This picture features (l-r) Founders Elias Dorsey, Jr, Founder Frank Coakley, Founder Charles Gregory, and Founder John Slade.

BALTIMORE – Elias Augustus Dorsey Jr., one of the 12 founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., passed away early this morning from complications related to pancreatic cancer. He was 69.

“It’s a sad day in our organization as we remember Founder Elias Dorsey,” 20th International Grand Vice-Polaris John Scott said. “On behalf of our Grand Polaris, Karl Price, Esq., we ask that all brothers and sweethearts take time during this hour of grief and reflect upon our Founder and our great organization. Please continue to pray for his family and friends. We certainly honor this great man for not only being a Founder of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., but for being our brother and our friend. He will truly be missed.”

Born and raised in Baltimore, Dorsey, better known as “Tink,” didn’t see the value of joining a fraternity when he enrolled at Morgan State College (now university) in 1960. But on Sept. 19, 1963, while he and Iota’s 11 other founders talked about the other fraternities at Morgan and the times that surrounded them, he believed that an organization like Iota was needed.

Dorsey became known as the “Godfather of Iota” because he wasn’t always visible but was there when needed, said Founder John D. Slade.

“He was always behind the scenes but if you called on him he was there to help,” he said.

Dorsey, though not present at every fraternity conference, was involved with the organization’s Board of Directors and National Iota Foundation. He was instrumental in helping to save the fraternity headquarters, even using his own money to replace basement windows that were broken by vandals.

Dorsey spent his professional career in health services, having served as the Deputy Commissioner of Health for the City of Baltimore. There, he was well liked due to his firm-but-fair demeanor, said Founder Lonnie C. Spruill Jr., who knew Dorsey since they were kids growing up near Baltimore’s
Pamlico Race Track.

“He became like a big brother at first, and as we matured, we became like equals,” Spruill said during the fraternity’s Summer Leadership Conference earlier this month. “Tink, if I gave him a nickname to something relative that people could understand, I would call him ‘The Quiet Storm.’ He was quiet, he didn’t like the limelight, but when he went off, he erupted. Or if you needed something done, he was the one to go to. And he’d know when you needed help.”

Spruill spoke emotionally about Dorsey during the conference, which took place July 14-17 in Houston. Spruill, who often visited Dorsey while he was hospitalized, initially felt guilty about going to Houston due to sick founder’s condition. But Dorsey told him that he was feeling better and that he would soon start chemotherapy. He didn’t want others to know how sick he really was, Spruill said.

“I needed to share that with the guys otherwise I would blow up,” he said. “I had this guilty feeling that I wasn’t there with him. I know there’ nothing I can do and that God’s with him. I feel so much better now. And I wanted them to realize how bad this dude is. What a real Iota…how Iotas deal with death as much as life. Protecting the loved ones to the end.”

Dorsey was resting at the Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson, Md. when he passed. Along with founders Charles Briscoe and Webster Lewis and other deceased brothers, Dorsey now joins the fraternity’s Alpha Iota Omega Memorial Chapter. He leaves behind a son, Jason; daughter, Kim; sister, Cathy; and three grandchildren, all of Baltimore.

BALTIMORE (October 25, 2010) - Thomas “Tex” Dean has been chosen as chairman of the 50^th Anniversary Celebration Committee, the Fraternity announced this weekend.

20^th International Grand Vice-Polaris John Scott made the announcement during Morgan State University’s Homecoming on Saturday. The news was then shared through the Fraternity’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Dean, 64, comes to the position well versed of the Fraternity’s history and growth. A member of the influential “Pied Piper” line, Dean is the only person to hold the position of Grand Polaris three times. He was the 10^th International Grand Polaris from 1971-73, then reelected to a second term from 1974-76 and became the 13^th International Grand Polaris from 1982-84.

Dean has held other Fraternity positions, including Polaris of Alpha Omega during the 1970’s and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1985-88. He is also the Fraternity’s second life member.

Dean’s professional career has spanned a number of disciplines, from management consulting to running a health center and a non-profit youth organization.

Building momentum for the 50^th Anniversary will take, among other things, the success of the 2011 Conclave, he said.

