PEARLS OF DELTA KNOWLEDGESavannah Alumnae Chapter April 2017

A Message from the President Touched By Autism

During the Sisterhood Luncheon at the Georgia State Cluster, Sorors shared their daily experience raising children who are affected by Autism. I sat in awe as these mothers shared their joys and sorrows. They shared laughter and tears, as each explained how their lives are impacted daily by a disease process that has no cure. The symptoms can be mild in some, but severely profound in others. Children have the best outcomes if they are diagnosed early, and there are inclusive learning programs that help them to prosper.

Autism has become more prevalent within the past several years. There has been a 119.6% increase in the number of people living with Autism. Today, 1 in 68 births have an eventual diagnosis of Autism and 1 in 35 of those are of the male gender. It remains unknown what causes this disease.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Southern Regional leadership, recognized that Autism Awareness is an excellent cause to champion. This new initiative was introduced at each State Cluster Meeting. As Savannah Alumnae Chapter continues to provide services to our community, this would be a worthy initiative to add to the causes we champion.

With Love & Devotion to Delta,

Soror Laura N. Wiggins, President

Financial Fortitude

Q u a r t e r l y B u s i n e s s S p o t l i g h t

La Parilla Mexican Restaurant is this quarter’s business spotlight. Special coupons will be available at the next chapter meeting. Please show your support for La Parilla Mexican

Restaurant located in Oglethorpe Mall!

Debt Management

Off My Chest By Alfred Edmond, Jr.

“Now, Back In MY Day!” For New Wealth, Go Old School

The money rules followed by earlier generations may hold the keys to your financial freedom today. If you are blessed to still have living relatives who grew up in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, it’s likely they are a little confused as to how we can make so much more money than they did, yet always have money problems. You can call it old fashioned, but many of the rules they followed when it came to money could hold the keys to you getting your finances right today.

Some examples:

Don’t spend money you don’t have. Previous generations planned their spending around the money they actually had coming in. For example, my mother, who was born in the 1940s, knew exactly how much she expected to spend on groceries every two weeks, practically to the penny.

Don’t borrow money without a real plan for paying it back. Earlier generations did not have the easy access to credit that we take for granted today. They couldn’t even access their own credit reports. As a result, they were less likely to recklessly create debt, for example, by abusing credit cards.

When you have less income or want to save for something extra, you either cut expenses or find a way to make extra money. Borrowing was a last, not first, resort. For example, my mother, a single parent raising four children, often took a second, part-time job every fall in order to afford Christmas presents for our family. Today, too many of us just charge it and forget it, then wonder why our finances are drained by interest payments and fees.

Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach. Remember when your parents warned you against the “see food” diet?: “No, you can’t have that! Just because you see it doesn’t mean you have to eat it.” They knew that consuming everything you have access to is a recipe for gluttony, insatiable greed and poor health. Well the same applies to consumer spending and your financial health. Just because you see it (especially in the possession of another person), doesn’t mean you can afford to have it. To paraphrase the moral of the book Green With Envy by Shira Boss: Keeping up with the Joneses often means following them into debt slavery.

And finally, cash is king. Do I really need to explain this one? Credit is convenient, but it is not meant to be a substitute for cash, and you pay a high price for the instant gratification it delivers.

Yeah, earlier generations of African Americans may have been poor, but at least they knew it and did not take the value of a hard-earned dollar for granted. Moreover, they appreciated financial freedom and loathed being obligated to others by debt. Today, we are happy slaves to debt, convinced that we’re not really broke as long as we have at room on at least one credit card–no matter the cost.

Maybe we got off track when we began accepting the crafted messages and images of the happy families we see in the television commercials over the truth of the experiences of our own, real families. Whatever. It’s long past time we remember that the rules of money never change. To get on the track to new wealth, you may need to go old school.

http://www.blackenterprise.com/mag/the-money-trap/http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/instant-gratification-sure-but-itll-cost-you/http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/its-time-to-escape-slavery%E2%80%94from-debt/http://www.blackenterprise.com/mag/the-money-trap/http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/instant-gratification-sure-but-itll-cost-you/http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/its-time-to-escape-slavery%E2%80%94from-debt/

DELTA DAYS IN THE NATION’S CAPITOL Advocacy in Action: One Nation or Two?  

"We are now on a collision course...two alienated and unequal nations confronting each other across a gulf...based upon income and race.” — Frankie M. Freeman,1967

Delta Days In The Nations Capital (DDNC), was held March 4 – March 7, 2017, in Washington, D.C.. This year’s theme, “Advocacy in Action: One Nation or Two?” highlighted the sorority’s focus on social action through legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development. Participants from around the country attended legislative sessions and advocated for issues of importance to the communities they serve. Over 1200 participants attended the 2016 Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital.This conference outlined the National Social Action focus of our organization and afforded those attending, the opportunity to meet with their state legislators.

“So Act” Corner

PROJECT

A DAY OF PAMPERING & EMPOWERMENT

Savannah Alumnae Chapter hosted Project Esther, March 12 at Tremont Temple Baptist Church during Sisterhood Month. Homeless women were treated to mini manicures, light massages and tips on make-up and skin care. Sorors also provided information on how to dress for success, complete job applications andhow to conduct themselves during an interview.

March of Dimes Walk walk.marchofdimes.org


Team: Delta Sigma Theta-Savannah April 29, 2017@ 10:00 am

Daffin Park
East Victory Dr. Savannah,Ga 31404


Relay For Life Join/Donate Today!

Team: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Savannah Alumnae Chapter www.acsevents.org/site/TR/?fr_id=83056&pg=team&team_id=2152578

http://walk.marchofdimes.orghttp://walk.marchofdimes.org

JABBERWOCK 2017 IS IN FULL SWING!

~ The next financial reporting will be on Wednesday, April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please submit payment for all ads and patrons at this reporting date.  The collection will

be held at Hospice Savannah 1352 Eisenhower Drive in the Education Room located in the

back of the building. 

~  All ads must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. NO ads will be eligible for

submission after the deadline.

~ The FINAL day for any monetary submissions (Soror contributions, donations, sponsors,

fundraising proceeds, etc.) is Thursday, April 27 at Hospice Savannah. 

Please contact your Jabberwock chairperson or liaison for any updates and pertinent

information regarding your group and contestant.