Goodwill: Information for Leaders - Autumn 2011

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC. ! AUTUMN 2011 EDITION

AΦΑ - ΓΙΛ CHAPTER NEWSLETTER! PAGE 1

President’s Corner

Welcome Back Brothers! I am truly excited to begin our fraternal year with a renewed energy and spirit for our beloved chapter, GIL. This administration will tirelessly work to achieve “Better Bonds in Brotherhood” in our respectful communication with each other and the dedication to the communities we serve. Thank you all for your hard work and support. Let’s all do our best and show what GIL is all about.

-Bro. James Salnave

GOODWILL! INFORMATION FOR LEADERS

Crowning a KingBrothers weather the storm to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Friday, August 26th, days after a 5.8 scale earthquake and on the dawn of Hurricane Irene, hundreds of brothers gathered on the National Mall to dedicate a statue of Bro. MLK Jr. over 25 years in the making. Brothers young and seasoned from near and

far joined civil rights activists and officials to honor Bro. King and h i s commitment to the betterment of humanity. His legacy is our own. His dream must live on in the realities of our duty.

-Bro. Runako Gulstone Associate Editor to the Sphinx

2011 - 2012 GAMMA IOTA LAMBDA CHAPTER LEADERSHIPPresident - Bro. James SalnaveVice President - Bro. Christopher BurksImmediate Past President -Bro. R. Emanuel Scott Jr. Secretary - Bro. Linwood WinslowTreasurer - Bro. Michael CookFinancial Secretary - Bro. Joseph BarclaySergeant-at Arms -Bro. Cadman WilliamsHistorian - Bro. Andre McKenzie

! Chaplain - Bro. Joseph Grant Chapter Dean - Bro. Lucien Allen Dir. of Education - Bro. Ibrahim Traore Assoc. Editor to the Sphinx -Bro. Runako Gulstone Parliamentarian - Bro. Steven Palmer

Brooklyn - Long Island Alphas


3 Letter from the Editor GIL’s new Associate Editor to the Sphinx

ContentsGOODWILL: INFORMATION FOR LEADERS ! AUTUMN 2011 VOLUME III NO. 1

7 Achievements Extraordinary Men doing even more extraordinary things

6 Events Socials, Service, and Brotherhood - Save the Dates!

4, 5 Brotherhood The 2011 General Convention through the eyes of a Neophyte

Are you your Brother’s Keeper?

8, 9 News and Notes In Gratitude, In Remembrance, Birthdays & Anniversaries

10, 11 Seen on the Scene GIL At Events


“How Good and Pleasant It Is”Fraternal Greetings Brothers!

My name is Runako Gulstone (ΓΙΛ ’10) and I will be serving you as this year’s Associate Editor to the Sphinx. As I continue to develop relationships with brothers, I am consistently in awe at how much good work we do, how much talent we possess, and how much enthusiasm we have for the work of Alpha and the joy of our brotherly bond.

My aim is to represent these aspects of our chapter personality not only for our benefit, but for brothers near and far as well as our families, friends, and supporters. Let us bind together and show them a little bit of why we have that gleam in our eye when we talk of our beloved Fraternity!

Goodwi#: Information for Leaders (GIL) is now in its third volume and I wou ld be remis s i f I d id not acknowledge the vision and tenacity of Bros. Ernie Jolly & Robert Massey, for taking the initiative to create the past editions of the Chapter newsletter. With their support and the enthusiasm of the brotherhood, I will continue to build on the foundation that was laid for me.

One of the ways I intend to do that i s to ut i l i ze techno logy to our advantage and be sure to disseminate Goodwi# online among our brothers, family, friends, and supporters by direct outreach, hosting editions on the website, al lowing people to give feedback, and to advertise using social media.

Our chapter newsletter can only be as good as our deeds. I look forward to hearing from you all throughout the year as you submit your achievements, events, photographs, and kind words of encouragement.

Fraterna#y Yours,

Runako A. GulstoneBro. Runako GulstoneAssociate Editor to the Sphinx

FROM THE LIPS OF A JEWEL

“We must put service before self and put aside all petty differences and undertake to meet the needs of our race according to the demands of the times.”-Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, 1956

GOODWILL: INFORMATION FOR LEADERS ! AUTUMN 2011 VOLUME III NO. 1

Letter from the Editor

Brother Profile

Bro. Runako Gulstone is the Associate Editor to the

Sphinx for the 2011-2012 Fraternal Year.

He is a proud graduate of Howard University, career

education professional, writer and public speaker.


