Phi Beta Sigma | Omega Sigma Chapter FA2010

OQ

Fall 2010 Vol. 1 Ed. 1

OmicronQuarterly - The Quarterly Newsletter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Omicron Sigma Chapter, Dallas, TX

Yes, That’s Our President!

Old-school Brother, New-school Vision

One year is all we needed DFW Blue Tuesday upscale networking events celebrates first anniversary

OQ OmicronQuarterly - The Quarterly Newsletter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Omicron Sigma Chapter, Dallas, TX

Features President’s Corner

Words from the Editors

Step Your Recruiting Game Up

OS Brother Spotlite

Collegiate Corner

Blue Tuesday - The Summer Edition Signature Event

For the Babies

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NOTE: The next issue of

OQ will highlight the accolades and achievements of Omicron Sigma Chapter brothers who are actively involved in education on all levels, from the early childhood classroom to university administration.

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

President’s Corner Welcome to the inaugural newsletter (Omicron Quarterly) of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. We hope to convey the ideals of our founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Charles I. Brown and Honorable Leonard F. Morse, through our community-based activities. Our activity, of course, is rooted in brotherhood, scholarship and service. We will use this newsletter to “tell our story.”

As we make every effort to reach out and transform our communities, we will try to set the example for men of Sigma everywhere. This newsletter will serve notice of the structured and programmatic approach used to accomplish our mission in the DFW Metroplex and beyond. We will introduce key brothers and their contributions and successes in both Sigma and their personal lives. We will note the value of our partners in service. We believe that Sigma must make an impact in all communities served, but we must also make sure that we communicate our relevance to these same communities and inform our brotherhood, as well. This must be done to allow

This newsletter will serve notice of the structured and programmatic approach used to accomplish our mission in the DFW Metroplex and beyond.

us the opportunity to increase the scope and influence of these same programs as we compete for funding and a stage for our efforts. We believe that it is not good enough to just do the work, but we must recognize the importance of communicating our contributions.

We hope to deliver this newsletter across the nation to Sigma and other partners that we work with to execute our programs. Please sit back and allow us to chronicle the activities of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. We ensure complete alignment with our fraternity’s motto: “Culture for Service, Service for Humanity” Sincerely,

Reginald J. Sluch President, Omicron Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

Omicron Sigma Leadership

Omicron Sigma Membership

President Reginald Sluch First Vice President Howard Redmond Second Vice President Cameron Shaw Secretary Jack Givens Treasurer Reginald Walston Dir. of BBB Adrian Howard Dir. of Social Action Rob Guy Dir. of Education Edwin Hood Dir. of Membership Jermel Stevenson Dir. of Sigma Beta Club Markieth Smith Dir. of Sigma/Zeta Relations Dehann Durham NPHC Liaison Isiah Thomas Parliamentarian Ed Drain Webmaster Arrion Howard

Gregory Alexander Mark Allen Lorenza Aubrey Mario Bryant Christopher Edmond Quincy Harrington Lonnie Hicks Manuel McGriff Roderick Rodgers Wilson Rubin Damon Sayles Chad Scroggins Irving Smith Louis Taylor Ronnie Ursin Jackie Wilson Sigmund Wilson

Progressive Initiatives Foundation (501c3) Leadership

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President Reginald Sluch First Vice President Howard Redmond Second Vice President Cameron Shaw Secretary Jack Givens Treasurer Reginald Walston

Photographers Rob Guy Reginald Walston Jackie Wilson Graphics, Layout & Design Reginald Walston Quinton Wash

Contact Information Website www.omicronsigma1914.org Facebook (chapter site) www.facebook.com/ group.php?gid=7066499895 Facebook (Blue Tuesday) www.facebook.com/ group.php?gid=131775947044 Blog www.omicronsigma1914.word press.com Snail Mail PO Box 295381 Lewisville, TX 75209

Gamma Alpha Kappa Membership Texas Woman’s University (TWU)

President Martin Emale First Vice President William McCraney Secretary/Treasurer Omini Ewah Parliamentarian Franklin Haskins

Editors & Contributors OQ Editor Reginald Walston Blog Editor Damon Sayles Blog Contributors Omini Ewah Rob Guy Markieth Smith

Submission Criteria & Deadlines

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When submitting an article for OQ please adhere to the following: Advertisements must be in a print quality PDF or PSD. Photos must be a 7 megapixel (JPEG or RAW) minimum to accommodate resizing.

