SAR Excellence Editorial, Volume 1, Issue 1

Excellence T H E

Q U A R T E R L Y

N E W S L E T T E R

F O R

T H E

S O U T H

A T L A N T I C

R E G I O N

EDITORIAL

SERVING SIGNIFICANTLY

CONFERENCE RECAPS

Read Madam Regional

From Undergraduate Roundup

Take in this timely

Director's introductory address.

to Boulé - get a snapshot of

parliamentary refresher.

P3E

what happened.

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RISE. REACH. REPEAT.

A WORD FROM THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR Dearest Sorors,

I am so proud to be your new South Atlantic Regional Director. We are embarking on a journey together, and I am excited to do it with you, sorors.

We were created for such a time as this. We are ready to embrace and implement the vision for Exemplifying EXCELLENCE through Sustainable Service – the call to action from our Supreme Basileus Glenda Glover.

Rise. Reach. Repeat. Rise to the call set before you. Reach beyond good to embrace excellence. Repeat. “Serving Significantly: RISE, REACH, REPEAT” is the mantra I ask you to commit to your heart and mind as we approach the next four years together.

We’ve all heard it said that good is the enemy of great. So, we will RISE to the call of service that our Supreme Basileus has mandated. We will REACH beyond mediocre. Beyond “good enough.” Beyond “fair.” And we will do more than strive for excellence. We will EMBODY excellence. After all, we are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated!

We know that you are committed to learning how you can, on a local level, execute the international vision. We know from our understanding of politics that the vision comes internationally, and the work done at the local level is how that vision is executed.

Let’s start by understanding where we are: As of June 1, 2018, we have approximately 16,734 active members in the South Atlantic Region. There are 175 chapters total: 167 graduate and 53 undergraduate. We are a booming organization within an organization, sorors. And that is to be celebrated. However, it saddens me to note that while we have 60 total undergraduate chapters, 3 chapters are on suspension and 4 are under cease and desist status. Some of these chapters are repeat offenders. These numbers pain my heart, sorors.

Let me be clear: The fact that something was done to you is not a REASON to do something to someone else. We need to make sure that the hazing stops. Each of us must show, through word and action, that hazing will not be tolerated in Alpha Kappa Alpha.

We can do better. We were designed to do better. One way to make sure that we do better is to simply move in love. If the motivation, the process, and the outcome are not love, do not do it.

We are going to move in love to accomplish amazing things in the South Atlantic Region. We are significant because we are effective. This region is blessed to have each you in it, and I am honored to serve as your South Atlantic Regional Director. My commitment to you is to move with love as I serve significantly.

God bless every one of you.

In sisterly love,

Soror Carolyn G. Randolph

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Boulé

2018

INSTALLING THE NEXT WAVE OF LEADERSHIP Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 68th Boule was held July 6-12, 2018, in Houston, TX. During the big gala event, sorors were treated to an elegant installation ceremony during which our new South Atlantic Regional Director, along with her regional peers, was credentialed. At the South Atlantic Regional

Soror Sharon Brown Harriott , Madam Regional Director Carolyn G. Randolph t o e n e r g i z e t h e

Luncheon, Immediate Past Regional Director, joined with

region for the work ahead. Bedecked in sorority colors and western wear, the two regional leaders celebrated the past and the future of the region. Soror Randolph received a key to the region from Harriott. These images provide a peek into the events that set the stage for the next four years of excellence in the Significant South Atlantic Region.

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Soror Sharon Brown Harriott was a phenomenal leader for the region. Her vivacious spirit and love for Alpha Kappa Alpha will go down in the history of the South Atlantic Region as a beautiful expression of commitment and sacrifice.

Sisterhood IN ACTION

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Celebration A K A S O U T H A T L A N T I C R E G I O N . C O M

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P3E

PARLIAMENTARY PEARLS PROMOTING EXCELLENCE SUBMITTED BY SOROR BONNIE WASHINGTON MURDAH, PRP AND SOROR JOY JACKSON-GUILFORD

P3E will be reaching out to you throughout the year with timely information we either deem helpful, pertinent, or responsive to your queries of us. We are open to receiving and trying to answer any questions of procedure you direct to us. If the question is outside of our skill set, we will say so and suggest to what committee you might want to send it.

“Straightforwardness without the rules of propriety becomes rudeness” - Confucius When you click on our articles be prepared to have a lateral world opened to you for we will also be trying to entice you into the awesome world of parliamentary procedure where rules, precedents, custom, order, higher level authorities, law, documents, and practice take on a life of their own.

