Friday, September 21, 2012

2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit, Keynote speaker, LA Police Department, Stephany Powell-Jones



Participants in the 2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit also learned the importance of analyzing their own shortcomings when dealing with groups.

Among many other tips, luncheon keynote speaker Stephany Powell-Jones, of the LA Police Department, discussed the importance of motivating chapter members with the following: 
  • Praise 
  • Gratitude - thank people 
  • Show genuine concern
  • Rewards - make it fun 

Powell-Jones stated that Links members have chosen each other because of similar interests, which means they may clash occasionally. Chapter leadership is the key to positive resolution. 

It is important to:
  •  Know yourself
  • Model what you want others to be 
  • Work as a team 


Members really learned a great deal from her presentation. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Waco Chapter Photo highlights from the 2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit



During the 2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit, participants were given a chance to strengthen the bonds of friendship and service September 14-16, 2012, at the Westin Oaks Hotel in the Galleria-Area of Houston, Texas.

The event offered the opportunity to meet Western Area leaders and to connect with sister Links. 

Zumba, workshops, interactive activities and speakers helped attendees sharpen their leadership skills, build stronger chapters and align with The Links, Incorporated National Strategic Priorities. 

Members of the Waco chapter had a great time meeting new friends and learning new strategies for extending the Links brand in excellence and programing. 

Below are photo highlights of some of my favorite moments with the Waco chapter:







Surprise visit from founders Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott




Links Western Area Leadership Summit participants received a treat at the closing ceremony when two members dressed as the organization's founders shared historical tidbits and reflected on the future of organization. 

The two concluded that today's members are quite different from the original women who wore minks, gloves and pearls to chapter meetings. 

The women's organization began on the evening of November 9, 1946, when Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, two young Philadelphia matrons, invited seven of their friends to join them in organizing a new type of inter-city club. This organizing meeting of The Links was not a spontaneous action. In 1945, Link Hawkins had conceived the idea of a group of clubs composed of friends along the eastern seaboard and had spent many hours with Link Scott in thinking, planning and discussing the possibilities of such an endeavor.

The two women envisioned an organization that would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women in ways that existing clubs did not. It was their intent the club would have a threefold aim--civic, educational, and cultural. Based on these aims, the club would implement programs, which its founders hoped would foster cultural appreciation through the arts; develop richer inter-group relations; and help women who participated to understand and accept their social and civic responsibilities.

Excerpt from National Website: http://www.linksinc.org/original_members.shtml






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Building the Links Brand



The 2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit offered a branding workshop to help members build and maintain the positive Links image.

Panelists reminded Links members that “Big hats mean big responsibility.”

“Your cowboy hat is the last thing you take off at night and the first thing you notice. As Links, all of us have big hats to fill.”

Panelists discussed the importance of keeping good records. Archives and historical records have sentimental and legal value. Chapters that don't preserve detailed archives will find it difficult to build a brand.

Archives foster chapter branding by providing consistency and helping organizations stay relevant. Having a brand for a chapter includes creating, protecting and perpetuating its image.

Brands evoke a feeling. Such feelings can be positive or negative. It is important to associate with positive causes.


Is technology holding you back?



“Is technology holding you back?” was the question posed at the technology workshop held during the 2012  Links Western Area Leadership Summit.

Panelists encouraged chapters to go completely green. Tactics include posting minutes, meeting announcements, membership rosters and other chapter documents online.

Tips for accessing the national website and membership information were also shared.The National office has been encouraging members to go green for many years. This workshop was just one of its many efforts to help chapters reach this goal.

Transformational Programming




The “Transformational Programming” workshop at the 2012 Links Western Area Leadership Summit encouraged attendees to work together.

Link Diane Scott, chairperson of Western Area programs, provided strategies to help chapters foster effective program assessment. 

The template for smart goals includes an evaluation of each project’s reliability. Evaluations should assess whether programs are realistic and responsible. For example, programs with a STEM emphasis should inspire, engage and educate participants. The ultimate goal is to help participants become gainfully employed in STEM occupations. 

Panelists also discussed the importance of incorporating the service delivery model in chapter projects to help users think through issues. Key questions include: 
Why do we integrate? 
·      To conserve our resources 
·      Collaboration
·      To meet the needs of target groups

How do we integrate?
·      More than one facet working together 
·      100 percent participation 
·      Participate and be strong 

When we work as a team, we grow stronger. Man power plus brainpower equals ideas. 

Finally, panelists discussed how chapters might assess the final product. Outcomes, or what you expect to happen, may be measured using the following:
·      Review of priorities and goals
·      Measurements 
·      Sustainability 
·      Impact 
·      Allocation of resources going forward 
·      See changes in behavior 
·      Long-term change 

Evaluation piece should be a part of the program 
·      Focus groups 
·      Midpoint assessment
·      Interpretation of evaluation