The Northern Light - Northern Province
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This Issue:<br />
2<br />
3<br />
5<br />
8<br />
<strong>Province</strong> Polemarch’s<br />
Message<br />
C. Rodger Wilson<br />
Leadership Conference<br />
Chapter<br />
Announcements<br />
A Bit of Kappa Lore<br />
EXCLUSIVE:<br />
SPECIAL ELECTION<br />
EDITION<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Official<br />
Publication of the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong> of Kappa Alpha Psi<br />
Fraternity, Inc.<br />
“It all begins in the North”
Rev. Desmon R.<br />
Daniel, PhD<br />
<strong>Province</strong> Polemarch’s<br />
Message<br />
Brothers of the <strong>Northern</strong> P rovince,<br />
I hope that you will enjoy this edition of the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Light</strong>. It is our goal to make the publication both<br />
relevant and informational. We ask that each chapter<br />
submit information in a timely manner so that we may<br />
adequately capture the programs, activities, events and news<br />
within the <strong>Province</strong>.<br />
Welcome to what promises to be<br />
a historic year in Kappa Alpha<br />
Psi and the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 23 rd Administration is in<br />
place and ready to serve you as<br />
we embark on another year of<br />
service in our respective<br />
communities and our noble clan.<br />
Our team will continue to serve<br />
with the same spirit of excellence<br />
that you have come to know and<br />
trust as we strive to meet and<br />
exceed the expectations of our<br />
Grand Chapter. As we prepare<br />
for the August Grand Chapter<br />
meeting that will be held in<br />
Houston, Texas let’s roll up our<br />
sleeves and get busy.<br />
You may now register for the<br />
Conclave via the International<br />
website<br />
www.kappaalphapsi1911.com or<br />
via the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong><br />
website www.kapsi-np.org. Our<br />
commitment to serve the<br />
membership of the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong> has never been more<br />
resolved than it is today. I urge<br />
you to contact myself or any<br />
member of the Board with any<br />
concerns that you may have as<br />
we endeavor to represent you<br />
throughout this fraternal year<br />
and beyond.<br />
Again Brothers, let me welcome<br />
you to this fraternal year and<br />
encourage you to renew a spirit<br />
of service as we proceed in our<br />
quest to be the Kappa Men that<br />
we were created to be.<br />
Yours in the Bond,<br />
Rev. Desmon R. Daniel, PhD<br />
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> Polemarch<br />
2 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong><br />
2012 C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference (CRWLC)<br />
Hosted by the Sigma Chapter,<br />
the 2012 CRWLC took place at<br />
the Ross School of Business on<br />
the campus of the University of<br />
Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was<br />
a weekend of technological<br />
advancement,<br />
symbolism,<br />
leadership, and<br />
growth.<br />
Attendance in<br />
2012 was<br />
higher than<br />
expected and<br />
highest in at<br />
least 15 years.<br />
Representatives from 23 of 29<br />
chapters were present - most<br />
arriving on Friday evening, and<br />
they enjoyed great food and<br />
fellowship. <strong>Province</strong> Polemarch<br />
Desmon R. Daniel, PhD.<br />
welcomed the attendees and<br />
shared the vision and mission of<br />
the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> with<br />
them. An outstanding and eye-<br />
September 21 & 22<br />
Written by Bro. Christopher Carswell<br />
opening presentation on Roberts<br />
Rules of Order was delivered by<br />
Maurice Henderson of the Ann<br />
Arbor/Ypsilanti/Inkster Alumni<br />
Chapter. Ann<br />
Arbor/Ypsilanti/Inkster AL<br />
Silhouette Ruth Jordan facilitated<br />
two (2) extremely challenging<br />
leadership activities, helping<br />
attendees understand the<br />
importance of listening as a<br />
critical leadership skill. Harrison<br />
Duke of Detroit AL conducted a<br />
portion of Chapter Advisors<br />
Certification to complete the<br />
formal evening agenda.<br />
Saturday was Kappa Alpha Psi<br />
Day on campus. One hundred<br />
and six (106) Kappas (69 AL, 37<br />
Collegiate) – most wearing<br />
paraphernalia, were the topic of<br />
conversation for Ross Business<br />
School students,<br />
university staff,<br />
and others with<br />
a view. Kappa<br />
men between<br />
the ages of 20<br />
and 70, from<br />
Michigan, Ohio,<br />
and New York<br />
enjoyed a<br />
continental<br />
breakfast and<br />
subsequently<br />
were educated in chapter<br />
leadership, records management<br />
