2014 NETX Cluster Retreat

Cover Art

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue * Chicago, Illinois 60637-1997 * 773 684-1282 * Fax 773 288-8251

OFFICE OF:

“There’s a vastness in Texas and I believe that the

Chelle Luper Wilson

people here breathe that vastness into their soul.

South Central Regional Director

They dream big dreams and think big thoughts,

2525 Woodland Drive

because there is nothing to hem them in.”

― Conrad Hilton

Cross Roads, TX 76227

October 25, 2014 Dear Sorors of the Northeast Texas Cluster: I am literally tickled PINK to join you “Where the West begins” for this Cluster Meeting. Ft. Worth, the most typically Texan of all Texas cities, seamlessly blends its cattle and oil heritage with an ever-growing diverse array of business and industry. This unique combination makes it the ideal setting for us to come together to fellowship in sisterhood and service.

In reference to the aforementioned Conrad Hilton quote, Deep in the Heart of Texas, without anything to hem us in, let’s open our minds to all the big ways that we can move forward in this next chapter of our beloved sisterhood with new ideas, new goals and new initiatives. We will start today as we enhance our knowledge of protocol and learn strategies to implement the new International Program, Launching New Dimensions of Service. We will also receive practical tools and techniques to help us become better sorors as we Nurture Our Ivy. Our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, has a stellar vision to move our sisterhood forward while maintaining our status as the premier organization for college-educated women of color. I know that I can count on all of you to execute this vision in true Sensational South Central Style!

Please join me in extending warm expressions of gratitude to our Northeast Texas Cluster Coordinator, Soror Pamela Harmon; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Rosie Flanigan; Host Basileus, Soror Deidra Turner; Cluster Chairman, Soror Florastine Mack; Cluster Co-Chairman, Soror Nicole Alexis and the members of Beta Mu Omega Chapter who have stepped up to the call delivering a weekend that will undoubtedly be nothing short of phenomenal. From the warmest welcome to a gracious good-bye and all moments in between — nothing has been left to chance in the planning and implementation of this Cluster. Finally, I am grateful for each of you who took the time to join us here in Ft. Worth. I thank you for continually stepping up to keep South Central Sensational and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. supreme in service to all mankind!

Sisterly Yours,

Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® South Central Region

October 25, 2014 Greetings Sorors, On behalf of the Northeast Texas Cluster, I welcome you and extend greetings of love. You will certainly enjoy the hospitality and friendly welcome here in the beautiful city of Fort Worth, Texas. We are excited and know your experience will be one of sisterly love with a lot of style.

The Northeast Texas Cluster is “Learning, Leading and Launching New Dimensions of Service”. We are excited as we support our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson and our Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson as they lead us in “Launching New Dimensions of Service”. This cluster is filled with opportunities to grow in knowledge and service. I hope that you take the time to enjoy the city but most importantly, enjoy the sisterly love and rededicate yourself to what drew you to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Today, we continue the commitment we made to make Alpha Kappa Alpha, “Supreme in Service to All Mankind”.

Thank you to the NETX Cluster Chairman and Co-Chairman, Soror Florastine Mack and Soror Nicole Alexis.

A big thank you to the beautiful host chapter, Beta Mu Omega.

Sorors, welcome to Fort Worth, Texas!

Sisterly,

Pamela Harmon Northeast Texas Cluster Coordinator

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated速 South Central Region

September 30, 2014

Greetings Sorors of the Northeast Texas Cluster, Webster defines welcome as to greet hospitably and with courtesy. It is with great pleasure that Beta Mu Omega Chapter and I welcome you to the City of Fort Worth known as Cowtown. We greet you Sorors with a big smile and a warm embrace. We've rolled out the royal carpet and spared nothing to ensure this meeting is second to none!

As we embark upon launching new dimensions of service for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., it is our goal is to secure an environment that will foster growth both personally and within each chapter.

Sorors we greet you and trust as you return home you will take this opportunity to address local and global community needs in service to all mankind.

Sisterly,

Florastine Mack Florastine Mack Chairman, Northeast Texas Cluster Retreat Beta Mu Omega Chapter Fort Worth, Texas

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated速 South Central Region

October 25, 2014

Greetings!

On behalf of the Beta Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated we welcome you to our annual Northeast Texas Cluster Retreat and to the city of Fort Worth, where the west begins. Beta Mu Omega has called this area home for almost 80 years. We hope you find it as culturally rich and inviting as we do.

Our theme Learning, Leading and Launching New Dimensions of Service is indicative of our purpose here today. Effective leaders are life-long learners. We must ensure that we have full insight of the plan set forth at Boule. Let us prepare ourselves to learn to lead effectively this launch of new dimensions of service.