“Through the Eyes of a Neophyte”! On June 23rd 2011 I embarked on a journey to the 91st General Convention of our dear Fraternity in Chicago, Illinois. Since my days as an undergraduate student in Buffalo, NY, going to a convention was something I dreamed about. I was excited, anxious, nervous and happy all at the same time. Before I even boarded my flight I began to experience what it meant to be a part of this great brotherhood. I met eight brothers while at JFK airport and when my plane landed in Chicago the festivities began right away!

I saw members of Alpha Phi Alpha everywhere I turned. I took the train into the city where I waited for our chapter Vice President, Christopher Burks. As I waited for Chris to arrive in the city, many brothers approached and challenged me. I have never gripped so many people in one day! After meeting with Chris, we went on what I think of as my first real exposure to Alpha Phi Alpha at large. Bro. Burks introduced me to so many people, each of whom jokingly referred to me as “Baby Neo”. From then, I made sure to attend everything, from the early business sessions to the late night parties. I even brought my history book and got it signed by some of the past general presidents. Bro. Burks said I transformed from a “Baby Neo” to a “Super Neo”.

My most memorable day was when I met Life Member 21. He spoke to me with such poise and humility and welcomed me to my first convention. Nothing was more inspiring than when he asked me to make him a promise. When he said those words, I was thought, “Man! I just became a member! What promise could I possibly make you?” I think he read this feeling all over my face because he stated, “Young brother, no need to be worried. I want you to promise that you will never miss a General Convention.” I looked at him and shook my head “yes”, but to seal the deal he gave me the grip. As I walked away I thought of the promise I

just made to life member 21 and knew this was a promise I could never break.

I later had an opportunity to speak with Bros. Tim Reid, Ronald Smith and Martin Luther King Jr III, all men who I have always looked up to.

Going to the Convention was inspiring and motivating but most enjoyable of all was having the opportunity to meet brothers from all over the world.


Brotherhood

Brother Profile

Bro. Ibrahim Traore is the Director of Education for the 2011-2012 Fraternal Year.

Ibrahim is a graduate of Buffalo State Co#ege, and serves at Program Director at

Harlem Children’s Zone.


“Are You Your Brother’s Keeper?”! On July 23rd 2010 at the 90th General Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. our Fraternity's newest national program was born: The A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper Program. Our General President, Bro. Herman "Skip" Mason, took things a step further and mandated that all intake proceedings must feature a Brother's Keeper Program as a means of introducing our aspiring members to what the Fraternity is about. Soon after this program was styled as "how we [Alpha Men] operationalize love for all mankind.”

We, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alphas of Gamma Iota Lambda are getting the ball rolling. This past spring, veteran brothers from our chapter and our Spring 2011 initiates worked with other New York City Alphas and aspirants at an Alpha sponsored seniors’ home. At the close of our past fraternal year, the chapter organized to support one of our own Brother's in need. To move forward, in '11-'12 we've instituted a Brother's Keeper Committee to better serve Alpha Brothers/Alpha Wives in the Brooklyn-Long Island area.

Our program goals are to:

Assist, Provide, and Ensure in the following seven areas of concern:1. Assist in maintaining living environments that are compatible with program participants’ levels of functioning2. Assist with property maintenance3. Assist with health care decision making4. Provide companionship5. Provide legal services6. Provide transportation7. Ensure adequate supplies of food, water, shelter,

and clothing, with special emphasis on disaster management and recovery

Our criteria for inclusion include a brother and/or his spouse who are age 60 or older, retired, and/or having a chronic health problem and insufficient resources (e.g., money, family, social support system) to meet basic needs. One of these criteria must be met, and the offer of service must be accepted.

Now with these ground rules being set, we need your help! The Brother's Keeper Committee is ready and willing to serve, but we need YOU to keep us informed of how we can serve. Senior Brothers, in need of a hand with home repairs, shoveling after a bad snow-storm, etc. should contact me. The same applies to Alpha Wives, particularly widows of Brothers in Omega chapter. Brothers, please be ready to respond to calls should any of our Senior Brothers need our help. Remember that it was these brothers who have served and continue to serve as examples of what it means to be an Alpha Man while we were still "searching for the light!"


Brotherhood

Brother Profile

Bro. Pedro Vega is the Brother’s Keeper Committee Chair for the 2011-2012

Fraternal Year. Pedro is a graduate of Brooklyn Co#ege and

is a Social Security Insurance Specialist.