and communication, financial<br />
controls, and execution of duties<br />
by officers. Presentations were<br />
made Senior <strong>Province</strong> Vice<br />
Polemarch Kevin Kyles,<br />
<strong>Province</strong> Keeper of Records<br />
Chris Carswell, <strong>Province</strong> Keeper<br />
3 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
of Exchequer Julius Maddox,<br />
and Sigma Chapter Polemarch<br />
Tony Barrett.<br />
Following the morning<br />
presentations, the Kappamen<br />
walked through the U-M campus<br />
– stopping in the middle of the<br />
Central Campus for photo<br />
opportunities and fellowship.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir walk continued to the<br />
Michigan League Ballroom,<br />
where a networking lunch was<br />
held. <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> Junior<br />
Vice Polemarch Ian Grant<br />
facilitated the lunch agenda.<br />
Alumni brothers in various<br />
careers including business, law,<br />
engineering, and politics sat at<br />
specifically designated tables and<br />
were joined by collegiate<br />
brothers studying in or aspiring<br />
to begin careers in the same<br />
areas. Informal career<br />
discussions between the alumni<br />
and collegiate brothers were<br />
healthy and valuable for all the<br />
participants. A keynote address<br />
was delivered by guest speaker<br />
Brandon Bradford, North<br />
Central <strong>Province</strong> Junior Vice<br />
Polemarch.<br />
Excellent presentations followed<br />
the keynote address. Greg<br />
White, a 1996 Sigma Chapter<br />
initiate<br />
addressed<br />
<strong>The</strong> Black<br />
Male in<br />
Corporate<br />
America<br />
and helped<br />
the<br />
audience<br />
understand<br />
the need to obtain career<br />
mentoring, to read and analyze<br />
career information incremental<br />
to that required for employment,<br />
and to give back to others.<br />
Bryan Johnson of the Ann<br />
Arbor/Ypsilanti/Inkster Alumni<br />
Chapter presented on Brand<br />
Management, defining it in<br />
corporate and individual terms<br />
and helping the audience to<br />
understand best practices for<br />
increasing positive visibility and<br />
for communicating desired<br />
messages to individuals and<br />
organizations.<br />
After returning to the Ross<br />
Business School, <strong>Province</strong><br />
Polemarch Daniel led the<br />
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> Town Hall<br />
Meeting. Brothers were updated<br />
on key items related to support<br />
of the fraternity and the Grand<br />
Polemarch. Brothers were given<br />
considerable time to ask<br />
questions and comment on<br />
topics of interest or concern for<br />
them. Answers and feedback<br />
were primarily provided by<br />
members of the <strong>Province</strong><br />
Executive Board and Grand<br />
Board Member Harry G.<br />
Franklin.<br />
Ian Grant provided closing<br />
comments, expressing gratitude<br />
for the outstanding attendance<br />
and participation of the brothers<br />
of the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong>. He<br />
additionally acknowledged the<br />
outstanding planning and<br />
execution of the 2012 CRWLC<br />
by members of the Sigma<br />
Chapter, supported by Phillip<br />
Anderson of the Ann<br />
Arbor/Ypsilanti/Inkster AL<br />
Chapter.<br />
4 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
Corning Alumni Chapter of Kappa<br />
Alpha Psi<br />
Written by<br />
Bro. Elijah Baity<br />
Corning Area Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity<br />
volunteered service to the Corning Habitat For<br />
Humanity organization in an effort to continue to serve<br />
the communities in the Corning/ Elmira areas.<br />
Members of the fraternity painted a storage shed at the<br />
Habitat For Humanity Restore facility. <strong>The</strong>y also<br />
installed insulation and paneling in a tech room where<br />
volunteers will repair electrical appliances.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Corning area Alumni consists of members in the<br />
greater Corning, Elmira and Ithaca areas. Elijah Baity,<br />
Polemarch of the local alumni remarked, “Kappa Alpha<br />
Psi Fraternity’s fundamental purpose is service to our<br />
communities and to lead through examples of<br />
achievement in every human endeavor.”<br />
(From left to right) Roosevelt Dillard, Gregory Thomas,<br />
Ivan Jubilee, Jerome Nuckles, Tim West, Stephen<br />
Sengstacke, William Blanchard, Elijah Baity<br />
Lansing Alumni Chapter Of Kappa<br />
Alpha Psi Fraternity<br />
Written by<br />
Bro. Jackie J. Marks<br />
In collaboration with the Lansing Branch of the<br />
NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi Lansing Alumni Chapter<br />
began a voter registration drive. For the month of<br />