The submission deadline for the Winter 2010 edition is 12 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 15, 2010.

Please submit to: rr_walston@yahoo.com

OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

Words from the Editors

By Reginald Walston - OQ Editor

It has been four years since the reactivation of Omicron Sigma. We have experienced growth, vision and financial maturity. We now live in a time where it is more important than ever to tell our story more effectively. We recognize that the communication standards of the past are no longer expedient, efficient or timely; therefore, we want to move Phi Beta Sigma from a real organization to a really relevant organization. We can only do that by embracing new communication streams and globalizing our story.

With that said, the brothers of Omicron Sigma would like to welcome you to the initial quarterly installment of our chapter newsletter. We not only desire to communicate our accomplishments of the past but also advertise our future endeavors. This will be a platform for our identified partners to tell their stories and advertise their events with us, as well.

You will quickly recognize that the Omicron Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma consists of many moving parts, and we have had to develop new multimedia communication streams. In this issue, you will find an article about Blue Tuesday Upscale Networking Events turning 1 year old and how it has truly become its own brand. Our Brother Spotlite begins at the top of our new leadership team with the recognition of our newly elected president, Bro. Reginald Sluch. Our International President has issued a statement identifying a national partnership with the National Urban League, and locally, brothers of Omicron have answered the call by getting involved in the local Urban League chapter. As the seasons transition from summer to fall, football will be in the air, but the season will begin with the upcoming induction of two members of our wondrous band into the National Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 7. Finally, the Progressive Initiatives 501(c)3 foundation will cap the year with a formal ball to raise money for scholarships and other community initiatives. Welcome!

By Damon Sayles - Blog Editor

As the world of technology grows, so does the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I’m proud beyond words at the level of progress for this chapter, and it makes me happy to see that we have grown not only in numbers but also from a technological standpoint. Thanks to brothers such as Arrion Howard, Quinton Wash, Reginald Walston and Markieth Smith, the chapter is able to handle the business of Sigma by way of many technological and social media networking avenues, including Facebook, YouTube, Ning and Wordpress.

Omicron Sigma launched “Progressively Speaking,” the official chapter blog on Jan. 4 of this year, and we’ve been successful in advertising it the last six months. More and more people are coming to the site to read the knowledge delivered by our five outspoken-but-diplomatic bloggers. We strongly encourage readers to chime in on every topic discussed, as the blog includes current events, music, politics, sports, etc. The idea is simple: We want to make you laugh, make you reminisce and make you debate … but most of all, we want to make each and every one of you think.

Omicron Sigma has been working diligently to build a name for Phi Beta Sigma in Texas, the Gulf Coast Region and on an international level. In 2006, the chapter was reactivated with 11 brothers after a four-year hiatus. Now, four years later, the chapter is one of the largest in the region and is looking to up its roster to 50 brothers by the end of 2010. We will continue to advertise ourselves through what we do (service), what we accomplish from an academic standpoint (scholarship) and how we conduct ourselves around others (brotherhood).

We also will continue to market ourselves through the presence and power of technology.

Feel free to check out our blog at www.omicronsigma1914.wordpress.com. Don’t forget to leave a comment or two on your favorite posting. G.O.M.A.B.!

Co-editors Brothers Reginald Walston (left) and Damon Sayles

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

Step Your Recruiting Game Up, Man! A chapter-wide charge

By Bro. Reginald Walston

We are closing in on a special time in Sigma, and International First Vice President Bro. Jonathan Mason issued a challenge to all chapters of Phi Beta Sigma. His “Mission Possible 2010” was read by the brothers of the Omicron Sigma Chapter, and in one weekend the chapter agreed that this was the type of visionary leadership document that was needed to shape the future growth strategy for the chapter. Within a 72-hour spn, the Omicron Sigma Strategy, Objectives, Tracking Sheets, Project Coordinator & Rewards Program was set. Omicron Sigma’s “Century for the Centennial” (100 Financial Members by 2014) was set.

