Omega Mu Omega Pearl Pages-September 2023

Greeting Sorors~

To the most esteemed beautiful Sorors of AKA…Happy 7th AKAversary Omega Mu Omega. Thank you Sorors for everything that you do for our chapter. Know that each of you is a special part of this chapter. Let’s celebrate this momentous occasion with Sorors, family, and friends at the upcoming Old School Party! Remember to sell, sell, sell tickets. Let’s aim to have a sold-out event to raise funds for our programs and scholarships. We can do this!

Huge thank you to the Sorors who worked diligently over the summer to ensure that the business of our chapter was done. Pink roses to the Finance Committee for assisting with the fundraiser, Sister Squads which kept us connected, and the Membership Committee’s efforts to successfully navigate the chapter through new Membership Experience process. Kudos to the Chapter Retreat committee and their commitment to Omega Mu Omega; for programming that allowed our chapter Sorors to connect on a deeper level and provided a safe place for shared ideas, and sisterly fun. Way to go OMO!

Pink roses to Sorors that attended the international Leadership Seminar. We are definitely leaders in training and we must be the change with the aim of hapter, and in our community. Sorors s that were tailored for their personal s also earned various certifications. ll offer various workshops to engage

Basileus’ Corner

This is a great season for our chapter as we prepare to expand our chapter’s membership and the return of our marathon community service and sistership events. Get ready for the upcoming service programs which will have Sorors excited and ready to serve. Let’s get into “Good Trouble” this fall to serve our communities and be intentional in everything that we do. We need you Sorors! Hopefully in this process, you will develop a stronger bond and a deeper understanding and appreciation of our OMO Sorors. Our founder, Soror Ethel Hedgemon Lyle has passed the torch to us. Let’s continue to hold it high.

We hope to see everyone at the upcoming in-person chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at our new location, La Salle University at 6:30 p.m.

Sisterly serving you F.I.R.S.T,

Soror Milika Singleton

Basileus

Chapter Agenda

Welcome Back to the Season of Transformation Happy 7th Chapterversary, Sorors!

Congratulations Charter Members for your vision and welcome back everyone to chapter meetings. As a Charter Member, I am personally amazed at the many changes that have impacted the chapter since its inception. When we formed the Liberty Pearls interest group, our numbers were few such that we could comfortably fit in a conference room at Overbrook Presbyterian Church. Now 9 years and several relocations later, we have tripled in size and will be blessed to enter the doors of a huge meeting space at Lasalle University. Change is good.

I remember the excitement of having our first fundraiser as a new chapter“Hidden Figures” movie night. It was a beautiful well-attended night, the movie was inspiring, and the informative session was really good. Our efforts yielded a whopping $300. Change can be exciting.

Sorors, does anyone recall the moment we realized that OMO had made their mark in the city of Philadelphia? For me, it was when over 500 guests showed up and showed out at our first Old School/Chapter Anniversary party at the Wilarie. People were pop-locking, line dancing, doing the dougie, and Sorors were strolling! Oh what a night to remember. Change can be magical.

Years later and over 100 Sorors strong, we were excelling with programs, making major difference in the lives of the communities that we served, strategic planning to ensure our goals were being met, facing the challenges of growing pains, and being determined to honor our sisterhood in accordance with our Constitution and Bylaws. And then, the pandemic hit. Change can be catastrophic.

March 2020, we were catapulted onto the virtual scene with little to no experience. But in no time at all, thanks to a few savvy tech gurus, the Zoom meetings were organized with beautiful backgrounds, google slides, music, meditations, community service, record-breaking attendance, high-level reporting and increase in membership. Change can be empowering.

Oxford dictionary defines transformation as a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Sorors, in this fall season we will now prepare ourselves for yet another sequence of transformations- shifting, growing, and reflecting, which will include the opportunity to facilitate our first ME. Change might be overwhelming.

As George Benson once sang: “Everything must change.Nothing stays the same. Everyone must change. Nothing stays the same. Nothing and no one goes unchanged.There are not many things In life you can be sure of. Except rain comes from the clouds, and sun lights up the sky, and hummingbirds do fly.” Change can be beautiful.

