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 2525 Woodland Drive Cross Roads, TX 76227
“There is a whole world out there that needs you, down the street or across the ocean. Give. You don’t need to be wealthy or famous to make a difference. Every action matters. Big or small, the point is to do something to make your community and our world a better place.” --President William Jefferson Clinton October 11, 2014 Dear Sorors of the Arkansas Cluster: I am literally tickled PINK to join you in the city of Jonesboro for this Cluster Meeting. Nestled in the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge, Jonesboro is the ideal setting for us to come together to fellowship in sisterhood and service. It is no secret that President Clinton loves Arkansas. The stories he often shares illustrate how the values and beliefs learned here, shaped him into the leader he is today. President Clinton’s aforementioned quote affirms the importance of our commitment and mission of service to all mankind. As we boldly launch into this next chapter of our beloved sisterhood, remember your talents and ideas are necessary and needed to make our community and world a better place. Indeed, every action and every soror matters!
Our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, has a stellar vision to move our sisterhood forward while maintaining our status as the premier organization for college-educated women of color. I know that I can count on each of you to execute this vision in true Sensational South Central Style! We will start today as we enhance our knowledge of protocol and learn strategies to implement the new International Program, Launching New Dimensions of Service. We will also receive practical tools and techniques to help us become better sorors as we Nurture Our Ivy. Please join me in extending warm expressions of gratitude to our Amazing Arkansas Cluster Coordinator, Soror Tjuana Byrd; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Carolyn Anthony; Host Basileus Soror Shunqetta Cunningham; Cluster Chairman, Soror Genee Gaines and the members of Kappa Nu Omega Chapter who have stepped up to the call delivering a weekend that will undoubtedly 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 today to join us here in Jonesboro. I thank you for continually stepping up 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, 2014 Soror Chelle Luper Wilson South Central Regional Director 2525 Woodland Dr. Crossroads, TX 76227 Greetings, Sorors! It is my pleasure to welcome you to this year’s South Central Region Cluster Conference! This is an exciting time as we lead our communities and chapters in Launching New Dimensions of Service. As Alpha Kappa Alpha women, we are uniquely called to exemplify excellence in service, scholarship, and sisterhood. More than a century ago, college women envisioned this charge as the means for community upliftment and we stand today not only as beneficiaries of their vision, but as keepers of the flame. For our good works, values and accomplishments to continue, we need active participation from every soror and every chapter. I appreciate the time you are spending today learning more about the Launching New Dimensions of Service International Program. I encourage you to take advantage of this time with sorors to delve into what works well in your chapters along with the challenges you face in the broader community. I look forward to hearing about your achievements and visiting your chapters! Please feel free to contact me by email at president@aka1908.com and look for me on Twitter or Instagram (@AKAintpres). Thanks for all you do on behalf of our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Sisterly yours,
Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson Supreme Basileus
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated South Central Region * Arkansas Cluster Tjuana C. Byrd, Cluster Coordinator
October 11, 2014
Greetings Sorors of the Arkansas Cluster:
I am so excited to welcome you to the 2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat. Soror Shunqetta Cunningham and the sorors of Kappa Nu Omega Chapter have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Soror Genee Gaines, Chairman of the 2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat, and her committee have worked for months now to make this cluster one that you will remember. The cluster retreat theme, "FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service" embraces the exciting new Program theme of our newly installed Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson. Our dynamic Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, has always challenged South Central to step up and serve, and we look forward to stepping up to the new challenges before us. The retreat workshops will equip Arkansas Cluster sorors to continue our award-winning service to move the South Central Region forward. Learn and share information, build and renew relationships, and discover new ways to move your chapter forward and more significantly impact your communities and strengthen the sisterhood. As the home of the 13th South Central Regional Director, Soror Mary Louise Williams and the 19th South Central Regional Director, Soror Carmelita Smith, the Arkansas Cluster history is rich, and our leadership legacy well established. Arkansas is a jewel in the South Central crown, and our high standard of sisterhood and service will continue to make the Arkansas Cluster shine! Sisterly,
Tjuana C. Byrd Soror Tjuana C. Byrd
Greetings Sorors of the Astonishing Arkansas Cluster!
