Volume II Issue 7
From The Basileus Greetings Sorors,
January 2017 ushered in 109 years of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sisterhood and Service. My sincere thanks to each of you for your commitment and dedication to the vision set forth by our Founders in 1908 at Howard University. Also in January, we became familiar with three “Trail Blazing Sorors.” Sorors Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughn, who “Embody Sisterhood and Service.” The movie “Hidden Figures” was based upon their untold true story as “pioneering women” who “helped NASA catch up in the space race, using their calculations. On November 24, 2005, President Barack Obama presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Soror Katherine G. Johnson. I hope that each of you enjoyed the summer as we continued to take care of the business of our chapter. First, Kudos to June Luncheon Chairman, Soror Alesia Dowell and her committee members for the beautiful event. We awarded scholarships, recognized our Community Partners, presented certificates to members of our mentoring groups, and presented LTO Soror Awards. Second, my sincere thanks to Lambda Tau Omega Sorors who attended our Leadership Conference in “Fabulous Las Vegas,” Launching New Dimensions of Leadership, Redefining the 4D Approach, July 13-16, 2017. Our chapter was well represented. The content of the workshops and seminars was designed to improve our overall effectiveness as we continue to positively impact the communities we serve. Thirdly, Congratulations to Soror Marilyn Hamb, Program Chairman/Ant-Basileus and our outstanding Program Committee for keeping our programs active throughout the summer. We provided 200 Character Themed book bags and 200 blankets to students at Richton Square School (RSS) on Wednesday, August 23rd. LTO returned (rescheduled secondary to rain) on Saturday August 26th, to clean and sanitize the playground. (with eco-friendly products), remove weeds and plant fresh flowers in
September 2017
the planters. Members of RSS teaching staff participated in the playground cleanup. We will return to RSS on Thursday, September 14 for the dedication of the beautiful Rainbow Bench donated by LTO. On August 8, 2017 we were officially notified that Lambda Tau Omega will be evaluated by the Central Region AKA Evaluation Team (AKA E-Team) during our Fall, 2017 Cluster I, II, VIII Cluster Retreat. We will present our documents/materials to the E-Team at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 29, 2017. My sincere thanks to Standards Chairman, Lynda Tarver, and the Standards Committee for guiding us through the on-going preparation phase which we we began last year. Your registration for 2017 Tinley Park, Il Cluster Retreat (Clusters 1, 2, and 8) is strongly encouraged and may be completed on Central Region’s Website. We are Cluster 8. Sorors, as we enter our chapter’s election season, I say congratulations to those who are considering or have made the decision to seek election to, or appointment to a leadership role. You are encouraged to read LTO’s By Laws and Standing Rules as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Constitution and By Laws and Manual of Standard Procedure so that you are fully informed as you leave the shallow water and (LEAP) into the deep water of leadership. On the next page you will find some gentle reminders found in “Documents.” Yours in Sisterhood and Service,
Barbara Pearson-McCreary, Basileus Lambda Tau Omega Chapter
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Meetings-Standing Rules Section 2 (page 2): A Soror must sign in within one (1) hour of the start of the meeting to receive credit for the attendance Section 3 (page 2): All Lambda Tau Omega Chapter, Executive Committee meetings will be held within a 15 mile radius of Park Forest, Illinois
Committee-Standing Rules Section 2 (page 3) Committee chairmen will submit hard copy reports to the Grammateus for eachmont that shepresents a report at the tme the report is given; two for Basileus (one of wwhich is for the chapter file); one for the AntiBasileus, one for the Grammateus, and one for the committee files.
Conference: Standing Rules Section 1 (Page 3): Lambda Tau Omega Chapter shall have representatives at the Central Regional Conference each year. A representative must be atn active financial member for one year. A representative must be an active member of an LTO committee within the past 6 months prior to submitting her name as a delegate for the conference.
Additional information regarding Nominations and Elections will be provided by the Nominating Committee at the September Chapter Meeting. Refer to Article IV: Officers (Chapter By Laws), Sections 2 and 3 page 5 Remember, “Rendering service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororoity, Inc, is an honor. Sharing your time and talent to serve as an officer at any level is an important undertaking.” “So You Want to Run for Office, page 1”
Barbara Pearson-McCreary, Basileus Lambda Tau Omega Chapter
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In This Issue: Please refer to the Event Calendar on the website for the date, location and time of committee meetings
Sept. 17th
AKA KLASSIC
Oct. 16th
Childhood Hunger Awareness
Dec. 9th
December Luncheon
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Upcoming Events Spiritual Oversight SOC Chat & Chew Our LTO Journey to 2018 Financial Fuel Fine Art Soror #THINKHBCU AKAKLASSIC Reminder Soror Denim AKA EXPO Summer Picnic Electjudgetoyaharvey.com LTO Mentoring Groups P Parent Informational One Million Backpacks Richton Square School Playground Cleanup Welcome Back
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Newsletter submissions are due to the Basileus on the first Monday of each month. The October newsletter submissions must be in by October 2, 2017.
