4 'Since Iwould rather make achild an able man than alearned tnan, /would also urge that care be taken to choose atutor with awell-made rather than awell-filled head. ”
Michel de Montaigne
Many of our fraternal programs are focused on youth -and for good reason. The future of our Fraternity, indeed our country, depends on the success of our young people. Accordingly, Mu Lambda will do its part in the DC metropolitan area.
One of our premier programs is the Beautillion. For over 16 years running this effort has benefited outstanding young high schoolers aspiring to matriculate at institutions of higher learning. We know the Beautillion succeeds because former Beaux have returned and told us about the positive impact. They also tell us of the increased costs to enroll in colleges and universities and the strain meeting those costs in today’s economic climate. Tuitions and fees now exceed $60,000.00 per year in many institutions! Contrast that figure with my freshman year at Howard University when the tuition was $106.50 per semester —for all the hours you wanted to take. Admittedly, that was over 50 years ago, but it impresses the need for us to do more.
For three years, Brothers Mark Ross, Kent Benjamin, Darrell Chase, and Sean Bellamy iafeoi:ed--TTilhg~v4flevard&-as the Beautillion Committee -doing amagnificent job!Th£^wchairman,BrotherEddie~^eaL)iasincreasedthesizeandscopeofhis commitfce^rtd exp?cts4e-ra'KeTtTrmehtormg level and financialJ^el by an order of magnitude. Starting in October with aweekend program mod DevelopmentInstituteandculminatingwiththeGalaonyCpril2l/theprogramis designed to exert apositive influence on the academic/sociaL^d psychological aspectsofthelivesofseveralyoung,African-Americani^al^e/Whenyouarecalled upon to assist please add your efforts to make the 2012 program aresounding success.
affer.the Leadership
Also in October, Mu Lambda will have its fall intake under the Initial Membership Development Process (IMDP) driven by inputs from Brothers throughout Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. For almost 5years, the IMDP team has labored to put together a four-week process that will reduce the risks to the Fraternity, inform the candidates for admission about the Fraternity, and allow the Brothers to know more about the candidates before they are admitted. In addition, the new process requires follow-up by the sponsors after initiation and stipulates punishment for those violating the rules of the Fraternity. Further, the process has been vetted with college and university officials across the country. The process is evolving and is still in the pilot stages as more data is gathered. Be aware of your need to obtain IMDP and risk management certifications in doing your part to improve matters.
Internally and externally. Mu Lambda has consistent opportunities to make things better. Iknow our Brothers will not fail in their charge. After all, we have been doing it for 88 years. Happy Anniversary!
Kelvb McClinton, Esq. Editor
Chapter Activities Update
●The next Wlu Lambda Chapter meeting will be held this Thursday, October 6 2007 at the Mu Lambda House —2405 First Street, NW .Washington, DC. The repastwillbeservedat6:30pmandthemeetingwillstartat7:06pm.Wehave much to cover this month, so please be present and on time.
●Risk management certifications currently held by Brothers are set to expire and must be renewed, no matter what the original expiration date wa^ soon previously.Therefore,jwewillpresentthematerialatThursday’smeeting(Bring^ u0tir^pRl^5^5uht number with you to the meeting. If you don't know it visit *'^^ArpiTaNet^v\^^ or look at your Sphinx magazine label. Record of your attendance is kept on the HQ computer and you are listed by account number and name.
●Another Initial MerriberslTtp1)evelopment Process (IMDP) semtnarhas'heea^^ scheduledfoi:^^turdavrOctober15fj^m'1'2to5prrf^heMuJ^mbdaHouse. Brothers msi^^lyJae-Geftified'by^ttendin aseminar and"this is the laston^ scheduled prior to the fall intake. Chapter certification-will take place from 12 until 3, sponsor certification from 3to 5. Light refreshments will be served.
●The Driver Safety Training course scheduled for October 15th has been postponed. The new date will be sent out when it has been set.
Mu Lambda will have aSmoker on Wednesday, October 26 at 7pm at the Mu Lambda House. All candidates for this month’s intake will be introduced. In order to attend, participate in the intake process, and vote on the admission of the candidates, Brothers must be IMDP and risk management certified. There are no exceptions! Under the new Code of Conduct if anyone participates without certification the chapter and/or the Brother can be fined, suspended or expelled from the Fraternity.
●The fall intake will start Friday, October 28 at the Mu Lambda House. You will receive more information at the chapter meeting on Thursday.
