Inside this Issue: Inside this Issue: Inside this Issue:

MKMKMKΩΩΩ’s ’s ’s Pink Pink Pink on the Green Swings Through on the Green Swings Through on the Green Swings Through

with Continued Successwith Continued Successwith Continued Success

Calendar at a GlanceCalendar at a Glance

Mu Kappa Omega Mu Kappa Omega Mu Kappa Omega

AKAAKAAKAladesladeslades N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 I s s u e 1 0

In T his In T his

Iss ue:Iss ue:

Basileus Basileus BylinesBylines

MKMK in the in the CommunityCommunity

Money Money

MattersMatters

Soror Soror SpotlightSpotlight

Chaplain’s Chaplain’s

CornerCorner MEETING/ACTIVITY DATE TIME LOCATION

EYL Activity Sat., Nov. 12 9:00 am—

12:00 pm

Lake Olympia Middle School 3100 Lake Olympia Parkway Missouri City, TX 77459

Mu Kappa Omega

Chapter Meeting

Sat., Nov. 19 10:00am Brentwood Life Learning Center 13033 Landmark Street Houston, TX 77045

SAVE THE DATE

Outreach Activity Sat., Dec. 3 10:00 am 6000 Telephone Rd. Houston, TX 77087

Chapter Meeting/Christmas Celebration

Sat., Dec. 10 10:00 am Friendship Community Bible Church 420 Wood Street Sugar Land, TX 77489

Basileus BylinesBasileus BylinesBasileus Bylines

M u K a p p a O m e g a A K A l a d e s

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Dear Sorors,

November is a month that is nationally known for a time of giving thanks. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday of the year. However, we should not wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks to God or to each other.

However, before I reflect on Thanksgiving, I want to say how AWESOME our church service was on October 16, 2011 at Fort Bend Baptist Church. We showed up and showed out in our pink and along the way we collected $1,018 that we donated to the church for their Breast Cancer efforts. I would like to thank the Health Committee for their Breast Cancer Awareness presentation at October chapter meeting as well as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to all of the sorors who were brave enough to share their stories. October also marked Domestic Violence Awareness month and I want to thank the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee for their efforts to bring awareness to the visible and invisible scars that victims of domestic vio-lence have with the band-aid campaign at October's chapter meeting.

Our Emerging Young Leaders initiative is back in action and had a successful event on October 22, 2011. The session was informative and the young ladies were very en-gaged in the topics presented. Thank you to Sorors Melanie Finley and Erique Fontenette and the EYL Committee for creating and implementing excellent programs that affect the lives of these young girls. The young ladies participating this year as well as the EYL committee are eager and excited about the wonderful possibilities that this program will bring.

On October 29, 2011 a very informative Cluster Retreat was held. We received infor-mation Regional Sorority accounting procedures from the Regional Tamiouchos Soror Patricia Roberts; as well as program updates from Soror Patricia Webb, South Cen-tral Representative to the International Program Committee. Soror Webb ex-plained to the cluster that there are several Global Leadership Through Timeless Ser-vice Program Awards that we will be eligible to submit at the Regional Conference here in Houston, TX that will allow us an opportunity to compete at the Boule in San Fran-cisco, CA in July 2012. More information regarding those awards will be forthcoming from the Mu Kappa Omega Program and Awards committees. We also received infor-mation from our Texas AKA Connections Coordinator Soror Donna Millhouse re-garding our state’s AKA Connection initiatives in 2011 and upcoming opportunities for Alpha Kappa Alpha to make a difference in local, state and national politics in 2012. Soror Katina Semien, South Central Representative to the International Nominat-ing Committee gave a presentation on the International leadership offices and commit-tee elections for the 2012 year. Soror Tamera Cubit gave an excellent workshop on Controlling Your Pink and Green Anger—the primary focus of the workshop was about handling conflicts in sorority chapters effectively by understanding the anger styles of sorors. Overall the Cluster Retreat was a huge success.

Sorors, please do not forget our Health Symposium that will take place on November 5 at Stafford Elementary School. Soror Vanessa Southard and the Health Committee have planned an informative and enlightening morning regarding health issues that af-fect OUR community. There are activities planned for the kids so sorors bring the entire family! The keynote speaker will be Texas House Representative Garnet Coleman. Representative Coleman has been on the forefront of health issues affecting Texas resi-dents through authoring, sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills related to health care in the state. This is another EXCELLENT partnership with the State of Texas that I encourage all sorors to support. You have the potential to learn information that could possibly save your life or the life of a loved one.

