Six months came and went just like that Sorors! After you take a bow for a job well done over the first half of this year, please enjoy our much-needed summer recess. I am looking forward to a time of relaxing and refreshing and I trust you are as well. This Chapter has been hard at work from January to the present day. This past month and a half have been filled with exceptional events.
In May we showcased our Soror Squads and held our first Sorors Only Session geared towards promoting our mental health and wellness. Our YLI students finished strong with a presentation recap of all that they have learned over the past few months, including the awareness gained from our Mental Health program in partnership with OK2Say. We also selected our scholarship recipients.
Our Juneteenth partnership with the Sterling Heights African American Coalition and the City of Sterling Heights was a great opportunity to showcase our Chapter and fellowship with the community, our D9 Sisters, and Actor/Author/Activist/ALPHAman Hill Harper! We also had a chance to Wear Pink, Spend Green, and Buy Black in support of Black Dollar Days! OXO Members represented at the MI DAC, we even made the Local News! Lastly, we EXCEEDED our goal for our 4th Annual Tickled Pink Comedy & Jazz Brunch!
Way to go OXO, enjoy your summer recess because you have truly worked hard and you deserve it!
Blessings,
Soror Keia
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The Omega Xi Omega Chapter was chartered and exists as the result of clear collective vision and strong leadership. As women of character, we seek to embody and enact the highest ethical standards within our chapter while fostering a culture of uncompromising unity both within our chapter - as evidenced by the strong bonds of sisterhood among our members - and within the community as demonstrated by exemplary programmatic service and our strong partnerships with local community leaders and service organizations
Soror Keia Perry-Farr
Basileus
Soror Charo Earle
Anti-Basileus
Soror Michelle Williams-Ward
Grammateus
Soror Cathy Carr
Anti-Grammateus
Soror Tamaria White
Epistoleus
Soror Linda Ewing
Tamiouchos
Soror Kimberley Will
Pecunious Grammateus
Soror Teneka Liddell
Hodegos
Soror Kea Norrell-Aitch
Philacter
Soror Stephanie Edwards
Parliamentarian
Soror Brianna Harris
Ivy Leaf Reporter
Soror Carla Postell
Historian
Soror Juanae Stephen
Chaplain
Soror Melanie Harris-Farmer
Member-at-Large
Soror Pamela Tinsley
Former Basileus
Bylaws:SororStephanieEdwards
Finance:SororLindaEwing
Program:SororCharoEarle
Standards:SororTuandaWard-Holmes
Membership:SororCarlaPostell
Archives:SororCarlaPostell
Technology:SororNathifaRiley
LeadershipDevelopment:SororSandraBoykins
Courtesy:SororTenekaLiddell
Protocol:SororGloriaWare
Fundraising:SororCydGrace
Publicity:SororBriannaHarris
EAF:SororShawndalynn"Nikki"Roberson
RiskManagement:SororConsueloMartinez
Awards:SororBriannaHarris
StrengthenOurSISTERHOOD:SororDwanMcGrady(SisterlyRelations)
EmpowerOurFAMILIES:SororShemyaDoster
BuildOurECONOMICWEALTH:SororHelenaJones
EnhanceOurENVIRONMENT:SororHeatherLloyd
AdvocateforSOCIALJUSTICE:SororEdnaClark(Connections)
UpliftOurLOCALCOMMUNITY:SororTomaraNolen
ADHOCCOMMITTEE&CHAIRMAN
Rituals:SororPamelaTinsley
ScholarshipCommittee:VestaRumphy
InternalAudit:SororTuandaWard-Holmes
NPHCRepresentatives
SororArgentinaAbney
SororMichellaKing
SororMichelleWilliams-Ward
OXO's very own Mental health professionals held a Mental Health Sorors Only Session, where Sorors were educated on anxiety and depression. They walked through a mindfulness exercise and were given a take-home exercise on gratefulness. Sorors left with a care package that included an affirmation journal, a gratefulness jar, inspiring stickers, and a positive phrase pen.
Please join me on the 19th of each month for the Sisters Refueling Our Faith Prayer Call from 7:00-7:08 pm via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82514228338?
pwd=QkVGK1JTK0NnWVRSblB1Y2x5am1xdz09
Sorors, as we approach our summer break, let us relax and be safe so that we will all come back together rejuvenated. With that said, let us not forget to give thanks to the one who has given us everything and who continues to bless us daily. This is just a brief reminder. Have a wonderful Summer!
