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| Adolphus M. Pruitt, II - Province Polemarch |
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Freddie D. Frazier, III - Province Reporter
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Message from the Province Polemarch
My Brothers,
First, let me congratulate the Kansas City Alumni Chapter for a job well done in hosting the 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting. As you may have heard by now, the final count for attendance was 282 registered delegates, a new record for our Province. Also, we initiated 90 new members into the Bond, another new record for our Province. I want to thank all of you for your continued support. As we predicted three years ago, and as history and our numbers prove - I declare the Middle Western Province is fixed. Following are highlights from my State of the Province Message -
The Oklahoma State University Chapter, The Zeta Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi was the focus of my Friday afternoon. Stillwater Oklahoma (the place where Oklahoma began) is a sight to see as you come over the horizon. There's a whole town out there with a sprawling campus to boot. As I arrived on campus I stopped at the student center on the way to Brother T. Sterling Wetzel's office. Now Here This, they do truly have the Largest Student Union in the country, I nicknamed it Oklahoma's largest mall!!! Brother Wetzel teamed up with Ival Gregory (the university's manager of Greek life) and made one of the most profound pitches for reestablishing an undergraduate chapter on a campus as any I ever witnessed. Our meeting began at 11 a.m. and the presentations didn't end until 4:30 p.m. - I know that campus like the back of my hand. Based on those meetings, and a very strong presentation from a group of interested young men, it's a given, Zeta Theta - WELCOME BACK TO KAPPA!!! Brother Wetzel, our Grand Board of Directors at it's May 2002 meeting in St. Louis approved my recommendation for the reestablishment of the Oklahoma State University Chapter - The Zeta Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. congratulations on a job well done!!!
It's Saturday morning and I'm headed to Muskogee Oklahoma to meet with Muskogee Alumni Chapter. The Polemarch had provided me with what I thought were excellent directions, but once I arrived at the destination I assumed he had given me bad information. The directions he had provided put me in the driveway of what I respectfully call the White House. When you pull up to a mansion with gates open, sitting on a golf course equivalent to Pebble Beach, you expect to see Tiger Woods or George Bush. I was truly blessed, the person that greeted me at the front door was Brother Vernell A. Redo, the man of the house and a member of Muskogee Alumni. There are some non-African-Americans turning over in their grave about this. Back to business, it was most refreshing to spend Saturday afternoon attending the chapter meeting of Muskogee Alumni. We touched on many issues that are critical to Kappa, and it was an extremely productive afternoon. The brothers focused on numerous insights with respect to our fraternity, and a discussion any member could appreciate. By the way - our 83rd Province Council Meeting is scheduled for 2005 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and they are preparing for our visit as we speak.
I was profoundly surprised at the degree the chapter members continue the struggle within the Muskogee community with respect to racial issues. The Chapter Polemarch, Brother Cedric Johnson, has become quite an advocate on the local racial issues and so have many of the members of the chapter. Muskogee Alumni Keep the Faith!!!
I probably gained twenty pounds after the meeting, Brother Bo Springs provided the repast and you would have thought it was the last supper. Tiger Woods - I mean, Brother Redo - thanks for hosting the meeting, and to all the members of Muskogee Alumni, thank you for the hospitality, thank you for your continued support, and most of all thank you all for your collective efforts in your community.
Yours in the Bond,
History KornerBy Berry H. Pitts, III - Province Historian
Allow me to share with you a letter I received, which was written during a different era and different time. I feel however, that the spirit of this letter is still applicable today and illustrates the meaning of Fraternity and the true meaning of the Bond in Kappa Alpha Psi. I believe the Bond is not about how many women one can pull, nor how many adult beverages one can drink, nor how high one can step, or even how much wood one can take. I believe the Bond is about looking out for and assisting your fellow brother. Among other things, this may cause you to put him up in your home or apartment for a short period of time, to feed him, to introduce him around the community or neighborhood. To support his business even if his prices are slightly higher than "Mr. Charlie", to inform him of business and employment opportunities you may be aware of, to counsel him and help him spiritually - this is just a small sample of what the Bond means to me. First allow me to thank Brother William H. Coker, II, Chapter Historian of the Denver Alumni chapter for providing this letter (below). This letter was written December 11, 1949 to Brother Rufus S. Stout, Polemarch of the Louisville, Kentucky Alumni Chapter and it is from Brother Harry A. Davis, Keeper of Records Beta Theta Chapter, Denver, Colorado. The letter reads as follows: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear Brother Stout: On December 19, the Denver University Basketball Team will arrive at Louisville to play the University of Louisville. Among the members of the team is Masceo Broadnax, a pledge to Beta Theta Chapter. The team is scheduled to stay at the Kentucky Hotel, but as you no doubt know, Broadnax will be unable to stay there. I am writing you to ask if you will find housing for Broadnax during his brief stay in Louisville. The coach would prefer that Broadnax stay in a private home. I have given Broadnax your address and asked him to wire you concerning the exact time of arrival. The team is flying in from New York after a game there. I trust that you will be able to make some satisfactory arrangement. If you are planning to attend the Grand Chapter meeting in Nashville, I will look forward to talking with you there as I am attending as a delegate from Beta Theta Chapter.
Yours in the Bond, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My brothers, as you have already surmised, the reason why Brother Broadnax could not stay at the Kentucky Hotel is because he was African-American and this event occurred during segregation. I joined this fraternity for many reasons - brotherhood being one, however I wonder out loud is it me, brothers, or have we lost the true meaning of Fraternity and the Bond. I believe that in this new millennium we should get back to our basic premise and that is "achievement in every field of human endeavor" and first start by respecting our follow brothers for their achievements and supporting them.
