Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Theta Omega Chapter connections committee reports

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. THETA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE MONTHLY REPORT MARCH 3, 2001INTRODUCTIONFor many years, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. has been involved in public policy issues that impact the lives of great numbers of African Americans. However, it was not until 1980 that an ad hoc committee, appointed by Supreme Basileus Barbara K. Phillips, studied public policy issues and reported to the Directorate on a regular basis. First Supreme Anti-Basileus Faye B. Bryant drafted the first public policy plan.Delegates to the 1980 Boule’, agreeing that there was agreed for a formal commitment to impact public policy as it affects African Americans, voted that the Connections Committee would become the ninth Standing Committee of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.Supreme Basileus Norma S. White has charged the 1998-2000 National Committee with“Blazing New Trails in Public Policy, The Alpha Kappa Way.”PurposeThe purpose of the Connections Committee as stated in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. Constitution:• To identify and study local, state, national and international issues which impact upon the quality of life for all mankind.• To design strategies for communications with the membership regarding issues• To mobilize the membership for action and implementation• To recommend position statements to the chapterGoalsCitizens exert their greatest influence on public policy when they advocate issues; serve in elective and/or appointive offices; and vote in great numbers. Therefore, the goals of the2001 Program are to :• Advocate issues of importance to the community• Encourage sorors to serve in elective and/or appointive offices• Mobilize sorors to participate in the electoral processConnection Activation Procedures1. Chapter Connections Committee will mobilize members for local campaigns, subject to the approval of the Chapter Basileus. It is the responsibility of the Chapter Connection Chairman to inform the State Coordinator and the Regional Director of the local campaign prior to mobilization of the membership.
2. Only the Regional Representative and the State Coordinator may mobilize sorors for state campaigns. It is the responsibility of the Regional Representative and the State Coordinator to inform the Regional Director in advance of the mobilization.Pre-Activation StageIn preparation for effective functioning at the chapter level, the Connection Committee will establish mechanisms in the chapter to accomplish the following:1. Identify other community organizations interested in working on issues of common concern.2. Establish a line of communication with local, state, and federal officials.3. Establish an email and fax network within the chapter, Regional Director, and Regional Representative.4. Maintain a data bank relative to Connection legislative issues.PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM 2001AKA Day at the State CapitolSorors will convene at the State Capitol in Carson City to advocate for issues that impact the lives of African Americans. We will follow the National Connections Committee planning guide, AKA Day at the Capitol, by Soror Marjorie H. Young.Blazing Political Trails: Seeking Elective and appointive OfficesThe greatest influence sorors can have on public policy issues that impact the daily lives of African Americans is to serve in elective or appointive offices. The encourage sorors who are interested in running for public office to attend Regional Conference workshops that will provide prospective candidates with the knowledge needed to become players in the political arena.Voter RegistrationZEducation and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)Voter Registration/Education and GOTV are major elements of Alpha Kappa Alpha public policy. The Connections Committee will encourage chapter members to support non-partisan voter registration/education and GOTV activities that are designed to maximize the participation of African Americans in the electoral process. We will encourage and set up times and places for Registrar training for sorors.Public Policy Resolutions Adopted by Delegates to Boule’
1.
Affirmative Action - Connections Committee will monitor anti-affirmative action initiatives in Nevada and solicit support in whatever action is deemed appropriate to defeat said legislation.
2.
Children and Gun Safety - The Connections Committee will encourage state and local officials to introduce and support legislation that requires the use of gun-locking devices, and storage of guns in secure places.
3.
Abolishment of Executions in the State of Nevada- The Connections Committee will encourage state officials to introduce and support legislation that will abolish executions in the state of Nevada.
Millennial Public Policy Conference IIThe next MPPC II Conference will be held in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference scheduled for September 26-29, 20001. Members of the TTO Connections will plan to attend this important conference.Gun ControlThe Connections Committee will develop mechanisms for members to encourage federal legislators from Nevada to introduce and support legislation regulating the manufacture, distribution, purchase, registration and storage of guns.Social SecuritySorors will study proposals and support the best program that best serves the interests of African Americans.Prescription DrugsSorors will support legislation that provides for equal, affordable and dependable prescription drugs for the elderly and disabled.Respectfully SubmittedOuida M. Brown, ChairmanFrances Perry, memberQuin Rivers, memberEthel Archibald, memberBillie Rayford, memberLavonne Lewis, member
Willa White, member
Dorothy Earl, member
Elizabeth Sheffield, member
Irma Brooks, member
Virgina Ingram, member
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. THETA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER LAS VEGAS, NEVADA0$ fc/ ioCONNECTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT October 6,2001The Connections committee chairman was not able to attend the international public conference in Washington, D.C. due to an illness in her immediate family and the problems in the capital.The following commitments have been scheduled from the committee:• Deputy Voter Registration training on Wednesday, October 24,2001 at the voter registration office off of Martin L. King near Craig. Post cards will be sent to those sorors who sign up today with a detailed map an exact address. A sign up sheet is being circulated at the meeting. Sorors we need at least ten to fifteen sorors to sign up in order to make this a reality. When you sign up I need your name, address and birth date. Connections Workshop - Round table discussion with elected officials prior to the November 3,2001 meeting at 12 noon to discuss the following subjects: importance of voter registration, importance of voting, how to run for public office, what is needed to get appointed to state, city, or county boards or committees for both paid and volunteer positions, etc. Elected officials who have consented verbally to participate in the round table discussion are State Senator Joe Neal, County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, City Council woman Lynette Boggs McDonald, Assemblyman Windell Williams, and Assemblyman Morse Arburry.• Next Connections meeting is Monday, October 15,2001 at K.O. Knudson Middle School following the Founders Day meeting at 7 p.m.Ouida M. Brown, Chairman
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. THETA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER LAS VEGAS, NEVADACONNECTIONS COMMITTEE DEPTY VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING November 3, 2001The following sorors were trained to register voters on Wednesday October 24, 2001.1. FRANCES PERRY2. WILHELMINA LEE
3.
OUIDA M. BROWN
4.
Elsie Lavonne Lewis
5.
Elizabeth Sheffield
Sorors Lee, Brown, White, and Lewis are now available to participate in voter registration drives that will be sponsored by our chapter.
Sorors who would still like to be trained as registrars of voters should let soror Ouida know so that a class may be set up one day in the future.
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. THETA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE
DEPTY VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING December 1, 2001
The Connections Chairman sent thank-you letters to the guest speakers. They would consider doing it again next year.
Those sorors who would like a copy of the lists of appointed committees/commissions need to let the chairman know.
Sorors interested in becoming a deputy registrar of voters see me for a list of dates that are available throughout the 2002 year. Committee is featured in last issue of the Ivy Leaf as visiting the legislature in Carson City.