“It’s like being elected to the position of Grand Polaris because the 50^th Anniversary is something that doesn’t come too often,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest occasions the Fraternity will ever have. I feel really good about having the opportunity to make this a real good event and a good affair for the Founders. To make it something that will make them feel really good about what they started and at the same time to give every brother in this organization the same feeling.”

Dean came highly recommended by several Founders and other senior brothers, and was chosen after discussions between Scott and 20^th International Grand Polaris Karl Price. The respect Dean has in the Baltimore area, along with his business experience, will serve the Fraternity well in executing a high-quality anniversary celebration, Scott said.

“Tex will help bridge our Fraternity’s historical gap and also assist in bringing back brothers from the 1960’s and 70’s who helped build this organization,” he said. “He shares our vision for the 50^th anniversary, that success is the only option.”

BALTIMORE  (January 6, 2011) –20^th International Grand Polaris Karl Price would like to express his condolences to the family of Michael Crawford (7B09), who passed away on December 28 from an enlarged heart.

“As a father, as a fraternity brother and as a human being, I am saddened by Michael’s untimely death,” Price said. “The hearts of all Iota men hang heavy as those who knew and loved Michael mourn him.”

A Brooklyn, N.Y. native, Crawford, 21, was a senior at Hampton University who, as described by his chapter brother Anwar Miles, was someone who would give the shirt off his back.

“Whenever it was time to stroll, step, do community service or study, he always did it with enthusiasm and put his all into it,” Miles said. “He was a true man of his word and embodied what an Iota man should be.”

A wake will be held this Saturday from 9 – 10 a.m. at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr., New York, N.Y.

His funeral will follow the wake.

About Iota Phi Theta

In less than 50 years, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. has grown into a viable force within the African-American community. Founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement on Sept. 19, 1963 at Morgan State University, Iota has quickly developed into one of the largest African-American fraternities in the world with over 30,000 members and 230 chapters. Iota’s influence and presence has led to membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a consortium of the world’s largest African-American fraternities and sororities.

All Iota Men abide by the principles of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood.

Go to www.iotaphitheta.org to learn what fraternity is truly about.

BALTIMORE  (April 1, 2011) – 20^th International Grand Polaris Karl Price announced this morning that Kevin Bennett has been rehired as the Fraternity’s Executive Director.

As executive director, Bennett (XB86) will oversee the Fraternity’s day-to-day operations, including maintaining organization documents and overseeing Fraternity initiatives. His responsibilities also involve maintenance of Founder’s Hall, member development and training as well as management of Fraternity membership and finances. Bennett will be added as a member of the Fraternity’s Executive Council.

His first official day is April 1.

Bennett has served the Fraternity as Polaris of Beta Chapter and Alpha Omega, Director of Community Service and Executive Director from 2000-02. His professional experiences have focused on executive leadership and management, event planning, development and fundraising, volunteer recruitment and management as well as customer service and office management. Kevin was previously a customer service manager with Giant Foods in Baltimore and served in the same role for Super Fresh Food Market.

“I am honored of the opportunity to live out a dream and help make a difference in the lives of others through our brotherhood,” he said. “Working to help move our organization forward is my task and focus. Now is a critical time in our Fraternity’s history and we must push harder to ban our strengths together for the greater cause of this Fraternity. I am excited to be a part of that.”

As Iota continues to grow, the Fraternity needs someone whose full-time focus is the daily operations of the organization, Price said. Bennett was chosen because of his professional and fraternal experiences as well as already living within the Baltimore area. In an organization of volunteer servants, Iota needs a full-time employee who is accountable for the Fraternity’s infrastructure, Price added.

“If we spend our time reinventing the wheel every four years, we’re not going to get anywhere,” he said. If we can have someone who can handle the transition from administration to administration, to make sure the bank accounts aren’t switched. How can we know what’s going on in this organization if we don’t have one person who can report that to us? Now we have someone who is only there to focus on the Fraternity’s departments and who can check their progress more frequently than I can. I don’t think this organization can survive without an executive director.”

Bennett, a native of New Jersey, lives in the Baltimore area and is married with four sons.