October, every Saturday during little leagues football<br />
games in which Kappa Express teams were members<br />
of both organizations worker diligently to register<br />
voters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> highlight for me was when a seventeen-year-old<br />
girl stated that she would turning eighteen the<br />
upcoming Monday and wanted to register so she<br />
could vote in the November general election. Many<br />
people who were already registered expressed<br />
gratitude that both organizations were taking the time<br />
and effort to reach people so that they may exercise<br />
their right to vote.<br />
5 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni<br />
Chapter Of Kappa Alpha Psi<br />
Fraternity<br />
Polemarch Michael L. Kinloch received the 2012<br />
Alumni Brother of the Year Award during the<br />
banquet at the 65th <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> Council<br />
Meeting on May 5, 2012. <strong>The</strong> entire Ann Arbor-<br />
Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter is proud of<br />
everything Polemarch Kinloch has helped our<br />
chapter accomplish this past year. His leadership has<br />
led us to great success and the best is yet to come!<br />
Below: Brothers stop to pose at the D.A.P.S.<br />
Centennial Golf Classics.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2012 Kappa & Pool Party was held on Saturday<br />
July 28th 2012. Approximately 53 members of the<br />
Ann Arbor – Ypsilanti- Inkster Alumni Chapter<br />
participated. <strong>The</strong> Brothers, Silhouettes and friends<br />
had a great time and enjoyed the food, fellowship and<br />
swimming.<br />
Looking forward to the “2013” Island & Pool Party!!!<br />
6 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
Pontiac Alumni Chapter Of Kappa<br />
Alpha Psi Fraternity<br />
Written by<br />
Bro. Dwaine Campbell<br />
On Aug. 17-19, 2012 the Pontiac Alumni Chapter held its<br />
planning retreat at the Windsor Riverside Inn in Windsor,<br />
Ontario Canada. <strong>The</strong> retreat focused on fellowship and<br />
planning the 2012-2013 chapter activities.<br />
On Saturday, August 25, 2012 the PAC participated in the<br />
Pontiac community’s Annual Back to School Picnic at the<br />
Cobb Funeral Home in Pontiac Michigan. At this event,<br />
the chapter donated school supplies and their time to the<br />
many children and their families attending the<br />
picnic. <strong>The</strong> event served over 3000 people in the<br />
community and 700 backpacks were given out to<br />
students. (Pictured with participants Rodger Davis and<br />
Melvin Lee)<br />
Saginaw Alumni Chapter Of Kappa<br />
Alpha Psi Fraternity<br />
Anti Violence Press Conference<br />
On October 2 nd 2012, an Anti Violence Press<br />
Conference was held at Bethel AME Church. <strong>The</strong><br />
chapter will go into Saginaw-area middle schools to<br />
talk about gangs. <strong>The</strong> classes will focus on boys,<br />
giving them tools on how to stand up to gangs in<br />
their own neighborhoods.<br />
7 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
Southfield Alumni Of Kappa<br />
Alpha Psi Fraternity<br />
Written by<br />
Bro. Darnell Lewis<br />
<strong>The</strong> Southfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi<br />
Fraternity, Inc. participated in a Back to School Rally<br />
on September 14, 2012. <strong>The</strong> rally was held in Redford,<br />
MI at Methodist Children’s Home Society, a residential<br />
care program for boys that have been rejected by their<br />
families and caregivers. Brothers Dante Dixon, Jerome<br />
Menifee, Darnell Lewis, Joseph Carter and Timmie<br />
Roberts spoke to the youth about the importance of an<br />
education. After a panel discussion, the brothers<br />
participated in a stroll off with members of Alpha Phi<br />
Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity,<br />
Inc. Our brothers were well received by the staff and<br />
were asked to come back and mentor the young men.<br />
A Bit of <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> Kappa Lore<br />
Written by<br />
Bro. James Bell III<br />
“Over at Michigan<br />
State you will find that<br />
every Negro on State’s<br />
crack track team is a<br />
Wearer of the<br />
Diamond. Say! Have<br />
you ever heard of<br />
Eugene Beatty? Well if<br />
you have not, it is a<br />
reflection on your<br />
knowledge of American<br />
sports; and in order to<br />
remedy that defect, listen! Beatty was given an honor-<br />
able mention on every All-American Track Team<br />
mentioned last year. Last July he won and set a new<br />
official 400-meter hurdle at the National Junior<br />
A.A.U meet at Lincoln, Nebraska and at present is a<br />
