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March2-004
The Executive Message
Brother Rudolph Harris, PhD President, Mu Lambda Chapter
Our Constitution, Leadership, and Housing in the District of Columbia are issues that will be considered at our March Meeting. The Mu Lambda Constitution Committee under Chairman Brian Halliburton, along with Paul A. Cotton, Reginald Salter and Garnett E. Wood, have reviewed the General Organization Constitution and made changes that will update our Constitution and ByLaws. The current constitution and changes that have been proposed will be distributed in March and we will vote on the document in April. Because Ifeel that the preamble to the constitution epitomizes the spirit and ideals of our organization, it is significant to refresh our minds:
“We, the members of this organization, in order to promote amore perfect union among College men; to aid in and insist upon the personal progress of its members; to further brotherly love and afraternal spirit within the organization; to discountenance evil; to destroy all prejudices; to preserve the sanctity of the home; the personification of virtue and chastity of women; do enact and establish this Constitution for the government of its members. ”
In recognition of the need to be well informed of constitutional responsibilities, (continued page 2)
EXECUTIVE
MESSAGE (from Page 1)
February Meeting Highlights
Brother Kwame Ulmer the Fraternity has announced that aCollege Brothers Summit and Constitution Conference will be held August 12 -15, 2004 in Philadelphia, PA.
Brothers meet with the Beaux!
New meeting format proposed!
Brother Harris announced that we will have repast prior to the meeting.
Brother Robert L. Moore Speaks!
President and CEO of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights presented his view of the District housing market and the role DCCH.
Intake Program presented!
Brother Arthur Fields outlined the intake process this spring and mentioned Mu Lambda’s three aspirants.
Alpha Sunday Announced!
Brothers were reminded of Alpha Sunday February 22*^ at Simpson Hamline Church. Abone marrow drive is to follow.
The Beautillion Class of 2004 chatted with the brothers informally prior to the meeting. At the recent District VI, Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters’ Conference, there was an election that changed our current leader. A question raised in my mind when considering this change--is how do we develop the leaders of Mu Lambda Chapter or any organization to prepare them for the critical issues of the future. The Apprentice is apopular reality TV show under the tutelage of Donald Trump in which the prize is leadership or management of one of Trump’s enterprises for ayear. Brothers, it is time to change the leadership in our Chapter. As we ponder our new generation of leaders, aconnecting question is how do we motivate? This is acommunique that our constitution requires us to form anominating committee for the chapter’s officers and we need to elect or renew the members to the Henry Arthur Callis Scholarship Board and the Mu Lambda Foundation.
On the agenda for our March meeting is a discussion about Affordable Housing in the District of Columbia. Reverend Graylan S. Hagler, Pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church will be the speaker. Rev. Hagler is acommunity organizer, consultant to labor unions and aBoard Member of The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.
Thanks are extended to Reverend Douglas Sands and the church family of Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church for hosting the Brotherhood to worship on Alpha Sunday, February 22. The Bone Marrow Drive which was held also on Sunday is one of our Special Programs and as you will note in another section of ♦ his newsletter, two additional Bone Marrow Drives have been scheduled.
Finally, we have asked Brother James Robinson to take afew minutes to explore ways of increasing our general and specific knowledge about our history at the beginning of our next meeting. The repast will be on the menu at the end of our deliberations.
Alphas Bowling Announced!
Brother Ulmer announced the bowling party with the beaux planned for Saturday February 21 ,7;00 PM at Bolling Air force Base.
D.C.’s Housing Crisis: Chaiienge and Opportunity
Brother Campbell Johnson, Chairman, Public Policy Committee
Brothers, well over 20,000 District residents have been displaced in the past couple of years by profiteeringcalled gentrification or "economic development”. In many other areas, economic development uplifts the residents of acommunity. In the District, our economic development uproots the residents. While our public policies are mostly insensitive to the needs of low and middle income and fixed income residents, there are opportunities. There are roses among the thorns.
Opportunities in the Crisis
in Columbia Heights there are business and affordable housing opportunities, if you know where to look. Brother Robert Moore, President and CEO (Development Corporation of Columbia Heights -DCCH) shared with us an array of projects his CDC is undertaking.
Many business opportunities are available in the DC USA project (old Tivoli Theater area on 14**’ Street). It is a 550,000 square foot retail and entertainment complex. Approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space has been set aside for local and minority-owned businesses at rents that are approximately 33% below market rates. Bonus: DCCH also provides entrepreneurial training.
Rev. Gralan Hagler (Plymouth Congregational Church) is anationally recognized leader in the fight for affordable housing. He is familiar with the financing vehicles and information critical for seniors to save their homes as well as for would-be homeowners to be successful in the District's overheated market. Rev. Hagler has been invited to speak with us during our March meeting. He is building amajor AFFORDABLE housing project for seniors and is founder of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (now in 31 U.S. cities).
