Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
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My Final Letter To Chapters As Your International President...   

June 1, 2009
My Brothers,
 
It has been my distinct privilege to serve you as President over the past four years. It has been a period of tremendous excitement, change and anticipation within our Fraternity, around the nation and the world. I look forward to greet you in New Orleans, a City which has endured and shown our resilience as a people and a nation - my hometown.

In New Orleans, we can celebrate our achievements over the last two Conclave periods. We will showcase our commitment to our communities as concerned college men through strides made in our signature programs, and a Brotherhood who represent the best in leadership and talent in America.  Please make sure your Chapter is there, represented, ready to contribute, to help chart the course for the future and enjoy the best in Brotherhood and opportunity for service.
 
Please adhere to the time lines and the reporting requirements contained in this Chapter mailing provided by our Executive Director. We want to recognize and share the best practices demonstrated in your performance at the chapter and regional levels in the implementation of programs, scholastic achievement, Sigma Beta Club development, chapter advisorship, membership growth and leadership development.
 
During my years of service as President, with the help of an outstanding team of committed Brothers, we have been determined to bring forth, in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation, the essence of what we stand for as an organization of learned men: "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity". We have done so with the full knowledge and conviction that working together, with all Brothers pulling in the same direction, we could and would make it happen. We did so with the promise of what could be achieved through The Power of ONE: Sigma United for Next Level Service. This was our theme on which we embarked. We set forth a platform of seven planks which I revisited at each Regional Conference this Spring, and will recapitulate in New Orleans.
 
These planks, which were the focus of my administration, are: (1) Developing and Implementing a Strategic Plan; (2) Assessing and Improving our Infrastructure; (3) Introducing a Reinvigorated Plan for Chapter Development with emphasis on Standards, Assessment, Reporting and Recognition; (4) An Enhanced program of External Relations, including our Program Partners and stakeholders; (5) Increased Visibility and Exposure; (6) Optimization of Technology in Operations and Communication; and (7) Focused Financial Resource Development.  We are pleased to report that we successfully achieved all seven initiatives with the involvement of a cross section of Brothers throughout the Fraternity, collegiate and alumni, from all Regions. We sought to bring together Brothers across business, professional and governmental lines who donated time and energies in planning and execution. Elected and supporting officers and volunteers, working together, made it happen.
 
We can proudly report, merely as a few examples (not a complete list), the following accomplishments:
 
  • A Strategic Plan approved by the General Board and Conclave Charlotte;
  • Signature Sigma Wellness Program and PIA (implementation)Reporting established;
  • Partnership Programs with the March of Dimes and American Cancer Society have been strengthened with annually increasing support; a program with Boy Scouts of America was established with opportunities for leadership training and shared resources;
  • An excellent new program in partnership with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) was introduced that would allow our collegiate Brothers to achieve coveted paid internships in Finance with Wall Street firms, in Accounting and Corporate Law; and
  • A new partnership with the Internal Revenue Service in tax preparation and job opportunities was introduced;
  • The first Federal contract was approved with the Fraternity being the recipient of a $500,000 grant over 5 years from the Center For Disease Control (CDC);
  • The Fraternity's Health Initiatives have been prominently aired on the media including the Tom Joyner  radio show;
  • The Fraternity has committed $85,000 to Habitat For Humanity to build a house by the Brothers in New Orleans during Conclave New Orleans;
  • The Fraternity will build a wall around a Health Clinic in Nigeria;
  • Chapter Reporting Standards, Forms, Awards and Deadlines established; 
  • Sigma Leadership Academy created and Faculty established;
  • Alain Leroy Locke Scholar Honors Chapter approved for adoption by Conclave Orleans;
  • Collegiate Representation on the General Board increased by two;
  • Headquarters Operations efficiency upgraded: New Computers and Phone System; RFP completed for Membership Management system; Staff was increased from 4 to 9;
  • Online Conclave Registration established;
  • Revised Sigma Light published; History Book reprinted; National Historian appointed and Headquarters records preservation accomplished
  • Membership has consistently increased each year, including non-Conclave years, and now stands at an all-time high;
  • Four  Crescent magazines have been published, and our most recent a special Conclave edition "From Charlotte to New Orleans";
  • International Website was twice upgraded; Secured Constant Contact Email direct delivery to individual members regarding national officer, program and administration communications ;
  • The Sigma Exchange has been restructured with increased on-line services;
  • Headquarters Mortgage completely paid off; Headquarters Real Estate and Office Space needs assessed (plan to explore renovation or sale options reported to Conclave Charlotte); sale option approved by the General Board after full report to the Board;
  • Unencumbered assets and cash in the bank have significantly increased through prudent management by our financial officers over the past two Conclave periods; We are debt-free;
  • The Fraternity has for the first time utilized over the last three years a professional site selection international firm, Helms-Briscoe, in the selection of its hotel conference and meeting space needs for Conclaves, Sigma Leadership Academy seminars, etc, and hotel sites for the next three Conclaves and Centennial Celebration 2014 have been secured;
  • The Centennial Celebration 2014 has been organized under the leadership of the Centennial Co-Chairmen, Past International Presidents Peter M. Adams, Esq., William E. Stanley, Jr. and Carter D. Womack, and Committees drawn from across the nation; and
  • A cooperative effort with the A. Philip Randolph Institute was begun to establish a statue in Washington, DC of Brother A. Philip Randolph to be unveiled at the Centennial.
 
