&quot;Belated Happy Birthday&quot; to Darnell Harris

"Belated Happy Birthday" to Darnell Harris

When I'm on a picture, I have two bosses - the director and the producer. My co-star is not my boss.

~Jim Brown~

As you celebrated your birthday, I hope that you were the star and all three of the other individuals were your supporting cast. Stay true to yourself and you'll get your star on Hollywood and Vine!

02/12/14 10:03 PM

#1667

"Happy Birthday Caroline Ellis"

If you believe in God, He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon you.

~Mahalia Jackson~

As you celebrate this date in history, open your windows completely, blessings are truely coming your way. Looking forward to seeing you in the near future.

02/12/14 10:13 PM

#1668

"Happy Birthday Harry Taylor"

Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them.

~Mahalia Jackson~

Make sure you've taken your vitamins today! As you celebrate this historic occasion, you'll need them for energy. Looking forward to seeing you in the future.

02/12/14 10:44 PM

#1669

"A Message of Gratitude"

God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and compassion.

~Desmond Tutu~

I wish to especially extend my heartfelt thanks to Cherlyn, Kathaleen, Larry, Marsha, Patricia, Robert and Susie for your prayers and support. Your phone calls and words of encouragement truely reflect the words of Bishop Tutu. As this period of bereavement comes to an end for my family, I personally thank each of you collectively. To all others unknown at this time, who also uttered words of prayer, on behalf of our family, I thank you also......

02/13/14 12:28 PM

#1670

I am disturbed at the email post that I received just now from the Executive Board with a subject: Committee Member Dues. My first response was to 'Reply All"'; however, since the tool does not allow a reply, I am taking my issue with this email to the Message Forum.

ALERT: There are no committee member dues! The excerpts from the by-laws refer to active and in good standing not committee member dues. Even with that, the by-laws IN TOTAL or by EXCERPT DO NOT state that I have to be active and in good standing to participate on a committee.

My question is: what does being active and in good-standing have to do with my willingness to support my class by being on a committee?

Active and in good standing allows me to vote but does not restrict my ability to participate. I am a member of this class regardless of how much effort is exerted toward ensuring that the participation levels of us all continue to diminish...what a way to TRY and kill a WARRIOR spirit!

ALERT: It won't work! Miss me with the foolishness! I will participate on whatever committee I choose for as long as I choose and I will contribute to that committee the best of my abilities to the level that I choose.

If I cannot vote...so be it! But, you will not and can not dictate my level of participation!

I encourage you all to read the following and weigh-in if you choose.

CHERLYN,

Thank you for agreeing to serve on a committee. According the by-laws, to be active and in good standing you must up-to-date in paying dues (see below).

4.1 Definition of Active and In Good Standing.

1. See Article 4.2 for definition of active and in good standing.

2. Out-of-town class members will be afforded the opportunity to participate by expanding the use of the web-site to allow for online voting and/or by proxy in election of officers and in such other matters as deemed necessary by the majority of the class.

3. Class members that did not graduate with the Class of 1970 who fully meet the definition of active and in good standing will be afforded all the rights and privileges of being an alumni member.

4.2 Dues. Annual dues per member are $120.00 which equates to $10.00 monthly beginning in January of each calendar year and ending in December of the same calendar year.

a. Benevolence. The benevolence fund is a critical component of the mission of the BTW Class of 1970. As such, funding for the benevolence fund will be comprised of but not limited to the following:

1. $20.00 of the $120.00 membership dues will be allocated to the benevolence committee for each member.

2. Any class-sponsored activity will donate ten percent (10%) of the proceeds to the benevolence fund. The remaining funds will be allocated to the General Fund.

3. See Article 7.2, Benevolence Committee Guidelines for specific criteria to receive benevolence consideration.

4.3 Good Standing. In order for a member to be in good standing that member must be up-to-date in dues payment. The class member’s dues are up-to-date if current up to the month preceding each general meeting. Reasonable participation is expected and is defined as 9 out of 12 meetings per year unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Dues can be sent to Marsha McMillian Sherrod at 4491 Appleville; Memphis, TN 38109.

Thanks,

Executive Board

02/15/14 09:32 PM

#1671

Patricia White (Watson)

Mickey, I got the same email.

I would like to remind our Executive Committee that they represent a body and not just themselves. We are all placed in some positions in this life that have nothing to do with personal decisions and one of them is being a member of the BTW class of 1970. You can call it fate or divine intervention but for the most part none of us intentionally signed up to specifically be a member of this class and only death and indiviual decisions can change that. Our connection was established by our birth, environment and parent choices.