Next month, featured articles will include: Please send all submissions to: president@ltoaka.org or barbara.mccreary@comcast.net Be sure to Cc Soror Ruby Roberson at: ruby.roberson@sbcglobal.net.
Many Hearts Beating as One “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about” 3
Soror Marilyn Hamb
Calendar Events All LTO and TPF Committee Meetings are to be posted on the LTO Calendar. At the time of submission, please include meeting details. All meetings, with the exception of Nominating and Leadership, are open to all members. To maximize participation of the membership, please adhere to the following ‌ If the meeting is to be held in person, the location of the meeting must be included. If a conference call, the conference call details must be included. All events must include the contact information of the host. During the weekdays, Monday through Friday, there are two meeting start times; 6:30 PM or 8:00 PM. This will allow for members to attend meetings without conflict. Should you need to CANCEL your meeting, please update the event by EDITing the event on the calendar. Indicate **Cancelled** in the title. Note: Mental Health Wednesdays: There are no meetings to be scheduled on Wednesdays without the expressed permission of the Basileus.
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Spiritual Oversight Committee
You Matter! AddThis Sharing Buttons Share to
AddThis Sharing Buttons Share
"For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." Luke 1:48a (NIV)
Only you can change your life’s course and destination by paying more attention to the things that aligns your purpose with God’s will. The bible teaches us to purify our minds by setting our thing above and not beneath. We are instructed to establish ourselves in hope...Look to the hills; this is where your help will come from Psalm 121: 1. You matter and that's why it's worth going God's way rather than your way. Accepting God's destiny for your life is the best laid plan that comes with guarantee. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3).
No one cares more about your life than God.
God notices everything in your life be it large or small…..you matter!!
You Matter —Welcome Back Sorors
No man, no woman, not even you. That's why God's destiny is always the best. God loves you just the way you are… flaws and all and He is always thinking about you and thinking about what is best for you.
"Give God all your worries and all your cares for he is always thinking about you watching everything that concerns you" (1 Peter 5:7). Whatever concerns you, concerns God. Whatever you're worried about, whatever you're afraid of, whatever keeps you up at night, whatever gets your attention, gets God's attention. No one will care more about your life, so why not give him your life to care about? The word of God desires for us to Look to Him. Allow Him to strengthen your spirit, soul, and body. He will rejuvenate you and bring satisfaction akin to a full meal for a starving man or fresh water for a thirsty soul. ReWhat does it mean that God is mindful of you? It means he's watchful, he's focused, he's paying attention. When God is mindful of you, he notices everything in your life. Matthew 10:19-30 says not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without God noticing. He even numbers every hair on your head. That's how close God pays attention to you.
Keep Sorors in Your Prayers There by the grace of God go I…… Soror Saundra Jones (recovering at home from surgery) Soror Natalie Chadwell and Family (dad William Harkless recuperating at home) Soror Deshirnette Walker (loss of her cousin) Soror Paris Winston (loss of her uncle) Soror Caleitha White’s mother (Juanita Henderson)
Soror Tina Hughes Burke Spiritual Oversight
Committee Chairman
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The Lambda Tau Omega Spiritual Oversight Committee invites you to Chat and Chew at Siam Thai in Flossmoor Illinois (next to Lou Malnati’s). Saturday, October 21 2017 11:30 am -3p.m. (R.S.V.P for seating – thughesburke@yahoo.com) (Meals are on your own)
Come out and fellowship with us. Enjoy great conversation and food as we get to know each other better and feed our souls.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Lambda Tau Omega Chapter Launching New Dimensions of Service: Keeping Our Heritage R. E. E. L. Presents
“Our LTO Journey to 2018” 40 Years of Sisterhood and Service An Archives Exhibit Saturday, September 9, 2017 Exhibit 12:30 – 2:00 PM Program 1:00 PM Southland College Prep Charter School 4601 Sauk Trail Richton Park , IL A Public Event Barbara J. McCreary, M.D., President Jacquelyn Young, Archives Chairman LTOAKALegacy@gmail.com
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$ Financial Fuel $ Sorors, As we enter the 7th inning stretch of our fiscal year, let’s assess you financial IQ: Did You Know…
Financial Essentials (Things To Remember)… Alpha Kappa Alpha Fiscal Year: Alpha Kappa Alpha fiscal year begins January 1 and ends December 31 of the year. Chapters must also operate their fiscal year within this time frame. Dues and Assessments: All dues and assessments are due and payable to the Corporate Office by January 1 of each year. Federal, State and other tax assessments paid on behalf of the chapter by Corporate Office are due and payable by January 1st of each year Payments are late and subject to a fine of 10 percent (10%) of the entire amount, if postmarked or sent electronically after February 1.
