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Planning for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter Formation

Client:

Pearls of Steel Interest Group, an Official Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA)

Mission

Mission

Mission

"To provide service to all mankind."

Scope

Mission

Mission

Establish a new chapter in the Greater Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton), Pennsylvania.

The Challenge

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a globally recognized service organization with over 1,000 chapters, sought to expand its presence by establishing a chapter in the Greater Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Before formalizing the chapter, the interest group needed to:


  • Understand the specific needs of the local community.


  • Assess whether there was sufficient interest and membership to meet AKA’s requirements for starting a new chapter.


  • Identify service opportunities that aligned with the chapter’s mission while reflecting the unique characteristics of the region.


The local interest group tasked with this mission required strategic planning guidance to ensure they could identify service areas and partnerships that would help them succeed.

My Approach

I collaborated closely with the leadership of the interest group, facilitating a structured,

phased approach to strategic planning. Key actions included:

1. Community Needs Assessment:

We conducted extensive research on the demographics of the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton areas to understand the unique needs of these communities. This helped shape the strategic direction for the new chapter's services.

2. Leadership Workshop:

I led a half-day strategic planning workshop with the interest group’s executive committee. During this session, we:


  • Reviewed Alpha Kappa Alpha’s international vision and mission.


  • Drafted a local vision and mission specific to the Greater Lehigh Valley.


  • Conducted a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to identify the advantages of establishing a local chapter, as well as potential challenges.

3. Membership Survey:

Surveys were distributed to the local membership base to gather insights on:


  • Key community needs they observed.


  • Potential partnerships with local organizations.


  • Recommendations for service areas that AKA could effectively address.

4. Strategy Development:

Based on the workshop discussions and survey insights, I developed seven strategic options for the chapter to pursue. These options were crafted to:


  • Leverage community needs and demographics.


  • Build on AKA’s legacy of service.


  • Identify key community partnerships necessary for success.

Results and Next Steps

Following the workshop and survey results, we established a clear path forward:

  • Seven Strategic Options were identified, each addressing critical service areas and partnership opportunities.


  • Next Steps: In a follow-up meeting scheduled three months after the initial workshop, the executive committee will:


  1. Finalize the selected strategies.
  2. Outline initiatives under each strategy.
  3. Assign leadership roles and relationship managers to oversee each initiative and partnership.


This quarterly engagement allows for continuous feedback, reflection, and refinement, ensuring the strategic plan evolves to meet

Impact

Through this strategic planning process, the Greater Lehigh Valley interest group is on track to successfully establish a chapter that is aligned with the needs of the local community and reflects the core mission of AKA. The clear identification of service opportunities and potential partnerships has provided a strong foundation for this chapter’s future success.

Watsvine Consulting, LLC

100 Northampton Street, Apt. 601 Easton, PA 18042

267-315-3875

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