As a graduate chapter, Omicron Sigma recognized the following facts: • Omicron Sigma has 35 members as of March 2010 • All brothers know at least three inactive brothers • Very few chapters have 100 members (fewer than five in 2007) The brothers believe that the chapter has the activity and momentum to attract inactive brothers back to Sigma. As they began to incorporate more and more of the brothers from the chapter, a “recruiting mindset” began to develop. The brothers knew they had to begin where they were, so they took inventory of the current brothers on the chapter roster and made a tracking listing of inactive brothers. They then took the tracking list and had the financial brothers attach their name to a current name on the list or add the inactive that they knew onto the list. In three days, the list had grown to 38 known inactive brothers. Omicron Sigma is a chapter of 35 financial brothers as of March 31, and it was soon realized that this undertaking required a project coordinator Bros. Jermel Stevenson and

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Brendan Banks stepped up to the plate. The project coordinators are charged with the following tasks: • Collecting the names and using the tracking spreadsheet to follow up with inactive brothers and chapter members’ activity in recruitment of initiative • Preparing and presenting of a monthly report of the progress towards the goal • Coordinating quarterly brotherhood events • Monitoring the brotherhood budget and the tracking of said budget • Tracking the chapter’s progress toward the International First Vice President’s vision and strategic platform The financial brothers are charged with: • Submitting their inactive contacts to the project coordinator • Assisting in re-recruiting their inactive contacts • Making sure that the brothers have a mentor to assist them in walking through the process of reactivating with the chapter.

Omicron Sigma decided to make this a chapter competition with awards for the brothers that attract the most inactive members back to Sigma.

First place is 2011 dues (national & regional) paid by the chapter and plaque. Second place is a plaque.

The brothers of Omicron Sigma are so wrapped into recruiting mindset that at the Gulf Coast Regional Meeting, they received verbal commitments from five inactive brothers to come back to Sigma.

Yes, That’s

Our

President!

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

OS Brother Spotlite Sluch: Old school to new school

“This feels like home.”

- Bro. Sluch

By Bro. Reginald Walston

In 2007, Omicron Sigma was meeting in the criminal justice building of the University of North Texas, and a brother attended a meeting where there was a heated discussion on renegades, pledging and intake standards. The sticky sugar of the doughnuts began to melt under the heat of the discussion in a building where the air was turned off for the weekend.

A brother sat at the back of the room, remembering that in the car and on the drive over he had told himself that he would only observe.

He found that he could not contain his emotion as the subject reached a crescendo, and he told himself, “This feels like home.” Who knew that less than three years later, that brother would be president of one of the largest growing chapter.

Bro. Reginald Sluch crossed the burning sands into the light of Sigma on April 11, 1981, at the Iota Lambda Chapter at the University of New Orleans. He was #3 -Happy (Too Smooth) on the Seven Dwarfs line. From the onset, Bro. Sluch was groomed for leadership

in everything he has done, whether it was his elevation to gunnery sergeant in the United States Marine Corps or as charter member of the Omicron Phi Chapter at Loyola University in New Orleans. He is no stranger to the big chair of a chapter, serving as the very first president of Omicron Phi in 1984.

In addition to his duties as the president of Omicron Sigma, Bro. Sluce continues the path of Sigma leadership externally by serving on the Sigma International Leadership Left: Bro. President Reginald Sluch and his wife Monica Sluch, a member of Delta Sigma Theta. Above center: Bro. Sluch networking at Blue Tuesday, the NYLO Edition, in Plano. Rignt: Bro Sluch in his Marine Corps boot camp photo. Previous page: Bro. Sluch (third from left) as an undergraduate stepping in front of the Union at Loyola University.

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Academy (SILA) and as the Director of Collegiate Affairs for the State of Texas.

Professionally, Bro. Sluch is an independent project manager and has worked in the information technology industry in various rolls up the corporate ladder, including technology director.

As the new president of Omicron Sigma, he is focused on relevant programming for the chapter and increasing the influence and reach of Omicron Sigma across the DFW Metroplex.

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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated Omicron Sigma Chapter Press Release

For details, contact: Reginald Sluch President Email: bluetuesday@sigmamail.org

For Immediate Release

Blue Tuesday Networking – For Like-minded Professionals:

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PO Box 295381 Lewisville , TX 75209 Facebook: DFW Blue Tuesday Upscale Networking Events Website: http://www.Omicronsigma1914.org Blog: http://www.omicronsigma1914.wordpress.com

Blue Tuesday, the Upscale Networking event for like-minded Professionals, is the events and promotions arm of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

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Fort Worth, TX., July 2010 Fort Worth professionals, you have asked for it! Blue Tuesday, the quarterly networking event with a purpose, is coming to Fort Worth!