Happy birthday to you soror…I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Soror Sharron Crayton for unveiling the NEW MKΩ birthday song. It is a real treat and easy to learn. Don't worry if you missed it- you will be hearing it in the upcoming months.

Sorors, do not forget that it is time for elections again for the 2012 year. Please contact the nominating committee before November 11

th to nominate a soror that you feel would serve

our chapter well. You must be a member in good standing to be nominated for a position for the Executive Board.

I am thankful to each and every one of you for your efforts and your time in service. I want to thank you for your support. This role as Basileus is not one that should be taken lightly nor is it an easy role to carry but it is achievable only due to the people that surround and support you. I hope you all know and feel my gratitude by our many conversations and what I share with and show you when I am with you all. Thank you.

In closing,

Sorors ~ To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. ~Johannes A. Gaertner

I love you in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha,

Tara

M u K a p p a O m e g a A K A l a d e s

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Happy Birthday Sorors!!Happy Birthday Sorors!!

Birthday Blessings

Instead of counting candles, Or tallying the years,

Contemplate your blessings now, As your birthday nears.

Consider special people

Who love you, and who care, And others who’ve enriched your life

Just by being there.

Think about the memories Passing years can never mar, Experiences great and small

That have made you who you are.

Another year is a happy gift, So cut your cake, and say,

"Instead of counting birthdays, I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Julia King Nov. 5

Natalie Giddens Nov. 11

Yolanda Gautier Nov. 12

Sara T. Robinson Nov. 12

Tracey Taylor-Jarrell Nov. 13

Kristen Watson Nov. 13

Josephine Jones Nov. 15

Kimberly Clark Nov. 16

Alicia Johnson Nov. 16

Lynsay Landry Nov. 16 Sharon T. Lester Nov. 16

Kimberly Cooper Jones Nov. 18

Jimia Baker Nov. 19

Barbara Roquemore Nov. 19

Sharron Crayton Nov. 21

Jennifer Allison Nov. 23

Sharon D. Jones Nov. 25

Beverly Hardy-Decuir Nov. 26

Quandra Williams Nov. 26

Claudia Mercer Nov. 28

Ariel Martin Nov. 29

Ilene Harper Nov. 30

M u K a p p a O m e g a A K A l a d e s

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Money MattersMoney Matters 2012 Chapter Dues – due 12/31/ 2011 to corporate office

Mu Kappa Omega needs you! Mu Kappa Omega needs you! Mu Kappa Omega needs you!

The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the 2012 Mu Kappa Omega Ex-ecutive Board. The chapter will call for nominations at the November meeting, but sorors interested in running for a position should contact Soror Saki Indakwa at

saki.indakwa@gmail.com by Friday, November 11th.

The positions open for 2012 include:

Grammateus Anti-Grammateus Epistoleus Tamiouchos Asst. Tamiouchos Pecunious Grammateus Asst. Pecunious Grammateus Philactor Hodegos Ivy leaf Reporter

Please note, the Assistant Tamiouchos and Assistant Pecunious Grammateus posi-tions are designed to train and prepare those officers for the Tamiouchos and Pecunious Grammateus positions. Sorors elected to the assistant positions are strongly encouraged to move into the Tamiouchos and Pecunious Grammateus positions, the following year of their initial election. Please keep that in mind as you deliberate your decision to run for those specific positions.

Voting will also take place at the November sorority meeting. All sorors nominated at the chapter meeting must be a member in good standing. Please confirm with the finance team you have met all your financial obligations prior to being nominated and/or accepting the nomination.

Membership Chapter

Dues

After December Meeting

After January 21st

*Renewal Deadline

Renewing $275

Full Balance is Due

Dues received will be remitted to corporate in

January

Add $9 Corp Late Fee

PIF by May Chapter Meeting

Life Member $185 Full Balance is Due n/a

PIF by May Chapter Meeting

To avoid long lines at chapter meetings, use the Payment Center to pay chapter dues. Installment payments ($50 or more) are only accepted through December. After December - the full balance of chapter dues is required. *2012 Renewal - chapter dues must be paid in full by the May Meeting. See Financial Guidelines for details. In-complete balances will not be reimbursed.

PLEASE NOTE – before 2012 chapter dues are remitted to the corporate office – you MUST do the following:

Meet all JFT Assessments and Obligations – payable to JFT

Pay the 2012 South Central Regional Assessment – payable to MKΩ

REMAIN A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING

Pay all financial obligations by the given due dates. Members who do not meet all assessments or settle financial obligations will be removed from the "Members in Good Standing" report and some membership privileges will be revoked.

