EASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
WDCAC DELEGATE/ALTERNATE DELEGATE REPORT
This document provides a summary of the 49th Eastern Regional Conference submitted
Sorors Nichelle Poe and Lakisha Hall
EASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
WDCAC DELEGATE/ALTERNATE DELEGATE
NEW EASTERN
REGION
REPORT
LEADERSHIP
On Friday, August 15, 2014 the 49th Eastern Regional Conference
commenced in Boston, Massachusetts at the Hynes convention Center
with 121 delegates present. During the next three days, new initiative
and updates were given to us all as it relates to National Initiatives.
Regional Director
The new Constitution and Bylaws were provided in the conference
bags.
During the Sisterhood Luncheon, sorors were provided with a book
from the Eastern Region’s Heritage and Archive Committee called
‘Remembering Our Past through Leadership.’ This book outlined the
past leadership of the Eastern Region as well as all the Chapter
Presidents from every chapter in the Eastern Region.
State of the Eastern Region
Please refer to the Report from the Eastern Regional Director and
Representative, Robin Jacobs and Thais Ridgeway on the restricted
area of the web site.
Thelejwa Garrett
Valley Forge Alumnae
Regional
Representative
Naya Frazier
Kappa Phi
Member, National
Nominating
Committee
Sandra Brockington
Gould
Quaker City Alumnae
Chair, Regional
Nominating
Committee
National President Message – Soror Paulette Walker
Our National President, Soror Paulette Walker, addressed the ‘Valleys’
and the ‘Mountains’ in the Sorority.
Some of the ‘Valleys’ are:
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Legal issues as it relates to hazing
Insurance
Membership Intake
Intellectual Property
Some of the ‘Mountains’ are:
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Emergency Response Team relationship with FEMA
Maintaining 13 corporate partnerships
NIH Initiative
Soror Walker addressed why registration for the Eastern Regional
Conference was stopped once capacity was reached. Registration
ended when capacity was reached for planning purposes and stop the
incurring additional fees for adding additional people.
Member, National
Nominating
Committee
Cristina Damino
Montclair Alumnae
Lorna Forde
Montgomery County
(MD) Alumnae
Kristina Murray
Boston Alumnae
Collegiate Member,
National Nominating
Committee
Paix Greer
Mu Chapter
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Awards
Kandis Y. Wyatt
Washington DC
Alumnae
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Washington DC Alumnae (WDCAC) and The Federal City Alumnae Chapters won the Regional
Day of Service award.
WDCAC received Honorable Mention for their Membership Services activities.
H.E.R.Stories
WDCAC’s Red Dress Day graced the cover of the conference edition of the Eastern Region’s
H.E.R. Stories.
Inside the H.E.R. Stories on page 33, WDCAC and The Federal City Alumnae Chapters’ Foster
Care and Adoption Program was featured in an article called ‘Two Chapters, One Heart for
Humanity: Partnering to Impact Children in Foster Care in Washington, D.C.’

WDCAC received a grant from DREF for the Entrepreneurship Expo being hosted by WDCAC
on October 4, 2014 at Martin Luther King Library.
National Committee Reports
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Long Range Planning Task Force
Hosting a webinar on August 19, 2014 for Chapter Presidents
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Financial Fortitude
o New Competitions
 DST Business Plan Competition - $2,500 award
 Debt Reduction Challenge (next fiscal year)
International Awareness
o Proposed Mission Trips
 Haiti (Spring 2015)
 South Africa (Fall)
If you are interested, contact PPD@deltasigmatheta.org
o
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World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014
Physical and Mental Health
o My Cry in the Dark
o Catching, Coping and Conquering
o Healthy Lifestyles
 Partnership with Aetna Delta Size Challenge
 Tracking Step Challenge
New Journey to Wellness tools and resources coming soon.
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Arts & Letters Commission
o Delta Authors on Tours Directory
 Authors will travel to chapters at their own expense
o Delta Red Carpet
 To promote wholesome films regarding African Americans
o National Arts and Letters Award
o
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Sing Soror Sing Competition
 Chapters create a Delta choir of 12-100 Sorors
 Award given during Houston Convention
 Record a song on the Legacy CD
Hazing Prevention Task Force
o
o
Mission is to eradicate hazing.