Blue Tuesday – the “Back to School Edition” will be focused on education. Come and network with other Fort Worth professionals: • What: Blue Tuesday – the Back to School Edition • When: Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

• Where: The Vault (525 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX 76102).

• Cost: (Free) We are asking all attendees to bring items from the following list for donations to schools across the Metroplex: • • •

Notebooks Pens Highlighters

• Pencils (Regular & Paper (Regular Rule, College Rule, & Graph) Colored) • Rulers • Backpacks • Kleenex • Glue [Our goal is to collect a minimum of a full size pick-up truck bed of school supplies.]

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This time, the Blue Tuesday Upscale Networking Group has partnered with The Vault Restaurant, Psi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX) and the Alpha Theta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX) for an evening of conversation, food and giveaways. If you attended previous Blue Tuesday events, then you already know what’s in store. If Blue Tuesday – The Back to School Edition is your first time, you are in for a treat. Dress professionally, and come prepared to promote your business, discuss your favorite books (perhaps, it’s your own), explore your political aspirations, or just simply enjoy an exciting evening of smooth music, good company and stimulating conversation. Please RSVP via one of the list below: • Blue Tuesday Upscale Networking Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103445026355545&ref=ts •

Phenomenal Psi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=290959583443&ref=search

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Alpha Theta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Why Blue Tuesday is Different !In times like these, it is more important than ever to have a strong network. We have to ask ourselves: 1.

How would you rank your ability to network? (1=Ineffective – 5=Effective)

2.

If you were to get separated from your job today, If you had to solely rely on your network/contacts to find your next position, how would you rank the strength of that network? (1=Ineffective – 5=Effective)

3.

Do you have a professional mentor?

Blue Tuesday Networking Group and its partners are making great strides to assist all persons in these areas of growth.

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

I have seen a tremendous amount of brothers graduate from college, enter the professional world, and leave the work of Sigma behind as if their membership was that of the SGA, temporary.

Collegiate Corner

Generational gap: “The lost art of the transition”

By Bro. Omini Ewah

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is truly a wondrous band.

Approaching 100 years of formal existence, Phi Beta Sigma has served to impact and influence the lives of millions worldwide through the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

Although Phi Beta Sigma has made tremendous progress in its 96 years of existence, there are areas of the organization that need improvement. One such area is the relationship between graduate and undergraduate brothers, more specifically the poor transition of undergraduate brothers in transferring their membership and remaining active in a graduate chapter.

I personally believe that this critical period is when we lose the financial and active status of most of our brothers. This should be a time when graduate chapters should step in and guide these brothers directly into the rank and file of their chapter, rather than take a passive stance and watch these young men walk right out of active duty for PBS. Speaking from an undergraduate perspective, I have seen a tremendous amount of brothers graduate from college, enter the professional world and leave the work of Sigma behind as if their membership was that of the Student Government Association -- temporary. There is not a significant amount of pressure on these men to continue participating in an active chapter, and they are not made to feel any remorse when they attend PBS functions.

There is a gaping discrepancy in the commitment efforts of graduate brothers in advising and advocating undergraduate brothers to transfer membership to a graduate chapter immediately following graduation. There are undergraduates

in the North Texas cluster who feel that graduate chapters do not do a good enough job in advising and supporting their efforts, and communication remains a problem.

I will make three suggestions on how to enhance the transition phase from undergraduate to graduate chapter membership: * Graduate chapters should have an annual “Transition Seminar” to catch those brothers nearing graduation. The seminar should consist of programs and discussions that: show the similarities and differences between graduate and undergraduate chapters, what’s expected of them at the next level, etc. The entire event should serve as a general mixer, in which potential questions and concerns from undergrads can be addressed. * Current graduate and undergraduate communication efforts should be increased, as this fosters a brotherhood across generational lines. * Phi Beta Sigma, as a fraternal body, should implement programs, benefits, and other incentives to entice brothers to remain active and financial.

These suggestions should not only increase the turnaround rate, but also increase the relationship between graduate and undergraduate brothers in general. It is imperative that PBS works to maintain the membership of its members during this critical time, so in the next 10-15 years, we won’t have to have a drastic national re-activation/retention program.

