WORDS FROM THE STATE
Vol. 241 - Week of Oct. 6, 2008
FROM THE STAFF
GOT QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!
On behalf of the Words From the State staff, welcome to the official weekly e-newsletter for all Sigmas and Zetas in Texas and Louisiana. This e-newsletter allows all of the chapters in the "Mighty" Gulf Coast Region and "Mighty" Southern Region to broadcast their events to the Blue and White family.
For all new subscribers, this is your chance to tell the family about the good news going on with yourself or your chapter. Advertise your events and information by contacting Gulf Coast Regional Director of Publicity Bro. Damon Sayles (Omicron Sigma, Greater North Dallas) or Texas State Director of Publicity Bro. Quinton Wash (Omicron Sigma, Greater North Dallas).
PBS TEXAS STATE BOARD: HURRICANE IKE RELIEF
Hurricane Ike has wrecked havoc in the lives of many people in the Houston and Galveston areas. As a result, the PBS Texas State Board wants to do its part to assist those struggling to meet basic needs because of Hurricane Ike.
The Board is asking all to email their list of needs to this link. A list will be published on WFTS for the next few weeks and updated periodically. Please keep in mind that in the event the Board doesn’t receive any requests, there will be no list to publish.
All requesting assistance should state their name, chapter, phone number, item(s) needed and the address that the item(s) can be sent to. Once the item(s) are received, the individual receiving the item(s) should email the Board to confirm delivery.
For those wishing to provide assistance (clothing, toiletries, monetary donations, etc.), please e-mail this link. Those providing assistance are asked to state their name, chapter, phone number and the item(s) they are donating.
Visit the PBS Texas State website, or contact Texas State Director Bro. Theo Peugh (Iota Mu Sigma, Arlington) for additional information.
ATTENTION, CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES ...
All chapter presidents and vice presidents for both Sigma and Zeta are asked to contact Gulf Coast Regional Director of Publicity Bro. Damon Sayles (Omicron Sigma, Greater North Dallas). The Words From The State staff is looking to update its contact list for undergraduate and graduate chapter as the fall semester begins. Please forward e-mails, websites and contact numbers of your respective chapters.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER
11th: Pi Omega Zeta youth groups informational, Pflugerville
12th-18th: Omicron Eta's "Zeta Week," Arlington
17th: Sam Houston State homecoming step show, Huntsville
17th: Zeta Day at the Fair, Dallas
18th: Komen Race for the Cure, Dallas
18th: NKF Kidney Walk, San Antonio
18th: Alzheimer's walk, Fort Worth
18th: Bro. Walter Campbell's comedy show, Harker Heights
24th-26th: B&W Reunion Weekend, Natchitoches
25th: Louisiana State Leadership Conference
25th: Harambee Festival, Dallas
30th: Rho Delta "Ebony Man" Pageant, Denton
NOVEMBER
16th: Kappa Zeta Miss Blue Revue informational, Dallas
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
PSI ZETA SELLING STORK'S NEST CALENDARS
The Ladies of Psi Zeta Chapter (Fort Worth) are selling Stork's Nest calendars that advertises all submitted birthdays and anniversaries. All birthday submissions are $3, all anniversary submissions are $4, and all picture submissions are $5. Quarter-page ads ($30), half-page ads ($50) and full-page ads ($90) also are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Stork's Nest. The deadline for all birthday and anniversary ads is Wednesday, Oct. 22. All monetary donations, which can be sent to the chapter's mailing address, can be submitted no later than Friday, Oct. 31. Contact Soror Jai'Vaughnda Odie or Soror Hazel Wilson for additional information.
HOUSTON-AREA BROTHER HAS RADIO SHOW
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Black College Dollars, a publication of The Pell Institute, lists hundreds of scholarships specially created for African-American students. Visit the website for additional information.
PHI PSI ZETA LEADING KOMEN DALLAS RACE TEAM
The Ladies of Phi Psi Zeta Chapter have put together a team to help raise funds for the upcoming Komen Race for the Cure, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, in Dallas. The team, called "Team Z.E.T.A.S." (Z-HOPE Emphasizing Total Awareness and Screenings), is asking all to visit its Komen page or the personal page of Soror Felicia Abdullah. All donations are tax-deductible. Contact Soror Abdullah for more information.