ALPHA WIVES
First Meeting of Season For Alpha Wives
The following offices were filled during the Alpha Wives of Washington DC meeting held on May 14, 2011:
President
Vice President
Valencia Barber
Claudia Postell
OCTOBER 22 -29, 2011
Visiting HBCU’s in the following states: Alabama, DC, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, &Virginia
Secretary Cost: $625
Treasurer
Charlotte Douglas / Mary Murray
Alice Scipio
Jeanette Carr
Website: www.aphia-etl.org
Mu Lambda contact: Bro John Mabry, iohnmabrv(5)qmail.com or 202.441.9910
Amenities Chair cell
Card Party Chair
Barbara Ramos
Mary Murray/ Scholarship Chair
Barbara Ramos
Telephone Tree Chair
Hostess Chaif
Evelyn Tuckson
Patty Donegan
:xf Alpha Wives meeti]
Saturday October 9, 20W
The O all Alpha Wives th^Jaay
will be held on at the Alpha lunity House at 2465 First St. NW, Washington, DC 2001M''. We are encouraging id especially wives of Alphas attended our meetings, to attend. Look for information in your next newsletter.
Prospective members please contact: Valencia Barber: 202327-3397, Modestine Lowery: 202-291-3129, Charlotte Douglass: 703-671-8856, or Mary Murray: 301-588-4663 so that we can answer any questions that you may have. Please call, come, and share your ideas. We would love to have them.
OCTOBER 22 '29, 2011
Message from the Historian (former)
Brother Justin Davis
88 Years Strong
On October 2, 2011, Mu Lambda Chapter, located in Washington, DC celebrated 88 years of manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind. It is no coincidence that upon Mu Lambda’s founding, 24 men stood firm to usher in what they thought and later knew would be astrong house of Alpha. They sought to equip young men from college with the platform by which to continue service and develop as leaders.
Alpha Phi Alpha in the District of Columbia began in 1907 with the establishment of Beta Chapter at Howard University. Alumni Brothers worked with Beta Chapter in supporting their programs until 1923, when it was decided that the alumni would establish agraduate chapter. Such achapter in Washington would demonstrate loyalties to the fraternity through an adult program while supporting Beta Chapter in its endeavors. Prior to 1923, the undergraduate and alumni Brothers had endeavored to establish a fraternity house, anecessity for the development of Alpha’s programs in Washington. This project and others helped to solidify the bond between older and younger Brothers in Washington. Nineteen Brothers signed the charter on Octc^er 1, 1923 and on December 23, 1923, Mu Lambda Chapter was chartered into the Fraternity with acbremony lead by Brother NorinSiBishop, in the absence of Brother General President Simeon Booker. Five more Brothers attended this meeting and were included as charter members of Mu Lambda Chapter. This marks quite amilestone for both the chapter and the national organization, highlighting Alpha Phi Alpha’s history, and persevering cahnons. The focus of the meeting will ask that brothers rededicate themselves to another 88 years of service. We hope to see you all there and we hope to see you Alpha Sharp!
Editor*s Note: This article was^reprinted from the October 2008 TORCH and edits were made to correspond with the current year.
rINTAKE
Nearly thirty Mu Lambda Chapter Brothers became Initial Membership Development Process ^ (IMDP)certifiedatthetrainingsessionsheldattheDeltaLambdaFoundationOutreachCenter ^ in Baltimore on October 1, 2011. Brothers Zollie Stevenson and Tony Cheatham conducted the training. Our Delta Lambda Brothers were most gracious hosts and provided ascrumptious spread. Now it’s our turn to share our hospitality.
MuLambdaChapterwillhostanIMDPtrainingsessiononSaturday,October^L5^^"frbmnoonto 5pm at our facility. Brother Zollie Stevenson will lead the session. Bxothers from all of the chapters in our area and Isuspect other MAAC chapters will be mattendance—there were more than 100 of us at Delta Lambda. Be mindful that All Brothers must complete this training, in addition to Risk Management Certification training, to participate in any aspect of our new intake process.
ARisk Management Certification training session will be conducted at our October chapter meeting. We expect alarge turn-out, so govern your self accordingly.
Wax® 9
3eta and Mu Lambda Brothers
Delta Lambda’s house
Photos by Bro. LeRoy Lowery
BEAUTILLION
oward University's Blackburn Centen All financial
Jme Beautillion Scholarship Gala will beJ}gld-Saturday,:,Agrij_^^ brothersarebeingaskedtosellorpurchaseaminimumoftwoTSKfitstotheBeautillion.FoundationandExecutiveBoard membershavecommittedtosellingonetableeach.Thepriceoftheticketswillbe$100each($1,000pertable)andtheJewel willbe$125each($1250pertable).ThereisasixmonthpaymentplanavailablethatstartedinSeptemberandendsin seats Febru^.
