MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
AILPIHAS CAN DOS
National Headquarters Building Fund Schedule of Incentives
In honor of our Founders, the seven Jewels, our Incentive program depicts seven levels of giving for ihe successful completion of our National Headquarters. Accordingly, the following schedule is established;
Recognition
Certi fi cate
$300 -$500
-$501 -$1,500
$1,501 -$2,500
This has been atragic period in the United States over the past few months. Literally, from coast to coast, Nature has let its presence be felt. Hurricane Hugo left a wake of destruction on its path from the Caribbean through the Carolinas. Then the Loma Prieta earthquake rocked the state of California leaving the citizens shocked and dismayed. Tornadoes touched down in Huntsville, Alabama destroying homes and lives in the process. The acts were tragedy enough for many years compressed into athree-month pe¬ riod.
Afew of the people Iwork with at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center lost their homes and possessions, but otherwise Iknew none of the people that were di¬ rectly affected by these tragedies. While that does not necessarily lessen the pangs of heartbreak and concern for the victims, it does not hit home as hard as the tragedy in Atlanta. You surely have read about the death of Joel Harris, a (continued on page 3)
Founders (Omega Chapter)
$2,501 -$5,000
Optional Pin
Certi fi cate
Optional Pin
NAME PERMANENTLY INSCRIBED CONTRIBUTORS WALL
Certi fi cate
Optional Pin
NAME PERMANENTLY INSCRIBED SPONSORS WALL
Certi fi cate
Optional Pin
NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED
Certi fi cate
$5,001 -$10,000
$10,001 -$20,000
$25,000 AND UP
Optional Pin
NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED in room with three other Brothers (There are 10 such rooms available.)
Certi fi cate
Optional Pin
SINGLE ROOM -NAMED IN HONOR OF DONOR
NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED THEREIN (There are 6such rooms available.)
Certi fi cate
Optional Pin NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH
PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED IN LOBBY
CORPORATE GIFTS
$5,000 AND UP
NAME DISPLAYED IN CORPORATE AREA OF HOUSE
Henry A. C^lls Charles H. Chapman
Eugene Kinckle Joner
George B. Kelley
Nathaniel A. Murray
Robert H. Ogle Vertner W. Tandy
GOLLEGE 1989-90 Dues
Mu Lambda Chapter proudly salutes its undergraduate Brothers in Beta Chapter at Howard University. Beta Brothers are to be commended for holding high the name of Alpha. Brother John H. Berry is Chapter President; Brother LeRoy Lowery serves as Chapter Advisor.
Sunday, October 1thru Friday October 6 ALPHA WEEK
Sunday, October 1—Call to Chapel Monday, October 2—Movie Night at Drew Tuesday, October 3—Pre-Smoker
Wednesday, October 4—D.C. Under Siege Thursday, October 5—^Are You Making It at the Mecca?
Friday, October 6—Fund Drive for Brother David Dinkins
Party at 66 VStreet
Wednesday, October 11—
Stress Management Seminar
Friday, October 13
Party in Blackburn Ballroom
Friday, October 20—Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, October 22—Go to High School Go to CoUege, Long Island High Schools
Tuesday, October 24—AIDS Seminar
Saturday, October 28—Step Show
Monday, October 30—Symbolism in the Media
November events
Saturday, November 4—
Basketball Game at Capital Centre
Monday, November 6—The Rea! Story Behind Public Enemy's Summer Break Up
Tuesday, November 7—
Who was Malcolm X?
Saturday, November 11— Boy Scouts/Horseback Ridiug
Monday, November 13—Dispelling the Myths about Blacks in Christianity
Saturday, November 18—Soup Kitchen
Wednesday, November 22 thru Sunday, November 26—Montreal, Canada Trip
Monday, November 27— Step Show Exhibition at Banneker High Q
Dues for the 1909-90 fraternal year are $85 for life members and $170 for non-life members. (The $170 includes a$10 late fee and Grand Tax, which is pro-rated as follows for recently graduated year—$37.50; 2nd year—$56.00.) Brother Ernest Smith/Brother Curtis Hunnigan will accept your check at the December meeting. Dues may also be mailed to Brother Smith at 5730 Blair Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Please take care of your fraternal obligations now. Alate charge must be assessed on all funds received after the December meeting.
