ZETA OMICRON Pearl Essence OMEGA Pearl Essence

Edition 111 1st Quarter 2011

Greetings from the Basileus Dear Sorors,

I want to thank you for making my first year as Basileus a very pleasant one. You all worked very hard to implement the projects, programs, and events that were outlined at the beginning of the year. We set a lot of goals last January and you all worked very hard to see them come to fruition.

Our theme for this year is, “We’ve Only Just Begun.” When I first began thinking about it, I was thinking in terms of us being halfway through my tenure as Basileus. I was hoping to use this theme as our mantra to push forward toward the end of my term in office. However, the more I t hink about it, the more I feel that we should internalize it in ou r day-to- day walk as Sorors. Whether this is your second year as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. or you are a life-member, I want you to take it to heart. “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Go back to that same spirit and mindset you had on the day you first got your pearls. “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Meditate on the thrill and the excitement you felt the first time you attended your first Cluster, Regional, and Boule. “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Think about the first time you sang the National hymn with your Sorors. “We’ve Only Just Begun!!!” I am calling on that very same spirit because that is the only way our sorority is going t o continue to rein supreme.

In the spirit of siste rh ood and service,

Soror Cherice

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Kinston, NC - Soror Eleanor Gray Allison, charter member of Zeta Omicron Omega, became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on November 14, 2010. She was the youngest of three children born to the late Eugene and Mary Gray. George and Marie Gray Bryan preceded her in death. Soror Allison received her formal educational training in Kinston and LaGrange public school systems. At an early age, she left her hometown, Kinston, to assist her “Ma Lena” when she became ill. This grandmother was a lamplight to her pathway of life. She learned all about the Bible and Christianity from her and all other things that were necessary for a “youngun” to know during those times. Soror Allison came back to Kinston from La Grange after the death of “Ma Lena” and enrolled in the eight grade. In 1944, she graduated from Adkin High School with honors (salutatorian). She matriculated attended Johnson C. Smith and received her degree in foreign languages (French) in 1948. For a number of years, she worked at Adkin High School with the Veterans program, and in 1952 she worked at Woodington High School in Kinston for 14 years. God gave her special talents and wisdom to use with her students. Eleanor was one of seven Black women to integrate Foreign language Summer Program at Appalachian State Teacher’s College in Boone, NC. In 1957 she married Tyson Allison. She continued her studies and received a Master’s Degree in French at A&T College (now university) in 1960. For a number of years she actively volunteered in the community with AKA, Meals on Wheels, and as a Sunday School Teacher. Loving memories will remain with her husband Tyson of the home, son Tyson Renard (Jocelyn), grandkids, nieces, and nephews and a host of other friends and relatives.

Sixteen Charter Members of the Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Regional Director take a photo opportunity for the March 19, 1955 chartering into the Sorority. Pearl Essence Page 3 1st Quarter 2011

Grandparents’ Day Celebration Kinston, NC – On December 3rd, the Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter of serving crew as sorority members and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. held debutantes served residents a catered their annual Grandparents’ Day dinner with dessert. Theon Hardy Celebration at Six Churches lightened spirits before the sorority Retirement Community. The events presented Christmas gifts to the residents. theme was “Smile Because The celebration concluded with thoughts Friendship Is Essential to the Soul.” of gratitude and a wish for Happy Holidays The celebration began with a welcome from Amanda Outlaw. The Grandparents’ and greeting by Mionna L. Henderson Day Committee consisted of chapter and Cherice Artis, Grandparents’ Day members Hilda Boyd, Mildred Bryant, committee chair and chapter Bessie Burns, Sarah Connor, Deborah president. The program included an Fleming, KaRonda Fleming, Michelle invocation by Rebecca Davidson and Gooding, Janet Grady, Theon Hardy, a Christmas prayer by Annie Mionna Henderson, Iris Jones-Nelson, Kornegay. The sorority’s 19th Biennial Annie Kornegay, Betty Little and Amanda Cotillion debutantes participated in the Outlaw. Other sorority members who program by singing, reciting poems participated in the celebration include and reading Christmas selections. Carolyn Anderson, Cherice Artis, Teedra Sorority members and debutantes, Brown, Sarone Cannon, Rebecca along with residents, sang Christmas Davidson, Jimmette Graham, Paula carols to welcome the Christmas Melvin, Cassandra Moseley, Barbara spirit. Iris Jones-Nelson headed the Seaforth and Lavonell Whitfield.

