GREATER HUDSON VALLEY CHAPTER
The Links Inc.
Minutes of the Chapter Meeting
Saturday, June 23, 2012
DoubleTree Hotel, Tarrytown, NY
Attendance: Maryjane Barboza, Mae F. Basnight, Ingrid P. Bentil, Rosia Blackwell Lawrence, D.
Paige Bond, Gloria M. Dabiri, Ruth S. Dungie, Karla Jones Penn, Marilyn Keeler Gee, Robin Ham,
Barbara Fields Hibbert, Virginia K. Lee, Velma S. Lewis, Mootze Michel-Roache, Mary D. Redd,
Cynthia W. Rountree, Andrea R. Thomas, Shari Thompson, Dara Monifa Tippitt, Denise TurnerGootzeit, Elizabeth Wade-Mahoney, Ida Silver Wiggins, Dorothy Vereen alumna
●The
President called the meeting to order at 11:06 A.M. The President indicated that as guest speakers
were scheduled for 12:30 P.M. her report would be attached to the minutes. (The report was also
distributed by e-mail).
●The Links
Pledge was recited.
●“SWEETIE PIE” AWARD —
Link Cynthia R.
The President presented the “Sweetie Pie” award to Link Ingrid Bentil who is our chapter’s first
Scott Hawkins Fellow. Link Cynthia indicated that she has done, and is doing, “an excellent job.” Link
Ingrid is graduating from the Scott Hawkins Fellowship Program at the National Assembly in Orlando.
The President stated that the GHV Chapter was chartered by The Links Inc. on April 28, 1990 and
had been a club for several years prior to that time.
●LINKSPIRATION by Link
Ida
Members paused for a moment of silence in remembrance of connecting Link LeRoy Collins and
Link Anne Wright. A prayer for comfort and strength was also offered for Link Cora Wilder.
Link Ida then shared two poems by Lawton J. Pierre, entitled “Apology to You”, and “Homeboy”.
Link Ida read a short portion of a September 25, 1883 speech by Frederick Douglass and concluded
with: “Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run, Obama ran so our children
could fly”.
●MINUTES — Link
Gloria
Readings of the April 2012 and May 2012 Minutes were waived and these Minutes were adopted
with the following amendment to the May 2012 Minutes: that the Public Relations Report reflect that
Link Karla has volunteered to work with the ITS facet.
CORRESPONDENCE — Link Ingrid
Link Ingrid is updating the chapter stationary and reported the following correspondence:
May 11, 2012 letter was received from Dorothy Cowser Yance, President of SHAW
University
thanking us for our $2,000 contribution to their General Scholarship Fund.
June 19, 2012 letter from Link Brenda Smith expressing her “heartfelt thanks” to Links
Cynthia
R., Mary and Virginia for attending the Women’s Day Program, on June 10, 2012, at Mother A.M.E.
Zion Church.
Invitation from Eastern Shore Chapter, Links, to August 12, 2012 Summer Soirée at B.
Smith’s
Long Wharf, Sag Harbor.
Invitation from Greater Denton County Chapter-Elect to its Chartering Celebration on June 9,
2012 in Dallas, Texas.
Invitation to Black Scholars Recognition Reception, June 10, 2012, 2:00 P.M., Manhattanville
College
Harlem Honors Dr. Hazel N. Dukes – Youth Celebration, June 10, 2012, Grace
Congregational
Church.
Metro-Manhattan Chapter, Links – Installation of Officers and Alumna Ceremony, June 10,
2012, 2:00 P.M.
LINK CYNTHIA R.:
Link Rosia will serve as our Parliamentarian.
●PROGRAMS — Link
Barbara
The Chapter is in need of chairperson(s) for the Arts Facet.
The ITS Facet is a semi-finalist for a Best Practices Award. Link Virginia added that our second
jungle gym has been installed at the Putellos School and that photographs have been received of the
children playing on it and holding the new computer we provided.
Our Putellos School video has been updated and will be utilized during Links Barbara and Virginia’s
presentation at the National Assembly.
●MEMBERSHIP — Link
Marilyn
The Membership Committee met on June 14, 2012.
A MOTION was made by Link Marilyn and seconded by Link Ida that the Holiday Luncheon be held
at the Wykagyl Country Club on December 8, 2012, and that the chapter meeting be held that day
(friendly amendment by Cynthia R.). PASSED.
New member nomination forms will be available at the September meeting. Voting will be held in
January. Orientation and workshops will take place in March, April and May, New Member Induction
will be in May 2013.
48 Hour Reports — Facet and Committee chairs no longer have to sign forms, but must send copies
of
the meeting sign-in sheet or record to the V.P. for Membership.
A MOTION was made by Link Marilyn to extend Link Laurie’s medical leave retroactively from Fall
2011to Fall 2012 (rather than April 30, 2012. PASSED.
FINANCIAL REPORT — Link Monifa
The Treasurer presented a report of the funds on account in the Restricted, Unrestricted and
Fundraising accounts.
LADIES IN HATS — Links Cynthia R. and Mary
Link Cynthia indicated that Link Margo does not know her schedule as yet. Link Dianne has to
leave early to attend a dinner in Philadelphia at 6:00 P.M.
There is a timeline of some 30 protocol activities related to Link Margo’s visit — i.e. meeting her at
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the airport; receiving line; check-in. Advise Link Cynthia by June 30th if you wish to volunteer for a
protocol responsibility. See list included in President’s Report, attached.
