Torch Magazine September 1991

Xambtra %ort1n

September 1991 Washington, D.C. MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Message from the President Alphas Strut their Black and Gold by the Bay

by C. C. Jones

Greetings, Brothers!

Welcome to another Fraternal Year in Alphadom. Isincerely hope that your summer was as much fun and as successful as mine, both personally and fraternally. For the Fraternity, we began the summer with avery successful “Leadership Retreat.” The participation and cooperation were magni fi cent, and we were able to start the morning session at 7:00 A.M. sharp. My hat is off to Brother C. C. Jones for coordinating the event and my thanks also go to all who attended. We covered four major categories of fraternal organization, arriving at anumber of profound recommendations for action by the body over the next several months.

You will be proud of the process the Brothers engaged in as they deliberated and discussed and reached decisions regarding the future of Mu Lambda as we approach Year 2000. The program is set for the year through the end of 1992. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. MY BROTHERS!

(continued on next page)

85th Anniversary was held in The Convention Baltimore, Mar>'land with the Lord Baltimore Radisson and Omni Inner Harbor Hotels serving as Headquarter Hotels. The Convention Center was the location for many of the meetings, pageants, and public programs. The Marriott Inner Harbor was the official headquarters for Mu Lambda Chapter.

The convention opened on Friday, August 2with aplenary session to discuss the mechanism behind the acquisition of the new National Headquarters. In the afternoon, the fi rst business session included an address by Brother General President Henry Ponder regarding the State of the Fraternity. He noted that Alpha was poised to confront the issues of the 1990s, specifically those geared to our theme of “Promoting the African-American Male.”

Convention Highlights

Headquarters Dedication

The new Alpha Headquarters was dedicated on Sunday, August 4at the former “Goucher House” located on 2313 St. Paul Street, in Baltimore Maryland. Welcomed by Mayor Kurt Schmoke and members of the Baltimore City

Council the Fraternity embarked on asymbolic walk representing the journey from Chicago, Illinois to the new headquarters. Mu Lambda chapter members present posed for aphoto imm^ately after the dedication. Tours of the plush and functional facility were made, with refreshments available afterwards.

During the convention, however, there was much discussion and resolution that the building assessment would continue to apply to aall newly initiated Brothers as well as those Brothers who failed to pay their assessments. The General President noted that unless the building assessment was paid, a Brother would be considered non-financial with the Fraternity.

Executive Secretary

Executive Secretary James Blanton reported to the convention the activities regarding the move to Baltimore. In addition, he discussed the circumstances surrounding the filling of several positions, which include Director off Communications and Fraternity Accountant. Noting that only two professional staff members would be moving to Baltimore, Brother Blanton reported on the activities to hire an entire support staff in conjunction (continued on page 3)

President's Message

(Continued from page 1)

Brother William D. Thomas, Associate Editor to the Sphinx and Editor of the Torch, hosted the Executive Committee, Convention Delegates, and General officers in Mu Lambda as we made plans for the 85th Anniversary Convention at Baltimore. The affair was filled with Brotherhood and the Brothers were filled with elegant cuisine.

Off we went to Baltimore to set anew agenda for Alpha. Delegates were well prepar^ and quite knowledgeable of relevant issues. The Brothers were in the caucus rooms, the hospitality suites, the business meetings, and the special parties making statements profound in nature and provocative in substance. We had agreat time.

1990-91 Dues

Although the 1991-92 budget with the new dues schedule has not beenapproved,BrothersshouldcometotheSeptembermeetingpre¬ pared to meet their financial obligation for the year. The new dues schedule will most likely be about the same as in 1990-91. Dues last year were $95 for life members and $170 for non-life members. (The $170 included $75 for the Grand Tax, which was pro-rated as follows for recently graduated Brothers: 1st year -$37.50; 2nd year -$56) Dues may also be mailed to Brother Julius H. Brice at 1429 Webster Street N. E., Washington, D. C.. 20019; telephone Brother Brice at 202-526-7368 to confirm the exact amount. Remember to include your social security number on your check. Please take care of your finan¬ cial obligation now.

Great Britain and Gemiany (August 17-29), Iwill be ready to mount the horse and hold steady the reins as we embark upon another year of challenges.

you Brothers Brice,

Oi^ “Hospitality Suite” at the Marriott was ahuge success! Thank Hunigan, and Roper for going beyond the call of duty. Thanks each and every Brother, TNTM, who contributed time, money, and talent to host and entertain our Brothers, guests, and friends.