The Task Force will be working with the Arts & Letters Commission to develop a series
of public service announcements.
Social Action Luncheon
Theme: Uncompromising Commitment to Communities: Taking a Stand Against Injustice
Speaker: Lucia “Lucy” McBath – mother of Jordan Davis who was shot and killed at a Florida gas
station.
Regional Workshops
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Worship Title: Housing and Properties - Chapters Aligned with Foundations: A Candid Conversation
Presenters: Faye Reese Clark, Member, National Housing and Properties Committee, New Jersey
Garden City Alumnae; Kandis Wyatt, Member, National Housing and Properties Committee,
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter
There were two major pieces of guidance in this workshop. 1) If your chapter does not have a
foundation do not create one. The sorority wants us to partner with DREF instead. However, if the
chapter does have a foundation the Housing and Properties committee will be publishing standards on
how we should operate and the relationship between the foundation and the chapter. During the
workshop the committee shared the draft of these recommendations. The key message is that the
foundation and chapter are SEPARATE legal entities and should not be presented to the public as a
entity of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 2) If the chapter does not own property, do not purchase a
property. It was clarified in the workshop that the foundation could own properties.
The presentation shown during the workshop will be posted on the members only area of the national
web site, however I'd like to share some highlights.
The workshop started with a True and False icebreaker.
Foundations are separate entities from DST - True
Delta chapters can own property - False
All financial records and bank accounts should be separate from the chapter - True
Chapter can give charitable donation to foundation - True
Chapter officers should not serve as foundation officers - True
The following policy statement was shown:
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated's policy regarding chapter foundations was approved by the
National Executive Board on July 7, 1988, upon recommendation of the National Scholarship and
Standards Committee. The policy was adopted to discourage a proliferation of separate chapter
foundations, as well as to afford the chapters an opportunity to utilize the services of the Delta Research
and Educational Foundation (DREF) with its 501 c 3 tax exempt entity. DREF serves as a vehicle for
charitable contributions for donors.
Additional Key Points
When doing events with the foundation, we should have a MOU for each event. This MOU should
outline the partnership and how we should handle distribution of the funds after the event.
All information about the foundation should be removed from the Chapter P&P.
The name of the foundation must not include the sorority's entire name.
The foundation should not report in our chapter meeting and should not be a part of our agenda. We
should treat the foundation like any other "outside" organization. If they are presenting to us we must
extinguish the candles, etc...
The foundation should include community members. The example provided was if the IRS walked into
your foundation meeting could they distinguish the non-deltas?
The chapter must not include foundation financial information on its Federal Tax Return.
Chapter may not guarantee/co-sign on mortgages or any loans for a foundation.
Failure of chapter and/or individual member to adhere to stated policies and procedures detailed in any
of the governing documents of the Sorority shall result in sanctions.
Sanctions/Fine
1. Chapter - Suspension for 6 months and Fine of $250.00
2. Member or Soror - Suspension for 6 months and Fine of $250.00
I also captured some exemptions mentioned in the workshop.
1. Single contracts
2. Intermittent program co-sponsorships
3. Program grants coming from major corporate sponsors
Questions about the policy should be directed to the Co-Chairs, Housing and Properties Committee,
Chair National Finance Committee or the National Treasurer.
Submitted by Soror Lakisha Hall
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Ritual and Ceremonies Workshop
Presenters: Dr. Thelma T. Daley, 16th National President Co-Chair, Ritual &
Ceremonies Commission
Charlene Gairey, Member, Ritual & Ceremonies Commission,
Victoria Rivers, Member, Ritual & Ceremonies Commission and
Tracy Worley, Member, Ritual & Ceremonies Commission
Workshop Summary:
Diagram reviewReview of poster exhibits of the ritualistic ceremonies diagrams.
QuizGiven a ritual and ceremonies quiz; Suggested it be given to chapter members to help understand
the ritual.
RitualNew ritual is being developed until new ritual is printed and distributed
Sorors should continue using latest version.
