The Konnection January 2023

KONNECTION KONNECTION

ASSOCIATED WITH A COMMON PURPOSE OF SERVICE & SISTERHOOD

OFFICERS OFFICERS

AGENDA AGENDA

C a l l t o O r d e r M e d i t a t i o n Q u o r u m V a l i d a t i o n A d o p t i o n o f A g e n d a A p p r o v a l o f M i n u t e s C o r r e s p o n d e n c e B a s i l e u s A n t i B a s i l e u s P e c u n i o u s G r a m m a t e u s T a m i o u c h o s H o d e g o s

M e m b e r s h i p S i s t e r l y R e l a t i o n s

S P E C I A L / A D H O C R E P O R T S

F o u n d e r s ‘ D a y S c h o l a r s h i p

T a m i k a S l a c k , B a s i l e u s A n d r e a R o b i n s o n , C h a p l a i n C o n n i e G o r e , P h i l a c t e r T a m i k a S l a c k , B a s i l e u s C h a r l e n e E d w a r d s , G r a m m a t e u s Y a t c h a B a r n e s , E p i s t o l e u s

T a m i k a S l a c k C h i q u i t a C o o p e r C h a t t o r i a G l y m p h T u r q u o i s e J o l l y - B r o w n R o n a L e B l a n c - R i v e r a

Y a t c h a B a r n e s / L a t r i c i a J a m e s Y a t c h a B a r n e s

C h a t t o r i a G l y m p h / C h a r l e n e E d w a r d s C o n n i e G o r e

H I L T O N G A R D E N I N N P O R T S T . L U C I E , F L | J A N U A R Y 2 1 | 1 0 : 3 0 A M

O F F I C E R R E P O R T S

S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T S

S t r e n g t h e n O u r S i s t e r h o o d

W E A R E O N E A r i c a C a r t e r

E m p o w e r O u r F a m i l i e s

A r n a t e r D o w e r s C H I P P

B u i l d O u r E c o n o m i c W e a l t h

E n h a n c e O u r E n v i r o n m e n t

A d v o c a t e F o r S o c i a l J u s t i c e

U p l i f t O u r L o c a l C o m m u n i t y

U n f i n i s h e d B u s i n e s s

N e w B u s i n e s s

A n n o u n c e m e n t s

M e e t i n g A d j o u r n e d T a m i k a S l a c k

Epistoleus Report

P . O . B o x C o r r e s p o n d e n c e :

S e a s o n s G r e e t i n g 2 0 2 2 - D a n e t t e R e e d , I n t e r n a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t & C E O 2 0 2 22 0 2 4 B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

F a l l M a i l i n g P a r t 2

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s R e s o u r c e G u i d e M e d i a R e a l t i o n s & P r o d u c t i o n R e s o u r c e G u i d e S t a n d a r d s R e s o u r c e G u i d e S o N o w Y o u ’ r e E l e c t e d D i r e c t o r a t e , C o m m i t t e e s , & S t a f f D i r e c t o r y 2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 4 E A F R e s o u r c e G u d i e

E m a i l C o r r e s p o n d e n c e :

HAPPY NEW YEAR

January 15, 2023, marks Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 115-year anniversary

We are 115 years Standing Strong Like the ivy Be Founders’ Day is a time we reflect on the brave women that began an organization during a time when African American women were censored and very limited on what they could do. We all know each one of their stories, but it’s during this time we must reflect on how GREAT of a story each one of them were We stand on the shoulders of our Founders who had a vision fair to bring college educated like minded women together to service our communities and empower each other

They were courageous, intelligent, determined, and trailblazers We should always remember in every chapter meeting, in every service project, in every encounter we have with other Sorors and with others outside of our organization, who our founders are and the reasons they began this illustrious organization We should also always remember the diligence it took for them to gain perpetuity. Each one of us are the future they envisioned.

I am excited to begin year two of my presidency. Thank You Sorors for your constant support In 2023 we will focus on improving our chapter operations and updating our bylaws Our chapter is consistently among the Best of the Best each year and we will work diligently to ensure this continues

requires

TD Jakes

I will ask that each committee chairman conduct a committee meeting by the February meeting The expectation is that we set goals and work throughout the year to achieve those goals

The 2023 Regional Conference is rapidly approaching Please be on the lookout for an email from the South Atlantic Region for registration information.

