MIAMI (FL) ALUMNI CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
leadership team, Miami (FL) AL imple- mented in 2021 a “Back to Business” strategy. The chapter’s inability to host fundraising events and the malaise (lack of activity and effects of lockdowns and social distancing measures) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown presented Miami (FL) Alumni an oppor- tunity to re-engage the direction of the chapter with new vigor and innovation. Some of the ideas from this initiative include: Embracing digital transformation. Le- verage the opportunity to utilize leverage digital tools to support the chapter and its programs. • Video conferencing tools to meet and communicate more effec- tively. • QR codes to help chapter mem- bership access websites, docu- ments, and videos easily. Fraternization Through Community Service Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter has continued its tradition of serving the Miami community. The recent chapter service initiatives include: • Provided meals for nurses and hospital staff working on the front lines of COVID-19; • Initiated a supply drive for the
• Supported local voter registra- tion initiatives and U.S. Census participation; • Held clothing drives and toy drives; • Backed Grand Chapter’s “Room to Read” program donated books and reading to Golden Glades Elementary School third-grade students. • Marched for equal protection under the law in the wake of the George Floyd death. In 2020, the chapter created the “WE ALL Count!” digital campaign in response to the greater desire for civic activism. The campaign’s objective was to Inspire, Educate, and Enable digital advocacy during the pandemic. The chapter created a mobile site and transformed the chapter’s Instagram page to house links where visitors could register to vote, complete the census, sign up to be a voting poll worker, and vote by mail. Re-establishing fundraising efforts. In January 2020, the Miami Alumni Foundation held its inaugural “Driving For Achievement” golf tournament to fund Kappa League Scholarships. The Foundation was unable to hold this tournament at the same time in 2021 due to the COVID-19 related restric- tions at area golf courses but intends to
restart the golf tournament fundraiser in 2022.
Also, in conjunction with the chap- ter’s 75 th anniversary, the chapter is evaluating plans to re-establish Miami (FL) Alumni’s Black & White Ball. The Black & White Ball is a nostalgic event for many chapter members as it was one of the chapter’s marquee events of the 1970s through the 1990s and a potential significant fundraiser for the chapter. Miami (FL) Alumni Dignitaries The 33 rd Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles Jr. (Alpha Xi 1973), a mem- ber of the Stockbridge-Jonesboro (GA) Alumni Chapter, also maintains his membership in the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter. He served as sixth Southern Province Polemarch [1991-1997] when he resided in Miami. The 73 rd Laurel Wreath Laureate Rodney C. Adkins (Gamma Kappa 1979), a member of the Stamford (CT) Alumni Chapter, is also a long-time member of the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter and, like Grand Polemarch Battles, maintains financial membership in two chapters. Oscar J. Braynon, II (Theta Eta 1996) served as Florida State Senator for District 35 from 2011-2020. He was the Minority Leader for the 2016 and 2017 Legislative Sessions. He also serves as State Representative for District 103 and vice mayor of the City of Miami Gardens. Dr. Lester Brown (Delta Xi 1956) served as interim President of Florida Memorial University and has a park named in his honor in Miami Gardens, FL. Ronald E. Frazier (Xi 1963) was an architect by trade and the past President of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Com- merce. He is also a past board member of the Historic Hampton House Trust.
first responders of the tragic Surfside building collapse;
The Honorable Robert B. Ingram
THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2021 - SPRING 2022
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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