a result we moved to virtual platforms to complete the postponed Province Council. Over the course of the next 12 months, we successfully conducted C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference and our 100th Province Council, both virtually. Traditionally in the North Central Province multiple chapters will hold Founders' Day celebrations throughout the province in January. Because of the lack of in-person meeting, we conducted the Virtual North Central Province Cel- ebration featuring keynote speaker John Marshall Jones. This virtual event also served as a fundraiser for our undergrad- uates. Over $10,000 was raised and ev- ery undergraduate chapter was awarded at least $500 to support their exchequer and chapter operations. Since the pandemic and the elimina- tion of in person events, our chapters have been without traditional revenue opportunities. While revenue opportuni- ties were reduced, some of the chapter operating expenses increased. To assist our chapters with the cost of insurance, the North Central Province was able to support every chapter with payments to- wards the insurance cost. Most recently we contributed over $31,000 towards our chapter’s insurance premiums. While virtual platforms are by no means a substitute for in-person cama- raderie, they have the benefit of acces- sibility to brothers who otherwise would be able to participate. As we transition to the new normal, virtual platforms will continue to be used strategically. Room to Read - The North Central Province embraced this national part- nership and initiative. We served as the pilot Province at our C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference in 2019 prior to the program going national. Since the pilot, multiple reading events have been conducted by undergraduate and alumni chapters; in the classroom and virtually, throughout the province. We will continue to support and expand this very impactful initiative, as we get back to some form of normal operations in classrooms and our chapters. Healthy Kappas - Mental Health has been a consistent topic during our C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Confer- ence, and we have continued that over
the past two years. Most recent module theme was “A Community Discussion on African American Men, Mental Health and the Effects of COVIV-19.” In addition to promoting mental health awareness the North Central Province Health Kappa Committee was chosen to conduct a rare disease educa- tional event. This was a series of Face- book - Live events attended by fraternity members, families, church, and friends. Guide Right - During the pandemic our chapters were challenged to stay present in the lives of our Guide Right students. To keep our student engaged the chapters engage them with virtually: • Virtual monthly meetings • Virtual college tours • College success management • College Signing Day As we prepare for in person activities for the fall our Guide Right efforts will focus on increasing the use of Naviance and the Planning Tool and participating with alumni chapters in their community service events. The Achiever - The official newslet- ter of the North Central Province -The Achiever was relaunched. Achievement Academy - This initia- tive has been operationalized during our C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Confer- ence. Undergraduates and alumni members are divided into 5-6 profes- sional cohorts during a luncheon session. This is to encourage the development of mentoring relationships between alumni and undergraduates according to their professions and interests. Between C. Roger Wilson Leadership Conference, alumni members of the cohorts hold peri- odic virtual sessions with undergraduates, exposing them to other professionals in the industry, career opportunities, resume coaching, and interview preparation. Post-pandemic planning - As society moves into our new normal, the North Central Province’s leadership team will chart a course for re-opening operations. We principally will focus on: • Brand management and chapter sustainability. • Easing the burden to our under- graduate chapters that have suffered so much during the pandemic. • Restoring our Undergraduate Leadership Summit and Officer Training regimen.
Byron C. Thornton North Central Province Polemarch
Executive Summary
The North Central Province is blessed with a dedicated and knowl- edgeable cadre of officers, directors, committee chairs, administrative and operational support brothers that work tirelessly to fulfill their offices and obliga- tions. Because of their diligence, the North Central Province has sustained itself during this period of COVID-19, while expanding our support for under- graduates and extending our community service relationships. In doing so, the North Central Province has advanced the initiatives of the 34th Administration and our Grand Polemarch Brother Rueben A. Shelton, III, Esq. Core Programs. Fol- lowing is a summary of our activities over the past two -years. Province Operations - Shortly after the Illinois Governor declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic, the Province Board of Directors took the unprecedented decision to postpone our 99th Province Council, just a few days before we were scheduled to arrive on site. Despite having contracts with 3 ho- tels to host the Council, we acted swiftly and were able cancel all contracts with no financial impact to our Exchequer. Postponing the Province Council also meant canceling the scheduled MTA initiation with over 100 men waiting to be initiated at Council. Working with the MTA team, we were able to deploy teams of brothers to complete the MTA process in multiple cluster ceremonies throughout the province, while adhering to the new social distancing safeguards. All of the Spring 2020 MTA candidates were initiated by the end of May. Adhering to the policy of our Grand Board of Directors, all in-person meet- ings were cancelled in the province. As
104 | SUMMER 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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