Page 28 - The Voice_Fall 2017

Parliamen-Top 2017

The 2017 thru 2019 National Top Teens of America officers were invited to Parliamen-Top 2017 by our illustrious National
President Lady Drema Lee Woldman. Lady Drema wanted the National Officers of Top Teens of America to attend PTOP
2017 so that they may be privy to the operations of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. It was her desire to allow the Teens an
opportunity to observed how to appropriately run their business meeting. The Teens were able to witness how their Top Lady
counter parts operated in their perspective roles.

From the Pin of the National President Lady Drema Lee Woldman…

Prior to Parliamen-Top, there were many natural disasters that occurred - Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and other forces
threatening the safety of TLOD members. Areas I and IV received damages causing Parliamen-Top to look very shaky. We
budgeted for 250, but because our largest population is located in Areas I and IV, and due to the hurricanes, we were expecting
less than 200. Top Ladies are known for turning lemons into lemonade and you came out and did just that. Approximately 237
Ladies, Lords and Teens attended Parliamen-Top and we did not miss a beat. According to the feedback, this was the best P-
Top ever and we owe it all to each of you. A big shout out to The Real Top Ladies of Atlanta, the Atlanta Peachtree Chapter
(APC), for their hospitality. Let's recap!
The National officers of Top Teens of America were invited to attend Parlimen-Top 2017
Day 1
Clinics
This year, clinics were held instead of institutes. The difference - clinics are interactive and elicit feedback, whereas workshops
are one dimensional - we talk, you listen. To progress and give our members what they need, we must get feedback. The clinics
were very well attended and thought provoking. Special kudos to all of the facilitators who made the sessions interesting.
Again, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to Lady Emily J. Jones, Chairman of the LD&SP Committee and her
team, Ladies Carrie Howard, Anita Luster, Barbara Travis and Betty Edwards. TLOD, we heard you, and we will continue the
Clinics at P-TOP 2018. After the Clinics, all Clinic attendees were treated to a "soul food" buffet and then they were "on their
own" to explore Atlanta. The Real Top Ladies of Atlanta presented the National Board of Directors with goody bags.
Day 2
The morning was capped off with an induction of four new members into the APC. Congratulations to Ladies Kermelle D.
Hensley, Teresa Hopkins, Gladys Summerville, and Kimberly Williams.
Workshops
After the induction, everyone moved to the Investing Leadership Workshops. The workshops were "The Awards Process:
Moving into the 21st Century," presented by the Awards Chair, Lady Loretta Hoard; and "Documenting and Preserving Your
History," presented by the National Historian, Lady Mattie Stanton. These workshops were very informative and very well
attended. Next were the Investing Programming Workshops where we asked our partners/projects to present. Partners in
attendance were UNCF, KAB, A-TEAAM, N.O.B.L.E. and AARP. Each imparted information that was necessary for the
implementation of the National Program. For more information, please go to the website to retrieve the presentations or
contact the LD&SP Team. To our presenters/facilitators, if you had a PowerPoint presentation, please send it to Lady Natasha

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