Debutantes and members of ZOΩ serve dinner to the Grandparents on their special day. Pearl Essence Page 4 1st Quarter 2011

A Marvelous Breakfast with the Retired Stars

Kinston, NC – We all get to a point in life when we look forward to our much anticipated retirement. On November 13, the Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter honored 11 Marvelous ladies on reaching a pinnacle time within their lives where they can now relax, take it easy, and travel the World as they embark on their next phase of life! They are now enjoying the good life, Also Known As The Retirees of the Zeta Omicron Omega chapter retirement! enjoyed their breakfast as they were cordially treated as Stars!

ZOΩ Strives to Bring Cheer to Families of Domestic Violence

Kinston, NC – The Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. recently donated items to the Safe House of

Kinston. The donation consisted of several boxes overflowing with personal hygiene sets, clothing, undergarments, hat and glove sets, books, crayons, toys, money, Basileus Cherice Artis and platform chair Sarah Connor. Other members of the platform are Jimmette Graham, Carolyn and calendars. This Anderson, Janet Grady, Chris Johnson, Veronica Barrett and effort was in keeping Mildred Bryant. Article submitted by Soror Sarah Connor. with the Social Justice and Human Rights Initiative a program which is a part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. national platform Global Leadership through Timeless Service. The initiative addresses gender equality issues including: human trafficking and domestic violence, services for children with incarcerated parents, youth aging out of foster care and children in homeless shelters. Voter empowerment; access to technology; training of parents as advocates for educational and health care needs of children and support of the arts are also emphasized. Pearl Essence Page 5 1st Quarter 2011

Money Matters Mid Atlantic Regional Director Understanding ZOΩ’s Budget Dr. Linda H. Gilliam

Kinston, NC – Money can be spent for budgeted items only if it has been collected and is on hand. Approval of the chapter budget does not necessarily indicate that funds are available. It is the responsibility of the Tamiouchos to guard the chapter’s funds and to secure chapter approval for spending non-budgeted items. Once the chapter has adopted the budget, sorors should not be asked to vote again to authorize expenditures for

specific items. Such action should occur only when The 17th MARD, Soror Linda funds are short and it becomes Gilliam gears up for 2011 necessary for the chapter to decide to by continuing efforts with have the expenditure for a specific our Strategic, Measurable, purpose. The chapter or the Budget Attainable, Relevant & Committee can approve expenditures Transferable (SMART) for unplanned expenses. initiatives. Let us all make In order to effectively conduct this year a SMART year! business, it is essential that budget As a T.E.A.M. … Together allotments are adhered to and used as a Everyone Achieves More. guide for all expenditures. http://MidAtlanticAka.org

January 1 – Geraldine Lane January 4 – Eleanor Allison Save the Dates… January 15 – Amanda Outlaw Founders Day January 21 – Marsha Higgins ' Celebration January 24 – Patricia Townsend Feb. 19 January 28 – Wisonia Hopkins February 16-Lavonell Whitfield March 3 – Michelle Gooding Regional Conference March 4 – Marilyn Cogdell Richmond, VA April 21-24 March 9 – Janet Grady March 16 – Betty Little Debutante Cotillion March 25 – Sarone Cannon April 22

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The Basics of Chapter Finances

Questionnaire: Circle T or F to answer each of the following:

1. The Pecunious Grammateus is 10. The Tamiouchus is responsible responsible for depositing all funds for opening the bank statements. received. T F T F 2. The Tamiouchos is allowed to 11. The Chapter Budget provides a take up funds when the Pecunious guideline for expenditures. T F Grammateus is busy. T F 12. The current dues are $235 and 3. The Pecunious Grammateus is they should be paid by December responsible for handling all NSF 31st. T F charges. T F Total Correct: ______4. A Chapter’s fiscal year begins with Extra Points: ______the first scheduled sorority meeting Total: ______and ends on the last meeting of the

following year. T F New Gospel CD! 5. The Tamiouchos should take only Greenville, NC – The church 5-7 bus. days to deposit funds. T F that Sorors Deborah Fleming & 6. Post-dated checks can be KaRonda Fleming attend have

accepted from Sorors. T F just released their first Gospel CD! They are so excited to be 7. Vouchers do not need to be able to share their ministry to signed by the Committee Chairman. the World. For more information you can visit the website at T F http://SoulSavingStation.com 8. The budget for the upcoming

year should be completed at the

first Sorority meeting and voted on

in December. T F

9. Officers can still act in their

capacity if their dues are paid by

the February 1st date. T F