Th e I v y L i n e
Tau Omega Chapter
September, 2012 Volume 1, Issue 8
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Message from the Basileus
Dear Sorors,
Welcome back! I hope you have fond memories from your time off
this summer and that you are back and ready to work.
Sorors, your 2012 Assessment checks for $200 should be made
payable to The Tau Omega Charitable Trust Fund and must be
postmarked or paid by September 15, 2012. (Please do not make payable to
the Chapter’s account.) Thank you in advance!
We were blessed that Hurricane Isaac did not hit our area. Please keep our dear sorors
affected by the recent floods in the South Central and South Eastern regions in your
prayers. You may visit the Sorority’s website to contribute to the Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority Disaster Relief Fund or contribute directly to the Red Cross.
The Liberian President (and Soror) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will be speaking at the Abyssinian
Baptist Church on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at the 11:00 a.m. service.
President Ellen is likely to make a fundraising appeal for the Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund
(SMWF). The Regional Director, Soror Constance Pizarro, and International Regional
Director, Soror Evelyn Sample-Oates, will be in attendance. We are asking that we show
up in our pink and green to show our support. Please see the attached letter from the
In this issue:
Message from the
Basileus
1
Upcoming
Meetings
3
Chapter Meeting
Agenda
3
Officer and
Committee Chair
Reports
4-8
Announcements
9-12
September &
13
October Birthdays
Tau Omega
Photos
14-16
Chapter Officers
and Chairman
17
Regional Director.
This is a critical election year and we cannot stress enough the importance of everyone
going out to vote. Let’s help to make history again. Make your vote count!
Tau Omega is having a voter registration drive near Kennedy Center before the September
Chapter meeting and will be working with the Iris House with voter registration at its site
over the next few weeks. If you would like to set up voter registration drives in other
Tau Omega points of
interest:

Voter Registration Drive
9/15/12 @ The Kennedy
Center
areas, contact Soror Karon Lilly. Reminder:

Primary for Local State Offices - September 13, 2012

General Election - November 6, 2012


Elections 2012
There were changes on the back end of the Yahoo calendar and Tau Omega’s birthday/
meeting calendar was wiped out, inadvertently. Unfortunately, the September birthday
reminders from September 1st through September 9th were not released. Soror Andrea
Webster is working on restoring the calendar, and moving forward you should receive
reminders. So Happy Belated Birthday to Soror Thelma Baxter, 9/3, Soror
Cynthia Powell, 9/8, and Soror Virginia Lee, 9/9. Please accept our apology. (If your