But Brothers, you must see “The House!” Alpha has obtained agrand home. The new Headquarters Building Baltimore. 2313 St. Paul Street, is quite afeather for Alpha’s leadership and achievement. The Neo-gothic multilevel brick mansion is an architectural delight. It is strong and sturdy, classic in detail, and elegant in its appointments throughout The marble, the woods, the tapestries, the fl oor

the covermgs, furnishings so far, and all the ancillary peripherals are well blended and well suited to support the style of a“Man of Alpha Phi Alpha!”

Brothers, we have avery busy, yet fun-filled year ahead of us. As soon as Ireturn from my trip to

Newsletter Committee

Editor: William D. Thomas (202-363-7976)

Associate Editor: C.C. Jones (202-483-3102)

CirculationManagers:JeffreyD.Kimbrough(703-671-0747) Louis A. Ford (202-723-8592)

The deadline for submission of materials for the October issue is September 18.

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 Intake

Corresponding Secretary

Financial Secretary

Sergeant at Arms

Morris Hawkins, Jr. (202-232-7265) Louis A. Ford (202-723-8592) Thomas A. Duckenfield (202-829-9305)

Ryland R. Harris (202-882-4407)

William D. Thomas (202-363-7976) James Coleman (202-722-1260)

C. C. Jones, ffl (202-483-3102)

Elmer D. Geathers (202-547-2625) .... Robert M. Brown, m(703-354-8018) ...JeffreyD.Kimbrough^03-671-0747)

Julius H. Brice (202-526-7368) MarylandD.Kemp(202-583-1261)

Convention Report

(continued from page 1)

with the city’s assistance in selecting and training personnel. By September 1, the Baltimore Headquarters will be fully operational.

Membership

The total active membership of the Fraternity, which includes those who paid their Headquarters 13,838. The assessment Southern Region leads with 4,165 members followed by the Eastern Region with 3,399. Total life membership is 5,975; alumni membership is 3,717, and college membership

Approximately 1,480 members were initiated last year. Total membership growth was actually a loss at 1%. IS 4,146. IS

Among membership leaders, Beta Chapter at Howard university was registered as the 5th largest college chapter with 40 members.

Florida A&M University was ranked fi rst with 56 members. Among alumni chapters, Mu Lambda ranked third in size, behind Eta Lambda in Atlanta, Georgia and Gamma Lambda in Detroit, Michigan. Other Eastern alumni chapters ranked in the top ten include Rho Lambda (Philadelphia, Kappa Epsilon Lambda (Landover, Maryland), Iota Upsilon Lambda (Silver Spring, Maryland), and Delta Lambda (Baltimore, Maryland). As one can infer, the Washington-Baltimore corridor represented alarge concentration of big-sized alumni chapters. Mu Lambda also ranked 9th in leading life-membership chapters; the chapter did not rank in subscribing life member chapters.

Brother Theodore E. Corprew (1905- 1992)

D.C. Brother

Elias

Brother Corprew, apracticing physician for nearly 50 years, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, entered Omega Chapter on August 11 at Howard University Hospital.

Brother Corprew was bom on January 3, 1905 to Willie J. Corprew and the former Matilda Waike in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia State College, where he received aB. S. degree in Chemistry. While there, he was initiated, into Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. He received letters in both baseball and football from Virginia State College, and was amember of the C.I.A.A. Championship baseball teams from 1926 to 1929. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville Tennessee in 1936.

Brother Corprew trained at the old Freedman’s Hospital, now Howard University, and opened his first practice of medicine in

Fredricksburg. He served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps from 1942 until 1946, when he established a practice in the Anacostia area of Washington, Corprew served on the staff of Howard University Hospital for nearly 47 years. In 1968 he joined the Howard University Student Health Center as aUniversity Physician, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. He received the President’s Award from Meharry Medical College for his work and service to the community.

Brother Corprew enthusiastical¬ ly supported the programs of Mu Lambda Chapter over the years. He was amember of the Medical Chiurgical Society, the D. C. Medical Society, The National Medical Association, and the N.A.A.C.P.

Brother Corprew is survived by his wife of 51 years, Daisy McLeod Corprew, his daughter, Barbara A. Corprew, three sisters, and ahost of other relatives and friends.

Constitutional Amendments

Organizational Matters) to the word “insured amount’’ to re fl ect the maximum amount of money that can be deposited in an account. Permsylvania),

There were 25 proposed Constitutional amendments. Because of time constraints, during the last business session, the convention acted on the fi rst 14 proposals.

Amendments Approved by the Convention:

1. Changing the $40,000 amount in Article 4.0 (General

2. Change the Fraternity’s Fiscal Year to January 1st of each year, concluding on December 31st of that year. Article 4.0.

3. Allow 3% of the Grand Tax paid in each year, as well as 3% interest earned from investment of the Life Membership Reserve (continued on next page)

(continued from page 3)

Tabled Amendment: Awards

14. Tabled proposal that would stagger terms of Regional Vice-Presidents.

Miss Black &Gold: Alpha South Fund to be allocated to the designated respective region.