Table arp first come -first seived,. The first person to place adeposit on atable gets the first choice when the :c3Hnc"rh^^^*= ElevenJables^havealreadybeen_sold..Pleasehurryandsecureyourtable.
Iwould like to give special thanks to Brother Dickie Carter and the Carter Family Foundation. When contacted about the Beautillion, Brother Carter immediately responded”by Indicating the Beautillion is aworthwhile project -then immediately donated $1,000.
The Beautillion needs volunteers for the following sub-committees:
^Finance-TheFinanceCommitteewillberesponsibleforkeepingtrackofallofthefinances,deposits,andprovidinga ekiy report of the financial posture.
Sitfi_Seiefitian-TheSiteSelectionCommitteewillberesponsibleforexploringandsecuringsitesfortheaffairand practices. This committee will also be responsible for securing the MC and food selection. Brother Adrian Vincent James is chairing this committee. He still needs members to assist with other tasks.^
Education Programs -The Education Programs Committee will be responsible for determining the appropriate ^ucationalprogramsandactivitiesfortheBeauxandsecuringtheappropriatespeakers.ThisCommitteewillberesponsiblefor preparing the calendar and scheduling the classes and dance rehearsals.
Sales -The Sales Committee will be responsible for the ticket and ad sales. The Committee will also be responsible for teaching/assisting the Beaux and parents in the best methods to increase sales.
Sponsorship -The Sponsorship Committee will be responsible for securing internal and extern.
Sponsorship -The Sponsorship Committee will be responsible for securing Internal and external sponsorship. Brother Henry Stewart is chairing this Committee. The goal of the committee is to solicit aminimum of $50,000 In sponsorship. 1am sure Brother Stewart will meet or exceed this goal. He cannot do it alone -are there any brothers with' fundraising skills willing to assist Brother Stewart?
Recruitment -The Recruitment Committee will be responsible for recruiting the Beaux for the program.
Mentorship -The Mentorship Committee will be responsible for interacting with the mentors and ensuring there is a beneficial mentor/mentee relationship.
Journal -The Journal Committee will be responsible for securing the printer, ensuring all material for the printer is presented to the printer in the appropriate format. Ensuring all ads are collected.
Awards -The Award Committee will be responsible for the scholarship and award criteria. It will be responsible for all awards and recognition presented. ^
Technology -The Chairs of this committee will be the chapter and foundation chairs of the respective committees.This committee will ensure all of the technological needs of the Beautillion are met.
Communications -This committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving all external communications. It will also be responsible for working with the recruitment committee to secure dignitaries for the event.
teautillion History from June 6, 2002 -published in the Washington Times
This series features the words and works of good people in our community. Their voices are seldomTieard in the torrent ofsensationalnews,theirsuccessesareseldomnoticedpublicly,buttheycontributemightilytoourqualityoflife.We present this forum at least twice amonth to recognize and support their good deeds.
StaffwriterDeniseBarnesinterviewedRudolphHarris,vicepresidentoftheMuLambdaChapteroftheAlphaPhiAlpha Fraternity and founder of the Beautillion program.
Question: What is a"beautillion"?
Answer:Abeautillion is arite of passage in which young men move from one stage of their lives to another.And it is where they come together and share id^s and learn certain things about life, It all comes together when they are presentedtothepublicandwetellthepublicabouttheirachievementi.GTrlihavealwayshaddebutanteballsandmen havehadrightsofpassagemcertaincircles.IntheJewishreligion,theyhavebarmitzvahs.Thebeautillionsignalsa young man scoming of age. ^
A: Well. Ithought it would be wonderful to have aprogram that offers young men avarietv of wnrkshnn^ anH at tha same time allows them an opportunity to come in contact with fraternity members.*^
Thiswaytheyhavesomeoneelsetotalktoinadditiontotheirfamilymembers,andfraternitymemberscanserveas mentorstotheyoungmen.Oftentimes,youngmenwhoplaysportsreceivealloftherecognition,butthere'sabevyof blackmaleswhodontgetthosetypesofaccoladesandthey.too.aredeserving.Thebeautillionprogramisreallya S^ondebutanteballs,whereyoungladiesareexposedtodifferentworkshopsandseminarsculminatingwith a
AJnourfirstyear,wesentoutletterstobothpublicandparochialhighschoolsandchurchesinthemetropolitanarea. '^3t year, we had 10 high school seniors who completed the program and were introduced to Washington <;nr.ipfv Wp usuallybeginmailinglettersouttotheschoolsinlateAugustorSeptember.It’sasix-monthprogramandinlatPAprilnr early May, we host the annual Beautillion Extravaganza^
Atourfirstsessiontheyoungmenattend,whichusuallytakesplaceinDecember,weinvitetheirparentsandfraternity members.Fraternitymemberstalkabitaboutthemselvesandwhatthey’redoingandthepotentialbeauxget opportunity to tell us about themselves and their goals for the future.
