Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue * Chicago, Illinois 60637-1997 * 773 684-1282 * Fax 773 288-8251
OFFICE OF: Chelle M. Wilson South Central Regional Director 2525 Woodland Drive Cross Roads, TX 76227
“New Mexico...certainly changed me forever...In the Magnificent fierce morning of New Mexico one sprang awake, a new part of the soul woke up suddenly, and the old world gave way to a new.” — DH Lawrence September 27, 2014 Dear Sorors of the West Texas/New Mexico Cluster: I am literally tickled PINK to join you in the Land of Enchantment for the first Cluster Meeting of the season! Like you, I truly look forward to opportunities like this when we come together to fellowship in sisterhood and service. In reference to the DH Lawrence aforementioned quote, New Mexico is a magnificent place to spring into action with new ideas, new goals and new initiatives. Today, we will 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. 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 collegeeducated women of color. I know that I can count on all of you to execute this vision in true Sensational South Central Style! Please join me in extending warm expressions of gratitude to our West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Coordinator, Soror Zassar Gaston; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Vanessa Harris; Host Basileus Soror D’Nienne HatchSanders and the members of the Iota Xi 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 Albuquerque. 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
5656 S. Stony Island Avenue * Chicago, Illinois 60637-1997 * 773 684-1282 * Fax 773 288-8251
Zassar M. Gatson West Texas New Mexico Cluster Coordinator 810 Lennox Avenue Odessa, Texas 79764 September 27, 2014 Sorors of the West Texas/New Mexico Cluster: Greetings in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I am so excited to have you all attend our 2014 cluster retreat and I welcome you with open arms. I know you will have a blast as “women on Fire Launching New Dimensions of Service”. At our cluster we will be the first cluster to become informed of our Supreme Basileus Dorothy Buckhanan-Wilson’s 2014-2015 initiatives. Iota Xi Omega under the guidance of Soror Dee Dee Hatch-Sanders Cluster Chair lady and Soror Vanessa Harris Co-Cluster Chair lady have been roaring their engines in preparation for us. They have requested that we bring backpacks and school supplies to present to the Albuquerque, New Mexico Chapter community effort. We want to be a great blessing to the Albuquerque community as we kick off the new season. Arrive with great expectations as we gather on Friday night at the New Mexico University campus to bond with our sisters from far and near. We have several special quests that will be attending our cluster and will bring inspiration, motivation and exhilaration to our spirits. Of course, Regional Director Soror Chelle Luper-Wilson always comes with pep in her pomps and a spark of bling as she enthusiastically shares with us. We are so happy to have her in our presence. So I hope to see you in the fabulous town of Albuquerque New Mexico.
Greetings Sorors Zassar Gatson Zassar Gatson WTXNM Cluster Coordinator
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Iota Xi Omega Chapter
Greeting Sorors of the West Texas/New Mexico Cluster! Welcome to Albuquerque for those of you visiting the Land of Enchantment for the first time! To the members of this cluster who have made the trek to support previous cluster retreats and regional conference held here in the past, welcome back! It’s always exciting for us to get together, as a cluster we are so spread out and the miles are great between us, this is an opportunity to not only do service in the local community, but also a time for us to bond, catch up on the past year of events and learn pertinent information to aid in the growth and prosperity of this great organization. Although we are small in numbers as a cluster, we make a difference and impact our individual communities, which is significant to the overall achievement and goals of Alpha Kappa Alpha. This year we are collecting school supplies and backpacks to donate to the Heart Gallery of New Mexico. This non-profit group helps children of all ages find foster care or homes through adoption. The supplies and backpacks will help fulfill a few small needs of these precious young children who are hoping to find a long term, loving and caring home. The presenters coming will share insightful information on how each chapter can implement these program targets in their communities. What a great opportunity for us to share ideas and learn a more in-depth understanding of our esteemed Supreme Basileus Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson’s vision ”Launching New Dimensions of Service.” As we launch into some new targets or continue with familiar programs, we must take charge of how we as Alpha Kappa Alpha will and can make a difference in the lives that we touch each day. Hopefully you will get an opportunity to ride the world third longest tram and North America’s longest aerial tram from the bottom to the top of the Sandia Mountains. You might catch a few hot air balloons in the sky in the early morning hours as we are just a week away from the annual International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta which brings hundreds of thousands of tourist each year. You many choose to visit one of the local casinos in the area, as the city has one at every entry point into the city. Even if you choose to sit back and relax and enjoy the weather, we are happy that you came to visit. I know the cluster retreat provides little time together. It’s a whirlwind of a trip to do community service, leadership development and sisterly bonding. Just know that we’re happy you’re here and hope that you enjoy your time in our fair city. Sisterly, Dee Dee Hatch-Sanders West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Chairman - 2014
