Undergraduate Grand Chapter Officers: A Conversation
On Risk Management and the MTA
Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Cross believes that “we must return to our roots. One of the core principles that men of phi nu pi live by is deference: The willful submission of one’s own wills and wishes for the wills and wishes of another. In this case, we must show deference to an administration that’s working tirelessly to change our brand, and move us farther and farther away from any association of hazing. Any wrong turns or decisions made by mem- bers on a local level, can affect the trajectory of the entire fraternity. A brother that does not know deference will continue to go against the grain of our MTA, perpetuating a strain of behaviors that fare poisonous to our brand and our attempts to carve a new path for 21 st cen- tury Kappa.” “We must charge the newer initiates, under- graduate brothers, to stand up and speak out against these negative behaviors, no matter how unpopular. Earning the respect of brothers who live in the past is not worth the lawsuits that could bankrupt the fraternity in the future. Brothers must think critically; constantly com- paring the intentions, aims, and purposes of the founders to their own chapter traditions,” he continued. Grand Strategus Richardson would approach the matter this way. “I will first explain to my fellow undergraduate brothers that it is important that we follow the guidelines of our new intake program, Membership Training Academy.” He states, “This program is allowing Kappa to initiate more brothers than we ever have. Also, it is important for us to be active programmers on our campuses that is strategic recruitment. As a student body president, I’ve noticed that students gravitate towards organi- zations that are very active on campus whether socially or academically. One of our objectives is to inspire service in the public’s interest, therefore it is imperative to engage with our communities by providing community service and outreach.” Grand Board Member Garcia states “With undergraduates now having to partake in and understand the MTA Program, Kappa is chang- ing. This is something we must all understand. Kappa is heading into a different direction and
lead in every aspect of the fraternity, so The Young Six will ensure that there are undergraduates as either co-chair- man or vice chairman on every national committee,” stated Cross. Also, we will work hand in hand with the Coun- cil of JVPs to acquire resources so there will be increased participation by undergraduate brothers for Grand Chapter meetings. Lastly, we hope to accomplish to implement a bottom up system for initiatives rather than top down approach. As we travel across the provinces we will actively search for successful programs and initiatives that chapters do and implement them on the national level. “As an undergraduate Grand Chapter Officer,” stated Garcia, “I plan on sup- porting Brother Battles by supporting and spreading his Kappa Six-Point Plan. I especially want to support him on the 3 rd point in his Kappa Six-Point Plan: Undergraduate Development. I want to make sure our undergrads across the nation are being represented to show we are the best and brightest young men in the country.”
agreed. “I plan to support the plans of our 33 rd Grand Polemarch, Thomas L. Battles Jr. by making sure that his Six- Point Plan is being implemented in our undergraduate chapters. More specifi- cally, making sure my chapter, Gamma Delta is in compliance. I am grateful to serve under the Grand Polemarch, he believes in investing in Kappa’s under- graduates, as we were founded as an undergraduate fraternity.” “Internally, as we move Kappa Alpha Psi further into the 21 st century, it is imperative that we do everything in our capacity to engage millennial brothers. I’m big on highlighting the social and professional network that Kappa has to offer, and making it more accessible to our members,” said Grand Board Mem- ber Earls. “Externally, I yearn to use my talents to increase our corporate, public, and political engagement—making our brand as strong and as attractive as it can pos- sibly be. It’s not enough to simply seek potential members, but rather, finding innovative mechanisms to impact the underprivileged in the communities around us,” he continued.
Grand Strategus Terrell Richardson
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