a message from the naasc president€¦ · the graphs below provide a snapshot of the membership...

Journal of Sisterhood, October 2018

October 2018

A Message from the NAASC President Tara L. Buckner, C’87, NAASC President

Greetings Sisters!

October is upon us and we all know what that means…Homecoming! This is the time

when we come together and forget how many years we’ve been gone from school.

We get to campus, we are just happy to see each other and reconnect. I am looking

forward to seeing all of you!

October is also important, because it is the month before we exercise our right to vote!

On September 15th, I reposted a tribute made by Jack and Jill of America,

Incorporated to the Birmingham Four Little Girls killed in 1963. I always make time to reflect on what the

sacrifices of these four young girls on my ability to walk into my polling place and cast a vote. It is

important that we remember their sacrifices as well as others in pursuit of civil rights, and the best way to

do that is to exercise our right to vote.

I encourage each and every Spelman Sister to be sure to be registered to vote in the November election.

I have asked NAASC chapter presidents to be sure to remind the students from their areas to be registered

for elections in their respective states or to be registered in Georgia by October 9th. Finally, be sure to

review the information in this newsletter as it pertains to Homecoming events and deadlines for NAASC

Awards submissions and NAASC Nominations.

Profile of the NAASC Membership Joy Smith, C’88 -Membership Committee Chairperson

The one thing Spelman alumnae have in common is their undying love for Spelman

College. This devotion begins freshman week and it lasts throughout a lifetime. The

membership profile of the NAASC reflects this lifetime devotion to Spelman College

which is the only organization that represents the unique concerns of Spelman

alumnae.

The graphs below provide a snapshot of the membership body for the 2016-2017

Membership year and the 2017-2018 Membership year. It is never too late or too

early to get involved. Go to www.naasc.org to find a local chapter and pay

dues.

The official newsletter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College.

JOURNAL OF SISTERHOOD

http://www.naasc.org/


Life Members

** There are 816 members classified as life members. This figure includes members paying on life installments.

The Class of 1990 represents the largest number of lifetime members.

Regular Members: 2016-2017 Membership Year

** There were 890 regular members of the NAASC during the 2016-2017 membership year. The Class of 2016

represented the class with the largest numbers of members.

Regular Members: 2017-2018 Membership Year

** There were 851 members of the NAASC during the 2017-2018 membership year. We must find a way to retain

our youngest members. There was a drop from 180 members during the 2016-2017 year to 134 members during

the 2017-2017 membership year. The Class of 1990 represented the class with the largest number of members.


Please Note: We have several membership cards that have not been claimed. Membership cards will be

sent to chapters in an effort to keep the cost of mailing cards to individual members at a minimum.

Members that do not belong to chapters may collect their cards during homecoming. Also, the name on

your card matches what we have in our database, please be sure to update your information for

membership and voting privileges.

Meet the 2017 – 2018 NAASC Executive Committee!

The National Alumnae Association is governed by the Executive Committee. The Committee is made

up of both elected and appointed officers. This month we feature the elected officers!

Tara Leigh Buckner, C’87

Position: President

Local NAASC Chapter: Atlanta

Major at Spelman: Political Science

Degrees: B.A., M.P.A.

Current Employer: Better Family Life, Incorporated

Spouse: Aaron N. Swain (Morehouse C’86)

Children: Mauryn Buckner-Swain, Meridian Buckner-Swain C’2020

Contact: [email protected]

Keva Wright Berry, C’79

Position: President Elect

Major at Spelman: Music Performance

Degrees: B.A., M.Ed. (Management)

Current Employer: University of Southern Maine

Spouse: Lemuel Berry, Jr.

Children: Lemuel Berry III, Cyrus James Berry, Kyla Marshell (C’2008)


Husniyah Lateefah Dent Bradley, C’97

Position: Recording Secretary

Local NAASC Chapter: Minneapolis – St. Paul

Major at Spelman: Chemistry

Degree(s): B.S., J.D.

Spouse: Charles R. Bradley, Jr.


Veronica Gale Leonard, C’87

Position: Assistant Recording Secretary

Local NAASC Chapter: Southern Maryland

Major at Spelman: Computer Science

Degrees: B.S., M.S.

Current Employer: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Children: Anthony Murray, II, Tyler Murray, Alexis Murray



Rhonda Waller Ph.D., C’91

Position: Corresponding Secretary

Local NAASC Chapter: Decatur, GA

Major at Spelman: Sociology

Degrees: B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Current Employer: The Bizzell Group / Montgomery College (MD)

Children: Kai Adura Waller, C’2019


Daria Valentine, Ed.D., C’2000

Position: Assistant Corresponding Secretary

Local NAASC Chapter: Southern Maryland

Major at Spelman: Biology

Degrees: B.S., M.Ed., Ed.D.