We did not choose our classmates any more than we, for the most part, had the option to choose our family members. If we can respect each other and accept the fact that we had no control over our connection we, as 60(+) year olds we should be able find ways to sensitively deal with our differences.

Clearly the choices to limit group members’ participation has been based on the goals of a few, our alumni leaders. It happens frequently in organized groups, government elections and even families. A call is made by a few to get on board with the plans or get off the ship. Mistakenly, in haste to solve problems insensitive approaches are taken.

I would like the Executive Committee to focus on on our alumni goals as stated in the by-laws and work on building a community of supportive classmates rather than alienating those willing to participate. Do you really have the right and authority to exclude volunteer participation in a group? Even if you have the right you need to ask if it is beneficial.

The direction of this boat needs to be changed in the direction for inclusion then it will naturally head where you want it to go. Change is a matter of choice. Make respectful choices and be open to all of the resources that our classmates have to offer.

Lynn

02/18/14 07:49 AM

#1672

"Happy Birthday"

Jacqueline Sawyer Casey

Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it. ~Alice Walker~

As you celebrate today, have all the fresh peaches that you desire! Your friendship has always been a valuable support mechanism throughout our years together. I'll even have some fresh peaches to help you celebrate. Looking forward to seeing you in the near future.

02/18/14 11:21 AM

#1673

Audrey Johnson (Johnson)

Happy Birthday Jackie.I know that this day is another day to celebrate and reflect on the great friends and family you have to help you celebrate your birthday.Here's to many more happy days. Audrey

02/18/14 12:41 PM

#1674

Larry Milligan

Happy Birthday Jackie, on this Lovely, Lovely day in Memphis Tn. It's so pretty I think I will celebrate also.

02/18/14 05:30 PM

#1675

Happy Birthday Jackie!

In the tone, spirit, and words of Stevie Wonder: Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday....Happy Birthday to You....Happy Birthday! Haapppy Birttthdday!

Mickey

02/18/14 07:21 PM

#1676

Stop Wait A Minute!!! Cherlyn Harris Conner("Mickie") has A Problem and Warriors need to Address This Committee Issue!

Committee Members: "Our By-Laws"- Do Not Control - "Committee Members"- Participation in Activities of "Committees"- "Class Members"-Finanicial Status with reguard to"Class Dues"- They Should and Can Hold Committee Members Positions-also be Committee Chairpersons- That Said!!

NO!! "Non-Finanicial 1970 BTW Classmembers"- CAN NOT VOTE!!

"NO" Verbal or Personal Statement(s) Spoken or Written Can Stop A "BTW" 1970 Classmate(s) From Working on Any and All "Committees".

READ- The "By-Laws"- Don't Read It To Fit Your Needs for Whatever Reason(s)- Remember Who We Are!!

All Non-Finanicial Classmates Can Work- But -Can't Vote!!

****************All Of You That Agreed To Stopping/ Keeping Classmates Working Committees******************

**********************Are Out Of Order!!!*******************

"WE ARE WARRIORS"!!!!! TOO MANY CHIEFS!!!!

Remember Committees and Activities are Ways and Means of Reclaiming "Non-Finanicial" Classmates Back into "To The Warrior Clan".........."So Don't Hate"!!!

Don't Run Good People(Help) Away!!! With Personal Agendas or Reasons to Fit Your "Ego" or "Personal Ideas".

Oh! Another Thing to Think About!- Some of My Church Members Can't Pay Their "Dues"... But They are The Hardest Workers in The Church!

So Don't Hate! Celebrate That They Are Alive and Come Out to Fellowship as Best They Can!

Old Saying- "Don't Help Me- Help The "Bear"- Because if You Help The"Bear"...I Know -I Will Win!!

Thanks- Mickie - I Needed That!!

Bring The South Memphis Out of "ME".

02/18/14 09:47 PM

#1677

Jacqueline Sawyer (Casey)

²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the foot, “I don’t need you!” ²²No, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are actually very important. ²³And the parts that we think are not worth very much are the parts we give the most care to. And we give special care to the parts of the body that we don’t want to show. ²⁴The more beautiful parts don’t need this special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it. ²⁵God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other.

