Sorors,
Glenda Glover
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®
SUPREME BASILEUS
The Alpha Kappa Alpha COVID-19 Pandemic Task Force has been very busy providing our members with up-to-date information on sorority operations, soror assistance and welfare initiatives, impact data, and COVID-19 resources. I am pleased to provide additional guidance and resources to implement programs and service under the Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service banner in a virtual environment. Programs remain the heart of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Nonetheless, changing times require Alpha Kappa Alpha to adjust and modify our approach and execution. It is imperative for our own safety and for the safety of those we love and serve that we remain safe and well by observing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention during this pandemic. To that end, we must discontinue any and all programs and community service activities which require individuals to gather in order to execute these initiatives.
Fortunately, even with these restrictions, there are still a number of community service initiatives which will enable us to continue to serve mankind. In this document, you will find the following: virtual program activities for implementation while practicing social distancing and staying at home; reporting form to be used by chapters and sorors to record program and community service activities; and links to organizations in need of donations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am asking chapters and sorors to pay particular attention to our healthcare workers who have been selflessly serving throughout this global health crisis to save lives. We also know that vulnerable populations, like the homeless, poor and elderly, are at greatest risk and need our support.
The International Program Committee, under the leadership of Soror Ora B. Douglass, will continue to provide recommendations for virtual chapter program implementation under the Excellence program platform. I also encourage chapters to share virtual programming ideas with your regional representative to the International Program Committee. We welcome and appreciate your input.
Thank you for your committed service. Please continue to be safe and healthy as we serve mankind in this new virtual environment.
Yours in Excellence,
Soror Glenda Glover Supreme Basileus
AKA VIRTUAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
TARGET 1 – HBCU for Life:
Continue online chapter donations
Support the EAF Endowment Initiative through Online Portal Submissions
Follow directions for text to give submissions
Each soror should contribute $35 to the HBCU endowment
Promote chapter HBCU activities on Social Media
Continue to establish and award HBCU Scholarships
Consider virtual HBCU college tours
TARGET 1 – Signature Program - #CAPTM
Continue to check on your #CAPTM students via email or text and continue to encourage them to participate in the STEPP process
Schedule #CAPTM conference calls to conduct STEPP sessions
Send online information to your #CAPTM students for each step of the process
Encourage the #CAPTM students to stay positive
Consider virtual #CAPTM Graduations
TARGET 2 – Women’s Healthcare and Wellness
Distribute Women’s Healthcare and wellness information electronically
Continue to post relevant healthcare and wellness information related to COVID-19 on the chapter’s social media pages
Check on caregivers to assure they are safe during this time. Send Caregiver packages electronically, i.e. Amazon and other gift cards
Continue to walk your individual 8,000 steps per day within your neighborhood or in home treadmill or walk in place to music and post on AKA1908.com or social media sites
Consider and adhere to healthy food choices, share healthy, nutritious recipes on social media Healthcare professionals host conference calls or webinars on “Soror Safety” and how to protect ourselves and family during this time including mental health strategies and techniques
TARGET 3 – Building Your Economic Legacy
Send out information electronically during financial Literacy Month and Credit Repair Month
Distribute Financial planning toolkits electronically such as Regions’ Bank information
Continue to publicize chapter support of black businesses
Continue to support minority businesses by making purchases from them online
Help Sorors to grow their businesses by supporting them and asking what help they need
Consider the suggested donations for healthcare organizations and workers listed in the AKA Assist handout
Distribute electronically the AKA Assist handout references – “How can I help the community during the COVID – 19 pandemic”
*AKA Assist handouts are located on AKA1908.com
TARGET 4 – The Arts!
Host book clubs with the chapter electronically. Record books on social media read by African American Authors
Distribute educational activities to middle schools electronically for the Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts movements since most children are at home
Hose virtual chapter stay at home movie nights related to the two Arts movements
TARGET 5 – Global Impact
Send factual information electronically to chapter members regarding the COVID-19 global pandemic and its impact
Continue to individually sew in the home pillowcase dresses and shirts for distribution post COVID-19 pandemic
Clean out drawers and closets at home to find old eyeglasses and shoes for donation and store until a later date
Support organizations that are assisting refugees in your local community and participate in World Refugee Day
Instructions:
Soror and Chapter Reporting Form for Virtual Program Activities
• Record the activity, date, service hours, and brief description of program activity on this reporting form
•Send the document to your chapter Anti- Basileus/Program Chairman
•The chapter Program Chairman will compile virtual program activities submitted by sorors
• The chapter Program Chairman will compile a chapter report using soror virtual activities and chapter activities for each of the five targets
•The chapter Program Chairman will input the data into the program reporting portal on the AKA1908.com website using the Excellence summary report forms
Target 1: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action
Target 1: Signature Program: #CAPTM
Target 2: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness
Target 3: Building Your Economic Legacy
4: The Arts!