Peace and Love,

Soror Rochelle

Chaplain/Ritual Chair

The Program Committee is super excited about getting back SERVICE! At Omega Mu Omega, our practice has been ONE SOROR-ONE INITIATIVE. If you have yet to do so, please take a moment to select at least one of our amazing SOAR Initiatives and join that committee! Feel free to reach out the Chairman/Co-Chairman of the Initiative you choose. The name of each Chairman can be found below.

We are looking forward to continuing to serve “Communities Along the River.”

Soaring & Serving

Soror Sheronda

#M1AB

September Service Events

Saturday, S Sankofa Com

3000 S. 56th

Check your e

Saturday, S

Feminine Hy

EMPOWER OUR FAMILIES

Soror Danielle N. Laws, Chairman

Soror Angela Ferguson, Co-Chairman

Soror Sicily Hill-Parms, Co-Chairman

ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Soror Jael Delva, Chairman

Soror Allison Gibbs, Co-Chairman

ENHANCE OUR ENVIRONMENT

Soror Tracy Scott, Chairman

Soror Stacey Woodson, Co-Chairman

Soror Rochelle Johnson, Co-Chairman

BUILD ECONOMIC WEALTH

Soror Colena Johnson, Chairman

Soror Dominique Casimir, Co-Chairman

Soror DawnMarie Callaway, Co-Chairman

UPLIFT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Soror Kisha Hawthorne, Chairman

Soror Alicia Agnew Co-Chairman

Membership Committee

Welcome Back Home Sorors!

On behalf of the membership committee we hope that everyone had a restful and self- care summer break! It was great to hang out with a few Soror Squads and do nothing but enjoy each other’s company. The eat, sleep, repeat squad was the most enjoyable (lol)! Now it’s time to get back to SOARING in SISTERSHIP! During the month of July and August, the membership committee had been preparing the chapter request for a fall ME! Sorors, all of our hard work had paid off! The chapter request for ME and 42 Sorors who applied for Sponsor/Co-Sponsor were verified and approved by corporate office.

Our chapter is now moving forward with the ME process. This is such an exciting time for us to welcome new members into our beloved chapter I must send a special heartfelt shout out and pink tea roses to our vetting team who helped us get to the finish line for submission. Thank you Omega Mu Omega Chapter for your sisterly support and encouragement to the membership committee during the entire process. Please check your emails daily for upcoming dates for the chapter orientations and informational sessions Lastly, the membership committee would like to wish Omega Mu Omega Chapter a very happy Chapterversary! We have made a positive impact in the community, building stronger relationships with chapter members, partnerships with our committees and with chapters in the Philadelphia area. We continue to develop great leaders and nurture our reactivated and transfer Sorors Kudos to you all!

With love and Sistership,

Soror Shauna P Singleton , 2nd Anti-Basileus and Membership Chairman

Soror DawnMarie Callaway , Membership Co-Chair

Soror Wanda White , Membership Co-Chair

Nominating Committee

Whether you are a seasoned member with years of experience or a fresh face in our chapter, this is your moment to shine and contribute to our collective journey. It's important to note that the nomination petition form for these esteemed positions will be closing on September 28th. Nominations must be accepted by 11:59pm on September 30th.

Running for an officer position is not just about sharing your unique perspective and innovative ideas; it's about forging strong bonds with fellow Sorors as we work together to achieve our common goals.

Don't hesitate to nominate yourself or another outstanding Soror who you believe can make a difference in our chapter. We eagerly await the inspiring women who will rise to the occasion and run for office this year! For more information about the Group One Officer positions and to submit your nominations, please find the QR code and nomination petition form link below. You can also review the detailed officer position criteria in our chapter bylaws.

Let's embark on this exciting journey together and continue to elevate our sisterhood to new heights. Your dedication and passion are what make our chapter special, and we can't wait to see the positive impact you'll bring as leaders.

Sisterly Yours,

The Nominating Committee

Group 1 Officers

Basileus

Second Anti-Basileus

Tamiouchos

Epistoleus

Historian

Philacter

Anti-Grammateus

Anti-Pecunious Grammateus

Member-At-Large

Nominating

Leadership Committee

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Omega Mu Omega kicked off the start of the Fall Season with an impactful, interactive and action-oriented Chapter Retreat! Attendance was nearly double that of our highest attendance over the last several years. The planning committee worked diligently to accommodate the increased volume, making sure everyone who wanted to attend, was able to do so The day started with a tone-setting message of welcome from our fearless leader, Madam Basileus, Milika Singleton We were then inspired by a moving message from our own Chaplain, Soror Rochelle Johnson. Sisterly Relations, Sorors Tirease Holmes and Jada Dove got our creative juices flowing with a bracelet-making activity. Their message: “As are we, the finished products of the bracelets were all unique, beautiful, and special in their own rights”. Membership, then got us up and moving with old school steps, cheers, and great vibes being spread all around, led by Second Anti-Basileus, Soror Shauna Singleton.

