84th North Atlantic Regional Conference April 23-26, 2015 Atlantic City Convention Center Atlantic City, New Jersey Soror Meredith L. Henderson Regional Director
STATE OF THE REGION Presented to the North Atlantic Region Friday, April 24, 2015 To our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, to our 21st Supreme Basileus Soror Faye B. Bryant and to all sorors of the Notable North Atlantic Region, good morning. It is with pride that I present to you the State of the Region. This report highlights some of the Pearls of Service we are providing for the residents in our respective communities as we "Launch New Dimensions of Service." The report also serves as a guide as we continue to enhance chapter operations, bolster sisterly relations, and surpass the high bar of service we have set for our region. Sorors, I have had the honor of serving as your regional director for the last nine months. Or, if you wish to break it down further, that means 40 weeks, 278 days, 6,672 hours, 40,320 minutes, or 24,019,200 seconds. The span of our service is wide and encompasses five clusters, 11 states, and the District of Columbia. We are making great strides in providing relevant programs through our Community Impact Days and our five targets - Educational Enrichment, Health Promotion, Family Strengthening, Environmental Ownership, and Global Impact. A snapshot of the programs that chapters are implementing and the events sorors have attended since July 2014 include: - Wreath Laying Ceremony - Chapter LNDS Program Launch Activities - Cluster Conferences - A.S.C.E.N.D. sm Activities - Love Your Sister Day Activities - One Million Backpack sm Collections - Undergraduate Round-Up - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - Think HBCU sm - Unveiling of Maya Angelou U.S. Postal Stamp - Family Seasonal Wraps sm - United Nations Association of America (UNA--USA) - AKA Day at the Capitol - Pink Goes Red - Chapter Anniversaries - Founders' Day Celebrations - Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling - National Association of Mental Health Association (NAMI) I am committed to doing my part to ensure the continued success of our region as we serve others. That commitment includes making sure your voices are heard throughout the region. Our town hall meetings at all cluster conferences in the fall of 2014 have proven to be successful and a great start in keeping that commitment. I am committed to increasing general member and undergraduate soror participation on the regional level and on regional committees. 1
I am pleased to say that we have also made great progress fulfilling that commitment. We must always be open to improvement because that is the only way to achieve success. MEMBERSHIP As of December 31, 2014, the North Atlantic Region s active membership totaled 8,366 or 14 percent of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated s financial membership base. The region is comprised of 813 undergraduate sorors, 7,553 graduate sorors. This makes the North Atlantic Region the 2 nd largest region in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The North Atlantic Region consists of 66 undergraduate chapters and 72 graduate chapters. This gives us a total of 138 chapters. We have three inactive undergraduate chapters, one suspended undergraduate chapter and three undergraduate chapters on withdrawal of privileges. Sorors, Alpha Kappa Alpha s Anti-Hazing Policy is simple, straightforward and well publicized. Since I assumed the office of Regional Director, our North Atlantic Region AKA I Team conducted investigations on the following chapters: Nu Psi Chapter-SUNY Westbury Delta Iota Chapter-Cheyney University Lambda Tau Chapter-City Chapter Hartford Xi Tau Chapter-John Hopkins University Although each investigation involved an undergraduate chapter, do not be misled to believe our undergraduate sorors are solely responsible for violations of Alpha Kappa Alpha s Anti- Hazing Policy. We have incidents where graduate sorors were implicated as well. We must be vigilant in ensuring the current and approved Membership Intake Process is the only process used in the recruitment and initiation of new members. On a more positive note, the North Atlantic Region has experienced growth. During the last half of 2014 and the first quarter 2015, I approved 38 undergraduate and 18 graduate requests to conduct the Membership Intake Process. New sorors, please stand. Welcome to the sisterhood and congratulations! We have three graduate interest groups: Greater Howard County Pearls (Howard County, MD) The Philadelphia Liberty Pearls (Philadelphia, PA) Bucks County Petals n Pearls (Bucks County, PA) North Atlantic Region s reclamation efforts were outstanding in 2014. Those sorors who reactivated their membership in 2014 and 2015, please stand. Congratulations and welcome 2