Welcome to Jonesboro, a city on the move! To the members of the cluster who have faithfully traveled from all over the natural state, we are excited to open our doors and serve as a guide to all that North East Arkansas has to offer. Nestled in the North East corner of our state, we are home to several local businesses waiting to greet you. Home of the Arkansas State University Red Wolves, the Go Daddy bowl champions two years in a row, you will notice the city’s PACK PRIDE as you travel down Red Wolf Boulevard. Many of our distinguished alumni have moved on to help make our state a great place to live, including our governor, Mike Beebe. As you travel down Olympic Drive to the Convocation center, feel the excitement in the air as we celebrate our distinguished Gold Medalists Alumni, Earl Bell and Al “Sweet Water” Joyner. The center where our convention will be held, was the site where former Miss America Soror Debbye Turner, spoke first as ASU Homecoming Queen. As a native of this city, I am proud to serve as chairman to the 2014 Cluster meeting and can’t wait for my sorors to arrive and see the city that is the regional medical center of North East Arkansas. Jonesboro is famous for a cooperative community spirit and friendly citizens. Our pride and community spirit shows in the support of our local charities, city facilities, and our University! Upon your arrival, you will feel the Southern Hospitality everywhere you go. Hopefully you will get to spend some time shopping at Turtle Creek Mall, eating at one of our local restaurants or touring our beautiful campus. Cluster time is always exciting because it is a reunion of kindred spirits. We use this time to catch up on all that has happened over the past year, the many events that our chapters sponsored and the upcoming homecomings and holiday festivities. While we use this time to catch up and mingle with one another, we also gather to provide service to all mankind. This year, you have been asked to collect Back Packs as a part of our “WE Got Your Back” campaign. The Visual and Performing Arts and the Math and Science campuses of the Jonesboro School District, will benefit from your donations. Both are Title I schools and have allowed us to host our EYL program and other educational programs for the past 4 years on their campuses. I know that our cluster retreat is a whirlwind trip. It provides just enough time to complete community service, leadership development and rekindle our sisterly bond. Just know that for whatever length of time you are here, we are happy to share this time with you and are here to make this trip informational, memorable and hopefully the beginning of many more visits. …And with a smile… Sisterly, Genee’ Gaines; 2014 Cluster Chairman Kappa Nu Omega
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Kappa Nu Omega, Arkansas Cluster Shunqetta N. Cunningham, Basileus
Greetings to the Astonishing and Amazing AR Cluster. It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Kappa Nu Omega Chapter-located in the land of the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Kappa Nu Omega Chapter was chartered in 1975 by a group of professional and phenomenal women with a strong desire to serve the Northeast Arkansas area. We have stayed true to our vow of service to all mankind for the past 39 years, and will continue this mission with passion, desire, and love. Our pledge to serve others is unending. As the word of God tell us, to whom much is given, much is required. As leaders in this community, the women of Kappa Nu Omega accepts the mandate of service and sisterhood. I am honored to lead this vibrant chapter of dynamic women. We have dedicated much time and love to ensure this year’s cluster will be memorable for you. I would like to give a special thanks to Cluster Chairman Soror Genee Gaines and Co-Chairman Soror Alyssia Turner for their leadership in our planning efforts. To my Kryptonite Kappa Nu Omega Chapter, THANK YOU! We did it and we did it TOGETHER. As Basileus, there is no better feeling than knowing that your chapter will work it out until it gets right. Soror Tijuana Byrd, thank you for your guidance and honest feedback. To our Sensational South Regional Director Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, we look forward to your great leadership and direction as we launch our new program initiatives. Thank you Sorors for visiting with us. I wish you peace. And always remember we were not made to just survive; we were created to thrive. Sisterly, Shunqetta Cunningham, Basileus Kappa Nu Omega Chapter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated South Central Region * Arkansas Cluster
October 11, 2014 Mary Louise Williams 2701 S. Chester Street Little Rock, AR 72206 Greetings Sorors! I am so pleased to have the opportunity to welcome you to the 2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat. I am blessed to have actively served Alpha Kappa Alpha for 65 years, and in that time, I have seen tremendous growth in our beloved sorority. Our creative and innovative Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, has challenged the sensational South Central Region to step up to lead through programs and service. The Arkansas Cluster has proudly accepted the challenge. I am proud to remind you that the cluster concept was started right here in Arkansas as the Arkansas Tri-Council. It was important then, just as it is now, for Arkansas sorors to gather together to fellowship with and encourage one another, as well as develop and enhance our leadership skills. Our Regional Director has encouraged us all to step up to serve, and this year’s theme, “FeARrlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service” represents the Arkansas Cluster’s willingness step up to the challenge of Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson’s new program. Most importantly sorors, I hope that we will take full advantage of the opportunity to reconnect with one another and forge new relationships to strengthen our bonds of sisterhood. The stronger our sisterhood, the more effective our service will be.
