Fall Eastern Region Staff Meeting – Virginia Union University

Yesterday’s Regional Staff meeting was the first opportunity to speak “campaign” with Brothers from around the region. Once again spoke with a number of Brothers and received more words of encouragement and indications of support. (Note to self: begin leadership calls again this week.)

It was the first time Brothers outside of my immediate circle, had an opportunity to hear, en masse, of my passion for Alpha; and how that passion wants to put the best Alpha has on display.

A synopsis of my remarks? Well…

In my early days as a student at Frostburg State University, I saw a special determination in the faces of four young men “venturing” to become men of Alpha, through what was then the Sphinx Club. I would later learn on March 11, 1987 at 10:36pm what that special determination was.

When each of us (i.e., the Brothers) sat for our interviews, we all spoke of how much we wanted to or could do for Alpha. None of us…none of us – at least not during the interviews – cared about what Alpha could do for us.

There will be more than enough time to discuss my “story,” but let me tell you a little of what I’d like to do.

Its now time for us to take the collective efforts of all we do and move Alpha in a positive direction; and its all based upon the principle of “Esprit de Fraternité” – upon fraternity, leadership and service.

Fraternity is what binds us together; its what makes us a Brotherhood. We took the same oath; and because of that oath, another (in the name of Alpha) is our Brother.

Leadership is what we do. As stated in our mission statement, we exist to develop leaders. Imagine what would happen if we put in place a leadership development track, similar to what we do for LDI and the Alpha Leadership Academy. Developing tracks such as this, will ensure a constant stream of qualified and trained leaders for Brothers to choose from, as opposed to voting for a candidate because you like the way he dresses or thinks he speaks well.

Service is what we do when we’re conducting our national programs or working on any of our special projects. Imagine the possibilities if we took the aggregate of all the Project Alpha data to show the true impact we have on the community. We’ve always been involved with March of Dimes activities, but look at how much more we did and what that impact was once we began the coordianted effort to collect money through the Fraternity.

Helping to keep these together is financial accountability and the commitment that we can do a few things better in order to better safe guard our fiscal responsibilities and financial future.

Brothers imagine the possibilities of what will occur when what we do is for the benefit of us all? When we’ll all be able to stick our chests out, proud for the work Alpha has done; as others say, “the men of Alpha are serious, because they put their money where their mouth is!”

“Esprit de Fraternité!”

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