strong contender for berth on this year’s Olympic<br />
team. Beatty is also holder of a title in hurdle events<br />
of last year’s Penn. Relays. (Pulled from the March<br />
1932 Kappa Alpha Psi Journal)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Athlete<br />
Brother Eugene Beatty was born in Detroit, in<br />
1909. As a student Beatty was an exceptional track<br />
and field athlete at Northeastern High School. In<br />
8 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
1927 and 1928, he won multiple events in the<br />
Michigan High School Athletic Association Track<br />
and Field Championships and was named the Track<br />
and Field Athlete of the Year in 1928. <strong>The</strong><br />
previously mentioned Penn Relays was the largest<br />
track and field competition in the United States. Bro.<br />
Charles Eugene Beatty Sr. was initiated into the<br />
Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi on February 13,<br />
1932. Bro. Beatty had the opportunity to compete<br />
with Jesse Owens in the Olympic Trials, but fell at<br />
the last hurdle in one of the races.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Educator<br />
Bro. Beatty served as the first African American<br />
principal in the state of Michigan. Beatty served as<br />
the principal for Perry Elementary in Ypsilanti, MI<br />
from 1940 to 1967. Bro. Beatty became an instant<br />
community leader, desegregating the school and later<br />
going on to serve on the school board. Bro. Beatty<br />
actively engaged Perry Elementary School’s parents,<br />
instructing them on the purpose of teaching outside<br />
of the classroom. <strong>The</strong> Perry School would also serve<br />
as a site for wedding receptions, civil rights rallies,<br />
teen dances, voting, and an immunization clinic<br />
among other roles. Bro. Beatty was successful in<br />
creating a “community’s school”, an introduction to<br />
the development of Head Start programs in the<br />
United States. Here Beatty was able to emphasize<br />
health, nutrition, family and community as being<br />
factors in school success. Beatty along with other<br />
individuals created the well-known HighScope Perry<br />
Preschool Project. This project took an in-depth<br />
look at the issues of academic failure and explored<br />
preventative measures by involving community and<br />
parents in the preparation process of very young<br />
students for their future. In 19bout 85 Bro. Beatty was<br />
inducted into the Michigan Education Hall of Fame<br />
and inducted into the Eastern Michigan University<br />
College of Education Hall of Fame in 2011.<br />
Bro. Beatty entered Chapter Invisible in February 1998.<br />
9 <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> October 2012
K ap pa’s Kall for the 2012 Elections<br />
Dr. King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we<br />
become silent about things that matter.” As citizens<br />
we have a responsibility to let our voices be heard on<br />
important issues including the selection of those that<br />
lead and represent us.<br />
As we all know, the right to vote wasn’t given to us<br />
automatically. It wasn't until the signing of the Voting<br />
Rights Act of 1965 that discriminatory voting<br />
practices against African Americans were outlawed in<br />
the U.S. Today, African American turnout is needed<br />
more than ever.<br />
This is true not just because the Presidential race<br />
includes an African American, but because the<br />
decisions that will be made by all of our elected<br />
officials impacts us and our communities. All politics<br />
is local and that’s why it is important for all eligible<br />
voters to participate in every election. That’s where<br />
Kappa can play a significant role.<br />
<strong>The</strong> International Headquarters has issued a call to all<br />
chapters to participate in the Kappa Voter Action<br />
Network (VAN). Kappa VAN is a call for all<br />
provinces, alumni chapters, collegiate chapters, and<br />
senior Kappas to actively engage our communities to<br />
increase turnout and voter participation.<br />
Kappa VAN is designed to position Kappa to play a<br />
key role in six specific areas: voter education, voter<br />
Education is Key<br />
Knowing the candidates and the<br />
issues empowers voters with the<br />
ability to make better decisions as<br />
they cast their votes. Kappa can<br />
play a key role in providing access<br />
to information about candidates<br />
and current issues.<br />
This fall chapters should host<br />
candidate forums that are open to<br />
the public. Some chapters have<br />
T h e N o r t h e r n l i g h t<br />
S p e c i a l e l e c t i o n e d i t i o n<br />
even partnered with other<br />
identification, voter registration, voter transportation,<br />
voter protection and getting out the vote. This<br />
