2020 BOULE AND REGIONAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

Virtual Regional Conference Elections

Virtual Regional Elections are now concluded and all regional elections have been successfully completed. Supreme Basileus Glenda Glover extends her gratitude to each of the candidates who offered themselves for her service through candidacy for office. She also extends her congratulations to each of the successful candidates. The International Nominating Committee and the Corporate Office Team are to commended for their hard work to ensure that these historic regional elections were executed with excellence.

Virtual Boule & Boule/Leadership Seminar 2021

Part I of the 69th Boule will convene virtually on Wednesday, July 15. At that time, delegates will elect and ratify officers. The other aspects of the 2020 Boule will be delayed until 2021 to allow more time for health experts to determine an effective way to address the coronavirus so that large groups can safely assemble once again. Part II of the Boule will be combined with the 2021 Leadership Seminar that is scheduled to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 13–18. During Part II of the Boule/Leadership Seminar 2021, you will receive updates on the business of the sorority at plenary sessions, vote on proposed bylaw amendments, attend certification classes, workshops, luncheons, dinners and regional gatherings, and fellowship with one another. So, please save the dates and make plans to attend. You will receive more information in 2021 closer to the date of these combined international meetings.

Chapter Operations

The Pandemic Task Force has released the expanded Pandemic Guide to Virtual Chapter Operations as an additional resource to supplement the previously-released Guide to Conducting Virtual Chapter Meetings and the AKA Virtual Program Activities guide in order to assist chapters as we continue to operate in a virtual environment.

Membership Intake Process

Due to the social distancing guidance and gathering restrictions that remain in effect all across the country, the postponement of Member Intake will continue until further notice. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we prayerfully consider when and how to safely resume in-person programs and operations, including Membership Intake.

Weekly Pandemic Update

Effective June 1, the Weekly Pandemic Update transitioned from weekly publication to every other week. We will continue to monitor important developments and updates relating to COVID-19 and provide program and operational updates.

Thank you for joining our weekly Day of Prayer calls since March. Our designated weekly corporate prayer time is 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Let us continue to pray for families impacted by COVID-19, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers, our sisterhood, this nation and our world. Please also pray for wisdom and compassion for national, state, and local leaders as they make important decisions regarding safely re-opening. We also must continue to pray for our communities and for justice and equal protection under the law for African Americans in this country. Sorors, let's continue to remain prayerful.

RELAXING STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS

How do I protect myself and my loved ones as restrictions are lifted?

Keeping Safe
Jessica Dolcourt (CNET Health & Wellness)

As coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease and cities reopen around the world, it's a good idea to think about how you'll keep yourself and your loved ones healthy during a prolonged period. Here are things you should think twice about doing as lockdown and quarantine end.

1. Don't get too comfortable.

Globally, the number of coronavirus cases and yes, deaths, is going up, not down. Plenty of world and local leaders warn that, while some growth rates may seem like they're slowing in pockets, a second wave of infections could be even worse. Even as nonessential businesses and public spaces reopen, it's important to remember that the coronavirus threat hasn't disappeared. Just because restrictions are lifted, doesn't mean you won't acquire COVID-19 or pass it on to someone else.

2. Wear a face mask in public places.

Some counties and cities are making the order mandatory -- typically when you gather somewhere around other people, like in a store, and not while you're alone in your car, or taking a walk where keeping six feet from others is easy to do. At the very least, it's a good idea to keep a face covering on hand if for no other reason than to avoid a stranger's side eye or a lecture at the store.

3. Distance, distance, distance.

Social distancing can mean anything from hunkering down at home and refraining from seeing outside friends and family in person to keeping a boundary between you and others when you do go out. The practice of keeping six feet away from those outside your home group extends to waiting in line at the grocery store, going on walks (you can momentarily walk in the bike lane if you're careful about looking out for street traffic) and picking up food to go. If you need to keep more distance between you and someone else while on a walk or when reaching for an item at the store, take a step back and wait or politely ask the person to give you more clearance. ("Oh, I'm trying to keep my distance from everyone.")

4. Wash your hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (happy birthday sung twice) immediately when you return home from a public places such as the bank or grocery store. Remember the friction from this action and the soapis essential. Hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol is advised if soap and water is not available.

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus global pandemic, visit the WHO.int. For news and information for the US only, visit CDC.gov.

How has COVID-19 affected Alpha Kappa Alpha?

Notification Protocols

The integrity of sorority impact data is directly tied to the information collected. Who should I notify?

• Notify your chapter Basileus that you tested positive for COVID-19.
• Inform your Basileus if you have been in close contact with other chapter members or sorors and where the contact occurred.
• Chapter Basileus will notify only sorors who are at risk for possible exposure without divulging the infected soror's name.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to regularly monitor their symptoms and immediately notify their doctor if they become symptomatic.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to quarantine themselves and STAY AT HOME for 14 days to stop the spread of the virus in the event they become symptomatic and test positive.

Visit https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ for up-to-date worldwide COVID-19 statistics.

RECENT EVENTS

Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement Celebration
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2020! We celebrate each of you and your accomplishments and we bid you Godspeed on this exciting, new chapter in your lives.

Sisters United For Reform
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has collaborated with 12 other African-American women’s organization, including each of the Divine Nine sororities, to form Sisters United For Reform in order to leverage their collective power and influence to address racial injustice and advocate for reform. View the press release, agenda items and participating organizations by clicking here. Join this movement at Sisters #United4Reform.

UPCOMING EVENTS: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Soror Glenda Glover
Supreme Basileus

Soror Joy Elaine Daley, International Regional Director (Chairman)
Soror Kimberly Esmond Adams, Special Assistant & Risk Management Task Force Chairman (Co-Chairman)
Soror Danette Anthony Reed, First Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kasey Coleman, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kaylen Long, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Hollye Weekes, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Carol Dixon, Far Western Regional Director
Soror Cynthia Howell, Executive Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Soror Martha Perine Beard, Chief of Staff to the Supreme Basileus
Soror Ora Douglass, Program Committee Chairman
Soror Cynthia Finch, MIP Committee Chairman & Healthcare Professional
Soror Jasmine Adkins Moore, Disaster Relief Committee Chairman
Soror Robyn Jones, Physician & Medical Director for Women's Health