My heart starts racing as well as my thoughts. My muscles tighten and I get nervous and nauseous. Sometimes there is tingling and numbness in my hands and feet What is going on with me, am I losing my mind or having a heart attack?
The answer may be more simple than you think: Anxiety Disorders can take shape in your body in many different forms: both physically and psychologically (triggering the fight, flight or freeze response) The truth is everyone experiences anxiety in some form or another, and in small increments, anxiety can help us positively navigate stress. However there are other times these symptoms are cued hyperactively, becoming more of a hinderance than a helping tool
The symptoms listed above are some of the most common ways anxiety manifests itself in the body. Treatment can consistent of psychotherapy, meditation, medications, deep breathing, mindfulness, mild to moderate exercise, healthy diet, and/ or proper sleep hygiene
What about excessive sleeping, diminished pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, lack of concentration, a lack of motivation, weight loss or weight gain and persistent sadness? These symptoms (and more) note Depression Disorders which can develop within a person based on a myriad of factors: genetics, low self- worth, exposure to trauma and chronic illness/pain to name a few.
Treatment for depression may involve a combination of exercise, medication, psychotherapy, health sleeping and eating patterns as well as repeated social interactions where appropriate
How many of my readers have experienced a car accident, imprisonment, (unexpected or expected) death of a loved one, abuse, assault, job loss, significant other (parent, siblings, etc) abandonment, witnessing a crime, natural disaster, serious illness?
These crisis oriented events may spur the onset of Trauma. Trauma is marked by any distressing event or series of events where a person’s ability to cope has been compromised or diminished in some capacity Some individuals will naturally develop Acute Stress Disorder, followed by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (when symptoms last longer than one month). Such symptoms include flashbacks, mood swings, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, nightmares, and avoidance.
The good news is you do not have to go it alone There are many contemporary and classic approaches to managing trauma related conditions. Consider the following types of therapeutic approaches: EMDR (eye movement de-sensitization and reprocessing), CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), exposure therapy, (ACT) acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive reprocessing therapy. Psychiatric medications, trauma sensitive yoga or acupuncture are additional avenues available.
By acknowledging, accepting and formulating an action plan, symptoms can be addressed, treated and managed in order to create a more balance lifestyle.
Visit:
National Alliance of Mental Illness (1 800 950 6264)
National Helpline Database for additional resources and support National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, Psychology Today Database
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1.800.662.4357)
Partner with us in Our Rally Cry to Pray for Our Nation!
Pray that God’s will would be done in our nation. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Vice Chair of the African American Coalition of Sterling Heights
The African American Coalition of Sterling Heights was established by the city in 2020 to create a forum to help connect the city leadership with its more than 10,000 African American residents. The Group’s mission is “unwavering advocacy for a culture of belonging and inclusion for African Americans in every facet of Sterling Heights.”
How long have you served in your current position?
This is my second year serving as Vice Chair. I started about six or seven months after the organization was established. How have you been successful or made a positive change in Macomb County?
That is something we try to work on every day.One of our major goals going forward is recruitment and membership. We have a page on the City of Sterling Heights website so that residents can find us. Last year’s Juneteenth celebration was the first year and it was so successful, that we wanted to do it again.We tried to make it bigger and better. The City presented a resolution to the organization for the event at the City Council Meeting last year and is planning to do so again this year. Also, we do have individuals that live in other cities that at times have come to visit our meetings for ideas as to how to start a similar organization like this in their communities.
What experiences did or do you have that helps you to be successful in this role?
You have to care about the community to be in this role. Overall, you have to want to be of service and to make sure that the African American residents are included in the decision-making processes that take place within the city and that resources are allocated toward improving areas that impact African Americans. You also have to want to make sure that we’re not forgotten and that diversity is important within the city for everyone.
What is the best piece of advice you have received as it relates to this role? And what advice would you give?
