The Torch
The Official Newsletter of Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
September 2005
Message from the President
Brother Edwin F. Norwood, III
“Preparing For 2006”
Welcome to a new fraternal year. I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and enjoying your summer. Summertime is the time of the year for weddings, family reunions, and summer vacations. It is the time where many people take a couple of months to “recharge their batteries” after a long winter and eventful spring. As September approaches, it is time to resume the business of the fraternity. Hopefully you had the chance to enjoy the 99th Anniversary General Convention in Houston, TX. If you did not get an opportunity to attend, you missed a good convention. Below, Brother Skip Mason provides a good summary as the convention was completing its first day:
“Greetings from the hot and humid city of Houston, Texas where the 99th Anniversary Convention of our dear A Phi A kicked off on Thursday evening in what was the most creative and most fabulous opening reception/event in my 23 years in the fraternity. I have attended 23 consecutive conventions and this "Welcoming" reception was grand! The brothers of Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter under the great leadership of Brother Larry Greene assembled in the lobby of the Hilton Americas with their wives dressed in gold basketball styled shirts holding black placards with the words "Go Alpha" and "Gateway to Alpha." Suddenly, there were the sounds of drum beats and a marching band outside of the front entrance and we followed the local high school bands. It was hard to believe that this was a high school band. The sound was and showmanship was reminiscent of the great bands.
(continued on next page)
Inside this Edition:
The Executive Message
Announcements Alpha Men on the Move
Upcoming Events General Convention Birthdays
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE (from Page 1)
We were entertained with music, dancing, baton twirling, high stepping dance teams and precision skilled drumline, lead by five drum majors. You could see head bobbing and foot stomping from brothers and their wives.
The band then moved to a parade formation and led by a cadre of Houston police cars all of the brothers, wives, children and General Officers to the Toyota Center (which was adjacent to the hotel). Yes, the Toyota center where the Houston Rockets play. We entered the center through a long line of host brothers and wives welcoming all of us to Houston. When we hit the inside of the arena, the floor of the center was filled with beautifully decorated tables, extravagant food and beverage stations. The food fare was superb.
The arena filled quickly and the spirit of Alpha hovered over the place. Though the arena was large, it was quite intimate as brothers "Entered, shook hands, greeted each other" in the spirit of Alpha. On the massive electronic screen was the Alpha Shield and the electronic banner contained the names of the sponsors of the event. Suddenly, we were treated to special video by the host chapter which featured music and a series of greetings from the Houston Dignitaries including local chapter presidents, elected officials, educators and religious leaders (many of whom were Alphas).”
The Welcome reception was just the beginning of an enjoyable convention. At the September chapter meeting, more details on the General Convention will be discussed. One of the main topics of conversation at the convention was regarding the 100th Centennial Celebration. As one brother told me, “we have gone through the Gateway to our 100th year anniversary in Houston and all brothers are now facing Washington DC for the Centennial Convention.” Beginning at the September meeting, you will hear more about the planning for the Centennial Convention. There is still a lot of work to be done between today and the first day of the Centennial Convention (July 25th). The Centennial Convention is coming to Washington DC, home of the greatest chapter in our fraternity’s grand history. Every Mu Lambda brother needs to be involved in the planning of this convention. As you know, the local chairmen for the convention are Mu Lambda’s Brother Vincent Orange and Michael Rogers; the chairperson for the ladies activities is the wife of Brother Rudolph Harris
Mu Lambda brothers are leading many of the subcommittees; Brother Ryle Bell is the Vice Chairman for Brothers’ Activities Committee, Brother Rudolph Harris is the Vice Chairman for Ladies’ Activities, and Brother LeRoy Lowery is the Vice Chairman for the Transportation Committee. Everyone needs to join a committee to help in the planning for the Centennial Convention.
Brother Douglas Sands and Brother Rudolph Harris are the chair and co-chair of the chapter’s Centennial Committee. In addition to working with the local Centennial Convention chairs, there are a lot of things the chapter can do in preparation for 2006. We need to develop a plan to get every brother in Washington D.C. active in the fraternity; we should find a way to utilize the chapter house during the 2006 convention; and we should find a way to ensure our brothers who can not attend chapter meetings because of a disability or health reasons can participate in the chapter and the Centennial celebration. These brothers are apart of the history of this fraternity and it is important for us to rethink how we reach out to these brothers. In order for Mu Lambda to prepare for the 2006, it will take every brother’s participation.
Start your preparation for the Centennial Convention by inviting a brother to the September chapter meeting. This is going to be an exciting year. Look forward to seeing you on September 1st at the Howard University School of Dentistry.
NOTE 1: Congratulations to Brother Horace G. Dawson; he was an Alpha Award of Merit Recipient at the General Convention in Houston, TX.
NOTE 2: Congratulations to Brother Reginald Salter who has been appointed by the Eastern Region Vice President to serve as the Eastern Region Secretary and Eastern Region Representative for National Medical Advisory Board.
NOTE 3: The General Headquarters will be sponsoring its 13th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Reception on Thursday, September 22, 2005 from 5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m at the Renaissance Hotel (999 9th Street, Washington DC) in the Grand Ballroom. This is another opportunity to interact with brothers and tell them about the activities in Mu Lambda chapter as we prepare for 2006.
See you September 1st.
