Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter Report- State Conference

Building On the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths

Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter

Reynoldsburg, OH

State Chapter Report

Competition 2014

On March 22, 2014 at The Gateway Health and Wellness Center, the Centra l Ohio com-munity gathered for S igma Iota Zeta Chap-t er ’ s s ignature program, Breakfast with the Art ist . Th is year , the Breakfast featured var i-

ous act s such as Fir st Lady Nikki Humphreys and the New Salem Bapt ist Church Puppet Min ist ry . Don Coulter , a local visual ar t is t ,

constructed a p iece l ive that was auct ioned off at the end of the program. Min ister Da-vid Dunn, from 1580 WVKO, was the Master of Ceremonies . Al l went wel l as 11 per form-ers took the stage in the name of scho lar-sh ip ! In addit ion to these amazing per form-ers , a hearty and de l ic ious breakfast was served by “Linzy ’s Cater ing.” On disp lay was SIZ’s March of Dimes tab le , encouraging our guest s to become invo lved with our local ac-t ivi t ies !

Th is was the 12th Annual Breakfast with the Art is t ce lebra-t ion . The proceeds of the breakfast ben-ef i t the Bess ie K. Jackson Memor ia l Scho larsh ip . Two scho larsh ips were awarded th is year to students from SIZ’s Adopt-A-School partner , Miff l in High School . The scho lar -sh ip winners were sen iors Wendy Kye i and Lexxus Bradford.

SIZ Serves Up Breakfast With the Artist

Scholarship

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) has been making a difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families for three decades. Many of the children living at RMHC are being treated at Nationwide Children's Hospital and other hospitals in the Central Ohio area. Partnering with RMHC of Central Ohio since 2011, Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter (SIZ) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio is devoted to serving these

families several times per year through a variety of volunteer opportunities. The task of caring for a sick child can be challenging and parents often have little time to take care of their own well being. Through service projects, SIZ is committed to providing the extra support these families need during their stay at RMHC. With 90% volunteer power and communi-ty donations, it is amazing to see what RMHC has accomplished! Beginning with a WISH LIST Drive for Ronald McDonald House Charities, SIZ partnered with Walgreen’s and other organizations to collect basic care and toiletry items including soap, sham-poo, cleaner, and wipes. These donated items are stored in a pantry which will help children and their families residing at RMHC. This community initiative is a Meeting Basic Needs Z-HOPE pro-gram with the goal of collecting and distributing supplies for daily living to persons of need.

SIZ Partners With Ronald McDonald House

Service

SIZ Breaks Record At Mid-Ohio Food Bank AGAIN!

The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Iota Zeta chapter of Reynoldsburg, OH continued to break records while serving the com-munity. As part of their Founders’ Day celebra-tion, Sigma Iota Zeta members returned to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank on January 11 where they packed food boxes for senior citizens. This year, the Sorors broke a record by completing 863 box-es.

In partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Psi Eta Omega Chapter, the ladies of Sigma Iota Zeta chapter in Reynoldsburg, Ohio were able to donate toys and other gift items to 65 women at ORW for their Mom and Kids Day event. The Ohio Reformatory for Women strives to promote family bonding in preparation for family reunification; with this in mind special family oriented events are scheduled throughout the year. The Mom and Kids Day Holiday event is scheduled annually in December. This event permits the inmates' families to spend a day with their incarcerated loved ones. The families are able to bond over a meal, play games and take photos with San-ta Claus. In the spirit of giving, each child receives a wrapped toy/gift to open with Mom celebrating the hol-

iday season. The day is filled with lots of fun, food and love! For many of the children of incarcerated parents, Mom and Kids Day is the first time they are able to see their mother in a positive atmosphere, healthy and mak-ing positive changes in their lives. “The inmates participating in the event were excited, grateful and extremely emotional that Isi Ikharebha (Zeta), Natasha Smith (Zeta), Afrika Alsup (AKA) and Sharma Brown (AKA) traveled to the institution to meet with them,” Warden Ronnie Burkes stated, “The presen-tations made by the ladies from both organizations gave the women incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women a renewed belief in second chances.” The Mom and Kids Day event took place on Saturday, December 14, 2013 and was a success!

