapter
(minimum raised, $750.00)
Recognize the Top 5 Regional & National Fundraising- Amicae & Youth Auxiliary
groups minimum raised, $500.00)
We also have team t-shirts for Zeta, Amicae and the youth groups. Orders must be placed
with The Exclusive Touch, LLC (M4B Coordinators- please refer to the 2014 toolkit for
details).

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Z-Lessons

March of Dimes - contd

We encourage chapters to register online for fundraising and reporting. Chapters
are encouraged to register using the parent team name of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority,
Inc. (www.marchforbabies.org/zetaphibeta) for reporting purposes.
Graduate chapter: Zeta Phi Beta- Chapter name
Undergraduate chapter: Zeta Phi Beta- Chapter name-College/University
Auxiliaries: Zeta Phi Beta- Zeta (Amicae, Archonettes, Amicettes or Pearlettes)
of city name
Z-HOPE points chapters are able to attain Z-HOPE points via M4B.
Minimum of 4 Zeta, Amicae or youth are required to participate in the walk.
Minimum amount must be raised according to chapter size:
Chapter/Auxiliary Size Required financial contribution amount for Z-Points
Up to 4 Members $ 200.00 (100 BONUS + 50 for every $500 over)
5-25 Members $ 500.00 (100 BONUS + 50 for every $500 over)
26-50 Members $ 700.00 (100 BONUS + 50 for every $500 over)
Over 50 Members $ 1,500.00 (100 BONUS + 50 for every $500 over)
Activities must be verified by State Z-HOPE Coordinator. To receive Z-Points,
upon completion of the project, request a letter or report on letterhead from the
Director of the organization detailing the amount raised and number of paid
walkers. Attached a copy of the organization letter to the Z-HOPE Chapter summary form, and complete the basic information on the form.
Please refer to the 2015 M4B Toolkit for additional information. As we continue to
partnership with the March of Dimes; let us continue to support and advocate for
healthy mothers and healthy babies.
One day all babies will be born healthy.
Submitted by Soror Sarecia Johnson, NJ March of Dimes Representative

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Z-Lessons

Storks Nest Updates - March of Dimes

Submitted by The Storks Nest Committee

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. shares a longtime partnership with the March of Dimes.
The following are upcoming events in the State of New Jersey in which Sorors,
Amicae and Youth can participate:
March for Babies is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event. It supports research and other programs nationwide and in our community to help babies
born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. When you walk in
March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each
year. The money you raise supports programs in your communities that help moms
have healthy, full-term pregnancies, and it funds research to find answers to the
problems that threaten our babies.
We have received instructions from Soror Johnson, MOD Representative
regarding the state's participation in the March for Babies.
The March of Dimes will be launching its second Healthy Babies Are Worth the
Wait (HBWW) site in Burlington County. HBWW is a community-based program whose goal is to reduce preterm births using evidence-based programs. The
introductory event will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. It will be held
at Virtua Memorial Hospital, 175 Madison Avenue, Mount Holly, in the conference room. The MOD would love some Burlington County Zetas to join their advisory board for the launch and subsequent quarterly meetings.
For more information about HBWW, please visit
http://www.marchofdimes.org/newjersey/programs_hbww.html.

THE OFFICIAL REOPENING OF

THE FINER WOMEN DON'T HAZE CAMPAIGN

Want to Stomp out Hazing?

Check out the new and interactive Finer Women

Don't Haze website.
Watch our new Finer Women Don't Haze video with
your chapter.
Share your story on Twitter using
the hashtag #FWDH.
Check out all the new resources on the official site.
Follow the sorority's policies against hazing.

