December 5, 2015 University of Louisiana-Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana
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 December 5, 2015 Dear Sorors of the Southern Louisiana Cluster: All good things must come to an end. From Baldwin and the Crescent City to the campuses of Xavier and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 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 to the point that I’m seriously considering relocating here. I am pleased to say that PROMISES made to you have been KEPT as many sorors from the Southern Louisiana Cluster have been provided opportunities to serve on the Regional and International level; you extended invitations and we excitedly joined you to celebrate your accomplishments and community endeavors; we have shared information directly to your inbox and have provided innovated 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 Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Soror Robyn McCormick; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Altha Jordan Green; Host Chapter Basileus, Soror Karen King; Cluster Chairman, Soror Thailund Porter; Co-Chairman Soror Carlita Babineaux and the members of our host chapter, Eta Chi 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 Lafayette for my last Southern 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
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INCORPORATED® Alpha Kappa Alpha Corporate Office ▪ 5656 South Stony Island Avenue ▪ Chicago, IL 60637-1997 ▪ (773) 684-1282
OFFICE OF:
Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Supreme Basileus P.O. Box 250841 Milwaukee, WI 53225 August 11, 2015 Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director 2525 Woodland Drive Crossroads, TX 76227 Greetings, Sorors! Welcome to the 2015 South Central Region Cluster Conference! This is a time of excitement for our Sorority as we continue our strong program efforts in Launching New Dimensions of Service across the globe. Alpha Kappa Alpha is a unique sisterhood that sets the standard for supreme leadership, service and scholastic achievement. In January of 1908, our Founders ignited a flame on the campus of Howard University that shines even brighter today. We continue to be the beneficiaries of their dreams for a better tomorrow. Let us never forget, "To whom much is given, much is required." That is why we need the continued support of all sorors in this Cluster. These annual meetings are our opportunities to learn and share about our dear sisterhood in a more intimate setting. I certainly appreciate you taking the time today to delve into learning more about our current International Program, Launching New Dimensions of Service. With only one year under our belt, we are already making a major impact worldwide. Be sure to connect with other sorors in attendance to learn more about best practices and tips you can take home to implement locally. We are also using our Cluster Conference to focus on Membership Matters and learn how to effectively advocate through our Connection A.C.T. I. O. N. platform. Our upcoming programming year is shaping up to be busy and historic. I look forward to visiting your chapters and hearing about your various achievements! Please feel free to contact me by email at president@aka1908.com and look for me on Twitter or Instagram (@AKAintpres). Thanks again for everything you do on behalf of our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha! Sisterly yours,
Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Supreme Basileus
December 7, 2015 Greetings Sorors of the Southern Louisiana Cluster: It is with great excitement that I welcome you to our 2015 Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat. The Eta Chi Omega Chapter Sorors, under the dynamic leadership of Chapter Basileus, Soror Karen King, Cluster Retreat Chairman, Soror Thailund Porter Green and Cluster Retreat Co-Chairman, Soror Carlita Babineaux, are excited that you are joining them in Lafayette, Louisiana for a time of reflection, education, sisterly relations, and leadership development. Our theme: “Stepping Up to Serve in New Dimensions” ensures that we all have the information and preparation necessary as we continue to “Launch New Dimensions of Service!” A special Thank You to Madame Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, for allowing me the opportunity to “Step Up and Serve” my dear sorors as the Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator during her term as South Central Regional Director. Your leadership, guidance, mentoring, friendship and support are always greatly appreciated and I have enjoyed serving in this capacity. My dear Southern Louisiana Cluster Sorors, I am confident that you will leave our 2015 Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat prepared to positively impact the community as a whole and continue to build a stronger sisterhood. Thank you so much again for all of your sisterly love and support. . Sisterly,
Robyn S. McCormick Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED速 ETA CHI OMEGA
Greetings Sorors of the Southern Louisiana Cluster! We are bursting with excitement as we welcome you to Lafayette for the 2015 Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat. The ladies of Eta Chi Omega Chapter have worked tirelessly to provide a day for you to immerse yourselves in the business of our sisterhood, yet create opportunities for sisterly moments with neighboring sorors from across the cluster. I offer heartfelt thanks to Soror Chelle Luper Wilson for extending us the honor of hosting her final cluster retreat as South Central Regional Director. Special thanks are due to Soror Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, for her guidance, support, and sisterly spirit shown throughout this planning process. Finally, thank you Southern Louisiana for showing up in record numbers! We wish you a great day and ask that God will keep you safe on your journey home. Sisterly blessings,
Thailund Porter-Green Soror Thailund Porter-Green Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat Chairman Eta Chi Omega Chapter Lafayette, Louisiana
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® ETA CHI OMEGA
December 5, 2015 Welcome Sorors! On behalf of the host chapter, Eta Chi Omega, I am honored to welcome you to the heart of Acadiana. We are Lafayette Strong! Eta Chi Omega has worked diligently with our Cluster Coordinator, Soror Robyn McCormick to make this an informative and enjoyable Cluster Retreat. From the “HBCU Jambalaya Jam” to “Stepping up to Serve in New Dimensions,” our Southern hospitality and joie de vivre will ensure that this is a Cluster Retreat that you will not forget. We cannot wait for you to join us in the final Cluster Retreat under the leadership of our dynamic Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson. As women of Alpha Kappa Alpha, we are united in leadership, service, and sisterhood. Again, welcome to Acadiana and laissez les bon temps rouler!
