SAI CONVENTION CENTE CENTER R 2301 N. MacArthur Dr. • Alexandria, Louisiana November 21, 2015 • 8:00 A.M. A.M.— — 4:00 P.M.
South Central Regional Director Soror Chelle Luper Wilson North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator
North Louisiana Co Co--Cluster Coordinator
Soror Susie Smith
Soror LaVerne Conley HOST CHAPTERS
Phi Gamma Omega • Zeta Lambda Omega Pineville, LA • Alexandria, LA
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue * Chicago, Illinois 60637-1997 * 773 684-1282 * Fax 773 288-8251
OFFICE OF: Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director
“The VALUE of things is not the time they last,
but the intensity with which they occur. That is why there are UNFORGETTABLE moments and UNIQUE people.” — Fernando Pessoa
Director November 21, 2015 Dear Sorors of the North Louisiana Cluster: All good things must come to an end. From a 2-time visit to the city of Shreveport to the campus of Grambling and finally here in the charming city of Alexandria, these last Clusters spent with you have meant more to me than you can imagine. I have enjoyed the sisterly relations and special moments we’ve shared. I am pleased to say that PROMISES made to you have been KEPT as many sorors from the North Louisiana Cluster have been provided opportunities to serve; you extended invitations and we excitedly joined you to celebrate your accomplishments and community endeavors; we have shared information directly to your inbox and we have provided innovative programing and expert presenters at Clusters as we worked hard to provide you a return on the investment you make in conference attendance! Today’s workshops have been designed to not only present strategies for effectively implementing Launching New Dimensions of Service, the International Program and provide information and opportunities for dialogue as it relates to Membership Intake, but we will also receive practical tools and techniques from the International Connection Committee to help us take A.C.T.I.O.N. and tackle the challenges that face our communities and nation as our quest for social justice continues. Please join me in extending warm expressions of gratitude to our North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Soror Susie Smith; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror LaVerne Conley; Host Chapter Basilei, Sorors Charlotte Harris & Patricia Deal and the members of our host chapters, Phi Gamma Omega and Zeta Lambda Omega who have stepped up to the call delivering a weekend that will 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 Alexandria for my last North Louisiana Cluster as South Central Regional Director and I thank you for stepping up with me 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
Soror Tari T. Bradford 3634 Crestview Drive Shreveport, LA 71119
November 16, 2015
Soror Chelle L. Wilson South Central Regional Director Soror Susie Smith North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator 811 Paplin Street Alexandria, LA 71302 My Dear Sorors of the Outstanding North Louisiana Cluster: It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2015 North Louisiana Cluster in Alexandria, Louisiana. Cluster meetings are design to allow us to review and expand our knowledge on our programs. It affords us the opportunity to realize that we have the same concerns, face the same challenges and all hope for greater opportunities for connectivity among our sisterhood. We have small, medium and large chapters, and regions but we are ONE Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As we continue Launching New Dimensions of Service –Protecting our Legacy, it is doing this time, we are reminded of the vows we took and the everlasting bonds that are so vital to our very existence. Best wishes for a successful cluster meeting and Happy Thanksgiving. With Sisterly Love,
Soror Tari T. Bradford 22nd South Central Regional Director
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. South Central Region
NORTH LOUISIANA CLUSTER Susie Cooper Smith • Cluster Coordinator
November 21, 2015
Greetings:
W
elcome to the North LA Cluster Retreat and my last retreat as your Cluster Coordinator. Words cannot express my gratitude and thanks to all of my sorors for making this launching so memorable. Very special thanks to Madame Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, for giving me this great opportunity to work at her pleasure. Special thanks are extended to our host chapters, Phi Gamma Omega and Zeta Lambda Omega (my chapter) for their untiring work. They are passionate about making the retreat informative and engaging. Every effort has been made to make your stay enjoyable, memorable and worthwhile. Words of gratitude flows from our heart to our workshop presenters for sharing their time, resources, and talent in perpetuating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The information and knowledge acquired will continue to inspire us to “Protect the Legacy of our Great Sisterhood” and to become more proficient in maximizing services in our communities. The perpetuity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is in our hands. We are thankful for our Sensational South Central Regional Director, Soror Chelle L. Wilson, for her energetic, innovative and courageous leadership. Her out-of-the box thinking has truly raised the bar! Remembering that each one stands on the shoulders of others, may we continue to uphold the motto of our sisterhood and be of “Service to All Mankind”. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED SOUTH CENTRAL REGION NORTH LOUISIANA CLUSTER Laverne Conley • Co-Cluster Coordinator
November 21, 2015
Greetings,
I
t is with great pleasure and a privilege that I extend heartfelt greetings and welcome our sorors to the 2015 North Louisiana Cluster Retreat. We look forward to your participation and fellowship with grace and enthusiasm! Our host chapters along with our North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator have worked extremely hard in planning to make this a successful, fun filled and enjoyable, yet informative, retreat for everyone.
