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Dear Brother,
Technological advances have allowed us to improve our means of communication and have expanded and changed our world. It was only 15 to 20 years ago that everyone had just a pager as leading edge or had to carry quarters to use the payphone. VCRs and cassette tapes were essential to watch your favorite recordings or listen to the latest music. Most people did not know about or have the Internet, there were no iPads, and you had to actually step onto a university campus for the latest instructional training. Now we have replaced the pagers with smartphones as good as laptops. The Internet and tablet computers have become crucial parts of our daily lives. Most of us have forgotten the task of having to constantly check the VCR and cassette tapes when rewinding. Today, you can earn an advanced degree with the click of a computer, sitting in comfort when and where you wish to learn.
As I endeavor to become your 34th General President, technology is a key component in my platform to achieve “best in class” service and quality to you, and manage the rate of change we all experience. I want to communicate to you and every member of Alpha Phi Alpha anywhere on the globe quickly and regardless of membership status. I want you to be instantly connected to the challenges of where the fraternity needs your support.
I will drive the automation of functions through the use of technology and reduce paper intensive and outdated processes for our brothers, regions, and chapters. How about an “app” to access your membership information through your smartphone or iPad for personal and fraternal use? What about the ability to become financial with a chapter through our membership system? Or even vote for the next General President safely, securely, and reliably online?
Can you imagin
e your General President providing a short real time video address to your district conference regarding fraternal issues to increase transparency? This is something I have done on multiple occasions as Midwestern Regional Vice President. Can you imagine Alpha University providing an online educational experience that rivals other online universities? In a world where corporations are slashing budgets like travel to increase the bottom line, Alpha Phi Alpha must plan for, and rely on, technology to become more efficient, cost effective, and flexible to the ever growing time demands of a brother.
I, and maybe you, enjoy updating our Facebook profiles and groups, tweeting whatever is on our mind, and uploading YouTube videos. Each of us represents Alpha Phi Alpha around the clock. However, we must protect our corporate identity and remain cognizant that these are public forums. Our brothers have lost their jobs, or worse, cannot get hired, and faced other challenges because of offensive and inappropriate posts. We must be mindful of our partners and sponsors who are evaluating us well before signing the memorandum of understanding or signing over a check. Who will support us if we show one thing by day and something else by night? But as your General President, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to utilize these tools so that we as brothers remain connected, share and discuss ideas in a respectful manner, and bring about positive changes as we move the business of our fraternity within the appropriate places, such as our business sessions and chapter meetings.
I still enjoy traditional forms of communication, writing a letter or a quick note on a postcard, and using the telephone. For my brothers who are not into technology, we will always rely on these methods. And for me, the best form of communication is still face-to-face. I will continue my investment in travel so that I can meet with you in person. And in the event that circumstances preclude a meeting, audio and video conference calls are also available these days for free. You are a shareholder within the fraternity, and technology will allow all of us to be accountable to the mission of the fraternity.
Fraternally,
Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
