Torch Magazine April 1989

April 1989

Message from the President

MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

ERecently, our newly-installed General President, Brother Henry Ponder, sent aletter to all Chapter presidents (See page 3.). The letter discussed the Headquarters Fund Drive and the status of contributions by the Brothers. The matter was addressed also during the District VI Conference at Towson Slate University on March 4. The bottom line is that there is a continuing need to support the Headquarters Fund Drive.

During the District Conference, Mu Lambda was given an award for total contributions exceeding $10,000 toward the Fund. This is alofty plateau and one of which we can be proud. However, upon closer examination, it leaves room for improvement. Many of our Brothers contributed far in excess of the $100 assessment for graduate Brothers, while many have vet to contribute. Iask each

of you to consider if you can fulfill your assessment now if you haven't already. If you have already met your obligation, you may want to consider making another contribution. Aspecial campaign has begun for donors of large amounts in e?:cess of $500. Brother Julius Brice has consented to be the Mu Lambda coordinator for this campaign. He should be contacted (526-7363) for further information.* Our goal in Mu Lambda is no less than 100 % participation. Pride in our Fraternity demands that we build a headquarters that is functional and atestimony to the non-compro¬ mising of our ideals, no matter where it is built. The structure should be of the highest standards, since it will bear the name of Alpha

Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Pride should also be evident in the next meeting of Mu Lambda dedicated to fellowship. The paraphernalia that you have been asked to wear is an outward expression of your pride in membership. This represents a drastic departure from the norm of our regular meetings, but should only enhance the spirit, not detract. The fi nancial members of Mu Lambda are asked to make aspecial effort to invite non-active Brothers to the meeting, particularly those who are former Mu Lambda members. It is also to be an opportunity for men interested in pledging to visit, get to know the Brothers, and have the Brothers gel to know them. We look forward to seeing each of you on April 6. □

KKL Hosts District VI Conference

Kappa Kappa Lambda hosted the District VI 1989 Conference at Towson State University on Saturday, March 4. The day-long conference included reports from each of the six Area Directors of the district, which is comprised of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Astandard pledge program, sanctioned by the Eastern Region, was presented by Brother Steve Boykin, District Director. The various facets of this program were discussed and all chapters are now required to follow it. Brother Warren Scott, Eastern VP. stressed the importance of adhering to this model.

Ahighlight of the conference was the afternoon oratorical contest for undergraduate Brothers. The winners were Brothers Bryant Garrett (Beta Alpha)—1st place: Ron Mills (Nu Epsilon)—2nd place; and Drew Wade (Iota Zeta) —3rd place. The conference also included an undergraduate step show as well as paraphernalia and archival displays from various chapters—Mu Lambda's entry was superior.

Despite the fog and rain, the conference was one of the most successful and well-attended in recent times. n

From the notes of Louis T. Harding

Founders (Omega Cliapleri

Henry A. Callis

Charles H. Chapman

Eugene Kinckle Jones

George B. Kelley

Nathaniel A. Murray

Robert H. Ogle Vertner W. Tandy

Beta Chapter initiated 13 outstanding young Sphinxmen into the Fraternity on March 18. Brother LeRoy Lowery, acting for ourAreaDirector,BrotherRyTe Bell, was the Presiding Officer of the ceremony. At least five members of the line were sons of Alpha men, so there was alarge gathering of "senior" Brothers present. There was even athird generation Alpha man made, Jamahl Johnson, nephew of our newsletter editor Brother Bill Thomas. Neophyte Brother Johnson’s father and grandfather assisted him across the burning sands. The other newly initiated Alpha Brothers at Howard are Marc Gay. Gil Williams, Max Voltaire, Sean McCray, Njisane Omawalc, Ted Cummings, Chris Conti, Brian Williams, Paul Robinson, Wil Green, Irving Williams, and Alonza Robertson. Congratulations to each of the new Brothers; welcome to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated!

1988-89 Dues

Remember: Dues for the Fraternal year are S85 for general fees (non-life members) and $75 for chapter dues. Brother Ernest Smith will accept your check at the April meeting.

Name tags

With increased membership, there is aneed to resume the use of name tags by the Brothers. The plastic breast pocket name tags with the crest are available for $20 through the Sergeant at Arms, Brother Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261). He will have appli¬ cations at the monthly meeting.

Group photo

Limited copies of the Chapter photograph taken on January 5 will be available at the April meeting for $20. See Brother Ernest Smith for this colorful memento.

Scholarship Dance

Deposits for your table(s) for the Callis Scholarship Fund Dinner Dance (Spring Formal) will be accepted by the Social Commit¬ tee Chairman, Brother Rodman Turner (723-3461) at the meeting on April 6. There are still afew choice tables available, so don't delay. The affair promises to be one of the most entertaining ever, with music spanning the forties through the eighties. Don't miss it!

Julius H. Brice (14); Franklin RDe Laine (3); John T Fiippen (27); C. R. Patton. II (8).

> Please make sure that the Corresponding Secretary has your birth month and day for inclusion in our data base.