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
2014 West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Retreat University of New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico Saturday September 27, 2014 8:30am-5:00pm Women on Fire Launching New Dimensions of Service Through Sisterhood
REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST Morning Session Soror Zassar Gatson - Cluster Coordinator, Presiding Introduction of Presenters and Special Guests Soror Tan Johnson – Iota Xi Omega Chapter Meditation Soror Terrenia Fitts - Theta Gamma Omega Chapter Greetings Soror Dee Dee Hatch-Sanders - Cluster Chairman Basileus - Iota Xi Omega Chapter Introduction of Regional Director Soror Zassar Gatson - West Texas New Mexico Cluster Coordinator State of the Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson - South Central Regional Director Workshop I Launching New Dimensions of Protocol Soror Velena McRae - International Protocol Committee
*BREAK* Workshop II Launching New Dimensions of Service...AKA...Nurturing Our Ivies... With Care, Kindness and Mutual Respect Soror Wilma Holmes Tootle - International Sisterly Relations Committee Chairman 28th North Atlantic Regional Director 3rd International Regional Director 1
2014 West Texas/New Mexico Cluster Retreat University of New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico Saturday September 27, 2014 LUNCHEON Soror Vanessa Harris - Co-Cluster Coordinator, Presiding
Greetings Soror Lyndsay Stapleton Basileus, Tau Phi Chapter - University of New Mexico
Soror Yeshemabet Turner West Texas/New Mexico Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator
Len Malry Student Service Manager–University of New Mexico
Service Project Challenge Donations to the Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation Soror Shalonda Davis - Anti-Basileus, Iota Xi Omega Chapter South Central Region Social Media Coordinator
Blessing of the Meal Soror Beverly Lyons - Rho Iota Omega Chapter
Entertainment Thomas Henderson, Organist Solo by Soror Rayetta Baty – Iota Xi Omega Chapter Hakim Bellamy, Poet Laureate of Albuquerque (2012-2014) (http://asusjournal.org/v-day-issue/hakim-bellamy-poetry/)
*BREAK* Afternoon Session Soror Zassar Gatson - Cluster Coordinator, Presiding
Workshop III Launching New Dimensions of Service: Introducing the International Program Soror Regina Carrington - International Program Committee
Closing Remarks Soror Chelle Luper Wilson - South Central Regional Director
Safe Travels 2
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 Wilma Holmes Tootle Chairman - International Sisterly Relations Committee Soror Wilma Holmes Tootle is the 28th North Atlantic Regional Director, the 3rd International Regional Director and has served on the International Membership Committee, International Standards Committee, International Finance Committee, International Heritage Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation. She is a retired educational administrator and a certified etiquette consultant who is now the president of W.H. Tootle Consulting Services which specializes in social, business and children's etiquette. She is a member of Theta Iota Omega Chapter in Long Island, New York.
Special Guests Mr. Hakim Bellamy Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, New Mexico Hakim Bellamy is a national and regional Poetry Slam Champion, and holds three consecutive collegiate poetry slam titles at the University of New Mexico. His poetry has been published in Albuquerque inner-city buses and numerous anthologies. Bellamy was recognized as an honorable mention for the University of New Mexico Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize for his work as a community organizer and journalist in 2007, and was awarded the Emerging Creative Bravos Award by Creative Albuquerque this year. Recently, Bellamy was named Local iQ's “Best Poet” for the fourth consecutive year on their annual Smart List, and he has been named “Best Poet” in the Weekly Alibi's annual Best of Burque poll every year since 2010. He is the co-creator of the multimedia Hip Hop theater production Urban Verbs: Hip-Hop Conservatory & Theater that has been staged throughout the country. He facilitates youth writing workshops for schools and community organizations in New Mexico and beyond. In May 2014, Hakim won the Tille Olsen Award for Creative Writing from the Working Class Studies Association for his poetry collection in his recently released book Swear. He is the proud father to his son MIkah. (inverse spelling of Hakim) and is the founding president of Beyond Poetry LLC.
Heart Gallery of New Mexico Service Project Challenge Recipient The Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation, a non-profit partner of CYFD working to support New Mexico's foster youth,was created to raise funds necessary to expand the Heart Gallery of New Mexico as well as to improve upon and support other New Mexico initiatives which encourage adoption through foster care. The Heart Gallery finds homes for many children who were considered "hard to place" due to their age or the fact that they were members of a sibling group. Thanks to media coverage and technical support from CYFD, the Heart Gallery spread to several other states. Coverage includes People, the Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, USA Weekend, the New York Times, ABC World News Tonight and 20/20. Currently 42 states have held or are planning Heart Gallery openings, and the number of Heart Gallery-inspired placements in the end should number in the thousands. On November 1, 2005, the first National Heart Gallery exhibit was hosted at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Please visit www.heartgalleryofamerica.org for more information