In closing, I would like to extend another huge welcome to the newest members of Psi Pi Omega, Soror Dashan Person, Soror Keiarra Slack, and Soror Tierra Smith. I am looking forward to working with each of you

“Excellence

discomfort”

Executive Board Meeting

EBOARD-February 1st | 8PM | Zoom

Upcoming Chapter Meetings

o February 11th | 10:30AM | Hilton

o March 11th | 10:30AM | TBA

o April 8th | 10:30AM | TBA

C O N F E R E N C E S

International Founders Day |

January 13-16th | Washington D.C.

SARC | April 26-30th | Orlando, FL ($230)

Leadership 2023 | July 9-16th | Chicago, IL

Boule

o 2024 Dallas, TX

o 2025 Anaheim, CA

o 2026 Las Vegas, NV

S T A Y I N G C O N N E C T E D

TD JAKES

“EXCELLENCE REQUIRES DISCOMFORT”

Bylaws

Penny Augustin-Birch*

Terrye Branch

Turquoise Brown

Charlene Edwards

Alexis Gary Elizabeth Gordon Rona LeBlanc-Rivera Devora Parke

Budget & Finance

Turquoise Brown* Mahogany Campbell Chiquita Cooper Jasmine Crews Chattoria Glymph Ruth Hightower Raelyn Holmes Mishka Symonette Program Chiquita Cooper*

Nominating

Rona LeBlanc-Rivera* Yatcha Barnes

Mahogany Campbell Janieta McCarthy

Vacancy Standards

Michelle Ross* Kortney Arthur Chiquita Cooper Charlene Edwards

Alexis Gary Carol Gipson

Chattoria Glymph Elizabeth Gordon Rona LeBlanc-Rivera

Standards

Raelyn Holmes Allison Jones Lauren Leandre

Membership

Yatcha Barnes*

Latricia James* Panayotta Birch Chiquita Cooper Connie Gore Carol Gipson

Chattoria Glymph Janieta McCarthy

Social Media

Yatcha Barnes* Teria Hines Latricia James Keiarra Slack

Technology

Allison Jones*

Yatcha Barnes Mahogany Campbell Teria Hines Latricia James Tesa Languedoc Crystal Nesbeth Keiarra Slack

A

Connection

Latricia James* Didi Abbate

Pamela Welmon Coleman Kendra Ford

Alexis Gary Teria Hines Lauren Leandre Claire Nesbeth Devora Parke Adia Stokes

Archives

Carol Gipson* Tia Anderson Brown Yatcha Barnes Jailyn Brown Arica Carter Anderson Connie Gore Carla Parker

Awards & Exhibits

Janieta McCarthy* Jailyn Brown Leesa Davis Ruth Hightower Carol Washington

Protocol Ruth Hightower* Kortney Arthur Panayotta Augustin-Birch Arnater Dowers Charlene Edwards Chattoria Glymph Tesa Languedoc Devora Parke Keianna Simon Keiarra Slack Mishka Symonette

Sisterly Relations

Yatcha Barnes*

Gaone Abbate

Kortney Arthur

Arica Carter Anderson April Cheeseboro

Jasmine Crews

Leesa Davis

Kendra Ford

Carol Gipson

Teria Hines

Allison Jones

Contesa Languedoc

Lauren Leandre

Dashan Person

Andrea Robinson

Keianna Simon

Tierra Smith

Risk Management

Kortney Arthur*

Panayotta Birch

Jasmine Crews

Carol Gipson

Contesa Languedoc Michelle Ross Carol Washington

S T A N D I N

Audit

Mahogany Campbell*

Elizabeth Gordon

Carol Gipson Raelyn Holmes Carla Parker

Basileus Council Kortney Arthur Yatcha Barnes Mahogany Campbell Gwendolyn Thompson

EAF

Charlene Edwards* Kendra Ford Ruth Hightower Raelyn Holmes Keiarra Slack Adia Stokes Carol Washington

Founders’ Day

Yatcha Barnes Charlene Edwards * Chattoria Glymph *

Fundraising

Yatcha Barnes

Turquoise Brown Chiquita Cooper* Mahogany Campbell Claire Dickson Nesbeth

Carol Gipson

Chattoria Glymph Elizabeth Gordon

Raelyn Holmes Ruth Hightower Claire Nesbeth

Keianna Simon Adia Stokes

Hospitality

Rona LeBanc-Rivera* Tia Anderson-Brown Jailyn Brown Arica Carter Anderson Melody Creese Ruth Hightower Pamela Joseph Dashan Person Keianna Simon Carol Washington Music Carla Parker* Tia Anderson-Brown April Cheeseboro Kendra Ford Connie Gore Dashan Person Pan Hellenic Latricia James*