What I have to say may anger some, but should also encourage others. I’m somewhat perplexed at this time. I too am a member of the Benevolence Committee and was selected as a Class Historian, according to the meeting minutes dated March 17, 2013. To this date, I have not paid any dues for the 2014 calendar year and yet, I feel slighted because I did not receive, the same email as Cherlyn and Patricia. What’s the explanation? I may not be the most religious person in our class, however, I do search the scriptures for guidance, knowledge and comfort, as we have been instructed. I purposely selected the Easy –to-Read Version of 1^st Corinthians 12:21-25 to share. In comparison, these verses exemplify the schism presently occurring within our body, the Class of 1970.

It was no coincidence that in my message of gratitude I quoted Bishop Desmond Tutu. If we were strictly adhering to the adopted by-laws, here’s a question for you all, what happened to this by-law; ARTICLE 4: Expectation of Class Members. All class members are expected to exercise the proper courtesy to each class member. All class members must therefore treat each other with respect at all times. Class members are expected to be active and in good standing. All class members are expected to participate in and support outreach, benevolence, and fellowship opportunities.

Have we now reached a point of selectivity as related to which by-laws we’ll administer? I’ve read the by-laws and they specify (1) a copy of the meetings shall be posted so that the class body can be informed of decisions, minutes and all notes, (2) itemized financial reports are posted to the website following the class meeting where presented and prior to the next class meeting (Where is the final report from the “Angel Tree Project”?), (3) make a yearly report at the Annual Meeting, covering receipts and disbursements.

Chastise me, should you deem it necessary, I have nothing to lose, but we can’t continue to have it both ways. There should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. “God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and compassion”.

02/18/14 11:06 PM

#1678

Patricia White (Watson)

Happy Birthday Jackie. It has been great to reconnect with you after so many years. I have a friend that always reponds " I'm having a wonderful day" whenever I ask. It always makes me smile. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Lynn

02/19/14 11:40 AM

#1679

Thanks Classmates for wishing me a Happy Birthday. I really enjoyed the good weather, good food, good friendships and wonderful family.

Jackie

02/19/14 03:30 PM

#1680

"Happy Birthday"..Greetings to Fellow Classmates is Good!!

But Hold-Up! Wait-A-Minute!! Put Some "BTW" 1970-Fellowship On This Site!!!

ADDRESS THE ISSUE(S) At HAND!!!

DON'T TALK ABOUT AND IT WILL GO AWAY!!! NO IT/THEY WILL NOT!!!

SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE ABUSE- RUDENESS-SELFISHNESS-BETTER THAN YOU "ATTITUDES" ARE SOME OF THE SAME ONES OF YEARS PASS!!!

WE! ALL OF US MUST WORK TOWARD THIS SITE AND CLASS BE ABOUT TOGETHERNESS OF "THE 1970 BTW CLASS-ALL OF US"--- NOT JUST THE CHOSEN FEW(FRIENDS) THAT YOU LIKE AND CAN GET ALONE WITH.............BUT ALL OF US!!!

CELEBRATE!!! REAL FELLOWSHIP- NOT AS "KENNETH"...STATED SELECT THE "BY-LAWS AND "CLASSMATES"......YOU WANT TO USE AND CONFRONT!!!!

STOP THE "HAPPY" WHATEVER'S - BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE 1970 "BTW" ..CLASSMATES ARE NOT HAPPY!!!!!

*************************************YOU THINK?????**********************************************

02/19/14 04:19 PM

#1681

Eugene and Fellow Warriors!

Thanks for your active engagement in the issue:

Does a class member have to be 'active and in good standing' in order to 'participate' on a committee?

Active and in good standing is defined in the by-laws basically as: (1) current in dues - dues paid up for the month preceding any general meeting. The way that the by-laws are written on this topic the renewal period starts over each January and does not carry-forward what was done or not done in the previous year. So, technically, Janurary would be the only month someone who has not paid dues would be delinquent. The other requirement is that the class member attend 9 of 12 meetings per year .

In contrast, participation is not defined...but, clearly needs to be defined. Participation should be defined as the ability to work on, to be involved with, or to chair a committee.

This issue was raised at the last class meeting held 2/16. There is a meeting planned for 3/9 to specifically address this issue. I would like to speak to your position on the issue during this meeting. I think I know now what Lynn, Eugene, and Kenneth thinks. What about the rest of the class?

So, what does the class think?

Mickey

02/19/14 10:20 PM

#1682

READ THE BY-LAWS FULLY! Does It Ever Mention "Committee Members"...Being Dues Paid Members........Or is This Something Some You All "ASS-US-ME".....Was Understood!!!!

