May 2016

Volume 1 Issue 2

PAGE 1

MORE Motivation, Opportunity, Recognition, Engagement

1 Greetings from the Basileus 1 McGruder-Smith Scholarship 2-3 UAO Takes On Target IV 4 Debutante Cotillion Scholarship Ball 5 McGruder-Smith Scholarship Pin 6 Tau Pi 2016 Graduates 6 Committee Spotlight: UAO Service Recognition 6 ACS Research Funding 7 Connections – One Issue: View Point Discussion 8 Protecting Computer From Viruses 8 Law Day Celebration 9 Whitner Named Associate Judge 10 UAO Church Visitations 11 Recipe Corner 12 UAO Paparazzi 12 Pink Business Ads 13 UAO Presents 13 Contact Us

Inside this issue

Current financial members of Tau Pi Chapter who demonstrate leadership potential, discernable good character, and participate in the chapter’s service projects are eligible for the McGruder-Smith Scholarship. During the May 1st

reception, three applicants were introduced: Sorors Alicia Benson, Toni Jennings, and Gabrielle Williams.

This year’s winner was Soror Toni Jennings!

See more on page 5….

McGruder-Smith

Scholarship

Reception

Sorors, I hope you enjoy the second issue of MORE News! The second quarter has been a whirlwind of activities. Our Program committee has implemented events in all of our International Targets. The Connection Committee hosted two well publicized community forums. Hospitality, UAO University, and Sharing & Caring have implemented and hosted a variety of activities Sorors could participate. Our EAF Shoe Rally Campaign was a success….UAO is a PLATINUM Chapter! Our Membership Committee welcomed over 40 Sorors into the chapter. We are so honored that you selected UAO as your home. We are less than 40 days away from the historic 67th Boule in Atlanta. UAO Sorors have taken on leadership roles in many areas of this Boule and Sorors have stepped up to the plate to support them. The Retreat committee is planning an informative, planning, and sisterly bonding Retreat in September. Tickets are on sale for our very own UAO Presents Event: A Day Soiree- a day party in the city! We need the support of all UAO Sorors for this event to be successful. As we prepare to break for the summer, I hope you and your family will attend our annual UAO Family Picnic in June. My hope and prayer is that you have a relaxing vacation and the opportunity to spend time with family. As we continue to serve Gwinnett County and do the work of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., let us be mindful that we take care of each other and there is no other like Upsilon Alpha Omega! As always I remain dedicated in….. Service and Sisterhood

BASILEUS

GREETING

Volume 1 Issue 2

Environmental Ownership is the Target IV

National program initiative. Under this program

UAO is charged with providing healthy

environments to improve the quality of life in

underserved communities. UAO Sorors

completed three programs under the Acts of

Green Program℠.

UAO TAKES ON TARGET IV

Arbor Day On April 29th, 10 UAO Sorors and 3

guest volunteers participated in the

event at Club Drive Park in

Lawrenceville.

UAO TAKES ON TARGET IV Partnering with Gwinnett County’s Parks and

Recreation Division, Sorors assisted with weeding,

mulching around flowerbeds and refreshing the area.

The event was designed to promote Environmental

Sustainability by encouraging daily green efforts in

our local community.

PAGE 2

Adopt a Road

UAO picks up trash on

Five Forks Trickum Road

(4) times a year.

Last month 15 Sorors came out to plant new ivy and other plants, prune existing flowers and

generally clean-up the garden at the former Hopewell Christian Academy (now known as North

Metro Academy of Performing Arts Charter School) in Norcross. UAO established the “Ivy

Garden” project in 2007 under the leadership of Soror Geri Gonzalez, as a means UAO of

collaborating with a community partner. It was created to enable students to read and enjoy

outside time in pleasant surroundings. For the past two years, chapter Sorors have come out to

clean up the garden as part of the Target IV initiative. In prior years, we made donations to the

school in order to maintain the garden.

PAGE 3

Ivy Garden Clean-Up

A Night to Remember Sunshine Ahmad Aleycia Ballantyne Ryan Cameron Alana Conway Crystal Cox Tyler Cummings Breyahanna Daniely Gabrielle Davis Ja’Lia Edwards Niyah Farmer Alexis Ferrell Bria Frazier Naya Gillespie Jayla Jeter Alison Morris Alexa Ortiz Zoe Prescod Ayana Salone Alexis Smith Khloe Starling Zuri Washington Maya Wiley

2016 Debutantes

PAGE 4

2016 Debutante Cotillion

Scholarship Program

“Prelude to a Vision Fair” was held on Saturday, April 2nd at the Infinite Energy Arena. This year,

there were 22 Debutantes, 15 Sub Debutantes, and $60,000 in scholarships!

