2019 Northern California Cluster Conference

Cluster Northern California Conference

October 12, 2019

BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA

DELTA ZETA omega & ETA Sigma

Carol R. Dixon

FAR WESTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Glenda Glover

Supreme Basileus

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Corporate Office | 5656 South Stony Island Avenue | Chicago, IL 60637-1997 | (773) 684-1282

OFFICE OF: Carol R. Dixon Far Western Regional Director P.O. Box 730190 San Jose, CA 95173-0190 Phone: (408) 218-1714 Email: cdixon@aka1908.com

October 12, 2019 Greetings Sorors, Welcome to the 2019 Far Western Region Northern California Cluster Conference.

Delta Zeta Omega and Eta Sigma, the host chapters have enthusiastically planned activities that will engage, empower and energize your dedication and commitment to our illustrious organization. This conference is bittersweet as it will be my last Northern California Cluster Conference as your Regional Director.

The Cluster Theme “Excellence is: Daring to be Different” is all about you and your commitment to Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service. It is my hope when you leave the conference, you will be committed to dare to be different in our efforts to drive forward our international program and service.

Words cannot express how grateful I am for your support during this journey. I have been inspired and energized by your commitment to Alpha Kappa Alpha. It has been my honor to serve as your Far Western Regional Director.

Sisterly,

Carol R. Dixon Far Western Regional Director Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

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September 28, 2019 Soror Carol R. Dixon Far Western Regional Director P.O. Box 730190 San Jose, CA 95173 Greetings Sorors!

Welcome to the 2019 Far Western Region Cluster Retreat! Attending Cluster is a wonderful opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with sorors in your area. It is imperative that all sorors are equipped with the knowledge to ensure that we are operating effectively and serving at the highest possible level. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Founders envisioned a sisterhood that promoted service to all mankind; their legacy has ignited a desire in each of us to carry the torch of service, leadership, and sisterliness. Your leadership and dedication in your community has been amazing - we are certainly proud of your hard work! You continue to rise to the occasion as Alpha Kappa Alpha women.

This retreat will give you the opportunity to reflect on our first year of the Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable ServiceSM program. You will be able to share your successes and identify ways to improve and expand your chapter’s impact in your communities. In addition, you will identify strategies to build membership engagement and foster strong sisterly relationships. The smaller setting will allow you to share creative ideas and best practices that can be implemented across the region.

Soror Carol R. Dixon, your Far Western Regional Director, has assured me that this Cluster Retreat exemplifies EXCELLENCE at its best! She, along with your Cluster Coordinator and the 2019 Cluster Retreat Committee, have worked tirelessly to ensure that today’s retreat is executed flawlessly. They deserve our praise and appreciation for their efforts.

I look forward to visiting your region and hearing about your achievements! Be sure to interact with Soror Dixon and your Regional and International Leadership Committee Members during the day’s activities and openly share your ideas and feedback. Thank you again for everything you do on behalf of our beloved sorority!

Yours in Alpha Kappa Alpha Excellence,

Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different October 12, 2019

Dearest Northern California Sorors: As a sisterhood we continue to exist from a summit above the crowd. Yes, by virtue of being the first black sorority we will always rank as number one. Yet, our commitment to “Service to all Mankind” places us in a special arena. Never resting only on the laurels of our past, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated push forward with vigor and dedication.

Sometimes we shyly admit our amazing accomplishments and then there are the times when we dare to boldly exclaim our victories.

In our Excellence the Far Western Region donated over $100K to HBCU’s during our regional conference. While providing education surrounding women’s health, we are sourcing care solutions for those in need. Shoring up our personal finances and educating the community.

Strongly aware that we cannot give what we do not possess. Supporting art and artist in our local areas and using social media to “spread the word.” By donating a record number of shoes for Soles to Souls and glasses for Lions Club we extend our global reach.

In our Daring the Sorors of “Service to All Mankind” excelling in education and physical health of ourselves.

the Far Western Region accomplished and continue to accomplish while nurturing marriages, children, families and friends, while the workplace and while placing importance on the mental and Always striving to exceed to an even greater level…

Sisterly blessings,

Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson

Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson Northern California Cluster Coordinator Kappa Beta Omega Vallejo, CA

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different October 12, 2019 Greetings Sorors:

It is our honor and pleasure to welcome you to the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area for the 2019 Northern California Cluster Conference! On behalf of the dynamic and dedicated sorors of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter we are overjoyed to bring together sorors from across Northern California as we continue on the path of Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service.

