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Chi Alpha Omega Chapter History
1. Chapter Name – Chi Alpha Omega 2. Date Chapter was Chartered – April 14, 2002 3. Chapter Location – Schaumburg, Illinois 4. Charter Members 5. Chartering Regional Director – Nadine C. Bonds 6. Chartering National President – Norma White 7. Chartering Graduate Advisor – N/A 8. Chartering Chapter Size – 17 Current Chapter Size – 28 9. Names of Undergraduate Chapters – N/A 10. Chapter Presidents with the Years Served 11. List of Chapter Members’ Who Have Held International/National Offices or Served on International/National Committees – N/A In February 2001, Gloria Covington, Yolander Dorsey, Jamel Ivory Penn and Sheila Reed met at the home of Carol Dewberry in Hoffman Estates, IL to discuss the vision for a northwest suburban chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The members agreed that the proximity of the Evanston and west suburban chapters were not conducive to active participation for members in the northwest suburbs. They began to plan the strategy for moving forward with the vision and agreed to meet again in a few weeks. Following the initial meeting, they began to contact members they knew in the area and used the Alpha Kappa Alpha Directory to locate others in the northwest suburbs that they did not know. The next meeting was held at the Barrington Library where the members developed their strategy further and scheduled regular monthly meeting times. They continued to meet regularly over the spring and summer months. Slowly, the members began to gain additional support for their vision.
Jamel Ivory Penn contacted Nadine C. Bonds, the Central Regional Director, to discuss the requirements for establishing a chapter and the group’s progress. Nadine provided a thorough explanation of the requirements and agreed to meet with the Northwest AKAs during the Fall Cluster Meeting in Tinley Park, IL. The Northwest AKAs met with Nadine on Friday, September 7, 2001 and the tasks that lay ahead were clearly defined. Although Nadine indicated that the group had up to 2 years to complete the process of fulfilling the requirements for chartering, they were motivated to fulfill the requirements in time for consideration prior to the 68th Central Regional Conference which was to be held in Chicago, IL. In accordance with the requirements for chartering, the Northwest AKAs began to plan and implement community service projects to meet the target programs in Arts, Black Family, Economics, Education and Health. Nadine suggested Project Shoe Box as a very worthwhile project that would benefit students in Africa. The Northwest AKAs were immediately interested and excited about helping these students. Members were instructed to bring a shoebox filled with school supplies and personal hygiene products to the September, 2001 meeting. Some of the products were donated, however the majority were purchased by members. Following the meeting, the members began filling shoeboxes with all types of different supplies. They completed this project sending more that a dozen stuffed shoeboxes filled with pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, notebooks, soap, hair products and other toiletries. These supplies were sent to Project Shoebox in Philadelphia, PA. The members were overjoyed with the success of this program and the assistance provided some very deserving students. The Northwest AKAs supported the First Annual Community-Unity Fest in the Village of Cabrini on September 29 – 30, 2001. The Arts and Music Festival was sponsored by Cabrini Green Youth and Family Services, Chicago Housing Authority and the mayor’s Office of Special Events. Prior to the festival, a member participated in the planning meetings and also helped coordinate media communications to publicize the fest. The fest was a catalyst to bring together old and new residents for a celebration with food, music and fun. The Northwest AKAs were hands on volunteers during the 2-day event by helping with booth set-ups and as hostesses for the children’s adventure play area. On October 20, 2001, the Northwest AKAs volunteered at the 5th Annual Susan G. Komen Brest Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure in Chicago. The mission of this organization is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. The race was well attended by members of the Northwest AKAs. Their volunteer efforts helped to ensure that race participants received registration materials and directional assistance. In addition, one of the Northwest AKAs who is a breast cancer survivor walked the course. This event included 8,500 participants, 400 breast cancer survivors and raised $400,000. These funds were earmarked for national research and local breast cancer initiatives. In support of the Arts target, the Northwest AKAs and guests enjoyed a night out at the theater for the Saturday November 17th, 2001 performance of “The Other Cinderella”. This was a long running comedy mainstay in the Chicagoland area. The “Cinderella” parody was written and produced by Ms. Jackie Taylor, an African American playwright and founder of the Black Ensemble Theater. On December 15, 2001, the Northwest AKAs partnered with the DuPage County Humanitarian Service Project organization to help provide a joyful and more meaningful holiday experience for DuPage County needy families. Members donated their time to help the Humanitarian Service Project group wrap Christmas gifts and prepare boxes of food that were later distributed to about 90 needy families in the DuPage County area. The Health Committee partnered with the Black Family Committee in this initiative and donated first aid kits to the needy families to help with basic health care needs. The Northwest AKAs decided to make a difference in the lives of the seniors at the Alden Poplar Creek Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Hoffman Estates, IL during the Christmas holiday season. Members volunteered at the annual holiday brunch on Sunday, December 16, 2001 by serving food, carrying trays, pushing wheelchairs and sharing warm conversations. The residents were very grateful for the kind expressions extended to them. The Northwest AKAs co-sponsored a Financial Planning and Scholarship Workshop with the Youth Ministry of Christian Tabernacle Church on December 29, 2001. The attendees included high school juniors, seniors and college students. Members presented information to instruct the students in establishing and maintaining good credit, saving and investing money while in high school and college and obtaining financial aid for continuing education. By February, 2002, the Northwest AKAs gained sufficient numbers and completed several community service projects. They eagerly anticipated the upcoming Central Regional Conference in Chicago. Chi Alpha Omega chapter was chartered with seventeen members on April 14, 2002 by Nadine C. Bonds, Central Regional Director. The officers elected during the first sorority meeting were:
The President appointed:
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