My Brothers, My Brothers, My Brothers,

     The month of February has surely proved to be one of the most challenging and rewarding months of my tenure as your Province Polemarch. What a rewarding CRWLC we had in Columbia, Missouri. Our host, the Delta Omega Chapter, with assistance from the Columbia Alumni Chapter, created an atmosphere filled with the joys of Kappa Alpha Psi. And with Brother Jonathan Hicks at the helm, delivering the keynote address at our luncheon, and parting with two renditions from his songbook, well let's just say I have not seen so many Kappa tear-filled eyes in my life. I have engraved forever that moment as a snapshot in my mind. The only thing missing was our Founders, but I think they were there, had to be!

     Your new Junior Province Vice Polemarch was driving the undergraduate summit bus. With his hands steady at the wheel I can assure you that his transition was flawless. Our undergraduates left their Summit energized and poised for Kappa business. I'm looking forward to seeing them at our upcoming Province Council Meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska on March 27-30th.

     While I'm on the subject of the Province Council Meeting, the brothers of both the Lincoln Alumni and Eta Chapters are prepared for our visit. Earlier this month I visited with both chapters at our host hotel to finalize our meeting planning. They are hard at work preparing the city of Lincoln for your visit and the hotel belongs to us that weekend. We have an added feature this meeting, the Hotel is providing it's lower level nightclub for our entire stay for hospitality. Club Kappa, a fully stocked lounge with stage for live performances belongs to us during our stay. We have yet to decide on the music entertainment to be featured during our happy hours for your relaxing pleasure after our business sessions, but stay tuned.

     After our evening social affairs on both Friday and Saturday nights, Club Kappa will entertain you into the wee hours of the morning. Have Fun, but be on your best behavior!!!

     As you may be keenly aware, we have several items of business to take care of during our business sessions. You should have received by now our proposed changes to our Province Bylaws, term limits for Alumni Board members-at-large, and reporting requirement for chapters with foundations. Your Board of Directors has soundly approved both and we will anticipate your approval during the Council Meeting.

     You are also aware that this is a Grand Chapter Meeting year. The City of Charlotte, North Carolina is the host and registration materials have been distributed via our Confidential Bulletin and also via our Province and Grand Chapter Web Sites. Register early, the cost of registration has gone up, it will prove to be cost effective to make sure that your chapter delegates register ASAP.

     You have been provided with chapter delegate credentials/registration forms which must be submitted at our Province Council Meeting. Be prepared, choose your delegates prior to attending the Province Council meeting.

     There are a number of proposals that may arise for action at our Grand Chapter Meeting. Two such items are coming out of our Province, (1) increasing the GPA from 2.3 to 2.5, and (2) removal of language with respect disciplinary actions that speaks to guilt or innocence. We have approved both for consideration at the Atlanta and Cleveland Conclaves, the third time is a charm.

     With respect to our upcoming elections in Charlotte, the announced candidates to date are Brother Samuel C. Hamilton for Grand Polemarch, Brother Dwayne Murray for Senior Grand Vice Polemarch, and Brothers Thomas Battles, Stanley Pritchett, and William "Randy" Bates for Alumni Board of Directors. Make no bones about it, I'm in support of them all, Let's Get Busy!!!

     In addition, as I've stated in the past during our CRWLC, we are keenly aware of the fraternity's financial condition. While much talk abounds, it is a Blame Game. THIS ONE IS NOT OUR FIGHT!!! We Will Stand DOWN...

     And speaking of fights, you all may have most recently heard about the terrible chain of events in Jefferson City, Missouri. Despite how the media is trying to portray it, the event was NOT a Kappa Alpha Psi party. Unfortunately, a group of expelled and/or suspended members of our organization formed what they called Pretty Boys, Inc., and they decided to throw a party using flyers that resemble Kappa paraphernalia to advertise the event. A fight broke out, and a Lincoln University Student was shot in the back. What a mess! Because the expelled and suspended members of the Alpha Mu chapter formed this Pretty Boys, Inc. and hosted this affair with a public perception as if it was Kappa Alpha Psi, we are again thrust into the negative limelight.

     We have been worried about something of this nature happening at Central Missouri State University. As you may recall, the Zeta Tau Chapter was suspended some time ago, but those expelled individuals formed the Z T Dynasty, a group we have been watching for sometime. And, yes, they are throwing social affairs, hosting reunions, etc. as if everything is okay. The sad part is our brothers who were initiated at these chapters from time to time travel back there and treat these individuals as brothers, allowing them to continue the fraud.

     Unfortunately the gig is up, on March 4, 2003, our Grand Board of Directors has ensured that any future liability associated with these two chapters is no more. Both chapters charters have been recalled and letters retired, free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we're free from their potential liabilities at last. And it's a sad day for our province, a note to the wise, if your chapter is ever suspended you had better do what you can to prevent anyone from creating the perception that they are still operating.