SAN ANTONIO FRAT RAISING FUNDS FOR KIDNEY WALK
Bro. Dramar A. Saul (Beta Beta Sigma, San Antonio) will participate in and accept donations for the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Mission County Park in San Antonio. The walk will help benefit those who are struggling with kidney disease and the expenses that may be associated. Funds also will help in research. All donations are tax-deductible.
Bro. Saul has been suffering from chronic kidney disease for the last five years. He had been dialysing for months and had a transplant on Thursday, Aug. 7. Contact Bro. Saul at 210-263-9286 for additional information.
PSI ZETA LEADING TEAM FOR ALZHEIMER'S WALK
The Ladies of Psi Zeta Chapter (Fort Worth) will participate in and is raising money for the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, at LaGrave Field (301 NE 6th Street) in Fort Worth. The 3-mile walk will start at 9 a.m., and registration will take place at 8 a.m. All donations can be made on the Psi Zeta team website. Contact Soror Erin Ragsdale or Soror Nakiba Williams for more information.
DATES SET FOR PBS CONCLAVE: NEW ORLEANS
The 2009 Conclave for Phi Beta Sigma will take place July 6-12 in New Orleans. Rooms are now available at the host hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel (500 Canal Street). Conference rates are $129 and $159. Visit the PBS international website for more information.
EARLY-BIRD REGISTRTAION FOR 2009 PBS STATE CONFERENCE
A registration form for the 2009 Phi Beta Sigma Texas State Conference is available for download on the PBS Texas State website. The state conference is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, at UT-Arlington. The registration form is for active members of Sigma. A different form for inactive members and spouses of all Brothers will be available at a later date. Contact Texas State Director Bro. Theo D. Peugh (Iota Mu Sigma, Arlington) for more information.
SIGMA BETA ROUND-UP DURING PBS STATE CONFERENCE
The Texas State Board will host the inaugural Texas Sigma Beta Round-Up Conference during the 2009 PBS Texas State Conference on Saturday, Jan. 31, on the UT-Arlington campus. The Round-Up is an academic and cultural enhancement conference for young men ranging from seventh- to 12th-graders across the state either affiliated with Sigma Beta Club or interested in becoming a member.
The Texas State Board has taken a strong hand on the activation of Sigma Beta Clubs throughout the state, focusing on building better men from various communities. Activities at the Round-Up tentatively include social and educational discussions and presentations by accomplished speakers, among other things.
The Round-Up registration form will be available on the PBS Gulf Coast Region website. Contact Texas State Director of Sigma Beta Clubs Bro. Melvin Kaufman Jr. (Eta Rho Sigma, Houston) or Texas State Conference Coordinator Bro. Donald Cox (Alpha Theta Sigma, Fort Worth) for more information.
NORTH DALLAS BROTHERS ON THE BLOG CIRCUIT
The Brothers of Omicron Sigma Chapter (Greater North Dallas) invite all to view the Internet blogs written by four members of the chapter. Bro. Reginald Walston has Econ For the African, which caters to African-Americans looking for advice with money and finance. Bro. Rob Guy has It's Just My Opinion, But I'm Not Wrong, which focuses on various current events. Bro. Andre Lovelle has Blaxplanation, which analyzes the African-American condition from a sociological aspect. Bro. Markieth Smith has Music That Makes You Go Hmmmm ..., a blog for all music lovers.
BLUE & WHITE EVENTS
ZETA YOUTH GROUPS INFORMATIONAL IN PFLUGERVILLE
The Ladies of Pi Omega Zeta Chapter (Round Rock) will host an informational for their youth activity groups on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Pflugerville Recreation Center (400 Immanuel Drive) in Pflugerville. The informational, open to all parents with active children, will discuss Pi Omega Zeta's commitment to helping youth in community service projects, regional educational competitions and step show competitions. The chapter also has helped children obtain scholarships. Visit the chapter website, or contact Soror Linda Y. Jackson for more information.
ZETA WEEK IN ARLINGTON
The Ladies of Omicron Eta Chapter (UT-Arlington) will host its annual Zeta Week from Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 12-18, in Arlington. All events will start at 7:20 p.m. unless noted.
Sunday will include a church service at Friendship West Baptist Church. All interested are asked to meet in front of the University Center parking lot at 9:20 a.m. Monday will include the Z-HOPE presentation "How Crowded Is My Bed?" in the Palo Pinto Room. Tuesday will feature a bachelor/bachelorette bid in the Rio Grande Room.