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Hall-of-Fame Sigmas

Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice headline 2010 Hall of Fame Class From Phi Beta Sigma international reports

“We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together,” says Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity members Bro. Emmitt Smith. He and Bro. Jerry Rice are two of the seven players who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 6. They will be the only first-year eligible players awarded the honor.

The original list of candidates consisted of 131 modern-era players, and the list was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, not including the two senior nominees. Each finalist has to receive a minimum vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection in 20 seasons, holds numerous NFL receiving records by a wide margin, including receptions (1,549), yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197).

The 49ers selected Rice with 16th overall pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985. Over the next 16 seasons, the 6-foot-2 receiver was part of three Super Bowl championship teams in San Francisco – winning the MVP in Super Bowl XXIII. “It was hard work and appreciation for the game,” an emotional Rice said when asked of his historic career. “I love this game. It was everything to me. I’m just honored to be here.”

Rice parted ways with the Niners after the 2000 season and spent three-plus years with the Raiders before an 11-game stint with the Seahawks in 2004.

He finished his career ranked first in total touchdowns (208), while Smith ended with 175 total scores, good for second in the history of the league.

Smith had a similar arc to his career after he was drafted 17th overall in 1990 out of Florida by Dallas, where he won three Super Bowl rings before spending his final two seasons of his 15-year career with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 1993 league MVP is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 18,355 yards in 15 seasons.

“This moment is so real,” said Smith, who was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his career, “I’m living the dream.

It’s so special.”

They will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 7, 2010.

Picture Taken by Darryl Webb, East Valley Tribune via AP

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One year is all we needed!

OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

One Year Is All We Needed

DFW Blue Tuesday celebrates first anniversary

By Bro. Reginald Walston

Have you ever known in your heart of hearts that an idea had merit, but when it came to the execution of the activity, you found that you were shaking in your boots? That was the feeling of the DFW Blue Tuesday Upscale Networking Events Group on the afternoon of their initial launch at Kenichi on May 26, 2010.

The chapter felt Blue Tuesday was something that was desperately needed in the DFW Metroplex. The event was a clone of the Blu Tuesday event featured in Sentinel, the official organ of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma in Chicago. After visiting with brothers from Iota Nu Sigma, members of the Omicron Sigma executive board held several meetings and determined it wanted to use a similar concept in the DFW area.

That was not the only obstacle; the next hurdle was convincing the rest of the chapter. The executive board thought it would have been an easy sell, as a large percentage of the brothers in the chapter are not originally from the area.

The first time the idea was presented, some members of the chapter collectively gave a deer-in-the headlights look, while others remained silent. However, there were a few that believed in the concept, and a committee was formed. Current president Bro. Reginald Sluch, who was the chapter’s Director of Bigger and Better Business at the time, brought his strong meeting facilitation skills to the table. On our initial call, we asked hard questions. How is Sigma viewed in DFW? How can we change that? What do you experience at corporate retreats and sales conferences? What will we bring to the crowd? How will this event be different? We realized we wanted a different experience, not the typical after-work happy hour. We wanted Blue Tuesday - the Summer Edition Previous page: Collection of pictures from Blue Tuesday the Summer Edition. Right: Brothers of the Omicron Sigma Chapter in attendance at Blue Tuesday

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“We wanted to take people places that they would not normally take themselves” to take people to places where they would not normally take themselves.

Teams were formed to make invitee list & visit venues, Bro Quinton Wash brought his marketing, promotions, and graphic design expertise to the table and designed the electronic flyer & banner for the event.

We learned a lot about the state of DFW networking from that first event: • Networking skills of our brothers and the crowd attending.

• How to manage the atmosphere and set standards and levels for the event.

• What professional and social organizations we needed to contact and what format to communicate.

We had to treat it as a project, debrief and ask the hard questions. Many times, we had to develop solutions and mitigation strategies in cases where we didn’t like the answer. It has been difficult but beneficial learning experience. Those experiences have allowed the DFW Blue Tuesday Networking Group to grow and the event to evolve over time. That evolution is seen in the Holiday Edition, where we partnered with the United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. “It has become a positive branded for our chapter!” noted Bro. Sluch.