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Z-Lessons

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. NJ Chapters at Work

On Saturday February 7th, Zetas and Amicae of Omicron Omicron

Zeta Chapter conducted a Get Engaged Law Enforcement Workshop at the Pfeiffer Center in Williamstown. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Gloucester
County Branch and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives (NOBLE) Northern, Central and Southern
Chapters were the partners for this event. The workshop provided
law literacy information and a forum for the community to voice
their concerns about the national and local police killings.
Det. Kim Nelson-Edwards and Eugene Stewart both from NOBLE conducted a presentation on The Law and
the Community to an audience of about 70 people. In addition to that presentation Gregg L. Zeff, Esq., Zeff a
Civil Rights Attorney talked about knowing your right under the law. Kareen Campbell, State president of
the National Organization of Black Women in Law Enforcement (NOBWLE) spoke about women in law
enforcement and provided tips for people that do get detained or arrested by police. There was open dialogue
between all the parties and the audience. Each organization provided a table of information helpful to the
workshop and the chapter passed out the brochure The NAACP Real World Guide to Interacting with Law
Enforcement The 411 on the Five-0. Loretta Winters, President of the Gloucester County NAACP stated
that this workshop was a great success and she is looking forward to future events with the chapter.
Workshop partners: Zetas, Amicae, NAACP and NOBLE

OOZ OOZ OOZ OOZ OOZ OOZ OOZ OOZ

Book Donations for
Black History Month
For February, Omicron Omicron Zeta Chapter donated
25 books to the Woodbury Library in Woodbury. The
theme for the books this year is African American
Women who Paved the Way. The chapter also created
the librarys Black History Month Display
with the donated items.

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Z-Lessons

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. NJ Chapters at Work - contd

The Ladies of Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter participated in the Garden

State Bar Association's Know Your Rights Panel discussion on
February 11th on Rutgers University's Camden Campus. Panelists included our fraternity brother, Assemblyman, Troy Singleton. Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter is making strides in
#SOcialACTion in Camden/CamdenCounty.
ZetasGetEngaged
#GNZ1948
Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter participated in community service at
Ronald McDonald House-Camden with Zeta Rho Sigma Chapter
and Chi Rho Zeta Chapter. It was a good feeling making breakfast for the residents/patients there.
The ladies of Gamma Nu Zeta Chapter enjoyed themselves at the
first annual Founders' Day Weekend Reception with the Director.

1920

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Z-Lessons

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. NJ Chapters at Work - contd

Eta Omicron Zeta Chapters Mentoring Program

One of the goals of Eta Omicron Zeta 1st Vice President, Mecca K. Brown was to develop a mentoring program for new and transfer Sorors of the chapter. Thus the Membership Committee developed a Mentoring
Program along with a complete manual which includes: Mentor Expectations, Mentor Application/
Agreement Form, Mentee Expectations, Mentor/Mentee Goal Sheet, Mentor Evaluation, and Mentee Evaluation. The goal is to ensure that seasoned Sorors are paired with and can provide insight and guidance to
new and transfer Sorors of Eta Omicron Zeta.
THE MENTOR - As a mentor the primary role is to provide guidance and support to the mentee based on
her developmental needs as a Zeta. Some of discussions may include advice on Zeta processes and procedures, Zeta programs, events, or conferences. Mentors are welcome to provide general advice of their professional expertise where appropriate.
At different points in the mentor/mentee relationship, mentors will take on some or all of the following
roles: Coach/Advisor, Source of Encouragement/Support, Resource Person, Champion, and Devil's
Advocate.
To be a mentor Sorors MUST:

Be active/financial for a least (2) consecutive years in Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter
Have the willingness to lead/Give directions
Sense of personal accountability and professionalism (timeliness, respectfulness, etc.)
Time commitment as a mentor for at least (1) year
Communication with mentee at least 1-2 times per month (i.e. outings, telephone conversations, e-mails,
etc.)
Complete the Mentor/Mentee Goal Sheet at the initial meeting
THE MENTEE - At different points in the mentor/mentee relationship, a mentee will take on some or all
of the following roles: Driver of Relationship, Development Planner, Resource Partner, Teacher, and Continuous Learner.