With Love Always, Soror Mary Louise Williams 13th South Central Regional Director
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated South Central Region * Arkansas Cluster
October 11, 2014 S. Carmelita Smith 701 S. Chester Street Little Rock, AR 72206
My Dear Sorors: It is a wonderful opportunity to greet you again on the occasion of our annual Arkansas Cluster. The hostess Chapter, along with our Cluster Coordinator, have worked diligently in preparing for this meeting. It is fitting that the selected theme is: “FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service� as we in Arkansas pledge to feARlessly embark on another four years of exemplary service projects for the betterment of our local communities, state, nation and the world. We warmly welcome our dynamic and innovative Regional Director, Soror Chelle Luper Wilson back to Arkansas and look forward to the program she has outlined for today. It is my hope that each of you will enjoy Cluster, meet at least two new Sorors whom you did not know and stay in contact with them, learn more than you knew when you came, and use that learning to empower you and your Chapter as you implement our New Dimensions of Service. Sisterly yours, Soror Carmelita Soror Carmelita Smith 19th South Central Regional Director
2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service Soror Tjuana Byrd, Arkansas Cluster Coordinator Presiding Registration and Continental Breakfast 7:45 a.m.-8:25 a.m. Call to Order 8:30am Presentation of Special Guests Sorors Audrey Bowser and Brenda Randle, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Herschel Gaines, Golden Soror, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Greetings Dr. Charles Coleman, City Official Soror Shunqetta Cunningham, Basileus, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Soror Mary Louise Williams, 13th South Central Regional Director Soror Carmelita Smith, 19th South Central Regional Director Introduction of Regional Director Soror Tjuana Byrd, Arkansas Cluster Coordinator State of the Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director Workshop I Launching New Dimensions of Service: Introducing the International Program Soror Regina Carrington - International Program Committee *BREAK* Workshop II Launching New Dimensions of Protocol Soror Velena McRae - International Protocol Committee
2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service Cluster Luncheon 12:30pm Soror Carolyn Anthony, Arkansas Cluster Co- Coordinator Presiding Greetings Soror Genee` Gaines, 2014 Arkansas Cluster Chairman, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Mr. Ricky Greer, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Meditation and Grace Soror Leticia Fox-Rochelle, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Service Project Challenge “We’ve Got Your Back” Soror Adrieanna Cox, Anti-Basileus, Kappa Nu Omega Chapter Entertainment Ms. Cathalene Thigpen, soloist Special Presentations Soror Tjuana Byrd, Arkansas Cluster Coordinator Break Afternoon Session Soror Tjuana Byrd, Arkansas Cluster Coordinator Presiding Workshop III Launching New Dimensions of Service...AKA...Nurturing Our Ivies... With Care, Kindness and Mutual Respect Soror Shirley R. Fisher - International Sisterly Relations Committee 21st South Central Regional Director Invitation 2015 Arkansas Cluster Retreat, Lambda Sigma Omega Chapter Closing Remarks Soror Chelle Luper Wilson - South Central Regional Director
2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service
Graduate Chapters Beta Pi Omega, Little Rock, AR Chi Eta Omega, Conway, AR Chi Nu Omega, Arkadelphia, AR Delta Omega Omega, Pine Bluff, AR Eta Sigma Omega, Marianna, AR Kappa Nu Omega, Jonesboro, AR Lambda Sigma Omega, Blytheville, AR Mu Chi Omega, Helena, AR Phi Alpha Omega, Bentonville, AR Phi Zeta Omega, Magnolia, AR Pi Chi Omega, West Memphis, AR Sigma Beta Omega , Camden, AR Undergraduate Chapters Gamma Alpha, Philander Smith College Alpha Rho, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Epsilon Phi, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Eta Upsilon, Arkansas State University Theta Eta, Henderson State University Theta Mu, University of Central Arkansas Iota Zeta, Southern Arkansas University Kappa Iota, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Program Presenters Soror Regina Carrington Representative to the International Program Committee As a loyal and dedicated member, Soror Regina has served as Basileus, Anti-Basileus, Member-at-Large, and Graduate Advisor to the Gamma Psi Chapter, (where she was initiated 41 years ago). This Life Member and Silver Star has been appointed by our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, to serve as International Program Representative for the Sensational South Central Region. Soror Regina looks forward to this special journey "Launching New Dimensions of Service" throughout our region and working with our dynamic sorors.
Soror Velena McRae Representative to the International Protocol Committee Velena Lewis McRae, Silver Soror, was initiated into Alpha Rho chapter at The University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff (UAPB). She is a member of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter, where she has served as a member of the Protocol, Sisterly Relations, and Founders’ Day committees to name a few. She currently serves as the chapter Epistoleus and is a member of the Regional Protocol Committee. Velena was recently appointed as the 2014-2016 South Central Region Representative to the International Protocol Committee.
Soror Shirley Fisher Representative to the International Sisterly Relations Committee Soror Fisher was elected the 21st South Central Regional Director at the 68th South Central Regional Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2000 and served from 2000 to 2004. After serving four years as Regional Director, she was appointed Chairman of the Educational Advancement Foundation Advisory Board for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Chairman of the Diamond/Golden/ Silver Sorors Anniversary Committee. Currently, she is South Central Representative to the International Sisterly Relations Committee.
2014 Arkansas Cluster Retreat FeARlessly Launching New Dimensions of Service Special Thank You to: Ms. Cathalen Thigpen, soloist LaGanzie Kale, Photographer
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