It is our one sincere hope that many, most, or all of you will choose to join us as we move down this path of enlightenment. Join us not because you have to but because you recognize the value inherent in such a journey.

Our one assurance to you is that if you do choose to move down the path with us, we will do everything within our power to help you become the member who is assured, comfortable, conversant and knowledgeable regarding what to do, when to do, how to do and know why YOU chose to do what needed to be done at the meeting!

“It is never too late to do the right thing” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The above quote of Dr. King is a refrain that you will hear P3E echo again and again. For though it is true that long-established practice is considered as unwritten rule by most, it “falls to the ground” in the face of a RULE. Overtime, this fact will undoubtedly continue to surface within any organized body to which you belong. Know that this is particularly true of our wonderful Sisterhood, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Most of you are now aware that there were Five Amendments adopted at the 68th Boule´ in Houston, TX, out of the eight that had been proposed. What is new information, perhaps, is that these adopted amendments have already been placed into our documents.

Of particular note is the provision dealing with the new guideline that must be adhered to if one wishes to become the Membership Intake Process Chairman. To be clear, no soror who has ever been suspended for Hazing will be allowed to serve in the position of the Membership Intake Process [MIP] Chairman.

Recognizing that some chapters process this differently – i.e. some appoint the position and others elect it (e.g. the 1st or 2nd Anti-Basileus may hold the position by “Virtue of Office”). Regardless of how it comes to be, any soror who has been suspended for hazing, will NOT hold it.

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LNDS

SUPREMELY LAUNCHING NEW DIMENSIONS OF SERVICE SUBMITTED BY SOROR KYSHIA CAREY ON BEHALF OF SOROR DOROTHY BUCKHANAN WILSON The 68th Boule in Houston was the culmination of the Launching New Dimensions of Service (LNDS) Administration.

Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson laid out the plan in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the sorors of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina started implementing immediately. Soror Sharon Brown Harriott, the 18th South Atlantic Regional Director, energized the region during each Undergraduate Round-up, Cluster Meeting, and Regional Conference. The expectations were set high, and the sorors of the South Atlantic Region performed above those expectations for the entire administration.

The South Atlantic Region was the

only region to achieve all program initiative goals. You served ASCEND students,

donated backpacks, raised money for hstorically black colleges and universities, and so much more. Sorors, this was achieved under the leadership of Soror Thuane B. Fielding, South Atlantic Region Representative to the International Program Committee.

What an awesome way to leave a lasting impression on the communities we serve! Additionally, the South Atlantic Region installed the second-highest number of historical markers between 2014-2018.

Not only have we served, we left reminders for generations to follow. From July 2014 until June 2018, the South Atlantic Region raised

$1,010,050.61 to benefit the AKA Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. We are especially proud of the efforts of

the EAF Coordinator under the LNDS Administration, Soror Deirdre Barrett England of Pi Alpha Omega Chapter in Atlanta.

Sorors, give yourselves a hand! No other region has ever made this type of impact with contributions in a four-year period.

You were the first and only region to contribute $1M to EAF, and you served significantly by doing so. During the forty eight months of the LNDS Administration, South Atlantic Region achieved

Pearl Perfect and Ivy Strong status. Check, Check, and

Check!

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Over

900 undergraduates and graduate members of

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated from the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina came together on September 7-9, 2018, at the Columbus, Georgia, Convention and Trade Center for the annual Undergraduate Round-Up Conference. The two-day conference weekend was themed “Game Changers

UGR

A RECAP OF THE UNDERGRADUATE ROUND-UP CONFERENCE SUBMITTED BY SOROR SHARONDA CHEEVER

Pursuing Excellence” and included leadership training

Game changers is the theme for the undergraduates of

and educational workshops on the new international

the region. She also said that we, the women of Alpha

program targets and best practices.

