September 2001 Year 78, Issue ?
Inside this Issue
President
Message from the
James R. Haynes
< hope your summer was as wonderful and enjoyable as mine was! After our decision to transfer the assets of the Beta-Mu Lambda Corporation to the Mu Lambda Foundation, Iimmediately left for Florence, Italy for abrief visit before Paris, France were Irested and partied for afew days.
Next Iwent to The Hague for the North Sea Jazz Festival, which lasted 3days and featured such artist as Dianne Reeves, George Duke, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Hank Jones, and Ray Brown. It was a blast! Ithen went back to Paris to meet my wife who was visiting the City of Lights for the first time. After eating too much and sleeping too little, we were off for Nice, Villefimice-sur-mer, and Cannes. The
sun bathing in Cannes was great. I went topless.©
After the south of France, we ended up in Florence and visited several museums and cathedrals. I was in Europe for three weeks; Ithen returned to the U.S. The followmg week my wife and Iwent to New Orleans for the 85* General Convention (95* Anniversary Convention) of our beloved fraternity. Brother Bob Warren wrote abrief summary of the awards given out at the convention. Brothers Brice and Lowery can share insights and politics of the convention. Each Delegate fi-om the Mu Lambda will be asked to give abrief statement regarding his impression on significant occurrences. The dates of the Convention were August 2-7, 2001.
After the Convention, Ialong with my two teenage children went to the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco for aweek of sun on the beach. They went to Me Donald’s often, of course. After one week on Tenerife island, we went to Madrid. Spain to see paintings and sculptures at the Prado Museum.
Now that summer is unofficially over, it is now time to resume the business of Alpha. Let’s start by raising the necessary funds to renovate our Alpha House. My plan for financing the house is detailed in my preliminary plan contained in this issue. It is aworking plan, but the mmn element that you must agree to is the additional payment of $20 per month for the 10 month Fraternal Year. Each Mu Lambda Brother needs to make this commitment, which is above previous assessments that are owing and due, if not paid. You elected me for one main reason—to renovate our Alpha House. 1now need your
commitment and help!
Summer /Highlights
Athoughschoolwas out and
vacations were in full swing. Mu Lambda stayed active participating in several events this past summer. The highlights of the summer include the Leadership Development Institute activities, the District 6Picnic, and the 85* General Convention Activities.
From June 20-24,2001, the Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha, hosted another very successful Leadership Development Institute at Howard University. While most of the woikshops took place in the Blackburn Center, the students were housed in tiie Beihune Dormitory. The workshops were designed to enhance the leadership skills of the African American students by stressing parliamentary procedure, etiquette, maimers, conflict resolutions, styles of leadership, politics, and morality. Students demonstrated their creativity and leadership abilities via poetry slams, talent shows, and other group activities. The students also toured the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives, the Frederick Douglass Home, Howard University’s radio and television stations and Dental School. The opening and closing convocations were moving and impressive. So appreciative of the benefits of the LDl workshop, most students expressed adesire to return to the program next year. Nextyeai's LDl is scheduled for June 20-23, 2002. Participants are selected upon the recommendation of high school counselors and administration, based on their potential for outstanding leadership. Thanks to exemplarily efforts and generosity, of Brothers Ryle Bell, Glennwood Branche, William Calbeit, Chris Emanuel, John Goins, Paul Hoggard, Fredrick Ford, Morris Hawkins, Keith Johnson, Leroy Lowery,
Isaac Prentice, James Speight, Jr., and James Speight, m. Mu Lambda was able to sponsor four students this year in LDL We hope to send more next year.
On Saturday, July 21,2001 at, the District 6Picnic was celebrated at Acre Dale Park in College Park, MD. It was aday of fiat, family, and friends. Never was there so much fun
had. From past indication this year’s picnic was the largest attendance of brothers in this area.
Of course the shining moments of the summer were had at the 2001 General Convention in New Orleans. Mu Lambda was well represented with 8delegates. Our veiy own, Bro. LeRoy Lowery, organized and lead the General Business Meeting. All hats go offhim as anyone who has attended aGeneral Convention in the past can tell you; this meeting can be volatile at times. Bro. Lowery stayed cool and officiated the meeting with style and grace. Doing the work of our beloved Alpha is no easy task. Ican attest to that as amember of the National Convention team. Iwas part of LLogistics and Operations. Working in this capacity gave me abackstage seat to how Alpha Phi Alpha functions. I was able to rub elbows with our current and past General Presidents, but the highlight was the hour Ispent hosting Bro. Cornell West. This brother’s wisdom, humility, strength, and style are something to be admired. Never would Ihave expected someone of his stature to be so down to earth.
Thanks to copious note taking of Bro. Bob Warren, we are able to report the awards given out at the General Convention. Bro. Warren says brothers always appreciate this information. The accuracy of the report may need to be verified. Such as the case, we will run an errata sheet in the next issue.
College Brother of the Year: Miles Carey, n, Lincoln University (Nu)
Alumni Brother of the Year: Wilson Fields, Baton Rouge, LA (Beta Iota Lambda)
College Chapter of the Year: Norfolk State University (Epsilon Pi)
Alumni Chapter of the Year: Nu Mu Lambda, Decatur, GA
Belford V. Lawson
Oratorical Contest: John
Mouton, Zeta XI, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Step Show Champions: Beta Delta, South Carolina
State
Charles H. Wesley Award (College-Alumni Relations): Mu Alpha, Emoiy University, Atlanta, GA-Nu Mu Lambda, Decatur, Georgia
College Bowl Champions: Mu Alpha, Atlanta, GA.
