Cover Art
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
September 12, 2015 Dear Sorors of the Wonderful West Texas/New Mexico Cluster: All good things must come to an end. From Abilene to El Paso and Albuquerque to Odessa, 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; you’re the only cluster that has truly taken me to mountaintops and I mean literally. I am pleased to say that PROMISES made to you have been KEPT as many sorors from West Texas/New Mexico have been provided opportunities to serve on the Regional and International level; the first Undergraduate Chapter in New Mexico was chartered; you extended invitations and we excitedly joined you celebrating your accomplishments and community endeavors and we provided innovated programing and expert presenters at the 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 West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Coordinator and host chapter Basileus, Soror Zassar Gaston; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Vanessa Harris; and the members of our host chapter, Rho Iota Omega Chapter 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 Odessa for my last West Texas/New Mexico 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
Soror Zassar Gatson Cluster Coordinator Greetings Sorors, it has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as your WTX/NM Cluster Coordinator for the past four years. I thank Soror Chelle for her love, leadership and for allowing me the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Time has gone by, memories shared, and communities improved from the hours of timeless service from our sisterhood. Smiles have been shared, tummies were fed, backpacks and school supplies donated with care, scholarships given to promote education, and seasonal wraps to those in need. Sorors, THANK YOU. You are amazing women doing phenomenal work in our communities. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated continues to forge ahead to show the world that we are determined to make our mark as we strive to make this world a better place. In the West Texas New Mexico Cluster, we join forces Launching New Dimensions of service with SSWAG – Sisterhood, Service, Worthiness, Attitude and Giving. Sorors we are stepping up and stepping out to the calling of service. We have what it takes to bond sister to sister as we work side-by-side rendering service to all mankind. We are true to our pledge to Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., which makes us more than worthy. Attitude, yes we have the attitude of never giving up, always being positive and making good things great. Yes, we willingly give of our time, energy, and finances and of ourselves to help those in need. WTX/NM Cluster, we have “SSWAG”. So, welcome to the 2015 WTXNM Cluster Retreat!!
Soror Vanessa Harris Co-Cluster Coordinator Dear Sorors, On behave of our Cluster Coordinator and the host chapter, we would like to welcome you to Odessa, Texas. For the next day and a half we want you to laugh, connect, learn and submerge yourself in the concept and goals of Dimensions of Service. The wonderful dimensions of service in the south Central Region is flourishing. Sorors are busy crafting new ideas to carry out the goals of each one of our five targets. Launching New Dimensions of Service with SSWAG – Sisterhood, Service, Worthiness, Attitude, and Giving” is our cluster theme. The host chapter – Rho Iota Omega for the West Texas/New Mexico Cluster has been busy designing a cluster retreat that will emphasize the importance of dimensions of service and membership. Enjoy the Cluster Retreat and remember that we might be small in size but our SSWAG is BIG! Sincerely, Vanessa Harris Co-Cluster Coordinator
Sorors Angela Love-Jackson and Mari Spivey-Willis Cluster Conference Co-Chairs Greetings, Sorors! We are blessed to be able to extend a very heartfelt and sisterly West Texas welcome to you, our wonderful Sorors. Welcome to the West Texas New Mexico Cluster Conference. It is our hope that you will find the Conference, as well as the City of Odessa a place where you can feel comfortable with our hospitality, opportunities to rekindle and renew our sisterhood, and gain knowledge of the wonderful opportunities that we have to serve our communities and chapters in Launching New Dimensions of Service. As co-chairpersons, we welcome you. Soror Angela Love-Jackson & Soror Mari Spivey-Willis WTXNM Cluster Conference Co-Chairs
West Texas New Mexico Cluster South Central Region Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Graduate Chapters Iota Xi Omega, Albuquerque, New Mexico Theta Delta Omega, Midland, Texas Theta Gamma Omega, Abilene, Texas Eta Delta Omega, Lubbock, Texas Eta Pi Omega, El Paso, Texas Rho Iota Omega, Odessa, Texas Undergraduate Chapters Zeta Tau, Texas Tech University Eta Delta, University of Texas El Paso Tau Phi, University of New Mexico
