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The Of fi cial Newsletter of Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
February 2005
Message from the President
Brother Edwin F. Norwood, III
House of Alpha
"With the opening of 1928, Alpha Phi Alpha had peculiar pride in the fact that its brothers had been encouraged to larger achievements ...One of the chapter accomplishments of this year was the opening of the Beta Mu Lambda Chapter House in the city of Washington. For over ten years Beta Chapter has planned for the opening of the achapter house, which was neither a rented house nor an ordinary dwelling, but ahouse which would be constructed according to its own plans and ideals. This ideal which was unique in the history of black college fraternities, was achieved in 1928, and there was opened by these two chapters, the most beautiful, the most spacious, and the most attractive fraternity house owned by any black college fraternity group," Excerpts are from 'The History of ALPHA PHI ALPHA, A Development in College Life".
The opening of the Mu Lambda chapter house was the focus of conversation during the 1928 General Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mu Lambda chapter house will again be afocus of conversation when brothers gather in Washington DC during the 2006 Centennial Convention. Similar to the excerpts from our fraternity’s history book, Mu Lambda again has ahouse that will be the most beautiful, the most spacious, and the most attractive fraternity house owned by any black college fraternity group. To help advance this effort, the brothers of Mu Lambda Chapter voted on an assessment in the January 2005 chapter meeting. Based on this vote, every Mu Lambda brother has been
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assessed $25 per chapter meeting beginning with the January 2005 chapter meeting. This assessment, totaling $250 per calendar year, can be paid to the Mu Lambda Foundation via check or credit card. You can contact the Mu Lambda Foundation Treasurer, Brother LeRoy Lowery, to make arrangements to pay your assessment. The Mu Lambda Foundation will continue to keep the brotherhood updated on the progress of the chapter house renovations. Please take some time to stop by and visit your chapter house to see the progress; discuss how you can help advance this project with Brother James Speight and the board members of the Mu Lambda Foundation.
During the January 2005 chapter meeting, Brother Kwame Ulmer gave adetail presentation on the 10'^ Annual Henry Arthur Cailis Beautillion Program. He stressed the need for every Mu Lambda brother to “get on the Alpha train" to make this program asuccess. During the February 2005 chapter meeting. Brother Ulmer and his committee will be selling tables for the upcoming Beautillion Gala. Please be prepared to discuss with the committee whether you want aJewel table ($1000 for ten tickets) or atable ($750 for ten tickets) to support this program and the 16 young men that are excited about this program and the upcoming gala.
During the March 2005 chapter meeting, all brothers who were “made” in Mu Lambda chapter are being invited to return to visit with the brotherhood. If you were “made” in Mu Lambda chapter, contact your “line brothers” and invite them to the March chapter meeting. If you sponsored a brother into Mu Lambda chapter, contact that brother and invite them to the March chapter meeting. We would like to see as many brothers who crossed those “burning sands” into Alpha Phi Alpha (via Mu Lambda chapter) in the HOUSE OF ALPHA.
See you at the next chapter meeting on February 3^^.
“Goodwill is the monarch of this house. Men, unacquainted, enter, shake hands, exchange greetings, and depart friends. Cordiality exists among all who abide within. ”
January Meeting Highlights
*Intake Dates Leadership Weekend Feb 25th26‘^ Membership Weekend March 4th-5th
*District convention Feb 18th-19th University of Maryland Eastern Shore
*Eastern Region Convention April 28th-May 1st
*Housing Assessment Voted upon at January Meeting $25 per month for 10 months beginning January 2005 ($250 per fraternai year)
*Brothers are asked to support the 10'^ Annual Henry Arthur Cailis Beautillion with the purchase of an Ad, mentoring aBeaux and/or soliciting ads from corporations. The Beautillion is scheduled for April 23rd at the Washington Convention Center.
Community Service
Monday, January 17'^ in honor of the Late Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, JR., Mu Lambda Chapter and the Beautillion class of 2005 assisted Food &Friends with delivering food. Food and Friends is a volunteer and community outreach organization that helps community members living with HIV/AIDS and other lifechallenging illnesses. They prepare and deliver nutritious meals for those In need.