What Is The Alpha Investment?
Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the Alpha Investment design? It represents the continuing evolution of all brothers, working together for the better making of men. It represents you as a young man developing into a respected and experienced advisor, ready to teach and impart your wisdom to the next generation. It is about the partnerships we form with ourselves and with corporate, civic and community organizations to further our mission. Each image means that the small and timely investments we make can grow and mature into solid contributions to society and our organization.
In my last communication I wanted you to have an understanding of my background and what I believe is next for our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I want to lead Alpha Phi Alpha to show far and wide the value of a member’s financial and fraternal investment. But each of us must ask a very important question, “What exactly is my Alpha Investment?” Each of us makes the rungs of my platform, the depth in my idealism and the future of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
My platform outlines 22 investment strategies where I will place my focus in leading this organization.
- I will invest in a strategy to communicate to every member of Alpha Phi Alpha and connect him to the challenges of where the fraternity needs support regardless of membership status.
- I will invest in a strategy to drive chapter operational efficiencies and to drive the automation of functions through the use of technology, such as:
- the development of an “app” to access membership information for
personal and fraternal use, and, - the ability to become financial with a chapter through our membership system
- I will invest in a strategy to responsibly maintain budgets where we do not rely on tapping into other funding areas
- I will invest in a strategy to reduce the number of “at-risk” chapters where all chapters are sustainable
- I will invest in a strategy to provide programs so that college brothers can raise and meet academic expectations
- I will invest in a strategy to continue supporting the business of Alpha Phi Alpha while providing and promoting affordable activities for brothers and their families to connect with each other and to strengthen our fraternal bond
- I will invest in a strategy to provide a “roadmap” to illustrate the direction of the fraternity in a transparent and concise manner.
- I will invest in a strategy to better showcase and integrate the programs and projects as investments in the next generation of young children and their communities.
- I will invest in a strategy to evaluate our fraternal structure to better incorporate and support our international expansion.
- I will invest in a strategy to safeguard our corporate and fraternal resources by developing new revenue streams and protecting the financial resources we currently possess, improving the physical plant of our existing corporate headquarters facility, and hiring the best and brightest people to manage the corporate office and ensuring their ongoing professional development is structured to provide the support the Brotherhood requires.
Your investment goes towards protecting our corporate identity in developing databases of information, delivering first class service, and ensuring the protection and growth of our corporate assets. In addition, your investment will go towards supporting each and every college brother reaching for their goals, developing their professional acumen and strengthening the tools that reinforce high academic performance and achievement. With that, your investment will help us to continue promoting our strategic vision, and maintaining our focus on national programs and service.
An investment is a promissory note. A note that says “I Brother X believe that with my personal contributions of time, financial support and loyalty, Alpha Phi Alpha will grow, fulfill its duties to mankind, and promote a greater sense of brotherhood.” This investment in our fraternity will expand with each participating brother who believes that what the Jewels began 104 years ago was more than just a club or group of buddies, but a movement; a movement with such profound impact that it became what we are today. You will have clear understanding of your investment, as you will take part in controlling it. Our fraternity’s future belongs to more than just an administration, it belongs to the brotherhood, and it takes a full investment from the brotherhood to create our future.
How is the Alpha Investment any different than other platforms?
The Alpha Investment asks that you do more than just believe in me, but believe in yourself. You put forth your money, time, and loyalty to Alpha Phi Alpha because you are sure it’s the right thing to do. You are sure that what you have decided to do will move mankind forward.
Take a moment to think back to when you first decided that you wanted to join Alpha Phi Alpha. Whether it was just before last intake season, 10 years ago, or 60 years ago, you came to an understanding that Alpha Phi Alpha was for you. Hence, you joined. You made a commitment that for the rest of your life you would love and support this fraternity. The initial investment of $100, $500, or $1200 was you saying, “I am sure I belong to this brotherhood, we are one”.
How Can I invest Today?
You can invest today with your support of, and in, my candidacy. Allow me to lead Alpha Phi Alpha in this pivotal moment, at this most important time in the developmental stages of our future. It’s about all of us, working together, leading together. A firm endorsement of my strategy can go miles in getting brothers fired up about Alpha leadership. Give me your promissory note that together we can grow our investment.
The investment is about you, me, the fraternity, and all others watching Alpha move. Let’s be sure again now.
I say all of this with excitement and conviction because I believe in the Alpha Phi Alpha investment, and I believe in each of you. Here is the investment. Here is what you will get. You are your own broker; I merely wish to lead the firm with my vision.
Fraternally,
Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Who is Brother Mark S. Tillman and What is Next for Alpha Phi Alpha?
Brother James R. Williams, the 25th General President
Asked us to invest in a “back to basics” philosophy to ensure the greatness of our past.
