The Voice of RHO Chapter Volume 26 Issue 10 June 2007 RHO CALL RHO CHAPTER P RESIDENT S MESSAGE Brothers of Mighty RHO Chapter As we move swiftly toward the close our last chapter meeting for the 2006-2007 fraternal year, let me thank each and every one of you that responded to your commitment to Alpha and Mighty RHO Chapter. Rho Chapter Officers 2006-2007 Ernest M. Merriweather, Jr. President H. Walter Early Vice President Jeffrey Williams Recording Secretary Samuel P. Coleman, IV Corresponding Secretary Nathaniel L. Teagle, Sr. Financial Secretary George J. Hatten Treasurer Nathaniel L. Teagle, Jr. Chaplain Father Thomas WS Logan, Sr. Chaplain Emeritus Samuel P. Coleman, IV Director of Membership Intake Mathew Collins, IV Parliamentarian Leonard H. Whitmore, Jr. Coordinator of Musical Activities Samuel P. Coleman, IV Director of Educational Activities Lloyd R. Westfield, Sr. Historian Douglas Tolbert We must stay mindful of our humble beginnings within the august body, knowing that Alpha only has your hands, your finances, your volunteerism, your spirit, your determination and word to live up to an oath of manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind. We perfected the work of Alpha this year through our national program efforts and other special projects that have made the difference in the lives of countless young people and communities. The call for Alpha Excellence in Serving is still our ever-going charge, for there s a community that counts on us. We hope and trust that we can count on you as we shall gather in the name of Alpha on Monday, June 4, 2007 in review of this past year and in celebration of brotherly love. I am asking all brothers to wear their Alpha paraphernalia and bring photos so that we may share and reminisce of days past. Also, please set your schedules as we shall celebrate African-American Promise through our Scholarship and Awards ceremony on Sunday, June 3, 2007. So Brothers, your presence is not being requested, it is being required, for the celebration of our deeds and of scholarly pursuits can not occur without for you are ALPHA PHI ALPHA! Let us summon the call of Alpha, call our brothers and join in fellowship. Finally, let us gather together this summer as Orlando, Florida will set their eyes upon a Brotherhood that believes in giving back and investing in the lives of young people and thus building a better community for generations to come. Fraternally, Ernest M. Merriweather, Jr. Ernest M. Merriweather, Jr. 13th President of Mighty RHO Chapter
Page 2 Past Presidents of Rho Chapter 12th Kevin D. Lamb 1997-2003 11th James G. Slaughter 1992-1997 *10th Russell P. Daniels 1984-1992 *9th Harold D. Trawick 1981-1984 *8th Thomas H. Watkins, Sr. 1976-1981 *7th William Ross, Jr. 1964-1976 *6th Walter L. Gordon 1962-1964 *5th R. Allen Durrant 1957-1962 *4th J. Otis Smith, Sr. 1953-1957 *3rd Larney E. Hardy 1952-1953 *2nd Walter F. Jerrick 1916-1952 *1st Kirksey L. Curd 1914-1916 * denotes deceased M ONTHLY MEETINGS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Rho Chapter will convene its General Monthly Meeting on Monday, June 4, 2007 at 7:30 pm at the Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue (Germantown Ave. and Rittenhouse Street). Fraternal fellowship will precede the meeting at 7:00 pm. Come meet and greet the Brotherhood. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The Executive Committee will meet on Friday, June 1, 2007 at 8:00pm at the home of Brother H. Walter Early (1154 E. Dorset St. Phila., PA 19150). Please contact Brother Early at 215-224-7515 to confirm your attendance or if you are unable to attend. All committees are expected to attend and report. A NNOUNCEMENTS Volume 26 Issue 10 Please support the $100 Club. Let s give above and beyond what we receive from the Foundation for scholarships. The Vare Middle School needs mentors for boys. They have several boys who desperately need guidance to move to the next goal of their education. E.H. Vare Middle School is located at 2100 South 24th Street. They have an established boys group that needs our fraternity to guide and support these young men. Please contact Brother Ennis Manns for details. Attention Alpha Golf Enthusiast! The spring golf season has started and Brother Bill Wheeler is organizing a golf group consisting of brothers from all of the local chapters. You may contact him at his cell phone number of 267-230-9093 for more information. The Scholarship and Awards program will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the African Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas. located at 6361 Lancaster Ave, (Overbrook Section) Philadelphia, PA. The program will begin promptly at 4:00pm. Brothers are asked to arrive no later than 3:15 pm to allow time for pictures and other pre-program activities. To be an Alpha means more than just to wear a pin. It is an intrinsic quality from deep within. Brother David Poindexter has been selected by CAN (Cheltenham Achiever s Network) to receive an award for his District Wide Mentoring Program in all of the Cheltenham schools. Cheltenham Achiever s Network is a group of men who work with young men on Saturdays at the Elkins Park School, in the areas of scholastics, sports and mentoring. Their program is tied with Brother Poindexter s Mentoring Program whose name is SWAP (Students With Academic Potential. The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 in Glenside, PA.