The best advice I can give is to get involved. When this organization came about, it connected with me and resonated with me.I wanted to make a difference in the community. I have been a resident of Sterling Heights and have seen it evolve over the many years that I have lived here. We have progressed, but I know we can do better.
a.Communication plays a key role in ensuring our sorors are informed and feel connected to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
b.Communications brings us together and enables us to share information instantaneously
information to UBS or other electronic storage devices rather than saving information to a hard drive of a computer used in public areas.
e.Always use discretion when using social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, GroupMe, etc.) These forums are open to the public and should not be used to discuss information that is private and intended for active members of the Sorority. Sorors should not post information discussed or pictures from plenary meetings, sessions of conferences, chapter meetings, committee meetings, Rituals or other closed Sorority events.
Oftentimes, you will hear members of the Standards Committee and Chairmen of other committees reminding us to complete the surveys at the end of events. Knowing and understanding the ‘why’ behind the need for survey responses is crucial in determining whether the standards of the event are met. The Standards Committee, internationally, regionally and locally exists to improve chapter operations and procedures through internal self-assessments, external standardized evaluations and comprehensive training and development. Having an adequate sample size is also essential to ensure that enough responses are received to collect enough data from participants. In addition, Effective Chapter Operations is a management process that assists chapters in doing a better job as follows:
•Enhancing our organizational skills
•Allowing us to document our business in an orderly manner
•Enhancing our ability to exhibit respect for all members
•Ensuring that all members are working toward the same goal
•Permitting us to adjust the direction of our organization, whenever necessary
When we ask for survey responses, it is a serious matter!
Reference: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® 2022 Standards Resource Guide
Soror Michelle Williams-Ward received her certification as a Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) Missionary, Class of 2022. At this time she will be working with my local church working on the Food Ministry and working with the community as Covenant Missionary Temple's Community Liaison.
SOROR SANDRA BOYKINS
JUNE 4
SOROR MELANIE HARRIS-FARMER
JUNE 9
SOROR KAYLA COLLINS
JUNE 14
SOROR KELLI HACKLE
JUNE 18
SOROR MELISSA WITEK
JUNE 20
SOROR K'LYNN THOMAS
JUNE 27
SOROR ARICA ROSADO
JUNE 22
SOROR YOLANDA CRAIN
JUNE 30
SOROR STEPHANIE BEATTY BETA MU
SOROR MICHELLA KING
LAMBDA PI OMEGA
SOROR STACEY BANKS
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR EDNA CLARK
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR KAYLA COLLINS
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR MICHELE GRAHAM
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR TRACY LATHAN
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR DELICIA LIDDELL-JENKINS
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR CONSUELO MARTINEZ
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR ROCKELIA MATHIES
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR KAITLIN MCQUEEN
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR TOMARA NOLEN OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR NATHIFA RILEY OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR VESTA RUMPHY OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR TUANDA WARD-HOLMES OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR APRIL SANDERS
OMEGA XI OMEGA
SOROR AMBER WHITE OMEGA XI OMEGA
MAILING ADDRESS:
Omega Xi Omega Chapter
P.O. Box 480435 New Haven, MI 48048
CONTACT US, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU
Basileus: basileus@aka-oxo.com
Anti-Basileus: akaoxoantibasileus@gmail.com
Grammateus: akaoxogrammateus@gmail.com
Anti-Grammateus: akaoxoantigrammateus@gmail.com
Epistoleus: akaoxoepistoleus@gmail.com
Tamiouchos: akaoxotamiouchos@gmail.com
Pecunious Grammateus: akaoxopg@gmail.com
Hodegos: akaoxohodegos@gmail.com
Philacter: oxophilacter@gmail.com
Parliamentarian: akaoxoparli@gmail.com
Ivyleaf Reporter: akaoxoivy21@gmail.com
Historian: akaoxohistorian@gmail.com
Chaplain: akaoxochaplain@gmail.com
Member-At-Large: akaoxomemberal@gmail.com
Protocol: akaoxoprotocol1@gmail.com
Membership: akaoxomembers@gmail.com
OXO NPHC Representatives: oxoakanphcrep@gmail.com
JUNE
JUNE - WEAR PINK, SPEND GREEN, BUY BLACK
JUNE 11, 6:30 PM: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
JUNE 16, 5:30 PM: ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE -JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
JUNE 18, 11:00 AM: TICKLED PINK COMEDY & JAZZ BRUNCH
JUNE 19- JUNETEENTH
JUNE 25- 2:30 PM: CHAPTER MEETING (VIRTUAL)