Target 5: Global Impact
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Day of Service (January) 042020 40
Pink Goes Red Day for Heart Health (February) 042020 40
AKA Global Impact Day Observance (April) 042020 40 Description
AKA International Day of Prayer Observance (August) 042020 40 Description
AKA HBCU Day Observance (September) 042020 40 Description
Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October) 042020 40
AKA Caregivers’ Day Observance (November) 042020 40
Other Awareness Days/Months
Credit Education Month (March) 042020 40
Financial Literacy Month (April) 042020 40 Description
World Refugee Day (June) 042020 40 Description
Mammogram Awareness Day (October) 042020 40 Description 042020 40 Description 042020 40 Description 042020 40 Description
TARGET 3: AKA ASSIST
Suggested Donations for Healthcare Organizations and Workers
Check with the organization before sending or dropping off donations. Needed items may change as supplies are assessed and storage may be limited in healthcare facilities.
Every month, frontline health responders around the world need these supplies (and more) to protect themselves and others from #COVID19
89 million masks
30 million gowns
1.59 million goggles
76 million gloves
2.9 million liters hand sanitizer
Donation of Clinical Supplies (Not Homemade)
N95 Masks and KN95 Masks*
General Surgical Masks
Face Shields
Eye Protectors
Disposable Gloves (Vinyl and Nitrile)
Shoe Covers
Alcohol Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Thermometers
Hot/Ready-to-Serve Food: (Not Homemade)
Gift Cards are Preferred
Delivery From Restaurants - Preferred (No Buffet-Style Food Options Such as Pizza)
Non-Perishable Food: (Buy in Bulk or Direct Order)
Popcorn (Microwave Prepackaged)
Protein and Granola Bars
Nuts - (Individual 1 Serving Packages)
Coffee and Tea: This is a much needed item
Buy in Bulk or Direct Order
Sugars/Creamers must be individual use (Not Communal Containers)
Send a note of thanks to our front-line workers
Share a message of gratitude, love, support, and encouragement from your chapter.
*N95 masks differ from other types of face masks because they create a tight seal between the mask and face, which helps filter 95% of airborne particulates. Coronaviruses can linger in the air for up to 30 minutes and be transmitted through breath, talking, coughing, sneezing, saliva, and transfer over commonly touched objects. That’s why the CDC emphasizes other precautions, like washing hands and distancing from others, in addition to wearing a face covering in crowded areas when out in public.
TARGET 3: AKA ASSIST
How can I help the community during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
References for Sorors and Chapters
Many organizations are in need of help and are accepting donations during this time of the COVID-19 crisis. To make sure vulnerable populations are cared for during the pandemic, the International Program Committee is providing suggested resources to assist sorors and chapters in making choices for donations.
GENERAL SUGGESTED LINKS:
A guide to helping and getting help during the coronavirus crisis: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-how-to-help/
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information: https://naacp.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-resources/
A BET COVID -19 Relief Effort https://www.bet.com/shows/bet-news-special/news/2020/4/covid-19-resources.html
CDC- Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/index.html
Homeless Shelters and Service Organizations in Your Area: https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org
COVID – 19 Resource and Information Guide https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide
AARP COVID -19 References Page https://www.aarp.org/health/?intcmp=GLBNAV-PL-HEA-HEA
Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-small-business-covid-19-emergency-loans
International Program Committee Regional Representatives
The International Program Committee recognizes there are specific needs of different geographical locations within our regions and the Regional Representatives to the Program Committee are working with Regional Directors to provide state specific information. Contact your Regional Program Representative for additional information or to provide ideas for community service in your area.
Ora B. Douglass - Chairman
Kasey Coleman
2nd Supreme Anti-Basileus
Tjuana C. Byrd
South Atlantic 770.377.1775
odouglas@bellsouth.net
Great Lakes 810.360-3599 kcoleman@aka1908.com
South Central 501.247.3626 Tbyrd29@hotmail.com
Renita Allen Dawson Mid Atlantic 919.922.0691 Rdad1908@gmail.com
Tresa Dunbar Garrett Central 773.914.1468 centralexcellence1822@gmail.com
Ashley M. Tarrant
South Eastern 205.919.8054 akaseprogramrep@gmail.com
Angela Reed Great Lakes 269.599.4636 angelareed1908@gmail.com
Tonja L. Ringgold North Atlantic 443.253.6694 Ringgold.NARRepPrograms@gmail.com
Andria S. Daniels South Atlantic 678.468.1869 uao@andriadaniels.com
Princess Faith Singleton Far Western 912.258.1959 psingleton@aka1908.com
Tanesha Thompson Mid Western 816.521.9659 tanesha40@yahoo.com
Jourdon Bowe International 242.727.3412 josabo87@gmail.com
Coronavirus Pandemic Task Force Members
A special Thank You to the Coronavirus Pandemic Task Force for Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service during the COVID – 19 pandemic
Soror Glenda Glover, Supreme Basileus
Soror Joy Elaine Daley, International Regional Director (Chairman)
Soror Kimberly Esmond Adams, Special Assistant to the Supreme Basileus & Risk Management Task Force Committee Chairman (Co-Chairman)
Soror Danette Anthony Reed, First Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kasey A. Coleman, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kaylen D. Long, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Hollye J.V. Weekes, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Carol R. Dixon, Far Western Regional Director
Soror Martha Perine Beard, Chief of Staff to the Supreme Basileus
Soror Cynthia D. Howell, Executive Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®
Soror Ora B. Douglass, Program Committee Chairman
Soror Cynthia J. Finch, MIP Committee Chairman
Soror Jasmine Adkins Moore, Disaster Relief Committee Chairman
Soror Robyn Jones, Physician & Medical Director for Women’s Health