Yours in the Bond,
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Message from the Junior Province Vice Polemarch
My Brothers:
On April 18, 2002, I began a new journey in my life of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. I had the pleasure and privilege of initiating the largest group of new initiates in the history of the Middle Western Province. This was a great task to complete and not only was in completed, but completed in a record breaking time of two hours. Upon completion of this event, several more great things occurred while I was at the 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.
I received great hospitality from the members of both the Kansas City Alumni and the Nu Epsilon Chapter. I would like to thank you for your time in planning this event. I was able to learn a lot more about fraternity as a complete diamond held before me. The business sessions were very informative and a lot of business was completed. The information that was shared during these business sessions gave the members of the MIddle Western Province a chance to enlighten themselves on a lot of issues that they may have been unfamiliar with prior to their arrival at the Province Council meeting. Brothers, I think we made a great impression on the new initiates at the business sessions.
I also had an opportunity to share a Grand conversation with the 29th International Grand Polemarch, Brother Howard L. Tutman, who sat next to me at the undergraduate luncheon prior to my eye-opening speech on Tradition. Brothers, I hope everyone who was there took a piece of my speech home with them because we do from time to time forget what TRADITION really means in this fraternity.
I would also like to speak on the social affairs during the 80th Province Council meeting. I had a chance to meet and greet a lot of brothers from all over the Middle Western Province and it was a pleasure. We as brothers in this particular province can always seem to make the smallest things larger because we here in the Middle Western Province truly understand the true meaning of a social fraternity. Brothers from the Alumni and Undergraduate Chapters both socialized together during the Old School Jam and the Stroll 2002. The highlight of my night was when I turned around to see none other than my great Brother Charles W. Morgan III at the Stroll Off 2002. That's when I knew the MIddle Western Province had accomplished something special when I saw Brother Morgan enjoying himself at an Undergraduate dance.
Last, I want to thank our Province Polemarch for setting me straight during our Province Council meeting in Kansas City. I always wondered why he was so hard on me and why he expected a lot from me as it relates to this fraternity. I never could understand that until I saw exactly what was before me in running a Province Council meeting on my own. I can truly say I love this brother for his confidence in me to make things happen in this Province as well as trusting my judgment in a lot of issues that concern our Province. I have learned a lot from our Province Polemarch and I am not finished yet, considering I received one more term at Junior Province Vice Polemarch.
In conclusion, I would like to say this was one of the best Province Council meetings that I have attended and I look forward to visiting the rest of the undergraduate and alumni chapters in our Province. The states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Colorado get ready for your Junior Province Vice Polemarch because I am coming to your state soon. My goal is to visit every undergraduate chapter in our Province and enjoy the pleasure of passing through the Alumni Chapters on the way.
Yours in the Bond,
80th Province Council Meeting - Record Setting! The 80th Middle Western Province Council Meeting was held April 18-21, 2002, in Kansas City, Missouri. 169 alumni members and 113 undergraduate members were in attendance, for a total registration count of 282 members, a new record. Also, a new record of 90 members were initiated during the Council Meeting, comprised of 18 alumni and 72 undergraduates.
St. Louis Alumni Hosts Grand Board of Directors Meeting The Grand Board of Directors met in St. Louis on May 17th and 18th, hosted by the St. Louis Alumni Chapter. The weekend of activities included meetings of the Board at the St. Louis Alumni Chapter Kappa House, and they were hosted by the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter on the Casino Queen riverboat.
Jefferson City Alumni Chapter's Black and White Ball The Jefferson City Alumni Chapter sponsored its annual Black and White Ball on June 1st. Among the guests in attendance were the Province Polemarch and Mrs. Pruitt.
Alumni Chapter Officer Reports - DUE NOW!!! In accordance with the National Constitution and Statutes, every alumni chapter held its annual election of officers during its regular meeting in May, and will induct those officers as the last order of business during its regular meeting in June. The Alumni Chapter Officer Report must be submitted to the Executive Director at International Headquarters via mail or fax not later than June 30th. That document may be found on the Forms page of our website. A copy of that report must also be submitted to the Province Polemarch and the Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer and may be accomplished by mailing just one report to our Province Headquarters at:
636 N.E. 36th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Visit the Middle Western Province EMPORIUM Our province EMPORIUM offers quality Kappa paraphernalia that may be ordered via e-mail. Shipping is FREE in the continental U.S. for most items, with prompt delivery assured. Shop for yourself or purchase gifts for others.
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79th Province Council Souvenirs
E-Mail Addresses
The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2002. Business and personal communication is now "defined" by an E-mail address and connection to the World Wide Web. Our province is clearly committed to the maximum use of this medium, and we can only be successful with your help. Should you change your E-mail address, please remember to notify us as soon as possible. And please help us identify every other member of our province who may have access to this technology. Spread the word!
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25 Year Membership Pin
Pictured above, the pin is circular in design, slightly smaller than a quarter, and cast in a silver color. It is wrapped in a laurel wreath, emblazoned with the number "25" in the center with a small nugget below the number, and the words "Middle Western Province" around the bottom with "Kappa Alpha Psi" around the top on a crimson band. There is a dwindling supply at a cost of $25 each. Contact our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer to purchase your pin today. Don't miss this one! Order now - While Supplies Last!
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