special election edition of the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Light</strong> is<br />
designed to break the role of Kappa down so each<br />
chapter can have a clear picture of how we can<br />
engage our communities over the next few months.<br />
It’s important that all Kappa chapters throughout the<br />
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> participate in this network. As<br />
Kappa men, we know first and foremost the power of<br />
being educated and active. We must now let our<br />
example inspire others to exercise their right as<br />
American citizens and fulfill their responsibility to<br />
participate in the system that sets our country apart<br />
from others in the world.<br />
As your chapter begins to hold events and engage the<br />
community, be sure to let<br />
me know so I can document<br />
all that the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong> is doing to “Inspire<br />
service in the public<br />
interest.” If your chapter has<br />
question on how to execute<br />
aspects of this action plan,<br />
you can contact me at<br />
jvj1911@gmail.com<br />
anytime for assistance.<br />
BGLOs to host joint forums. In<br />
some communities, you can have<br />
them televised on your local cable<br />
networks to increase your reach<br />
to voters.<br />
All chapters should provide links<br />
on your websites to the local<br />
election bureaus for information<br />
on ballot issues. Usually, the local<br />
James V. Jackson<br />
Political Awareness &<br />
Social Action Chairman<br />
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong><br />
clerk’s office or groups like the<br />
League of Women Voters have<br />
candidate and ballot issue<br />
information on their websites that<br />
you can link to.<br />
Kappa should be one of the key<br />
local resources for current<br />
election information. This will<br />
make your chapter and our<br />
fraternity look good.<br />
In this issue:<br />
Kappa VAN 1<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fight for Our<br />
Future<br />
Useful links:<br />
� Michigan Elections<br />
Bureau:<br />
www.michigan.gov<br />
/elections<br />
� Ohio Secretary of<br />
State:<br />
www.sos.state.oh.<br />
us/elections.aspx<br />
� New York State<br />
Board of Elections:<br />
www.elections.ny.<br />
gov/<br />
� League of Women<br />
Voters:<br />
www.lwv.org/get-<br />
involved/local-<br />
leagues<br />
Fall 2012<br />
2<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kall to Service 3<br />
GOTV 4<br />
1
T h e Fight for our Fu ture<br />
As a citizen of the Unites States, we are<br />
called upon by our constitution to perform<br />
two specific duties for our communities.<br />
One is to serve as a juror for our peers and<br />
the other is to vote. Voting is a fundamental<br />
right that most of us only exercise during<br />
big elections like a presidential or<br />
gubernatorial race. In many cases, we only<br />
vote for what is commonly called the “top<br />
of the ticket” and don’t vote on the rest of<br />
the ballot.<br />
<strong>The</strong> reality is that elections are held every<br />
year for all kinds of races and ballot issues<br />
and our absence from the polls in the off<br />
years tends to lead us to scratch our head<br />
when local government policies are passed<br />
that have a negative impact on our lives.<br />
That’s why it is critical that we, our families,<br />
our neighbors and friends stay engaged in<br />
the political process and vote in every<br />
election.<br />
T h e Key M essage on Vo t er I Ds<br />
In recent months the national and state<br />
debate over voter identification has heated<br />
up. It’s safe to say that this debate will not<br />
be solved on a national level in this election<br />
cycle. Currently, states vary in their<br />
requirements for showing proper ID when<br />
voters go to the polls to cast their votes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> important message that chapters should<br />
be sharing with your communities is to<br />
know the laws in your specific state. <strong>The</strong><br />
states that make up the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong><br />
have different laws for voters.<br />
For example, in Michigan and Ohio all<br />
voters must bring acceptable identification<br />
to the polls in order to verify their identity.<br />
However, voters in Michigan and Ohio who<br />
do not provide one of these documents at<br />
the precinct will still be able to vote using a<br />
T h ere’s Still T i me to Register!<br />
As some voting requirements vary from<br />
state to state, the requirement that is<br />
consistent is that we must all be registered.<br />