     But, out of the depths rises new life! I'm happy to announce that our Grand Board of Directors, at that meeting of March 4th, approved our newest chapter, the Independence Alumni Chapter, which will be chartered in Independence, Missouri, on March 23, 2003.

     Getting back to liability, the cost our insurance is going up. Those chapters that have paid the 2003 Insurance Premium will be required to pay the difference. For undergraduate chapters, the cost has increased from $150 per year to $250 per year, a $100 increase that is due now. For alumni chapters, the premium has been increased from $325 to $500 per year, a $175 increase that is due now. Chapters must pay these additional costs at or before our Province Council Meeting. Balance your check book and put your check in the mail to our Province Headquarters.

     Many of you have been asking about the 2005 Grand Chapter Meeting slated to be hosted in the Middle Western Province. I am happy to announce that our Grand Board of Directors has chosen the City that you approved in Colorado Springs back in 1999 - The City of St. Louis will be the site for your 2005 Grand Chapter Meeting. As you may recall, the host city of the 2005 Grand Chapter Meeting will also host our 82nd Province Council Meeting. I'm proud to announce that the Middle Western Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the Central Region of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will jointly host our Regional meetings on April 15-18, 2004, on the St. Louis riverfront at the Millennium Hotel. Both Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho have executed contracts. The Central Region of Sigma Gamma Rho consists of the following states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

     Saving the best for last, on the 22nd of February I had the pleasure of attending the Lawton-Fort Sill Pan-Hellenic Council Black Heritage Month Banquet. This year's sponsor was the Lawton-Fort Sill Alumni Chapter. The keynote address was delivered by the Fraternity's General Counsel, Brother Cleophus Thomas, and what an speech he gave. The theme for the banquet was "The Souls of Black Folk - Centennial Celebration." By the time Cleo finished, the crowd gave our Brother a standing ovation. Truly, Lawton-Fort SIll has raised the bar.

Yours in the Bond,
Adolphus M. Pruitt, II
Province Polemarch
Middle Western Province
Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com

   ATTENTION!   

TWO IMPORTANT ITEMS

The annual premium for your chapter's liability insurance policy has increased to $250 per year for undergraduate chapters and $500 for alumni chapters. This increase has been established by our insurance carrier and is effective immediately for the insurance premium that must be paid at or prior to the Province Council Meeting.

Fortunately, for many of the chapters in our province, the fee that must be paid right away is only the "difference" (increase) from the prior rate, because many of you have already paid that prior rate in advance as of October 1, 2002.

If your chapter did, in fact, pay the insurance premium in accordance with the province deadline of October 1, 2002, then your chapter only needs to pay an additional $100 for undergraduate chapters, or $175 for alumni chapters in order to be in good standing for the Province Council Meeting. However, if your chapter has not paid the insurance premium in accordance with that October 1, 2002 deadline, then your chapter must pay the full premium of $250 for undergraduate chapters, or $500 for alumni chapters.

There is also the matter of a few chapters that still owe the premium for more than one year. All such premiums must be brought up to date in order for your chapter to be fully in good standing for the Province Council Meeting. If you have questions, please address them to the Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer at KeeperOfRecords@KAPsiMWP.com or by calling 405-CD-KAPPA (235-2772).

Premium payments should be mailed to our Province Headquarters at:

DO NOT mail your premium to International Headquarters! The province must keep track of all premiums paid. YES, you may bring the payment to Lincoln at the end of this month, but the preferred method is to send it to us right away. So many things will be happening in at the Province Council Meeting, and taking care of this matter in advance will give us one less thing to do in Lincoln.

TWO: Official Credentials Listing Form

Every undergraduate and alumni chapter must submit the "Official Credentials Listing Form" to the Province Polemarch at the 81st Province Council Meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska, with payment for the voting delegate(s) listed on the form.

CLICK HERE to display and download the form as a PDF file. Print the file, complete the form, attach a check, and bring it all with you to the Council Meeting. Should you have any questions, please address them to the Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer at KeeperOfRecords@KAPsiMWP.com or by calling 405-CD-KAPPA (235-2772).

For those of you who have already asked about it, this is NOT a new requirement. This policy was established by the Grand Board of Directors more than thirteen years ago in the following policy statement:

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GB # 89-03: Delegate Registration
Policy

Chapters in good standing with the Fraternity shall register for a Grand Chapter meeting at or prior to their respective Province Councils scheduled in the same year as a Grand Chapter meeting. The chapters shall complete the official Delegate Credentials [GCDC] form and submit the form together with the applicable registration fee for at least one voting delegate to the Province Polemarch prior to the adjournment of the Province Council. The Province Polemarch shall forward the forms and checks to the Executive Director within 14 days of the adjournment of the Province Council.

A chapter may assign its voting rights to a member in good standing with the Fraternity who has registered for a Grand Chapter meeting, provided the Polemarch and the Keeper of Records listed in the Chapter Officers Report form on file prior to the start of the Province Council execute the Proxy Section of the GCDC form. Once a proxy has been assigned, the assigning chapter will be unable to cancel or modify the assignment. The member holding the proxy shall be responsible for paying the applicable chapter delegate registration fee. No proxy shall be validated by the Executive Director until the appropriate fee has been paid.

