Committees
Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have served the community for 56 years. Our programs and services have influenced many lives. We are truly dedicated to the service of others in the name of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
It has been our mission to courageously confront the challenges of Economics, Education, International Awareness, Health and Political Awareness.5
Audit Budget and Finance
Economic Development
Economic Development is one of the programs of the Five-Point Program Thrust for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. On a national level, Financial Fortitude is a key focus of Economic Development.
National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.
MCAC members have been successful in fundraising efforts with the Get that Designer Bag raffle as well as providing pertinent information to the chapter concerning financial well-being and growth.
Educational Development
Educational Development is one of the major programs of our illustrious Sorority’s Five-Point Thrust. Educational Development focuses on the academic betterment of youth in our surrounding community as well as exposure to those educational opportunities within and outside of the community.
Delta Academy
The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy program is geared towards middle school females between the ages of 11 and 14. Currently, Delta Academy has between 15 to 20 participants from Asbury Park Intermediate and Neptune Middle School. The program focuses on six components including Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, Infinitely Complete, Show Me the Money, and Literacy. Participants are exposed to a multitude of activities to include math lessons, guest speakers, arts & crafts, community service, fashion workshops and book discussions.
The Scholarship Committee oversees the disbursement of scholarship applications to Monmouth and Ocean County high schools. Each year, MCAC works to award deserving young ladies scholarships towards their college education. The annual Red & White Affaire serves as MCAC’s only means of raising the necessary funds to award such scholarships and is currently in its 19th year.
Exposing high school juniors and seniors to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is the objective of the College Tour Committee. In past years, MCAC has chartered a bus and taken students to surrounding colleges to include Howard University, Delaware State University, and Morgan State University to name a few. This year, the committee looks to partner with other organizations to bring the tour to fruition. The tour is conducted on an annual basis during Spring Break.
The Educational Development Committee works in conjunction with Calvary Church, Red Bank to provide tutorial assistance to students.
Delta GEMS
Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) is a signature program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for African American at risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS was created to “catch the dreams” of adolescent girls. Delta GEMS provides the frame work to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a “CAN DO” attitude.
The goals for Delta GEMS are:
- To instill the need to excel academically
To provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success - To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures, high school and beyond
- To create compassionate, caring, and community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.
Delta GEMS framework is composed of six major components forming a road map for college and career planning. Topics within the components are designed to provide interactive lessons and activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth.
Program components:
- Leadership and Self Esteem
- Financial
- Literacy
- Community Service
- Health and Wellness
- Arts – Visual and Performing
- Math, Science and Technology
International Awareness and Involvement
As a program of our Five Point Thrust, International Awareness and Involvement reminds us to be citizens of the universe; then to be cognizant of the world beyond our borders and to engage ourselves in meaningful ways to promote the well-being of our neighbors in the global community. It is incumbent upon us to raise awareness of global needs and to develop and implement programs to address those needs.
On September 21, 2007, MCAC partnered with the NJ/Haiti Partners of the Americas and Trinity Church to sponsor a benefit concert for the Boys Choir of the Holy Trinity Music School of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The event was a success and well attended by members of MCAC and the surrounding community. Because of the financial donation of MCAC Sorors, the choir was provided food prior to the concert and a monetary contribution will be given to the school.
The International Awareness and Involvement committee is continuing its efforts to support the Haiti school. A second initiative is underway to collect musical instruments for developing a music education program in rural Haiti. Music and art are vital components in the Haitian culture, providing a measure of release from prevailing oppression.
Physical And Mental Health
Our goal is to provide comprehensive health and wellness information that targets the mind, body and spirit. This years programs and initiatives will help to create a more health conscious, physically fit and mentally sound community.
The calendar of proposed events focuses on the many issues that affect our community including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS. We are also partnering with school districts in Monmouth County to assist with implementation of the asthma-friendly program.
