Final Appeals for Brothers to Support Ride for Domestic Violence this Weekend

This weekend, hundreds of motorcycle riders will "hit the road" in Prince George's County to bring awareness to a sometimes overlooked cause where so many women -- sometimes in the shadows of anonymity -- are themselves forced to "hit the road" mercilessly after they have been beaten. It is called domestic violence,and it is a huge national problem that plays itself out in the metro area every day.

To help the women in Prince George's County who find themselves in these situations, often needing shelter to "take cover," Gamma Pi is joining with other local organizations and the sponsoring Washington Redskins to help conduct and participate in the Fifth Annual Ride to Survive to Eliminate Domestic Violence. The event benefits the Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County.

Numerous Gamma Pi Brothers who are avid bikers are expected to join in the ride as a symbolic way to turn their hobby into a good cause for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc,.and for the women in the community who need such services.
"We are making a final appeal to the Brothers who can, to come out this Saturday and support this annual fundraiser event,"said Brother Charles Mays, who is Domestic Violence chair for Gamma Pi. "Volunteer support is needed to assist with setting up the tables and chairs for the registration areas and the feeding areas following the ride."

Volunteers for the setup should report at around 8:30 am. Registration will begin at 9:00 am and the ride is scheduled to start at around 11:00 am. Brothers who want to participate in just the ride portion are welcome and the ride starts at Fed Ex Field, gates E, #3 and #4. The ride is co-sponsored by Cruzerz Unlimited, American Legion Riders, Post 275 and the East Coast Busas motorcycle clubs. Registration is $25 per bike.

Brother Mays is encouraging the chapter  to come out and support this worthwhile cause to fund the activities of the Family Crisis Center as they provide support to the victims of domestic violence here in Prince George's County. Call him if questions at 240-899-0715.


Download Pledge and Registration Forms Here!

Second District Chaplain, Gamma Pi's Own Bro. Gerald Folsom, Among New AME Ordinations



Now he is the Rev. Dr. Folsom ...

 The weekend of April 26 was a huge one for Second District Chaplain Bro. Dr. Gerald Folsom, who is also the past Chaplain for Gamma Pi chapter. He was re-elected to his position as District Chaplain at the 64th Annual Second District Conference hosted by Gamma Pi at the Washington National Harbor. And during the 62nd Session of the Washington Annual AME Conference being held a few miles away, nine people were ordained as Itinerant Deacons in the AME Church. One of the nine was Bro. Folsom.

As an Itinerant Deacon in the AME Church, Bro. Dr. Folsom  carries the title of "Reverend" and is authorized to perform Baptisms, marriage ceremonies, burial rites and assist the Elder for the Communion Elements. The next step, after two more years in the AME Board of Examiners, would be the final ordination, as Itinerant Elder.

Bro Folsom was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. on November 20, 1982 at Beta Psi Chapter, Clark College (now Clark/Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia. He serves on the ministerial staff of Community of Hope AME, under Rev Tony Lee, Senior Pastor in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland.

Bro. Dr. Folsom -- now officially Brother "Reverend Doctor" -- leads the"cradle of preachers" that are among the members of Gamma Pi chapter. Several Brothers, including current Chaplain Bro. Michael Turnbull, lead churches or regularly bring sermons at local churches.  Send Bro. Dr. Folsom an email shout out of congratulations!

Highlights from Friday's Sessions - 64th Second District Conference

Bro. Kenneth Rodgers at Life Members Luncheon

Gamma Pi was the perfect host through the first two days of the 64th Second District Conference. It was evidenced by smooth-running business meetings, a steady stream of Omega men pouring in from the five-state region, a night of unforgettable social events (March Down and after-parties) and a first-class facility in the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Below are just some video and photo highlights that have now become part of Gamma Pi and the Second District's illustrious history in Omega Psi Phi. There are many more outstanding highlights to come in the days and weeks ahead.

For Omega men, it was the Opening Plenary and special sessions like the the Life Members' Luncheon. Second District Representative Brother Kenneth Rodgers, a former Gamma Pi Basileus, was among those making remarks at the luncheon. Brother Benjamin Jeffers was the keynote speaker.

Ms. Mildred Mohammed (photo by Bro. Tony Kelly)

One of the most moving  public and community events of the day was a special Domestic Violence presentation by Mildred Mohammed,  the wife of now-executed "D.C. Sniper" John Mohammed. She gave a powerful look behind the scenes of her personal  and family terror trying to escape her crazed husband's clutches. Her experience is recounted in a book she has written about the experience.

The Social Scene topped it all off with a standing-room-only ovation-drawing March Down won by the March Team from Gamma Pi. Teams from Lambda Gamma Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta and two local schools also participated. Miss Black D.C. and Miss Black Maryland were among the show's judges. And the night ended with two big sold-out ballroom after parties that "rocked the house" and showed why Omega is the best at "work and play."

Here are the highlights:

Gamma Pi March Team in action (raw video)

Lambda Gamma Gamma Step Team (raw phone video):

About the Conference from Miss Black Maryland and Miss Black D.C.:

See More Photos and Video Clips at www.facebook.com/gammapichapter

Omega Nation Comes to Prince George's County as the 64th Second District Conference Kicks Off

Today, Brothers from all across the five-state Second District are making their way to Washington National Harbor to begin the 64th Second District Conference,which is already the largest ever for the Second District, which covers Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. After a year of planning, Gamma Pi chapter is ready to pull back the curtain on a four-day extravaganza that creatively mixes Omega's business with an impressive lineup of social and public events throughout this weekend.

More than 600 have registered for the conference and many more are expected to sign up during on-site registration at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center that goes from today through Sunday.

Today's schedule is highlighted by a golf tournament at Andrews Air Force Base, a free jazz mixer and a public program during the evening. Information about registration is available at the Second District web site: http://www.opp2d.org/ and you can get more information about social events (as well as make online ticket purchase) at Gamma Pi's website: http://www.gammapi.org/.

Gamma Pi will be blogging from the conference. Bookmark this page to stay in touch with the "sights and sounds" from the 64th Second District Conference. We will also be posting on our Facebook page. Here is an official greeting from Gamma Pi Basileus Gordon Everett, Sr.:

Basileus Everett is interviewed by Brother Brett Blake about Gamma Pi chapter and about the conference:
                                       

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