Publicity

Latricia James* Leesa Davis Teria Hines

Retreat

Chattoria Glymph* Kortney Arthur Yatcha Barnes

Turquoise Brown Arica Carter Mahogany Campbell Claire Nesbeth

Dashan Person Tierra Smith

Rituals

Chattoria Glymph* Kortney Arthur Jasmine Crews Leesa Davis Arnater Dowers Allison Jones Rona LeBlanc-Rivera Devora Parke Dashan Person Andrea Robinson Miretha Wiley

Scholarship

Connie Gore* Yatcha Barnes Turquoise Brown Charlene Edwards Kendra Ford Teria Hines Latricia James Janieta McCarthy Andrea Robinson Michelle Ross Adia Stokes

Carol Washington Strategic Planning

Lauren Leandre* Panayotta Augustin-Birch Mahogany Campbell Chiquita Cooper Alexis Gary Carol Gipson Rona LeBlanc-Rivera

The Thread

Tia Anderson-Brown

Jaylin Brown

Connie Gore

Chattoria Glymph

Carla Parker

S P E C I A L

A D H O

ANTI BASILEUS REPORT

We will kick off 2023 with the We are One program on Dr. Martin Luther King Day at LAHIA. PPO will be serving breakfast to local residents that visit the center. Our Black Dollar Days program will be a year-round program with a combination of socil media promotion as well as shop with us events. The committee is planning to identify a business to patronize in February. If you have any ideas for local Black owned businesses, please text or e-mail with your suggestions.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

We Are One Black Dollar Days

“Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood”

INITIATIVE 1: STRENGTHEN OUR SISTERHOOD THE SIGNATURE PROGRAM

This initiative will focus on our Sisters via the following:

· AKA Soror Squads

· AKA Pals

· Random Acts of Sisterliness

· “We Are One” AKA Service Day

· Leadership Development

INITIATIVE 2: EMPOWER OUR FAMILIES

This initiative will promote families by focusing on:

· Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP™)

· Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)

· Mental Health Awareness

· Our Seniors

INITIATIVE 3: BUILD OUR ECONOMIC WEALTH

This initiative will continue to focus on key strategies that build on personal and community economic wealth:

· For Members Only™ Credit Union

· Financial Wellness & Planned Giving

· Sister Circles

· Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

· Black Dollar Days

INITIATIVE 4: ENHANCE OUR ENVIRONMENT

This initiative will promote the adoption of more sustainable and responsible practices.

· Tree Planting

· Community and Home Gardens

· Waste Reduction

· Shredding and Electronics Recycling Day

INITIATIVE 5: ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® will continue to stand in the gap by equipping our community with the tools, knowledge, and support to actively engage in Social Justice via

· Voter Education, Registration, and Mobilization

· Public Policy Forums

· Candidate Forums

· Public Servant’s Guides

INITIATIVE 6: UPLIFT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority® will celebrate excellence, promote a focus on service, stimulate effective culture and showcase best practices through implementing the following recognition programs.

· Celebrating Local Community Impact

· Chapter Collaborations Recognition Program

“Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood”

Psi Pi Omega Financial List 2023

Gaone Abbate

Tia Anderson-Brown

Kortney Arthur

Panayotta Augustin-Birch

Yatcha Barnes Jailyn Brown

Turquoise Brown Christie Briggs-Goldson Marian Carpenter Arica Carter April Cheeseboro Carol Connor Gipson Chiquita Cooper Jasmine Crews Leesa Davis

Claire Dickson-Nesbeth Arnater Dowers

Charlene Edwards Kendra Ford Elmira Gainey

Chattorria Glymph

Elizabeth Gordon

Constance Gore

Ruth Hightower Teria Hines

Raelyn Holmes Pamela Joseph Allison Jones Contesa Languedoc Lauren Leandre

Rona Leblanc-Rivera Mahogany Newell Devora Parke Carlistein Parker Dashan Person Andrea Robinson Michelle Ross Keianna Simon Tamika Slack Keiarra Slack Tierra Smith Adia Stokes

Latricia Stubbs-James Mishka Symonette Gwendolyn Thompson Carol Washington Pamela Welmon Miretha Wiley

Pecunious

Standing/Ad Hoc Committee Monthly Report

Committee: Hospitality Committee Date: Jan 10, 2023

Members Present: Arica Carter, Carol Washington, Tia Anderson-Brown, Ruth Hightower, Turquoise Jolly Brown, Keianna Simon, Pamela Joseph, Dashan Person, Tamika Slack, Rona LeBlanc-Rivera

GOAL/OBJECTIVE OF COMMITTEE (Statement of Task): To support the office of Hodegos.