Special thanks are extended to our General Board. The involvement of our collegiate representation on the General Board has been outstanding. Bro. Steven Kniffley, Second Vice President should be commended for his commitment to academic excellence and his collegiate newsletter that encouraged academic rigor and achievement. Also, our First Vice President Jimmy Hammock who was a member of the General Board, first as a Regional Director, then as the International Treasurer at an important juncture when the fiscal stability and integrity of the Fraternity required reassurance .  Bro. Hammock returned confidence to the office of Treasurer and through his stewardship allowed us to achieve the position of strong financial standing that we presently enjoy. Bro. Hammock has also in his membership program worked cooperatively with Bro. Kniffley, the Regional Directors and Headquarters in providing a strong membership plan that has gained traction and allowed continuous growth. He has been a valuable resource and support as Vice President.
 
Enough cannot be said regarding the work of our program officers, and the special effort headed by Bro. John White, Director of Social Action, who has provided additional work in the area of Program Reporting, Chapter Standards and Awards. Bro. William Powell, Director of Education continues to bring grant opportunities and inspires our collegiates through his example in the sciences. Bro. Winston O'Neal introduced the new partnership with the IRS. A Special commendation is provided to Dr. Bennie Harris who has taken on the leadership of the Sigma Academy. Our Regional Directors have convened at my request in planned retreats, in serious efforts to work together to make a difference in servicing and supporting all chapters, sharing proven practices.  General Counsel, Bro. John Turner continues to provide good advice and guidance to the President and the Board.
 
In closing, I am grateful for the spirit of shared purpose and positive attitude that has in general characterized the work of the national leadership team. This has allowed us to achieve the degree of success that we can report. Bro. Ian Heisser, Director of Technology has enabled us to report and showcase accomplishments. The effort of Executive Director, Bro. Marco McMillian, continues to enhance headquarters operations and membership service delivery. I extend great appreciation.
 
We have a great Fraternity, with tremendous possibilities when we work together, focus on the positive and appeal to the best in each other. We excel among the rest when we demonstrate The Power of ONE: United for Next level Service.  This is our continued challenge, to which I pledge to devote my continuing efforts. We could have accomplished nothing without the support, cooperation and Brotherly encouragement by each of you across the land. Thank you for all you do for Sigma. I look forward to seeing you in the Crescent City, where revelry has its place, and where the spirit of Sigma can be recharged to do great things for all the communities that you call home. God bless you and God bless Phi Beta Sigma!
Bro. Paul L. Griffin 
 
Fraternally,
Paul
Paul L. Griffin, Jr.
International President