Page 3 Volume 26 Issue 10 101st Anniversary Convention/ 87th General Convention Thursday, August 9-Monday, August 13, 2007 Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel 9939 Universal Boulevard Orlando, FL 32819 (866) 996-9939 Registration Ends May 31, 2007 Extended Registration Ends June 30, 2007 Alumni $400 $500 $700 College $200 $300 $350 Ladies $300 $400 $500 Youth $150 $250 $300 Late Registration Ends July 8, 2007 *Registration and Convention information found on ALPHANET* *You must register via ALPHANET in order to get hotel rates* Continental Airlines is offering special fares for all those traveling to the 87th General Convention. To take advantage of the special fares, call your travel professional or Continental s MeetingWorks at 800-468- 7022. If you are outside of the United States, please call your local Continental Airlines Reservation Office. You may also book online by clicking the above Continental logo. Enter your Z code and Agreement Code in the Offer Code Box when scheduling for flights. Z Code: ZAQ5 Agreement Code: A3BJ74 Valid travel dates: August 4-18, 2007 AMERICAN AIRLINES American Airlines is offering special fairs for all those traveling to the 87th General Convention. To take advantage of these special fares, attendees can book online at AA.Com or call direct at 1-800- 433-1790 to receive the discount. Please use the following information in order to reserve your flight: Discount Amount: 5% off applicable fares (or 9% if booked 60 days in advance) Discount Code: A6787AL Valid travel dates: August 6-16, 2007 Star Transportation Management, Inc. is proud to be the official transportation company for the 2007 Alpha Phi Alpha Convention in Orlando, Florida. They will provide direct shuttle service to the Rosen Shingle Creek. The cost is only $22.00 per person for roundtrip transportation service. The service is available only by making a reservation and payment in advance. Limousine, Sedan or SUV service is also available. In order to book your airport transportation for the Convention call 407-888-5530. Be sure to mention Alpha Phi Alpha to receive this discounted rate.
Page 4 Volume 26 Issue 10 Announcements
RHO Call A LPHA SPOTLIGHT This excerpt was taken from our history. In light of recent events, I hope you will think about this statement and remember why you first sought the light of Alpha. Brother Coleman The graduate development has brought into close contact the fraternity men of experience and training who were quite capable of giving able direction to the course of future fraternity action. The participation of the alumni in the fraternity s activities gave a seriousness and purpose to the fraternity program which had been growing more serious as the fraternity advanced in age. The individual chapters welcomed the activity of graduate members who were located near the fraternity s seat. It is not strange, therefore, that the majority of the General Officers within recent years have come from the ranks of the graduate members. It was more than evident that Alpha Phi Alpha was not for college only, but for life. Antagonism between the two groups, the graduates and undergraduates, has never been a serious consideration. Co-operation for the best interests of the fraternity has replaced whatever jealousy or suspicion may have developed in the past. Paralleling this trend has been another trend in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha, which has brought into bold relief the realization that the fraternity is more than a social organization for the amusement of its members, or a political bloc for the advancement of its members. There were members who were interested principally in the dances, receptions, and social amusements which were sponsored by their chapters, but other members gave more serious direction to the purposes of the fraternity. There were members who expected to gain office or preference among their fellows because they were members of the fraternity, but other members insisted on invoking the fundamentals of the fraternity, which pledged them to support the highest ideals, and above the selfish interest of a specialized group there stood the interest of the school or the attainment of the individual. The Middle Ages of the fraternity s history witnessed the prevalence of these practices but the Modern Period has given rise to a return to the support of the highest and best. Wesley, Charles H., The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development in College Life. Baltimore: The Foundation Publishers, 2000. p 174 For whosever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11 E DUCATION FOUNDATION Foundation contributions for May: Nathaniel Teagle, Sr. $100 Bobby Johnson $100 Leon Johnston $25 DUES INFORMATION Page 5 RHO Chapter Local Dues $125.00 Grand Tax $150 Grand Tax is paid by Non- Life members only. Other fees may apply depending upon when you were last active; A one time Housing Fund Assessment of $ 100.00 or any late fees that are owed will also be assessed in order for you to be in good standing. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PAY YOUR DUES NOW FOR THE 2007-2008 YEAR! We must meet the challenges of our day with the same unbridled ambition, vision and courage as the Jewels did in their era. The Fraternity s relevance is as certain today as it was when we were founded in 1906. 32nd General President Brother Darryl R. Mathews, Sr.
The Voice of RHO Samuel P. Coleman, IV, Editor Rho Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 34577 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Courage, brothers banded we All through life to eternity Let our hearts in joyous praise Sing of Alpha through endless days Mighty RHO Chapter November 3, 1914 92years of Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind What are you doing for Alpha? If you haven t paid your dues, then not much. Consider paying your Local Dues and Grand Tax early for 2007-2008 today.