Examples of some of the changes:
Diagrams will change for example numbers for Sigma candles, placement of gavel and candle
sniffer.
HandshakeConsideration given regarding the elimination of handshake because of lack of uniformity within the
sorority.
RitualReminded only one ritual not ritual(s) but many ceremonies.
MottoSecret Motto being stated incorrectly reminded how to properly state the motto.
Rededication-Rededication ceremony reviewed extensively and proper rededication ceremony was
demonstrated.
Recommendation-
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Each Soror make a commitment to learn: Oath, Prayer, and all Delta songs without the aid of ritual. It
was stated it is embarrassing when Sorors hold ritual during ceremonies.
Delta songsSweetheart song should be sung in compliance with ritual with no alterations and deviations. It is
each Soror's responsibility to make certain that all Sorors adhere to protocol.
Current trend is grooms are joining brides in the circle when the Sweet Heart Song is sung at
weddings. This is not appropriate and must stop.
All verses in Delta songs must be sung whenever sung.
CandlesDo not reuse candles.
The torch of wisdom should never be picked up. Candles should be lit from the torch of wisdom.
Submitted by Soror Karla Gilchrist-Saunders
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Protocol and Traditions Workshop
Presenters: C. Jean Costley, Co-Chair, National Protocol Committee
Regina Pridgeon, Co-Chair, National Protocol Committee
Recommendation-Chapters order protocol and traditions manuals for each member.
Delta symbolsMisuse of Delta symbols visual provided. It included: tattoos of Delta symbols, elephants and ducks
with Delta symbols.
RitualRitual should never be copied under any circumstances.
Sorors' Final WishesRecommended that each Soror complete form provided by Heritage and Archives Committee
designating whether they wish an Omega Omega Service, and wishes for paraphernalia disposal upon
death.
Disposal of Delta materialLengthy discussion regarding the proper disposal of DST paraphernalia and materials. Suggested
Chapters host a chapter Shred/Disposal Day for disposal of unwanted Delta material. Remind Sorors do
not donate Delta material to charities such as Goodwill.
Proper Attire-
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Discussion regarding appropriate attire and enforcement of proper attire for all sorority ceremonies,
services, meetings, activities and events.
Appropriate acknowledgmentsWhen it is appropriate to stand and when appropriate to sit during Delta ceremonies: Sorors should
stand during processional and sit during recessional.
Proper Greeting of SororsReminded that Soror is our title. For example, should not greet our National
President as
Soror Dr. Walker. Instead the National President should be greeted as either "Soror Walker" or "Dr.
Walker".
Invitation to DignitariesChapters inviting dignitaries to local chapter events are responsible for dignitary's expenses.
Sorors should stop saying "protocol has been established" and other statements inappropriately
referencing protocol without referencing the Protocol and Traditions manual.
Submitted by Soror Karla Gilchrist-Saunders
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“Arts & Letters – “On Fire to Inspire” (Differentiate and Demonstrate the Diver Genre of Arts)
Presenters – Joe Ann Oatis, Chair, Regional Arts & Letters Committee, Baltimore Metro Alumnae, Britney
White, Co-Chair Regional A&L Committee, WDCAC; Edna Moffittt, Co-Chair National A& L was not
present.
Initial discussion centered on A&L Red Carpet Events with some participants sharing very briefly their
chapter’s activities; I mentioned both the WDCAC Red Carpet Movie Events, Book Clubs and Signature
Gala.
 Information about National Red Carpet Events is sent to the chapter president so A&L
chairs should always check.
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It was noted that not all “Black” films are identified by National as Red Carpet events
(careful consideration is given to rating, etc., however, chapters can, if they wish have a
“chapter movie night” that features Back films. Be mindful that chapter event should
not be publicized as a “National” event.
 Explanation given as to why National request to purchase a particular book (support a
particular author) to help the author be listed as best sell does not count if the book is
purchased as an “E Book”; it’s just the way of the publishing world at this time.
 It was suggested that small alumnae and undergraduate chapters might want to
collaborate on red carpet events.
Suggestions from participants.