Under the energetic, innovative and outstanding leadership of our Fabulous Far Western Regional Director, Soror Carol R. Dixon we hope that the information and workshops offered at the conference will not only heighten your knowledge and awareness but also inform and propel you into new levels of serving with purpose for the year ahead.

During our time together, we want you to feel the spirit of sisterhood and art of efficiency and excellence in each aspect of the experience and programming shared with you. It is our desire that each of you departs feeling restored and work towards our purpose as we continue the work of pressing forward towards excellence and consistency in all that we do.

Again, we are honored to serve as the host chapter for the 2019 Northern California Cluster Conference! We look forward to creating opportunities for you to network, fellowship, learn while Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service!

Sisterly,

Soror Selena Young Soror Selena Young Basileus Delta Zeta Omega

Soror Maya Galindo

Soror Maya Galindo Chairman 2019 Northern California Cluster

Soror Erika Albury

Soror Erika Albury Co-Chairman 2019 Northern California Cluster

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

DELTA ZETA omega chapter roster

Erika Albury Sheila Asfaha Anna Banks Sharon Bell Gina Benson-Warren Mia Blumfield Beverly Boone Ruby Braxton Alpha Buie Skylar Caesar Dianne Campbell Adrieannette Ciccone Mary E. Clay Alexis Cobbins Norlissa Cooper Melissa Curry Simone Davis Quinnshanta Starr Dixon Ethel (Sally) Dollard Dorothy M. Foster Domino Tiana Dudley Diva Evans

Brijet Finister Jamonique M. Fletcher Courtney Francois Karen B. Francois Maya Galindo Ashley Gant Ruth Hammons Lyrongala (Tiffani) Houseal Willa Jefferson-Stokes Aurora Johnson Ayana Johnson Mary E. Jones Teaira Keough Grace King Rozelle Lee Frances Luster Ianthia W. Mack Rian Mack Tiffani Mason Anita D. Stearns Mayo Vivian McLean

Toshia Mears

Angela Moore Melissa Mulengwa Tamaika Parish Kathryn Parish-Reese Fannie Wiley Preston September Rose Barbra Ruffin-Boston Apryle Stanley Roxane Stone Nile Taylor Furtuna Tesfsamariam Lark Thomas Shenesha Thomas Ella Turner Gray Ujunwa Ukaegbu Teyanna Walker Leola Jerry Washington Berdie Wilson Jesslynn Wimbish Kebron (Hanna) Woodaje Joyce Yarbrough Selena Young

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

ETA Sigma chapter roster

Diana Freslassie Jasmine Johnson-Bowles Makda Berhanu Marissa Suttles Asia Chap Haley James Kalin Venable Chantel Heard

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Northern California Cluster Conference

Agenda Saturday, October 12, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Embassy Suites by Hilton – San Francisco Airport Burlingame, CA Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson, Northern California Cluster Coordinator, Presiding 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

General Session

Opening and Introductions

Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson Northern California Cluster Coordinator Kappa Beta Omega Sorors Nile Taylor & Barbra Ruffin-Boston Registration Chairman & Protocol Chairman Delta Zeta Omega

Welcome

Soror Maya Galindo Cluster Conference Chairman Delta Zeta Omega Soror Selena Young Basileus Delta Zeta Omega

Meditation

Soror Jasmine Johnson-Bowles Chaplain Eta Sigma

Greetings from Supreme Basileus (video)

Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Northern California Cluster Conference

Agenda Introduction of Regional Director

Soror Erika Albury Cluster Conference Co-Chairman Delta Zeta Omega

Excellence is “Daring to be Different” Soror Carol R. Dixon Far Western Regional Director Rho Delta Omega

workshops/ reports 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Break/ Vendors

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Northern California Cluster Report

Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson Northern California Cluster Coordinator Kappa Beta Omega

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Risk Management

Soror Saidah Grayson Dill Risk Management Chairman Rho Delta Omega

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sisterly Relations Activity

Soror Tiana Dudley Sisterly Relations Chairman Delta Zeta Omega

12:00 p.m.

Invocation

Soror Archalene Amos Martin 17th Far Western Regional Director Eta Gamma Omega

Lunch is Served Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Northern California Cluster Conference

Agenda 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Conflict Resolution

Soror Dorothy J. Smith-Jackson Far Western Region Representative International Basileus Certification Committee FWR Cluster Coordinator Liaison Sigma Delta Omega

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Chapter Operations

Soror Lanee S. Burns Far Western Region Representative International Standards Committee Mu Lambda Omega

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Opportunity Drawing/ Conference Wrap Up

Soror Maya Galindo Cluster Conference Chairman Delta Zeta Omega

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Soror Carol R. Dixon Far Western Regional Director Rho Delta Omega

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Vendors

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

Workshop PRESENTERS Soror Lanee S. Burns Soror Lanée S. Burns is the Far Western Regional Representative to the International Standards Committee. Initiated as a General Member in 1997 at Sonoma State University, she is currently a member of Mu Lambda Omega Chapter in Culver City, California.