2015 West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Retreat Theme: “Launching New Dimensions of Service with SSWAG – Sisterhood, Service, Worthiness, Attitude and Giving” Soror Zassar Gatson, West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Coordinator Presiding Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Call to Order 9:00am Introduction of Presenters and Special Guests Soror Natalie Cargile, Theta Delta Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Estella Willard, Membership Chair, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Greetings Soror Angela Love - Jackson, Grammateus & Cluster Retreat Co-Chairman, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Soror Mari Willis, Connections Chair & Cluster Retreat Co-Chairman, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Introduction of Regional Director Soror Zassar Gatson, West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Coordinator State of the Sensational South Central Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director Workshop I Soaring to Greater Dimensions of Service International Program Committee Presentation Soror Jackie Beard, Eta Pi Omega *BREAK* Workshop II
Launching New Dimensions: Sorors Take A.C.T.I.O.N. Soror Yasmin Barnes, Texas Connection Coordinator 2015 West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Retreat Theme: “Launching New Dimensions of Service with SSWAG – Sisterhood, Service, Worthiness, Attitude and Giving” Meditation and Grace Soror Margaret Randle, Eta Delta Omega Chapter Cluster Luncheon 12:15pm-1:30 pm Soror Vanessa Harris, West Texas/New Mexico Co-Cluster Coordinator Presiding Greetings Dr. Gregory Williams, President of Odessa College Dr. Tara Deaver, Delta Sigma Theta – President and Odessa College Board of Trustees Judge Eddy Spivey, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Justice of the Peace- Ector County – Precinct 4 Service Project Challenge “One Million Back Packs” Soror Beverly Lyons, Pecunious Grammateus, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Soror Janice Brewster, Anti-Basileus, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Entertainment Soror Angela Love-Jackson, Grammateus, Rho Iota Omega Chapter Christian Love, Pantomime Break Afternoon Session Soror Zassar Gatson, West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Coordinator Presiding Workshop III Membership Makes Me Smile Launching New Dimensions of Membership Soror Shalonda Davis, Iota Xi Omega, Albuquerque, New Mexico Closing Remarks
Safe Travels!
Program Presenters Soror Jackie Beard Eta Pi Omega Chapter
Pledged Eta Delta chapter Spring 2002 at the University of Texas at El Paso. She holds two masters degrees and currently pursuing PhD; Veteran of United States Army and presently employed at the Department of Defense as a chief nursing officer, Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, school of nursing and Park University at United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy. Currently serving as Basileus of Eta Pi Omega. Served as cluster Coordinator for West Texas New Mexico. Currently appointed to the SC Regional Program Committee and faculty advisor to the Eta Delta chapter. Married for 20 years to Felix Beard Sr. Two sons Dontavis and Felix.
Soror Yasmin Barnes Texas State Connection Coordinator Soror Yasmin is a graduate of Texas Women‘s University, where she received her bachelor‘s and master‘s degree. She currently serves as the Human Resources Assistant Director for the City of Dallas. She was initiated in 2000 into the Upsilon Lambda Omega Chapter, where she currently serves as the Parliamentarian. She was appointed on the regional level as the Texas State Connection Coordinator. She has one furbaby named Woody and loves to travel, scrap, bake and spend time with family and sorors.
Soror Shalonda Davis Iota Xi Omega Chapter Shalonda R. Davis was initiated in March of 2002 in the Eta Delta Chapter at the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP). While at UTEP, Soror Shalonda served as Anti-Basileus. She received her Master’s Degree from The University of New Mexico in 2008. Soror Shalonda is a Level III Educator. Soror Shalonda truly believes in the importance of uninterrupted membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha. She has remained active in the West Texas/New Mexico Cluster for her entire sorority career. She is committed to the growth and development of the cluster, as well as the mantra “Big Things, come in small packages!” She currently serves as Basileus for the Iota Xi Omega Chapter as well as the Social Media Chair for the region.
International Committee Key Contacts Soror Regina Carrington Representative to the International Program Committee Email: LNDS@akasouthcentral.org Phone: 713-826-2355
Soror Myra McKenzie-Harris Representative to the International Connection Committee
Email: myramckenzie@hotmail.com Phone: 574-315-2196
Soror Emile Blaine Representative to the International Membership Committee
Email: skeewee4me@hotmail.com Phone: 214-606-1005