We then had a great planning session to ensure that all Sorors took advantage of the opportunity to participate in and make an impact in our programs. This session was led by our First Anti-Basileus, Soror Sheronda-Rae Ball We closed out the morning with an ice breaker led by Leadership Co-chair, Gigi Barton It was a fun exercise that helped us learn more about one another through sharing our responses to self-reflection questions in small groups. After lunch, Protocol Chair, Soror Shauna Carter led a fun, entertaining and very informative presentation focused around protocol. A major highlight was a fashion show consisting of Omega Mu Omega “Top Models” featuring the “Do’s and Dont’s of attire protocol We all then participated in an activity designed to help us dig under the surface of the smiles we sorors wear at times that may mask how we feel inside The goal of the exercise, called “Inside Out” was to underscore the importance of extending grace, empathy and understanding to all of our fellow Sorors. We then gave “Speed Updates” from Strategic Planning (Soror Sue Levy), Standards (Soror Christina Young) and Liberty Pearl -A-Thon (Soror Natalie Valentine Adams).

We closed the day out with warm congratulations and gratitude to our Charter Members as we approached our 7-year anniversary of the chartering of our amazing chapter, and ended with Sorors doing our party walk to “Set it Off” in preparation for our upcoming Old Skool Party! All Sorors in attendance received Certificates of Attendance. If you did not receive yours, please see Soror Sheronda, who graciously created them. Soror feedback was positive now it’s time to get back to work serving our illustrious chapter and sorority! Kudos to all who assisted in the planning and ensuring all went off without a hitch!

Soror Tirease for the meeting space, and special accommodations as our registration numbers began to swell!

Soror Diondra Brown for managing all things food!

Soror Natalie for being our official photographer!

And huge thanks to all Sorors who came out and made our retreat a great kickoff to the last 4 months of 2023.

Sisterly love, The Leadership Committee Soror Barbara G. Pratt Soror Gigi Barton & Soror Diondra Brown

Chapter Retreat Chapter Retreat

September 16, 2023

Standards Com itt

Welcome back Sorors

We are in our seco end of year. As an this is an important time to ensure that your information is readily available for the next officer or committee chairs. Even though we were not selected for an evaluation this year, we need to stay ready for next year. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the document request list below. We will be reaching out if your office or committee is responsible for any materials to ensure that they are stored and ready when needed. As always, if you have any questions about chapter operations, please feel free to reach out to us or join our committee meetings held from 6:30- 7pm on the first Thursday of each month.

Sisterly yours, Christina

Young, Chair

Standard Evaluations Documents

*New for this year

Standards Committee Financial Reports

• Chapter annual budgets

• Proof of Internal and External audits

• Receipts

• Bank statements

• Reconciliation of bank statements (proof)

• Canceled checks or printed canceled checks from online account

• Check register

• Pecunious Grammateus’ records

• Proof of chapter tax payment

• Copies of Chapter Remittance Summary Forms

• Copies of Financial Officers’ Certification

• Potential Financial Officers’ Disclosure Form*

• Request for Contribution Authorization Form (proof chapter received authorization donations/contributions)*

• Copies of Financial Officers’ Certification

• Bonding insurance documentation

• Chapter financial procedures identifying internal controls for electronic funds receipt and expenditures of funds

• Tamiouchos reports

Standards Committee

OtherDocuments

• Copy of Approved Chapter bylaws by the Regional Director

• Chapter strategic plan*

• Chapter risk management plan*

• End of Year reports

• Chapter newsletters

• Chapter minutes with reports (spiral/coil binding for 2020, 2021, 2022; hardback binding only beginning in 2023) - original signatures*

• Flyers, letters, and other documents soliciting funds with Directorate approval