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Z-Lessons

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. NJ Chapters at Work - contd

To be a mentee Sorors MUST:

Be active/financial in Eta Omicron Zeta Chapter

Have the willingness to take direction, ideas, and advice from mentor
Sense of personal accountability and professionalism (timeliness, respectfulness, etc.)
Time commitment to mentor for at least (1) year
Communication with mentor at least 1-2 times per month (i.e. outings, telephone conversations, e-mails,
etc.)
Complete the Mentor/Mentee Goal Sheet at the initial meeting
During the first mentor/mentee meeting, the mentor and mentee will complete the Mentor/Mentee Goal Sheet
where they outline at least (3) goals for the Zeta year. At the conclusion of the program feedback is welcomed
about the effectiveness of the program through the Mentor and Mentee Evaluation Forms. In addition, dialogue is welcomed on any issues that arise.
Eta Omicron Zeta would like to share the Mentoring Program Manual with any chapter that may be
interested in implementing a similar program. Thus, if any chapter is interested in obtaining a copy of
Eta Omicron Zetas Mentoring Program Manual please contact hoz1stvicepresident@gmail.com.

Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter on the Move

Members of Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter, a presentation of socks and footies to
the Burlington Woods Nursing Facility in Burlington, NJ, on Thursday,
February 12, 2015.

Adopt-a-School Program
Soror Lynette Harris, Chapter Basileus
introduces a lesson to the students.

Blue and White was in the House

Sorors of Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter enjoyed
an afternoon viewing the movie SELMA!

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Z-Lessons

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. NJ Chapters at Work - contd

Zeta Delta Zeta Hosts its annual

Black History Program
It was a Z PHI B extravaganza held at the Willingboro Public Library on Saturday, February 7th. Zeta Delta Zeta Chapter, in partnership with the Willingboro Public Library, held its annual Black
History Program, to a STANDING ROOM ONLY audience.
Christopher K.P. Brown, Spoken Word Artist, captivated all age
groups with his original interactive poetry. The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble took the audience back to the Motherland with music, dance and history. The afternoon
ended with refreshments and gift bags for all the children. Phantastic turn out, Phantastic
entertainment and Phantastic fun was had by all!

Chi Alpha Chapter

Naomi Lockett
Omicron Epsilon Chapter
Queneisha Jones

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Z-Lessons

On Friday, February 7
members of Omicron
Omicron Zeta Chapter
went Red for Heart
Health.
Soror Pricilla Wims-Greene, Soror
Madeleine Leach, Soror Regina
Andrews-Collette, Soror Sanora
Hines, Sorors Sharon Suber and
Michelle Baynes (Soror Baynes
grandson),

The ladies of Gamma

Nu Zeta Chapter went
#Red for
#GoRedForWomen on
February 6th. February
is American Heart
Awareness Month and
the chapter is highlighting this month with
bringing awareness on
Social Media as well
as personally.
#GoRedSelfie
#ZetasHaveHeart
#GNZ1948

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Support Sister Events

Z-Lessons

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Z-Lessons

Upcoming Chapter Events

Zeta Delta Zeta Finer Womanhood Luncheon & Fashion Show

03/07/15

Eta Omicron Zeta Finer Womanhood Luncheon

03/14/15

Gamma Nu Zeta Finer Womanhood Luncheon

03/21/15

Gamma Omicron Zeta Finer Womanhood Luncheon

03/28/15

Chi Rho Zeta Scholarship Luncheon

04/11/15

Sigma Zeta Zeta Finer Woman Scholarship Dinner & Dance

04/11/15

Xi Tau Zeta 25th Chapter Anniversary

04/17/15

Rho Rho Zeta Marlene Kelly Finer Womanhood Scholarship Breakfast

05/02/15

Omicron Omicron ZetaScholarship Awards Brunch

05/02/15

Omega Mu Zeta All White Party Finer Womanhood Event

05/30/15

Key Dates and Deadlines

Deadline for State Scholarships

03/01/15

Block for State Executive Board Meeting hotel closes on or before

03/24/15

Deadline for State Executive Board Meeting Registration

04/01/15

New Jersey State Executive Board Meeting

04/24 25/15

ZOL - Washington, DC

07/09 - 11/15

Regional Conference, Philadelphia

10/08 11/15

sisterhood

/sistrhood/

1: the state of being a sister.

2: the solidarity of women based on shared
conditions, experiences, or concerns.
We hope youve enjoyed this months edition! Please submit articles by the 15th of every month. Use the newsletters as
tools to educate and advise your members. Your feedback and suggestions for future topics are welcomed!

NJStateDir@aol.com