December 13, 2014 Hyatt Regency Hotel New Orleans, Louisiana
Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator
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
December 13, 2014 Dear Sorors of the Southern Louisiana Cluster: I am literally tickled PINK to join you in the Crescent City, nestled right upon the mighty Mississippi River. As the place where jazz not only began but launched America’s music to a whole other level, New Orleans is the perfect setting for us to come together and prepare for our own launch into this new dimension of sisterhood and service. Just as effortlessly as the Mississippi River flows each and every day, let’s expand our minds to all the ways that we too can effortlessly flow into this next chapter of our beloved sisterhood. 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. 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 Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Soror Robyn McCormick; Co-Cluster Coordinator, Soror Altha Jordan Green and all the cluster sorors who collaboratively stepped up to the sisterly 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 to join us here in New Orleans. I appreciate your generosity in support of our One Million Backpack initiative and 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
December 14, 2014 Greetings Sorors of the Southern Louisiana Cluster: It is with great excitement that I welcome you to our 2014 Southern Louisiana Cluster Retreat. The Southern Louisiana Cluster-wide Planning Committee is excited that you are joining them in New Orleans, Louisiana for a time of reflection, education, sisterly relations, and leadership development. Our theme: “Ready, Set, We’re Off: Launching New Dimensions of Service from the Bayou to the Quarter” ensures that we all have the information and preparation necessary for lift-off as we “Launch New Dimensions of Service!” The workshops and presentations today will continue to add fuel to our foundation as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated which will encourage us all to continue to provide “Service to all Mankind” in our chapters, our region, and internationally. I am confident that you will leave our 2014 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 your sisterly love and support. . Sisterly,
Robyn S. McCormick Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator
Soror Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Presiding
8:00 a.m.‐9:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00am
Call to Order
Introduction of Presenters and Special Guests Soror Tequilla Ware, Phi Rho Omega Chapter Soror Marilyn Marshall, Eta Chi Omega Chapter
Meditation Soror Doris Robert, Basileus, Iota Eta Omega Chapter
Greetings and 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 Katina Semien, Basileus, Gamma Eta Omega Chapter, South Central Region Program Committee
State of the Region Soror Chelle Luper Wilson, South Central Regional Director
Workshop 1 Launching New Dimensions of Service: Introducing the International Program Soror Regina Carrington, International Program Committee , Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter
Break Photo Session* Door Prizes* Vendors
12:15pm‐1:30pm Cluster Luncheon Soror Altha Jordan Green, Southern Louisiana Co‐Cluster Coordinator, Presiding
Meditation and Grace Soror Sylvia Fordice, Basileus, Eta Chi Omega Chapter
Cluster Photo Montage Video
Cluster Service Project ‐ “Reel Dem In”: One Million Backpacks Soror Alosia Sterling, Zeta Psi Omega Chapter Soror Debra McClarity, Phi Rho Omega Chapter Soror Constance Nisby, Tau Iota Omega Chapter
Service Project Recipients: Youth Empowerment Project (YEP)
Remarks
Break Photo Session* Door Prizes* Vendors
1:45pm
Afternoon Session Soror Robyn S. McCormick, Southern Louisiana Cluster Coordinator, Presiding
Workshop II Launching New Dimensions of Service…AKA…Nurturing Our Ivies With Care, Kindness, and Mutual Respect Soror Shirley R. Fischer, International Sisterly Relations Committee, 21st South Central Regional Director, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
Workshop III Launching New Dimensions of Protocol Soror Velena McRae, International Protocol Committee, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter
Presentations
Closing Remarks Soror Chelle Wilson, South Central Regional Director
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.
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 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.
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