September - Rho Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha

The Voice Of
Mighty RHO Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Volume 29 Issue 1
Chapter Officers
2009-2010
H. Walter Early
President
Samuel P. Coleman, IV
Vice President
Johnnie B. Pope, Jr.
Recording Secretary
Darrell L. Tiller
Corresponding Secretary
September 2009
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Brothers of “Mighty” Rho Chapter,
Greetings in the name of Alpha Phi Alpha. We trust that everyone had a
great, restful summer! Our first monthly general membership meeting for
this fraternal year will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at The Belmont Mansion in Fairmount Park. The meeting will begin promptly at 8:07
pm. Please come prepared to pay your Grand Tax and Local Dues, and………
bring another brother with you! Offer to drive a brother to the meeting.
We thank Brother Tyron Highsmith for conducting the Risk Management Certification at our June
meeting. You can expect to receive your Risk Management Certification cards soon.
Kudos goes to our Education Committee, under the leadership of Brother Bill Hanscom, for the exceptional 2009 Scholarship & Awards program that was held on Sunday, June 7 th. Over $15,000 in
awards was presented, and portions of the program were aired on television that evening.
Carey L. Savage
Financial Secretary
Brother Sean McCaskill, Eastern Region Vice President has reached out to Rho Chapter and made
several significant appointments in his administration: Chaplain, Brother Sam Coleman; Education
Chairman, Brother Carey Savage; Financial Secretary, Brother H. Walter Early.
Walter W. Friend
Treasurer
As you know, Rho Chapter will be celebrating its 95th Anniversary on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
Details are included in this Newsletter. We encourage all brothers to purchase tickets and invite family and friends. Every brother will be recognized for his service in Alpha.
Nathaniel L. Teagle, Jr.
Chaplain
This Fraternal Year, Rho Chapter will be joining Zeta Omicron Lambda and Omicron Delta Lambda in
presenting the inaugural Philadelphia Alpha Phi Alpha Beautillion. Brother Darrell Tiller is serving as
Chairman.
Father Thomas WS Logan, Sr.
Chaplain Emeritus
The list of Committee Chairmen is included in the Newsletter. They are looking for members to join,
plan, and support their various activities and events. We need the involvement of every brother. If you
are uncertain of where you would like to serve, see me and I will direct you to the appropriate committee.
Samuel P. Coleman, IV
Director of Membership Intake
Leonard H. Whitmore, Jr.
Coordinator of Musical Activities
Samuel P. Coleman, IV
Director of Educational Activities
Lloyd R. Westfield, Sr.
Historian
RECLMATION NEWS: We welcome back Brother Arthur L. Graham (Life Member), who has paid his
dues for 2009 and 2010. We also welcome Brother William H. Allen, Jr. (Life Member), who comes to
us from Mu Alpha Lambda in DeKalb, IL, and who has paid his 2010 dues, too!
With your help and cooperation, we look forward to a Fantastic Year in Alpha!!!
See you on Tuesday, September 8th.
Fraternally,
Brother H. Walter Early
Douglas Tolbert, Jr.
Sergeant-of-Arms
www.mightyrho1914.com
Past Presidents of
RHO Chapter
13th President
Ernest Merriweather, Jr.
2003-2008
12th President
Kevin D. Lamb
1997-2003
11th President
James G. Slaughter
1992-1997
10th President
Russell P. Daniel, Jr. (Ω)
1984-1992
9th President
Harold D. Trawick (Ω)
1981-1984
8th President
Thomas H. Watkins, Sr.
(Ω)
1976-1981
7th President
William Ross, Jr. (Ω)
1964-1976
6th President
Walter L. Gordon (Ω)
1962-1964
5th President
R. Allen Durrant (Ω)
1957-1962
4th President
J. Otis Smith, Sr. (Ω)
1953-1957
3rd President
Larney E. Hardy (Ω)
1952-1953
2nd President
Walter F. Jerrick (Ω)
M ONTHLY M EETINGS
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DATES 2009-2010
RHO Chapter will convene its General Monthly Meetings on: September 8, 2009,
October 6, 2009, November 3, 2009, December 1, 2009, January 5, 2010, February 2,
2010, March 2, 2010, April 6, 2010, May 4, 2010, June 1, 2010
DUES INFORMATION
Rho Chapter Local Dues $125.00—Grand Tax $150.00
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.
Passages into OMEGA Chapter
Brother Paul F. Frost made his transition into Omega chapter
January 1, 2009. A faithful member of Rho chapter for more than
18 years, Paul was a Life Member of the Fraternity and was an
active member since his initiation. He attended Regional and
General Conventions during his active membership in Alpha. He
led the chapter in the annual AIDS Walk and encouraged local
Alpha chapters as well as other Greek letter organizations to participate. He served as chairman of the Education Committee and
Project Alpha. With his unusual creative gifts led him to conceive
and organize the Chapter’s Book Awards Program which has been
named in his memory. These book awards are monetary certificates given to young men in elementary and middle school grades
to purchase books for their educational enrichment. Being an
educator and a strong advocate for education and its benefits, Paul also contributed to the
Rho Education Foundation which enables an annual scholarship to be presented in his
name in perpetuity. Paul was an Alpha through and through and we give thanks for a life
well lived. Rest well my brother.