Announcements

International News
Tau Omega Assessment
of $200.00 Due @
chapter meeting 9/15/12

The Ivy Line
Tau Omega Chapter
Message from the Basileus Continued
birthday is inadvertently missed, please notify Soror Andrea Webster, Soror Sharlene Forbes and/or me.)
Undergraduate Round-Up is September 28-30, 2012 at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The theme is ―Global Leadership through Timeless Service – Phenomenal Women Making Phenomenal Achievements.‖
All members of the Graduate Advisory Committee are required to attend. This is a requirement for Lambda’s reactivation also. Online and paper registration ends Friday, September 14, 2012. Roll Call will be taken on Friday night.
The Council is asked to forward a copy of their confirmation to the Basileus for the files. Mentors who are not certified
graduate advisors may attend also. We need more certified graduate advisors; please plan to register at the 2013 North
Atlantic Regional Conference. About five certifications will need renewing next year.
The Nomination Committee is asking that you submit your candidate application. You may contact Soror Jennifer Curry
if you need an application or any information concerning the (chapter) elections in November.
The Cluster III Leadership Conference is scheduled for Saturday, November 17 th, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hauppauge, New York. The Basilei Council Dinner/Meeting will be held the night before, November 16 th, from 7:00 – 10:00
p.m. Note: Tau Omega’s chapter meeting is scheduled for November 17 th; the Basileus will ask for your approval to
change the date to the second Saturday, November 10, 2012, at September’s chapter meeting.
Tau Omega Chapter was well represented at Boule 2012 in San Francisco. We had 23 sorors registered and 20 attended.
All nine delegates attended the plenary and workshops and other activities as scheduled. Soror Doris Conner was recognized as a golden soror. Soror Karen Myrie will submit the consolidated report.
Thanks to Soror Shannta Badgett and Soror Sharlene Forbes and Committee for the Family and Friends Picnic in July at
Jefferson Park in Manhattan. It was a lovely and relaxing afternoon.
Sorors please check on sorors that you may not have heard from or seen in a while. Sorors Adina Johnson and Soror
Lois Howell have been ill but both are doing better. Sorors if you travel a lot please let someone know where you are
and stay in touch.
Tau Omega is participating in the African American Day Parade. If you have any questions, please contact Soror Brenda
Jones at brenda89aka@aol.com. Let’s show up in numbers.
Let’s do our share to Reclaim, Retain and Recruit. (Don’t forget to give the names of inactive sorors to Soror Sharlene Forbes to invite to Homecoming in October.)
Thank you for your support sorors!
Sisterly,
Doris
Doris B. Mitchell
dorisbmitchell@gmail.com
718-924-0292
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Tau Omega Chapter
Upcoming Meetings
Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center
34 West 134th Street
Bet. Lenox & Fifth Avenues (Enter on 135th Street)
September 15, 2012
10:30 p.m. Voter Registration Drive
1:00 p.m. Chapter Meeting
Presiding
Doris B. Mitchell, Basileus, Tau Omega Chapter
Chapter Meeting Agenda
Call to Order
Meditation
Guest Speaker (5 Minutes) — Harlem’s Fifth Annual Family Fable Festival
Minutes (Corrections/Additions)
Announcements
Introduction of Visiting Sorors
Executive Committee Recommendations
Basileus’ Report
Program —2013 Proposed Program
Membership — Attend Abyssinian Baptist Church 9/23 w/Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf
Finance — Proposed Budget
Nominating
Graduate Advisory Council — Lambda and Omicron Theta — Undergraduate Round-Up
Fundraising — Obligatory (2013 Proposal); Pink Ice
Protocol
Chapter Retreat/Leadership/SWOT Analysis Update
EAF
Gidget
Hymn & Pledge
Mix & Mingle
Golden Sorors are served first. If you are mobility challenged and would like assistance in getting your refreshments,
please let the Philacter know when you arrive.
Philacter’s 1908 cents
Sorors be mindful that chapter meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. please make yourself available for the
entire meeting. Late arrivals and side conversations are a distraction please limit movement during the meeting.
Chapter meeting is a business meeting and business attire is required not an option.
Please place all cell phones on vibrate
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Tau Omega Chapter
First Anti Basileus: The Program Report
Dear Sorors,
It is my hope that all of you had a restful, fun filled summer respite. If you attended Boule, travelled
elsewhere or stayed in the city with friends and family I trust you enjoyed yourselves. It is my hope
that you are well rested and will return to Tau Omega with renewed energy. For those sorors who
are a little under the weather, I pray for your recovery very soon.
Our Chapter retreat in June led by Sorors Kimberly and Cydney was very insightful. Soror Kimberly
will share the results of the retreat at our September meeting. One concern that surfaced during the
retreat was that WE, the sorors of Tau Omega, must be more visible in the community. The tentative Program Calendar for you review at chapter meeting includes community activities we would
love for you to participate in; please choose a few you are most interested in. With that said, the
Program Committee invites you to participate in the following chapter activities beginning September and October.



Sorors interested in stepping in the 43rd African American Day Parade, September 16,
2012 @1:00 please contact Soror Brenda directly.
Prior to chapter meeting on September 15th, there will be a Voter Registration Drive from
10:30 -12:30 on 135th Street. Sorors Andrea and Kimberly will lead the effort. This is a Tau
Omega activity and sorors are needed to assist in manning the table. This will be our last chance
to register perspective voters prior to the very important election in November. Please meet
Drea and Kimmy at the Kennedy Center @ 10:15 AM.
As always, we will donate funds to the Women’s Prison Association for school supplies. Each
year the association contacts us for support. Our national program under the Social Justice and
Human Rights Initiative dictates that we support services to the children of incarcerated
women. Sorors Gloria Hartley and Jonnie Marshall (co- chairs of the Social Justice initiative) are
requesting that we donate no less than $5.00 per soror to this effort. Those of us who are educators know supplies are needed throughout the year. Please come to chapter meeting prepared
donate. A chapter check will be sent to the Women’s Prison Association earmarked for school
supplies.