back! We will induct one Diamond Soror, 43 Golden Sorors and 220 Silver Sorors at Friday s Diamond, Golden and Silver Luncheon, at which our Supreme Basileus will serve as the keynote speaker. SISTERLY RELATIONS The sorors of this notable region are creatively nurturing the ivy that binds us in a supreme sisterhood. Each month, you have enthusiastically sponsored sisterly relations themes and activities. These activities, recommended by the International Sisterly Relations Committee promote caring, kindness, and mutual respect. In addition to packing, polishing, and preparing ourselves during the final weeks of 2014 to Launch New Dimensions of Service sm in 2015, the North Atlantic Region pampered and celebrated each other on Love Your Sister Day held on December 5, 2014. On this annual day unique to our region, some of the many activities included gift exchanges, dessert socials, lunch gatherings at work, and dinner parties. On January 15, 2015, we celebrated our 107 years of service to all mankind, Founders Day and the inaugural International Sisterly Relations Day. To promote friendship and unity you dined together, performed random acts of kindness such as surprising sorors with bouquets of flowers, gathered to decorate cookies and make bracelets, visited sick and shut-in sorors, and viewed the movie Selma as a group. One chapter observed the day by hosting a public reception at a local historical society where they installed a chapter history display. Pink Heart Celebrations were held throughout the region in February to commemorate Heart Health Month. In the spirit of nurturing our ivy and promoting healthy lifestyles, some chapters distributed cards, sweets, and healthy snacks with heartfelt sentiments to its members. Pink Heart Celebrations also included Zumba sessions, line dancing socials, gym workout groups, red wine and dark chocolate tastings, and sharing heart healthy meals as a group. Under the theme, Diamond Golden Silver Shower of Love, some of the many fun and festive activities held in March included paint parties, parades during chapter meetings, and crowning ceremonies for new Diamond, Golden and Silver sorors. CHAPTER OPERATIONS As of December 31, 2014, 90 chapters out of 138 submitted their Standards End of the Year Reports on time! Fifty-nine of the 90 chapters are STAR chapters, Standing Tall Among Regions, and the recipient of the STAR Award. Congratulations to the following chapters who have achieved Standards STAR Status for 2014! 3
North Atlantic Undergraduate Chapters Alpha Gamma Epsilon Lambda Tau Rho Phi Alpha Mu Gamma Zeta Lambda Epsilon Rho Theta Alpha Omicron Iota Gamma Mu Chi Rho Upsilon Beta Iota Iota Psi Nu Mu Tau Alpha Delta Lambda Kappa Epsilon Nu Psi Tau Eta Delta Mu Kappa Phi Pi Chi Tau Xi Epsilon Lambda Beta Pi Iota Theta Iota Epsilon Kappa Lambda Gamma Rho Gamma Xi Tau North Atlantic Graduate Chapters Delta Mu Omega Delta Sigma Omega Epsilon Omega Epsilon Pi Omega Epsilon Sigma Omega Eta Omega Omega Omicron Gamma Omega Omicron Upsilon Omega Phi Beta Omega Pi Mu Omega Pi Pi Omega Pi Theta Omega Psi Lambda Omega Psi Phi Omega Rho Epsilon Omega Rho Gamma Omega Rho Mu Omega Rho Theta Omega Tau Nu Omega Tau Xi Omega Theta Phi Omega Theta Pi Omega Xi Delta Omega Xi Omega Zeta Nu Omega Chapters will receive their awards during Saturday s Standards Workshop. Sorors, during the next three years, all Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters will be evaluated. Chapter evaluations will be based on a level identified as either Light touch or pulse, Re-evaluation, or a Complete evaluation. To reduce costs, the Light touch and Re-evaluations will be conducted at Cluster Conferences and Undergraduate Round-Ups to the maximum extent possible. 4