We hope you have joined with us in our collection of school supply filled backpacks as a part of our efforts to collect one million backpacks by 2018. These much appreciated supplies will be donated to the Fort Worth Independent School District all-girl school named after one of our most honored charter members, Hazel Harvey Peace. The school is led by one of our own chapter members, Cassandra Gardner.

Thank you to Florastine Mack and Nicole Alexis for taking up the gauntlet of leadership by chairing this Cluster Retreat. I am indebted to you. You have led a fearless group of women who have proven once again that Fort Worth is also where the best begins.

Sincerely,

Deidra R. Turner Deidra R. Turner, Ph. D., President Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Mu Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® South Central Region

October 25, 2014 Dear Sorors: It gives me profound pleasure to extend greetings and congratulations to Beta Mu Omega Chapter as you host our 2014 Northeast Texas Cluster. As we begin implementing the sorority’s new program, “Launching New Dimensions of Service”, let us stay grounded in our founding principles and traditions as we continue to grow in a never- ending quest to positively impact the world.

Thanks to Soror Chelle L. Wilson for keeping us informed and on the right path to ensure that we implement programs that are the primary vehicles for this new administration. Thanks for your leadership.

Sisterly,

Shirley R. Fisher Shirley R. Fisher 21st South Central Regional Director

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® South Central Region

October 25, 2014 Greetings!

It is with much pleasure that I greet those in attendance at the Northeast Texas Cluster Retreat in my city, Fort Worth, Texas. I know that you will have a great time “Learning, Leading and Launching New Dimensions of Service”. As an organization, we are known for the great service we do and I know the Northeast Texas Cluster will shine bright as we continue that tradition. Sorors, have a wonderful time learning and I hope you find time to enjoy all that Fort Worth has to offer.

To our Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, thank you for the leadership and support of all sorors in the South Central Region.

To the Cluster Chairmen, Soror Florastine Mack and Soror Nicole Alexis, and their committee, job well done!

Sincerely,

Deralyn Riles Davis Deralyn Riles Davis 14th South Central Regional Director

Hazel Harvey Peace Elementary School

Mrs. Peace began her teaching career in Fort Worth after graduating from Howard and Columbia University. She spent 46 years at her high school alma mater at I.M. Terrell. Mrs. Peace held the positions of teacher, debate team coach, counselor, dean of girls and vice principal. After retiring in 1972, Mrs. Peace became dean of women, student affairs director and financial aid coordinator at Bishop College in Dallas for nine years. She also taught summers at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Huston-Tillotson College in Austin and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.

Mrs. Peace was not only a legendary teacher but "her tenure touched thousands of students and successive generations. Her influence is at work today in the lives of former students in Fort Worth, in other states and around the world. "She generously exhibited outstanding devotion, service and support to her school and the Fort Worth ISD. The naming of this school will honor the memory of this beloved matriarch of education.

Not only was Mrs. Peace a lifelong educator, but she dedicated years of service fighting for social justice and advocacy for the homeless. When asked how she accomplished so much, Mrs. Peace often offered the advice, "Start early and quit late."

2014 Northeast Texas Cluster Retreat “Learning, Leading and Launching New Dimensions of Service�

~Program~ Presiding: Soror Pamela Harmon, Northeast Texas Cluster Coordinator Registration and Continental Breakfast Call to Order Greetings Soror Pamela Harmon, Northeast Texas Cluster Coordinator Introduction of the Program Participants and Special Guests Soror Linda Morgan, Beta Mu Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Tammy Baxter, 1st Anti-Basileus, Beta Mu Omega Chapter Greetings Soror Florastine Mack, Northeast Texas Cluster Chairman Soror Deidra Turner, Basileus, Host Chapter Soror Shirley Fisher, 21st South Central Regional Director Sisterly Relations Soror Renae Ruffin and Soror Marian Mayfield Beta Mu Omega Chapter Introduction of Regional Director Dr. Deidra Turner, Basileus Beta Mu Omega Chapter State of the Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director Special Presentation Soror Cassandra Gardner Principal, Hazel Harvey Peace Elementary School Hazel Harvey Peace Elementary School Choir Introduction of Workshop Presenter, Soror Florastine Mack Workshop I: Launching New Dimensions of Service: Introducing the International Program Soror Regina H. Carrington, South Central Representative - International Program Committee Door Prizes and Break

~Backpack Blowout Luncheon~ Presiding: Soror Rosie Flanigan, Northeast Texas Co-Cluster Coordinator Greetings Dr. Terri Stovall Dean of Women’s Programs, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Invocation Soror Leigh Holland, Beta Mu Omega Chapter Introduction of Special Guest Soror Timeka Gordon, Beta Mu Omega Chapter Mr. Varselles Cummings, Soloist Texas Christian University Special Presentation, Soror Rosie Flanigan Northeast Texas Cluster Chapters Break Sisterly Inspiration Soror Marian Willard South Central Cluster Coordinator Lead Alpha Xi Omega Chapter Introduction of Workshop Presenter, Soror Florastine Mack Workshop II: Launching New Dimensions of Service...AKA...Nurturing Our Ivies...