Current Employer: Prince George’s County Public Schools

Spouse: Curtis C. Valentine (Morehouse C’2000)

Children: Curtis and Ivy


Stacee Utsey, C’85

Position: Financial Secretary

Local NAASC Chapter: Atlanta

Major at Spelman: Computer Science

Degrees: B.S., M.A.

Current Employer: Berry & Associates

Children: DeAnna Horton


Sheryl “Sherry” McNeil, C’79

Position: Treasurer

Local NAASC Chapter: Washington, DC

Major at Spelman: Sociology

Degrees B.A., M.B.A.

Current Employer: Perspecta


Cassandra Morgan, C’82

Position: Assistant Treasurer

Local NAASC Chapter: Washington, DC

Major at Spelman: Health Science

Degrees B.S.

Current Employer: Change Healthcare


Next month we will feature the elected regional officers and appointed officers.


Get Out the Vote!

Upcoming NAASC Events & Updates

SpelHouse Professional Development Symposiums

This year, NAASC will partner with the Morehouse College National Alumni Association (MCNAA) to

host four Professional Development Symposiums. These events will be for members of NAASC and

MCNAA and will cover a range of topics including workshops on basic career development,

executive-in-transition, and entrepreneurship as well as providing participants other “tools” for job-

seeking. The targeted areas are Atlanta, DC/Maryland/Virginia, Chicago and New York. These events


will be held in four cities across the country. If you are interest in working one on or more of these

events, contact NAASC President Tara L. Buckner at [email protected].

NAASC National Elections 2019 – Open Positions

The following positions are open for the 2018 NAASC National Elections. These positions would serve

NAASC for fiscal years 2019 - 2021:

▪ Recording Secretary

▪ Assistant Recording Secretary

▪ Financial Secretary

Responsibilities for each position are as follows:

Section 5. Recording Secretary

A. The Recording Secretary shall take careful and authentic notes of the proceedings of the

meetings as a basis for preparing the minutes.

B. She shall present the minutes for the Executive Committee, no later than sixty (60) days following

and Executive Committee meeting or Annual Meeting, for correction and approval; enter any

corrections approved by the members in the minute book; and attest by her signature the

approved minutes as the official record of the Association with the date of approval.

C. She shall present to the President within two weeks of the meeting, a list of action items from

each Executive Committee meeting and each annual meeting for immediate transmittal to the

members of the Executive Committee.

D. She shall bring to each meeting the minute book, a copy of the constitution and bylaws, a list of

the executive committee members, a list of standing and special committees, and a copy of

the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

E. She shall search the minutes for information requested by the officers or members.

F. She shall assist the President in the preparation of the order of business to be considered at each

meeting.

G. She shall preserve all records, reports, and official documents of the Association except those

specifically assigned to the custody of others.

H. She shall provide the chairperson of each special committee with a list of her committee

members, a copy of the motion referring the subject to the committee, and instructions and

other documents that may be useful.

I. She shall provide the chairperson of each standing committee with a copy of all proposals

referring to it, instructions, or materials that may be useful.

J. She shall be responsible for maintaining a complete set of all forms developed and utilized by

the association in the office of NAASC.

Section 6. Assistant Recording Secretary

A. The Assistant Recording Secretary, in the absence or incapacity of the Recording Secretary,

assumes the duties of the Recording Secretary.

B. She shall perform those duties of the Association as directed by the President.

Section 8. Financial Secretary

A. The Financial Secretary shall keep the official record of all monies collected.

B. She shall keep the membership list for each fiscal year.

C. She shall assist the Treasurer in the preparation of financial reports to the Association.

D. She shall be a member of the Finance Committee.

E. She shall assist the Credentials Committee in validating memberships.

F. She shall keep files of all communication pertaining to financial matters.

The deadline for submitting nominations will be Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Nominating materials are

located on page 17 of this newsletter and may be requested from the Nominating Committee Chair by

email. Submit inquiries or nominations to Marian S. Jordan C’67, NAASC Nominating Committee Chair at

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



2018 – 2019 NAASC Awards Nomination Announcement

The NAASC Executive Committee is accepting nominations for the prestigious NAASC Awards, which will

be presented during the 2019 Reunion True Blue Gala on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Award recipients must

be present at the True Blue Gala to receive the award. If you would like to nominate an alumna for the

Merit, Hall of Fame or Young Alumna award, please return the completed nomination form to Awards

Committee Chair, Margaret Dismond Martin at [email protected] by Wednesday, October 31, 2018. The

award criteria and nomination form can be found on pages 18 and 19 of this newsletter.

