7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Virtual Marketplace/Music/Social Chat Opening

7:45 AM

Welcome: Leadership Summit Chair Chrystle Swain, Lone Star (TX); Co-Chair Monet Daniels, Beverly Hills West (CA)

Linkspiration: WA Chaplain Victoria Moran
Greetings:  Karen Cole, M.D., Western Area Director, The Links, Incorporated
Ethel Isaacs Williams, J.D., National President, The Links, Incorporated

Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Karen Cole, Western Area Director

8:15 AM

Keynote Speaker:  Glenda Newell-Harris, M.D., 16th National President, The Links, Incorporated

8:54 AM - 9:35 AM                                                                                          

SESSION # 1:  Cultivating Excellence in Leadership
A) "You Can't Do It Alone!"- The importance of team building.
Building a strong team is the key to success. To be a successful leader requires vision, goal setting and the ability to assess members' skill sets so you can build a strong team to help build the bonds of friendship and
implement impactful programs.

B). "Who is With You?"- Membership Engagement
Enhanced member engagement is needed so chapters can move from where they are to where they need to be. Member engagement is needed in all areas of operation- chapter, Facet and committee meetings and is required to achieve success in implementing impactful programming and instilling the core values.

C). "Positivity Rules!"- Analyzing Your Leadership Style and How
You Manage. Evaluating your leadership style can be a powerful tool in avoiding conflicts. Leadership styles also impact the tools you use to make decisions to delegate and to create a sense of belonging. Learn
how using the Links Documents helps avoid conflicts and help to keep your meetings positive.

Presenters: Monet Daniels, WA Leadership Advocacy Chair, Beverly Hills West (CA); Thelma Day, International Trends and Services Chair, Inglewood-Pacific (CA); Helen Giddings, Leadership Advocacy
Committee, Trinity (TX); Jeanette James, Leadership Advocacy Committee, Greater Seattle (WA); and Tiffany Tyler-Garner, Leadership Advocacy Committee, Las Vegas (NV).

9:37 AM – 10:52 AM                                                                                                                                                                                                            

SESSION #2 (Choose 1):

Workshop 1: Enhancing the Membership Experience through Knowledge: Governance & Parliamentary Processes, Ethics & Disciplinary Actions, and Effective Organizational Strategies to Enhance Member This workshop is designed to clarify, discuss, and navigate areas of concern that impact member relationships. We will discuss the importance of all members having knowledge of our governance and parliamentary processes; organizational effectiveness and structure; and, understanding our Code of Ethics and Standards and its related processes.

Presenters: WA Vice Director Brenda Kennedy; Patti Titus, Western Area Parliamentarian; Lynne Hobbs, Western Area Ethics and Standards Chair; and Beverly McMillan, Western Area Organizational Effectiveness Chair.

Workshop 2: Intergenerational Communications & Activities as a Pathway to Chapter Success
The focus of this workshop panel discussion is to emphasize the importance of effective intergenerational communications between all chapter members that will serve to promote, develop, and nurture healthy member relationships and will foster and ensure positive chapter operations internally and externally in providing impactful service to its targeted communities and areas of focus.The session will include insights from experts in the field and practical strategies for enhancing communication between generations, which is increasingly important as we navigate the evolving workplace landscape.

Presenters: Moderator, LaMonique Johnson, Katy-Richmond (TX); Sharyn Holley, WA Platinum and Alumna Affairs Chair, Trinity (TX); Jakaria Stewart, NexGen Committee Chair, Peninsula Bay (CA); Nzinga “Zing” Shaw, Los Angeles (CA).

Panelists: Claremont Area (CA) Chapter: Pam Chavira and Jessie Henry-Thomas (Platinum-Alumna); Port City (TX) Chapter: Rebecca Vallier Burke and Elvena Mayo (Alumna).

