Chapter Administration

#665 - Rho Kappa Lambda (RKL)P.O. Box 957714 Duluth, GA 30095

Cell: (678) 561-6657 Fax: (678) 261-1584http://rhokappalambda.org

Chapter OfficersPresident : Ruffin, Mr. Aaron LamarVice President : Griffin, Mr. Baron VRecording Secretary : Wilson, Mr. RodneyCorresponding Secretary : McCaskill, III, Mr. RLFinancial Secretary : Sharpe, Mr. Earl R.Treasurer : Walker, Mr. Daniel LamarChaplain : Jones, Mr. JefferyHistorian : Gonzalez, Mr. LorenzoIntake Coordinator : Neblett, Mr. Stuart AndreAssoc. Editor/Sphinx : Robinson, Mr. Mark C.Dir. Educational Activities :Harrell, Mr. RandolphSergeant-at-Arms : Knowles, Mr. MarcianParliamentarian : Horton, Mr. Damon

Chapter Meetings: Second Saturday of every month at 3:30pm Chapter Meeting Location:

420 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Chapter Administration

Presidents Message

Greetings,

It is a pleasure on behalf of the Brothers of Rho Kappa Lambda that I bring you greetings. With the commencement of another year, we have witnessed much movement amidst our ranks. Our Black and Olde Gold sovereign has not been immune to the current economic climate that has besieged our nation and more disproportionately our community. Several RKL stalwarts needed to spread their wings to continue soaring and we only wish them supportive sustaining winds as they hold high the light of Alpha albeit outside of Georgia. I thank them for their service to RKL as these Brothers truly imbued the spirit of Brotherhood and their absence has surely been felt.

Just as quickly as these Brothers departed, another Alpha train pulled into our Greater Atlanta station and in its shadow we welcomed several reclaimed Brothers prepared to rededicate themselves to our collective mission of service. With that said there are still some empty seats at the table for all men of Alpha interested in working collaboratively for the uplifting of our community.

I’m honored to serve a group of men that have stayed steadfast to the mission of Alpha. We have met the challenges of the day and collectively recalibrate for even higher trajectories all while keeping the light held high.

With that said, Rho Kappa Lambda continued our service in the area and district level. Our ranks have also contributed to the leadership at the area and district level having brothers serve as chairs or co-chairs of district committees (Big Brother/Big Sisters), also a Rho Kappa Lambda brother serves as the Area 10 Director.

We look forward to your continued support as we execute our programming during our fraternal year. Thanks in advance and we hope you enjoy reading more about our accomplishments.

Aaron L. RuffinPresident

Chapter Awards & Recognition

During the 2012 Georgia District, Convention Rho Kappa Lambda was recognized for outstanding Chapter Display. The award illustrated the hard work of Brothers working together and bonding to create a magnificent product in a short period of time. This is the second consecutive year RKL has taken home the District award

Project Alpha

Go To High School Go To college

Back 2 School Male Youth Summit

RKL celebrated its inaugural Male Youth Summit, which will be one of the key ways a community of future male leaders within the Gwinnett County community will be developed. The Summit brought together youth to exchange ideas and solutions, acquire leadership and basic skills to expand their academic horizons, and continue to grow as individuals.

The Summit engaged participants with three dynamic skill-building sessions centered on developing academic skills, leadership through civic awareness, and personal health. The Youth Summit is a unique offering to address the rising male dropout rate, awareness of male sexual responsibility, and exercising leadership through civic awareness. This unique factor is what makes the Summit a truly worthwhile experience.

Future Men Of Distinction

This past year the Brothers continued to enhance the Future Men of Distinction Mentoring Program hosted in Norcross, GA. at Hopewell Baptist Church. The program is a academic year long meeting on various Saturdays with middle and high school students in the Gwinnett school system. Modules consist but not limited to conflict management, proper decision making, dress for success and time management skills.

The program concludes with a scholarship luncheon where the RKL Education Foundation awarded annual scholarships to two high school students currently graduating from high school and currently attending their freshman year of college. In addition to scholarships being awarded each student is given ties for completing the program.