About Iota Phi Theta

In less than 50 years, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. has grown into a viable force within the African-American community. Founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement at Morgan State University, Iota has quickly developed into one of the largest African-American fraternities in the world with over 30,000 members and 230 chapters. All Iota Men abide by the principles of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood. Go to www.iotaphitheta.org to learn what fraternity is truly about.

BALTIMORE (May 25, 2011) – The 50^th Anniversary Committee is asking all brothers and sweethearts to join the Founders, Grand Council members, past Grand Polari and some of the Fraternity’s most influential pledge lines, including the Pied Pipers, Trifling 28 and the first pledge line, for a Fraternity photo shoot.

These photos will help the committee create marketing materials as well a Fraternity documentary for the 50^th Anniversary.

The photo shoot will take place at Hurt Gymnasium on the campus of Morgan State University on Saturday, May 28 at 11 a.m. All participants are asked to wear business attire or Fraternity paraphernalia.

Those who are not able to make it can e-mail their picture to Executive Director Kevin Bennett at execdirector@iotaphitheta.org. Bennett can also be reached at (443) 939-2846 to answer any questions.

Brothers & Sweethearts,

As you are aware, as many as 19 communities were damaged and three people killed when tornadoes stuck western Massachusetts last week.

I am happy and relieved to announce that all Iota brothers and sweethearts in the area, as well as their families, have been accounted for. The Fraternity continues to work with Iota family members in the affected areas with coordinating any possible relief efforts.

Let us keep these families in our prayers, as well as those still recovering from the devastation that ravished the south earlier this year.  We are in esteemed gratitude of the brothers and sweethearts who adhere to the star of citizenship by helping our damaged communities without the urging of others.

In times of need, it is the men and women with the knowledge and ability to make a difference who must respond to adversity, whether natural or otherwise.

Doing so represents the true nature of organizations like Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

In Brotherhood,

Kevin Bennett
Executive Director

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

As our fraternity prepares itself for the fall programming and our collegiate brothers return to their respective academic environments, we too nationally are prepared to address the new initiatives and programs facing Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.  First let me say to our collegiate brothers that your exemplary scholastic achievement is the future foundation of this great fraternity.  As the numbers of black men excelling in educational institutions across our nation continue to decline we your fraternity leaders know those statistics will not bare relevance to you.  I encourage you to simply focus and thus achieve.

I am excited about the new partnership that the fraternity has undertaken with INROADS.  INROADS will give us the opportunity to help our collegiate membership to have a clearer look into the workforce and better preparation period as they make yet another adjustment into their communities and lives of their families.  Equally we have embarked upon a program that organizationally we can align ourselves to collectively work as chapters across the country in the same month to positively support our scholastic initiative.  Be on the lookout for more information pertaining to INROADS.

Shortly we will be launching the long awaited and long overdue National Database that simply will begin to allow us to move our fraternity forward statistically as we will be able to maintain information about you, your chapters and pertinent information that helps us to market ourselves to the corporate world and potential sponsors.  We will continue to place a heavy focused emphasis on collecting data to better tell the story of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. forever.

From Boston to Baltimore in 2013, undoubtedly a time period where we will take another historic step as we celebrate 50 years of brotherhood, proudly celebrating our founding, founders and this great organization and the men that have made it great.  We expect over 5,000 Iotas to ascend on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland and the campus of Morgan State University to realize this accomplishment and prepare for the next 50.  You must be a part of this great time in Iota.

Finally I want to thank those brothers that have played a major part in the establishment of this new website that we hope will be more informative, user friendly and project the image and information that you our brothers can be proud of and use. This site will only improve as Iota continues to move forward and take on more partners and projects to be a major recognized force in our country.

Thank you for your contribution to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and remember we are only as good as the last deed we managed in helping someone along the way.

Your 20^th

Karl Price, Esq.

International Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Greetings To All Brothers and Friends of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated!!

