LTO December 2016 Newsletter

December 2016

Volume I Issue 12

Greetings Sorors, My sincere thanks to each of you for making 2016 a productive year for Lambda Tau OmeSisterly, ga Chapter. I appreciate your prayers, enMadame Basileus couragement and the many “lessons learned.� There is always some good in eve- president@ltoaka.org rything regardless of how difficult it might appear at the time; if we but look closely, with a positive attitude, the good can be found.

Thank you for growing and strengthening me.

In This Issue: I hope that each of you has grown in some way and feel strengthened for the continuing journey in building upon the firm foundation Documents from Madame Supreme laid by our Founders. Thanks again for your Spiritual Oversight support.

Tamiouchos Tips Madame Supreme Basileus has requested that the following information be included in the December Newsletter. Those documents are as follows:

Page 2-12 13 14

Tips to Combat Holiday Blues

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End of Year Reports

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AKAversaries

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Upcoming Events

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Letter from the Supreme Basileus Letter to Chapters Reinstatement Task Force Committee Cover letter from Reinstatement Chairman Reinstatement Flyer Reinstatement Workshop Registration Information and Instruction (Print and Online)

Happy Holidays 1

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Spiritual Oversight Committee Merry Christmas Sorors

Remember Service over Self.

Christmas Prayer:

Keep Sorors in Your Prayers There by the grace of God go I……

Let us pray that strength and courage be given

Soror Joyce Duke

in abundance to all who work for a world of rea-

Soror Judy Rush (Home)

son, compassion and understanding. May the good that lies in every man’s heart be magnified,

Soror Carol Sharp (Home)

that women and men will come to see more clear-

Soror Damita Cox (Bereaved) Loss

ly not that which divides us, but that which

of her Aunt

unites us that each day may bring us closer to a final victory, not a nation over nation, but man over his/her own evils and weaknesses that the

Soror Sheree Haywood (Loss of her dad)

true spirit of this Christmas season-its joy, its beauty, its hope, and above all its abiding faithmay live among us that the blessing of peace be ours-the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future in Full confidence of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. #Jesus is still on the throne

Soror Tina Hughes Burke Spiritual Oversight Committee Chairman 13

Tamiouchos Tips Merry Christmas Sorors, As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and close out 2016, let us remember:

2016 Twenty Pearls Foundation Obligations The 2016 Fundraising Obligation for each general member is $375.00.

The 2016 Fundraising Obligation for each Board of Director is $1,000.00.

Checks to satisfy the 2016 obligation are to be made payable to Twenty Pearls Foundation, Inc.

2017 Lambda Tau Omega Dues Graduate Members

$310

Graduate Life Members

$185

*Graduate Members (62+)*

$294

*Graduate Life Members (62+)*$169 *Must be LTO Financial 2 Consecutive Years …

Checks to pay 2017 dues are to be made payable to Lambda Tau Omega Remember – Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!!!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called - Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…

Isaiah 9:6 14

Soror Sarah Lewis-Weaver Tamiouchos

“Take a three-minute breathing space: When you're becoming angry, exhausted, anxious or stressed, it's difficult to remember why you should remain calm. The Three-minute Breathing Space was created to deal with such feelings.

Sometimes Pink goes Blue during the holiday season. 'Tis the season to be jolly, Its impact is twofold. Firstly, it's a meditation that's used to punctuate the day, so but not everyone is happy this time of year. that it dissolves negative thought patterns before they gain control over your life.

The holiday season can bring upon feelings that range from excitement and joy Secondly, it's an emergency meditation that helps ‘ground' you when your to sadness and anxiety. “While some people can grin and bear it, the holiday rush thoughts threaten to spiral out of control. You can listen to the meditation at: http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/ leaves other folks feeling sad, overwhelmed, and cheerless, emotions that can become all the more difficult with all the cheer and celebration going on around Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious them. The reasons for seasonal blues are as varied as the people who go through or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering it. your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.”

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is one culprit, though it has more to

Successful tips for combatting the Holiday Blues

do with decreased exposure to sunlight than it has to do with holiday-specific emotions. When someone experiences SAD, they have symptoms similar to clinical depression: fatigue, irritability, changes in appetite, and feelings of anxiety and sadness.

Milder cases of winter blues strike many people.

For people whose blues are linked specifically to the holidays, the reasons are often tied to stress. Our expectations of ourselves during the holidays are high: find the perfect gifts for everyone without breaking the bank; attend or organize festive parties and get-togethers; travel to see friends and family.

Stick to a budget: Make a holiday budget that includes food, & gifts.

Planning ahead and knowing how much you will spend provides satisfaction and helps you to avoid feeling out of control, which can lead to negative internal feelings. Consider giving to a charity. Giving to those in need has been proven to lift depression and negative mood. Save by giving self-crafted gifts, and participating in a family grab bag.

Be realistic: Set realistic expectations for the holidays. Allow for new traditions and rituals as things change in families as we grow and change. If you cannot visit family this year, make a plan to save up for next year. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year.

Sometimes holiday blues are connected to emotions of loss or grief death of loved ones, a move that distances us from family and friends, or a divorce or other major life changes may make the holiday season difficult.