For more information regarding paying 2012 Chapter Dues and Chapter Assessments, please see the ―Money

Matters‖ section of the Finance Corner. Contact Soror Raquel English if you have further questions or concerns.

Closing the 2011 Books – Please Take Action The finance team is preparing to close the 2011 financial books and records. Submit all receipts and reimburse-ment requests no later than the December chapter meeting. Any requests for disbursements after December meeting will not be honored.

Thanks, The Finance Committee

MKMKMK Kudos to…Kudos to…Kudos to…

Soror Angela Jones Mosby who delivered her baby boy David Connor Mosby on Sunday, Octo-ber 9th. Connor entered the world weighing 6lbs. 6oz and was 19.5 inches long.

Soror Monica Green for being the new spotlight by the Clinical Practice Advancement SAG. The article can be seen at http://www.ashp.org/ambulatorycare.

MKMKMKΩΩΩ at Fort Bend Churchat Fort Bend Churchat Fort Bend Church

Mu Kappa Omega sorors fellowshipped at the Fort Bend Church on October 16th. Sorors were Pretty in Pink during the 10am service and gave a donation of $1,018 that was presented to the church.

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Sister NotesSister Notes

MKMKMKΩΩΩ’s Empowering Chapter Retreat ’s Empowering Chapter Retreat ’s Empowering Chapter Retreat

Class In Session! The 2011 Mu Kappa Omega Chapter Retreat was held September 16-17, 2011 at our new

campus – The Westin Memorial City. The theme for this year’s retreat was ―Empower U‖.

Sorors who attended House Party X on Friday evening enjoyed the sounds of DJ Crash, casino tables and slot

machines for prizes, along with food, fun and fellowship. Special thanks to our Membership Committee, led by

Sorors Yvette Comeaux and Roshanda Johnson.

For Required Coursework…

On Saturday morning, sorors kicked off the Fall Session of Empower U with an overview of the Leadership Cur-

riculum for the Global Leadership Through Timeless Service program. Sorors Jacqueline Watson and

Karen Gibson led this informative session. We heard from Program Chairman Soror Candace Robinson who

gave us an update on our execution of the program initiatives. We then moved into our “Cliff Notes” - facili-

tated breakout sessions on four of our initiatives, allowing sorors to once again engage and give feedback and

ideas on chapter programs.

Sorors Beverly Dixon, Fayetta Tasby, Richelle Brewster, and Toya Anderson facilitated the chapter through

a feedback session for the Mu Kappa Omega Strategic Plan. With a technology innovation twist, sorors could

also text in their feedback on the direction and performance of the chapter.

Our newest chapter members had the opportunity to be educated on chapter operations and procedures in the

New Member Orientation Session, led by Membership Chairman Soror Madelyn Nunn.

Our Elective Courses were as follows…

―AKA Soup: A Recipe to Nourish Change‖, presented by Soror Yolanda Young, assisted sorors in develop-

ing an action plan to deal with change in any environment. There were spotlights on past international presi-

dents and how they adapted to change..

―Living an Optimal Life‖, presented by Sorors Della Smith and Roshanda Johnson, gave sorors the tools to

live life with purpose, while meeting the commitments of home, work and community.

―Leadership Styles – What’s Your Trump Suit?‖, presented by Sorors Tara McDowell and Sharron Cray-

ton, focused on increasing sorors’ awareness on personal behavior styles, strengths, and opportunities to en-

hance their leadership capabilities.

Special thanks to our 2011 Leadership Development Chair, Soror Yvette Mitchell, Co-Chairmen Sorors Jenni-

fer Spriggs and Monique Shepherd, and their committee members for all of their hard work, which culminated

in a fun, collegiate atmosphere and an extremely memorable event.

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MKMKMKΩΩΩ’s One Fundraiser: ’s One Fundraiser: ’s One Fundraiser: Pink Pink Pink on the on the on the Green Golf TournamentGreen Golf TournamentGreen Golf Tournament

It was a picturesque day for more than 150 golfers to tee off at the 11th An-nual Pink on the Green Golf Tournament. Held on October 3rd at Sugar Creek Golf Club the annual event benefiting Julia F. Thompson, Inc. was a tremendous success.

Golfers arrived at the course and were greeted by Mu Kappa Omega volun-teers. The day was chalked full of activities including a Women's Clinic, Put-ting and Hole in One contests. Golfers not only had a chance to win on the course but off the course as well.

