A Message for College Brothers

Dear Brother,

Let’s keep it 100% REAL! Alpha Phi Alpha is an expensive organization, you still want a different intake process, and sometimes it feels like you are surrounded by too much Alpha politics. I’m not writing you to ask for more money, inundate you with the normal political platform stump speech, nor attempting to shut you out of developing your sense of independence and commitment.

I’m writing to simply say that I understand your frustrations, and I understand what it means to be a college brother within a large organization. I understand you feel we have good alumni brothers, but quite removed from the collegiate experience; yes, college days did swiftly pass.  It’s a tough reality. One in which we all share the burden. But allow me to be blunt…. I do need your support to help re-engage the average college brother who feels that those vices I listed above sully their Alpha experience. I need your support to improve these stale and repetitive problems facing our Alphadom.

Our cherished history talks about the fasces, the symbolism of strength in numbers that adorns our shield. That symbol asks us to remain connected through an ideal. That ideal is the belief that Alpha Phi Alpha is an organization for us all, an organization that represents us all, and an organization that will work for us all. It is imperative that any person leading Alpha Phi Alpha make Alpha work for us all. But let’s be crystal clear, Alpha Phi Alpha has many levels of the brotherhood experience.

You have fresh new college brothers on the yard, stepping, strolling, programming and keeping a social energetic life in the frat. You have brothers just removed from college in grad school or just beginning jobs who are finding ways to stay engaged. You have young alumni brothers situated in a chapter, making moves to become successful. You have middle-aged alumni brothers with families, and years on their jobs. And you have our seasoned brothers, those who have many many years in the fraternity, who remind us how we must love and cherish Alpha for what it is.

From the moment I was initiated into our great fraternity as a 19-year-old college student, I have been able to maintain the feelings of my collegiate experiences even through the rigors of everyday middle aged family life.  And, as General President, I shall always maintain and relive those experiences from college through you, our life blood.

Programs like the Alpha Leadership Academy and College Life to Corporate Life will be expanded to benefit you, and every member from every college chapter. I will work hard to make sure if your chapter is “at-risk” that it will again become sustainable.  I will support you and every college brother to meet academic expectations.  When you graduate and start your family, we will have affordable activities that allow you to continue to strengthen your fraternal bond. I will need you to lead committees, or serve in capacities that will excite our young brothers, because they see themselves moving the organization.

My point is this, there are many ways brothers engage within Alpha. But at the very beginning they start and emerge as our college brothers. For many of us, this is where it all began. This is the inception of our understandings of Alpha Phi Alpha. I have not, nor will I ever, forget to take care of my college brothers. I got ya back!!!

I open myself to you. I want you to feel connected to me and trust in my leadership.  Together, with all hands on deck, we can make Alpha the best it can be.

Being on the Yard is a different world than being in an office. Let me know how we can keep the yard connected to all brothers so that they learn, and never forget, those college days….even if they do swiftly pass.

You have comments?  Contact me!
Suggestions?  Contact me!
Concerns?  Contact me!

I am committed to YOU!!!

Alpha Phi Alpha is a great organization. When we take care of each other, and make solid goals, there is nothing we cannot do. My investment ideals will keep us on task. But understand this, our work is amazing and we are making strides.  Please give me your support, and together, let’s aim high.

Contact Me!!!

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Phone: (248) 579-5741
Email: marktillman@thealphainvestment.org
Facebook: Mark S. Tillman
Twitter: alphainvest06
Skype: mtillm01
Website: http://thealphainvestment.org

Brother Mark S. Crain is fully invested in Brother Mark S. Tillman for 34th General President

My Beloved Brothers in Alpha:

As a former Regional Assistant Vice President, I write today to give my whole-hearted endorsement of the Brother whose commitment and dedication to excellence has assured me that he should serve as the next General President of Alpha Phi Alpha; Brother Mark S. Tillman.

There are a number of men who, since my initiation, have become Big Brothers in the truest since and I count Brother Tillman amongst them. His is the example we should follow in seeking to be good, committed and diligent servants in this organization of leaders. His is the example of a man who achieved that heavily sought balance between brotherhood and business and did so at the expense of neither. While capable, Brother Tillman’s respect within this house is not rooted in his ability to give a stirring speech. While knowledgeable, it is not grounded in his ability to recite to us our own history. Brother Tillman’s respect within the House of Alpha is squarely founded on the years of sincere time and effort he has given to Alpha and, more importantly, to the community that Alpha serves. This is a Brother whom an army of gentlemen that endeavor to be servant leaders would be proud to have as their General.

I had the honor of working alongside Brother Tillman during his tenure on our National Board of Directors as an AVP in his region. During this time, I learned first-hand the detailed nature by which he approaches his work and his emphasis on transparent and regular communication with the Brotherhood. He engages each and every task with the strategic mindset you would expect from the leader of a 20,000-member organization and particularly one to which you pay dues. In the era of $100K losses, the fact that not a single one of Brother Tillman’s Regional Conventions lost money is a testament to his business prowess and commitment to planning and execution.  These are the qualities we need to fortify the House of Alpha. Sound practices, proven results and an ability to execute are hallmarks of Brother Tillman’s leadership.