Budget Control… Money can be spent for budgeted items only if it has been collected and is on hand. Expenses made beyond your budget become a donation. Paraphrasing from a great orator… If it doesn’t fit (within your budget) – you must NOT get.
Twenty Pearls Foundation… When purchasing on behalf Twenty Pearls Foundation, use the tax exempt letter Checks are to be made payable to Twenty Pearls Foundation, Inc. for all fundraising contributions.
$oror $arah Lewis-Weaver 2017 Tamiouchos 8
Ashley Jan Gardner graduated from Laguna College of Art & Design with a Masters of Fine Art in Painting. She is currently residing in Chicago and is in the process of developing her career as a professional artist. Her work focuses mainly on representational painting of the figure. Portraiture is one concentration she specializes in while also incorporating landscapes, interior spaces, and abstractions. Other materials have also been included in her work such as collage, mixed media and recycled objects. Currently, Ashley is settling into the new Chicago art scene and is looking to obtain a studio outside of her home. Recently, her work was shown in a group exhibition at the Laguna Art Museum and the Q Art Salon gallery in California. Later this year, she hopes to exhibit her body of work locally. You can check out her work at www.ashleyjan.com.
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#NewYearNewYouThinkHBCU
I attended an HBCU and certainly know the importance of keeping "Our" institutions relevant and an obtainable option for our children. Although summer may be ending soon, don't forget to donate to "Think HBCU", and help LTO reach our goal! See Soror Jaronda or Soror Alise at our September Chapter meeting for your $30.00 donation!
Soror Jaronda Hall, Sub Committee Chairman: Think HBCU
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Luke 12:48 says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.” This is the life principal of Judge Toya T. Harvey. Judge Harvey, a lifelong resident of the Chicago Southland, is a proven person of scholarship, service and integrity. As a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County assigned to the First Municipal District, Judge Harvey currently presides over cases in the Traffic and Forcibles Divisions located at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago. Prior to her appointment by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, Judge Harvey was an Assistant Public Defender on the Suburban Homicide Taskforce in the Sixth Municipal District in Markham, Illinois. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University where she received a Bachelor’s of Art in Pre-Law Honors/Political Science and was a member of the Order of Omega and the Mortar Board, both collegiate honor societies. She also graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the Boyd College of Law at the University of Iowa. While in law school she was a member of the Iowa Law Review and served as a local, regional and national officer/committee chairman in the Black Law Student Association and a Lieutenant Governor for Minority Affairs in the American Bar Association-Law Student Division. A Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Judge Harvey began her service to her beloved Sisterhood in 1988 in Zeta Iota Chapter while on the campus of WIU. She has served and continues to serve the sorority on many levels and currently serves as a member of one of its international committees. Judge Harvey has continued to forge the paths of leadership in her community as well. She currently serves on various boards including serving as the Board Chairman for Family Christian Healthcare Center, FQHC and Executive Board member for the juvenile diversion organization, Life Choices We Make. Judge Harvey is a 10 year Girl Scout Troop Leader, a community speaker and a mentor. A former AllAmerican Athlete, Judge Harvey enjoys sports, fishing and, most importantly, being the mother of two out-
standing young ladies of leadership, Morgan and Taylor.
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Lambda Tau Omega Mentoring Groups Parent Informational St. John’s Lutheran Church 4247 183rd Street Country Club Hill, Illinois Sunday, August 27, 2017
EMERGING PEARLS CULTURED PEARLS
STRANDS of PEARLS
COTILLION
ASCEND
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Target I Educational Enrichment's AKA One Million Backpacks donated over 200 backpacks and classroom supplies to Richton Square School. Thank You to School District 162 for allowing us to give back to the community.
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Saturday, August 26, 2017
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Welcome back to all of the classy AKA’s of Lambda Tau Omega
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”
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