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., have high standards and should not want to tarnish our name because, “We were

The exciting international program for 2018-2022 will be

designed to do better; you are better.” She wants the

implemented under the theme “Exemplifying Excellence

undergraduates to live by the two-step plan of: 1. “If you

Through Sustainable Service.” The signature program is

have to think twice about it don’t do it,” and 2. “Move in

#CAPSM (College Admissions Process), which focuses on

love.” She doesn’t want the undergraduates to hurt each

motivating and assisting youth through the college entry

other by any means.

process. In addition, there are five Program Targets: HBCU for Life - A Call to Action, Women’s Healthcare

Soror Kaylen Long, the newly elected undergraduate

and Wellness, The Arts!, Building Your Economic Legacy

member-at-large also had an eventful day. I was able to

and Global Impact and seven Community Impact Days.

ask her about her experience thus far and she replied,

These targets will be addressed over the next four years

“This is great! I’m kind of nervous, but I am eager to serve!

and are among the critical issues impacting the quality

I’m so excited.” She led us in a game reviewing the new

of life for African Americans.

targets and basic Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. knowledge.

Ms. Alaina Reaves, the guest speaker,

Sorority members also participated in a Soles4Souls

spoke on “No vote, No voice.” The undergraduates have a

donation drive by collecting new or gently-worn shoes.

strong presence on college campuses, and they can

More than 1,000 pairs of shoes were donated and will

encourage other students to go out and vote. She

benefit to the John P. Thayer YMCA. Other conference

added, “I may not be a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha,

highlights included a Step and Stroll Competition – and

but you all exemplify excellence.” The breakout sessions

all performances were phenomenal. There were three

were the final events of the day.

winners: in third place was the

Zeta Omicron chapter of

Florida State University; second place went tothe

Gamma Tau chapter of Bethune-Cookman University; and the Eta Mu chapter of Georgia State University came in as the first-place winner. Soror Alexus Davis

The first session was led by

Soror Andrea Daniels, who

highlighted the Soror Code of Ethics. It was a great refresher. The next session was related to social media etiquette by

Soror Brittany Llantin. It is very important

from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Mu chapter

to watch what you put on social media, because

said, “The crowd was amazing, and the competition was

everyone is watching, even potential job offers. If you

stiff. The best part was that we were able to have fun

don’t know what is appropriate to post think, #WWED or

while performing.”

“What Would Ethel Do?” The final session was the Perspective Leadership Fellows Conversation. It detailed

The second day of the conference was for learning about

the requirements and benefits of being a Leadership

the perpetuity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,

Fellow. Soror Carolyn Randolph encouraged all who are

Incorporated. This was Soror Carolyn G. Randolph’s first

eligible, to please apply, because we are the largest

Undergraduate Round-Up as the regional director. Her

region and should have the most representation. Overall,

introduction stated that she is blessed, which was

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s

followed by her theme song “I’m Blessed” by Charlie

Undergraduate Round-Up and Retreat were informative

Wilson. She reminded us, “Game changers pursue

and energizing. We look forward to being Game

excellence.”

Changers!

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U G R

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MEET THE TEAM

THE APPOINTED CABINET MEMBERS AND CLUSTER COORDINATORS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION

Regional Technology Soror Dawn Cooper, Chairman Soror Deidre Gray-Wood

Regional Assistant Financial Secretary

(Registration Support)

Soror Evelyn Abron

Soror Harriett Williams (Website Reviews)