 Use red carpet events to reclaim inactive sorors
 Co-sponsor red carpet events with local schools (showcase student talent) and
financially support students interested in the arts (high school and college); Black
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History Month is a good time to hold such events because you can usually get free”
access to school auditoriums, etc.
Identify a “group” of students and provide a step by step approach to appreciating the
arts – visual, musical, poetry, ceramics, fashion, literature.
**A chapter in NJ (I think) identified a group of young men (ages 17-20) in a detention
center and for a full sorority year provided A&L in a effort to help acclimate them to their
return to society. One event features Honorary Soror Susan Douglass who came to one
of the sessions and asked each young for “just 1 word” to describe how they felt and
used that to write a poem that she presented to them at the end of the program. The
person from the NJ Chapter referenced a book that I’m currently reading “The New Jim
Crow”, a book about how the incarceration of young men of color for many minor
offences is draining our communities; as you know the Justice Department is currently
reviewing these sentencing laws.
Suggested that National develop a single evaluation template so that there is
consistency in chapter reporting of A&L events. Be sure to send write-ups and pictures
to Regional Director (H.E.R) and National (?) to have events published; I think they also
said that pre0publication of upcoming events can also be submitted.
Collaborate with local restaurants that showcase art (revolving schedule) and hold a
Delta Art Day; negotiate for things like discount meals, free parking, etc. if XX number
of people participate. One of the Baltimore chapters has done this successfully.
General Suggestions
 Try to maintain some uniqueness of chapter and community with A&L events.
 Resource to check – Soror Queen Nur (spell), National Association of Black Story
Tellers ; www.nabsinc.org
National continues to work on information that can be shared with chapters on A&L programs and events.
The last 15 minutes of the session was a group exercise (red/yellow/purple groups) to respond to a
specific questions. I was in the red group – Genre: Visual Arts (approximatelyb30 people)
Please designate one speaker and writer for the group. Working together, please answer the following
questions. The speaker will present on behalf of the group.
1. What kind of event could your chapter do to promote the genre above in your
community?
2. What would be the goals of the event?
3. What is a possible outcome of the event?
Submitted by Soror Paulette Morgan
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Risk Management
Workshop Title: Program Planning - Risk Management 101:Stop the Ball of Confusion
Presenters: Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney, Dr. Brandi P. Jones, Barbara Mosely-Davis, Sheila Ogilvie, all Members,
National Program Planning and Development Committee
A FAQ pamphlet was passed out during the workshop and turned over to the 2nd VP. The key clarification in that
FAQ was that we do not have to do the criminal background checks unless there are red flags raised in the
interview of the volunteer.
Key Points:
There must be no physical contact with youth participants and this must be covered during training of volunteers.
Overnight trips must be submitted to Regional Director for approval 90 days in advance of the trip.
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A plan of action must be developed to handle a situation where a child may become lost.
Chapters must develop rules for participation in their programs and share it with the children and parents. We
should remove a child from program if necessary if rules are violated.
Chapters should not involve youth in any stepping of any kind.
If a young lady becomes pregnant we should retain her and refer her to community support agencies.
If a youth is arrested during the program. He/She should be released from program. The president and RD
should be notified. A family can be given the opportunity to explain the situation.
Code of ethics has to be reviewed and signed by volunteers (in the appendix of the risk management manual).
Only 25% of participants in our programs should be delta children. The point was that we should be serving the
community vs ourselves.
Parental consent must be obtained for session content. The example was some parents don't want their children
to hear about certain topics sex and social media were examples.
Make sure we have information on the child's medical needs and medicine. Their medical release form should be
on hand at all events. If we provide medication (pre-approved by parent) to the child during the event we have to
document when it was administered, who administered it, how much of it was given and the type of medication
given.
Chapter are advised to monitor the youth's use of technology during our activities.
Chapter members cannot transport children in their personal vehicles.
There was a suggestion to keep all the risk management records for 7 years. However, the committee members
took an action to research the statute of limitations to ensure this is the appropriate timeframe.
Submitted by Soror Lakisha Hall
Repectfully Submitted,
Soror Nichelle Poe, Delegate
Soror Lakisha Hall, Alternate Delegate
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