UPDATES:

• January chapter meeting location: Hilton Garden Inn 8540 Commerce Centre Drive Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986

Reminder: No food or beverage service at the Jan meeting Theme: none; wear business attire

• The roster will be circulated to the chapter and Sorors are asked to provide any changes (birthdays, AKAversaries, address, phone).

• January Birthdays

1/3 – Soror Gwen

1/21 – Soror Janieta

1/4 – Soror Alexis 1/26 – Soror Didi

1/8 – Soror Michelle 1/29 – Soror Mahogany

1/14 – Soror Leesa

Card assignments: Feb – Pam J; Mar – Keianna; Apr – Carol W.

Song:

Happy Happy Birthday on your special day

Happy Happy Birthday we are here to say

Happy Happy Birthday may all your dreams come true

Happy Happy Birthday from AKA to you

Woo!!!

• AKAversaries

1/19 – Soror Penny

• Congratulations!

Soror Carol W and Soror Janieta – son/brother got married

Soror Arica – received a promotion

• Prayer requests

Soror Terrye and family for continued peace & comfort during this time.

Soror Keisha – grandfather passed

Soror Pam J – lost her sister-in-law

M E M B E R S H I P

P S I P I O M E G A S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T - J A N 2 0 2 3

Meeting Attendance :

1/4/2023

O B J E C T I V E

A n E n h a n c e d M e m b e r s h i p E x p e r i e n c e ( M E )

M E E T I N G R E C A P

E n h a n c e d M e m b e r s h i p E x p e r i e n c e : F e b r u a r y 1 7 - 1 9 , 2 0 2 3 C h i c a g o , I L - p r i o r i t y t r a i n i n g a n d c e r t i f i c a t i o n f o r u n d e r g r a d u a t e c h a p t e r s t h a t d i d n o t a t t e n d t r a i n i n g i n N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2

U P D A T E S :

M e m b e r s h i p T r a n s i t i o n :

T r a n s f e r s O u t g o i n g : M e l o d y C r e e s e - G e n e r a l M e m b e r N a d i n e J a c k s o n - L i f e / G e n e r a l M e m b e r

T r a n s f e r s I n c o m i n g : D a s h a n P e r s o n K e i a r r a S l a c k T e i r r a S m i t h

I B T W : G w e n d o l y n T h o m p s o n

F o u n d e r s ‘ D a y / R e a c t i v a t i o n D a y 1 4 I n a c t i v e / G e n e r a l M e m b e r s i n v i t e d | 4 a c c e p t e d i n v i t a t i o n R e v i e w e d / U p d a t e d l i s t o f i n a c t i v e / g e n e r a l m e m b e r s i n P o r t S t L u c i e , a n d M a r t i n C o u n t y M e n t o r / M e n t e e - R e m i n d e r s M e n t o r / M e n t e e “ S I S T E R S W A P ” ( s p e e d m e e t i n g ) d u r i n g F e b r u a r y c h a p t e r m e e t i n g

Tamika Slack , Latricia James, Connie Gore, Carol Gipson, Chattoria Glymph, Chiquita Cooper , and Janieta Washington

O B J E C T I V E

P S I P I O M E G A S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T - J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3

Meeting

Attendance :

1/10/23

Didi Abbate, Kortney Arthur, Yatcha Barnes, Arica Carter April Cheeseboro, Jasmine Crews, Carol Gipson, Teria Hines, Allison Jones, Tesa Languedoc, Lauren Leandrea, Keianna Simon, Dasahan Person, Tierra Smith, and Tamika Slack

W e w i l l i n t e n t i o n a l l y t a k e t i m e t o f e l l o w s h i p a n d f o r m l i f e l o n g r e l a t i o n s h i p s b a s e d o n a f f i n i t y , l o v e , t r u s t , r e s p e c t , a n d s h a r e d g o a l s a n d i n t e r e s t s , w h i l e c o n c u r r e n t l y b u i l d i n g o n o u r f o u n d a t i o n t o s e r v e o t h e r s .

M E E T I N G R E C A P

S i s t e r l y R e l a t i o n s | S t r e n g t h e n O u r S i s t e r h o o d t o r u n c o n c u r r e n t l y f o r a c o m b i n e d o b j e c t i v e . P l a n n i n g f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g a r e a s o f f o c u s :

S i s t e r s S q u a d s S A R I n i t i a t i v e “ F i r s t F r i d a y F e l l o w s h i p ” A K A P a l s

O U T C O M E S A N D C O N C L U S I O N

F i r s t F r i d a y F e l l o w S A R s o r o r s o n t h e f i r s t F r i d a y o f e a c h m o n t h a r e a s k e d t o d e m o n s t r a t e o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o t h i s i n i t i a t i v e b y u s i n g t h i s d a y t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h o u r l i n e s i s t e r s , c h a p t e r s o r o r s , o r s o r o r s q u a d s