SIZ Partners With AKA, Ohio Reformatory for

Women for Mom and Kids Day

Service

On August 6th, 2014, the ladies of Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter gathered at 9 am for the kick off of our annual Chapter Retreat. We started the day with breakfast at McDonalds where we greeted and conversed with one another before piling into our cars for a day filled with adventure! Our first exciting stop was at Old Man's Cave in Logan, Ohio. We got quite the workout in with our hike! Along the way we came across some un-forgettable moments; a lake that a few Sorors were so inclined to "test the waters"; the highest point of the cave that made us feel like we were overlooking the entire world; and finally the most refreshing of them all - an actual wedding taking place! We laughed, we talked, even helped each other across the rocks at times, overall a great bonding experience for our chapter. When we finished our hike we continued on our quest for adventure heading back to Columbus, Ohio to stay the night at Fort Rapids Water park and Resort. We changed into our swimsuits and headed for the water park! We went on slides, coasted thru the "lazy river", and even raced on our rafts! After all that fun in the water it was time for food! We met at Applebee's enjoyed great food and conversation. The most disappointing mo-ment of the night was watching the Buckeyes lose

their first game! After dinner we headed back to the hotel for games and strolling practice. We stayed up all night talking and laughing. The next morning we went to breakfast then headed back to the room to pack up and leave. This was anoth-er successful retreat for Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter.

SIZ Sorors Bond At Annual Retreat

SIZ Welcomes Two New Members SIZ kicked off the 2014-2015 so-ror i ty year strong by in it iat ing two new members into the organ izat ion . On September 12, 2014, we wel-comed new Sorors Shar ina Arm-

st rong and Quiana Few into the chapter. Up-on complet ion of the ir process , our new members en joyed a ce lebratory with the rest o f the chapter. S ince becoming Sorors , both Armstrong and Few have taken an act ive interest in the organ izat ion and the chapter . We look for-ward to further ing the ir zeal and keep ing the ir Zeta l ight sh in ing.

Sisterhood

To kick off Finer Womanhood observance, SIZ part-nered with Body Fitness Rebellion in Reynoldsburg, Ohio for a Zumba with the Zeta’s fitness event. SIZ is blessed to have two members who are certified in Zumba fitness (LaVada Washington) and Strength

Training (Amy McGrapth). Along with the staff at Body Rebellion, SIZ guests , youth, and members received a great work out from So-ror Washington and Soror McGrapth!

Zumba With the Zetas

Finer Womanhood

SIZ, a chapter with fewer than 25 financial Sorors, acquired 525 Z-points for 2013-2014. As a result of this accomplish-ment, SIZ was rec-ognized at the 2014

Boule’ for their participation in the following Z-HOPE pro-grams: Adopt-A-School, Eldercare, and March for Babies. Ad-ditionally, SIZ was featured in the Blue & White Unite Phamily Photos Presentation after its participation in their local March for Babies 5k Run/Walk in Columbus, Ohio on April 27, 2014. SIZ Sorors raised a grand total of $570.64 which included a cor-porate match of $100 from Givaudan Flavors. March for Babies is a national fundraising campaign which raised more than $300,000 for March of Dimes and prematurity research in 2014. For this fiscal year, SIZ began their Z-HOPE programming with a bang by donating basic needs items to the 2014 NA-TIONAL Z-HOPE PROJECT at Boule’. This community initiative was a collaboration of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc., the Military Advisory Committee, and Social Action Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH-W) The Premier Retirement Community

for America's Veterans. Upon returning from Boule, SIZ kicked off the sorority year with a donation of backpacks and supplies to Columbus area children. Last year, SIZ received 25 Z-points for their 20 item dona-tion.For the Ohio State Leadership Conference last year, Sorors contributed toiletries to the state-appointed Z-HOPE project at the local YWCA battered women’s shel-ter.