10:54 AM – 11:54 AM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

SESSION # 3 Chapter Leaders (Roles & Responsibilities)

These workshops will address the roles and responsibilities of Chapter Officers and Chairs, as well as provide insights to members who aspire to be in any Chapter leadership positions.. They will include a review of guidelines and best practices to ensure efficient and effective Chapter operations and programming.
Presenters: Western Area Director Karen Cole; Anne Turner Herriott, National Chair-Training, 19th Southern Area Director, The Links, Incorporated, Greater Miami (FL); Western Area Officers and Chairs

Introduction: Western Area Director Karen Cole
Overview: Anne Turner Herriott, National Chair-Training

Breakouts (Choose 1):
Workshop 1: Presidents (Western Area Director Karen Cole)
Workshop 2: Vice Presidents (WA Vice Director Brenda Kennedy)
Workshop 3: Secretaries (WA Secretary Beth James)
Workshop 4: Treasurers (WA Treasurer Felicia Garrett Herring)
Workshop 5: Parliamentarians (WA Parliamentarian Patricia Titus)
Workshop 6: Program/Facets (WA Program Coordinator Chrystle Swain)
Workshop 7: Strategic Planning (WA Strategic Planning Chair Adell Walker)
Workshop 8: Protocol (WA Protocol Chair Tammie Brown)
Workshop 9: Nominating (WA Nominating Chair Joan Sherwood)
Workshop 10: Rituals (WA Rituals Chair Charlotte Ned)
Workshop 11: (Recorded breakout) Communications & Technology (WA Communications Chair Marsha McFadden and WA Technology Chair Maria Jackson)

Q&A

12:00-12:20 PM

LUNCH

12:22 PM -1:32 PM

SESSION # 4:  Collaborating with The Links Foundation to Develop a Successful Fundraising Strategy
Join us for an engaging and informative workshop designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to develop a successful fundraising strategy in collaboration with The Links Foundation, Incorporated. This workshop will provide insights into building strong relationships with local sponsors, understanding their priorities, and aligning your chapter’s goals to create compelling proposals.

During this workshop, we will cover:
Understanding Foundation Processes: Learn about the essential forms and procedures required to conduct a chapter fundraiser.
Building Strategic Partnerships: Discover effective strategies for establishing and nurturing long-term relationships with Foundation sponsors, to ensure mutual success.
Crafting Compelling Proposals: Gain insights into creating persuasive proposals that align with sponsor’s priorities and clearly demonstrate the impact of your chapter’s programs.
Best Practices and Case Studies: Explore chapter examples and success stories to identify what works in chapter fundraising and learn how to overcome common challenges.

Presenters: Felicia Garrett Herring, WA Treasurer, Town Lake (TX) Chapter; Marcia Darden, WA Financial Secretary, San Fernando Valley (CA); Josie Daniels, WA Fund Development Co-Chair, Texas Spring Cypress (TX); Kimberly Brandon, WA Fund Development Co-Chair, San Francisco (CA); Alane Lillie, WA Representative to The Links Foundation, Incorporated, Texas Spring Cypress (TX): Angelique Tompkins, WA Fund Development Project Manager, San Francisco (CA).

1:36 PM - 2:51 PM

SESSION # 5 Programming
It’s Raining STEM
This workshop is designed to review the construction of the upcoming 61 Chapter Umbrella STEM area-wide program.. This Service Delivery Model driven historic STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine) initiative is categorized under the National STEMReady Signature program. This “How To” workshop session gives practical and informative steps on STEM Studies program development that includes all 5 Chapter Facets. The resource rich workshop provides program
components that can be initiated in the fall of the 2024 program year and includes creative program delivery methods that crescendo during the annual national Black Family Wellness Expo in March of 2025.

Queens of Collaboration
From National to Area “collaboration” is key to Chapter program planning and implementation. With collaboration as a part of our program delivery mission, attendees will explore our 2024-25 calendar
with the Western Area Facet Leadership panel. Each will discuss how chapters, clusters, and community partners can support each other and perform impactful transformational community service that emphasizes collaborative follower-ship opportunities for which Queens of Collaboration are known.

Presenters: Chrystle Swain, WA Programs Coordinator, Lone Star (TX); Carla Wicks, WA Services to Youth Facet Chair, San Francisco (CA); Carmen Mayo, WA The Arts Chair, Greater Seattle (WA); Stephany Powell, WA National Trends and Services Chair, San Fernando Valley (CA); Thelma Day, WA International Trends and
Services Chair, Inglewood-Pacific (CA); Michele Halyard, WA Health and Human Services Chair, Phoenix (AZ)

2:51 PM - 3:00 PM

Closing Remarks