2019 Arizona Statewide Founders Day Weekend Celebration

Chicago Alumnae - Photo Credit

Each year, the Arizona Alumnae Chapters rotate to host our annual Statewide Founders Day weekend celebration. This year my chapter was the featured host. We invited National President and CEO Beverly E. Smith to be our speaker at the sisterhood luncheon. We also asked all Sorors from the Farwest Region to attend as well. To celebrate the election of our Chapter member Tracy A. and the Regional Rep. Christine E., we decided that this weekend event would be perfect for also hosting a "Congratulatory" Celebration to celebrate them both being elected into the office. 

Friday started off with the "Love Reception" to commemorate their election into Delta Office. We invited members from the Divine Nine, as well as several leaders of other prestigious organizations to speak on behalf of their organization at the event. It was a joyous occasion. We had grand old time celebrating with everyone, and the night ended with several divine nine members,  sorors and speakers from the event taking pictures with our National President, Regional Director, and our Regional Representative. Several vendors were in attendance to sell their fabulous Greek Items, as well as African Attire.  

Saturday included all Sorors getting dressed in their "Delta Red" to take our annual Statewide Founders Day Picture. We started with ALL members in attendance taking their picture and then breaking it down by Chapter. There were a lot of Sorors in attendance, including Sorors from the Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter. They chartered a bus, and 45 of their members came to support our RD, Regional Rep, of course, our National President, and the Arizona Chapters.

After concluding taking pictures, we all gathered to the ballroom for the Sisterhood Luncheon. To witness a sea of "Red" was breathtaking. Although this weekend filled with Love and laughter,  there was also sadness. Our founders Day Chair Soror Demetta W. who planned everything to a "T" unfortunately and unexpectedly, left us before the celebration. In honor of her, the Co-Chairs and the Founders Day Committee set aside a place on the dais to recognize her efforts. Although she was not physically there, you could feel her spirit throughout the room. 

The event opened with myself Performing the Black National Anthem "Lift Every Voice And Sing." Although I was the official photographer during this entire event, I completely forgot to ask someone to record my performance for my Mom and my Darling Husband. (My two BIGGEST FANS). Unbeknownst to me, my darling Soror from my chapter recorded my performance on her phone and sent it to me. (Thanks again Soror). The entire Sisterhood luncheon was phenomenal. Another one of my Chapter Sorors blessed us with Song, we had several speakers, and the Arizona Chapter Presidents brought Greetings on behalf of their Chapter. It was wonderful. We also set aside some time for Sorors who became members of the Organization for 25, and 50 years. Each of them received a plaque and posed with their Chapter President, the Regional Director, as wells as the National President to commemorate their 25 or 50-year service for Delta.  

One particular Soror who received her plaque had an extraordinary story. As she made her way to the stage that she had a certificate in hand. When she reached the Stage, she mentioned that the National President, Beverly E. Smith was ALSO her Chapter President 50 years ago, and signed her certificate after she became a Delta. She brought her certificate showing our the Signature of our National President, (Back when she was just Beverly Evans - maiden name).  She wanted to pose with both certificates. People in the room started crying, (including myself). It was a beautiful. As they were having their moment and possibly reminiscing about the times when they were both Deltas in undergrad, I was snapping away on my camera. Later that evening, I printed two of the pictures from them to give to my soror on the next day during our Ecumenical Service. I even posted the picture on my FB page that evening retelling the story of how that picture came to be. It went viral very quickly. Imagine my surprise when one of the images that I captured was later featured on the National Facebook page of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. the next day. When I gave a copy to the Soror for her to Frame, her eyes welled with tears. She later was able to reconnect with President Smith (Sunday afternoon) for her to sign the picture.

The Sisterhood luncheon ended with Soror Smith speaking to the body. As always, she was phenomenal. At the end of the speech, we were all asked to join outside for a Desert Soiree. The best part of living in Arizona is how we can have events outside during February. As a part of our Community Service for the weekend, we partnered up with the Breast. We donated 700 new and lightly used Bras for this organization. The collection of bras will help provide bras to women and girls in need.

Sunday concluded with the Ecumenical Service. Once again, I was blessed enough to be a part of the program; d  I dedicated the song that I performed to Soror Demetta. Six of my beautiful chapter Sorors performed  "Oh Lord How Excellent." They did a fanatic job. Our chapter, as well as Tempe Chapter, partnered together to bless us with a beautiful Praise Dance. We were later fed the word through one of Tempe's chapter members, Soror Morrison. 

Overall, this was a wonderful weekend. I was able to meet new Sorors, connect with old Sorors that I haven't seen in a while and it was great. My feet were exhausted after this weekend from being the Official Photographer and running here and there to capture the memories as they were happening. For those of you that are either going through the process right now or hoping to become members of your dream sorority or fraternity, I can not wait for you to experience your FIRST founders Day Celebration. Cherish the moments, as I promise you will never forget them.

