ΟΨΩ Newsletter | Issue 2 | Summer 2019

A Quarterly Insight into the Omicron Psi Omega Chapter ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2019

ΟΨΩ Newsletter SONJA HOPKINS, PRESIDENT

Chapter Members with Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Jennifer King Congleton, at the 2019 Leadership Seminar.

2019 Leadership Seminar The 2019 Leadership Seminar

President Tenae Howard and

breast cancer screenings on the

in Nashville, Tennessee provided

Corresponding Secretary Benita

campus of The Gaylord Opry-

an extensive menu of experiences

Witherspoon.

land Resort and Convention

from well attended certifica-

More than 1,000 members

tion trainings and workshops to

provided service to all man-

impactful service projects and

kind through the collection,

fun-filled sisterly relations activi-

preparation and packaging of

ties and fellowship.

8019 pairs of shoes for Soles-

More than 7,600 sorority mem-

4Souls and 5249 pairs of eye-

Center conference site.

In this issue 2019 Leadership Seminar Charter Day Anniversary Inspirational Corner

bers attended the 2019 Leader-

glasses in conjunction with The

Blood Drive Unity

ship Seminar. Among them were

Lions Club. Also, the Alpha

Sisterhood & Service

our very own chapter members,

Kappa Alpha Mobile Mam-

President’s Message

President Sonja Hopkins, Vice

mography Unit facilitated 103

Charter Day Anniversary The Anniversary Committee and the Sisterly

The Omicron Psi Omega chapter was char-

Relations Committee joined forces to plan the

tered with 15 members and became the

chapter's 34th Charter Day Anniversary celebra-

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporat-

tion. This celebration was held on June 8, 2019.

ed chapter to serve the Davidson County

Current chapter members met at Café 35 in

community. Be sure to learn more about

historic downtown Lexington. The event was full

our chapter’s history on our website at

of fun, food and fellowship.

www.akaomicronpsiomega.org.

Chapter members celebrating our charter day anniversary at Cafe 35.

Charter Members (l to r): Beverly Craven, Al Bryson, Rithia Ford and Sherri Rushing

We Care Wednesday On April 17, Omicron Psi Omega chapter hosted a We Care Wednesday Fundraising event at Applebee's in Lexington, NC. From 4pm to 8pm, Applebee’s served meals to attendees who pre-purchased tickets from chapter members. 65 vouchers were sold.

Funds raised from this event go toward our community fund.

Successful turnout for We Care Wednesday event.

Inspirational Corner: Just Push Pause What a busy time this has been for Omicron Psi

I’ve been so busy that I haven’t made time in my

Omega Chapter; making sure we meet our targets

schedule to come to you. Today I am making the

for the year and providing service to all man-

choice to put everything else aside and make my

kind. School is out and many of us are looking

time with You the top priority in my day. I need

forward to a slower pace and vacation.

your strength; I need your fellowship; I need

He Withdrew to a Solitary Place. (Matthew 14:13) This scripture reminds us that even Jesus knew the need and value of peaceful quiet rest. Busyness leads to a breakdown of everything. The body suffers, the mind suffers, our families suffer, and we become ineffective. If this sounds like you, just push pause and repeat this prayer: Lord, I know that you have been calling out to me, beckoning me to spend time with you. But

your tender touch; and I need to hear Your voice.

My schedule is full and I need special strength to make it through this busy time. I am coming to you to be refreshed so I can carry on.

If we do this everything else will be in order.

Enjoy the break and Just Push Pause!

Humbly Submitted, Bonnie Henderson, Chaplain

Members of Omicron Psi Omega chapter manning the booth at the 2019 Multicultural Festival.

2019 Multicultural Festival The 2019 Multicultural Festival was a day filled

The Omicron Psi Omega chapter set-up a booth

with the sights, sounds and tastes of foreign

in the African-American village. Members gladly

lands. This event offered a wonderful and educa-

distributed information about the perseverance

tional outing for the entire family and showcased

of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

cultural diversity through elaborate costumes,

(HBCUs), women's health, credit repair, and col-

musical instruments, exhibits and entertainment.

lected shoes for Soles 4 Souls.

The festival focused on five major cultural

This festival was free to the public, and attract-

areas: African-American, European, Asian, Lati-

ed thousands of people, from Davidson County

no, and Native American, with many nationalities

and surrounding cities and states.

represented within them.

Chapter member, LaWanda Turman, enjoying the festival entertainment.

Children on the main stage celebrating their heritage through traditional dance.

Local greek graduate chapters taking time during the Charles Drew Blood Drive to take a group photo.

Greek Unity: Blood Drive The Eta Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fra-

31 at Charles England Elementary School. This

ternity, Inc., along with the Omicron Psi Omega

event served as contribution to the Charles Drew

Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and

Memorial Blood Drive initiative and quite a few

the Lexington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma

people took the opportunity to give the gift of life

Theta Sorority, Inc., held a blood drive on May

by donating blood.

Sisterhood & Service On Saturday, June 1, Omicron Psi Omega chapter members continued in their quarterly efforts to keep our community clean with the Adopt-A-Highway program. Chapter members and volunteers met at the corner of Forest Hill and Old Highway 64 to remove litter to keep our community clean and beautiful.

President’s Message

Upcoming Events

sisters and friends,

August 25 International Day of Prayer

We are well into

September 14

Greetings AKA

the second half of

College Fair

2019 and I am simply excited about all Omicron Psi Omega Chapter has accomplished in the community so far.

We have hosted programs and community service activities which include Adopt-a-Highway cleanups, Applebee's Fundraisers and co-hosted a community blood drive. We also have collected 130 pairs of shoes for Shoes4Soles.

Internally, we will use the rest of the year to focus on leadership development, process improvements, short/long term strategy and selfawareness. We look forward to our chapter retreat to refresh, renew and revitalize ourselves for this focus.

The mission of my administration is simple: global vision, local impact and Omicron Psi Omega is prepared for the task. We look forward in using our God-given gifts to serve all mankind!

Yours in service,

Sonja Hopkins

September 15-21 HBCU Week September 21 Big Hat Brunch October 7 Breast Cancer Awareness Day October 12 Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up