The Torch
The Torch: June 2012
The Official Newsletter of Mu Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. WWW.MULAMBDA.ORG
June 2012 Message from the President Brother LeRoy Lowery, III
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.” Edward R. Murrow Two weekends ago, my wife and I drove to Atlanta for a brief visit. (Regular gas was $3.179 per gallon in SC). Here were two birthdays that weekend – our son, Scott, and my 92 year-old aunt. The two occasions meant there were dozens of relatives in town – including grandchildren and cousins – that we hadn’t seen in too long! The visit was relaxing and fulfilling as we caught up on activities that might have transpired since we last saw each other. It wasn’t an official family reunion, but it was quite close. On the return trip I smiled often as I reflected on the pleasure of seeing loved ones, seeing family. The importance of family members – individually and collectively, cannot be overstated. It is only natural to want all within your house to be well, to be prosperous, to be happy. Next to my blood family, my fraternal family is very important. When my fraternal house is not in order it is unsettling, especially when you don’t know exactly what is happening. Today the House of Alpha is experiencing family issues that are exacerbated by no information or misinformation. The matter is compounded further by the use of social media to discuss/debate issues in public. I don’t want my family matters debated in open forum for outsiders to discuss and critique solely on rumors and half-truths. Brothers with discretion and in a fraternal manner should work out any problems within this House. It is in this vein that I have asked fraternal leadership to come to our meeting and tell us what is going on! We have been promised information that has not been provided by the general office. I am pleased to report that Brother Sean McCaskill, Eastern Region Vice-President, has accepted my invitation and will “attend” our meeting via Skype to bring us up to date on the latest developments with the Board of Directors. We will also have our new District Director, Brother Sean Meredith, present to install the chapter officers and he, too, will be asked to provide clarity. In the meantime, I ask that you be patient, do not feed into the rumor mill and do not discuss Alpha business outside of the House. We have not led the fraternal world for 105 years by caving in to dissent and surrendering to rumor and innuendo. That which does not kill us will make us stronger. Plan to attend the next meeting before we go on a muchdeserved vacation. After a few weeks to recharge our batteries we will start planning for next year’s activities. I think you will be excited about some of the ideas that are being proposed to maintain Mu Lambda’s prominence in the Washington area and beyond. See you Thursday!
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Inside this Edition: The Executive Message Congratulations & Mile Stones Elected Chapter Officers Calendar of Events Chair Drive Update June Birthdays Executive Board and Committee Chairs
Brother Kelvin McClinton, Esq. Editor
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