As a reminder, you can go online to the Members Section Only and donate to the Hurricane
Isaac Disaster Relief Fund to assist those sorors and their families of the South Central and South
Eastern Regions who were devastated by the extreme weather conditions.
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Tau Omega Chapter
First Anti Basileus: The Program Report


Please save the date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at the Creole Restaurant, Soror Kim Singleton will host An Evening of Poetry and Prose. Come out, have dinner and listen to the community’s talent and messages (see flyer).
We are about to kick off the second year of our EYL program at PS/IS 76. Soror Sharon Cook
will let you know the date and time Sorors will meet with our girls. As a reminder we are increasing the number of young ladies we will be working with so more Soror volunteers are
needed. Please contact Soror Cook directly if interested at smccsw@aol.com
Looking forward to a great year!
Respectfully submitted,
Soror JoAnne Challenger
First Anti-Basileus & Program Chair
Second Anti Basileus: Membership Report
Welcome Back Sorors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I trust you are ready to WORK for YOUR chapter…
Homecoming has been changed to October 20, 2012, therefore, we should have full participation.
The theme is ― The Pink Coats are coming…
Ask not what your chapter can do for you… but what can you do for your chapter!!!
Sisterly,
Soror Sharlene R. Forbes | Membership Chairman
akatude502@aol.com |917‐847‐6478
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Tau Omega Chapter
Tau Omega Fiscal Fitness
2012 dues were due before December 31, 2011 so payments received now must include the late fee. Below are the 2012 membership dues. Dues will be collected at
Chapter meeting, payable by check or money order.
Graduate
$310.00
Chapter Officer
$140.00
Life Member
$220.00
Undergrad. Transfer
$140.00
Reactivation
$330.00
Late fee
$15.00
Life Member Late Fee
$6.00
The 2012 Assessment is due September 15, 2012 in the amount of $200. Checks
shall be made payable to The Tau Omega Charitable Trust Fund.
If your assessment is not received on or before September 15, 2012 you forfeit your
voting rights in the November 2012 elections and your 2013 dues will not be accepted
until your obligation has been satisfied.
Contact Soror Dawnn Carlton with any questions at: (646) 752-0087 or Pinkperfection3@ yahoo.com
Send all payments to
Soror Dawnn Carlton
190 31st. Street Fl. 1
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Soror Amma Kwateng| Treasurer| Finance Committee Chair
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Tau Omega Chapter
AKA Connection
AKA Connection identifies and studies local, national and international issues which
impact quality of life; designs strategies for communication with the membership regarding these issues and mobilizes the membership for action. If you are interested in
becoming a member of the AKA Connection please contact me.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is mounting a yearlong voter registration and education offensive to reach, mobilize and impact hundreds of thousands of citizens throughout the communities nationwide that AKA serves. The campaign will be driven by the
theme: Alpha Kappa Alpha C.A.R.E.S., an acronym for Collaborate, Advocate, Register,
Educate, and Stimulate. Listen out for upcoming activities.
2012 Election Dates
November 6 - General Election
Attend the next Community Board 10 meeting - General Board meetings are
held at the Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125th St., 2nd Floor Gallery on the
first Wednesday of every month.
Keeping you “connected”,
Soror Karon D. Lilly
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Tau Omega Chapter
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee wants to remind you to get ready to run for office in
November!!
The following positions are up for election in November:
First Anti-Basileus (2 Year Term)
Pecunious Grammateus (2 Year Term)
Grammateus (2 Year Term)
Ivy Leaf Reporter
Hodegos
Philacter
Members at Large (2)
Nominating Committee (5)
The Deadline for submissions of Bio Forms is Sunday, September 16, 2012.
Please forward your Bios to:
Soror Jennifer Curry
36 Butler Blvd
Elmont, NY 11003 or email to jenn.r.curry@gmail.com
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Soror Jennifer "Jenny" Curry
Nominating Committee Chair
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Tau Omega Chapter
Announcements
Soror Congratulations September 2012
We wish Soror JoVon Seymore much success and congratulate her on her new job.
Soror Doris Conner was honored at Boule as a Golden Soror at the Silver, Golden and Diamond
Soror Luncheon.
Soror Rosalyn Graves Wilson was honored and received an award at a picnic reception at Coler
Hospital for her work in the Harlem community.
