Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
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Johnson & Wales University Chapter Charter Proposal The Brothers of the Beta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc respectfully submit the following proposal for the chartering of a new chapter of the fraternity on the Charlotte campus of Johnson & Wales University Contact List Jonathan Lindsay T. Brian George Laronza Bridges President, Beta Nu Lambda Area Director College Affairs Chair 704-968-4123 704-726-1472 704-674-8300 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. HISTORY Our Mission “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.” Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy. The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first alumni chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights through leaders such as W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945. Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. Page 1 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. NATIONAL PROGRAMS The fraternity’s national programs are community outreach mentoring initiatives that have been adopted by the organization’s governing body and mandated for implementation by all of its chapters. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER® Formally called the A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper program, this service program developed with the mission of advocating and improving the quality of life for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers, their spouses, and widows who are retired, are elders, have disabilities and are ailing. A VOTELESS PEOPLE IS A HOPELESS PEOPLE® "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" (aka VPHP) was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930's when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration has remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990's, the focus has shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums. GO-TO-HIGH-SCHOOL, GO-TO-COLLEGE® The "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program, established in 1922, concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. PROJECT ALPHA® This collaborative project is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males ages 12- 15 years. Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teen pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers. Page 2 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. INFORMATION ON INTER /NATIONAL STRENGTH Alpha Phi Alpha, since inception, has chartered 414 college chapters and 369 alumni chapters. Alpha chapter, the first college chapter was founded in 1906 and Alpha Lambda, the first alumni chapter was founded in 1911. Today Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is comprised of 686 active chapters located in the United States, Germany, Bermuda, Korea, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Canada. As units of a national organization, chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha derive their authority to act from the General Organization and that authority is limited to those functions set forth by the rules and regulations of the General Organization. Chapter authority is predicated upon its being “in good standing” – that is, having fulfilled obligations and not being under disciplinary restriction for violation of regulations. Alpha Phi Alpha chapters are expected to be “Servants of All” and to provide important community service and support programs within the limits of chapter resources. All chapters are expected to give first priority to those programs mandated and recommended by the General Organization. Participation in national programs is a key component in judging for all fraternal awards. Page 3 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ONGOING SUPPORT VIA HEADQUARTERS AND REG IONA LLY The corporate structure of Alpha Phi Alpha ensures continued support from the organization at every level. Chapters are chartered by the General Organization and organized into Regions and then into Districts (states) based on geographic location. Undergraduate chapters in particular, are provided with oversight and guidance by the local Alumni chapter. In the case of Johnson & Wales, the Beta Nu Lambda Alumni chapter would provide guidance and support via our College Affairs committee. Each chapter is responsible for reporting annually to the Regional Office on its performance against key measures of stability and any chapters deemed to be at risk are provided with a plan to assist them in strengthening weak points so that they can continue to function as a viable chapter. In addition, all chapters are required to attend District and Regional conventions annually and General Conventions bi- annually. During these conventions, the larger body provides support and guidance as well as votes on matters of importance to the fraternity. If chartered at Johnson & Wales University the chapter would sit in the Southern Region, the North Carolina District in Area 5 which is made up of the Charlotte-Metro Region. In addition, two certified advisors will be assigned to work with the chapter. These advisors will be active members of the Beta Nu Lambda Alumni chapter. The role of the advisor will be to guide the chapter, sign off on all material needed by the fraternity and the university and ensure that our Risk Management policies and procedures are followed at all times. Page 4 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ALUMNI INFORMATION Membership in Alpha Phi Alpha is a lifelong commitment. It is expected that members of the fraternity that are initiated via Undergraduate Chapters will join am Alumni Chapter upon the completion of their undergraduate work. During their time as undergraduates, members may be directly engaged with the local alumni chapter. This allows students to build a network of professionals to draw upon as well as providing them with the information necessary to manage their chapters. Men of Alpha Phi Alpha have always been at the forefront of the fight for what is right. Notable members include but are not limited to: Activists Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights Activist Julius L. Chambers: NAACP Legal Defense Fund W.E.B. Dubois: Writer, Historian, Civil Rights Activist Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Activist, Supreme Court Justice Education/Scholarship John Hope Franklin: Historian Dennis Kimbro: Author Frederick Patterson: Founder, UNCF Cornell West: Author Dr. Raymond W. Cannon: 1st Edition, Sphinx Magazine Science/Medicine Dr. Lessall D. Leffall: President, American College of Surgeons James Comer: Psychologist Garrett Morgan: Inventor, Traffic Signal Winston Scott: Commander NASA Government/Politics David Dinkins: Former Mayor of New York Chaka Fattah: Congressman, Pennsylvania Earnest "Dutch" Morial: 1st Black Mayor of New Orleans Charles Rangel: Congressman, New York (15th District) Robert C. Scott: Congressman, Virginia (3rd District) Andrew Young: Former Mayor of Atlanta Page 5 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. RISK MANAGENT / ANTI - HAZING POLICY Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. joins other fraternities and sororities, parents and academic institutions in the fight against hazing. No one person can eliminate hazing. It takes the commitment of everyone involved in the process of joining a group organization to make it happen. We encourage interested candidates to join us to make this world a better place through hazing prevention