SIZ Excels At Z-Hope

National Programs

In the words of our great leader , “ A good

Zeta is a we l l in formed Zeta.” When Zeta

cal ls , SIZ an-

swers !

On March 27,

2014, SIZ

part ic ipated

in the 10TV

Affordab le

Care Act Te l-

e thon , educat -

ing 667 peop le about the Health Insurance

Marketp lace. Health care as we know it is

changing in our country. Less than 5% of our

populat ion spend $0.45 on the do l lar when it

comes to health care . These individual are

the most vulnerab le and fra i l in our commu-

n it ies and lack access to affordab le health

care services . For some it is the ir f ir st t ime

ever having insurance and it was a joy to in -

form needy res idents of how the ACA would

impact them.

SIZ and the Affordable Care Act

SIZ’s March for Bab ies 2014 Campaign be-gan when Soror Is i Ikharebha and Soror Na-Tasha Smith attended the March for Bab ies Kick-Off Event February 19, 2014 at the Dublin Recreat ion Center . The reasons for part ic ipat ion, 15 mil l ion bab ies , wor ldwide , are born too soon each year and more than 1 in 6 Black in fants are born premature when compared to 1 in 9 for a l l bab ies. S ince 1972, Zeta Ph i Beta Soror ity, Inc . , and March of Dimes have been par tner ing to ra ise money to support programming and fund research to f ind answers to so lve prob-lems that threaten our bab ies . Several sorors worked d i l igent ly for more than e ight weeks to he lp with th is cause . Led by Soror Dan ita Tay lor and soc ia l media campaign coordina-tor Soror NaTasha Smith , SIZ ra ised $570.64 which inc luded a corporate match , submit ted by Soror Deomi Smith , o f $100 from Givau-dan Flavors . As the s ignature walk event for Zeta Ph i Beta Soror ity , Inc . , SIZ’s March for Bab ies Walk was Apr i l 27, 2014 at the Reso lute Ath-le t ic Conference, Co lumbus, Ohio. Sorors Evone Pleasant , Mar issa Mil ls , and Tenn i l le Cooley led our team, Zeta Ph i Beta -S igma Io-

ta Zeta Chapter , on race day . Sorors a l l wore the off ic ia l March for Bab ies T -sh ir t s , sub-mitted by Soror Ikharebha, ordered from The Exc lus ive Touch , LLC; a Greek Appare l Shop co-owned by Soror Jacque l ine Remmer. SIZ was featured in the Blue & White Unite Phamily Photos Presentat ion at the 2014 Boule ’ , in ce lebrat ion of Ph i Beta S igma’s Centenn ia l , for the ir par t ic ipat ion in the lo -cal walk. The phamily photo a lso featured so-rors from Gamma Zeta Zeta Chapter from Columbus, Ohio.

The 34th Annual March of Dimes Night Moves 5K/5-Mile glow run and walk event was held on September 19, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. For the fourth year in a row, SIZ was there vol-unteering their time. Sorors and Archonettes, led by team captain Soror Faith Miller, volunteered as route assistants passing out water and Gatorade at the finish line. Soror Isi Ikharebha was a runner in this event. All volunteers were given a T-shirt and a glow necklace. The race concluded with a block party which included free pizza and musical

entertainment. March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., have a long-standing partnership devoted to making sure all babies have a healthy start in life. Funds raised at Night Moves will support the March of Dimes’ mission of preventing infant mortality, premature births, and birth defects. Craig Schneider, Senior Community Director of Central Ohio March of Dimes, coordinated the event through The Arena District and Downtown Columbus.