Brother Ozell Sutton, the 26th General President
Asked us to invest in the struggle for human rights to maintain and ensure our civil liberties are intact.
Brother Charles C. Teamer, Sr., the 27th General President
Asked us to invest in our internal structure to ensure organizational effectiveness.
Brother Henry Ponder, the 28th General President
Asked us to invest in the property of our general office and to ensure it grows in value.
Brother Milton C. Davis, the 29th General President
Asked us to invest in our own renaissance, rekindle our spirit, and ensure our buying power supports Alpha Phi Alpha.
Brother Adrian L. Wallace, the 30th General President
Asked us to invest in Alpha University and produce graduates from the school for the better making of men.
Brother Harry E. Johnson Sr., the 31st General President
Asked us to invest in an attitude to carry Alpha Phi Alpha forward and to ensure that our presence is felt as we walk into a room.
Brother Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., the 32nd General President
Asked us to invest in our mission and strategic plan to ensure Alpha Phi Alpha’s long-term viability is structurally, operationally, and fiscally strong.
Brother Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., the 33rd General President
Asked us to invest in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha, believe in what seven young men started, and to ensure our legacy for generations to come.
Did you know that within the first five years of crossing the burning sands Alpha Phi Alpha loses approximately 75% of newly initiated members? “Why I desire to be an Alpha?” is suddenly replaced with “What is Alpha doing and what can Alpha do for me?”
NOTE: A 30 year trend of brothers initiated since 1980 and whose grand tax or life membership is currently satisfied.
My vision is to rekindle the energy in our brotherhood, ignite the fire to re-enforce the value proposition of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and expand upon the ideals of our revered seven jewels.
I know that I can set the tone to reverse the perception that Alpha Phi Alpha has hit a plateau with our brothers who have disconnected themselves from our mission. It will take a committed effort from every brother in this fraternity to work as a team. I am committed to providing tangible growth for our fraternity that is designed to be servants of all.
I want to lead Alpha Phi Alpha to show the value of a member’s financial and fraternal investment, and that value will be the precursor to everything we do as a brotherhood. Value is obtained by showing that our programs will earn a profit, is significant, and rooted in substance. We must demonstrate the commitment to providing and achieving “best in class” service and quality to our membership such that chapters can service its members and the community locally.
Self-invested capital of our brothers in education, health, music, business, entrepreneurship, politics, finance, science, and service will allow us to maintain and enhance our position as 21st century change agents. We will leave a legacy for the next generation of initiates who will carry the torch of our seven jewels to advocate and to serve our community.
The Alpha Investment is my passion and my way of life in this fraternity. I want to continue sharing my passion and impact with you as the 34th General President.
I will invest in the transition of our college brothers to “life after college” and ensure that the initiation of every member is not the pinnacle, but the start, of his Alpha experience – promoting opportunities that integrate and connect members of the fraternity at different stages of their lives.
Through my dedication, I want you to believe in my passion that Alpha Phi Alpha is, and always will be, the greatest organization and that status is built and reinforced one brother at a time.
I am passionate about service, and have dedicated myself to giving back to my community. One of my most gratifying commitments has been as a mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters for over 10 years to Devan, Crispin, and now Elijah.
I am passionate about leadership. For over two decades of service to Alpha Phi Alpha, I understand we are called upon to lead and address critical needs of the organization and our community. With this mentality, I approached my responsibilities as the Immediate Past Vice President of the Midwestern Region, at every single moment of my tenure.
When combined, these elements fuel my continued passion for our great fraternity. I strive to be versatile and ambitious on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha, using my passions for its advancement. I have held many positions in the fraternity – leading as an Area Director of Southeast Michigan, as District Director of Michigan, as an Associate Executive Director of the Midwestern Region, and my four year tenure as the Midwestern Regional Vice President. But more important than the positions I held, is how my passion is manifested through these positions of leadership and the impact I had.
–the impact of continued growth and success of every Alpha man exhibited during college brother retreats
–the impact of re-enforcing brotherhood fellowship and critical training for brothers on Alpha protocol, accountability and leadership.
–the impact of having one of the highest collegiate member attendance rates at the Alpha Leadership Academy
–the impact of developing a system of accountability and rewarding brothers for taking academic achievement seriously
–the impact that was exhibited during leadership conferences, where I provided opportunities for brothers to think critically about key aspects of true leadership and compliance within the fraternity.
–the impact where my leadership ensured that my district and my region provided service in our convention host cities, chapters remained in high compliance, being financially self-sufficient, with transparency, and without any outstanding debt.
I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE when you receive your ballot in April of 2012! Invest in my direction as we invest together in Alpha Phi Alpha.
Fraternally,
Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.