As the chairman of Iota Phi Theta’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, I am excited to welcome you to our home on the Internet. In the coming weeks and months, this area will be your go-to resource for information related to the 50th Anniversary which will take place in Baltimore, Maryland August 11-18, 2013. Soon, the 50th Anniversary committee will begin sharing its plans for what we hope will truly be a celebration of our accomplishments as an organization since it was founded in 1963. The theme for the 50th Anniversary Celebration is “Living Our Dreams, Building Upon Our Tradition, Celebrating Our Success”.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration cannot be a success without you: the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and the many friends who have been there for us over the years. I encourage each of you to start preparing and planning to be in Baltimore for a week-long celebration of our fraternity. This is a special occasion and everyone should be there to take part in the celebration. It is our opportunity to be in the birth place of Iota, to stand on the steps of Hurt Gymnasium, and ultimately, to honor the twelve men who built this organization we all have come to know as Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

All of us, no matter when or where we pledged, came from twelve men who believed that Iota Phi Theta could make a difference in the lives of people. What better way to show our respect, love and admiration than by joining them and to celebrate our 50th Anniversary?

The countdown begins now! I hope to see each of you in Baltimore August 11-18, 2013!!

Yours In Brotherhood,

Thomas “Tex” Dean
50th Anniversary Chairman

On June 5, 2010 David Odige, The Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity State Director of the Southern Region of Florida, and Jeremy Thompson, The Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity Executive Assistant to the Second Grand Vice Polaris, traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for the first of many monthly mission trips.  The purpose of their trips to Haiti is to raise awareness of the current conditions of the country and to assist the organization Health through Walls.  Health through Walls is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to help BUILD the health care system in 3rd World Countries.

How you can help?  Give donations to Health through Walls (Tax-deductible) Paypal link  <click here to donate>
Or make your tax-deductible contribution by sending your check or money order payable to Health through Walls and mail to:

Health through Walls
12555 Biscayne Blvd., #955
North Miami, FL 33181
Visit their website

http://www.healththroughwalls.org

BALTIMORE  (July 22, 2011) –Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and INROADS, the nation’s largest non-profit source of salaried corporate internships for outstanding diverse students, will announce the launch of a partnership to develop a nationwide collegiate pilot program to provide outreach, recruitment, professional mentorship, coaching, training and career development for underserved youth during the Fraternity’s 33^rd National Conclave in Boston.

The pilot program will launch from Chi Chapter (University of Massachusetts – Boston) this fall to advance the careers of underserved youth, primarily from urban areas, with limited or no access to career exploration in corporate America. Corporate partners supporting this effort include UTC and Liberty Mutual.

“Our partnership with INROADS will provide many great opportunities for our brothers to help them prepare for leadership opportunities within corporate America and beyond,” 20^th International Grand Polaris Karl Price said. “For Iota, the development and perpetuation of leadership is something that should happen within and outside our Fraternity. This is a great opportunity for our members.”

The INROADS-Iota partnership was born out of a shared community service vision: INROADS with developing and placing talented underserved youth in business and industry and preparing them for corporate and community leadership and Iota’s dedication to the development and perpetuation of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity and brotherhood among all men. Both organizations’ founders were inspired by the 1963 March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. After witnessing Dr. King’s speech, INROADS Founder Frank C. Carr quit his executive job in corporate America and pledged to create an organization that would uplift black, Hispanic and American Indian youth from the barrios to the ghettos and give them the education, training and skills needed to succeed in corporate America.

INROADS, now in its 41^st year, has graduated over 24,000 leaders in business and industry, including many vice-presidents, presidents and CEOs.

INROADS CEO Forest T. Harper, Jr., a Morgan State alumnus, will officially announce the partnership during tonight’s Conclave Awards Gala.

About Iota Phi Theta

In less than 50 years, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. has grown into a viable force within the African-American community. Founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement at Morgan State University, Iota has quickly developed into one of the largest African-American fraternities in the world with over 30,000 members and 230 chapters. All Iota Men abide by the principles of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood. Go to www.iotaphitheta.org to learn what fraternity is truly about.

BALTIMORE (August 25, 2011) – Please read this AccuWeather report regarding Hurricane Irene, which is scheduled to make landfall this weekend. It will affect the East Coast from North Carolina to New England.

All brothers and sweethearts in Irene’s path are advised to take proper safety precautions.

Irene: Worse effects on Northeast in 50 years possible

There is potential for the worst hurricane impacts in 50 years along the northern part of the Atlantic Seaboard as Irene plows northward.

The impacts on lives, property, commerce and travel will be serious.

