Southern District Meeting ~ March 21, 2026
Petal-Harvey Baptist Church
Petal, Mississippi
Registration ends March 6, 2026
District Meeting Information
All activities will take place in the Fellowship Hall and Gym. When facing the church, the Fellowship Hall on the left. The gym is attached to the Fellowship Hall. There is parking in front of the Fellowship Hall, to the right and back of the Fellowship Hall, and more parking around the sanctuary.
Concurrent Session I
10:15am-11:00am
Choose one of the following Non-Society sessions:
The Power of the Pen: Mastering Written Communication with a Personal Touch
Gym Left
This session reinforces the timeless power of pen and paper in a digital world by exploring the elements of effective written communication, from proofreading and professionalism to profound impact of handwritten notes. Participants will review the communication process, examine common writing errors, and understand the value of tone, clarity, and intention in both professional and personal context.
Presenter: Dr. Joanna Alston, Alpha Upsilon
Hostess: Jo Anne Daniels, Zeta
Creating Saltshaker Tassels
Gym Center
Let’s have fun together and create Saltshaker Tassels. These tassels can hang from cabinets, doorknobs, lamps, fans, trees, or plants.
Bring your favorite saltshaker if you would like. Extra ribbons and material will be provided. Skill level: Low - Fun level: Hight!
(This session is limited to 25 participants.)
Presenters: Cindy Alsworth-Jones, Delta; Betsy Sullivan, Pi; and Toni Cook, Alpha Upsilon
Hostess: Michele Lee, Alpha Upsilon
Move, Then Paint
Gym Right
Move, Then Paint is a brief, embodied self-care experience that combines movement, music, and creative expression to support stress release and emotional awareness. Participants will engage in gentle movement to music followed by intuitive art-making, focusing on expression rather than performance or outcome.
Presenter: Dr. Anita Knott, Positive Behavior Specialist,
Petal Middle School
Hostess: Tracey O’Flynn, Psi
Concurrent Session II
11:15am-12:00pm
Choose one of the following Society sessions:
Go Under the “C” for the GIRLS Fund!
Gym Left
Make a splash and learn about the GIRLS Fund which helps empower girls in Africa to build brighter futures. Grab a paintbrush and create a sea turtle masterpiece. These masterpieces will be on display during the luncheon where members can use their spare change to vote for their favorite sea turtle. The turtle that collects the most money wins a special prize and moves on to compete for the “Queen of the ‘C’” title at the state convention. All money raised will support the GIRLS Fund.
Come paint, vote, and make a difference – one sea turtle at a time!
Presenter: Polly Ann White, MSO EEC Chair
Hostess: Jo Anne Daniels, Zeta
Coral Reef Connections – Building a Thriving Ecosystem of Engaged Members
Gym Center
Discovery ways to focus on the ecosystem of the chapter and connections to support programs, projects (including SEE). Also, explore the support systems promoting growth (Membership Toolkit, Educators Book Award, Collegiate Members, and more.)
Presenters: Membership Committee
Karen Rhodes, Gamma; Amy White, Eta; Abigail Myers, Alpha Chi; Tammy Seale, Alpha Rho; and Marcie Tuggle, Alpha Chi
Hostess: Arica Caldwell, Psi
Beyond the Hype: Practical AI
Gym Right
Take a look at the trends around AI usage in education and business, as well as explore some tools that could benefit your personal life.
Presenter: Tara Poolson, Communications/Marketing/Technology Chair
Hostess: Tracey Henderson, Alpha Alpha
10:15am-11:00am
Choose one of the following Non-Society sessions:
The Power of the Pen: Mastering Written Communication with a Personal Touch
Gym Left
This session reinforces the timeless power of pen and paper in a digital world by exploring the elements of effective written communication, from proofreading and professionalism to profound impact of handwritten notes. Participants will review the communication process, examine common writing errors, and understand the value of tone, clarity, and intention in both professional and personal context.
Presenter: Dr. Joanna Alston, Alpha Upsilon
Hostess: Jo Anne Daniels, Zeta
Creating Saltshaker Tassels
Gym Center
Let’s have fun together and create Saltshaker Tassels. These tassels can hang from cabinets, doorknobs, lamps, fans, trees, or plants.
Bring your favorite saltshaker if you would like. Extra ribbons and material will be provided. Skill level: Low - Fun level: Hight!
(This session is limited to 25 participants.)