For the states that make up the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong>, you must be registered at least 30<br />
days for the election.<br />
With the election just over 80 days away,<br />
there is about a month and half left for<br />
eligible unregistered citizens to register for<br />
the general election. Local Kappa chapters,<br />
Now, obviously this election cycle includes<br />
the race for the highest office in the<br />
country. So, it is vitally important that we all<br />
participate in the process and cast our vote.<br />
President Barack Obama (Left) is running for<br />
his second term in office against Mitt Romney<br />
(Right) in November’s election.<br />
As we talk to our Kappa brothers, Kappa<br />
Leaguers, family and friends, it’s important<br />
to remind them why presidential elections<br />
are so important. <strong>The</strong> president influences<br />
both alumni as well as collegiate, can assist<br />
in this process.<br />
Many chapters have been active in voter<br />
registration drives in their communities.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is still time to host more of these at<br />
local events, outside libraries, grocery<br />
stores and in our churches. Also, your<br />
chapter can provide the link to your state<br />
elections bureau for online voter<br />
registration forms. (See links on page 1)<br />
public policy (including monetary policy),<br />
influences the national economy, manages<br />
our international relations, nominates our<br />
Supreme Court Justices and commands our<br />
military. <strong>The</strong>se are all parts of our society<br />
that have a direct and indirect impact on<br />
our lives. That’s why we must vote.<br />
Over the next several weeks, its our<br />
responsibility as citizens to learn all we can<br />
about these candidates and cast your vote<br />
for the person whose plan for our country<br />
is closest to your beliefs and values. That is<br />
how our democracy works and by voting<br />
we make our democracy stronger.<br />
As Kappa men, we must set the tone and in<br />
some communities lead the discussion of<br />
why its important to vote and assist in<br />
providing access to the information that will<br />
keep our communities informed. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Province</strong> can play a key role in<br />
the fight for our nation’s future.<br />
provisional ballot. In New York, you are not<br />
required to bring identification to the polls<br />
unless you are a first time voter.<br />
For more information on your state’s voter<br />
ID laws, be sure to check your state<br />
elections bureau’s website. You should also<br />
place a link on your website for brothers<br />
and the general public to refer to for more<br />
information.<br />
It’s important that your chapter not wait<br />
too long to set up and host a registration<br />
drive or set up a link to your site. Make<br />
sure you send the web link information out<br />
to your chapter email list and have brothers<br />
forward the information to their friends and<br />
family. Kappa’s have always had an<br />
audience…let’s use it to get our folks<br />
registered!<br />
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Ta ke Yo ur Soles to the Polls<br />
<strong>The</strong> election process only works if you<br />
vote. <strong>The</strong>re are primarily two ways to vote.<br />
One is by absentee ballot and the other is<br />
by going to the polls. Usually seniors make<br />
up the largest percentage of absentee<br />
voters. Generally, everyone else votes at<br />
their local voting precincts. Either way the<br />
goal is to just vote!<br />
Kappa chapters throughout the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong> should identify ways they can help<br />
those that don’t vote absentee but have<br />
issues getting to the polls. Some suggestion<br />
on how to do this includes carpooling with<br />
neighbors, family or friends to the polls.<br />
Also, chapters can coordinate with local<br />
churches, senior citizen homes and assisted<br />
living homes to provide transportation to<br />
the polls. In some cases, the churches may<br />
supply church vans to help transport voters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> chapter website can also be used as a<br />
A nswering the Kall to Ser v ic e<br />
As Kappa men, we all learned and took an<br />
oath to fulfill the five objectives our beloved<br />
Founders charged us with. One of those<br />
objectives is to “Inspire service in the public<br />
interest”. Throughout Kappa history,<br />
countless brothers have answered the call<br />
to service both locally and nationally. On a<br />
national level, we all know Kappa brothers<br />
like Congressman Conyers, Hastings and<br />
Clay that serve as elected officials on a<br />
national level. Within the <strong>Northern</strong><br />