Lastly, I would be remiss not to discuss how Brother Tillman catered to our college membership, not in rhetorical or patronizing ways, but with significant efforts aimed at preparing us for fruitful membership in Alpha and success in Real Life. When I set out to host a College Brothers Retreat, he made sure that as many Brothers as possible from throughout the Region could attend, at practically no cost to themselves. He later supported an effort to solidify the College Brothers Retreat as an annual program with full funding from the General Organization. Under his leadership, his region was also the first to begin systematically collecting college chapter GPAs leading to an organization-wide effort to catalogue this data which in turn allows us to identify struggling chapters and help our Brothers meet their fullest academic potential.

Having now been a Brother under two administrations and having learned the legacies of those that preceded them, I can fully understand the significance of the Office of General President. This is not an election to take lightly, Brothers. We are at a moment where it is critical that the members herein have full faith that every dollar and moment of time that they invest in Alpha Phi Alpha is producing a positive return for the community and for themselves. Mark Tillman is the steward who can and will ensure that your Alpha Investment is protected.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Crain
Past MWR Assistant Vice President
Iota Delta Lambda Chapter | Chicago, IL
Alpha Mu Spring 2006 | Northwestern University

Brother Mark S. Tillman with Brother Mark S. Crain, Past Midwestern Regional Assistant Vice President

Do You Know Where Your Line Brothers Are?

Dear Brother,

“Do you know where your line brothers are?”

As men, we are confronted with many transitions in our lives that shape our values. Our perspectives change from when we enter college, through our first job and career goals, family obligations, health concerns, and in our retirement years. College days do indeed swiftly pass. At every stage, we must continue to invest in, and encourage, our line brothers and ourselves to stay connected to our brotherly relationships that are formed at initiation. By doing so, we can show that Alpha Phi Alpha can be balanced in our lives.

The Alpha Investment is about our involvement IN the fraternity, and FOR the fraternity. It touches the relationships we formed when our memberships began, and those that induct us into the Omega Chapter. It involves lifting up those who need our help during our journey of growth and reaching back for those we may have lost along the way. It is forever true: “he is not heavy, he is my brother.”

Where are your line brothers? Are they as involved, are they as committed, are they giving back as you? Do you know how to reach those who crossed with you? Are you even in touch with those who crossed with you? Are you willing to work to reconnect those bonds you once had? Are you willing to invest your time to bring back members who came in as your brothers when you all were becoming our brothers?

As your 34th General President, I want our brothers to know that we need to exercise the collective and stabilized strength of our membership.

1. 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.
2. I will invest in a strategy to develop a “welcome packet” that invites any member to join an alumni chapter seated anywhere on the globe.
3. I will invest in a strategy to develop a major marketing effort to encourage brothers to reinvest in the fraternity.

I also want brothers to know that I will promote opportunities that integrate and connect our membership to the fraternity at different stages in one’s life.

1. I will invest in a strategy to expand the participation of the Alpha Leadership Academy and the College Life to Corporate Life initiatives where every member from every college chapter is benefiting from the programs.
2. I will invest in a strategy to provide programs so that college brothers can raise and meet academic expectations.
3. I will invest in a strategy to support brotherhood development initiatives where all brothers can take advantage of fraternal mentorship opportunities.
4. I will invest in a strategy to expand on the support of the Brother’s Keeper Program.
5. I will invest in a strategy to continue supporting the business of Alpha Phi Alpha while providing and promoting affordable activities that allow for brothers, and their families, to connect with each other and to strengthen our fraternal bond.

Your line brothers were with you at the beginning. Much like in my case, many are not active in the Fraternity with us now and are missing the wonder of being part of this amazing fraternal journey. I do know where my line brothers are. We are in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. Allow me to share what my line brothers thought about me when I was wishing 2 of my LBs a happy birthday;

“Mark, I want to say thank you for what you have done and been for the Nuprin Nine. You have taken the word “brotherhood” to another dimension. For the past twenty five years, you have taken upon yourself to help keep our “fraternal spirit” alive! You have remembered and helped us to remember each other’s birthdays. You found Marc and our long lost Harrison! Each of us have built busy lives, but, we are grateful because you help bring us back to what it’s all about. Loving relationships that cannot be made, they have to be born and cultivated. You have helped foster that growth between us, and, even though we don’t see each other, I believe that our bonds are still as strong as they were when we, together, crossed those burning sands!!” Brother Christopher F. Taylor #6

“Very well said Chris, I totally concur. I am totally grateful to Till for his thoughtfulness firstly, but mostly for his friendship and commitment to his LBs and the frat in general. Till, U da man. U hold the torch high everyday. I appreciate u for that.” Brother LTC Kirk L. Williams #4

“Amen to that well said” Brother Danny C. Williams, #8

“I agree Chris. It is a rare gift for an individual to embody literally all the precepts and spirit of our fraternity. When you think of Alpha Phi Alpha – in my mind – The definition of brotherhood is Bro. Mark Tillman…” Brother Michael Curd #5

“I count on that email every year. It means a lot…” Brother Huiet V. Joseph #2

I believe that if you and I invest our time in brothers, we can reclaim more brothers than ever in the history of our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. That, I believe, is a more than reasonable investment of your time. Please reach out to them as I have, and will continue to reach out to you, and to each other. This is about what was, what is, and what has yet to be.

Let us all do our part in the Alpha Investment. Start your investment today! (click here)

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.