Presenters: Cindy Alsworth-Jones, Delta; Betsy Sullivan, Pi; and Toni Cook, Alpha Upsilon
Hostess: Michele Lee, Alpha Upsilon
Move, Then Paint
Gym Right
Move, Then Paint is a brief, embodied self-care experience that combines movement, music, and creative expression to support stress release and emotional awareness. Participants will engage in gentle movement to music followed by intuitive art-making, focusing on expression rather than performance or outcome.
Presenter: Dr. Anita Knott, Positive Behavior Specialist,
Petal Middle School
Hostess: Tracey O’Flynn, Psi
Concurrent Session II
11:15am-12:00pm
Choose one of the following Society sessions:
Go Under the “C” for the GIRLS Fund!
Gym Left
Make a splash and learn about the GIRLS Fund which helps empower girls in Africa to build brighter futures. Grab a paintbrush and create a sea turtle masterpiece. These masterpieces will be on display during the luncheon where members can use their spare change to vote for their favorite sea turtle. The turtle that collects the most money wins a special prize and moves on to compete for the “Queen of the ‘C’” title at the state convention. All money raised will support the GIRLS Fund.
Come paint, vote, and make a difference – one sea turtle at a time!
Presenter: Polly Ann White, MSO EEC Chair
Hostess: Jo Anne Daniels, Zeta
Coral Reef Connections – Building a Thriving Ecosystem of Engaged Members
Gym Center
Discovery ways to focus on the ecosystem of the chapter and connections to support programs, projects (including SEE). Also, explore the support systems promoting growth (Membership Toolkit, Educators Book Award, Collegiate Members, and more.)
Presenters: Membership Committee
Karen Rhodes, Gamma; Amy White, Eta; Abigail Myers, Alpha Chi; Tammy Seale, Alpha Rho; and Marcie Tuggle, Alpha Chi
Hostess: Arica Caldwell, Psi
Beyond the Hype: Practical AI
Gym Right
Take a look at the trends around AI usage in education and business, as well as explore some tools that could benefit your personal life.
Presenter: Tara Poolson, Communications/Marketing/Technology Chair
Hostess: Tracey Henderson, Alpha Alpha
Lodging Information
There are a lot of great hotels to stay at in Hattiesburg. Here’s some that are recommended by out of town guests, but there are so many other options not listed that would be great, too. These are some that are close to I-59 and relatively close to Petal.
Hotel Indigo Hattiesburg by IHG
103 S 30th Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Reservations: +1-877-8-INDIGO (+1-877-846-3446)
Front desk: +1-601-264-7709
https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgsh/hoteldetail
Holiday Inn Express Hattiesburg West - Univ Area by IHG
209 Thornhill Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Reservations: +1-888-HOLIDAY (+1-888-465-4329)
Front desk: +1-601-602-5502
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgll/hoteldetail
Courtyard Marriott Hattiesburg
119 Grand Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
TOLL FREE: +1-800-228-9290
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hbgcy-courtyard-hattiesburg/overview
Avid Hotel Hattiesburg West by IHG200
N 40th Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Book online or call: +1-877-495-2843
https://www.ihg.com/avidhotels/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgno/hoteldetail
Comfort Suites Hattiesburg near University
122 Plaza Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 261-5555
https://www.choicehotels.com/mississippi/hattiesburg/comfort-suites-hotels/ms423
Doubletree by Hilton Hattiesburg
10 Gateway Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
+1-800-222-TREE
+1-601-296-0302
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hbgdtdt-doubletree-hattiesburg/
Hotel Indigo Hattiesburg by IHG
103 S 30th Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Reservations: +1-877-8-INDIGO (+1-877-846-3446)
Front desk: +1-601-264-7709
https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgsh/hoteldetail
Holiday Inn Express Hattiesburg West - Univ Area by IHG
209 Thornhill Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Reservations: +1-888-HOLIDAY (+1-888-465-4329)
Front desk: +1-601-602-5502
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgll/hoteldetail
Courtyard Marriott Hattiesburg
119 Grand Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
TOLL FREE: +1-800-228-9290
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hbgcy-courtyard-hattiesburg/overview
Avid Hotel Hattiesburg West by IHG200
N 40th Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Book online or call: +1-877-495-2843
https://www.ihg.com/avidhotels/hotels/us/en/hattiesburg/hbgno/hoteldetail
Comfort Suites Hattiesburg near University
122 Plaza Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 261-5555
https://www.choicehotels.com/mississippi/hattiesburg/comfort-suites-hotels/ms423
Doubletree by Hilton Hattiesburg
10 Gateway Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
+1-800-222-TREE
+1-601-296-0302
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hbgdtdt-doubletree-hattiesburg/
Directions:
From Hwy 49 North:
Head north on Highway 49. Once you pass the Forrest County Multipurpose Center, look for the second red light. Turn right at the red light onto Edwards Street. Continue on Edwards Street until you reach the end, near the police station. Turn left onto James Street. This will take you to a roundabout. Enter the roundabout and take the immediate right onto Hall Avenue. Continue on Hall Avenue. The road name will change to Gulfport Street as you continue. At the light, turn right onto East Hardy Street. This is the road into the south side of Petal. Continue on the road through one red light. Petal-Harvey will be on the left side of the road, right past the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue. The Fellowship Hall is the first building you see of the church, so you should park in that main parking lot.