UNDERGRADUATE ACTIVITIES The undergraduate sorors of the North Atlantic Region are owning their commitment to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ideals of academic excellence, service and leadership. Undergraduate Round-Up Over eight hundred undergraduate and graduate sorors attended the 2014 Undergraduate Round-Up held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. The Kappa Phi Chapter planned and hosted an eventful day with the guidance and assistance of their supervising graduate chapter, Theta Iota Omega. In addition to presentations, workshops, and a town hall meeting, an interactive one-on-one session with the undergraduates was held. Undergraduate Round-Up was held for one day instead of the traditional two days in order to reduce costs. The one-day conference resulted in cost savings for the region and for attendees. 4.0 Club In 2014 thirty-five undergraduate sorors were inducted into the prestigious 4.0 Club. The 2014 inductees represented sixteen schools of which six were HBCUs. This distinction was bestowed upon twenty-four sorors in spring 2014 and twelve sorors in fall 2014. Soror Niya Brown of Mu Chi Chapter at Salisbury University is the only soror to earn a 4.0 for both semesters. The Delta Lambda Chapter at Delaware State University produced the most inductees in 2014 with a total of six in spring 2014. Chapter Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Alpha 2 3 Alpha Delta 2 3 Alpha Omicron 3 0 Gamma Zeta 1 0 Delta Lambda 6 0 Epsilon Kappa 0 1 Epsilon Nu 1 0 Theta Iota 1 0 Theta Nu 1 1 Iota Psi 1 0 Lambda Tau 1 0 Mu Chi 3 1 Nu Mu 0 1 Nu Psi 1 0 Rho Kappa 0 2 Tau Theta 1 0 24 12 5
Student Leaders and Campus Queens Gavels and crowns were bestowed upon Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors throughout the region in 2014. Soror Winnie Washington of Epsilon Nu Chapter at Lincoln University of PA has the distinction of serving a second elected term as student body president and student trustee during the 2014-15 academic year. The 2014 campus leaders and campus queens in the North Atlantic Region are: Student Government Association Presidents Soror Milan Mobely, Eta Chapter, Bowie State University Soror Winnie Washington, Epsilon Nu Chapter, Lincoln University of PA Soror Ambar Paulino, Lambda Tau Chapter, Trinity College Student Trustees Soror Teudy Wilson, Alpha Chapter, Howard University Soror Winnie Washington, Epsilon Nu Chapter, Lincoln University of PA Other Student Leadership Positions Soror Camille Alexandre, Rho Kappa Chapter, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, SGA Southwest Senator Campus Queens Soror Marissa E. Massey, Eta Chapter, Miss Bowie State University Soror Kiara Jackson, Epsilon Nu Chapter, Miss Lincoln University of PA Soror Nia Andrews, Theta Iota Chapter, Miss West Chester University Other Campus Royalty Positions Soror Elynn Alise Parks, Alpha Chapter, Howard University, Miss School of Education Soror Toni Jenkins, Alpha Chapter, Howard University, Ms. College of Nursing and Allied Health Science/Ms. Blue and White Soror Javonna Welch, Alpha Delta Chapter, Morgan State University, Miss Senior Soror Kelsey Tate, Alpha Omicron Chapter, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Miss Senior National Newsmakers Soror Morgan Tuck of Lambda Tau Chapter and her University of Connecticut teammates won the NCAA Women s Basketball Championship for the 3rd consecutive year in April 2015. 6
Leadership Fellows Twelve undergraduates in the North Atlantic Region applied for the 36 th Annual Leadership Fellows Program. Five North Atlantic Region sorors were selected. They are: Soror Tuedy Wilson, Alpha Chapter, Howard University Soror Alaya Robinson, Alpha Omicron Chapter, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Soror Breahna Blakely, Beta Lambda Chapter, University of the District of Columbia Soror Somayina Boardman, Lambda Zeta Chapter, American University Soror Jessica Holder, Tau Omicron Chapter, Wesley College CLUSTER CONFERENCES The Notable North Atlantic Region hosted five cluster conferences, with a record total attendance of 1,823 sorors. We gathered as sisters throughout the region in the beautiful cities of Springfield, Hunt Valley, Philadelphia, Edison and White Plains. At our Cluster Conferences, we were Packed, Polished, and Prepared for Take Off: Launching New Dimensions of Service. The Cluster Coordinators, host chapters and representatives to International Committees executed outstanding events and presentations. The Fall Cluster Service Project and AKA One Million Backpacks sm netted 1,237 backpacks filled with school supplies were outstanding successes. CONNECTION Selma Movie Viewing Over seventy percent of the chapters in the region attended a Selma viewing. Chapters sponsored private viewings, collaborated with other civic organizations and held group viewings during the weekend the film was released nationwide. Many of you invited family and friends to the viewings, especially youth. Viewings were followed by informal conversations about the film s historical subject matter, courageous characters, and the importance of voting. Voter registration applications were distributed to those in attendance who desired to register to vote. AKA Day at the Capitol AKA Day at the Capitol activities were held in six states of the North Atlantic Region. Historic snow fall and severe winter weather in February resulted in several cancellations and reschedulings. There were well over six hundred attendees at the AKA Days in the North Atlantic Region. 7
