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 2,2002INTRODUCTIONFor 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 need 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 the2002 Program are to:•
Advocate issues of importance to the community
•
Encourage Sorors to serve in elective and/or appointive offices
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Mobilize Sorors to participate in the electoral process
Connection Activation Procedures
1. 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 2002
AKA Day at the State Capitol
As this is a non-legislative year in Nevada, Theta Theta Omega will concentrate on the election of local, state and national representatives from Nevada campaigns. This will enlighten the public about the sorority and chapter within the State. Voter registration will be conducted at the various churches in March, April, May and June. Forum for candidates running for public office will be done before the primary and general elections.
Blazing Political Trails: Seeking Elective and Appointive Offices
The 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. TTO will 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. We will also encourage sorors who have been elected to public to do an in-service at Regional Conference.
Voter Registration/Education 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. Sign up sheets will be provided so that rides may be provided to senior citizens needing rides to the polls or to encourage registered voters to mail in their ballots or vote in one of the malls early. We will encourage and set up times and places for Voter Registrar training for Sorors (TTO chapter and Kappa Xi chapter).
Public Policy Resolutions Adopted by Delegates to Boule’1. Affirmative Action gConnections 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.
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. THETA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE
February 9, 2001
The petitions that you signed at the meeting in January were sent to Juanita Orr the nation chairman and Babbit the region chairperson of connections
Sorors interested in becoming a deputy registrar of voters see me for a list of dates that are available throughout the 2002 year. The last meeting was canceled due to the majority of the committee not being able to attend. The next scheduled meeting will take place on Monday, February 25, 2002 at the home of the chairman.
The focus of this year’s tasks will be scheduled with times and dates for voter registration drives, planning forums for political debates and exchange of ideas, collation building with other women organizations, planning to attend public forum in Washington, D.C. and the return to the Nevada Day at the Capital in 03.