A chapter in good standing with the Fraternity that does not plan to attend a Grand Chapter meeting and chooses not to assign its voting rights must submit a GCDC form and the applicable fee to the Province Polemarch.

A chapter in good standing with the Fraternity that does not plan to attend its Province Council and has decided not to assign its voting rights, must submit a GCDC form and the applicable fee to the Province Polemarch. It must also submit the Province Council registration fee for at least one delegate at the same time that it submits the official Delegate Credentials form.

A chapter in good standing with the Fraternity that registers for a Grand Chapter meeting is not required to indicate the name(s) of its voting delegate(s) or alternate delegate(s) when completing the GCDC form. However, these names must be submitted to the Executive Director at least 60 days prior to the start of a Grand Chapter meeting. IF a chapter is represented by more than one delegate, it must include the fees for the additional voting delegate(s) before its official GCDC form will be validated by the Executive Director.

The Province Polemarch shall be responsible for forwarding delegate fees and forms to the Executive Director. He shall also advise the Executive Director of all chapters that did not register for the Province Council and the Grand Chapter meeting. These chapters will be deemed inactive and unable to function as bona fide chapters until the applicable fees are paid.

Undergraduate chapters submitting Grand Chapter delegate registration fees shall make their money orders payable to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Alumni chapters shall make their checks payable to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Any checks returned shall subject the chapter to the provisions of GB #87-06 [Dishonored checks].

Rationale
The Policy sets forth a systematic approach to register voting delegates for a Grand Chapter meeting. Conducting the process at [or prior to] a Province Council enables the Province Polemarch to assume an active role in the process and increases the probability of a higher number of registered voting delegates. The Policy provides the Executive Director sufficient time to certify the voting delegate credentials. The early registration will also eliminate on site registration of voting delegates and the related validation difficulties, and allow the International Headquarters staff to address the needs of non voting delegates. The Policy should not impose an economic hardship on any chapter since it is only required to submit the registration fee for a single delegate with the submission of the GCDC form.

Effective Date: 1 Jan 1990

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WE HAVE IT!!!

You've seen it! You've wanted it! You've asked for it! WE HAVE IT! The OFFICIAL 75th Grand Chapter Souvenir!

Members who were fortunate enough to attend the last Grand Chapter Meeting in Cleveland received what has been cited as "THE BEST" souvenir ever offered by our fraternity. None were available for sale at that meeting, nor have they been offered since then. The supply was supposedly exhausted. BUT, we found more, and purchased ALL of them.

These cases are GUARANTEED to be the ORIGINAL and OFFICIAL issue. They are all BRAND NEW in unopened boxes. And, we have the LAST and ONLY cases available ANYWHERE! We are your SOLE SOURCE and the supply is limited. First come, first served!

The multi-functional case offers:

• Four zippered compartments accessible from the exterior
• One zippered interior compartment
• 20 interior sections and slots of varying sizes
• Cushioned compartment with velcro stabilizer for laptop computer
• Two fully-stitched, cushioned handles
• Detachable shoulder strap
• Heavy-duty wheels for mobile use
• Full-length, collapsible, "secret" handle in zippered compartment
• Heat-embossed Coat-of-Arms
• Deep crimson, washable exterior
• It's a briefcase, travel case, computer case, you name it
• GUARANTEED ORIGINAL, OFFICIAL and NEW!

Mine has served me well. In normal, everyday use for more than a year, I have sometimes carried more than 35 pounds of cargo in it. Other than normal wear on the rolling surface of the sturdy wheels, an occasional damp cloth has kept the case looking just like new. You'll get many years of enjoyment with this case, and display your fraternity pride by carrying it.

The cost is only $95 with FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the continental United States. Get yours today. Send your personal check or money order to:

Middle Western Province Headquarters
636 N.E. 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

OR . . . you may use your Visa or Mastercard by contacting us at Emporium@KAPsiMWP.com. Order today while supplies last.

We have a limited number of souvenirs from the 79th Province Council Meeting that are now available for sale. The carry bags may be purchased for $25 each, plus $6 for postage and handling. Orders via e-mail may be sent to our Province Keeper of Records & Exchequer, or by postal delivery to our Province Headquarters at 636 N.E. 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

The Middlewesterner is a publication of the Middle Western Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All submissions welcome. Opinions expressed are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at any administrative level. This publication is produced and funded by the Middle Western Province. It is independent and in no way connected with or funded by any other administrative level of the Fraternity. Adolphus M. Pruitt, II ~ Province Polemarch ~ Polemarch@KAPsiMWP.com Freddie D. Frazier, III ~ Province Reporter ~ Reporter@KAPsiMWP.com Submissions to Kappa Alpha Psi, 636 N.E. 36th St., OKC, OK 73105 or Send E-Mail

E-Mail Addresses
   The technology of the Internet has become more than a luxury in the year 2003. 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!