The Ivy Vine Inside this issue: 68th Boule 1 Basileus Message 2 Annual Retreat 2 Member Profile 3 International Day of Prayer 3 The Longest Day Program Award 4 4 Dates to Remember 4 Just Kicking It in Houston The Ivy Vine is published four times a year; March, June, September and December. Information must be received no later than the third Saturday before the month of publication. All members may submit articles and photos to the Ivy Leaf Reporter for consideration of publication. Submissions are subject to review and editing for final printing. Please adhere to deadlines. 68th Boule - Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Service in the Space City Houston, Texas was taken by storm (no pun intended) from July 6 12, 2018, by over 19K Sorors and guests who had come to celebrate the legacy of our beloved sorority and that of Soror Dorothy Buchanan Wilson, Supreme Basileus. Launching New Dimensions of Service was coming to a close and a new administration s era beginning. The four years of Soror Dorothy s administration was incredible! She served with vision, inspiration and sisterly love. Not only did she serve with a significant physical presence but as a tower of international trend setting and warrior for supreme service. This Boule marked a 40 year return to Houston. The 68th Boule agenda was filled with exciting programs, many training workshops and social events to celebrate the occasion. Traveling to Houston on behalf of Chi Delta Omega were, Sorors Hazel Lockett, Olivia Bereal, Thea Hines-Jones, Kowanna Johnson, and Myra 68th Boule Honorary Members Inducted There were many outstanding individuals recognized at the 68th Boule. However, none as exciting as the induction of Honorary Members. The new Honorary Members included: Yolanda Adams, Singer, producer author and radio talk show host; Teta V. Banks, Educator, civil rights advocate and diplomat; Jeanette J. Epps, PhD, D.H.L., Scientist, scholar and NASA Astronaut; Chantel Harris, Great, great granddaughter of Founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle; Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Athlete, humanitarian, philanthropist; Margo Lee Shetterly, Writer, researcher, entrepreneur Middleton-Valentine. Delegate reports will be presented at a chapter meeting to highlight the important business aspects of the convention and fun facts learned. Also attending the Boule was Soror Vanessa Brown who join the delegates on several occasions. All attendees served with dedication and enjoyed the learning and informational opportunities in fun and fellowship. All members are encouraged to go to aka1908.com to review the new program logo, initiatives and directives as outlined by our new Supreme Basileus, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover (Pres. of TN. St. Univ.). (author of the book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race).
Page 2 Message From The Basileus My Dear Sorors: I hope you had an amazing summer full of fun activities. I look forward to seeing and hearing about your summer adventures. Although I wasn t able to attend the Boule in Houston, Chi Delta Omega was well represented. Our delegates have a wealth of information to share with chapter members regarding the many workshops and other activities that took place during the conference. At our August chapter retreat, Soror Hazel presented information about the new program initiatives under Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service as developed by our new Supreme Basileus, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover. With Soror Hazel s guidance, soror participation and coorperation, we will continue to Work Smarter Not Harder in creating plans to implement related international program activities. In addition Sorors, your input is needed concerning several chapter matters that will call for discussion and vote over the next several months. We will be nominating and voting for a number of officers to begin serving in 2019, developing and voting on the chapter s 2019 budget, and requesting recommended changes to our bylaws. For additional information on these upcoming activities please refer to the chapter bylaws and make every effort to attend chapter meetings. Sorors, I believe you will agree with me when I say, Sorors of Chi Delta Omega are dedicated to upholding our commitment of Service To All mankind. Soror Theresa BRING THE NOISE RETREAT Anyone not attending the annual CDO retreat to make some NOISE missed an amazing opportunity. The event exemplified sisterhood and service through leadership development, information sharing and fun activities. The retreat committee set the stage by hosting the retreat at the Renaissance at World Golf Village Convention Center in St. Augustine, on August 17th and 18th. They planned a progressive agenda which included: Parliamentary Procedures, Technology Updates, Risk Management, Planning for 2019 officers and committees and most importantly, reviewing the new Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service international program. Also highlighting the retreat was the reveal of the newly redesigned CDO logo (see top of page 1). It is beautifully and professionally characterized with details that follow the sorority s guidelines and showcases the uniqueness of our chapter. Check out photos from the retreat on the chapter s website.