'C 'O NTIE ST!1
When we started our newsletter last year, we ap¬ propriated the masthead and name used by the National for its newsletter. The time has now come Tor us to formally name our newsletter. Do you have any ideas? Please fonvard your sug¬ gested names in writing to the Newsletter Editor. Bill Thomas, 6972 Oregon Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015. We ask that you do this very soon, so that we may begin 1990 with our new name.
Newsletter Committee
Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Associate Editor: C. C. Jones (483-3102)
Circulation Manager: Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
The deadline for submission of materials for the December issue is December 21.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013
President Vice President
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Associate Editor to The Sphinx Chaplain
Education Director
Historian
Dean of Pledges
Corresponding Secretary
Financial Secretary
Sergeant at Arms
LeRoy Lowery, in (291-3129)
Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)
Robert M. Brown, ID (354-8018)
Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944)
William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)
Melvin Clark (526-4662)
William M. Joyner (256-4714)
Lee A. Tyler (723-9220)
Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
Ernest L. Smith (723-7844)
Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)
FPresident's
(continued from page 1) prospective member of the Sphinx Club at Morehouse College. Because this trag¬ edy struck closer to home, it caused much reflection and consternation to take place. Recently the General Offices released a statement regarding the incident and it should be shared with as many of you as possible. It states that many details can¬ not be discussed because various investi¬ gations are on-going. However, the fol¬ lowing information could be provided:
1) “The death of Joel Harris was not caused by hazing or any other external factor, as determined by local authorities. Ajoint press release was issued by the lo¬ cal medical examiner and district attor¬ ney. The statement reported that ‘Mr. Harris had suffered from acongenital heart disease. [He] did not die as aresult of any violent, intentional means and ... the young man sustained no trauma or ex¬ ternal injuries that would have resulted in cardiac dysrhythmia.’
2) “No authorization to conduct pledge activities had been granted to Alpha Rho Chapter (Morehouse College) for the period during which this incident look place. Thus, this unfortunate tragedy did not take place in the context of ‘pledging activities under the auspices of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’
3) “...Alpha Phi Alpha views the alle¬ gations of hazing and other activities in violation of our regulations with the high¬ est degree of seriousness. Thus, the char¬ ter of Alpha Rho Chapter was immedi¬ ately suspended. Also suspended were those Brothers adjudged to have partici¬ pated in or have knowledge of the unau¬ thorized activities on the evening of October 17, 1989. ...Formal recommen¬ dations to sustain or modify the discipli¬ nary measures now in effect will be pre¬ sented to the Board of Directors at its January 1990 meeting.
4) “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has formally expressed its sympathy to Mrs. Adrienne C. Harris, mother of Joel Harris...”
The Eastern Region Vice-President, Brother Warren Scott, has issued an emergency order, dated October 30, 1989: “Modification of Pledge Activities, Intake Procedures, and Membership Admission to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.” The major facet of the order reads
“Pledge activities, beginning with induc¬ tion into the Sphinx Club, and ending with initiation into the Fraternity, shall be no more than two (2) weeks in length.”
While the shortening of the pledge period is no panacea, it is an attempt, along with the Risk Management Program, to bring the intake process under stricter control. Additional responsibilities have been as¬ signed to Alumni Chapters and represen¬ tatives of the Vice-President to oversee pledge activities. We all should welcome these duties.
The Fraternity is continuing to inves¬ tigate the incidents surrounding the death of Mr. Harris, and any pre-judgement of the circumstances would be greatly out of order. Suffice it to say, the death is one to be mourned just as the other tragedies were. As the Fraternity’s statement con¬ cludes, “...though the untimely demise of Mr. Harris (age 18) appears to have been due to an ir*,tance Of human frailty, the fact is that we must all grieve the loss of yet another promising male.” Alpha Phi Alpha is an organization dedicated to pro¬ tect and promote the hopes and aspira¬ tions of all mankind—but most especially African-American males—and for this reason, we ask that each Brother and chapter of the Fraternity take lime to mourn the loss of this bright young man and to extend their prayers to his family and many friends.”