Miss Debutante 2016 - Miss Alexis Ferrell

1st Runner-Up - Miss Ryan Megan Cameron

2nd Runner-Up - Miss

Ayana Salone .

Introducing the McGruder-Smith Scholarship Pin

During the luncheon, Soror Janice McGruder’s daughter, Tecia McGruder McKay, introduced the McGruder-Smith Scholarship Pin that will be given to each scholarship recipient on an annual basis. The intent of the pin is to show family support for the honor that UAO has bestowed upon the McGruder and Smith families. It serves as a symbol of "to whom much is given, much is required." This pin will perhaps be worn on the recipient’s graduation regalia. Prayerfully, each of the scholarship recipients will feel "required" to continue supporting others, and further the legacy of scholarship for which Alpha Kappa Alpha stands.

PAGE 5

Soror Toni Jennings 2016 McGruder-Smith Scholarship Recipient

67th Boule: Atlanta, GAJuly 9-14, 2016 If you are attending sign up for UAO text message updates. TEXT @uaoboule16 to 81010

Tau Pi’s 2016 May Graduates

Alecia Benson

During Alecia’s time in Tau Pi, she served as the Recording Secretary and

Vice President. In true AKA style, she has been on the Dean's List for the

majority of her time at Oglethorpe, won the Metro Atlanta Founders’ Day

Scholarship (2015), Resident Assistant of the Month, and Tau Pi Soror of

the Year (2016). Alecia will be graduating from Oglethorpe with a

Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and will be taking a year off before

pursuing a doctoral degree in Industrial Psychology.

Toni Jennings

During Toni’s time in Tau Pi, she served as the only undergraduate

conference officer at the 61st South Atlantic Regional Conference in

Jacksonville, Florida. She has served as the protocol escort for Second

International Vice President, Autumn Kyles, served as committee chairman

for one of the largest cluster conferences in sorority history, and spoke at

several AKA Days at the Capitol. Toni served Tau Pi as President for two

years and prides herself on the innovative and award winning programs

and international recognition the chapter received during her tenure. She

was elated to receive the 2016 Homie Regulus Undergraduate President of

the Year award from the South Atlantic Region. Toni has chosen to pursue

a career in child advocacy and will be attending Howard University School

of Law in the fall of 2016.

Gabrielle Williams

During Gabrielle’s time in Tau Pi, she served as the Ivy leaf reporter,

treasurer, corresponding secretary, chapter hostess and membership co-

chairman. Gabrielle approaches the world with an open mind, a loving

heart, and diligent work ethic. Gabrielle’s future plans are to be a medical

assistant or a medical scribe in the ER for one year, and later attend

medical school.

PAGE 6

UAO PROGRAM HOURS

(Internal)

UAO Community Service Impact

Committees (Connections,

Cotillion, LMAKA, Scholarship,

Community Networking)

VOLUNTEER HOURS

(External) Total

100 Program Hrs. 0 Community Service Impact Hrs. 0 External Hrs. 100 Hrs. = Bronze

Level

50 Program Hrs. 25 Community Service Impact Hrs. 25 External Hrs. 100 Hrs. = Bronze

Level

HOURS BY AWARD Bronze Level Silver Level Gold Level

UAO Soror Hours 100-249 250-499 500+

Committee Spotlight: UAO Service Recognition

Introducing The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

This program is the premier volunteer awards program, encouraging

citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national

recognition. This program will give MORE Recognition to UAO Sorors

for their service in the community.

Award Levels/Examples on How to Earn Hours

PAGE 6b

PAGE 6c

The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) FAQs

* How do I submit my external hours (electronically)? Download the form from the weekly and

email to servicerecognition@upsilonalphaomega.com.

* What is the qualifying time period? January 1, 2016-December 1, 2016

* It’s already May! Can I submit my external hours from Jan, Feb, March, & April? Yes

* How do I submit my Community Impact Hours? Sign in at event; Event Chairman will email

sheet: servicerecognition@upsilonalphaomega.com.