Due to the hard work of the amazing members of Mu Kappa Omega the golfer raffle and general raffle were a tremendous success with golfers being thrilled with the opportunity to secure prizes including restaurant gift cards, hotel stays and much more. A fundraising event like this would not be possible with the support of our generous sponsors including Amazing Smiles, Quail Valley Pharmacy, Bayway Lincoln, The Reggae Hut, Coca Cola Refreshments, Martha Tatum of Keller Williams Reality, Budweiser, Gridiron Bar and Grill, All Printing, and Grey Goose. Additional sponsors include the Estate of Felix D. Cook, The Fort Bend Church, Bridgette Emanuel—State Farm Insurance, Stepha-nie Rauls-V.P. of Tax Walmart, and Codwell Family Foot Center, P.A. Congratulations to Soror Yolanda Green and her committee for executing such a successful fundraiser. Thanks to everyone that came out to volunteer and play, we look forward to seeing you next year on Monday, October 8, 2012 for the 12th Annual Pink on the Green Golf Tournament.

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Emerging Young Leaders Starts Off a New School YearEmerging Young Leaders Starts Off a New School YearEmerging Young Leaders Starts Off a New School Year

The first EYL fall activity was held on Saturday, October 22nd

at Greater St. Matthew Church Children’s Building. After a light breakfast and social, the girls were led into ice-breakers and games presented by Soror Tawanna Evans. Soror Anne Neal gave introductions and an overview of the EYL program. The session for the day was a Health, Nutrition and Fitness session presented by Fralonda Anderson, Extension Agent for the PVAMU/Fort Bend County Cooperative Extension Program.

The girls were led in engaging discussions about nutrition and living healthy along with hands on activities. The highlight of the activity was the introduction of First Lady Michelle Obama’s ―Let’s Move Campaign‖ fitness video by Beyonce called ―Move Your Body‖. All girls and mentors got ―physical‖ while viewing and dancing to the video. The EYL girls were engaged, active and appeared to be having an enjoyable time. Overall, the first EYL fall activity started off with a bang. Thanks to Soror Melanie Finley and her committee for helping EYL have a great start to a new school year!!

Southeast Texas Cluster Retreat 2011Southeast Texas Cluster Retreat 2011Southeast Texas Cluster Retreat 2011

On October 29, 2011 the Southeast Texas Cluster Retreat was held at the Sheraton

Houston Brookhollow Hotel. Along with many Sorors all over the area, Mu Kappa Omega

was in attendance. This was the last cluster retreat for both Soror Rhonda Newhouse,

Southeast Texas Cluster Coordinator and Soror Gwendolyn Brinkley, South Cen-

tral Regional Director to preside in their current positions. They received many

AKAlades for their leadership. As a special gift from each Basileus of the Southeast Re-

gional Cluster, including our own Soror Tara McDowell, Soror Binkley received a dona-

tion of one thousand dollars for her service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

The retreat was very informative as well as fun. The day started as Sorors were credited for the attendance of

the workshop ―Conflict Resolution‖ lead by Soror Tamara Cubit, Basileus of Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter. This

workshop gave Sorors insight on how to mange their ―pink and green‖ anger. The primary focus was showing

Sorors how to handle conflicts within their own chapters by exploring and understand different expressions of

anger and how to manage it. The ultimate goal of the workshop was to raise awareness of the escalation of an-

ger and the negative impact it has on the sorority as a whole.

Other highlighted speakers included Soror Patricia Roberts, South Central Regional Tamiouchos who re-

freshed Sorors on AKA Regional Accounting Procedures in a game of Family Feud. Soror Patricia Webb,

South Central Representative to the International Program Committee gave Fall 2011 program updates.

Soror Donna Millhouse, Texas Connections Coordinator reminded sorors of opportunities Alpha Kappa Al-

pha Sorority to make a difference in upcoming local, state and national 2012 politics. Soror Katina Semien,

South Central Representative to the International Nominating Committee, reminded sorors of eligibility

and submission dates for our own AKA 2012 elections.

Lastly, Mu Kappa Omega and Julia F. Thompson, Incorporated supported and were saluted for their contri-

butions to the 2011 American Heart Association’s Heritage Brick Wall Fundraising Campaign.

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Date Joined MK June 22, 2008

Chapter and Year of Initiation: Mu Kappa Omega, 2008 University and Degree: Sam Houston State University – Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Occupation and Employer: State of Texas – Preparation for Adult Living Specialist Hometown: Houston, TX

Favorite Song: Dangerously in Love by Beyonce Favorite Movie: The Best Man Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden

Signature Perfume: M by Mariah Carey Favorite Travel Destination: Las Vegas Three Words that Best Describe You: Outgoing, self-motivated, humorous One thing most people do not know about you: I did a hair shoot for Mazza Hair Magazine Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, bowling, hanging with friends/family

Most Passionate About: My family Short-Term Goal: To obtain my Masters degree in Juvenile Justice Long-Term Goal: To become the director of a residential treatment facility for troubled youth

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Nicole SmithNicole SmithNicole Smith

Soror SpotlightSoror SpotlightSoror Spotlight

The Soror Spotlight will highlight Sorors each month in an effort to assist Mu Kappa

Omega members in becoming familiar with other chapter Sorors. This month’s edition

features Sorors Nicole Smith and Wyndi McPeters-Grant.