4. Require aG.P.A. of 2.5 4.0 scale, or its equivalent for initiation into the Fraternity. on

5. Allow for states with a greater than 500 mile diameter or length to be divided into two districts. Applies to Texas, California, and Alaska.

Withdrawn Amendments:

8. Fees and Taxes charged by college and alumni chapters.

9. Same category as #8 but speci fi cally mentions alumni chapters.

12. General President-elect position withdrawn.

College Brother of the Year: Robert L. Beeman, Eta Nu, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; also recipient of highest scholastic award.

College Chapter of the Year: Nu Psi, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Alumni Brother of the Year: Ralph Johnson, Omicron Iota Lambda, Carolina.

10. Allow for changes in the Commission on College Brothers Affairs: astrict composition of college Brothers, achairman that Public Policy has been initiated in acollege ^ chapter, as well as specific duties.for the chairman. Columbia, South

11. Change the term of the General President to three years, without the right of succession.

13. Stipulate that the general Comptroller Treasurer serve aterm of three years, to be elected in consecutive years. The Historian would serve a term of two years. There would be aright to succession without limitations. and General

Amendments Rejected by the Convention:

The convention adopted a resolution that would make the Fraternity neutral in the upcoming nomination process of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

Alumni Chapter of the Year: Eta Lambda, Atlanta Georgia

Step Show Winner: Theta Lambda, Dayton, Ohio

New Jersey Lawson Oratorical Racial Justice

The committee and convention honored Dorothy Height, President of the National Council of Negro Women; Rep. John Lewis (Democrat -Georgia), and Benjamin Hooks, Executive Director, NAACP.

1992 Anaheim, California

6. Rejected proposal that wouldAug. 11-16,Anaheim Hilton (HQ) allow the District Organization to recommend to the Vice-President who to appoint as Area Director.

7. Rejected proposal that would give job description and duties of Area Director, as well as grounds for removal.

1993 New Orleans, Louisiana

Aug. 2-8, Marriott Hotel

1994 St. Louis, Missouri

Aug. 8-14 Adams Mark

1995 Orlando, Florida

Aug. 8-13

1996 Applicants: Richmond, VA; New York, NY; and Philadelphia,

PA

page 4

Iota,

*These names will appear on the ballots mailed to financially active Brothers as of the April 1, rolls.

Dear Brothers,

Once again, by amajority vote, the Social Committee has agreed to hold the Annual Scholarship Spring Dinner Dance at the Uni¬ versity of Maryland Adult Educa¬ tion Center. The date is May 15, 1992.

If you would like to reserve a table, please see Brother Rodman Turner at the September Chapter meeting.. This Fraternal Year we are asking Brothers to make a $100,000 deposit for each table. As you know, our last year’s Scholarship Dinner Dance was a tremendous success in terms of at¬ tendance and fi nances. This was brought about largely due to the

low costs of the center as com¬ pared to similar establishments in our area. As aresult of the low costs, we were able to pay all of our expenses and still have enough money to award $5000.00 in scholarships and pay adeposit of $1500.00 for our 1992 affair and still have money in the bank.

Again, the Social Committee would like to thank the Brothers of Mu Lambda for their cooperation; we look forward to an even better 1992 Dinner Dance.

Fraternally, Fred Laney, Chairman Rodman Turner, Co-Chairman

SeptewteP Birthdays

Brothers Frederick W. Ford (10); Lee A. Tyler (15); Robert M. Brown, IE (18); Robert Warren, Jr. (18); William M. Joyner (19); and John D. Roper (20).

elated August Birthday; (not included in the June Issue) j WilliamA.Robinson(2)^ and Clyde Blassengale(10'

Tici^er Tape

Did we miss reporting on anything important happening to an Alpha during this summer? We imagine so, but can't be sure. Don't be shy! Tell your Brothers of the proud achievements in your family and professional life. Your story could be here!! 1

September

5 Monthly meeting, Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Armour J. Blackburn University Center Restaurant, Howard University. Come join us for agreat evening of fellowship; bring an inactive Brother along.

Executive Committee Meeting; TEA 18 October

3 Monthly meeting. Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Armour J. Blackburn University Center Restaurant, Howard University.

Format: Alpha Town Meeting; Paraphernalia Night

Executive Committee Meeting; TBA 16 December

7 Founders’ Day Luncheon —Howard Inn

Help!!!

Uolunteers are needed to maintain and seruice the refreshment bar at our monthly meetings, if you mould like to help by purchasing supplies, bartending, etc., please contact rBrother Morris Hamkins. i

Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

P.O. Box 1993

Washington, D.C. 20013