The positive and/or negative foundation of who we become is laid in our lives generally speaking when we are young and oftentimes it becomes to late once we become older and set in our ways. I am not naïve to believe that under/over age of 40 party or like events the same way but there must be some events that can cross all age demographics as the under 40 is our future leaders and if we can’t get them engaged early then they likely won’t be engaged when they become over 40. I respect everyone's opinions in that they can't be discounted but believe that through this forum that we value the differences of thought but also determine how to incorporate how we become more inclusive in that all Brothers whether over or under 40 can be on one accord as were our Founders!Īs it relates to promotional or Founders Day events, we should and must determine ways that when events are planned that we cater to ALL Brothers regardless of age are welcomed to participate in events that caters to all demographic as we are all Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi. Only in America are we free to have open and honest discussions and I love that all of the missives of each and every brother thus far has been thoughtful, respectful and promote vast viewpoints. We should instead affirm good spirit and brotherhood through inclusion. Creating a rule, banning or discouraging the use of J5 seems punitive. Additionally, we should, as a fraternity, encourage the affirmative. With that said, I think all formal communication from chapters, provinces and our national governance structure should use FOUNDER'S DAY not J5. We need to reconnect the 80% of our membership who decided (both undergraduate and alumni) to remain inactive (not financial, sustaining or affiliated with a chapter) after only 2-3 years in the bond. Let's focus Founder's Day on our foundation of brotherhood and continue to try to bring our fraternity together nationally. Remember, our fraternity was foundered on the basis of brotherhood - not community service, not joint organizations and not politics but BROTHERHOOD. To ban a phrase is petty! Let's focus on the big picture: getting brothers to attend the national Founder's Day not having chapters host conflicting events during this time and having the events focus on brotherhood. Founder's Day should be a time of reclamation, rededication and fraternal rejuvenation. I think the protocol around Founder's Day being for Brothers to recommit to the founding of the fraternity and to focus on our revered founders is much more important than the "J5" tag line. Let us not forget the hard work and sacrifice by them to create what we have today. The Founders have at the very least earned the respect from us that we will do right by them at every turn. There should be some pride and respect in honoring this century-old organization. Whether typing a Founders Day salutation or speaking it being lazy obviously is not the way to go. If it is something that has to be explained, then we are already missing the mark. Simply put if we are going to use something as a marketing tool, we need to make it relative to the audience for which we are trying to attract. What put it into perspective for me was as I observed someone pick up a flyer not too long ago, they commented by asking, what's J5? Followed by the other asking what does Kappa Alpha Psi has to do with the Jackson Five? I did not like the use of it six years ago and am not a fan of it today. The incorporation of the sorority positioned it to broaden its service concept offerings while ensuring the preservation of its founding principles and brands.Personally, I hate the use of the moniker and would prefer that it be banned altogether. It was the first Black Greek-letter organization to attempt and successfully complete such a measure. The effort culminated in the successful protection and subsequent perpetuity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority through its incorporation on January 29, 1913, with Quander, Boyd and Smith as signers of the petition. These women, committed to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, expanded to solicit the support of other like-minded undergraduate and graduate members who held true to the vows they had taken upon their initiation. Boyd and Minnie Beatrice Smith, - and later expanded to include three sorority officers, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Ethel Jones (Mowbray) and Nellie Pratt (Russell),- whose mission was to seek and acquire incorporation. Quander quickly formed a committee, initially comprised of a trio including herself and members Norma E. After attending a sorority meeting in 1912 where she heard proposals from then-current members to change the group’s name, colors, symbols and motto, Nellie May Quander (initiated in 1910 and president of Alpha Chapter from 1911-1912), realized the need for an intervention to preserve the premise of the sorority that she and its founders held dear was an urgent matter.
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