Soror Ruther Miller will receive the Roy Wilkins community Service Award on Saturday, September 15, 2012, for her years of service and dedication while serving on the Executive Committee of
the NAACP.
Soror Helen Foster celebrated her 80th birthday in Bermuda on August 4, 2012. It was a surprise
by her daughters, so the celebration was before her actual birthday which is August 10th.
Soror Charisse Marshall was selected by the Citadel of Praise and worship Church to be honored
as one of their 2012 Men & Women of Distinction at their Awards Dinner on Thursday, September
27, 2012 at Russo’s on the Bay located at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach, NY. The tickets
are $90.00 per person. Contact Soror Charisse if you are interested in attending.
Sick and Shut in September 2012
Soror Adina Johnson was ill for about 10 days in August but she is doing better now.
Soror Lois Howell was not feeling well before Boule and was not able to travel. She said that she
is doing better. We will keep checking on her.
I visit Soror Denise Bolt Lynch frequently in the Greater Harlem Nursing Home; she plans to be
in attendance at chapter meeting.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our sorors and friends and family who are sick and shut in .
Sorors please continue to share what’s happening with you with us. (Doris Mitchell, Basileus)
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Tau Omega Chapter
Announcements(cont’d)
Hodegos’ Memo September 2012
Soror Lisa Penzellna will have a donation jar for November's chapter meeting meal.....
Charitable Trust
The Charitable Trust Fund Board of Directors Presents…
An Evening at the Races
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Yonkers Raceway & Empire Casino
Price $60.00
Tickets are available via PayPal @ http://akatauomega.com/events/42/evening-at-the-races-2012/
Calling All Sorors!!!!
Please join us as we march in Harlem's African-American Day Parade on Sunday, September 16th at
1pm. We will meet on 112street on the downtown side of the street on ACP blvd. Join us as we
step - stroll and chant and represent our sorority with pink and green pride! If you have any questions please contact Soror Brenda Jones at Brenda89aka@aol.com
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Tau Omega Chapter
International News
Sorors, please mark your calendars:
While in New York to attend the opening of the UN General Assembly, our soror,
Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of Liberia, will attend and speak
briefly at the 11 AM service at Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark
Place (aka 138th St..) on Sunday, September 23rd.
In her remarks President Ellen is likely to make a fund-raising appeal for the Sirleaf
Market Women's Fund, specifically on behalf of the market at Omega Point located
just outside of Monrovia, Liberia's capital. This market is designed to accommodate
several thousand marketers currently selling under unfavorable conditions in the redlight district of Monrovia.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. contributed $500,000 to the project at the request of
and in support of President Ellen, presenting her a mock check at 2010 Boule in St.
Louis. (see photo) The contribution will cover Phase1 of market construction that
will help accommodate approximately 400marketers, but much more money and ongoing support are needed. I hope that our presence and Alpha Kappa Alpha's generosity will inspire other groups to join us in support to the women of Liberia and efforts
to empower them to strengthen and sustain themselves, their families and the nutritional and economic health of the country.
Submitted by Soror Alice Dear
amdear@aol.com
646-732-9856
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Tau Omega Chapter
Poetry & Prose
It's that time again! Time to dust off your journals and read your poems or essays in front of a live
audience. It doesn't matter if you are just starting to write or you are a seasoned poet. ALL ARE
WELCOME. It does not have to be original work. It can be one of your favorite poems. Email me
if you are interested in signing up to read. If not, just come and enjoy the performances.
Sisterly,
Soror Kim Singleton
The Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Presents
An Evening of Poetry & Prose
Celebrating Women Through Spoken Word
In honor of the New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA) 20th Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Creole Restaurant
2167 3rd Avenue (@118th Street)
New York, NY 10035
Open Mic Spots Available
To sign up, email kims7e@gmail.com
No admission fee. Purchase of food or drink strongly encouraged.
Seating is limited. For dinner reservations, call Creole at 212-876-8838
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Tau Omega Chapter
September Birthdays
3 Thelma Baxter
15 J. Frankye Graves
8 Cynthia Powell