Sponsorship/Letter of Reccomendation

You find out that the chapter at your college/university or the alumnae/alumni chapter has a rush. You are beyond excited, nervous; your adrenaline kicks in on the thought of you fulfilling your dream of becoming a member of XYZ org. You attend Rush with your excitement in tow, trying your best to impress who could soon be your sorority and or fraternity sister/brother.

Then reality sets in. The fee for membership is announced at Rush, and it is a lot more than what you anticipated. You realize you have to have so many hours of RECENT community service. You need a sponsor and don't have one. You have to have a FINANCIAL member write you a letter of recommendation that can speak about your character,  your RECENT community service efforts and why they feel you would be the perfect candidate for membership.

The problem? You do not have the money. You don't have a sponsor. You can't find a financial member to write you a letter of recommendation. You realize that you are either lacking in the community service hours, or the service hours you do indeed have has been from years prior. So what do you do? Well, it appears you didn't prepare yourself for membership. Real Talk! When I found out I wanted to be a member of Delta Sigma Theta (14 years old btw), I did my research. I  have spoken to members. I was able to establish various relationships with Deltas. I also attended multiple events. The internet wasn't as popping as it now, and the only website that was available at the time was the DeltaNet founded by Sorority Sister Bonita Jackson (BeeJae, RIP Soror). I loved that website. It was filled with a wealth of Delta information. Her popular blog post entitled "So you think you want to be Delta" was VERY popular and appeared on many College and Alumnae websites. She is the reason why I decided to create this blog. Her website helped me SO much, and I wanted to pay it forward to all prospective BGLO members.

Although it wasn't publicly known HOW much it would cost, I worked my tail off during Summer months while I was in college to save at least $1100 for the initiation fee.  (It cost nowhere near that much, thank GOD)! I kept my community service hours current, and I stayed in touch with the people that was in charge of my volunteer service so I could use them as a reference. I was hoping to use my ex's sister to gain a letter of rec. from her since she is a Delta (unfortunately, that fell through) I was blessed enough to have two other Delta on standby who were willing to write me a letter. (Thank Goodness) I guess my point is, I was prepared. I was ready. I just needed for the members to take a chance on me. Thankfully they did. The competition was fierce at my University. EVERYONE wanted to be a Delta, so to be quite honest, even after putting my best foot forward, I wasn't expecting to be chosen during the first try. I was wrong. They extended an invitation to me. I was blessed enough to have received the necessary votes for me to start the process of becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

If you don't have the $, the sponsorship, or someone to write your letter, all is not lost. You need to take this time to work, work, work! Work on saving that money. Work on establishing meaningful relationships with members of the org you so desire to become a member of. My RD gave me the BEST advice. She stated that if someone asks you to write a letter of recommendation are you willing to PAY for their initiation dues? (Hint, membership in all of these orgs are NOT CHEAP). If so, write them a bomb rec. If not, then keep it moving.  I have had a quite few young ladies in applying for membership at both the College level and at the Alumnae chapter ask me for a letter of recommendation.  How many have I written? ONE! I am very particular on writing letters, and if I haven't worked with you, (and recently) and cannot honestly speak on how you can be an asset to the organization from my personal experience, then I will not be writing a letter. Some of the women I haven't heard from in a while. So the first time I hear from them was to ask for a letter of recommendation? Sorry sweetheart but Issa no. If you know me personally, you know that I am a HARD working Delta. I am very active with my chapter, so I will only be writing letters for people that I feel will work hard for the organization as well.

When people say no, don't take it personally. Just realize that you need to ask someone that you feel comfortable with, that can speak to your character, work ethic and knows you personally. This is vital. We (and by we I mean ALL members of BGLOS) have enough T-shirt wearers in our Orgs and don't need any new ones. A T-Shirt wearer is a person that wants to be a member of XYZ org, goes through the process, only to be never seen again. But trust and believe they will make random appearances at Greek Parties or will give a shout out twice a year on Social Media. (The time they crossed as well as their Founders Day). They are either only active/financial while they are in college, and never pays another DUE after graduating from college, or goes through the process as an alum member, and disappears. As I have always stated, LIFE happens. (It did for me during my first few years of getting married, and although I was a member at large while making my monthly Diamond Life Payments, I was not affiliated with an actual chapter).

I tell people all the time, membership in these organizations requires Sisterhood/Brotherhood, MONEY, TIME, and EFFORT! Without them, these orgs would not exist. Just giving you all a food for thought as Rush season is upon us. Good luck all of you, and for those of you that are currently going through the process.