SIZ Shows Phamily Love At March for Babies

National Programs

SIZ Supports March of Dimes At Night Moves

National Programs

SIZ partnered with Regency Manor Rehabilitation and

Subacute Center to initiate the chapter’s Elder Care pro-

ject. In December, seniors at the center were celebrated

through a fellowship-friendly program. For more than

two hours SIZ Sorors and Youth, paraded through the

halls singing Christmas carols and delivering handmade

holiday cards to more than 250 residents. During the

procession, many of the residents joined in cheerfully

singing songs such as Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, and

Deck the Halls. In addition Sorors, Archonettes, and Am-

icettes visited with residents and exchanged kind words

to boost their morale during the festive season. Youth

Advisor, Soror Victoria Alexander, will continue the

program annually, as

well as, send out birth-

day cards and other

mailing to seniors at

the center. Regency

Manor provides com-

prehensive health ser-

vices, long-term nurs-

ing care, retirement,

and assisted living to

seniors in the sur-

rounding Columbus

area.

As a former educator, International Grand Basile-us Mary Breaux Wright has displayed an unparal-leled dedication to the needs of students. To this end, one of her key focuses during her administra-tion is assisting schools in need of resources. SIZ has jumped on board and partnered with Mifflin

High School for the 2013-2014 sorority year. In November 2013, SIZ Sorors participated in a college fair and stepping presentation at the high school. Sorors from the chapter spoke to students about the importance of a college education and the variety of undergraduate experiences available. Sorors, along with our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Beta Omicron Sigma chapter, per-formed a step for the high school students. Sigma Iota Zeta continued to build on the rela-tionship with Mifflin High School in March 2014 when it presented two of its seniors, Wendy Kyei and Lexxus Radford, with book scholarships for $300 and $150, respectively.

SIZ Adopts Mifflin High School

SIZ, Regency Manor Partner for Elder Care

National Programs

SIZ Zetas Have Heart SIZ Sorors take fitness seriously! In the last

year, SIZ sorors have participated in numerous

5K races, included the March of Dimes Night

Moves, March of Dimes March for Babies, and

Susan Komen run for Breast Cancer. Soror Ten-

nille Cooley completed a 50 mile bike ride during

the 2014 Pelatonia to raise money for cancer re-

search. Soror Amy McGrapth competed in a fit-

ness competition showing off her beautiful phy-

sique! Soror Marcia Dixon ran in the Capital City

Half Marathon. Soror Isi Ikharebha completed

two half marathons this year. Soror Danita Taylor

completed on half marathon and finished her first

FULL marathon at the Nationwide Childrens Co-

lumbus Marathon. This chapter is not just active

financially, but physically as well!!!

National Observances

This year, Sigma Iota Zeta embraced Founders’ Day as a time of service, fellowship, and celebration. The chapter kicked off its Founders’ Day acknowledgment by volun-teering at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank where they packed food boxes for senior citizens. Later on in the week, the chapter joined activities sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. , Beta Omicron Sigma Chapter and our sisters of Gamma Zeta Zeta chapter. On Friday, Janu-

ary 17, the chapter held a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings, with bowling to follow on Saturday. No celebra-tion would be complete without worship. Sorors gath-ered at New Salem Baptist Church for service on Sun-day, followed by brunch at 94th Aero Squadron in Co-lumbus. Founders’ Day activities were concluded with participation in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. march.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. celebrated turning100 this year and SIZ sorors supported our local brothers in marking this significant milestone. On March 22, 2014 at SIZ’s Breakfast with the Art-ist celebration, SIZ Sorors paid tribute to our brothers with a stepping presentation, spoken word tribute, commemoration plaque, and presentation of carnations. SIZ sorors also attended the chapter’s Centennial Gala in January.

SIZ Helps Beta Omicron Sigma Celebrate 100 Years

SIZ Celebrates Activity-Packed Founders’ Day

Conferences

October 2013 brought the Ohio State Leadership

Conference held in Cincinnati which was attend-

ed by several SIZ Sorors. Sorors contributed toi-

letries to the state-appointed Z-HOPE project at

the local YWCA battered women’s shelter. So-

rors also participated in workshops on protocol

and attended the Executive Board Meeting. The

Ohio State Organization (OSO) re-elected SIZ

1st Vice President Isi Ikharebha as OSO Gram-

mateus. In addition, the chapter received a 2nd-

place award for the scrapbook, and a 3 rd place

award for chapter report.