From Hwy 49 South (no Interstate):
Head south on Highway 49. Once you are within the city limits of Hattiesburg, pass under I-59 and continue south. Turn left at the third red light past the bridge for I-59. This will put you on Hwy 42 / Old Hwy 42. Continue on this road until you reach a red light, about 1.6 miles. Turn left at the red light onto Glendale Avenue. About 1.3 miles down the road you will reach a blinking light. Continue through the blinking light with a sSlight right onto Monroe Rd. You won’t go very far before you reach a red light. Turn right at the red light onto the Evelyn Gandy Parkway (Hwy 42). Continue driving for about 2.4 miles. You will enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), and take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From Hwy 49 South (with Interstate):
Head south on Highway 49. Once you are within the city limits of Hattiesburg, look for the signs for I-59 North (towards Laurel). Use the right lane to merge onto I-59 N via the ramp to Laurel. Drive around 1.9 miles. Take Exit #69 toward Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Turn right onto Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.3 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From I-59 North:
Take Exit #69 toward Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Turn right onto Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.3 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From I-59 South:
Take Exit #69 toward Eatonville Road. Turn left onto Eatonville Road. Once you cross the bridge, the name of the road changes to Highway 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.4 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
Head north on Highway 49. Once you pass the Forrest County Multipurpose Center, look for the second red light. Turn right at the red light onto Edwards Street. Continue on Edwards Street until you reach the end, near the police station. Turn left onto James Street. This will take you to a roundabout. Enter the roundabout and take the immediate right onto Hall Avenue. Continue on Hall Avenue. The road name will change to Gulfport Street as you continue. At the light, turn right onto East Hardy Street. This is the road into the south side of Petal. Continue on the road through one red light. Petal-Harvey will be on the left side of the road, right past the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue. The Fellowship Hall is the first building you see of the church, so you should park in that main parking lot.
From Hwy 49 South (no Interstate):
Head south on Highway 49. Once you are within the city limits of Hattiesburg, pass under I-59 and continue south. Turn left at the third red light past the bridge for I-59. This will put you on Hwy 42 / Old Hwy 42. Continue on this road until you reach a red light, about 1.6 miles. Turn left at the red light onto Glendale Avenue. About 1.3 miles down the road you will reach a blinking light. Continue through the blinking light with a sSlight right onto Monroe Rd. You won’t go very far before you reach a red light. Turn right at the red light onto the Evelyn Gandy Parkway (Hwy 42). Continue driving for about 2.4 miles. You will enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), and take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From Hwy 49 South (with Interstate):
Head south on Highway 49. Once you are within the city limits of Hattiesburg, look for the signs for I-59 North (towards Laurel). Use the right lane to merge onto I-59 N via the ramp to Laurel. Drive around 1.9 miles. Take Exit #69 toward Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Turn right onto Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.3 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From I-59 North:
Take Exit #69 toward Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Turn right onto Hwy 42 E / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.3 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
From I-59 South:
Take Exit #69 toward Eatonville Road. Turn left onto Eatonville Road. Once you cross the bridge, the name of the road changes to Highway 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Continue driving for about 4.4 miles. When you enter the city limits of Petal ( watch for the speed change at the bridge), take a right at the first red light onto Leeville Road. You will never leave this road, but about 0.4 miles down the road there is a slight curve, and the name changes to Main Street. Continue on Main Street through two red lights. Petal-Harvey will be on the right side of the road (next to Petal Methodist Church) and is roughly 1.5 miles from Hwy 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway. The fellowship Hall is on the left side of the church.