EventsSeptemberBlack & Old Gold Worship Service Sunday, September 18, 2011Union Baptist Church - Hempstead, Long Island 11am“Brotherhood Smoke” Friday, September 23, 2011Brooklyn Cigar Lounge (Tentative) 8pm

OctoberChapter Meeting Saturday, October 8, 2011Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza 2pmCommunity Service/Mentoring Saturday, October 15, 2011Details ForthcomingDiabetes Walk -North Manhattan Chapter ΔΣΘ Sunday, October 23, 2011Central Park“Brotherhood Smoke” Friday, October 28, 2011Details Forthcoming

NovemberNYACOA Convention!! ! ! ! ! ! ! Saturday, November 5 - 7, 2011City Co#ege (Harlem) Chapter Meeting ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Saturday, November 12, 2011Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration PlazaVolunteering (Soup Kitchen)! ! ! ! ! ! ! Thursday, November 24, 2011Details Forthcoming

December“Brotherhood Smoke”! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Friday, December 2, 2011Details ForthcomingFounders’ Day! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Sunday, December 4, 2011Details ForthcomingChapter Meeting! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Saturday, December 10, 2011Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration PlazaHoliday Mixer & Toy Drive! ! ! ! ! ! ! Friday, December 16, 2011Details Forthcoming


AchievementsGOODWILL: INFORMATION FOR LEADERS ! AUTUMN 2011 VOLUME III NO. 1

The Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has many talented and successful brothers who are always pushing the boundaries of Knowledge and Achievement. This page is a small selection of the innumerable achievements made before the printing of this issue.

For future submissions, please submit your achievements to [email protected] for inclusion in the Goodwi#.

Bro. Michael Cook (ΓΙΛ ’10) is now a Vice President at a global real estate investment firm.

Bro. James Salnave (ΓΙΛ President) is now a Ph.D candidate at St. John’s University.

Bro. Robert Brissett (ΓΙΛ ’07) has launched Edu Status, a holistic student information management platform for students in the U.S. and Europe. The product is expected to launch in March 2012.

Bro. Brissett has also launched Brissett & Associates. It is now certified as a minority small business within New York City and the Federal government.

Bro. John Lewis (ΓΙΛ ’10) and his wife will be expecting their first child this September.

Bro. Ernie Jolly (A ’08) will begin his first semester in Law School at American University.

Bro. Romero Chambers (ΓΙΛ ’08) has successfully passed 2 out of the 7 required exams to become a Registered Architect in New York State. He will be taking 3 more in September.

Bro. Amadou Bah (BH ’92) has become a licensed professional engineer in New York and Illinois. He has also received his Project Management Professional certification.

Bro. Andre McKenzie (HT ’76) is a contributing author to a new book about the fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha: A Legacy of Greatness, The Demands of Transcendence. It will be released in January 2012. Bro. McKenzie's chapter examines our 32 Past General Presidents and the role each played in helping to shape the Alpha identity. Pre-orders for the book are now being taken through Amazon.com.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



NEWS AND NOTES

In Gratitude, In Remembrance, Birthdays & Anniversaries

In Gratitude(This letter was intended to be printed in the Spring 2011 Issue of the Goodwill)

Thank you, my brothers! I was humbled to be chosen as one of the featured brothers in our official newsletter. Kudos to our talented Editor, Bro. Robert Massey; it was first class.

My years with Gamma Iota Lambda and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have been filled with memorable experiences, accomplishments and camaraderie. I feel very fortunate to have worked with my mentor, Bro. Hobart Jarrett and other Omega Chapter Brothers, such as Bro. Major John P. Rice Jr. Bro Jesse Ziegler, my sponsor and Bro. Leon DeKalb, whose home is where I crossed the burning sands.

I would be remiss if I did not mention my pride for GIL’s current young brothers. You continually inspire me. I am particularly proud of those brothers whom I have sponsored. It is important to be mindful of who you allow into the brotherhood because they will be a reflection of it. Bro. President Emanuel Scott, Bro. Robert Umphlett, who served as chapter treasurer for many years, Bro. Sean Woodroffe, past president, Bro. Mills Long, immediate past chair of our scholarship committee and Bro. Linwood Winslow, our secretary. All represent the fine values and intellect that personify an Alpha man. What an honor to be featured in the same issue as our Alpha Man of Merit, Bro. Clarence Little. Bro. Little has held the Light of Alpha high for many years; a better man could not have been granted this award.

Brothers, you have my sincere gratitude. May our Heavenly Father forever bless and keep GIL brothers and all of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Please continue to keep the Light of Alpha held high.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Your humble servant,! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Bro. John M. Williams! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Life Member 5551

Bro. Floyd Mitchell would like to thank Bro. Robert Brissett for his tireless assistance in moving to his new home.

Bro. Gulstone would like to thank all the brothers who offered submissions to make Goodwi# a success and Bros. R.J. Allen and Reynoir Lewis for their contributions to the Social Media & Communications Committee.