Newsletter Committee

Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)

Associate Editor: George R. Johnson, Jr. (654-2371) The deadline for submission of materials for the May issue is April 18.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013

President

Vice President

Recording Secretary

.. LeRoy Lowery, III (291-3129) Louis W. Buck (292-5492)

Robert M. Brown, III (354-8018)

... Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944)

Associate Editor to The Sphinx ... Byron J. Grayson, Sr. (966-7129)

Chaplain

Treasurer Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)

Education Director

Historian

Dean of Pledges

Corresponding Secretary

Financial Secretary

Sergeant at Arms

Melvin Clark (526-4662)

J. Leon Langhorne (529-3692)

Lee A. Tyler (723-9220)

Louis A. Ford (723-8592)

Ernest L. Smith (723-7844)

Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dear Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha;

First, permit me to thank you for participating -either by your presence or within your hearts -in the LeadershipForum'89,/InauguralWeekendactivities.TheInauguralCeremonyv^asamoment!shallalways remember.Irecognize,too,thatitwasyourparticipationthatmadeitallpossible.Letusgoforthfromhere. Asthenewly-inauguratedGeneralPresident,Iamstrugglingwiththe1988GeneralConvention'sdecisionwhich mandated "loss of active status" for any Brother who failed to pay his National Headquarters Building Fund assessmentbyDecember31,1988.WhileIunderstandthespiritoftheactiontakenbythe82ndAnniveijar>' Convention, Inonetheless have anumber of concerns which Iwish to share with you at this time. As Ido so. pleaseunderstandmybasicposition.IfirmlybelievethateveryBrotherinAlphaPhiAlpha...Collegeand Alumni Brothers alike. Grand Tax Payers and Life Members, and even those who are financially inachve ... CAN,SHOULD,andMUSTpaytheminimumassessmentsofSlOO.OO(alumni)and$50.00(college).Yet,sincetaking office on January 1, 1989, Ihave received unsatisfactory responses to the following concerns.

First 1can find no data on the potential impact of this mandate on the total operating structure of our Fraternity. As acorporate entity, we have financial obligations that are both contractual and statutory. I've seen no information on the minimum number of Brothers needed to meet those obligations; nor have Ireceived firm projectionsonhowimplementingthismandatewilleffectthisthreshold.Similarquestionsaboutchapter operations,thelossofchartersduetoinsufficientmembers,andevenattendanceatRegionalandGeneral Conventions remain largely unanswered.

Secondlyalthough1believeinpositiveandbindinglegislation,Iamunconvinced,quitefrankly,that implementingthismandatewillenhancethesuccessoftheNationalHeadquartersBuildingFundDnve.Andthat, my Brothers, should be the primary aim of any legislation in this regard. Finally,myadministrationhassimplynothadthetimenecessarytoimplementaprogramofthismagnitude.

With these concerns before me, with few answers as to how, what, who, when, and where the enforcement of ^ this decision will effect our fraternity at all levels, Ihave directed the Executive Secretary to extend the mandatea deadline until December 31, 1989. Iwill, of course, make aformal report in this regard at the 1989 General Convention in San Antonio, Texas -where the Chapter Delegates will again have the opportunity to corisider the ramifications of such amove. Now Iurge you, my Brothers, to begin today (if you have not already done so) to meet your fraternal obligation and pay the NHBF assessment immediately.

InclosingIwishtoextendaspecialinvitationtoallChapterPresidentstoattendthe83rdAnniversary Convention in SanAntonio. Our program there will feature athree-hour session bringing together our top national leaders and the local leaders who carry out much of the fine work of this organization. Plea^ toplanfortheattendanceandparticipationofyourChapterPresident(orthe1989-90President-elect).More information in this regard will be forthcoming.

Again,whiletherearepositiveandnegativeaspectstoanypolicydecision,Ihopeyouwillunderstandmy for taking the action outlined above. Together, we will do that which all of us realize must be done. Fraternally, now reasons Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Henry Ponder General President

Foinidi’r lOnu'go Cluiptcrl

VertnerW. Tandy

Robert H. Ogle

Nathaniel A. Murray

George B. Kelley

Eugene Kinckle Jones

Charles H. Chapman

Henry A. Callis

(CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April

1“Greeks in Motion”—a step show show sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, Cramton Auditorium, 7:00 P.M.; Mu Lambda participants are needed. Contact Brother Robert Brown, III (354-8018).

6Monthly Meeting of Mu Lambda, Fellowship and Paraphernalia Night, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University

6-9 Eastern Regional Conference, Siouffers Hotel Baltimore, Maryland.

18 Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 P.M., 1724 Portal Drive N.W.

May

4Monthly Meeting of Mu Lambda. 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University

12 Callis Scholarship Fund Dinner Dance, Shoreham Hotel

28 Reception for the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Brother Louis Sullivan. Martin L. King Library, 1:00-4:00 P.M.

Monthly Meeting

The April 6meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter will be in the Howard University Blackburn Center at 7:00 RM. The evening has been designated Fellowship and Paraphernalia Night. Bring aBrother; wear your old frat sweater (if it hasn't shrunk); and join us for an evening of fun.

March Attendance

Six visiting Brothers were introduced at the March meeting; James Calvin (Eta Lambda); Benjamin B. Champion, 11 (Beta 86); John Gaines (Gamma lota 83); Patrick Parish (Omicron Omicron); William Phillips; and Steve Tappan. Ninety Brothers were present.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 1993

Washington, D.C. 20013

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