With Care, Kindness and Mutual Respect Soror Shirley Fisher, South Central Representative - International Sisterly Relations Committee Introduction of Workshop Presenter, Soror Florastine Mack Workshop III: Launching New Dimensions of Protocol Soror Velena McRae, South Central Representative - International Protocol Committee Closing Remarks Soror Pamela Harmon Soror Chelle Luper Wilson

Northeast Texas Cluster Chapters South Central Region Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Graduate Chapters Alpha Xi Omega – Dallas, TX Beta Mu Omega – Fort Worth, TX Chi Zeta Omega – Plano, TX Delta Alpha Omega – Waco, TX Epsilon Zeta Omega – Longview, TX Gamma Omicron Omega – Tyler, TX Kappa Xi Omega – Texarkana, TX Nu Omega – Marshall, TX Omicron Epsilon Omega – Wichita Falls, TX Omicron Mu Omega – Dallas, TX Tau Rho Omega – Carrollton, TX Upsilon Lambda Omega – DeSoto, TX Xi Theta Omega – Arlington, TX Undergraduate Chapters Alpha Tau – Texas College Epsilon Mu – University of North Texas Epsilon Sigma – Texas A&M University (Commerce) Kappa Lambda – Texas Christian University Kappa Mu – Southern Methodist University Kappa Nu – Texas Woman’s University Phi – Wiley College Pi Mu – Baylor University Rho Nu – Midwestern State University Sigma Kappa – University of Texas at Dallas Theta Theta – Paul Quinn College Zeta Chi – Jarvis Christian College Zeta Mu – University of Texas at Arlington

In Appreciation!

Vendors Cecily’s Jazzy Art GMARV Boutique J9 Dainty Delights and Designs Shirley Shack Greek Wear The Sterling Link Xpress Yourself Sportswear

Special Thanks Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Hazel Harvey Peace Elementary School Mr. Varselles Cummings Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Texas Christian University

Program Presenters Soror Regina Carrington Representative to the International Program Committee As a loyal and dedicated member, Soror Regina has served as Basileus, Anti-Basileus, Member-at-Large, and Graduate Advisor to the Gamma Psi Chapter, (where she was initiated 41 years ago).

This Life Member and Silver Star has been appointed by our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, to serve as International Program Representative for the Sensational South Central Region. Soror Regina looks forward to this special journey "Launching New Dimensions of Service" throughout our region and working with our dynamic sorors.

Soror Velena McRae Representative to the International Protocol Committee Velena Lewis McRae, Silver Soror, was initiated into Alpha Rho chapter at The University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff (UAPB).

She is a member of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter, where she has served as a member of the Protocol, Sisterly Relations, and Founders’ Day committees to name a few. She currently serves as the chapter Epistoleus and is a member of the Regional Protocol Committee. Velena was recently appointed as the 2014-2016 South Central Region Representative to the International Protocol Committee.

Soror Shirley Fisher Representative to the International Sisterly Relations Committee Soror Fisher was elected the 21st South Central Regional Director at the 68th South Central Regional Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2000 and served from 2000 to 2004. After serving four years as Regional Director, she was appointed Chairman of the Educational Advancement Foundation Advisory Board for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Chairman of the Diamond/Golden/ Silver Sorors Anniversary Committee. Currently, she is South Central Representative to the International Sisterly Relations Committee.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® South Central Region

2014 Northeast Texas Cluster Planning Committee Cluster Coordinator, Pamela Harmon Chairman, Florastine “Flo” Mack Co-Chairman, Nicole Alexis Committees

Committee Chair/Co-Chair

Cluster Pecunious Grammateus

Beverly Butler

Chapter Attire

LaVivian Taylor

Certificates/Invitations/Signage

Erayne Hill and Deidra Turner

Community Service Project

LaTonya Woodson and Cassandra Gardner

Decorations

Beverly Butler and Shay Johnson

Entertainment

Emalee Harmon

Emergency Response

Amanda Gordon-Knox

Friday Night Reception

Renae Ruffin and Marian Mayfield

Gifts

Leigh Holland

Hostess

Surnedra “Nedra” Simmons

Logistics

Patricia Durst

Media

Jocelyn Holden

Photography

Stephanie Natson

Program

Timeka Gordon and Paige Zinsou

Protocol

Linda Morgan

Registration

Tavernar “Tammy” Baxter

Vendors

Adrienna Tippens and Shirley Williams

VSGs (Very Special Guests)

Bridgett Davis and Sheila Barnett