Brother George Hatten made his transition into Omega chapter May 28, 2009. He was a
very active member of Alpha Phi Alpha since his initiation on the campus of Saint Paul’s
College, Lawrenceville, Virginia in 1952. Upon becoming a member of Rho chapter, he continued a life time of service to his beloved Fraternity. George
was a Life Member of Alpha and served this chapter with pride
and commitment in many capacities. He was chapter treasurer,
a member of Education Committee, and most recently chaired
the Rho Celebrations Committee which was preparing for the
chapter’s 95th Anniversary event. He maintained a consistent
presence at General Conventions and often represented the
brothers of Rho chapter as a delegate. His profound and lasting
contributions to the work and aims of the Fraternity will always
be remembered. George was an Alpha Man for all seasons, and
we give thanks for his life of manly deeds. Rest well my brother.
1916-1952
1st President
Kirksey L. Curd (Ω)
1914-1916
Page 2
103rd Anniversary Convention 2009
Regarded as one of the finest conventions in Fraternity’s memory.
More than 3,000 men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity converged on New Orleans from July 16-19,
2009 for the 89th General Convention. A host of luminaries and celebrities helped Alpha Phi Alpha
celebrate its 103rd year of existence, including Bro. Roland Martin, Mario Van Peebles, Derrick
“Fonzworth” Bentley, Clifton Davis, Bro. Hill Harper and Bro. Kevin Powell. Alpha Presidential Citations
were presented to Christine King Farris, Rev. Jessie Jackson, and Xernona Clayton. Alpha men receiving the Alpha Award of Merit were Bros. Robert Wright, James Huger, and Roger Youmans.
A tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Motown honored Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, Smokey Robinson,
Otis Williams (Temptations) and Adul “Duke” Fakir (Four Tops). The Alpha Award of Honor was presented to Calvin Peete, Tommy Hilfiger and the Annie C. Singleton Award to Mary Hughes. Daughters
of Alpha was a special evening of song, dance and memories. Alpha daughters attending included
Jasmine Guy, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Phylicia Rashad, Johnetta Cole, Mercedes Ellington, Jessie
Owen’s daughters, Debbie Allen, Bernice King, Sybil Morial, Vashti M. McKenzie, and Yolanda Adams.
Page 3
Philadelphia Alpha Beautillion 2009
New Leadership in Alpha East
Shawn McCaskill
Eastern Region
Vice President
Mark. Barnes
RHO-ZOL-ODL
Our inaugural Beautillion class of 15 high school seniors will begin in October. Rho chapter
is responsible for 5 of these young men. Brothers interested in sponsoring a high school
senior in this leadership and academic enhancement program, please see Bro. Tiller, Bro.
Hanscom, or Bro. Davis for further details. Sponsorship of a young man is $125.00 for this
6-month program and would be greatly appreciated.
Committee Chairmen 2009-2010
AIDS WALK 2009
Education—Brother William Hanscom
Budget—Brother Carey Savage
Constitution—Brother Randolph Blakeney
Special Programs—Doug Tolbert
Ways and Means—Brother Ernest Merriweather
Political/Social Concerns— Brother Kevin D. Lamb
Celebrations—Brother Randolph Blakeney
Archives—Brother James G. Slaughter
Intra-Fraternal Affairs—Brother Chudi Onwunyi
Director of Intake—Brother Samuel P. Coleman IV
Brothers Concerned—Brother Richard Brown
Sr. Brothers Affairs—Brother Joseph Stevenson
Alphabettes Liason—Brother Willie Blue
Reclamation—Brother Kevin D. Lamb
Education Foundation—Brothers Walter Early, PPs James G. Slaughter, Kevin D.
Lamb, Ernest Merriweather; Walter Friend, Carey Savage, William Hanscom (Ed.
Comm. Chair), Edward Trent, Reuben F. Mills (Chairman), Johnnie Pope, Thomas
Watkins, Jr., Larry Smart.
Sunday, October 18th
“We will walk until
there is a CURE!”
Darrell L.Tiller, Editor
President of the
PAAC (Pennsylvania
Association of Alpha
Chapters)
Tyronne
Highsmith
Area Director
RHO Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
P.O. Box 34577
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Rho Chapter
95th Anniversary
Celebration
November 2009
Mighty RHO Chapter
Founded November 3, 1914
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
www. mightyrho1914.com
95 years of
Manly Deeds, Scholarship and
Love for All Mankind
Callis ● Chapman ● Jones ● Kelly ● Murray ● Ogle ● Tandy