18 Lisa G. Penzellna
9 Virginia Lee
21 Nila Bragg
22 Tiaka Wright
October Birthdays
2 Wendy P. Malliet
16 Shirley Scott
23 Joanne E. Challenger
5 Lillian Benton
16 Kathleen Watson
24 Ann Booth-Coke
7 Tracey Branch
20 Gwendolyn Shepherd
24 Jewel Moolenar-Marsh
10 Rosalyn Graves Wilson
20 Andrea R. Webster
28 Giovanna Henson
30 Kimberly Myott
Epistoleus Memo
Welcome Back Sorors!!!!! Please remit your newsletter submissions in a timely fashion.
In addition, please confirm your email address and birthday with the me at the close of September
chapter meeting. If you are not receiving the newsletter via email, and would like to please advise @
akadrea@gmail.com.
NORTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL PRAYER THEMES for the YEAR AHEAD
Every month, your North Atlantic Regional Prayer Team will pray for the successful
execution of the programs of our beloved Sorority and for the success of our undergraduate sorors. Additionally, the following list of prayer themes will receive our particular focus as we convene each month to pray as a body. Chapter Chaplains will join us by incorporating these themes into their mediation and prayers at their general meetings.
― During the month of September, Sorors in the North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha will
be focused on praying FOR:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to remain on mission and to remain relevant to needs
in today's world.
Peace & Blessing,
Soror Helen Foster
Chapter Chaplin
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Tau Omega Chapter
Tau Omega In Action
Soror Helen Foster’s 80th Birthday
Celebration—Bermuda
Soror Jonnie Marshall’s Birthday at Boule 2012
BOULE 2012 SAN FRANCISCO
DELEGATES AT PLENARY
SESSION
<—Supreme Basileus with Honorary Sorors
and Directorate Members
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Tau Omega Chapter
Tau Omega In Action
BOULE 2012 NA REGIONAL LUNCHEON
Soror Barbara Young at Registration Counter
Tau Omega’s Family and Friends Picnic
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Tau Omega Chapter
Sisterly Relations in Tau Omega’s Basileus’ Suite — Boule 2012
AWARDS GALA
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Tau Omega Chapter
2012 Tau Omega Chapter Officers
Office
Name
Telephone
718-364-7652
Email
Basileus
Doris B. Mitchell
dorisbmitchell@gmail.com
First Anti Basileus
JoAnne Challenger
Second Anti Basileus
Sharlene R. Forbes
917-847-6478
Akatude502@aol.com
Grammateus
Karla C. Elrod
212-864-5326
Karla.Elrod@gmail.com
Pecunious Grammateus
Dawnn Carlton
646-752-0087
Pinkperfection3@yahoo.com
Tamiouchos
Amma Kwateng
973-953-6432
Amma.kwateng@gmail.com
Epistoleus
Andrea R. Webster
646-261-9609
akadrea@gmail.com
Hodegos
Lisa Penzellna
516-359-8974
lisaakaboop@aim.com
Philacter
Sandra Adams-Picchierri, Esq.,
Parliamentarian
G. Jeannie Lopez
917-716-0855
Skeeweejd3@gmail.com
Ivy Leaf Reporter
Lesley Henry Bedeau
347-229-7716
ellehenry@msn.com
Lambda
Sylvia Sandridge
914-423-2699
Omicron Theta
Karen Myrie
917-405-0127
skeeweemd@aol.com
Members at Large
Kimberly Myott
Wendy Rice
267-307-4869
718-444-4160
Prttyhairpearl_fection7@yahoo.com
Wrice1750@aol.com
Historian
Doris Conner
212-927-8558
dorisrcaka1962@prodigy.net
Jchalle562@aol.com
legaladams2@yahoo.com
Graduate Advisors
Committees
Standing
Executive
Doris B. Mitchell
Program
JoAnne Challenger
Membership
Sharlene R. Forbes
Finance
Amma Kwateng
By-Laws
G. Jeannie Lopez
Standards
Georgianna Land
Archives
Johnnie Marshall
Program
Emerging Young Leaders
Health
Sylvia Sandridge
Omicron Theta
Karen Myrie
Nominating
Jennifer Curry
AKA Connection
Karon Lilly
Fundraising - Obligatory
JoVon Seymore
Fundraising - Pink Ice
Andrea R. Webster
Cydney Taylor
Sub-Committees
A. Environmental Stewardship &
Sustainability
B. STRIDES Walks
Graduate Advisor’s Council
Lambda
Sharon Cook
Lesley Henry Bedeau
Tracey Branch
Global Poverty
Tiaka Wright
Economic Security
Brenda Jones
Social Justice and Human Rights
Johnnie Marshall
Internal Leadership Training for External
Service
Kimberly Myott
Organization Liaisons
Operations
EAF Chapter Captain
Lisa Penzellna
New York Women’s Agenda
Proposal and Grant Writing
Christine Dudley
MMA Diversity Committee
Sylvia Sandridge
Protocol
Tracy Elise Poole
Pan Hellenic
Rosalyn Graves Wilson
Technology
Amanda Butler
17
Kimberly Singleton
Tau Omega Chapter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
Soror Doris B Mitchell, Basileus
Telephone: 718-364-7652
Email: dorisbmitchell@gmail.com
We’re on the Web!
www.akatauomega.com
Members At Large Den
Sorors, if you have any concerns please feel free to contact Soror Wendy Rice or
Soror Kimberly Myott @ tauomegamemberatlarge@yahoo.com All concerns will
be discussed at the monthly Executive Meeting. Your concerns will be kept
confidential.
Sisterly,
Soror Wendy Rice & Soror Kimberly Myott
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