Regional Treasurer

Regional Graduate/Undergraduate

Cluster Coordinators CLUSTER I

Soror LaQuita Brooks

Services Coordinators

Soror Kay Madry Sullivan

CLUSTER II

Soror Rosalyn Shavers, Chairman Regional Grammateus

Soror Shiann Williamson

Soror Makisha Cheeks

Soror Rochelle Jones

Soror Sylvia Blackmon-Robert

CLUSTER III

Regional Hodegos

Regional Logistics Coordinator

Soror Clemontine Washington

Soror Ivadella Walters

Regional Parliamentarian

Regional Transportation Coordinator

Soror Tremelle I. Howard, Esq

Soror Cassandra Jenkins

Soror Felicia Leggett

CLUSTER IV Soror Joyce Barl

CLUSTER V

Regional Philacters Chairman

Regional Hospitality Coordinator

Soror M. Sue Stephens-Jackson

Soror Neshanta Banks

Soror Melanie Key Bales Regional Communications Officer

Regional Corporate Partnerships

CLUSTER VI

Soror Crystal Pruitt

Soror Tanika Cabral, Chairman

Soror Velice Cummings

Soror Rowena Loadholt, Regional Communications Liaison

Regional Spiritual Oversight Team

CLUSTER VII Soror Andrea Favor

CLUSTER VIII

Soror Henrietta Gray, Chairman Editor-in-Chief

Soror Sharon Berrian

Soror A. Kenyatta Greer

Soror Donna McCree

Soror Kyshia Carey, Editorial Assistant

Soror Rosalind Osgood

Soror Regina Campbell Regional Multi-Media Coordinator

Regional Medical Response Chairman

Regional Appointments

Soror Towanda Davila-Davis

Soror Connie Hampton

Regional Executive Assistant

Regional Social Media Coordinator

Regional Vendors Chairman

Soror Bronwyn Hughes

Soror Britney Llantin

Soror Maxine Lee

Regional Administrative Officers

Regional Protocol Chairman

Regional Tellers Chairman

Soror Donna Mackey-Pollard

Soror Rosalind Cook-Hillman

Soror Gussie Lofton-Broadway

Regional Technology

Undergraduate Roundup Task Force

Soror Lesha Price Crocker

Regional Office Manager

Soror Dawn Cooper, Chairman

Soror Leslie Plunkett, Chairman

Soror Angela Kimbrough

Soror Kira Reaves, Co-Chairman Soror Deidre Gray-Wood

Regional Financial Secretary

(Registration Support)

Strategic Resource Chairman

Soror Bettie McGuire

Soror Harriett Williams (Website Reviews)

Soror Angela Onianwa

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NEWSLETTER GUIDELINES

HOW AND WHEN TO SUBMIT ARTICLES TO THE EXCELLENCE EDITORIAL PROTOCOL NOTES

SUBMISSION NOTES

We will use soror (lowercase) when referencing no

Submit articles of between 300-500 words with a

soror in particular. Soror will be capitalized before all

picture and 500-700 words without a picture.

names and used in this publication, since it is sorority

Send images as separate .jpeg or .png files and NOT

exclusive.

embedded in a Word or PPT file.

Never use “Soror Dr.” or “Soror Mrs.” In the sorority

Send all submissions to newsletter.akasar@gmail.com.

publication, the “Soror” is courtesy title enough, unless

All articles should include a suggested title, followed

referencing someone by elected or appointed title on

by who is submitting the article, and then the text

first instance.

formatted as follows: single spaced, with no indents,

Madam should never have an “e” in it.

extra return between paragraphs.

Include chapter name when including a soror name.

No clip art will be received and used with articles.

Use “chairman” – never “chair” or “chairwoman.”

Late submissions will be held over until the next issue.

Submit photos with variety – not always “grip and grin” and posed shots.

UPCOMING PUBLICATION DEADLINES Publish – F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 4 , Deadline – F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 2 1 Publish – F r i d a y , A p r i l 1 2 , Deadline – F r i d a y , M a r c h 2 9 Publish – F r i d a y , J u l y 1 2 , Deadline – F r i d a y , J u n e 2 8 SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO NEWSLETTER.AKASAR@GMAIL.COM.

PRAYER CALL

MONTHLY REGIONAL CALL DETAILS Join us for prayer the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. The conference call details are below:

Number: 712-832-8330 Code: 5519432#

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, had three teams in the Top 10:

Lambda Epsilon Omega w a s N o . 5 , Chi Tau Omega w a s N o . 8 , a n d Unity in the Community w a s N o . 9 .

There were also three sorors in the Top 10 participants category:

Soror Dorothy Moore

Soror Phyllis Kitchens

Soror Cheryl Walker

CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT CHI PSI OMEGA HOSTS ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR

Nearly 400 South Florida residents attended

Chi Psi Omega Chapter’s Community Health Fair on October 6, 2018.

Residents received bags of fresh organic produce, and a wealth of resources and information from over forty vendors including Broward Health Community Outreach Women’s Center, Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies, Urgent Care Medical Services, New Florida Majority Education Fund, Brief Therapy Institute and Psychology Service Center, Rx Smart Coffee, Supportabilities Foundation, Florida Department of Health, University of Miami Organ Recovery, OneBlood Mobile Unit, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter. Complimentary services offered included flu shots, physical examinations, hearing tests, blood pressure tests, glucose/pre-diabetes and cholesterol screening, HIV tests, BMI assessments, orthopedic exams, physical therapy and more. The health fair is an annual partnership with Rickards Middle School in Oakland Park, Florida, where and

Dr. Washington Collado serves as principal. Soror Lisa M. Smith serves as chair,

Soror Yulanda Smith-Ellis serves as co-chair of the Target II: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness Committee for Chi

Psi Omega chapter.

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