• Founders’ Day programs for the last two or four years

• Endorsements, statements, and other documents that do not have mention of Alpha Kappa Alpha

• Chapter membership rosters

• Chapter Roster of Officers and committee chairmen (that goes out to chapter members)

• Chapter Roster of Officers that is sent to Corporate Office every year Registration forms for Boule, Regional Conference, and Leadership Seminar

• List of delegates who attended last three Boules

• Receipt confirmations or verification from Regional Director confirming that she has received two copies of chapter bylaws

• Copies of Soror Code of Ethics (signed by Chapter Officers); starting in 2024 all chapter members

• Copies of programs and pictures from chapter public events

• List of chapter activities/local programs, with descriptions relating them to the Sorority’s current program and/or copies of program reports to chapter and Sorority

• Standards “Annual Chapter Records Certification Form”

• Copies of completed “Chapter Self-Assessment Form”

• If chapter owns property, Certificate of Incorporation to purchase property, copy of purchase record, copies of annual status and operations reports filed with Corporate Office

• If chapter has a foundation, copies of foundation annual reports

• Chapter copies of all “Required Documents” (current editions) – this list can be found in the 2018 edition of the “Standards Resource Guide,” in the Appendices section, page 2 of 2 on the “Annual Chapter Records Certification Form”

• Ivy Beyond the Wall forms (including disposition of badges)*

• Program Calendar to include next Calendar year.

August & September

Joyce Allen-Taylor (8/2)

Candice Brown-Holloway (8/20)

Kisha Hortman Hawthorne (8/20)

Orrika Blanding-Choice (8/23)

Kim Rush (8/25)

Verita Starling (8/25)

Deborah L. Camp-Frye (8/28)

Ketty Morin-Bailey (8/28)

Jennifer M. Johnson (8/30)

Sherrie Shade (8/31)

Regina Rowland Perry (9/07)

Jael Delva (9/14)

Allie Martin (9/29)

Darlene Miller (9/30)

Happy AKAversary Happy AKAversary

Christina Young

September 18, 2016

Sending an earth shattering SKEE-WEE to all my OMO Sorors!!!

Happy Chapterversary!!! On behalf of the Social Amenities committee, we humbly thank you for paving the way for this fantabulous chapter!

-plishments AKA

Soror Natrisha Spencer – Extremely excited to announce that she is now engaged to her partner of 4 years as of 7/1/23! She has also started a new position as the Medical Inpatient Social worker at CHOP as of– 7/24/23!

Soror Jasmine Barber – Super excited to announce that she is now the new head coach for the middle school field hockey team at The Baldwin school

Soror Regina Council – Will be taking her career on a new journey as she heads down south, to fill the role of an executive leader with Amazon

Soror TiRease Holmes – Has reached yet another milestone in this thing called life, and purchased a new home!

Soror Shauna Singleton – Excited to announce that she has transitioned her talents and skills over to Anne B. Day school as a teacher!

Soror Jaymin Sanford-DeShields – Has reached a monumental point in her career… super stoked to announce that she has officially retired from Temple University as a Professor after 32 fabulous years!

Let’s give our Sorors infinite claps, snap their wonderful AKA-pl Please

Basileus Awards Basileus Awards Basileus Awards

Scan Below

Soaring With Protocol

Dear Sorors,

We had a wonderful session at our Chapter Retreat entitled “Prepared, Posed, and Ready to Soar with Protocol”. Thank you to our protocol fashion show models, Sorors Rochelle, Joyce, Jasmine, Gigi, Sheronda, Jada, and Diondra, for representing common dos and don'ts in attire worn during chapter meetings, rituals, and other social occasions. Sorors, we hope you enjoyed the session and can review some of the key highlights below:

Presiding officer determines dress code for events

Business attire can include closed-toe shoes, sandals, hosiery (optional), short or long sleeves, knee-length skirts, or pant suits

Formal attire includes long evening gowns and is the only appropriate choice for formal events

Pants, pantsuits, hats, and boots are not acceptable attire for any rituals. When buying paraphernalia, shop from authorized vendors only

Address the presiding officer with Madam Supreme Basileus, Madam Regional Director, Madam Basileus

The numeric order of the term of office should be used for Former Supreme Basilei and Former Regional Directors Numerical designation is given when the officer comes out of office

It is tradition of Alpha Kappa Alpha to stand as a sign of respect to our Supreme Basileus, Former Supreme Basileus and Regional Director

There is no greeting before prayer, meditation, grace or invocation

There is no skee-weeing during business meetings

“Protocol having been established” is out of order and should never be said Use non-Greek titles when non-members are present - no “Madam Supreme Basileus” instead “International President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®” Our Committees are also International Committees.