With sisterly regards,
Karen J. King Soror Karen J. King, Basileus Eta Chi Omega Lafayette, Louisiana
2015 Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat “Stepping Up to Serve in New Dimensions� Soror Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator Presiding
Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Call to Order 9:00am Introduction of the Dais and Very Special Guests Soror Theresa N. Singleton, Eta Chi Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Carlita Babineaux, Cluster Retreat Co-Chairman, Eta Chi Omega Chapter Greetings Soror Karen King, Basileus, Eta Chi Omega Chapter Welcome/Cluster Roll Call Soror Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Alpha Beta Omega Chapter Soror Altha Jordan Green, Southern Louisiana Co-Cluster Coordinator, Zeta Psi Omega Chapter Introduction of Regional Director Soror Thailund Porter Green, Cluster Retreat Chairman, Eta Chi Omega Chapter State of the Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director Membership Makes Me Smile Launching New Dimensions of Membership Soror Emile Blaine, International Membership Committee, South Central Representative Alpha Xi Omega Sisterly Relations Activity (Door Prizes) Launching New Dimensions: Sorors Take A.C.T.I.O.N Soror Myra McKenzie-Harris, International Connection Committee, South Central Representative Phi Alpha Omega Chapter Break (11:45am-12:15pm)
Cluster Luncheon 12:15pm-1:30pm
Presiding: Soror Altha Jordan Green, Southern Louisiana Co-Cluster Coordinator
Greetings State-Expression of Commendation Hon. Terry C. Landry, Sr., Louisiana State Representative District 96 Hon. Vincent J. Pierre, Louisiana State Representative, District 44 City-Parish Proclamation Hon. Kenneth P. Boudreaux, Lafayette City-Parish Council Chairman, District 4 Meditation and Grace Soror Monique Joseph, Chaplain Eta Chi Omega Chapter Lunch Cluster Photo Montage Video Cluster Service Project Presentation- One Million Backpacks Soror Bridget Richard, Eta Chi Omega Chapter American Heart Association- South Central Partnership Soror Tracey Graham, Rho Pi Omega Chapter Director of Multicultural Initiatives, Health Strategies Greater Southeast Affiliate Remarks Afternoon Session 1:45pm Soaring to Greater Dimensions of Service International Program Committee Presentation Soror Regina Carrington, International Program Committee, South Central Representative Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter Acknowledgements Closing Remarks Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director
Southern Louisiana Cluster
South Central Region Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Graduate Chapters Alpha Beta Omega, New Orleans Gamma Eta Omega, Baton Rouge Zeta Psi Omega, Lake Charles Eta Chi Omega, Lafayette Iota Eta Omega, Morgan City Lambda Beta Omega, Opelousas Nu Gamma Omega, Baton Rouge Omicron Lambda Omega, New Orleans Rho Pi Omega, Harvey Tau Iota Omega, Slidell Tau Kappa Omega, Plaquemine Phi Rho Omega, Baldwin Phi Sigma Omega, Gonzales Undergraduate Chapters Beta Upsilon, Dillard University Beta Psi, Southern University Epsilon Beta, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Epsilon Tau, Xavier University Zeta Pi, McNeese State University Zeta Theta, Southern University at New Orleans Eta Eta, University of New Orleans Eta Theta, Loyola University New Orleans Eta Kappa, Louisiana State University Lambda Omicron, Southeastern Louisiana University Omicron Psi, Tulane University Pi Alpha, Nicholls State University