Barbara Martin usually has a post-LIH reception at her home.
Link Mary indicated the LIH Committee will meet on July 12, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. at the Tarrytown
Marriott.
Link Cynthia G. is handling RAFFLES and needs assistance.
Link Robin H. is handling entertainment and needs assistance.
Link Ruth will be working with the photographers and will handle photographs all weekend and may
need assistance.
It is suggested that in our Journal Ads we welcome the National President and Area Director.
Hopefully invitations will be available by the end of July.
Link Marilyn reported that 10 rooms at the hotel have been reserved at a rate of $139 per night.
Link Mary indicated that Link Elizabeth is in charge of the Fashion Show and needs two people to
assist her.
Link Cynthia R. suggested that the Fashion Show’s Theme relate to HBC’s or AARP which are two
of the Links, Inc.’s National priorities. Moreover, two other chapters have already used “Women of
‘Distinction’ and ‘Phenomenal Women.’
Link Mary proposed that a NAACP Membership Sign-Up Table be in place, and that all chapter
members sign-up before-hand if they are not already NAACP members.
BYLAWS — Link Ruth
Link Ruth reported that she is working on format of revised Bylaws and will send finished document
to Links Cynthia R. and Rosia who can forward it to Link Ingrid for distribution.
The President reminded members that a list of proposed amendments to the National Bylaws was
e-mailed to members on May 25th. Among them is a proposal to eliminate the age restriction for Scott
Hawkins Fellows. The President suggested that as a rule she vote in support of the proposed
amendment unless there is an objection by the Executive Council or by a majority of GHV members.
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON — Link Cynthia R.
There have been changes in the administration of the Board of Education. No action has as yet been
taken on our claim. Former Link Judith Johnson is Acting Superintendent.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY — Link Barbara
Link Helen and her son have been invited to participate on a panel on organ donation.
Link Robin H. is working on our DISPLAY.
Discussion: Link Brenda’s husband is being considered for a position in the hierarchy of his church.
PUBLIC RELATIONS — Link Rosia
The Committee held a conference call on June 11, 2012. Committee members and officers have
been asked to assist in preparing a media or press kit:
1. Chapter Directory — Janice, Judith
2. Chapter History (awards & recognition) — Elizabeth
3. Biography and photo of chapter — Ida
4. Contact Info — Denise
5. Hotel Address and resv. info — Marilyn
6. Schedule of Activities for LIH Weekend — Cora, Cynthia R., Mary
7. Chapter Programs — Barbara
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8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Annual Report — Gloria
Press Release — P.R. Committee, Renée, Brenda Judith, Rosia, Janice
Mission Statement — Elizabeth
Newspaper Articles — P.R. Committee
Protocol Info, LIH Weekend — Cora
CABLE TV PROGram — Links Mary, Barbara and Virginia
Virginia will discuss GHV programs with Mrs. Beverly Gilchrist on June 21, 2012 on Manhattan
Neighborhood Network, Cable TV.
Link Renée has prepared a press release for Picture My World.
Links Brenda and Rosia are sending GHV news to the Eastern Area Newsletter.
ARCHIVES — Link Elizabeth
Link Elizabeth reported that she is looking for a suitable facility.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES — Link Elizabeth
One of the initiatives of the Facet was to decrease GHV members’ mean weight by 10% within one
year (Dec. 2011 to Dec. 2012). Link Elizabeth reported that between December 2011 and March 2012
as a chapter we did not lose any weight, and encouraged us to work harder towards our goal.
CARING AND SHARING — Link Maryjane
Leroy Collins, husband of alumna Jackie Collins and father of Link Laurie Collins-Thomas passed
away.
Link Cora is undergoing back surgery.
Mr. Paul Tyson, who donated a diamond bracelet and was a vendor last year, passed away on June
1st.
Amy Wiggins received tenure a her Middle School.
Link Ione has a medical challenge. Please keep her in your prayers.
Christian Hyacinthe graduated with a B.A. from Columbia University.
Phyllis Hyacinthe is celebrating her 80th Birthday.
Elias Gootzeit has been selected for a second term on the Mount Vernon School Board.
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES — Link Velma
A goal of the Facet is to increase the awareness of domestic and dating violence of a 60-adult
populace by the first quarter of 2013. Link Velma indicated that Karen C. Lomax, Esq, Executive
Director of My Sisters’ Place (which provides shelter, advocacy, legal services and supportive services
for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and supportive services for victims of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, stalking and human trafficking) and Kimberly McNare, staff trainer and adjunct
professor at New Rochelle College, will be our luncheon speakers. Their presentations are part of the
Facet’s strategy to educate chapter members about domestic and dating violence.
Link Velma indicated that the Facet is also discussing a film screening.
Link Cynthia R. noted that it is good for people we partner with to meet with us so that they know
we buy-in to their programs.
NEW BUSINESS
Today the Westchester County Chapter of the Links is inducting Dawna Michelle Field as a member.
On October 27, 2012, The Buck County Chapter is honoring Dawna Field. Link Mary MOVED and it
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was seconded that GHV take a $200 ad in the Buck County’s journal in honor of Dawna. PASSED.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
See attached
APPENDIX A
●The meeting was ADJOURNED
at approximately 12:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Link Gloria M. Dabiri
Recording Secretary
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