While Irene is not forecast to track as far west, nor as fast, as Hazel did in 1954, it will ride up along the mid-Atlantic coast in such a way as to inflict major damage in many coastal and some inland communities. In today’s dollars, Hazel was a multi-billion-dollar storm and reached Category 4 at peak intensity.

Irene will track farther east than Hazel, and farther west than Bob (1991). Meteorologist Heather Buchman compares Irene to storms in the past.

While Irene is expected to weaken Saturday into Sunday after encountering cooler waters in northern latitudes, that will not happen fast enough to prevent serious problems from wind, rain and ocean water.

If you live near the projected path of Irene, you are at risk for power outages, flooding problems and property damage with this storm.

Power Outages

Downed trees alone have potential to block many streets and secondary roads from eastern North Carolina northward to southeastern Quebec, running along the very heavily populated I-95 Northeast U.S. corridor.

With saturated soil, water-logged, heavy trees will topple and break, as will tree limbs.

When trees come down, they take power lines with them. There could be millions in the dark for hours and hundreds of thousands without power for days starting at the height of Irene, and in her wake.

Some people could be without tap water as a result of the power being out.

Flooding Rainfall

Irene will bring serious flooding from heavy rain in the coastal mid-Atlantic and portions of New England. It is not a question, not a risk; it is a certainty.

Many areas in the Northeast have been hit with record or near-record rainfall for the month of August, and a few are flirting with their wettest month ever. Rain from thunderstorms in advance of Irene will make matters worse.

The saturated state of the ground will mean that water has nowhere to go but into yards, streets, streams and rivers.

The worst conditions will be in the stretch from the Delmarva northward through New Jersey, western New England and the Hudson Valley of New York. In part of this area, a foot of rain could fall over a 24- to 48-hour period.

Coastal Flooding, Beach Erosion

Serious coastal flooding and beach erosion are expected from North Carolina northward to Maine.

In a specific sense, the exact degree of above-normal tides is tricky and highly variable due to the highly varied shapes of the coast, barrier islands and back bays.

In a general sense, tides will average 2 to 4 feet above normal, but locally higher surge is likely with wave action on top of the mean level of the sea and open bays.

If you get coastal flooding during a strong nor’easter, you will likely get flooding with Irene. Some barrier islands may be cut off for a time.

Some beaches and boardwalks in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England could sustain damage so severe that they are un-repairable for the duration of the 2011 summer season.

High Winds

Many people along the Atlantic Seaboard probably have not experienced such a strong storm as we expect with Hurricane Irene. People in the path of Irene should stay indoors during the height of this storm.

Some of the youngest of the crowd were not around for Floyd (1999), Fran (1996), Gloria (1985) and others. Then there are the storms of the more distant generations of the 1960s and 1950s, which include Donna (1960), Diane (1955) and Hazel (1954).

In addition to the potential for a great number of downed trees and power lines, Irene can cause other property issues ranging from damaged roofs and siding to busted windows. These items, and others knocked loose, will become airborne projectiles.

High winds will affect air travel and high-profile vehicles in the path of Irene.

There are many bridges that reach sky-high in the major port cities. The higher up you are, the stronger the winds will be. Travel over these bridges for a time at the height of Irene could be halted.

We can only hope that people heed warnings and get out of harm’s way in advance of Irene.

Keep checking in at AccuWeather.com as there may be further adjustments to Irene’s path in the north, as the two-way impact between the hurricane and other weather systems becomes clearer.

January 27-29, 2012:
Farwest Spring Regional Meeting
San Francisco, CA
Click here for more information

March 2nd & 3rd, 2012:
National Iota Foundation National Scholarship Tour presents the Gospel Musical
“When The Child Cries” featuring 4-time Grammy Award winning artist Karen Clark Sheard
Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Click here for tickets and more information

March 22-25, 2012:
Gulf Coast Spring Regional Meeting
Orlando, FL
Click here for more information

March 29- April 1, 2012:
Midwest, Ohio Valley, & Southern Spring  ’Super Regional’ Meeting
Memphis, TN
Click here for more information

April 13-15, 2012:
Atlantic Coast Spring Regional Meeting
Philadelphia, PA
Click here for more information

April 19-22, 2012:
Eastern Spring Regional Meeting
Raleigh, NC
Click here for more information

Calling All Brothers

It is our time to plan to prepare for the celebration of our lifetime

“Living Our Dreams, Building On Our Traditions, Celebrating Our Success”

August 11-18, 2013 * Baltimore, MD

To: All members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and the Sweetheart Auxiliary

From: Thomas “Tex” Dean, Chairman 50^th Anniversary

First I want to thank each person that came forward and participated on the 50^th Anniversary Planning Committee during our beginning preparation period.  The effort made by you created excitement and energy about the 50^th Celebration and I appreciate you for that.