Seek help: There's no need for you to go it alone. If your feelings of sadness or hopelessness become more serious (i.e., if they are severe and are interfering with your work or your relationships), talk to a mental health profesThe solutions are varied, too. Each individual will need to find their own sional. Most all health insurance companies have some provisions for mental way of coping with their emotions around the holidays. For some, the symptoms health services. Prayer is free, ask and you shall find. Surround yourself with positive people. Your sorors are there for you. I can be reached at and complications may be mild and temporary. For others, the feelings may linLeah9aka@aol.com. If you send me your email I will send you a daily cheerful/ ger, worsen, or aggravate an existing condition.” mindfulness quote form 12/10-1/10. Sorors, may your Christmas be merry and bright!

Here are a few ideas to turn the blues to calming pink: “Fortify yourself: When you're feeling down, you might skimp on nutrition. Some people will be tempted to dull the sting of sadness with unhealthy comfort foods or alcohol.” Drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods and take multivitamins.

Practice Mindfulness in some form: Feelings of anxiety and sadness can negatively affect your mind, body and spirit. Take time to relax focusing on mindful activities to calm you mind. Practice progressive relaxation breathing exercises or meditate. “These can give your mind time and space to regenerate, soothing anxious nerves and hopefully energizing and resetting your mind.”

Download apps like Do As One for their universal breathing room exercises. Try the Apple app Daily Calm to for breathing exercises.

Submitted by Soror Leah Hill, Ed.D., Licensed School Psychologist & Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Eat some chocolate mindfully!!: At this time of year it's all too easy to -excerpts from: Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping by eat too much chocolate. Reconnecting with your senses is the heart of mindfulThe Mayo Clinic Staff, -From bestseller Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Findness so why not try this chocolate meditation to help you enjoy your food again? ing Peace in a Frantic World. -Melancholidays: 6 Ways to beat the holiday blues.

You can listen to a chocolate meditation at: http://franticworld.com/freeMedbroadcast.com meditations-from-mindfulness/ Get Moving: Exercise has been noted as a great way to beat the blues.

Try Yoga to calm your mind. Yoga is particularly suited to help you relax, relate and release! Try MyYogaWorks.com premium online yoga videos. Check Groupon for discount membership.

Reflect: Write in a journal or on an online blog to describe the emotions you're feeling. Colorful journals are available for $2-$5 at Marshalls/TJ Maxx

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End of Year Reports Sorors it’s the end of the year and it’s time to report on our results, aka, the fruits of our labor. And do we have fruit!

Our officers, chairmen and committees have worked diligently this year. What a sense of accomplishment we feel when we review these reports and realize all that we have done in totality!

What constitutes a good End of Year report?

What should be included?

How should I organize my report?

In some instances, we are provided with EOY Reports Templates. The templates are meant to collect the same information from all chapters in the same format. The template will ask the needed questions for the information being gathered.

Some EOY reports are less structured but should include a few essential elements.

Purpose and Objectives of the committee Top 3 Significant Committee Successes of the committee Other Notable Successes of the committee Lessons Learned – Recommendations for the committee Despite the format, a well thought out committee report begins with reflection. We have to ask ourselves: What worked well—or didn’t work well—either with committee organization or tasks?

What needs to be done over or differently?

What surprises or circumstances did the committee have to deal with that were not anticipated?

Were the committee goals attained? If not, what changes need to be made to meet goals in the future?

In Lambda Tau Omega, we work hard. We are results oriented and goal driven. We rise to the occasion and deliver on our chapter’s commitments to the goals and ideal of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Let’s be sure our EOY repots reflect the impact we have on the South Suburban Chicago community.

Soror Jeanette Rogers Leadership Chairman

16 Soror Marilyn Hamb Anti Basileus/Program Chairman

NOVEMber 2016 HODEGOS REPORT

hAPPY AKAVERSARY soror sabrina reed

December 1, 2006

DECEMBER 2, 2012 SOROR KRISTA D. BUTLER SOROR MAXINE ELLISON SOROR STEPHANIE FARROW SOROR EVITA MCNEIL soror lynsey mitchell Soror onquanette nowels-pierce Soror patricia o’neaL Soror patricia parrish Soror casandra watson Soror crystal williams Soror paris winston

Soror Krista Butler Hodegos

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happY aKaVerSarY cont’D Soror cemion woodley

december 4, 1994

December 8, 1996 Soror jaronda hall Soror muriel lee Soror audrey mcfarlin Soror joyce nelson SOROR TRUDY TAYLOR

Soror ruby roberson

december 12, 1969

Soror damika davis

December 15, 2002

soror Sheridan banks

december XX, 1954

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Please refer to the Event Calendar on the website for the date, location and time of committee meetings

Dec.16th: AKA Jingle The Garden Clubhouse

900 Garden Lane Homewood, Il Key in using #911 Dec..16th: “Ugly Sweater” Game Night for Debutants & Escorts 7:30-9:30 Home of Barbara McCreary 12454 West Mackinac Road Homer Glen, IL 60491

Dec 17th: Emerging Pearls: Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Merry Merry Chicago 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 28th: Joint Founders Day Luncheon, Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Newsletter submissions are due to the Basileus on the first Monday of each month. The January newsletter submissions must be in by January 4, 2017.

Please send all submissions to: president@ltoaka.org.

Be sure to Cc Soror Ruby Roberson at ruby.roberson@sbcglobal.net.

Next month, featured articles will include: Holiday photos

Many Hearts Beating as One 19