The time for introspective reflection is upon us. Though it has not been shown that the death of Mr. Harris was due to physical activities, the mere assembly of “prospeciives” constitutes aform of haz¬ ing. This violation of Fraternity policy cannot be tolerated. The Fraternity has accomplished loo much over the past 83 years to have it now be cast in anegative light. Arecent commentary in Howard University’s Hilltop newspaper called all
Black Greek-letter groups “sewage or¬ ganizations.” Without full knowledge of what happened, many are condemning fraternities. Alpha Phi Alpha in particu¬ lar, for being secretive, social societies. People have forgotten the positive service functions and ignored the statements of the Atlanta authorities often in the inter¬ est of sensationalism. We cannot allow this negative press to deter us from our course of service to mankind. There will be no backwards steps allowed. Your Fraternity needs your continued support. Don’t let it down! Keep working for the Black and Old Gold!
Among his ambitions, Mr. Harris was aspiring to join the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Ican only assume he wanted to do so because the Fraternity stands for positive things—manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. To continue that stance requires the contin¬ ued collective efforts of all of the Brothers. When you are called upon, don’t flinch, respond! Continue promot¬ ing the ideals and principles of our found¬ ing Jewels—"First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.” Mr. Harris was willing to join the cause and support the goals of Alpha Phi Alpha before his untimely death. Stay the course so that his death will not have been in vain. □
The Chapter Membership Directory is now being updated for publica¬ tion in January. Please contact Brother Louis Ford (723-8592) to make additions or listing changes. We aiso want to include your birth month and day.
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Brothers Thomas C. Brackeen (3); Elmer Davis. Jr. (5); Jerry Hargrove (11); William D. Thomas (11): Frederick W. Jones (18); and Louis Ford (19).
December
3Founders’Day Salute, Washington Metropolitan Area Alphas, 5:00 P.M., Howard School of Divinity, Benjamin|^ E. Mays Hall, Howard E. Thurman Chapel, 1400 Shepherd Street, N.E.
3Founders’ Day Soiree, Omicron Lambda Alpha, 9:00 P.M. -2:00 A.M., The Club, Days Inn, 1201K Street N.W.; Dance and Buffet, $13.00 at the door.
7 Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University.
21 Executive Committee Meeting, 7:00 P.M., 1724 Portal Drive, N.W.
December Meeting
The December 7th meeting will recognize 25- and 50-year Brothers and also celebrate the 66th year of Mu Lambda Chapter. Dont miss this opportunity to close the year with agrand evening of fellowship! Invite an Inactive Brother to attend. Remember to offer transportation to our senior Brothers; they would greatly appreciate it.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 1993
Washington, D.C. 20013
theBrothers of MuLambdaandtheirjmUies^^S^gl^^leluscarrythesongsanddiejoyoftheNatimty ■IKourheartsduringthisseasonandIhrou^out Kthecomingyear,asweprepareforthelastdecade of this millennium.
Bestwishes, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE andtheNewsletterStaff
AOA
JHIEILIP!!!!!!
NEEDEDT^
VOLUNTEERS ARE MAINTAIN AND SERVICE THE REERESHMENT BAR AT OUR MONTHLY MEETINOS. IF yOU WOULD LirE TO HELP By PURCHASINO SUPPUES, BARTENOINC, ETC.» PLEASE CONTACT BROTHER LEROy LOWERy(294-B429hO
October Visitors
Ten (10) visiting Brothers were in¬ troduced at the November monthly meeting: Brothers Curtis Hawley (Mu Lambda '85); LaVaughn Maurice Henry (Zeta Gamma ’80); Peron Kurt Kindred (Theta ’82); Ken T. McGhie (Theta Epsilon ’76); Vincent Bernard Orange (Nu Chi ’78); Everett Le Rice (Beta Gamma ’85); Herman Conroy Ricks (Beta Gamma ’56); R. Seth Williams (Gamma Nu ’87); Samuel G. Wilson (Theta Epsilon ’77); and Calvin E. Woodland (Beta Alpha ’63).