* Can the minimum required hours be adjusted? No levels are determined by the Presidential

Program.

* When are my hours due? Committee will begin collecting data December 1

* Can I combine my Program hours, Community Impact hours, & External hours? Yes, see

examples on Page 6b.

* What will I receive if I earn the minimum? Along with the ultimate honor of presidential

recognition, recipients will receive a personalized certificate, medallion, and a congratulatory letter

from the president of the United States. The award will be presented to each UAO Soror at an event

that will be announced later.

* What type of community service is eligible? Awards are issued for volunteer service only;

additional levels of participation with the organization (i.e., donations) are not a factor considered

for the award.

On May 12th the Connection Committee hosted VIEWPOINT, a forum in which expert opinion on both sides of an

issue was discussed. This first event in the series focused on the topic of House Bill 941: Grand Jury Reform & Officer

Involved Shootings, which was recently signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal.

Of the 184 officer involved shootings in the state of Georgia, 0 police officers have

been indicted or held accountable for any wrong doing. A distinguished panel of

experts were compiled to provide unique and direct insight on the topic including:

Decatur civil rights attorney Mawuli “Mel” Davis as Moderator; District 5 State

Senator Curt Thompson; Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter;

Gwinnett Police Chief A.A. “Butch” Ayers; Attorney Marissa Dodson of Southern

Center for Human Rights; Daniel DeVore of Gwinnett Human Rights Council and

Attorney Gerald Griggs, 2nd Vice President of NAACP Atlanta Chapter. Atlanta

Journal Constitution and Pulitzer Prize-winning Reporter Brad Schrade was also a

contributor. His feature story about Officer Involved Shootings, “Over the Line”

received critical acclaim for investigative reporting.

The panel discussed officer-involved shootings and the grand jury process from

the framework of Georgia law, judicial accountability and community

involvement. Each panelist agreed a healing between police officers and the public is needed in many communities.

Sorors Natalie Lewis and Koi Fisher led the planning of Viewpoint. The forum was held at the Norcross Community

Center in collaboration with Rho Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Sigma Mu Zeta Chapter

of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Talk of the event buzzed on social media and Viewpoint garnered news media coverage as

a feature on Fox 5 News: http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/140545964-story

CONNECTION COMMITTEE MAKES LOCAL NEWS

NNEWSNEWS

PAGE 7

.

Tips For Protecting Your Computer From Viruses NEWS

PAGE 8

Don't open email attachments unless

you're expecting them. Many viruses are

attached to email messages and will spread

as soon as you open the email attachment.

It's best not to open any attachment unless

it's something you're expecting.

Keep your computer updated. Many

operating systems releases security

updates that can help protect your

computer. Make sure your computer

receive these updates by turning on

automatic updating.

Use a firewall. Firewalls can help alert

you to suspicious activity if a virus or

worm attempts to connect to your

computer. It can also block viruses,

worms, and hackers from attempting to

download potentially harmful programs

to your computer.

Protecting your computer from viruses and other

threats isn't difficult, but you have to be diligent.

Here are some actions you can take:

Install an antivirus program. Installing an

antivirus program and keeping it up to date

can help defend your computer against

viruses. Antivirus programs scan for viruses

trying to get into your email, operating

system, or files. New viruses appear daily, so

set your antivirus software to install updates

automatically.

Use your browser's privacy settings. Being aware of how websites might use your private

information is important to help prevent fraud and identity theft. You can adjust your Privacy settings

or restore the default settings whenever you want.

Use a pop-up blocker with your browser. Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear

on top of the website you're viewing. Although most are created by advertisers, they can also contain

malicious or unsafe code. A pop-up blocker can prevent some or all of these windows from appearing.

The Pop-up Blocker feature is turned on by default.

Turn on User Account Control (UAC). When changes are going to be made to your computer that

require administrator-level permission, UAC notifies you and gives you the opportunity to approve the

change. UAC can help keep viruses from making unwanted changes.

PAGE 8b

Pictured (left to right): Sorors Ayana Sterling-Jones, Michelle Reid, Kemay Jackson, Kimberly Poole, Dar’Shun Kendrick, Natalie Lewis, Rhonda Maxwell, Tabitha Rogers, Tiffany Porter,

Twillikki Davis-Young, Vickie Poliard, Yolanda Mack

Whitner Named Snellville Associate Judge- Source: Snellville.org Article, May 10, 2016

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

NNEWSNEWS

PAGE 9

SNELLVILLE – Attorney Tadia D. Whitner was

sworn in as associate judge Monday.

