2019 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference

Cluster Pacific Northwest

Conference

September 28, 2019

PORTLAND, OREGON Zeta Sigma omega & Sigma Delta

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 PACIFIC NORTHWEST 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

Sorors of the Fabulous Far Western Region, We are excited to fellowship in sisterhood with you at our annual Fall Cluster meeting! We have been enthusiastically planning activities that will engage, empower and energize your dedication and commitment to our illustrious organization. Our upcoming presentations will prove to be informative and helpful to both you and your chapters.

Registration is now open for our 2019 Fall Cluster, whose theme, “Excellence is: Daring to be Different”, will resonate with all of us. I invite you to attend one or all meetings and join us in this vital collaboration of sisterhood and service. Our Cluster Coordinator Liaison, along with our Cluster Coordinators, have been hard at work to ensure these meeting provide a meaningful experience to all.

I look forward to connecting with you during this Cluster season as we amplify our efforts to drive forward our International Programming and service. It is always a pleasure to reconnect with you during Cluster season. Don’t forget to register soon!

Sisterly,

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

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST 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 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different August 1, 2019 Greeting Sorors of the Fabulous Far Western Region: As your Pacific Northwest Cluster Coordinator, it is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome you to the 2019 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference. I hope you all have an opportunity to enjoy some of the beauty and hospitality (and tax free shopping đ&#x;˜Š ) of Portland, OR. To Soror LaKecia Gunter Zeta Sigma Omega Cluster Chairman, and Soror Joy Fowler, Zeta Sigma Omega Basileus, thank you for your sisterly partnerships as we planned for today’s Cluster Conference.

Throughout the day, we will have many opportunities to rekindle our sisterly bonds, share and learn from one another, and reignite our spirit for Alpha Kappa Alpha while we launch our efforts in Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service. This conference will be packed with informative and enlightening workshops, time to engage with fellow Pacific Northwest sorors and many opportunities to meet and greet with our fabulous Far Western Regional Director, Soror Carol R. Dixon.

I encourage you to use the workshops as an opportunity to reflect on how you and your chapter can create Excellence By Daring to be Different as we amplify the Far Western Region’s presence within Alpha Kappa Alpha. I hope that you enjoy Cluster conference and if there is anything that I can do to make the conference more enjoyable or meaningful for you, please do not hesitate to seek me out.

Sisterly blessings,

Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims Soror Leslie Lawson-Sima Pacific Northwest Cluster Coordinator Delta Upsilon Omega Seattle, WA

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different August 1, 2019 Greetings Sorors of the Pacific Northwest Cluster: The Sorors of Zeta Sigma Omega, Pi Sigma, and Sigma Delta Chapters are excited to welcome you to Portland and the 2019 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference.

The conference planning committee has worked diligently to deliver an outstanding conference experience and are ready to roll out the PINK carpet for each of you as we come together in unity embracing the conference theme of “Excellence is Daring to Be Different”.

Attending Cluster Conference is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our amazing Sorors and our DYNAMIC and FABULOUS Far Western Regional Director, Soror Carol R. Dixon.

Our time together will be filled with fun, fellowship and educational workshops that enhance sisterly relations, our leadership and understanding of our international program, Exemplifying Excellence through Sustainable ServiceSM, by providing best practices, strategies, tools and tips that will enable us to continue to deliver tremendous impact in Service to All Mankind.

We encourage your participation in making this a successful Cluster Conference and anticipate you gaining the necessary tools and insights to ensure our continued success in the Pacific Northwest.

We look forward to meeting each of you and we enthusiastically await your arrival!

Sisterly,

Soror Lakecia Gunter

Soror Lakecia Gunter 2019 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference Chairman Zeta Sigma Omega Portland, Oregon

Soror Joy Fowler Soror Joy Fowler Basileus Zeta Sigma Omega Portland, Oregon

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

Conference Committee Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims

Cluster Coordinator

Soror Lakecia Gunter

Conference Chairman

Soror Joy Fowler

Basileus

Soror Shandra Terry

Registration

Soror Kamilah Dove

Registration

Soror Kai’annica Walters

Registration

Soror Gayani Ekanayake

Gifts

Soror Shandra Terry

Gifts

Soror Freda Walker

Budget

Soror Gayani Ekanayake

Vendors

Soror Lakecia Gunter

Program

Soror Michele Brown

Technology

Soror Kendra Johnson

Technology

Soror Felita Singleton

Logistics

Soror Joy Fowler

Logistics

Soror Gayani Ekanayake

Logistics

Soror Sandra Brame

Golden and Diamond Soror Needs

Soror Kai’annica Walters

Protocol

Soror Margarett Peoples

Protocol

Soror Pat Dobbins

Protocol

Soror Charneal Lewis

Decorations

Soror Tiffany Goss

Decorations

Soror Sandra Brame

Decorations

Soror Liz Casson-Taylor

Transportation

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

Zeta sigma omega chapter roster

Abraham, Yohana Blair, Sierra Chapelle Brame, Estella Louise Brame, Sandra Marie Brown, Edith Michele Casson-Taylor, Elizabeth Davis Cainion, Regina Gayle Dobbins, Patricia Howard Dodier, Nicole K. Dove, Kamilah Edwards, Cassaundra Faye Edwards, Jutta L. Ekanayake, Gayani P. Ekandem, Briana Ty'Ann English-Williams, Nadia Forrest, Lesley E. Fowler, Joy C.