We are elated to celebrate our path of “Launching New Dimensions of Service: Protecting Our Legacy” which is our theme for this retreat. Sorors, today is our chance to see the goodness in one another, to recognize, acknowledge and reflect that goodness back with a loving look, a kind gesture, a warm embrace, a few words of encouragement, or an expression that is as elaborate as you wish because we are all members of the same family, North Louisiana Cluster of the “Sensational” South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. We thank all of our workshop presenters who have come to educate and keep us on the path of excellence. A very special thank you is extended to our South Central Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, for her vision and excellent leadership. We salute the sorors of Phi Gamma Omega Chapter of Pineville, Louisiana and Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alexandria, Louisiana. We sincerely thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our great sisterhood. May God bless and keep each of you, LaVerne M. Conley
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter
GREETINGS SORORS,
O
n behalf of Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter, I take this opportunity to WELCOME you to the 2015 North Louisiana Cluster Retreat in the Heart of Central Louisiana! WELCOME to the city where our North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Mrs. Susie C. Smith resides and is a very active member of this chapter! Finally, I WELCOME you to Alexandria, Louisiana where Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter is celebrating 60 years of service to all mankind! Sorors, we have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. Our HBCU activity and Cluster Retreat has been planned with you and only you in mind. We want you to fill that AKA spirit and love. We want the information presented today to electrify your minds and energized your bodies to return to your various chapters and vigorously continue the work of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A very special thanks to each of you for your presence here today. To my sorors of Zeta Lambda Omega you are Awesome! Sorors, let’s continue “Launching New Dimensions of Service and Protecting Our Legacy”. With Love and Gratitude, Patricia S. Deal Soror Patricia S. Deal, Basileus Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter Alexandria, LA
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Phi Gamma Omega Chapter
DEAREST SORORS
O
n behalf of the Sorors of Phi Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I am pleased to welcome you to the “Crossroads” of Louisiana – Central Louisiana, for the 2015 North Louisiana Cluster Retreat. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are thankful for this opportunity to fellowship with the Sorors of the North Louisiana Cluster as we endeavor to protect the Legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Sorors of the host chapters stand ready and willing to provide any assistance you may need during your time in our cities. The legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is dependent on our love and commitment to the principles and vision of our beloved sorority. This retreat has been planned to provide informative workshops, reports, presentations, and sisterly love to enable us to perpetuate the legacy, of Alpha Kappa Alpha. We are confident that you will be energized during our time together and will return to your chapter with new ideas, and motivation to propel into 2016. Again, thank you for attending, the 2015 North Louisiana Cluster Retreat! Sisterly, Charlotte M. Harris Soror Charlotte M. Harris, Basileus Phi Gamma Omega Chapter Pineville, LA
