Mission Completed at the 63rd District Conference; Omega Centennial Up Ahead

Dinner at the 2D Conference

A week ago, a caravan of Brothers made their way to Cherry Hill, N.J.for the 63rd annual Second District Conference. It was a special time of pride for the chapter as one of its own, Brother Kenneth Rodgers, led his first District Conference as the 32nd Second District Representative.  Second District Chaplain Brother Dr. Gerald Folsom, also of Gamma Pi, led a worship service at the conference.

Gamma Pi represents ...

About 25 Brothers made the trip up the busy corridor known as I-95. Now, having taken care of District business and having polished off a slew of community service projects including Fraternity mandated programs, Gamma Pi is ready to roll into the upcoming historic Centennial celebration for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. in Washington, D.C.

Bros. Keemer and Mays at Xmas in April 

So far in 2011, the Super Chapter has:

• cooked and served food to  more than 100 occupants of two nearby shelters
• conducted 4 weekend sessions of Project ENRICH, its program for college-aspiring high school students
• helped rehabilitate a local home in disrepair as part of Christmas in April
• helped educate local underprivileged children on nutrition and exercise through Que Kidz Dayz 
• worked the local March of Dimes walk-a-thon
• sponsored a communitywide talent hunt program
• raised thousands of dollars for college scholarships with a sold-out Mardi Gras attended by Grand Basileus Bro. Dr. Andrew Ray
• sponsored a meeting of Maryland State legislators and area members of the Fraternity to discuss legislative priorities of importance to the local African American community
• reclaimed 84 Brothers back to the Omega Psi Phi fold, taking chapter membership beyond 200

Brothers Dr. Harrison Foy and Thaddeus Turner provided these photos from the District Conference and Brother David Sierra snapped Christmas in April photos.  An additional photo of a Line from Iota Gamma chapter, "The Mother Pearl of New Jersey," was provided by Brother Akima Rogers. Many more are forthcoming and will also make their way to the Gamma Pi website.



Bro. "DR" Rodgers (2nd, right)





Bros. Greg Gaines and Terry Rogers (2nd, 3rd left) with Line Bros. 

Chipping Up to the Green with Gamma Pi's New Golf League

Most of the time, Gamma Pi chapter is out and about while thoroughly immersed in a local community service project.  Whether it is feeding the homeless at a local shelter, helping young students aim for college with Project ENRICH or spending quality time with senior citizens, the Super Chapter is always bringing Uplift to the Prince George's County community as Brothers exhaust themselves traveling to every corner of the county . People rarely see the friendship and fraternity that takes place behind the scenes. It is how Gamma Pi -- and Omega men everywhere -- bond with one another, by sharing time together socially and just being friends.

Bro. Alvarez

This week, the fast-growing chapter (now more than 200 members strong, the largest in the Second District) took a step towards molding new Omega friendships and solidifying more Omega friendships in its ranks with the kickoff of a new summer golf league. The league has been an instant success. Brother Ian Alvarez has signed up nearly 50 Brothers from the chapter to play a local course every other Sunday with the intent to name an overall winner by the time the league ends play in October.

Brothers began play in the new league on Sunday, April 17, at Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville,Md. Other courses on the schedule are the University of Maryland and Enterprise. Are they keeping score? You better believe it! Brother Alvarez is preparing to post week-by-week scores for access by chapter members very soon and according to "insiders," without giving away all the news, the inaugural Sunday for the league was a "Bleu" Sunday.  More details to come, including a look at the early leaderboard. The league is using the United States Golfing Association rules and the Callaway Scoring System to determine player handicaps, a system which tries to equalize individual scoring across different skill levels.  If you are interested in joining in, reach out to Bro.Alvarez via email.

Below are some photos Bro. Charles Casteel,of the Public Relations Committee, captured in the "opening round" last Sunday. Brother Casteel is also the author of an iphone golf app that helps you with shot selection. Ask him about it!

After Delivering Essays, Students Talk about the Benefits of Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH

As the school year winds down, Gamma Pi chapter is preparing to bring to a close another successful year of Project ENRICH. On yesterday, April 9, the presentations of the student essays signalled the coming close of this year's program which transitioned to new leadership in 2010-11 under Brother Pete Ford with the retirement last year of Brother Roland Byrd.


Last year's seniors at closing

 The essays are always anticipated each year and more than 40 students presented their work orally before judges at the Thurgood Marshall Library Building at Bowie State University during yesterday's Project ENRICH session. Project ENRICH is a college prep program run by Gamma Pi chapter that requires students to participate continuouslyy from 9th through 12th grades. It meets once a month at Bowie State on Saturdays for approximately 4 hours.

The selected topic for this year's student essays was "self image," an appropriate subject given the challenges young people face when heading out into the real world. What do you want people to think about you and what kind of impression do you want to leave with potential college admissions administrators, professors and employers? That was on everyone's minds at Bowie State yesterday and the prevailing opinion was that the students did an excellent job, making their families and Gamma Pi chapter proud. Many families were in attendance to support their young people.

The PR Committee did not capture any video of students making their presentations since they were being graded competitively. Without the ability to videotape each and every one, it could have represented an advantage/disadvantage for any of them.  But following the presentations, Gamma Pi talked to a handful of seniors (on video) who will be leaving the program upon graduation in a few weeks.  They had some interesting comments about how Project ENRICH has prepared them well for college and the world beyond. The unedited video is below.

As you will hear Project ENRICH is definitely having the intended effect on students' lives and preparation for the future. (see links at end of post to share on Facebook or Twitter)

In Two Weeks, The Biggest Social Event in the Metro Area: Will You Be There?

If you have not already purchased your ticket, rounded up your outfit (70's theme, African garb or semi-formal), or made arrangements to share a table with your best friends, you may be running out of time to be "in the house" when Gamma Pi chapter (through the Gamma Pi Omega Foundation, Inc.) hosts its Centennial Mardi Gras Dinner & Dance Extravaganza on Friday night, March 18, 2011.

Ticket sales are moving very fast as the event moves toward a sellout at the fabulous Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. in Prince George's County, Md.  Gamma Pi chapter will be celebrating 38 years, yet this event will be the local chapter's official kick-off gala for the upcoming Centennial Anniversary Celebration of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. set to take place this July in Washington,.D.C.

Gamma Pi's event always attracts area notables and this year, the attendance list will be topped by Omega Psi Phi Grand Basileus Andrew Ray, Jr., who will join Gamma Pi for the evening of elegant food, soulful live music, a costume parade, and an awesomely huge dance floor waiting for you to come work out! Practice your moves now, but the best move you can make today is to secure that ticket so you are not left out in the cold!

Date:  Friday night, March 18,2011

Venue:  Martin's Crosswinds (7400 Greenway Center Dr., Greenbelt)

Time:  9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Tickets:  $75 (purchase online)

Music:  Soul Patrol Band 

Menu:  Roast Sirloin of Beef, Baked Chicken, Italian Meatballs, Seafood Jumbalaya
Contact:  alfonzopowell@verizon.net

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