The purpose of this correspondence is to bring you up to speed as to where we are today.  Immediately following the Boston Conclave efforts began to formerly restructure the 50^th Anniversary Committee.

Our objectives were to establish the below items and I am happy to report that we have achieved each point.

• To constructively organize the committee to prepare for all aspects of interest in our celebration.
• Identify and recruit individuals with definite skills.
• Recruit individuals that represent the makeup of the fraternity geographically.
• Assure that UNDERGRADUATES are strongly represented in the overall planning and execution of the celebration.

Equally important we have successfully recruited Brother Daniel P. Henson, a member of the first pledge line 1964 to  manage the program committee by accepting its chairmanship.  This will ensure that all major dignitaries will be involved in our celebration.  Finally I am most encouraged with our undergraduate component, headed by brother Augustine Wiah from the Southern Region as that committee consists of eight undergraduate brothers who were strongly recommended by their respective Regional Polari.

The Restructure Committee members are:

• Thomas “Tex” Dean, Chairman, three term former Grand Polaris
• Edgar Johnson, Vice Chairman, two term former Grand Polaris
• Jerry O. Pittman, Operating Committee Coordinator, two term former Grand Polaris
• Kevin Bennett, Executive Director, Special Operations Consultant

Again I want to thank each person for their thoughts, ideas, input and their time for helping us to get off to a great  information start.

To:  All Members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and the Sweetheart Auxiliary

From: Thomas “Tex” Dean, Chairman 50^th Anniversary Committee

Allow me to introduce our 50^th Anniversary Committee Chairman

• Undergraduate Committee – Augustine Wiah, Southern Region, Co-Chair Reggie Smith, Ohio Valley Region
• Transportation Committee – Calvin Baylor, Far West Region
• Sweetheart Program – Rich Gilbert, Atlantic Coast Region
• Sponsorship Committee- Shelly Stewart, Atlantic Coast Region
• Marketing/Promotion – Timothy Bush, Southern Region
• Housing Committee- Former Grand Polaris John House, Eastern Region
• Logistics/Host Chapters – Keith Jordan, Eastern Region
• Community Service – Reggie Johnson, Eastern Region
• Activities/Entertainment – Former Grand Polaris, Rondall James, Eastern Region, Co-Chair Felicia Manson, Eastern
• Vendor Relations – Cecil Bienvenu III, Far West Region
• Program Committee – Daniel Henson, Eastern Region
• VIP Relations Committee – Former Grand Polaris, Edgar Johnson, Eastern Region , Former Grand Polaris Ted Stephens, Atlantic Coast Region

I would like you to please be in contact with the above listed chairperson to confirm your continued support to the 50^th celebration in the area of your interest.

Finally as we move forward regular committee meetings will be scheduled by the committee chair as I will meet with our executive committee and each committee chairperson regularly. Your input is still our major concern.

Again thank you for your support and for helping to make the difference for our 50^th celebration

Sunday

Monday

Iota Golf Classic, Woodlands Golf Course, Windsor Mill, MD

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

This week, on June 17th will mark the sad 1-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, which left nine African American souls dead. Last night, 50 souls (and the number may rise) were lost in what is now being described as the worst mass shooting in American history.

The common denominator is not just the availability of guns, but HATE. I’ve been teaching ethnic relations, psychology of race and prejudice courses through my 25+ years as a college educator; I am a diversity officer with the Coast Guard Auxiliary; and, I participate in and support causes and programs that try to end hate and abuse towards all people. Yet, sometimes it feels like we (those who care about our fellow man) are trying to plug holes in a dam with our fingers and toes.