Highest GPA: College
Brother-Marcus Cavelo, South Carolina State
CoUege Chapter: Kappa
some of our chqjter members. Brothers Ryle Bell and Zollie Stephenson, who played key roles in the Alpha University. Brothers Michael Fain and Thomas Carroll
active Alphas is shrinking, not growing.
The General Headquarters recognizes this fact and has offered an inducement to do better at reclamation. They are giving a$25 bonus to the Chapter for each reclaimed Brother. (Ain’t it great when things fall in place like this.
WASITME?
Was, Icommitted or just wanting to fi t in? af
also made significant presentations in the Alpha University.
Reclamation Activities
For the past two months a committee representing Chapters in the MIGHTY MAAC and Virginia has been planning ajoint reclamation function. The time is set for 6-9 P.M., October 6,2001 on die UDC campus. Other details will be discussed at the regular chapter meeting in September. In the mean time, contact every inactive Alpha that you know and make sure that diey save that date for something special or give the information to one of the committee members and have them make the contact.
During the summer Ireceived a poem from Brother Ed Norwood that brought focus to apledge Imade last fall as a candidate for VP of Mu Lambda. My pledge was to do something "on purpose" about reclamation. (That poem is reproduced at the end of this article.)
What surprises me most in the new directoiy is that for eveiy Alpha Man in the Washington Metropolitan area who is active, there are 5who are not Ihope you agree with me that as ludicrous as that may be, it sure presents agolden opportunity for reclamation and that the time to do
The eyes of ALPHA are upon you. THIS WILL BE THE PROTOTYPE OF JOINT RECLAMATION FUNCTIONS. We don’t know what to call it, we‘ve played with such names as Reclamation Smoker, ALPHARAMA, Alpha Blitz etc., but with your help everyone in ALPHADOM will call it successful.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Russell Campbell (Dist Dir.)
-301-408-3436
Keno Caudle (ML)-301-5703001
Andrew Klugh (IUL>301-
Imade adecision back in the past, to join afraternity or sorority at last The decision, Imade was from my heart, time has passed. Pm not doing my part What happened between now and then?
Oh!!!! My oiganization is the best, LOOK, Istill wear the letters on my chest What have Idone to help it grow? Pay dues, community service, meeting, mentoring..
.NO.
Iam just amember who's on tiie inactive roll, has my oiganization moved forward, "Hell, Idon't know.’
What has happen to the fire in me?
Dont pay my dues, but wear the letters you see. My house, office and car has it all, cups, glasses, boards, banners, key changes and more. Ihave grown and time has changed, I have abond with those on my line, (only)
Denny Johnson (OLA>301441-2083
Those are true brothers and sisters you see. Where Iam now, they dont understand me, dont have time for those games. Furthermore, what can "They" do for me? Ihave afamily, job and business you see. Yes, Imade apromise on that day to hold high the aims, never to stray.
Kenny Anderson (QRL> 703-920-3973
LeRoy Loweiy (ML)-202- Tennis Champion: Donald Silvels, Upsilon Lambda, Jacksonville, FL 291-3129
Moss Kendrix (KFL>301Oldest Brother: Lloyd Sykes, Epsilon Iota Lambda, Suffolk, VA 977-7704
Brother Warren reported that the following awards were given out at the Convention: Brother Warren’s report also made mention of the leadership roles of
Theta, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 384-0171 something is now. In the past doing something meant everyone bring one and we’ll double in size. In my experience that has been amphigourious balderdash (Ad>A quota of big words). Don’t get me wrong, Iknow some of you have been quite successful in bringing Brothers back into the fold and Idon't intend to belittle you or your efforts. In fact, Iapplaud you! But the sad fact of the matter is- fte percentage of
Your organization is dying, yes because of you. Will you be too busy for the funeral too? There will come a time when your children will say Mom/Dad what hq)pened to the organization you once belong to? What will you tell them as tears swell in your eyes? Will it be the truth or some small lie? Just tell them it died, to be involved.
Because Iwas too busy
Keno Caudle
By: ZimbalistF. Chalk: Theta Chi
President
Mu Lambda Chapter Of fi cers
James R. Haynes (202)291-3299 jiiimvestiDnts@aol.com
Vice-President
Recording Secretary
Historian
Director of Education
Brian HalUburton (202)832-4203 fix)zen_06@hotmail.com
Rudolph Harris (202) 882-5244 Aairis@bangate.dfda.gov &ic Mitchell (202)248-0322 emitch27@hotmail.com
Alfonso N. Pearson (301)630-5903
Treasurer
Fianancial Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Editors of the Torch
Curtis A. Hunigan (301)868-5716
Julius H. Brice (202) 526-7368
Richard E. Wilson (703)750-2642 richard_wilson@ed.gov
Marc C. Fitzgerald (301)574-2079 marcfitz06@aol.com
Associate Editor of the Sphinx
James Wright (202)745-5706
Chaplain
Douglas B. Sands (410)549-6427
Sei^eant-at-Arms
Arthur M. Freanan, Sr. (202)882-8776
Parliamentarian A. Gilbert Douglass (202) 667-3390
Archivist James T. Robinson, HI (202) 726-7371
Member-at-Large to-the-Executive Board
Charles B. Wade (202)260-0413
2001 Spring Intake Class President
Desmond Williams (202)234-7877 kcwdw@aol.com
Director of Intake James R. Heck, IV pOl)853-2417 jkcjh@aol.com
Immediate Past President
LeRoy Lowery, HI (202)291-3129 modroy@erols.com