New York, February 14, 2015 Maryland (joined by Washington, DC) March 18, 2015 Massachusetts, March 25, 2015 Connecticut, March 25, 2015 Delaware, March 26, 2015 Pennsylvania, April 13, 2015 In every participating state, attendees met with legislators and their staff to discuss legislative matters that are consistent with the goals and current International Program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In some states, sorors had the opportunity to meet with their governors. COMMUNICATIONS Sorors of the Notable North Atlantic Region realize that communication is critical to the success of our region. Sorors Packed, Polished and Prepared to Serve have taken extraordinary measures to communicate our programs of service with each other and the public. In this advanced technological age, we have masterfully leveraged technology to remain visible in the communities we serve and beyond through the regional web page, Eblasts, Facebook, Instagram, and the regional newsletter. Since July 2014, there have been 434,828 web page views and 112,078 sessions on www.akanorthatlantic.org. We have issued 17 Eblasts since September 2014 to communicate important messages, alerts, and reminders to sorors in the region. There are 304 followers on Instagram NAR_1908 with 87 posts. Our Twitter account, @MeredithAKA1, has 425 followers and 167 tweets since July 2014. On AKA North Atlantic Region, the region's Facebook page, there have been 3,444 likes since early April 2015. The likes come from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Guam, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, and New Zealand. The majority of our likes are from fans in Washington, D.C., and 97 percent of the likes are from women. There are more than 400 posts to the page in the form of photographs, words, videos, and shared links to other pages. 8
The 109th birthday of Diamond Soror Winonah Greene a member of Omega Omega Chapter, has been the most popular post to our Facebook page with 56,400 views, 5,909 likes, and 648 shares. The statistics show that our communication outreach efforts are definitely working to spread the word about the Notable North Atlantic Region's Pearls of Service and Sisterhood. REGIONAL CONFERENCE Packed for Leadership, Polished for Sisterhood and Prepared to Launch New Dimensions of Service is our theme for the 84th North Atlantic Regional Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Our Conference Chairman, Soror Pamela Nash, along with a host of soros who have put in countless hours of planning and preparation for an informative, engaging and enjoyable conference with a flair that can only be found in New Jersey. The institutes and workshops have been designed to enhance your knowledge of sorority operations and programs. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy sisterly fellowship as we nurture the ivy in the Notable North Atlantic Region. Thank you so very much for your support of our regional service project and the collection of backpacks and school supplies for AKA One Million Backpack sm. EMERGENCY MEDICIAL RESPONSE TEAM I am pleased to announce the newly created Emergency Medical Response Team (EMRT) who is on board at each of the host hotels to assist with any medical needs and the co-chairmen are Soror Dianne Adams and Dr. Juliette Charles-Rawlins. NELLIE QUANDER INSTITUTE I am pleased that 106 sorors have registered to participate in the Nellie Quander Leadership Institute (NQLI) 2015-2016, a 12-month leadership program. The Institute is designed to provide graduate and undergraduate sorors of the North Atlantic Region with in-depth knowledge about our great sisterhood. Also, sorors will have the opportunity to develop and enhance their personal and professional leadership skills. This program will prepare individual sorors for future leadership in our sisterhood and in our communities, once they complete this program they will be prepared to lead us into the future. 9