I’m not going to even try to analyze and provide solutions in this writing to the causes and reasons why our society and its people never seem to learn from such events. I will simply say that, if you’re reading this, understand that we all participate in varying degrees to the continued hate in our country: When we don’t address the smallest of insults/injuries to other human beings, HATE inevitably grows. From the stereotypes (FALSE images) of others, to the manifestation of derogatory slurs (“‘they’ are ghetto, can’t drive, or look/act/smell funny, etc.”), to active discriminatory actions (“I won’t let/don’t want ‘them’ to come in here, live here, shop here, join my organization …”), to worse (abuse, rape, murder, genocide …), all of these practically guarantee that hate and hate-inspired events such as this most recent will persist.

Therefore, I plan to keep ‘plugging the holes in the dam’ and will simply pledge to work even HARDER to treat my fellow man, regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or socioeconomic status, the same way I would want to be treated: with Decency, Respect and Humanity, and most importantly, with LOVE. If humanity is to have a chance, I hope more of you pledge to do so, as well.

Prayers and Blessings to ALL the souls lost to this senseless violence.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Reverend/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In sympathy,
Robert Clark, Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Oakland, CA

The post Grand Polaris Response to Orlando Shooting appeared first on Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity Inc..

GREETINGS, Iota Family and supporters,

First, I want to say THANK YOU and God Bless you for ALL your support and participation in Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.’s National Fundraising drives for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over the past years.

The purpose of our national partnership and participation with St. Jude is to show the nation one aspect of our Fraternity’s relevance by serving a population of the most deserved, ‘at risk’ youth in our country. With over 40% of the children and families receiving the FREE treatments for the most dangerous cancers being African American, St. Jude is truly a charity worthy of our support!

It is also our opportunity to show that Iota Phi Theta is not just a ragtag collection of chapters and regions, but instead a unified, coordinated entity that can come together, UNITED, on one day and have a national/international presence and impact. It is an opportunity for the world to see that the Brothers of Iota and the Sweethearts of ISI, Inc. are a true ‘family’ that works together to improve the conditions of our people, especially our children.

Therefore, I hope that we ALL continue our tireless efforts to support St. Jude. For those of you who have visited St. Jude, you know firsthand the importance of this endeavor; for those who have never visited St. Jude, I hope you have an opportunity to do so, soon, to see how your efforts make a TRUE difference in the lives of the children and families St. Jude serves.

I have attached ‘sponsor sheets’ that I created and have used VERY successfully to solicit donations from work colleagues and supporters from church and other community organizations I am involved with … it’s easy … just ask for a donation, and send a thank you letter to those who donate! Join an Iota Team to submit any donations raised. Feel free to contact me for other ideas and/or suggestions for fundraising.

Again, THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU and GOOD LUCK in your St. Jude fundraising endeavors this year!

Brotherly,
Robert Clark, Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Oakland, CA
“One Focus, One Direction, One Fraternity!”

St. Jude and African Americans:
https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/other-ways/saving-all-kids/civil-rights-era.html

To view the agreement between St. Jude and Iota Phi Theta as a National Silver Team, click here.

To view our National Page, click here.

The post St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer appeared first on Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity Inc..

Please prepare and register for the upcoming Spring Regional meetings!

Atlantic Coast Region

Dates – April 21-April 23, 2017
Location – Doubletree by Hilton in Mount Laurel, NJ
Registration – Click here to access registration

Eastern Region

• Dates –  April 7-April 9, 2017
• Location – Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, VA
• Registration – Click here to access registration.

Gulf Coast Region

• Dates – March 16-March 19, 2017
• Location – Columbia Marriott Downtown Hotel in Columbia, SC.
• Registration – Click here to access registration.
• Conference Chair – Bro/Dr. Travis Ballenger
• Conference Co-Chairs – Bro. Jerry Johnson, ARP Gulf Coast Region & Bro. Hezekiah Grice

Southern Region & Far West Region

• Dates – March 30-April 2,2017
• Location – The Whitewall by Sotherly Hotel in Houston, TX.
• Registration – Click here to access registration.

Ohio Valley Region

Midwest Region

Check back for updates as each region announces and submits flyers for their meetings.

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