SIZ Attends Ohio State Conference

80th Great Lakes Regional Conference The ladies of Sigma Iota Zeta and chapter and their youth attended the 80th Great Lakes Region-al Conference in Cleveland, Ohio! Sorors listened intensely as our International Grand Basileus shared an update on the status of National Head-quarters. SIZ sorors also chaired and served on conference committees. Basileus, Soror LaVada Washington serves as the Regional Scrapbook Committee Chair and her committee worked hard during the conference judging the plethora of scrapbooks submitted by chapters in the region. The chapter was also recognized for its participa-tion in both the Adopt-A-School Initiative and the Elder Care Initiative. SIZ sorors were also able to take advantage of the Undergraduate, Youth, and Amicae Advisor certification sessions offered dur-ing the conference. Soror Isi Ikharebha completed the Undergraduate Advisor Certification course! To top of the conference SIZ won 3 rd place in the Chapter Report competition! The winning chapter report served as the chapter’s contribution to the Great Lakes Region’s 2020 time capsule. Sisterhood

Scholarship Service

Finer Womanhood

Conferences

Boule 2014 As the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma were celebrating their centennial weekend, SIZ Sorors showed up in Washington, DC for

Boule ready to work…and work they did as sorors got through 121 amendments to the sorority’s constitution! SIZ donated items

for the Boule Z-Hope Project. Soror Isi Ikharebha and Soror Dantia Taylor hosted a round table at Boule to share information

about SIZ’s signature program, “Breakfast with the Artist.” Soror Natasha Smith served as the Great Lakes representative on the

national scrapbook committee. A highlight of the conference was the joint Zeta/Sigma rededication session led by the daughter of

Founder Myrtle Tyler Faithful and the son of Founder Leonard F. Morse. SIZ Soror Isi Ikharebha was one of over 400 sorors

who received their ZOL certification at the conference. Our International Grand Basileus shared the news that OUR HOUSE

was paid for in FULL and we celebrated by burning the mortgage!! We were entertained by the soulful sounds of Yolanda Adams

at our Prayer Breakfast and got to boogie with the Men of Soul during the evening concert. After Zeta business ended, we joined

our brothers at Howard University to witness the unveiling of the new Sigma monument. The week in DC was truly a time to re-

member!

Awards & Recognitions

Sigma Iota Zeta continues to prove that hard work and a commitment to our founding principles yields not only results, but acknowledgement. During the Ohio State Organization conference last year, the chapter won 2nd place in the state scrapbook competition and 3rd place in state chapter report compe-tition. SIZ member Isi Ikharebha, who serves as the state secretary, also was re-elected to her state position during the conference. SIZ did it again in April when sorors attended the Great Lakes Regional Conference in Cleveland. The chapter placed 3rd in the region’s chapter report compe-tition.

Boule also proved to be a fruitful time for the chapter. SIZ was acknowledged as one of the Ohio chapters to participate in the March for Babies and the Blue & White Family Photo cam-paign. Furthermore, SIZ Soror Isi Ikhare-bha received her ZOL certification during the conference. Soror Ikharebha was one of more than 1,000 so-rors who trekked to Indianapolis in July 2013 to earn the newly revamped certifica-tion. Her newly garnered certification also led to her pre-senting a workshop, along with fellow SIZ Soror Danita Taylor, at Boule on the chapter’s successful Breakfast With the Artist. Boule also saw SIZ Soror Natasha Smith serving as the regional representative to the con-ference’s scrapbook committee.