<strong>Province</strong> Kappa men have held, currently<br />
hold or are currently seeking elective office<br />
in our local communities.<br />
Serving in elected office is an honor that not<br />
enough of us pursue. This is especially true<br />
in areas where African Americans make up<br />
a significant portion of the population. Time<br />
and time again we claim that we are being<br />
left out of the process, when we are<br />
positioned closer than we think to actually<br />
playing a role in the process.<br />
Members of BGLOs are among the best<br />
positioned to run for office. We have the<br />
education, training and network to make<br />
effective runs for office. Those of us that<br />
have or currently serve know first-hand<br />
what is required to run and to serve. This is<br />
knowledge that we should be passing on to<br />
brothers that have an interest in public<br />
service. In the years to come, there should<br />
be core groups of brothers in the NP who<br />
are actively building their candidate<br />
credentials so that when there is an<br />
opportunity to run for office they are ready<br />
and electable.<br />
This has been practiced in some parts of the<br />
province for years. For example, for the<br />
better part of the last decade, three<br />
members of the seven-member Southfield<br />
Board of Education have been Kappa men.<br />
Currently, Bro. Darryle Buchannan serves<br />
as the Board President. Former board<br />
member Bro. Rudy Hobbs went on to be<br />
P ro t ec t ing Yo u r Right to Vo t e<br />
Since the passing of the Voting Right Act of<br />
1965, the challenge of social action<br />
organizations have been to watch over the<br />
election process to protect the rights the<br />
Act provides. Each election cycle, that task<br />
becomes more challenging as those seeking<br />
power increase their resolve to obtain it at<br />
all costs.<br />
First, its also important to know your rights<br />
as a voter. Be sure to refer to your state<br />
elections website for a complete list of your<br />
rights to avoid any confusion at the polls.<br />
As leaders in our communities we can assist<br />
in watching over the process and even being<br />
a part of the process to ensure that it is fair<br />
for all.<br />
Some of the ways we can assist in watching<br />
over the process is by contacting our local<br />
sign-up tool for voters that need assistance<br />
getting to the polls.<br />
With November 6 rapidly approaching, we<br />
must position ourselves to help voters in<br />
our communities so that they’re voice will<br />
be heard.<br />
<strong>The</strong> bottom line is we can help reduce<br />
people excuses for not voting…and you<br />
know how much Kappas hate excuses!<br />
elected to the Michigan House of<br />
Representatives where he is finishing his<br />
first term in the state legislature.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other aspect of our brotherhood is<br />
that we must continue to support these<br />
brothers as they run and serve our<br />
communities. <strong>The</strong>y will need our time,<br />
talent and treasure<br />
to make a<br />
successful run for<br />
office as well as our<br />
vote.<br />
Brothers, when I<br />
pledged I was<br />
taught that a Kappa<br />
man never turns<br />
away from<br />
leadership. We are<br />
made to serve and<br />
we should let that<br />
service inspire<br />
others.<br />
clerk’s office and serving as an election<br />
judge or monitor at the polls or even<br />
volunteering to work the polls on Election<br />
Day for a local candidate.<br />
Being active in some capacity at the polls<br />
will go a long way in ensuring that our<br />
election process serves the people and<br />
doesn’t cheat them.<br />
Rep. Hobbs is serving his<br />
first term representing<br />
Michigan’s 35th District<br />
in the Michigan House of<br />
Representatives.<br />
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2012 Nor t h er n Prov ince A c t i on Plan<br />
Get Involved: Participate, Educate, Protect and Vote<br />
Participate in Voter Registration Drives<br />
Host Candidate Forums<br />
Serve as Election Judges/Monitors<br />
Work the Voting Polls on Election Day<br />
Provide Transportation for Voters<br />
Vote: Emphasis on Early Voting<br />
100% Registered Voters with our Chapters<br />
Document your Chapter Activities with your NP Political Awareness Chairman<br />
Demonstrate what the NP can do!!!<br />
100 Years and Building: <strong>The</strong> Journey Continues<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Journey Continues”<br />
November 6, 2012<br />
Get Out <strong>The</strong> Vote<br />
GOTV<br />
And<br />
Go Out And Vote<br />
Don’t Forget to Vote!<br />
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