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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Less Than 30 Days to Go .. and the Largest Second District Conference Ever

Second District Conference Planning Committee at Work

In one month, the gleaming new Washington National Harbor will be packed with men wearing those famous colors, Royal Purple and Old Gold. They will come from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other parts of Maryland for the 64th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi.

With fewer than 30 days left, the registration numbers have already surpassed any previous District Conference and they are still counting, according to Brother Edward High, District Marshal in charge of conference logistics.

Omega men interested in registering can do so by going here: Second District web site 

Bro. Kenneth Rodgers (center) with
the Grand Basileus (left)

While Omega men will be in town for business and a robust social action agenda, they will also take the off-time to enjoy the resort venue and to mix with friends of the Fraternity with an array of social events that are now being promoted. From the highly anticipated "March Down" step show competition to evening receptions to a theater-style brunch to parties and a semi-formal to close out the four-day affair. Gamma Pi chapter, hosting the April 26-29 conference, is planning a dynamic menu of public social events. Tickets can now be purchased online for those events. The lineup:

(all events at the Gaylord – view and download the Preliminary Conference Agenda )

Thurs-Sun. April 26-29

Week-long

Voter Registration Drive

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Business & Economic Symposium (with Dr. Traci Lynn, motivational speaker)

8:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 27, 2012

 “Domestic Violence Hurts an Entire Family”

Special Guest: Mildred Muhammad, survivor of 2002 convicted D.C. sniper

6:30-7:30 p.m.

March Down “Step” Competition*

8:00-10:00p.m.

Pan-Hellenic Dance & March Down After Party*

10:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Youth Leadership Conference

8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Charles R. Drew Blood Drive/Bone Marrow Drive

9:00 a.m.-3:00p.m.

“Quettes” Brunch theater production  – “A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson”*

10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Talent Hunt Demonstration (winners from around the district)

3:00-6:00p.m.

Annual District Founder’s Banquet* (semi-formal)

8:00 p.m.

Omega Party

10:30 p.m.-3:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Memorial and Ecumenical Worship Service

9:00-10:30 a.m.

*requires a ticket purchase

Gamma Pi Appearing on Majic 102.3's "In the Community with Sheila Stewart" on March 25

Sheila Stewart - On-Air Host

As host of the upcoming 5-state 64th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Washington National Harbor, Gamma Pi chapter is front and center as a series of district meetings are being held across the country by the Fraternity. Members of the chapter, including Second District Representative Brother Kenneth Rodgers (highest elected leader for the District), will be interviewed about the activities and events of the April 26-29 District meeting on the public affairs talk show, "In the Community with Sheila Stewart", on Sunday, March 25. The show  airs from 6:00-6:30 a.m. on WMMJ "Majic" 102.23 FM in the Washington, D.C. market.

The interview was taped a few days ago at Radio One studios. Click here to access the station's live programming online and to hear the interview: Majic 102.3 Online  Ms. Stewart is the award-winning News and Community Affairs Director for Radio One. WMMJ is a Radio One affiliate.

Bro. Kenneth Rodgers

In addition to Brother Rodgers, who is a past three-time Basileus of the chapter, Gamma Pi's Brother Eddie High, who is serving as the lead logistical organizer of the conference, was also interviewed by Ms. Stewart. Several other members of the planning committee will also be appearing on the program. Because of the location at the exciting new Washington National Harbor and the recent Centennial Anniversary of Omega Psi Phi, this is expected to be one of the largest District Conferences in memory. About 2,000 Fraternity members and their families are expected to attend the conference from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Read more about the scope and purpose of the upcoming conference here.

More information on Conference Logistics:
Registration (Omega Psi Phi members only)
Social and Community Events and Online Ticket Purchase (Public)

Bro. Ambassador Taylor Stays on the Move in the South Pacific

Bro. Amb. Taylor greets villagers on his trip to New Ireland Province

Bro. Ambassador Teddy Taylor, a past Basileus of Gamma Pi, has been gone for more than two years on an important Foreign Service assignment to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In his third year in the prestigious job, he continues to plow new ground in leading the area diplomatic corps in a part of the world that is somewhat unsettled.

Bro. Taylor's influence was recently on display as he traveled throughout the region on a weeklong tour for several public events in behalf of the U.S. State Department. The locale was New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea, the first such tour of this province by a U.S.diplomat in quite a while.


Heading to a school dedication on the island of Tanga

During the tour, Bro. Taylor visited the open pit Gold Mine in Lihir, met with the Chamber of Commerce, Provincial Government Officicals, Women Leaders, and dedicated two schools. In the photo at right, Bro. Ambassador Taylor and his junior officer are being taken ashore in a rain storm for the school dedication on the island of Tanga, which is part of the province.

 "New Ireland is one of the Islands we (the U.S.) liberated from the Japanese during WWII. The provincal goverment has been a leader in transparent governance, they were the first province to offer free public education through grade 12 and they have just begun a very modest pension program for senior citizens,"said Brother Ambassador Taylor.

 "The governor, sir Julius Chan is one of the founding fathers of the republic of Papua New Guinea and donated some of his family land to the province to build one of the schools."

Bro. Taylor is returning to Washington for meetings this month. Send him an e-mail.


Bro. Amb. Taylor addresses the crowd



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