Professionally, she owns her own Sales Consulting Firm, Lanée S. Burns and Associates, LLC., where she represents some of the top manufacturing firms in the hospitality industry. She has spent 21 years in this industry and 15 of those years investing and building her own company.

She has a daughter, Tyrah who attends San Jose State University.

Soror Saidah Grayson Dill Soror Saidah Grayson Dill is responsible for Global Employment Law and Employee Relations at Cisco Systems, Inc. At Cisco, she provides advice on a myriad of employment law and employee relations issues including acquisition integration, litigation, compliance, investigations and inclusion & diversity. Prior to joining Cisco, Ms. Dill worked for two international law firms, litigating on behalf of and providing advice and counsel to employers in a variety of industries. Ms. Dill received an A.B. in Public Policy with a concentration in Law and the Legal System from Stanford University and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She is the recipient of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times 2011 Best Corporate Counsel award in the “Rising Star” category. She was initiated in Xi Beta Chapter at Stanford University and is proud member of Rho Delta Omega Chapter, located in Palo Alto California. In both chapters she has held a variety of leadership roles including Basileus and Graduate Advisor.

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

Workshop PRESENTERS Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson

Soror Sheila Kibble Gibson is a product of the Midwest. Sheila Kibble Gibson joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1980 at Marquette University. With an MBA from Dominican University, she also holds a certification in Wine Business Management from Sonoma State University. For the past 20 years, Sheila has worked in Finance and Accounting for Skywalker Properties. As Senior Finance Manager, she currently manages the wine, ranch properties and hospitality divisions of the company.

Sheila joined Kappa Beta Omega chapter in 1991 where she has held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer and President. She is currently the Northern California Cluster Coordinator for the Far Western Region. Additionally, Sheila maintains active memberships in The Links, Incorporated, Women for WineSense and Women of the Vine and Spirits. In her minutes of free time she enjoys reading, writing, learning guitar and knitting. Sheila has one adult son, Malcolm who is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Soror Dorothy J. Smith-Jackson Soror Dorothy J. Modisett Smith-Jackson (known by many as Dorothy J.) is a retired department head and professor from Golden Gate University. She has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha since 1996 and is a member of Sigma Delta Omega chapter and currently serves as Anti-Grammateus and Business Manager. She is the Far Western Region Cluster Coordinator Liaison and International Representative to Basilei Certification Institute. In addition to holding every local chapter officer position and chairing most standing committees, she has also received several awards over the years including Regional Director’s Chapter Leadership Award, The Audrey B. Jones Leadership Achievement Award, The Charlene D. Carodine Unique Professional Achievement Award and a Far Western Region Outstanding Leadership Award.

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different 2019 Northern California Cluster

GRADUATE CHAPTERS

Alpha Nu Omega - Oakland/Berkeley, CA Delta Zeta Omega - San Francisco, CA Eta Gamma Omega – Sacramento, CA Eta Rho Omega - San Jose, CA Iota Omicron Omega – Fresno, CA Kappa Beta Omega - Vallejo, CA Kappa Gamma Omega - Monterey, CA Mu Zeta Omega - Stockton, CA Xi Gamma Omega - Oakland, CA Rho Delta Omega - Palo Alto, CA Rho Upsilon Omega, San Ramon, CA Sigma Delta Omega - Elk Grove, CA Tau Upsilon Omega - Fairfield, CA Omega Upsilon Omega - Concord, CA

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different 2019 Northern California Cluster

UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTERS Rho – University of California, Berkeley Alpha Nu – Fresno State University Zeta Psi – San Jose State University Eta Lambda – Sacramento State University Eta Sigma – San Francisco State University, University of San Francisco Mu Kappa – University of California, Davis Xi Beta – Stanford University Xi Pi – California State University, East Bay Upsilon Epsilon, California State University, Monterey Bay

Northern California Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

FAR WESTERN REGION ONLINE

WEBSITE: www.aka1908.com/farwestern

TWITTER: @AKAFarWestern

FACEBOOK: @AKAFarWestern

INSTAGRAM: @AKAFarWestern

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