The Torch The Official Newsletter of Mu Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. _________________________________________________________
November, 2010
Message from the President Brother Kwame Ulmer
Awaking a Sleeping Giant Photo by Rashid Darden When I attended my first chapter meeting in 1998, I immediately knew I was in a special place. I was unfamiliar with the campus of Howard University and couldn’t immediately locate the meeting room. It was tucked away in the depths of Blackburn. After an hour, I didn’t understand or appreciate what appeared to be a room of ornery older men, content to argue the finest point for some time. The small chapter in Charlottesville, Virginia I just left, did not have many brothers as interested in arguing parliamentary procedure. At the same time, this chapter of well over 100 men-I quickly realized- was doing things in Washington DC. Mu Lambda was a chapter in the late 1990’s with monthly programs for every brother, regular community service activities, and host to two Galas. Mu Lambda, the progenitor of OHL, OLA and several Maryland Chapters, was the undisputed chapter in the East. If I really wanted to continue to learn about Alpha-I surmised- this was the school for the better making of men. On any given Thursday you might find yourself listening to Henry Ponder address the brotherhood, hearing from a candidate for General President (on a required campaign stop), or learning the details for the Mu Lambda Founder’s Day Breakfast. The small number of younger brothers tended to coalesce around community service. If you were under 35, you were probably on the community service committee led by a young Ed Norwood. In 2010 our vision captures the essence of who we know ourselves to be: “Mu Lambda will be a fully functioning chapter that captures the enthusiasm, expertise, and imagination of 125 black leaders for the better making of the brotherhood and community” Let me be clear; there is no shortage of brothers to do the work. There is a role for all, no matter age, profession, marital status, employment status, or years in the fraternity. As leaders, it is our charge to never quit, and literally call on our Brothers –young and old- to do the work of Alpha. I am happy to announce that we have a full calendar of events to serve the brotherhood and Washington DC. If you serve on a committee, tell your chairmen what you can do to help. Don’t wait for him to call. If you are a committee chairman, pick up the phone and give you committeeman a specific task. Tell him we are the biggest, badest, granddaddy in the East and we have a legacy to uphold. It is up to all of us to awaken the sleeping Giant and show the world through our actions:
Inside this Edition: •
The Executive Message
•
Alpha Wives Section
•
Alpha Awareness Seminar
•
Chair Drive
•
Beautillion Open House
•
One Nation Rally
•
Beautillion Mentors Needed
•
Housing Assessment Update
•
Upcoming Social Events
•
November Birthdays
•
Beta Chapter
•
Divine Nine Info
Brother Mario
Simpson Editor
We are Mighty Mu Lambda. Fraternally,
. . . . . . . . Brother . . Kwame . . Ulmer . . . . . . . . . . . President