Winter Park (FL) Alumni
I like to focus on the service I have rendered to the fraternity, especially the areas that the leadership of the fraternity have found my skill-sets useful. Fortu- nately, I have been able to assist the leadership at every level of the fraternity, especially where my writing skills and institutional knowledge of the fraternity proved to be an asset. These opportunities have been magnified because Polemarchs at each level of the fraternity have pulled me aside to assist them in reviewing documents, writing, and advising where deemed appropriate. Serv- ing in these capacities has meant that seeking elected offices never became a viable option, because I was always laboring alongside the respective Polemarchs. I learned early that holding positions was not the best measurement for service. Only when the holder of a position produces a product that advances the causes of the fraternity, is the “position” worthy to be noted on the resume of a brother. I presently serve as an advisor and elder in my local chapter; operating assistant at the Province level, and Chairman, Publicity and Publications Commission of the fraternity. I have served in the latter position since the year 2000. ETT: I consider my Kappa journey unique, in that at every level the leadership has recognized and acknowl- edged my skill-sets and my willingness to serve unself- ishly. This has enabled me to have unbridled access to the leaders, and the opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process. This has happened because the leaders down through the years have found my contributions to be of value in assisting them to carry out the business of the fraternity in an efficient, ef- fective and expeditious manner. My Kappa experience has enabled me to witness up close and in person, the policy making and processes of the fraternity at all levels. I have had the opportunity to enjoy most the respect my service has earned among brothers at all levels of the fraternity. I enjoy the service that I have been able to render to brothers of the fraternity, as well as to the communities we serve. I have enjoyed being a part of the servant leadership of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., that part that believes in strategic planning and utilizing brothers with appropriate skill-sets for the tasks that need to be done. Journal: Describe your first Province Council and Conclave experiences? ETT: At this stage of my Kappa journey it is difficult for me to remember the “firsts” in my experience. The Journal: What did you enjoy most about those roles?
first conclave I remember occurred while I was a “dog” and my chapter was suspended because of violating fraternity rules while I was on line. This was a traumat- ic experience for me because the conclave was being held in my home town and I would be returning home, not as a Kappa but as an initiate who had to wait until the alumni chapter was permitted to finalize the initia- tion months later. My first Province was the Eastern Province. As a mem- ber of the Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter I was a member of this large Province. The Eastern Province was comprised of some of the highest achievers in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and I was just a small fish in a large pond. Journal: What motivates you to continue to serve Kappa Alpha Psi ® ? ETT: For more than 62 years I have witnessed first- hand, brothers who knelt at the Mystic Shrine of Kap- pa Alpha Psi Fraternity, vowing to perpetuate the vision of our ten Founders, and the achievements of the Conservators and brothers at the local, province and national levels of the fraternity. I have knelt, not only at the Mystic Shrine, but at the feet of achieving giants of our fraternity, who thought it not robbery to assist in training me for leadership, Many of these brothers now rest from their labors in Chapter Invisible, however, they deposited in me gems of wisdom that God has enabled me to share with brothers throughout our fraternity. As these brothers have accepted my humble offerings of wisdom, they have encourage me to make “training for leadership” and endless journey that I ex- pect to continue for the rest of my life. When a brother takes advantage of my teaching, and utilizes it for the good of mankind, he motivates me to do the best I can to help keep our beloved fraternity on course. Journal: Why is it important to be an active partici- pant in local, province and Grand Chapter levels? ETT: When Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was founded, our ten undergraduate Founders were involuntarily in an environment steeped in blatant racism, racial discrimination of vestiges of slavery and the uneven playing field of higher education at Indiana Univer- sity and its environs. These young brothers dedicated themselves to fashion an institution that could over- come the innumerable obstacles that were the inhu- mane products of organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan, who specialized in terrorizing ethnic minorities, with great emphasis on the American Negro. In order for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity to flourish as envisioned by our Founders, it is important for every
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL SUMMER 2017 | 81
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