PINK AND GREEN COMMISSION The Pink and Green Commision has been established to develop fiscal best practices. Sorors, we are going green and practicing environmental sustainability. I am happy to report that one of the cost saving measures will be to provide the State of Region Report to all members via the North Atlantic Region website and App at a cost savings of more than $3000. I am requesting chapter technology committees to assist sorors in accessing the report. Also, the 2015 North Atlantic Regional Awards have gone green through E-book submission saving chapters the expense of producing a paper award books. Stay tuned to further enhancements to our fiscal health. POWER IN THE REGION Sorors, the power of the sisterhood is love. As I watched the video with you, my heart swelled with pride to see what you have accomplished in less than a year since Charlotte and Launching New Dimensions of Service. I am humbled by your tenacity, your generosity of spirit and your strength. I celebrate the strength of the sorors of the Notable North Atlantic Region. It is no accident that the word strength is in the words we speak at each chapter meeting. Our collective strength has galvanized our lives and changed the world in ways too numerous to enumerate. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in Eat, Pray, Love that, You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Well, our AKA backbone is strong and is right where it has been for 107 years and where it always will be with your continued help and dedication. We have enjoyed one visual this morning. I have another visual that I want you to experience. When I call your decade of initiation, please stand and remain standing. Strong sorors initiated in the 1930s to 1940s..Strong sorors initiated in the 1950s to the1960s Strong sorors initiated in the 1970s to the 1980s.. Strong sorors initiated in the 1990s to 2000. Strong sorors initiated from 2001 to 2011 and our strong sorors, just beginning their decade, who were initiated from 2012 to 2015. Join hands my beautiful sorors and raise them high because you are the heart, the soul, the power and the strength of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Your strength will never let her perish. 10
MY APPRECIATION No one stands alone in service to all mankind. I take this moment to offer my heartfelt thanks to the many who have worked with me and guided me on this my initial journey as your Regional Director. My thanks go to our Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson. Please stand and join me in thanking her for her leadership. She stands on the shoulders as do we of our 21 Supreme Basileus, Soror Faye B. Bryant. As the home of the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the North Atlantic Region has been blessed to have these living legends to guide us. I thank our former Regional Directors for their guidance and support: Soror Ruth C. Easley, 25 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror Idell S. Pugh, 26 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror Erma W. Barron, 27 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror Wilma Holmes Tootle, 28 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror C. Edith Booker, 29 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror Joy Elaine Daley, 30 th North Atlantic Regional Director; Soror Evelyn Sample-Oates, 31 st North Atlantic Regional Director; and Soror Constance R. Pizarro, 32 nd North Atlantic Regional Director. My thanks to our Directorate and International Committee Chairmen, please stand, and our International Committee Members. Will my Cluster Coordinators, Regional Committee Chairmen, Regional Committee Members, and my Regional Team please stand. Thank you for all of your dedication. I want to especially thank my Executive Assistant, Soror Mishka Gilkes, whose support and hard work is extraordinary. Thank you, Soror Mishka. This conference would not be possible without the many hours of planning, hard work and execution. Please join me in showing our appreciation for a spectacular conference to Soror Pamela Nash, 84 th North Atlantic Regional Conference Chairman and Vice Chairmen Sorors Jacqueline LC Brown, W Donna Woods-Nelson, Shiqira Dickerson and Tyese S. Medford. Allow me to thank my sorority family, Delta Mu Omega for helping me hone my pink and green skills always with sisterly love. I thank my family who through late nights, early mornings and long weekends still love me though I test that love more often than I care to admit, thank you from the bottom of my heart. And finally to you, my beautiful, courageous, patient and loving sorors of the Notable North Atlantic Region, I stand to salute and thank you for all you have done, all you will do. The depth and magnitude of my thanks knows no bounds of time or space. I love you with all my heart. Sorors, the state of the Region Report is now live on the conference app and regional website. 11