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Dear Sorors,
As we begin a new journey for our sisterhood, I continue to be encouraged by your excitement about the Launching New Dimensions of Service
program. Chapters from across the globe have reached out to express their excitement and eagerness to begin embracing our new International Program,
“Launching New Dimensions of Service.” Launching New Dimensions of Service will provide chapters the opportunity to execute service programs
addressing community needs with programs in traditional and new target areas. Our communities have urgent needs and our collective power is needed at this
time. It is for this reason that we are moving forward with several program areas prior to the official launch.
It is important to note we will spend this fall shaping our plan for an effective program launch in January 2015. However, chapters may develop and execute
“pre-launch” activities in the fall of 2014, designed to maximize our collective impact starting in 2015. Our International Program Committee has developed
a plan that includes the following approved fall 2014 program activities.
Sorors, participating in pre-launch activities is optional; however, chapters that do participate in pre-launch activities will have the opportunity to
receive recognition under the “Launching New Dimension of Service” program.
Fall 2014 programming activities may include:
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Target 1 – Educational Enrichment
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Program Area
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Graduate Chapters
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Undergraduate Chapters
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ASCEND:
Our signature service program
Special Note:
Chapters are NOT to begin the ASCEND program until January 2015.
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Plan for the January 2015 launch of your ASCEND program utilizing the guidelines shared with chapters during Webinars, Cluster Conferences,
and Undergraduate Round-Ups.
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Collaborate with supervising graduate chapters on planning elements of the ASCEND program and engage where appropriate.
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Think HBCU -
Observe HBCU Awareness week September 21 – 27, 2014
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Determine the amount of scholarship monies earmarked for HBCU bound college students |
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Host an alumni drive with local HBCU Alumni Associations |
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Show your pride by presenting fun facts about your HBCU at chapter meeting |
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Compile a list of sorors who were initiated at, and graduated from, HBCUs and add to each sorors AKA online profile |
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HBCU Graduate Sorors are asked to join their local alumni association |
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Pre-Alumni enrollment drives |
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HBCU Social Media campaigns to increase awareness |
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One Million Backpacks
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Graduate and Undergraduate chapters can host school supply donation drives and assemble backpacks to distribute to students in need
Regions are to begin collecting backpacks and supplies at 2014 Undergraduate Roundup and Cluster conferences and 2015 Regional conferences. (Note: conference host chapters to
coordinate)
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Target 2 – Health Promotion
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No programming until January 2015 due to formal agreements with our health partners. There will be no credit for any Target 2 programming
in the Launching New Dimensions of Service reporting tool.
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Target 3 – Family Strengthening
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Program Area
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Graduate Chapters
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Undergraduate Chapters
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Childhood hunger
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Host hunger/food donation drives impacting young children
Reporting:
Track the number of children/families served; number of pounds of food donated; or amount of funds collected and donated to an organization
focusing on childhood hunger.
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Seasonal Wraps
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Host weather appropriate seasonal wrap drives
Reporting
: track the number of items collected and distributed and/or the number of individuals “wrapped.”
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Financial Fitness
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Host workshops / seminars in fiscal responsibility, home ownership and entrepreneurship
Reporting:
Track the number of community persons served
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Target 4: Environmental Ownership
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Program Area
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Graduate Chapters
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Undergraduate Chapters
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Acts of Green
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Initiate a fall 2014 “Acts of Green” Campaign. An “act of green” is any deliberate action to protect the planet and secure
a sustainable future. Sample acts of green include: eating less meat, reducing energy consumption, adjusting your water heater, composting,
buying local produce, supporting legislation
Reporting
: Track the number of “acts of green” performed by chapter members and community persons engaged; summarize date, type of activity
performed and environmental benefit sustained.
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Target 5: Global Impact
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Program Area
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Graduate Chapters
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Undergraduate Chapters
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Observance of UN day on October 24, 2014
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Educate the local community and its elected officials about the importance of the UN to a strong U.S. foreign policy
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Formal training will continue as planned during our upcoming Undergraduate Round-Ups and Cluster Conferences. Please consistently check the Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Members Only News & Events section for the latest members’ only statements, event posting, and announcements.
Please take these next few months to prepare your chapters to launch our new international program in January 2015.
As we embark on Launching New Dimensions of Service, improving the lives of others with innovative, high-impact programs continues to be our
hallmark for more than 106 years. Just like the generations of sorors that have proceeded us, we will impact the lives of countless individuals through our
unselfish delivery and commitment to be of Service to All Mankind!
Sisterly,
Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson
Supreme Basileus
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