Future Men Of Distinction Spotlight Ivan Emmanuel Barksdale

Born: July 30, 1998

Age: 14

Hobbies: Sketching, Drawing, Computer Software Programs, Playing the violin (4 yrs) and Playing the piano.

Favorite Sports: Basketball, Swimming, Tennis and Baseball

Engagements: Entered the 2012 Doodle 4 Google ContestEntered the Martin Luther King “I Have A Dream” speech art contest

Voteless PeopleHopeless People

Voteless People is a Hopeless People: First of All We Vote

This past fraternal year, Brothers joined together to execute one of our national programs, “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People: First of All We Vote Initiative”. The events took place in the Spring and Fall. The Brothers from the chapter were able to encourage and educate the general public on the importance of voting and making sure their information is up to date if they have recently relocated. The event was part of the North Metro Pan Hellenic Council and The Back 2 School Youth Summit.

Brother’s Keeper Program

Brother’s of RKL over the past couple of years have seen many good Brother’s depart our rolls due to professional growth opportunities or family dynamics. The Brotherhood understands, that no matter

the reasons, it is inherently important to keep abreast of how our Brother’s are doing and make sure their transition to their new surroundings are easily accomplished by the help of the Brotherhood. RKL has a history of being supportive to the needs of Brothers near and far. Brother’s have transitioned to area cities such as Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; Columbus, OH; Honolulu, HI and Orlando, FL. These Brother’s were and still are instrumental in the overall success of RKL today. Brother’s have locally supported Brothers in their individual efforts whether it is with church functions, community service activities or fellow neighbors. RKL has been and continues to be “My Brother’s Keeper!”

Brother’s Keeper

Boy & Cub Scouts of America

Brothers partnered with the Boy Scouts of America and the Cub Scouts of America to support our Adopt A Road efforts. The chapter cleans Medlock Bridge roadway in Gwinnett County in partnership with their Keep Gwinnett Clean Program. This has been an ongoing initiative for the Chapter for several years.

Special Programs

March of Dimes March For Babies

Each year Brother’s raise funds for the March of Dimes/March for Babies event and this past year was no different from previous local drives but the Brothers wanted to do more to aid this great effort. Brothers of Rho Kappa Lambda participated in the Suwanee, GA walk where we raised over $500 to support the local efforts. In past years the Brothers have worked with organizers to actively participate in the event by handing out supplies along the route.

Leadership Development Institute

RKL made it possible for two students to attend the Institute this year. One of the students participated in our FMOD program. They were accompanied by Bro. Ralph Bethel, as Chaperone.

District Special Programs

2012 Alpha Day at the Capitol

On Thursday, February 23rd, 2012, over 100 Brothers across the Georgia District and their mentees gathered at the Sloppy Floyd Building and the Georgia State Capitol for the 5th Annual Alpha Day at the Capitol. The day started with a continental breakfast and a panel discussion with the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After the discussion, the Brothers and mentees took pictures with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and sat in on a session of the Georgia House of Representatives. The upper gallery was overbooked, so many brothers and I gave up our seats to older guests.

The lunch keynote speaker was former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Brother Andrew Young. Brother Young regaled us with stories from the civil rights movement, campaigning for Brother David Dinkins, and running for mayor of Atlanta. Brother Young also encouraged brothers and mentees to take more control of our economic future, since economics is the last hurdle black people need to overcome.

Brotherhood Night At The Lanes

Rho Kappa Lambda understands the need to reach out to Brothers whom may have step away from the House of Alpha for whatever reason and attempt to reclaim those Brothers. Over the course of the fraternal year RKL held its Brotherhood Night At The Lanes event at Stars and Strikes Bowling Alley. The event has been very well attended by Brothers as well as Brothers residing in the area. The event provided for great fellowship amongst the Brotherhood.

Reclamation

10th Annual Family Reunion Cookout

This past year Rho Kappa Lambda conducted its 10th Annual Family Reunion Cookout. The event serves as a excellent way to bring all families together for a day filled with fun and laughter. The event has also served as excellent mechanism for reclamation for the Chapter. Within the past two years the committee has decided to incorporate a service project with the event, whereas, all guest are asked to provide school supplies for students within the Gwinnett County community.

WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR RECLAIMED

BROTHERS BACK INTO THE HOUSE OF

ALPHA!

RKL UFC Fight Night and Atlanta Falcons Tailgating

RKL periodically through out the year gather together to fellowship by watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights and tailgating at the Georgia Dome for Atlanta Falcons Football games. Both events are well attended by Brothers. The events are quickly becoming a tradition for the Chapter as it allowed for great fellowship between Brothers and serves as great reclamation events for the Chapter.

Adopt-a-Roadway Clean-up

Every quarter Brothers come together to perform our adopt a road clean-up event in Gwinnett County. The Adopt-a-Roadway Clean-up is in partnership with the Keep Gwinnett Clean Program and we also collaborated with the Boy Scouts of America. The Chapter has maintained this stretch of roadway for some years now. The next quarterly event will take place during the month of January.

Tools For Success: Back To School Drive

Rho Kappa Lambda concluded it’s 3rd annual Tools For Success: Back To School Drive during the month of September. Each year the chapter identifies an entity to donate all items. This year the Chapter chose Freedom Christian Church as the organization to receive collected supplies. Freedom Christian is pastored by Bro. Aaron Rushing.

Mother-Son Dinner and Dance “Evening of Elegance”

Rho Kappa Lambda Chapter presented it’s inaugural “Evening of Elegance” Mother-Son Dinner and Dance. The brothers came together and discussed the need to honor the most important person in a young man’s development. After our discussion, it was evident that we MUST pay tribute to the mothers of our community. With this spirit in mind, we engaged the boys from our enrichment program, The Future Men of Distinction. We knew that it was important for our young men to

experience an evening in which they would be an active participant in paying tribute to their mothers.

Chapter Programs & Initiatives

2nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast

Rho Kappa Lambda hosted its 2nd annual MLK Unity Breakfast this past February. Community members and business owners from across Gwinnett County and surrounding communities came together to celebrate black history month. Community groups and corporations were recognized for their continued emphasis on promoting diversity through leadership, innovation, and community volunteerism in 4 unique categories. The event also featured a special musical performance, an African interpretive dance and a special keynote address by Mr. Robert McMichael, whom is the first African American to hold the position of United States Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia.

The event provided another example to our community supporters about the great work continuing to be conducted by the Rho Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The fraternal organization is truly committed to increasing diversity awareness within the Gwinnett community and identifying those entities that have made diversity and social justice a priority.

Chapter Programs & Initiatives

Upcoming Events

3rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr.

Unity Breakfast

The Rho Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the RKL Education Foundation, Inc. would like to cordially invite you to attend the 3rd Annual MLK, Jr. Unity Breakfast to be held Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the Lucky Shoals Park Community Center in Norcross, GA from 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. The Breakfast will serve as an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of service of Dr. King and create an imperative to live out his legacy throughout our homes and our communities.

The program will acknowledge and recognize individuals, groups and corporations within the Gwinnett community promoting diversity through leadership, innovation, and community volunteerism. Categories include:

Community Service Award: (Criteria: Person, Group, and or Corporation)Corporate Diversity Achievement Award: (Criteria: Corporation whom has developed innovative measures for the advancement of diversity as well as demonstrated leadership in promoting equality, equity, diversity and justice.)Corporate Social Responsibility Award: (Criteria: Corporation whom have demonstrated consistent commitment to diversity and equality through activism, volunteerism, service learning, research, community involvement and/or leadership.)Social Action Award: (Criteria: Person or group whom have demonstrated consistent commitment to diversity and equality through activism, volunteerism, service learning, research, community involvement and/or leadership.)

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are available for this annual event and will be placed in our Unity Souvenir Booklet to be distributed to our guests at the event. Portions of the proceeds will benefit our mentoring and community led service initiatives through the RKL Education Foundation, Inc.

For more information please contact us at mlkbreakfastinfo@rhokappalambda.org

Tickets are $15.00 per person and can be purchased online by visiting http://rklunitybreakfast.eventbrite.com

The Brotherhood