in this regard. We have now well exceeded our goal in pledges! This is proof that we can and will reach our objective. Having done so, we will have marked a new era for Black organizations. Because of this effort by Alpha Phi Alpha, Black institutions will never again have to depend solely on others for their survival. This is a project worthy of Alpha Phi Alpha, for we have always been "First of All." I urge you to double, even triple your efforts as we march steadily forward to a successful conclusion. WE HAVE SECURED OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN PLEDGES! With your continued work and support, we will accomplish our goal!
Business Encouragement Commission: The activities of the Business Encouragement Commission are still an important part of the program of our Fraternity — and the Commission played a major role in the programming of this past convention. Last year, under the chairmanship of Brother Robert Sanders, the Commission developed the Business Encouragement Manual — outlining procedures for implementing the program at the local chapter level. This manual was distributed to all chapters and should serve as a guide for annual Business Encouragement Week activities. In 1 9 7 9 , Brother Sanders and I joined with President
WHITE HOUSE ENDORSES ALPHA'S BUSINESS ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAM. Shown at Washington meeting are (from left to right) Brother Robert E. Sanders, Chairman of the Commission on Business Encouragement, General President James R. Williams, President Jim Carter, and Brother Louis Martin, Special Assistant to the President. Commission on College Brothers Affairs: The College Brothers Affairs Commission was formed in 1977 and charged with developing a complete program designed to meet the special need of Alpha Men in college. These include the long-standing issues affecting College Brothers, such as housing and college alumni relations, as well as programs designed to increase the participation of College Brothers in all aspects of the Fraternity program. This commission is now under the expert leadership of Brother Norman E. W. Towels. A major concern of the Commission at this time is the implementation of the STANDING ORDERS and development of the MODEL PLEDGE PROGRAM adopted at the Chicago convention. After more than a year of preliminary work, an Ad Hoc Committee (consisting of Brothers Towels, Hanley J. Norment, A. Thomas Reliford, A. Wendell Wheadon, Mark Bowling, Julius R. Hall, and Michael J. Price) prepared a final draft of "The Standing Orders" earlier this year. One or more of these Brothers then conducted workshops on this document at each of the five Regional Conventions, and other forums. This has provided an opportunity for a full airing of the concerns of the Brotherhood in this regard. As a result of these deliberations, the Standing Orders were ratified and adopted at all five Regional Conventions and the National Convention. This program is designed to insure the inculcation of the proper precepts of the Fraternity and, at the same time, eliminate the remnants of physical and mental brutality which might unfortunately remain in some segments of the organization. The ultimate objective of the Commission is to affect the Fraternity practices to the extent that the transition from active college to active alumni will be immediate, fraternal and lasting. We are pleased to report great progress toward this goal . . . and we can look forward to many other exciting projects from this unit. The Sphinx / Fall 1980
Carter and Brother Louis Martin at the White House to review this Fraternity initiative and give input on the problems facing minorities in the economic sector. We were pleased to report that our program received President Carter's enthusiastic endorsement — and a national proclamation was issued for "Business Encouragement Week."
Shown at the 1980 Leadership Conference in Jamaica are (from left to right) Jamaica Prime Minister Michael Manley, General President James R. Williams, and Brother Andrew Young. Third World Outreach: Since its inception, Alpha Phi Alpha has harbored an affinity for peoples of color throughout the globe. In recent years, we have followed up on the outreach begun at our 1 9 7 6 General Convention in Liberia. 29