Brothers, please note: the Urban Housing Alliance is conducting an Urban Housing Training Institute on Saturday, March 27**’ f8:30AM -liOOPML property taxes and rents in the District, you need to attend, senior wanting to stay in your home, need iow-cost or free home repairs, you need to attend, if you are interested in starting abusiness or saving our community-serving businesses, you need to attend. Seating is limited. Cail Brother Campbeli Johnson [(202) 232-1127] NOW to register. You don’t want to miss this opportunity. if you want to know practicai, proven ways to cut your If you’re facing financiai chalienges, a
Celebration and Chaiienge
Brothers attending our February Chapter meeting were invited to the free “Friends of the Fund" reception on Wednesday, February 25*'’ at Shiloh’s Family Life Center. This reception was acelebration of the $21.5 million full funding of the Housing Production Trust Fund that occurred for the first time last year. Councilmembers Fenty and Evans joined attendees to learn highlights of the affordable housing projects supported by the Fund. Presentations included afew heartwarming comments by residents. (The Urban Housing Alliance was the host sponsor of the event.)
The reception let us encourage the Council to fully fund the Trust Fund in the 2005 Budget. (Funding the Trust Fund doesn’t create any taxes; it only applies existing property recordation and transfer taxes to this much needed purpose.) In FY 2003 the Fund should have received $23 million of designated funding from these taxes, but the Mayor and Council amended the law and put only $5 million into the Fund. In FY 2004, the Mayor again proposed shortchanging the Fund, but in response to aconcerted advocacy effort, the Council appropriated full funding of $21.5 million.
Join the Urban Housing Alliance. Help your community and yourself to benefit from, or in spite of, the dramatic changes we see taking place around us. We are making new friends, sharing skills, identifying resources, and building strategies and our own capabilities. Call Brother Campbell Johnson [(202) 232-1127].
Intake Comer
As of Friday, February 27, there are four aspirants for Mu Lambda Chapter: Julius Jefferson, Nigel Pierce. Edwin Charles Chapman, and M. Christopher Brown, II.
Membership Weekend (including the initiation ritual) will commence on Friday, March 5. Please attend this Thursday’s meeting or check your email for details.
Selected Highlights from MAAC Conference
Brother David Raphael of Kappa Phi Lambda was elected MAAC President and appointed District V! Director.
Chapters of the Year: Beta and Kappa Phi Lambda
65% of the financial members in Alpha are life members (no annual income from these brothers to the General Headquarters)
In the MAAC, there are 13 college chapters: 10 of those chapters have five brothers or less
Alumni chapters should look at moving functions around local college campuses to show college students and brothers in those college chapters the brotherhood in alarger light on that campus
There will be an incentive provided to Brothers in MAAC to register at the hotel for the regional convention in Crystal City
Constitution Conference this summer will be in Philadelphia from August 12-15
March Birthdays
Glenwood J. Branche
Noah Calhoun
A, Gilbert Douglass
Curtis A. Hunigan
Edwin F. Norwood
Henry Ponder
J.R. Ransome
Douglas B. Sands, Sr.
Paul Webber
Yettekov Wilson
March 30
March 23
March 18
March 14
March 30
March 28
March 4
March 1
March 1
March 8
MERCEDES BENZ RAFFLE
Brothers, the Raffle is another way to add monies to our programs including our scholarships. We will be entitled to 30% of our Raf fl e sales which was announced at one of our meetings. Come prepared to purchase aticket for $20.00, you can also charge the cost of ticket(s). Brian Moore will be coordinating the effort. Second prize is $1,000.00 and third prize is $500.00.
www.mulambda.org
Brother Rashid Darden
Developments to the chapter website are ongoing! Please email any suggestions. Alpha graphics, and scanned photos of chapter events to Brother Darden at EricBenet06@verizon net.
To subscribe to the chapter email list, please send an email to:
MuLambdaChaDter-subscribe@vahooQrouDS.com
Constitutional Amendments
Brother Brian Halliburton
The constitution with proposed amendments will be on hand for review at the March chapter meeting. We will vote on the proposed amendments at the April chapter meeting.
Upcoming Dates
March 4
March 5-6
March 7
March 14
March 16
March 18
March 21
March 28
April 1
April 1-4
Chapter Meeting
Membership Weekend
Beautillion Workshop
Beautillion Dance Rehearsal
Foundation Meeting
Executive Meeting
Beautillion Workshop
Beautillion Dance Rehearsal
Chapter Meeting
Eastern Region Convention
March 20,
-4:00pm
Reservation forms may be downioaded from http://aiphawives.muiambda.org
Piease reserve by March 12,2004
Piease bring one form of photo iD with you.
Barbara Ramos, Chairperson
Committee Members:
Anne DeLaine, Charlotte Douglass, Mary Murray, Ruth Robinson, Alice Scipio, Dorothy Treadwell, Evelyn Tuckson
The 2003-04 Executive Committee
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Chaplain
Historian/Archivist
Sergeant-at-Arms
Associate Editor to the Sphinx
Editor of the Torch/Webmaster
Director of Intake
Director of Education
Parliamentarian
Director of Membership
Member-at-Large
Immediate Past President
Rudolph Harris
Edwin Norwood
Kwame Ulmer
Curtis Hunigan
Julius Brice
Brian Moore
Douglas Sands
James Robinson
Lawrence Montgomery
Marc Fitzgerald
Rashid Darden
Arthur Fields
Timothy Fitzgerald
Kenneth Holbert
James McDonald
Charles Wade
James Haynes
(202) 882-5244
(703) 241-0313
(202) 529-7858
(301)599-1191
(202) 526-7368
(301)210-5349
(410) 549-6427
(202) 726-7371
(202) 583-4687
(301)574-2079
(202)413-3715
(301)877-2187
(301)332-7507
(301)907-8197
(202) 544-5026
(202) 260-0413
(202)291-1777
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