Whitner replaces Angela Duncan who was hired as

a full-time Magistrate Judge in Gwinnett County.

“It’s wonderful to be considered by (Mayor Tom

Witts) and Chief Judge (Mark Layng),” Whitner

said after being sworn in by Witts. “I am excited to

serve the citizens of Snellville.”

Whitner is a graduate of Howard University (B.A.,

Political Science, 1992) and Howard University

School of Law (J.D., 1995). After admission to the

Maryland Bar, Whitner received a direct

commission as a First Lieutenant to the U.S. Air

Force. She served as the Chief of Claims and Chief

of Military Justice while stationed at RAF

Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. After

graduating as a Distinguished Graduate from the

Air Force’s Squadron Officers School, Whitner was

stationed at the Air Force Court of Criminal

Appeals, the highest court of the Air Force.

Whitner was honorably discharged from the U.S.

Air Force as a Captain in 1999.

In 2000, Ms. Whitner joined the U.S. Virgin Islands

Office of the Attorney General. She also joined the

U.S. Virgin Islands Air National Guard, where she

again served as the Judge Advocate General for

both the U.S. Virgin Islands Air and Army National

Guard.

After ten years of honorable service, Whitner separated from the

military obtaining the rank of Major. In 2004, after admission to the

Florida Bar, Whitner relocated to Orlando where she was appointed

to be an Assistant Attorney General by Florida’s Attorney General

Charlie Crist.

In 2005, Whitner gained admission to the Georgia Bar and in 2006

she began working as an Assistant Public Defender for the Office of

the Public Defender in the Eastern Judicial Circuit. In 2011, Whitner

co-founded the Porter and Whitner Law Group, LLC, a general

practice law firm, in Norcross.

Whitner is a current and active member of the Gwinnett Bar

Association, the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys,

the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority, Incorporated, Gwinnett Chapter, and the Howard University

Alumni Association.

She is a current board member with the Gwinnett Pearls of Service, a

non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to

Gwinnett County high school students. Whitner is licensed to

practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court of the

Northern District of Georgia, in the state of Georgia and the state of

Florida.

Whitner is married to Brian and they have two children, Zander, 11,

and Jaide, 10.

Sorors worshipped together on Sunday, April 24th at Hopewell Baptist

Church in Norcross.

UAO Church Visitations

Sorors also worshipped together at the

Suwanee Worship Center on Sunday, May

15th. Soror Theresa Dove-Waters, UAO

Visionary/Charter Member was the Women's

Day speaker.

PAGE 10

Asian Summer Salad

When you hear the words "healthy" and "salad" together in the same sentence, I'm sure

the first thought in your mind isn't, "Mmmmm, must be delicious!" Salad gets a bad rep

for being plain and boring, and much of that comes from its association with the worst of

all words, "diet." But when you get a little creative, salad can actually be a really filling,

yummy meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. No, really, salad can be really great!

Sorors, stop laughing. I'm serious. Try these summer inspirations… PAGE 11

Sweet Potato

Avocado Salad

Recipe

http://arismenu.c

om/sweet-

potato-avocado-

salad/

Recipe

http://www.thelittleepic

urean.com/2013/06/asia

n-summer-salad.html

Not All

Salads

Are

Boring…

Sorors, please be on the lookout for the

popp'n pink shirt or All Access Media

badge of your Publicity Committee,

aka “UAO Paparazzi”, at an event

near you. They will have their

cameras, pens and pads ready, flyers

will be on fleek, and have press

releases to the masses. Your one stop

shop for PR and Marketing!

UAO PINK BUSINESS ADS

PAGE 12

UAO Paparazzi

ARTICLE SUBMISSION/CONTACT US:

Submissions for the September newsletter

are due by Saturday, August 20th.

Please email submissions to

newsletter@upsilonalphaomega.com

If you would like to join the Newsletter Committee, please sign up on

BigTent OR, email the Newsletter Committee at

newsletter@upsilonalphaomega.com.

Newsletter Committee Chairmen

Soror Donyelle Russ, Co-Chairman

Soror Georgette Sherman, Co-Chairman

MORE News Committee

PAGE 13