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

SIGNATUREEVENT

Progressive Initiatives 501(c)3 Fall ball to provide a rebirth of cool fresh and clean

By Bro. Reginald Walston

In most major cities throughout the country, there once was a time when the African American middle class society held must-attend formal events annually. Everyone regardless of class, from the mayor to the garbage man attended. These were always seen as the most fashion-forward events, and everyone clamored for tickets to the event. These uber-formal events ranged in themes from Mardi Gras, masquerade, confetti, and the still-popular prom dance/ ball. Sometimes these events were about high fashion, such as the Ebony Fashion Fair, or were sponsored by international organizations such as the Masons,

Links, or Jack & Jill. Over time, our overcomplicated yet less formal society that we live engulfed us, and many times overwhelmed us and made us lose the excitement of getting dressed up for a sophisticated evening on the town with the who’s who.

The Progressive Initiatives Foundation (501c3) was formed in 2009 to “Build Strong Community Programs for Tomorrows Leaders.” In the spirit of those grand formals of days gone by, Progressive Initiatives announces the “Royal Fall Ball.”

This event will support Scholarships and other community service initiatives.

The Royal Fall Ball will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the luxurious Omni Park West Hotel at 1590 LBJ Freeway in Dallas.

Your presence is requested for a formal reception with a vendor marketplace followed by evening of fine dining, elegant dancing and presentations to community leaders and honored guest.

Tickets may be purchased from any member of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma or via our website (www.progressiveinitiatives.org) at a cost of $65 per person. For additional information, visit our website at www.omicronsigma1914.org.

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OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

For The Babies March of Dimes walk another success

By Bro. Damon Sayles

The Omicron Sigma Chapter, if nothing else, takes pride in working for the fraternity’s international programs. As midApril approached, it was an obvious suggestion that the chapter participate in the March of Dimes walk in an effort to help and support premature babies.

Nine Omicron Sigma brothers participated in the annual March of Dimes March for Babies walk at White Rock Lake, collaborating with several other graduate and undergraduate Sigma and Zeta chapters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Undergraduate brothers from Gamma Alpha Kappa Chapter at Texas Woman's University teamed up Omicron Sigma in its mission to walk and provide assistance.

Omicron Sigma brothers not only walked the 5-mile course for March of Dimes but also raised more than $1,800 for the cause, eclipsing the chapter’s original goal of raising $500 for the cause.

“Our level of support for this event was increased this year, and we anticipate taking a more prominent ride in supporting this national partner next year,” said Bro. Rob Guy, Director of Social Action for Omicron Sigma. “When we walk in March for Babies, we do our part in nurturing hope in the lives of over a million parents of infants that are born premature each and every year.”

Guy continued: “More than our participation in the walk, the funds we donate for this effort promote the programs that the March of Dimes has throughout our community to aide mothers in having healthy, full-term pregnancies. It also goes to fund research and find answers to the problems that threaten babies.”

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According to its website, the March of Dimes spends 76 cents of every dollar raised for the event to support research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives. In its 40-year existence, the events have raised nearly $2 billion to benefit premature babies.

Omicron Sigma considers it a priority to nurture the national partnership it has with the March of Dimes. The walk, however, also allowed the chapter to work and fellowship furthermore with outside chapters. Following the walk, brothers and sorors from all over the Metroplex joined together and had a cookout.

“Each year, we see some old friends and make new ones each with the same notion in mind, helping to make sure all babies are born healthy,” Guy said.

OMICRONQUARTERLY Fall 2010

Omicron Sigma Chapter Calendar Where the brothers will be serving July 2010 23 - Omicron Sigma Chapter meeting (East Region) 24 - Cowboy Stadium concessions (Soccer Game) August 2010 17 - Blue Tuesday - The Back To School Edition 28 - Omicron Sigma Chapter Meeting (West Region) September 2010 11 - American Heart Association, Heart Walk 25 - Omicron Sigma Chapter Meeting (Central Region) October 2010 16 - The Royal Fall Ball 23 - Omicron Sigma Chapter Meeting (East Region) November 2010 TBD - Blue Tuesday - The Holiday Edition, Vol. 2 20 - Omicron Sigma Chapter meeting (West Region) 25 - Cowboy Stadium concessions (Cowboys vs. Saints) December 2010 No Meeting due to Christmas holiday

Area Sigma/Zeta Chapter Calendar Building the DFW connection August 2010 October 2010 23 - 5th annual Taste of Blue (pictured) November 2010 December 2010

OMICRONQUARTERLY PO Box 295381 Lewisville, TX 75029