Theyoungmenhaveinputaboutsomeoftheactivitiestheywouldliketoparticipateinduringourfirstmeetingandwe pairthemwithmentorsatthattime.Theyalsolearnaboutwhattheprogramentailsandwhatisexpectedofthem. Weholdmeetingseverytwotothreeweeks.Eachclass,however,mustparticipateinaserviceprojectasagroupThis year, the seniors worked at an area soup kitchen. a h-
^applications, and how to write biographical essays by listing one's accomplishments and rships.
group visits different government agencies -both federal and local ●to learn about how the various XQencles function. Council member Vincent Orange's son was abeau in this year’s class. Council member Orange joined us at the School of Engineering at Howard [University] and talked about District politics and how the D.C. Council operates.
The young men also visit the Smithsonian Institution and take atour that has some relevance to African Americans, and then we talk about African-American culture.
Q: Are beautillions popular with this generation? 5
Aj^e lost some young men this year because they didn't think they wanted to waltz with their mothers. There were acouple of fellows who just didn't think It was cool. But I've had parents tell me they want their sons involved In the program for various reasons.
The young men have mixed feelings today about participating in programs like this one. However, I've heard that many of them form close relationships.
MuLambdaFoundationhasbeengrantedauthorizationtoparticipateintheCombinedFederalCampaignoftheNationalCapital Area and the District of Columbia’s DC One Fund.
The enrollment starts September I'" for the CFC. Please use Mu Lambda Foundation -66770.
Contact your agency for the District of Columbia’s DC One Fund specifics. Please use Mu Lambda Foundation -9556.
Chair Drive Update
The chapter chair drive project needs your support. The Mu Lambda Foundation is accepting tax deductible donations in the amount of $100 per chair. You don't have to be aBrother to make achair donation: Alpha wives, friends and families are also encouraged to participate.
Upon receipt of your donation, your contribution will be permanently noted for all to see. Your name will be inscribed in gold lettering on ablack chair as pictured above.
Donated by Brother (your name inserted) or In Memory of Brother
Supporters to date include:
Brother Julius Brice
Brother Eddie Neat
Brother LeRoy Lowery
Brother Charles Donegan
Brother Curtis Hunigan
Brother Timothy Fitzgerald
Brother Arthur King
Brother Michael Brovwi
Brother Michael Brown in Memory of Brother Kenneth Higgins
Brother Michael Carter
Brother Adrian Vincent James
Brother Adrian Vincent James in Memory of Brother Robert "Bob” Warren
Brother Syl Lorenzo Shannon
Brother John Eason
Brother Louis Ford in Memory of:
Brother Morris Hawkins
Brother Frederick Ford
Brother Earl Root
Brother Rudolph Scipio
Brother William Calbert in Memory of Brother Syl Lorenzo Shannon
Brother Lloyd T, McGriff
Please contact Brother Arthur King (202-744-6624) or Aking536@aol.com if you'd like to make adonation or to find out more about this project.
Birthday Greetings
John D. Hicks, Sr.
Joseph E. Seaberry
Mu Lambda Chapter
Robert M. Brown, II
William R. Ridley
Vernon Oakes
Daryll D. Butler
Albert L. Carr
Joseph K. Jones
Lloyd T. McGriff
Lamar Arnold
Eric D. Herndon
Joseph Housey, III
Pernell V. Williams
James F. Walker
Shawn M. Callaway
Arthur M. Freeman, Sr.
rhe 2011-2012 Executive Board &Committee Chairs
Executive Board
President LeRoy Lowery III 202-487-3129 portal@starpower.net
Vice President Timothy Fitzgerald 301-332-7507 timfltz06@comcast.net
Recording Secretary Kevin Giles 804-389-1906 Kevin_R_GiIes@mcpsmd.org
Treasurer Mark Ross 202-422-8493 rossmarka@aol.coni
Financial Secretary Arthur King 202-744-6624 aking536@aol.com
Corresponding Secretary Vacant
Chaplain William Hawkins 202-583-3211 whawk39564@aol.com
Historian Craig Allen 314-607-9975 c.d.allen@hotmail.com
Archivist W. Jerome McGee 202-829-2634 wjmcgee@aol.com
Sergeant-at-Arms
Associate Editor to the Sphinx James Harman 301-659-0442