Social Action
The Political Awareness and Involvement Committee is a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. initiative that is committed to public service as designated by its Five-Point Thrust Program. Nationally, it has focused on three major areas that influence the lives of others:
- Delta Days at the Nations Capitol
- Delta Days at the United Nations
- Voting Rights
MCAC sponsored a table at Neptune Township’s 2008 Black History Month celebration focused on voting rights and registration. A table was set-up during their Youth Summit, “Our Youth – A Time for Positive Change in a Multi-Cultural Society”. Our Political Awareness and Involvement Committee participated in all of the activities for the month. Some of the youth enrolled in Delta Academy were in attendance at this event.
We were represented at all of the following activities which supported our Social Action goals:
- Opening Reception and Youth Art Exhibit – Friday, February 1, 2008
- Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (Movie and Panel Discussion) – February 15, 2008
- DST was co-moderator for this activity which explored the impact of Hip-Hop on our youth
- Youth Summit – Middle and High School Students – February 23, 2008
- Plenary, Workshops and Exhibitors (DST voter registration table)
- Additional Activities include judging the following contest:
- Black History Month Logo Contest – Middle and High School Students
- Essay Contest sponsored by Central Jersey Club
Thanks to our membership we had a very successful Coat Drive last winter with the donations going to Linkages, Rt. 33, Tinton Falls, NJ. We look forward to continuing this project.
This year, we began the year with members of the committee setting up a voter registration table at the Garden Arts Center African-American Festival on September 20, 2008. We are encouraging all Deltas to volunteer during this election season to make phone calls, canvass or get people to the polls.
Arts and Letters
From the time of its founding in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has maintained a commitment to Literature and the Creative and Performing Arts. One of our Founders, Osceola McCarthy Adams, a distinguished actress, was directress of the Harlem School of the Arts, during the Depression. From Dorothy Maynard to Leontyne Price, from Nikki Giovanni to Judith Jamieson and many others, Deltas have been leaders in the Arts.
The Arts and Letters Commission serves to develop and utilize the resources of both Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter and the community to support and advance Creative and Performing Arts that reflect the African-American experience. The Commission coordinates the annual Music! Music! Music! Program which serves as a platform for the presentation of scholarships by Educational Development. Additionally, in 2006, the committee addressed the need for increased emphasis on Arts in the Middle Schools. From this, DREAMS (Deltas Reinforcing the Existence of Art in the Middle Schools) was born.
For nearly 26 years, MCAC’s Arts and Letters Commission has sponsored an annual activity which showcases talented youth and recognizes area High School graduating seniors. Focusing on students from elementary through high school, the Chapter encourages their success in the Arts by expanding their opportunity for exposure. This cultural activity builds self-esteem for its participants while providing family-centered entertainment for the community. MCAC’s Music! Music! Music! Program was initially titled by our late beloved Soror, Ivery O. Wilson. In addition, the Arts and Letters Commission recently launched “Delta’s Bookmark”. The “Bookmark” consists of monthly book club meetings where MCAC and members of the community are encouraged to gather and enjoy intellectual, cultural, and exciting discussions with a spirit of fun, gratitude, and generosity.
The Arts and Letters Commission continues to stimulate interests and serves as an educational strategy in areas of Arts and Letters; offering the opportunity to expand interests in and appreciation for the Visual and Performing Arts.
Arts and Letters Programs
Delta’s “Bookmark”
Designer Pocketbook Bingo
The proceeds from these events assist young men and women from Monmouth and Ocean counties in achieving their higher educational goals through scholarships awarded by our organization. Continuous support of the Red and White Affaire has afforded MCAC the ability to award in excess of $215,000 to improve educational opportunities for young women and men.
MCAC extends its heartfelt appreciation for your continued support of this event.
Emergency Response Team ERT
The mission of the DELTA Emergenncy Response Team (ERT) is to:
Increase awareness about emergency preparedness activities
Provice structured and systematic training for the membership’s Readiness, Response ad Recovery efforts
Provide effective and immediate communication strategies to facilitate and aid in preparedness and response
Provide resource support and guidance for sorority members and the communities impacted by natural or man-made disaster