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED North Louisiana Cluster Retreat 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. • Registration and Continental Breakfast General Session Presiding Soror Susie C. Smith, North Louisiana Cluster Coordinator Introduction of Program Participants and Special Guest Soror Kelly S. Matthews Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Ida Sibley Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter Greetings The Honorable Mayor Clarence Fields The Mayor of Pineville, Louisiana Attorney Edward Larvadain, III Alexandria City Councilman, District 1 Soror Tari T. Bradford 22nd South Central Regional Director Soror Charlotte Harris Basileus Phi Gamma Omega Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Supreme Basileus Introduction of the South Central Regional Director Soror Patricia Deal Basileus Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter State of the Sensational South Central Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director Workshop I Soaring to Greater Dimensions of Service Soror Regina Carrington International Program Committee South Central Representative, Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter Door Prizes/Break Workshop II Membership Makes Me Smile… Launching New Dimensions of Membership Soror Emile P. Blaine International Membership Committee South Central Region Representative, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
LUNCHEON PROGRAM Soror LaVerne Conley, Presiding North LA Co-Cluster Coordinator MEDITATION AND GRACE Soror Brenda Dozier Phi Gamma Chapter ENTERAINMENT Soror Elaine Provost Zeta Lambda Omega Chapter LUNCH IS SERVED SERVICE PROJECT CHALLENGE
NLA CLUSTER GUMBO Soror Carolyn Carpenter Phi Gamma Omega Chapter SERVICE PROJECT RECIPIENTS Hadnot Hayes Elementary School Mrs. Shannon Carmouche, Principal Save The Children-Day Care Center Mrs. Nicole Hall, Program Director AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Soror Tracey Graham Director of Multicultural Initiatives-Health Strategies Rho Pi Omega Chapter PHOTO SESSION/DOOR PRIZES
GENERAL SESSION CONTINUED WORKSHOP III Launching New Dimensions: Sorors Take A.C.T.I.O.N. Soror Tari T. Bradford nd 22 South Central Regional Director Delta Lambda Omega Chapter Presentations Acknowledgments Closing Remarks Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director SAFE TRAVEL AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Soror Regina Carrington Representative to the International Program Committee
Soror Shirley Fisher Representative to the International Sisterly Relations Committee
Soror Tari T. Bradford 22nd South Central Regional Director Soror Tari T. Bradford served our great sisterhood as the 22nd South Central Regional Director from 2004-2008. Soror Bradford works for the City of Shreveport under the leadership of Mayor Ollie Tyler as the Executive Assistant of Governmental Affairs. She previously served as deputy state director for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, and worked for retired U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston. In 2000 and 2004, Soror Bradford served as the Louisiana democratic party coordinator for all candidates in a seven parish area. She was a board member for Dress for Success, Gingerbread House and the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission. Soror Bradford also served as junior achievement consultant at several elementary and middle schools.
North LA Cluster Retreat South Central Region Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
GRADUATE CHAPTERS DELTA LAMBDA OMEGA SHREVEPORT, LA KAREN L. LUCAS • BASILEUS
EPSILON PSI OMEGA GRAMBLING, LA SYLVIA DUPREE • BASILEUS
IOTA RHO OMEGA MINDEN, LA DENISE A. WEBB • BASILEUS
OMICRON IOTA OMEGA WEST MONROE, LA BRENDA SHELLING • BASILEUS
PHI GAMMA OMEGA PINEVILLE, LA CHARLOTTE HARRIS • BASILEUS
RHO BETA OMEGA NATCHITOCHES, LA JULIETE MOFFETT• BASILEUS
SIGMA RHO OMEGA SHREVEPORT, LA KELLI COLLINS • BASILEUS
ZETA LAMBDA OMEGA ALEXANDRIA, LA PATRICIA DEAL • BASILEUS ZETA PHI OMEGA MONROE, LA GRETA M. WILEY • BASILEUS
UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTE CHAPTERS RS Alpha Theta Grambling State University Eta Chi Northwestern State University Tau Epsilon LA State University Shreveport Theta Lambda LA Tech University