Local NAASC Chapter Events & Updates Monthly we feature local NAASC chapter events. This includes upcoming and past (within the previous

month) special events, fundraisers, and chapter meetings. Events MUST be NAASC sponsored. Send

chapter information about upcoming events or photos from past chapter events by the 15th of the month

to [email protected]

DC Metro Chapter (DC)




South Florida Chapter (FL)

South Florida HBCU picnic and Student Sendoff

Augusta Chapter (GA)

Photos from the July 29th Back to School Social for Spelman and Morehouse students. The Chipotle

Fundraiser took place on Saturday, August 11th. We received 30% of proceeds of food purchased

between 4-8 pm. Our 1st Meeting of the 2018-2019 year, Saturday September 8th.


The 5th Annual Greater Augusta HBCU 5K, which took

place on Saturday, September 15th. Alumni from

Morehouse and Spelman were there to show support

and participate in the 5k.

Decatur Chapter (GA)

The NAASC Decaur Chapter Spelman College china tea cups are STILL AVAILABLE for purchase at

http://www.naasc-decatur.org/teacups.html The adult tea cup and saucer set is $20 plus the cost of

shipping and the children’s cup and saucer set is $15 plus the cost of shipping. Tea cups will also be

available for purchase at all of the upcoming events listed below. All proceeds benefit the Decatur

Chapter Scholarships.

Adult Set Children’s Set

The October Chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10:30am. Meetings are held

every 2nd Saturday of the month in the community conference room at Oakhurst Medical Center, 5582

Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. We’d love to see you there!

Chicago Chapter (IL)

Chicago Chapter of NAASC held its first general body meeting on September 8th. Many sisters showed up

and showed out by signing up for committees, paying both national and local dues, and sipping on

mocktails in sisterhood.

http://www.naasc-decatur.org/teacups.html


Columbia Chapter (MD) The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, Columbia, Maryland Chapter will participate in

the

Susan G Komen Maryland Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 13, 2018, 6950 Columbia Gateway

Dr., Columbia, MD. The Chapter will partner with Penny’s Pink Power Foundation as Team Spelman

Warriors in the 2018 Maryland Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.

The Columbia MD’s chapter goal is to support the mission of both foundations - to save lives by meeting

the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure

breast cancer (the Susan G. Komen Foundation), and to change the way society approaches cancer

care and lymphedema management by supporting the immediate access to rehabilitation and early


prevention for lymphedema (Penny’s Pink Power). Penny Vanderhorst, C’1974, was a longtime member

of the NAASC, Columbia, MD Chapter. She lost her battle with breast cancer on November 16, 2017.

If you are living in the Columbia, Maryland area, the chapter invites you to join us in the Race to help the

fight against Breast Cancer. Place the link below in your browser; when on the page, scroll down and click

on the "Join our Team" button to register.

Walk with Team Spelman Warriors.

http://maryland.info-komen.org/goto/spelmanwarriors

Unable to walk in the Race? Help the chapter meet its Race goal of $5000: Donations can be made

through our team page on the Maryland Susan G. Komen site and/or donations can be made to Penny's

Pink Power Foundation. Click on the gofundme link below.

Penny's Pink Power

http://gofundme.com/pennyspinkpower

Triangle Chapter (NC)

Due to Hurricane Florence, our first General Body meeting of the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year (9/18/18) was

canceled. A rescheduled date and time TBD. The safety of our Sisters comes first.

Our chapter participated in Belk Charity Day. a chapter fundraiser, on August 25, 2018. Prenessa Lowery is

the coordinator of this event.

Our chapter hosted a SpelHouse Triangle Networking Happy Hour on August 24 at Level 7 Rooftop Bar -

AC Hotel Raleigh. Area alumnae enjoyed each other's company, live music, and delicious food at this

event.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/12535205585/

Twitter: @NAASCTriangleNC

Instagram: NAASCTriangleNC

Email: [email protected]

New York Chapter (NY) NYC Alumnae at the NY-NAASC Happy Hour with the Morehouse Manhattan Alumni Association and

SunTrust on September 26th.

http://gofundme.com/pennyspinkpower

http://www.facebook.com/groups/



Top row: Unknown Spelman Sister, Monia Johnson C’2009, Tamisha Baako-Boafo C’2000, T. Shyvonne Stewart C’2005, Denise

Johnson C’2004. Bottom row: Anita Sheares C’2014, Camille May C’2016, TeErra Johnson C’2013

Westchester Chapter (NY) The Westchester Chapter of the NAASC is

excited to announce co-sponsorship of "An

Evening with Alice Walker" at New Rochelle

High School, on October 10th, at 7pm, in

New Rochelle, NY. General admission tickets

are $50. The first 15 to be purchased will

include seating in the Spelman designated

section. Please use this link to

register https://goo.gl/VnCDs7, note

"Spelman" as the organization, and send the

chapter a copy of your receipt

at [email protected]. We are

looking forward to seeing you

there! Everyone will receive a signed copy

of her new book!