Fuller, Stevonne Gaines, Pamela Goodlow-Baldwin, Leslie Ann Goss, Tiffany Gunter, Lakecia Hartzog, Elaine Henderson, Mary Hendrix, Odessa M. Hurst, LaShanda E. Jenkins, Tannya Johnson, Kendra Johnson, Kimberly Kamara, La'Toya Rochelle Kelley, Alisha Kelly, Trisa Kidane, Helen Berhe-Haile Lewis, Charneal M.

Outlaw, Danielle Peoples, Margarett Geneva Pruitt, Katherine J. Robertson, Janira A. Salas, Etoulia Singleton, Felita Y. Spriggs, Aisha M. Starnes, Janice Stone, Jillian E. Terry, Shandra L. Thornton, Crystal N. Thrower, Nicole M. Walker, Freda M. Walters, KaiAnnica L. Whitlow, Lillian M. Williams, Renita D. Williams, Yvonne Thompson

Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

sigma DELTA chapter roster

Brya Patterson Sokhna Mbodj Lahela Daniels Paris Jenkins Crystal-Candice Quaye Adji Ostin Dominique Holman Jyreh Johnson Tiaja Andrews

Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference

Agenda Saturday, September 28, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton Portland, OR Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims, Pacific Northwest 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 Leslie Lawson-Sims Pacific Northwest Cluster Coordinator Delta Upsilon Omega Soror Shandra Terry & Kai’annica Walters Registration Chairman & Protocol Chairman Zeta Sigma Omega

Welcome

Soror Lakecia Gunter Cluster Conference Chairman Zeta Sigma Omega Soror Joy Fowler Basileus Zeta Sigma Omega

Meditation

Soror Felita Singleton Chaplain Zeta Sigma Omega

Greetings from Supreme Basileus (video)

Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus

Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference

Agenda Introduction of Regional Director

Soror Joy Fowler & Soror Kai’annica Walters Basileus & Protocol Chairman Zeta Sigma 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.

Pacific Northwest Cluster Report

Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims Pacific Northwest Cluster Coordinator Delta Upsilon Omega

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Break/ Vendors 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Risk Management

Soror Lakecia Gunter Cluster Conference Chairman Zeta Sigma Omega

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sisterly Relations Activity

Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims Pacific Northwest Cluster Coordinator Delta Upsilon Omega

12:00 p.m.

Invocation

Soror Felita Singleton Chaplain Zeta Sigma Omega

Lunch is Served Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference | Excellence is Daring to be Different

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference

Agenda 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Conflict Resolution

Soror Jai-Anna Elliott Basileus Delta Upsilon Omega

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Chapter Operations

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

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Break/ Vendors 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Opportunity Drawing/ Conference Wrap Up

Soror Lakecia Gunter Cluster Conference Chairman Zeta Sigma Omega

3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

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

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Vendors

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST 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 Jai-Anna Elliott Soror Jai was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Fall 1995 at Washington State University where she earned a BA in Business Administration and is the current Basileus of Delta Upsilon Omega in Seattle, WA.Jai joined Seattle City Light in 2013 and is the Talent & Workforce Development Director. She provides strategic leadership for Seattle City Light’s programs related to: apprenticeship, employee development and recognition, hiring, internship, training and technical training. Prior to joining Seattle City Light, Jai spent 16 years working in higher education. She held roles at Washington State University, Howard University, and the University of Washington. While working at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, Jai developed award winning pipeline programs to increase attendance of students of color in the university and the business school. Jai has a Master of Education in Organizational Policy and Leadership from the University of Washington.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

Workshop PRESENTERS Soror Lakecia N. Gunter Soror Lakecia N. Gunter is Vice President of the Programmable Solutions Group and General Manager of Ecosystem Development and Operations at Intel Corporation. She is responsible for architecting and executing a strategic framework to drive the adoption of Intel® FPGA accelerator solutions and driving growth through the implementation of new business models. Most recently, she served as the Chief of Staff (CoS) and Technical Assistant (TA) to Intel’s CEO Brian Krzanich. She joined Intel in 2008 as technical program manager in the Validation Engineering organization and has held numerous technical and leadership positions within the company. Lakecia earned her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida and her master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also received her Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

Soror Leslie Lawson-Sims

Soror Leslie was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Spring 1999 at Washington State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Resources. She has held a variety of roles in her Undergraduate and Graduate chapters and is the current Graduate Advisor and a past Basileus of Delta Upsilon Omega in Seattle, WA.Leslie joined Microsoft in 2009 and is currently a Global HR Director for HR . During her tenure at Microsoft, she has had the opportunity to partner with Engineering, IT, Operations and Sales and Marketing teams as a HR Generalist and has contributed to a variety of global cross organizational projects.During her time in HR she has gained experience in several areas including Staffing, Leadership Development, Talent Management and Program Management to name a few. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLUSTER

Excellence is: Daring to Be Different

GRADUATE CHAPTERS Delta Upsilon Omega - Seattle, WA Zeta Sigma Omega - Portland, OR Zeta Omega Omega - Tacoma, WA Xi Psi Omega - Anchorage AK Psi Nu Omega - Pullman -WA

UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTERS Beta Theta – University of Washington, Seattle University Kappa Sigma – Washington State University Pi Sigma – Portland State University, Warner Pacific College, Lewis & Clark College Sigma Delta – Oregon State University, University of Oregon

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Please join the ladies of Zeta Sigma Omega chapter for Happy Hour as we kick off the 2019 Pacific Northwest Cluster Conference!

The Porter Portland 1355 SW 2nd Ave. Lobby Lounge

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

5-8pm

**Please bring gently used eyeglasses to donate for our Lions Club partnership!

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Fabulous Far Western Region 2019 PACIFIC NORTHWEST 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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