02/20/14 11:57 PM

#1683

"To My Warrior Family"

Historically speaking, the silent majority will probably remain silent regardless of the daily topics, relative to our class. Most of us who choose to speak out, do not do so with extreme anger and anguish within our hearts. We simply do so, because we live in a democracy and we’ve been presented with a web site forum created for such discussion. A democracy and a forum, that allows “us” as members and family of the BTW Class of 1970, to do so without reprobation. However, there have been exchanges here on the forum that would also make your momma cringe! Enough said……

Think back 45 years ago. We didn’t always agree with each other at that time either, and even in our 60 plus years, it’s even more evident these days. If you need proof of our disagreements back then, I can provide you with excerpts from “The Washingtonian” and the message forum itself. Some of you weren’t so nice with your wills and other comments. This is the first time in our history that the”Class of 1970 - Alumni Committee” has ever functioned with official, applicable by-laws. Past administrations usually performed honorably and cohesively, without guidelines, other than “Roberts Rules of Order”. We individually and collectively paid dues as seed money for fund raisers and class functions. Other contributions and donations were always welcomed.

As a former past Alumni President, Morris Joy (as the saying goes), would be turning over in his grave, because of the anxieties and collusions that we’re dealing with these days. There is so much schism (a split or division in an organized group or society as the result of a difference of opinion, or doctrine; the act of causing or trying to cause a split or division) within this elected Executive Committee. You may blame it on the results of an adjunct election process, if you choose, or you can simply say that I’ll just remain silent on all of the issues and disagreements that arise. There will eventually be a resolution to this madness, even if we have to wait until after the class reunion, when new committee members will be elected. Who will be ready to run or even choose to run for office, let alone be considered eligible to vote then? I challenge “The Silent Majority” to become active and express your opinions without duress or fear of reparations. This is our web forum, established, paid for and maintained by our class for such discussions.

The great Nat D. Williams once stated, “Memphis is nothing more than a back water town that only gets to jumping, when the river is high”. If you recall the most recent time that the Mighty Mississippi flooded, Beale Street, Mud Island and other arenas were under water and everyone was excited. As far as the eye could see into Arkansas, water was everywhere. The last time this website was jumping was just before the 40^th class reunion. Must we wait another year to get excited about the opportunities that exist today? Must we limit ourselves to remaining silent, when whatever is done by any elected “Alumni Committee” effects us all? Don’t choose sides, we all bleed “Green & Gold” inside out. I challenge you; the “Executive Alumni Board Committee” challenges you! Express yourself, release your anxiety, you’ll feel better! I’ve been censored before now, but yet I’m free……….

02/25/14 11:26 AM

#1684

Marsha McMillian (Sherrod)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TILTON FOSSETT and JAMES STONE!

I am wishing you buys a happy birthday...it's social security time if you choose! Enjoy!

Mickey

02/25/14 01:23 PM

#1685

Good morning classmates I am sitting here looking through our year book and as I read the forward page I felt a need to share it with you. Remember this was written over 44 years ago but I found it to be applicable and befiting for today as well. It reads as follow:

The 1970 Warrior Staff joins millions of young people all over the world in the concern expressed in our theme"LET THERE BE PEACE". We yearn for peace because we remember in our own life time the uncertainty of our daily existence without it. We have experienced the unrest which our urban problems generate. We have felt and seen it permeate our homes, schools, community and our world. We have known many wars and very few victories-yet we still have hope that

"WE SHALL OVERCOME" for we belive that peace was meant to be.

So we present our yearbook with the great expectation that Washingtonians everywhere will commit themselves to peace. We pledge ourselves to strive for:

--that inner peace which comes from KNOWING OURSELVES

--understanding and love for all men as brothers

--a philosophy of life based on sound MORAL and ETHICAL principles

--a determination to leave the world a little better than we found it--MORE PEACEFUL

An excerpt from our wise principal Mr Springer's message to the class:

"The type of philosophy you might develop......as a compass for your lives ....... is suggested in your yearbook theme "LET THERE BE PEACE" Such a theme suggest that the basic philosophy of Christ and what He taught about how men should live together . Peace and the pursuit of of it stem from a fundamental belief in the principles of brotherly love and a determination to do unto others as you would have them do unto you! "

Food for thought : Yes we are once again 'Seniors' but we have less time to get it right.

Marsha

02/25/14 04:08 PM

#1686