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2FVnCDs7&h=AT1hWrCRKWrWBzxuFv0JjEy_v6uOSwkISojqk_FkAIos7lZ-1mQKavRdkr6qmrixj_x0XR9jzJqn46ZP4iEuIByGNkAinOZBpN1kZlrdhSVjXNlRc4eA23F0m0unpSz_pmhpUZOWWwEjHCpjA0txLxMcvBKMvtxABBDzBZk6oaVCcjZBoOP6jtcWmazQbZr1vfff6D6JTN2jN_T19W34Uohh1PMrQZVedGAKQIhx2Kq2jkLdixqI8mkt8992qam6jmTdXvL1wxde6vN2gPhtZSLc2LDEVwMhWKYt3_0C5FkMk-k1tvC3EqkEp_yj4bqKloGbFawhRV_YEuj_RWuxr7hkJElVTVZ1k_rL7h03aPjPi4gsbBrjCjfoLLgye4BRc7pqU9AY9ZoJSRP4-Gzpj7cMHfECQaMyRENTsw



Philadelphia Chapter (PA) Following the 1st chapter meeting of the fiscal year which occurred on Saturday Sep 8, we are excited to

announce and welcome new E-Board members Ashley Gobert c’2013 (Financial Secretary) and Taqiyya

Thomas c’2014 (Corresponding Secretary)!

1From left to right: Connie Boswell, Mironda Sneed-Spruill, Lateefah Strickland, Yvette Bradford, Ashley Gobert, J'vawnna Bell, Asali Carter, Taqiyya

Thomas and Elizabeth Warrick. Not pictured: A Nicole Phillips

NAASC Philadelphia is looking for local PA/NJ volunteers to help get out the vote. Volunteers will engage

with current Spelman students, local alumnae and if they choose, other Philadelphia residents on how

and when to register and on absentee balloting. Contact us for more information.

Our next chapter meeting will be held Saturday October 13, 2018 from 10am – noon at the Northwest

Regional Library in Germantown.

Keep up with us on Facebook (NAASC Philadelphia), Twitter (@NAASCPhila), IG (@NAASCPhila) or on

naascphiladelphia.org. Pay chapter dues or donate on Venmo (@Philly-NAASC).

Keep up with us on Facebook (NAASC Philadelphia), Twitter (@NAASCPhila) or on naascphiladelphia.org.

Pay chapter dues or donate on Venmo (@Philly-NAASC).

Northern Virginia Chapter (VA)

Join the Northern Virginia chapter on October 13th for our Mix and

Mingle event.

This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with local Alumnae and

join the chapter. Be sure to visit our website and social media pages

for more details.

Website: www.naascnova.org

Facebook: National Alumnae Association of Spelman College:

Northern Virginia

Twitter: @NaascNova

Instagram: naascnova

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Voter%20engagement%20with%20NAASC%20Phila

https://www.facebook.com/NAASCPhila/

https://twitter.com/naascphila

http://www.naascphiladelphia.org/

https://venmo.com/Philly-NAASC

https://www.facebook.com/NAASCPhila/

https://twitter.com/naascphila

http://www.naascphiladelphia.org/

https://venmo.com/Philly-NAASC

http://www.naascnova.org/


Regional Updates


SpelHouse Homecoming 2018


National Alumnae Association of Spelman College

2018 CANDIDATE PROFILE FORM

Nominations for the Positions of:

Recording Secretary Assistant Recording Secretary Financial Secretary Service Commencing: 2019

Instructions:

▪ Please complete this candidate profile section and include a 100 Word Voluntary Statement.

▪ One Candidate Profile Form and one Voluntary Statement per each office for which nominee is to be

considered.

▪ Submit electronically to: NAASC Nominating Committee Chairperson at [email protected] by

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.

Name:

Class Year:

Yes, I am currently an NAASC Member and was a member during the 2017-2018 Program Year:

Office of Interest:

Current NAASC Office, committee(s) or leadership position(s) (attach additional sheet if necessary):

Recent NAASC office, committee or leadership position:

Relevant community leadership or service roles:

Relevant professional experience or competencies:

**Attach your 100-Word Voluntary Statement**


a message from the naasc president€¦ · the graphs below provide a snapshot of the membership...

Documents