Date Joined MK June 2008

Chapter and Year of Initiation: Mu Kappa Omega, 2008

University and Degree: Texas A&M College Station, Psychology; Prairie View A&M University, M.A. in Counseling

Occupation and Employer: Adoption Prep and Centralized Placement Program Director

Hometown: Houston with deep roots in DeKalb, Texas

Favorite Song: Stairway to Heaven and anything by Betty Wright

Favorite Movie: Coming to America and Steel Magnolia's

Favorite Restaurant: Houston's

Signature Perfume: None

Favorite Travel Destination: I haven't been there yet, I will keep you posted.

Three Words that Best Describe You: Straight-forward, loyal, funny One thing most people do not know about you: I would prefer to be in the country (DeKalb,TX) sitting on a porch shelling purple hull peas.

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, poetry, reading

Most Passionate About: So many things but mostly, my husband and my four children…yep four.

Short-Term Goal: Making it through the day

Long-Term Goal: Making it through the week…LOL

Wyndi McPetersWyndi McPetersWyndi McPeters---GrantGrantGrant

Please keep in your prayers...Please keep in your prayers...Please keep in your prayers...

Soror Phyllis Hunter who recently lost her father.

Soror Sharon Anderson whose father (Andy Anderson) & grandmother (Petrenella McConico) are ill.

Sorors Vanese and Vikki Berry who recently lost their uncle.

Soror Johnella Bradford whose brother recently passed away.

Soror Della Smith whose stepfather, Gus Henry Jr., recently passed away.

Soror Sparkle Anderson who recently lost her great grandmother.

Soror Melanie Finley who has been ill recently.

Soror Deborah Lanier Pettway for the loss of her father, Arthur D. Lanier.

Soror Ashley Odom whose father is preparing to have heart bypass surgery.

Mu Kappa Omega sorors who are without jobs.

AKAlades is published monthly for the members of Mu Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Our mailing address is: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., P.O. Box 1097, Missouri City, Texas 77459. Sorors are encouraged to submit newsworthy

information for consideration to the Editorial Team.

Editorial Team Members/Contributing Writers: Sparkle Anderson, Toya Anderson, Monique Barber, Tiffany Brailey, Jeri Cook,

Sharron Crayton, Twila Dotson, Adrienne Gibson, Shanae Lester, Tara McDowell, Ashley Odom, Mitzi Patterson, Tracey Taylor-

Jarrell and Shunte’ Washington.

Having the Spirit of ThanksgivingHaving the Spirit of ThanksgivingHaving the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Everyone carries a certain ―spirit‖ – an atmosphere about them. This spirit can be health-ful and invigorating to others, or it can be unwholesome and depressing. Each of us can make a little spot of the world sweeter, or bitter and disagreeable, simply by the spirit we carry around within us.

God says we are responsible for this atmosphere we carry with us. First Corinthians 14:32 tells us that the spirit of the man is subject to the man. That means that we are responsible for our attitude. God desires to enable us to always be cheerful, with a thanksgiving spirit, but He will not override our will. We must decide to do His will. How can we be cheerful and thankful when things go wrong? It’s not as simple as just making up our minds that we are going to change. No, it is through systematic intention focused on Christ. Our personality develops overtime through lessons learned, experiences lived, impressions observed, and the influences we learn to respond to ac-cording to God’s word.

There are those who are discontented and unhappy. They have allowed this type of spirit to rule them. They cannot, truthfully, blame their heredity, environment or influences around them.

God commands, and demands, cheerfulness from all of us. However, God also supplies, for Jesus said, ―These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full‖ (John 15:11).

God has never promised to take all the pain and sorrow out of our life, but He said, we could be – ought to be – joyful in the midst of tribulations. This does not mean that we are insensitive to our surroundings for we feel grief and are tender toward the trials of others, as well as our own; however, we can ―be of good cheer‖ through it all. Why? Because Jesus has met the world, overcome the world, and come out victori-ously! Be glad that now in Him we can have peace and be filled with Thanksgiving that He loves us so!

Adapted from The Net Bible Study on Having the Spirit of Thanksgiving

All For Him, Soror Jeri Cook

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