December Alpha News Update
DECEMBER ALPHA NEWS UPDATE
Brothers of Delta Iota Remember Paul Robeson
The effort to bring Louis Farrakhan to Rutgers University was met with severe opposition: Lies were told about the Nation of Islam minister, false charges were lodged against him and the event organizers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s chapter on campus, were charged thousands of dollars to try to have the outspoken and beloved leader speak at the university for free.Brother Rahim Diallo Mahmoud [Delta Iota ’15], a Rutgers student and vice-president of the Delta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, worked with others since last year to bring the Minister to the school. It was initially estimated $10,000 would be required for security costs for a room limited to 500 people. The final cost may be $5,000.
Brothers in Springfield Deliver Turkeys to Families
Mason Square neighborhood resident Ernestine Johnson was thrilled to receive a Thanksgiving turkey from the Martin Luther King community center and the African-American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. You could say it made her day. Johnson told 22News, “It feels wonderful. I’m really going to enjoy it. My family will enjoy it…”
Brother Carter Announces Run for Mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Brother Melvin Carter III [Beta Nu ’00] has thrown his hat in the race to lead Saint Paul, the capitol of Minnesota. Brother Carter is a former city councilman and currently director of Early Childhood Education for the Governor. Brother Carter has been actively engaged with the fraternity including being a voice on panels for the fraternity during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. To find out more about Brother Carter visit www.MelvinCarter.org
World Policy: Climate Change an Important Issue
The 2016 Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council has released its 2016 report. The report features the work of Brother Warren M. Washington, senior Scientist and former head of climate change research and Director of the climate Global Dynamics Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Brother Beckom Recognized by American Law Society
Brother Christopher G. Beckom [Mu Xi Lambda ’11], Attorney at Law, founded his own business law firm which focuses on Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Telecommunications Law, Land Use, Commercial Litigation, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Corporate Formation and Governance, and Securities Regulation.
Troop 1906 at their Fall Court of Honor in Alexandria
Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity held its Fall court of Honor with the Boy Scout Troop 1906….
Brother Hall Enters Omega Chapter
Brother Jonathan Duane Hall, affectionately known as Joe, was born on May 26, 1972, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, DE. A curious and energetic child, Jonathan attended Rehoboth Elementary. He continued to Millsboro Middle School and graduated as a proud Sussex Central Knight in 1990. Jonathan was a loving, caring and mischievous young man who doted on his mother…
Thank you, Brother William Douglass Lyle, for Your Service to Alpha Phi Alpha
Thank you, Brother William Douglass Lyle, for Your Service to Alpha Phi Alpha
Brothers,
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff at the General Office, I want to thank Brother William Douglass Lyle for sixteen years of service to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A 1997 initiate of Xi Chapter at Wilberforce University and life member, Brother Lyle joined the General Office of Alpha Phi Alpha in 2000 serving every day with passion and a renewed commitment to this brotherhood.
Brother Lyle has supported five general presidents, served in many positions, including communications coordinator, director of communications, editor-in-chief of The Sphinx, and, finally, executive director. During his tenure, over thirty-two thousand members were initiated into this fraternity. Respected by partners, university officials, and his peers of the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, Brother Lyle has been a tireless advocate for hazing prevention and fraternal values.
Brother Lyle is “Mission Focused,” and he is committed to the school for the better making of men. I wish many blessings to Brother Lyle as he pursues the next leg of his journey, and it is with sincere gratitude for his service that we wish him much success in his new endeavors.
Join me in thanking Brother Lyle for his commitment to the fraternity. The announcement of Alpha Phi Alpha’s new executive director is forthcoming.
Fraternally,
Mark S. Tillman
General President
Happy Founders Day
Happy Founders Day
This Founders Day, we celebrate 110 years of developing leaders, promoting academic excellence and providing service and advocacy. We have much to look forward to in 2017 with the inauguration of our 35th general president and the General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland on July 12 – 16, 2017, while remaining MISSION FOCUSED. However, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of our accomplishments this past year.
Alpha has continued to move forward. Our A Voteless People is a Hopeless People national program has been hard at work. This year we continued to track voter registration and push training tutorials for brothers and chapters to use during planning. We also partnered with the National Pan-Hellenic Council for “get out the vote” initiatives. During the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, we were able to acknowledge our dear brother, U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel, with our highest honor, the Alpha Award of Merit, as he celebrated his retirement. Brother Charles B. Rangel [Alpha Gamma Lambda ’64]was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving the communities of Harlem and Upper Manhattan since 1971. Brother Rangel is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to chair the House Ways and Means Committee.
Our social media activity, especially our presence on Facebook and Twitter, is continuously rising in efforts to keep the brotherhood and our communities engaged. We have continued the use of our Alpha App in response to the growing need to connect with brothers wherever they are in the world. We have also increased promotion of The Alpha Shop, the place to go for your Alpha gear.
We have been hard at work, and all that we have accomplished this year is because of your efforts. Continue to be men of action while holding the light of Alpha high. Have a Happy Founders Day!
Electing a New General Treasurer
Electing a New General Treasurer
The certifying nomination and election process for the Office of General Treasurer began October 1, 2016. The certification application and the candidate certification periods are closed. Below are the names of the certified candidates running for the general treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Candidate forums will be held at all 2017 regional conventions, and the election will take place at the 2017 General Convention. Requirements for election to a general office are found in the Constitution and By-Laws of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
If you have any questions, please contact the chairman of the Committee on Elections at elections@apa1906.net.
TIMELINE FOR GENERAL TREASURER
GENERAL TREASURER
The nomination and election cycle for the general treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity occur in two phases: the nomination phase and the election phase. Both phases take place at the 111th Anniversary/94rd General Convention in Baltimore, MD where authorized chapter delegates and constitutionally stated officers will be eligible to vote. The general treasurer is limited to a tenure in which he does not exceed a four (4) year term and he can serve no more than two (2) consecutive four (4) year terms in office. The general treasurer is a key position within the fraternity, with principal duties of having charge of and being responsible for the proper safeguard of all monies, funds, and securities of the General Organization as provided for in the accounting section of the Fraternal Regulations.
- COMPLETE – October 1–31, 2016: Candidate certification application submission window
- COMPLETE – November 1–30, 2016: Candidate certification approval window
- COMPLETE – December 1, 2016: Certified candidates announced, official campaigning begins
- UPCOMING – March 2017 – April 2017: Candidate forums at all 2017 regional conventions
- UPCOMING – July 2017: Candidate forum and election at General Convention, General Treasurer announced and assumes office at conclusion of convention
#AcrossTheFence & Alpha
#AcrossTheFence & Alpha
Brothers,
In a slight change of pace, August Wilson’s FENCES comes to movie theaters on Christmas Day, 2016, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. It’s a story about a father, mother, and son and all of the things they needed to say to each other as well as all the things left unsaid.
Today in support of FENCES, people across the country are sending messages to loved ones with all the things they’ve wanted to say but never have – using photos, videos, interviews, original artwork and more. Use the hashtag #ACROSSTHEFENCE to share your story. The idea is to build bonds with family and loved ones in new ways, sharing healing messages that previously were left unsaid. On the eve of our one hundred and tenth anniversary, this is an opportunity for us as men to show how strong we are in developing leaders and show our love for all mankind.
Let’s show that Alpha Cares.
Fraternally,
Mark S. Tillman
General President