SIZ Receives Accolades On State, Regional, National Level

Sigma Iota Zeta could often be seen through-out the Metropolitan Columbus community showing love for our brothers and sisters of the Divine Nine. Throughout the year, SIZ Sorors Amy McGrapth and Jennifer Fowler attended regular meetings of the Colum-bus Alumni NPHC as

representatives as well as attended Greek mixers. The local NPHC held a monthly social event where canned goods and donations are accepted for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and chapter members have contributed to this cause. In 2014, SIZ Soror Tennille Cooley took the helm as chair of the NPHC Columbus Alumni Chapter’s Greek Unity Weekend held in June. For the first time, the weekend featured a Black & White Gala on June 27 where awards were distributed to members of the Di-vine Nine making a difference in the Columbus commu-nity. During the celebration, SIZ’s own Soror Cooley received the President’s Award for Outstanding Com-mittee Chair. That Saturday, June 28, the ladies of Sigma Iota Zeta joined forces with our sorors of Gamma Zeta Zeta to present the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, Beta Omicron Sigma chapter, with a cake at the Greek Unity weekend picnic in honor of their Centennial. Two schol-arships were given to area high school students and pre-sented by SIZ Soror Fowler who served as scholarship committee chair. The 2015 NPHC Greek Unity week-end should be an exciting one for SIZ as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated will serve as the host organiza-tion. On April 17, 2014, SIZ sorors attended the 26th House District Primary and Voter Education Forum presented by the NPHC of Columbus along with the CHANGE Agency, a local nonprofit dedicated to voter education among minority citizens.

On Saturday, October 11, 2014 the ladies of the Sigma Iota Zeta chapter participated in the 3rd Annual Sister-hood Luncheon presented by Psi Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. This event was open to the members of the four National Pan-Hellenic Sorori-ties—Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho—and was well attended by members of all four organizations. For the third year, the Sigma Iota Zeta chapter represented well with a lovely display table and slide show. Our First Vice-President, Isi Ikharebha gave a presentation detailing the highlights of our activities of the past year as well as in-formation about our upcoming events. Being a health services professional, Soror Ikharebha gave an impas-sioned plea to the sorority members present to focus on infant mortality in the metropolitan Columbus area. The presidents of the other sororities present gave presenta-tions as well. The sisterhood luncheon provided a won-derful opportunity for us all to remember that, while we have some differences, we all have similar goals to uplift and support women through college and throughout life. The ladies of SIZ also attended several social and civic functions presented by NPHC organizations this sorori-ty year including the 50th anniversary celebration for the local Iota Phi Theta graduate chapter, the Alpha Phi Al-pha Mistletoe Party, the Kappa Alpha Psi Wine Sip, Omega Psi Phi’s Talent Hunt and Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Omicron Sigma’s Skating Party.

Greek Unity

SIZ Shows Love To The Divine Nine

The focus for the

2013-2014 year was

to explore real

world situations

and discuss helpful

tips on how to be

prepared for those

life events. Topics

covered included

leadership, leader-

ship positions, the

importance of service, and career investigation.

Since October 2013 the SIZ youth have been invested

in becoming fine young women. The youth were in-

volved in community service and group strengthening.

Their extracurricular activities brought new concepts

and ideas onto a diverse group.

October ended on a high note with the attendance of

the State Conference. Two youth were in attendance and

covered topics such as being beautiful within. We con-

tinued on to community service with our visit to Regen-

cy Manor. There, we sung holiday carols, bringing join

to the residents and nurses. The youth were moved by

our visit and wished to continue this service the follow-

ing year. Our sec-

ond holiday service

event was a dona-

tion of 15 stuffed

teddy bears to the

families at the

Ronald McDonald

House Charities of

Central Ohio. The

year ended with a

celebration at Bucca

Di Beppo where parents and youth were recognized for

their service throughout the year. Each youth received a

t-shirt and certificate that celebrated the personality each

girl brought to our group.

This year began with the Zeta Round-Up. Over 10

youth were in attendance. Soror Fowler led the group in

a karaoke word challenge and a mentally/physically fit

challenge. Both games were well received and began our

year with a bang. The young ladies also joined the sorors

of SIZ while we participate in the March of Dimes

Night Moves. We look forward to a prosperous year in

2015.

Auxiliaries

SIZ’s Youth Have Busy Year

Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter Report- State Conference

Documents

Transcript of Sigma Iota Zeta Chapter Report- State Conference