Page 3 Member Profile: Golden Soror Gloria Robinson Wilkins, DDS Soror Wilkins was born in Staunton, Virginia with a twin brother named Leonard and spent her early years in Washington, DC. She completed her undergraduate studies at Howard University and was initiated into Alpha Chapter in 1952 At Howard, Soror Gloria became one of the first females to receive a doctorate in dentistry (DDS). In 1956 Soror Gloria met and married the love of her life, Dr. Aaron Wilkins, who was also a graduate of Howard University and a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. During their time in the Army they lived in more than 40 locations in Europe, Asia, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Virginia. With Gloria s personality, they made and kept friends in all those places. Soror Gloria was a leader of the officer s wives club and became the first African American president of the nationwide 400 member club. They also managed during that time to have two sons, Aaron III and Anthony. After moving to Palm Coast, Soror Gloria renewed her AKA membership and became a life member. She has continued to be a leader by serving as Chair of Founders Day, mentoring with EYL and the SMART AKAdemy, facilitating the chapter s food bank donations and serving as Anti Tamiouchos. She attends Palm Coast United Methodist Church, enjoys traveling and playing golf. There s also a special place in her heart for grandson Aaron IV. We salute Golden Soror Gloria Robinson Wilkins for her more than 67 years as a member of our noble sisterhood and for helping to pave the way for others to excel in service to our country. CDO Observes International Day of Prayer Community impact Day #1 under the new program Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service, AKA International Day of Prayer, was celebrated on Sunday, August 26, at Palm Coast United Methodist Church. Our new Supreme Basileus, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, proclaimed the day which required all chapters to worship in unison as we lifted up our nation and our beloved sorority in prayer. CDO humbly answered the call. Twenty-one of our chapter members assembled at the church in sisterhood and service. Reverend Kevin James, pastor, welcomed the chapter and introduced us to the congregation as a partner with Our Father s Table and their annual health fair. In his message to the congregation, he recognized Alpha Kappa Alpha s commitment to Serving all mankind and cited AKA as an example of what it means to be a faithful participator. The prayer was offered by our Basileus Theresa Waters who serves as assistant pastor of PCUMC. Our chaplain, Cassandra Stephenson read the scripture. In conjunction with this event chapter Sorors were given the opportunity to make donations to the church as a thank you for allowing the use of its fellowship hall and kitchen for three and a half years. Donations for this cause amounted to $600. The AKA Day of Prayer was a successful endeavor which the Sisterly Relations Committee has committed to continuing on a regular basis at churches throughout the CDO service communities.
Page 4 CDO Celebrates The L-O-N-G-E-S-T Day for Alzheimer s Longest Day Sisterly Relations Event Rained Out This year s Longest Day Fundraiser and Sisterly Relations event was rained out. After being at Ormond s Renick Park for about an hour, heavy storm clouds gathered, and the skies opened up. Some Sorors and friends came but never got out of their cars. (The committee extends thanks to all who optimistically braved the storm.) Drenched, we climbed into our cars and slowly drove back to the home of our Basileus for an indoor picnic and fellowship, as we waited out the storm. The snacks and drinks were donated by Soror Mary Jennings who shared them from her work with a summer youth program in Espanola. The activity was chaired by Soror Gwen Carroll. An Award Winning Chapter SPECIAL NOTICE CDO Chapter Meetings in November and December are on the second Saturday: November 10th and December 8th One of our proudest moments: Winning an award at SA Regional and Boule for outstanding program implementation by a small chapter. Complete article carried in the Palm Coast Observer, July 26, 2018. Anti- Basileus, Hazel Locket accepted the award on behalf of CDO. BRAVO!! SAVE THESE DATES! September 28 & 29, 2018 Custer III Conference Lake Mary, FL Preregistration required. Check online for details. Saturday, September 29, 2018 ALZHEIMER S WALK Target 2: Women s Healthcare and Wellness River to Sea Preserve 9805 N. Ocean Blvd. Palm Coast, FL Wear CDO T-Shirt for Impact October 1, 2018 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY Target 2: Women's Healthcare and Wellness November 2018 (DTBD) 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM Belk Charity Event It s a Win, Win Situation Opportunity to increase the 2018 fundraising profit September 16 22, 2018 National HBCU Week Contributions to HBCUs Highlight Notable HBCU Alumni Promote HBCUs