2 0 2 3 C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s : J a n u a r y - S o r o r S q u a d & A K A P a l s | P a g e T u r n e r s “ W h e n N o O n e i s W a t c h i n g ” b y A l y s s a C o l e 1 s t 1 0 0 p a g e s , c h e c k - i n , F r i d a y , 1 3 t h H a l f w a y 2 0 0 p a g e s , W e d n e s d a y , 1 8 t h | 7 P M I n - P e r s o n b o o k r e v i e w T B D L e a d : S o r o r K e i a n n a S i m o n

J a n u a r y 1 6 t h“ W e A r e O n e ” A K A / M L K S e r v i c e D a y - L A H I A S t u a r t , F L 6 : 4 5 A M A r r i v a l | B r e a k f a s t S e r v e d 9 A M L e a d : S o r o r A r i c a C a r t e r

F e b r u a r y 4 t h - G a l e n t i n e s G a m e N i g h t 6 - 9 P M V e r a n d a G a r d e n s C l u b h o u s e 4 4 6 V a l l a r t a D r . P o r t S t . L u c i e , F L L e a d : S o r o r D a s h a n C a r t e r

M a r c h - C h a p t e r F i r s t F r i d a y F e l l o w s h i p A p r i l - C h a p t e r R e g i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e M a y - C r a f t i n g C r e a t i v e s J u n e - P P O F a m i l y F i e l d D a y A C T I O N R E Q U I R E D

M O T I O N ( S )

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•

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Standing/Ad Hoc Committee Monthly Report

Date: January 2023

Committee: Scholarship Target:

Members

GOAL/OBJECTIVE OF COMMITTEE (Statement of Task):

• To provide a minimum of four scholarships to African American female high school seniors.

• Two students from any Martin County high school and two students from high schools within the City of Port St. Lucie. Participating high schools are listed on the eligibility criteria page.

• The scholarships will be announced/awarded in April or May 2023.

MEETING RECAP:

• Committee members will be provided updated high school application to be disbursed to the high schools this week. Special thanks to Soror Yatcha for updating the application.

• Soror Latricia, Soror Andrea and Soror Turquoise will work on criteria and application for our HBCU scholarship. Criteria will also include the reason behind awarding this HBCU scholarship is due to the fact our international bylaws state the HBCU initiative is now a permanent initiative.

• Soror Teria and Soror Yatcha will check to make sure we can still use the QR code from last year and that all information is updated.

• Soror Yatcha will update our social media with information regarding the application process.

• Soror Connie will work to get the scholarship uploaded to the Martin County school district Guidance website.

• Reminder for committee members assigned to individual schools to turn in their assigned school Guidance dept contact information to committee chairpersons.

Present: Connie Gore, Latricia Stubbs, Yatcha Barnes, Tamika Slack, Andrea Robinson, Turquoise Brown, Teria Hines

Applications due February 28, 2023

St. Lucie/Martin Spring Break March 13th - 17th

Last Day of School Martin County- May 26th

Last Day of School St Lucie County-June 1st

Next Meeting is scheduled TBA at 7:00 pm

Standing/Ad Hoc Committee Monthly Report

Committee: “We Are One” AKA Day of Service Date: January 16, 2023

Members Present: 16 sorors were in attendance

GOAL/OBJECTIVE OF COMMITTEE (Statement of Task):

To promote unity and serve our local community.

MEETING RECAP:

Sorors and family volunteers, prepared and served breakfast for approximately 40 homeless men and women.

OUTCOMES AND CONCLUSIONS:

Breakfast was prepared and served successfully. Due to the cold weather, there was less of a turnout than what was originally anticipated. L.A.H.I.A and all who were served, were very thankful and reported they would like Psi Pi Omega to return.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION OR CHAPTER CONSIDERATION:

I would recommend Psi Pi Omega continue to partner with L.A.H.I.A. at least on an annual basis.

Due to limited space at the facility, sorors should work in at least two shifts of 5-8 sorors. An early shift that would prepare and cook, and a later shift to serve and clean.

EVENT SUMMARY AND EVALUATION FEEDBACK (FINAL REPORT ONLY):

PPO served Power Packs to 95 members at the Port Saint Boys and Girls Club Pruitt campus.

PPO received a warm welcome and handmade thank you cards.

To Make plans for Spring Break.

develop relationships and make preparations to provide AKA Power Packs to students during Spring Break and creative considerations for Summer Break.

O N N E C T I O N