Written and electronic correspondence on behalf of the chapter must be approved by Basileus and Protocol Chairman, when necessary (i e flyers)

Name tags should be removed or turned over for security and aesthetic reasons

The use of the pinky hand gesture is reserved for casual or social settings It should not be used in photos in business settings

There should not be any alcohol or drugs in pictures as we present ourselves as Alpha Kappa Alpha women

Alpha Kappa Alpha women should pose as Alpha Kappa Alpha women

Always delete Alpha Kappa Alpha files from public area computers

Do not use social media to discuss private and intended information for active members

As

prepare for our Cluster II Conference on

we

Saturday, October 7th in King of Prussia, let’s remember the above and show other Sorors that Omega Mu Omega Sorors are soaring with protocol!

Sisterly, Soror Shauna C

Chapterwebsite!

https://akaomegamuomega.org/ Members only section.

Password Update: alongtheriver1908

Reports/Forms/Chapter Documents can be found under the Chapter Documents tab.

FlyersColors/Branding

Per Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Brand Guidelines...

Fonts: Georgia font (written or typed communication) and Verdana font for electronic communication (social media).

Colors: For professional printing use Pantone 182 (pink) and Pantone 354 (green). When printing from a personal computer, use RGB codes R243, G176, B177 (pink) and R168, G218, B97 (green). On websites and other online platforms use Hex codes F3B0B1 (pink) and A8DA61 (green).

pLEASEUSETHELINKORSCANTHEQRCodebelow foranytechnologyrequests.pLEASEALLOWUP TOONE(1)WEEKFORYOURREQUESTTOBE FULLFILLED.Pleasesendinatimelymatter.

https://bit.ly/OMOAKATechRequestForm

Omega Mu Omega 2023 Officers

Basileus Soror Milika Singleton

First Anti-Basileus Soror Sheronda-Rae Ball

Second Anti-Basileus Soror Shauna Singleton

Grammateus Soror Jennifer Johnson

Anti-Grammateus Soror Jael Delva

Tamiouchos Soror Sue Levy Giles

Anti-Tamiouchos Soror Janel Carrington Redcross

Pecunious Grammateus Soror Sara Greene

Anti-Pecunious Grammateus Soror Danielle Nicole Laws

Epistoleus Soror Jasmine Barber

Philacter Soror Deneen Hendrick

Hodegos Soror Alice Martin

Historian Soror Evelyn Sample-Oates

Ivy Leaf Reporter Soror Regina Rowland Perry

Parliamentarian Soror Kim Rush

Chaplain Soror Rochelle Liggins Johnson

Members-at-Large:

Soror Barbara G. Pratt

Soror Joyce Allen-Taylor

Soror Vicki Clark

Soror Alice Culver

Omega Mu Omega 2023 Standing Chairmen

Constitution and Bylaws-Soror Kim Rush

Finance-Soror Sue Levy Giles

Program-Soror Sheronda-Rae Ball

Nominating-Soror Jasmine Barber

Standards-Soror Christina Young

Membership-Soror Shauna Singleton

Connection and Social Action-Soror Allison Gibbs

Archives-Soror Evelyn Sample-Oats

Technology-Soror Medinah Bey

Leadership-Soror Barbara G. Pratt

Protocol- Soror Shauna Carter

Sisterly Relations-Soror TiRease Holmes

Rituals-Soror Rochelle Liggins Johnson

Tellers-Soror Natrisha Spencer

Scholarship-Soror Jocelynn Norris

Executive-Soror Milika Singleton

Fundraising- Soror Robin Bass

Social Amenities- Soror Alice Martin

Audit- Soror Christina Young

Risk Management- Soror Kim Rush

Other

Award- Veronica Hammond

Business Manager- Soror Adrienne Byrd

EAF- Soror Regina Rowland Perry

NPHC Representative- Soror Sicily Hill Parms

Newsletter- Soror Jasmine Barber

Strategic Planning- Soror Sue Levy Giles