NEWS AND NOTES

Birthdays & AnniversariesBro. John M. Williams will be celebrating his 82nd Birthday on October 3

Bro. Kareem O’Neill will be celebrating his 21st birthday on October 9th

Bro. Runako Gulstone will be celebrating his birthday on October 17.

5 Year Anniversary for FALL 2006 - November 4, 2011 1. James A. Dunn

2. Ray Gittens

3. Floyd Mitchell

Bro. Larry Bannister will be celebrating his birthday on November 6.

Bro. David Barthelemy will be celebrating his birthday on November 6.


Seen on the Scene GOODWILL: INFORMATION FOR LEADERS ! AUTUMN 2011 VOLUME III NO. 1

Bros. Little and Williams at Constitution Hall before the premiere of MLK: A Monumental Life.

Bro. Ibrahim Traore serving as a Delegate in the 2011 General Convention meeting Bro. Martin Luther King III

Bro. Traore meeting Bro. Roland Martin, political analyst for CNN, TVOne, and the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Brothers celebrate at the 2011 Scholarship Gala


Seen on the Scene GOODWILL: INFORMATION FOR LEADERS ! AUTUMN 2011 VOLUME III NO. 1

Bros. Carter-Sinclair and Vega gather to celebrate at the housewarming of Bro. John Lewis.

Bros. Oso and Brathwaite sharing a joke at the annual Skee-Phi picnic in Fort Greene Park.

GIL gathers to welcome the Spring 2011 initiates: (From L-R)

1. Bro. David Barthelemy 2.Bro. Danny Williams 3.Bro. Yemi Oso 4.Bro. Ibrahim Traore 5.Bro. Michael Cook 6.Bro. Reynoir Lewis

Photo Credit: Bro. Runako Gulstone

AΦΑ - ΓΙΛ CHAPTER NEWSLETTER!


GOODWILLAre You a Life Member?One of the ways to demonstrate your commitment to the Fraternity is to become a Life Member! Did you know that life members are only responsible for paying chapter dues and not the national tax?

Life Membership can either be paid all at once or in affordable installments over a 5 year period that you can set yourself.

GIL is one of the eldest alumni chapters in the NYC Metro Area and has one of the highest numbers of life members in it. Join the tradition!

Become a Life Member today!



GOODWILL ΓΙΛ

HOUSE OF ALPHAGOODWILL IS THE MONARCH OF THIS HOUSE,

MEN UNACQUAINTED, ENTER, SHAKE HANDS, EXCHANGE GREETINGS AND DEPART FRIENDS.

CORDIALITY EXIST AMONG ALL WHO ABIDE WITHIN. I AM THE EMINENT EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP.

CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT CHANGE UNDER MY DOMINANT POWER.

LIVES ONCE TOUCHED BY ME BECOME TUNED AND ARE THEREAFTER AMIABLE, KINDLY, FRATERNAL.

I INSPIRE THE MUSICIAN TO PLAY NOBLE SENTIMENTS AND ASSIST THE CHEMIST TO CONVERT UNGENEROUS PERSONALITIES INTO INDIVIDUALS OF GREAT WORTH.

I DESTROY IGNOBLE IMPULSES. I CONSTANTLY INVOKE PRINCIPLES WHICH MAKE FOR COMMON BROTHERHOOD AND THE ECHO RESOUNDS IN ALL COMMUNITIES AND PRINCELY MEN ARE THEREBY RECOGNIZED.

EDUCATION, HEALTH, MUSIC, ENCOURAGEMENT, SYMPATHY, LAUGHTER, ALL THESE ARE SPECIES OF INTEREST GIVEN OF SELF INVESTED CAPITAL.

TIRED MOMENTS FIND ME A DELIGHTFUL TREAT, HOURS OF SORROW, A SHRINE OF UNDERSTANDING,

AT ALL TIMES I AM FAITHFUL TO THE CREED OF COMPANIONSHIP,

TO A FEW, I AM THE CASTLE OF DREAMS, AMBITIOUS, SUCCESSFUL, HOPEFUL DREAMS.

TO MANY, I AM THE POETIC PLACE WHERE HUMAN FEELING IS RHYMED TO CELESTIAL MOTIVES;

TO THE GREAT MAJORITY, I AM THE TREASURY OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP.

IN FACT, I AM THE COLLEGE OF FRIENDSHIP; THE UNIVERSITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE; THE SCHOOL FOR THE BETTER MAKING OF MEN.

I AM

ΑΦΑ



GOODWILL

@GIL1906 for news & updates!

Brooklyn - Long Island Alphas

Goodwill: Information for Leaders - Autumn 2011

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