Omicron Eta on Wednesday will team up with the Brothers of Theta Chi Chapter (UT-Arlington) and members of UTA Student Congress, Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi to host a presidential debate watch party. Thursday will feature a night out at Incredible Pizza. Friday will include "Cater to You," a dedication to men where desserts will be served to men in the Bluebonnet Room. Saturday will be a community service day for the chapter.
HOMECOMING STEP SHOW IN HUNTSVILLE
The Brothers of Theta Rho Chapter (Sam Houston State) will host the second annual Blue Dynasty Homecoming Step Show on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on the SHSU campus. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. First prize is $2,500, and second prize is $1,000 for fraternity and sorority divisions. Admission is $5 presale and $10 at the door, and tickets are now on sale. An afterparty will follow the show. Contact Bro. Jacoby Perkins at 832-683-1135 or Bro. Andre Kimble at 214-608-6745, or contact the chapter for additional information.
ZETA DAY AT THE FAIR IN DALLAS
The Ladies of Kappa Zeta Chapter (Dallas) are inviting all to attend "Zeta Day at the Fair," a family trip to the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Oct. 17. The event is for all members of the Blue & White and their families and friends. Admission is $6 with an empty Dr Pepper can after 6 p.m. Admission without the Dr Pepper can is $14. Kappa Zeta is asking all to meet at Big Tex at 6:30 p.m. All Zetas and Sigmas are asked to wear pariphernalia. Contact Soror Kamesha Ross for more information.
COMEDY SHOW IN HARKER HEIGHTS
Bro. Walter Campbell (Beta Beta Sigma, San Antonio) will perform his comedy show on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Zecrets Jazz Club (4100 E. Veterans Memorial) in Harker Heights near Killeen. The show starts at 9 p.m., and doors open at 7 p.m. Contact Bro. Campbell at 210-288-8679, or visit the the Str8 Silly website for additional information.
B&W REUNION WEEKEND IN NATCHITOCHES
The 2008 Blue & White Reunion Weekend will take place Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26, in Natchitoches. Friday will include a meet-and-greet reception/gumbo party at 5:30 p.m. Following an Omega Psi Phi Greek shwo, an old school/new school party will take place at the Ramada Inn Ballroom starting at 10 p.m. Saturday will include a Blue & White tailgate at 11 a.m., the homecoming football game at 2 p.m., a post-tailgate party at 4:30 p.m. and a Blue & White banquet dinner at 7:30 p.m. Sunday will include a church fellowship at First Baptist Church (1116 Amulet Street).
Visit the reunion weekend website for admission fees for each event and other information. Contact Louisiana State Director Bro. Claude Davis Jr. (Delta Chi Sigma, Alexandria) for additional information.
LOUISIANA STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The PBS Louisiana State Leadership Conference will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25. Contact Louisiana State Director Bro. Claude Davis Jr. (Delta Chi Sigma, Alexandria) for additional information.
HARAMBEE FESTIVAL IN DALLAS
The Brothers of Omicron Sigma Chapter (Greater North Dallas) invite all to volunteer at the 2008 Harambee Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (2922 MLK Blvd.) in Dallas. The festival, which will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., needs volunteers to work vendor booths and the children's play area. For more information, contact Bro. Cameron Shaw or Norma Carney at 214-670-8422.
'EBONY MAN' PAGEANT IN DENTON
The Ladies of Rho Delta Chapter (North Texas) will host the 13th annual Ebony Man Scholarship Pageant on Thursday, Oct. 30, . The Ebony Man pageant provides college men of African descent the opportunity to win a scholarship while using their talents, creativity and intellect. Rho Delta awarded $1,500 in scholarship money last year. Since 1995, more than $18,000 in scholarships have been awarded. All wishing to give monetary donations or buy advertisements can contact Soror Tiara Bradshaw at 469-826-0138 or Soror Dominique Rhymes (Kappa Zeta, Dallas) for more information.
MISS BLUE REVUE INFORMATIONAL IN DALLAS
The Ladies of Kappa Zeta (Dallas) will host an informational for their annual Miss Blue Revue Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, Nov. 16. The informational will take place at the Hughes-Trigg Building on the SMU campus (3140 Dyer Street) in Dallas and will run from 3-6 p.m. Blue Revue is a scholarship program intended to prepare young women and girls for college. More than $50,000 in scholarships has been awarded. Contact Soror Toi Thurman at 972-333-4985 or Soror Dominique Rhymes, or visit the Kappa Zeta website for more information.
Words From The State is published weekly to cater to the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. representing Texas and Louisiana.