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Submitted by Bro L. Rodney Bennett

Chattanooga, TN – Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held their 62^nd Annual 5^th District Meeting in Chattanooga, TN, April 8 – April 11, 2010, at the Marriott Convention Center. The 5^th District is comprised of all undergraduate and graduate chapters in Tennessee and Kentucky. More than 200 members of the fraternity attended the conference.

The host chapters for the 5th District Meeting were Kappa Iota, the Chattanooga graduate chapter, and Eta Beta, University of Tennessee Chattanooga undergraduate chapter. The meeting was opened by several elected officials including members of the District Council. The ‘Read To Succeed’ Social Action initiative implemented by DR Ed Morant, and executed by Social Action Chairman Charles Griffith afforded the 5^th District the honor of giving over 700 dictionaries to elementary students within the Chattanooga area.

The following awards were issued at the 5^th District Meeting:

• Omega Man of the Year Award – Brother Derrick Johnson
• Citizen of the Year Award – Brother Clinton Vaughn
• Superior Service Award – Brother Viktor Horton
• Founders Award – Brother Raymond Cunningham, Jr
• Charles Young Leadership Award - Brother Charles Duke
• 5^th District Scholar of the Year – Brother Melvin Ewell, Jr. – 3.3 GPA
• 5^th District Social Action Chapter of the Year – Large Chapter – Epsilon Phi – Memphis, TN:
  Moderate Chap. – Theta Omega – Louisville, KY; Undergrad Chapter – Xi Zeta – Univ of
  Memphis

·     2009 Reclaimation Chapter of the Year - Omega Lambda Lambda

• 2010 Reclaimation Chapter of the Year - Epsilon Phi

District Office incumbents Brothers Edward Morant (5^th District Representative), Earl Young (1^st Vice District Representative), Bryan White (Keeper of Records and Seal),  Lewis Jones (Keeper of Finance), Rev. Bishop E. Carter III (Chaplain), Stephen Brooks (District Counselor) and Rev. L. Rodney Bennett (District Public Relations) were all re-elected for a second term. Brother Thadius Patterson-Gordon was re-elected as the 2^nd Vice District Representative (undergraduate representative).

A memorial service was conducted by 5^th District Chaplain – Brother Bishop Carter for all deceased brothers from the 5^th District and a message of inspiration was also shared to encourage the brethren.

Several events were held during the 5^th District Meeting, including a district Talent Hunt Contest. Tra’ Norwood of Murfreesboro, TN won first place in the district Talent Hunt Contest for an outstanding theatrical and choreographed solo ensemble. Along with the cash prize he was awarded, Tra’ will receive an additional $1,000 from Omega’s International Headquarters and perform at the Omega Grand Conclave this summer in Raleigh, NC.  Tra’ represented Pi Gamma Gamma Chapter in Murfreesboro, TN.

Undergraduate members participated in a luncheon featuring guest speaker Brother Curtis L. Collier. Brother Collier is an Article III Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He joined the court in 1995 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. He is also the Chief Judge of the Court.  He gave a powerful speech on connnecting the unity, love and purpose of our Founding Fathers of Omega to the challenges facing this generation of college men.  He stated that “We must realized how blessed we are if we are going to maximize our abilities and be the best student and professional that we are capable of being.”

Each year, the District gives scholarship awards to one undergraduate Chapter from Kentucky and one from Tennessee for outstanding scholastic achievements. This year’s recipients were Phi Eta 2.8 University of Louisville (Kentucky) and Chi Psi – 2.9 LeMoyne Owen College (Tennessee).  Each recipient received $1000 from the 5^th District.   Brother Melvin Ewell, Jr. will receive a matching award from Omega’s International Headquarters for winning the distinction of 5th District Scholar (highest GPA of both states – 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale).

A Founder’s Banquet was held during the meeting and featured Past Grand Basileus Brother Moses Norman.   His topic was “These are Times That Try Men’s Souls.” He challenged each brother to use our faith to help move our families, communities and this great fraternity forward.  During the banquet all members with twenty years or more of service to Omega were recognized, with Brother Sullivan Ruff receiving a standing ovation for 66 years of continuous service to Omega. A throw-back to the 60’s & 70’s dance was held immediately after the banquet.

Other events included a step show contest, Quette shopping trip and pampering activities and quality time spent by purchasing items from vendors, fellowshipping with friends and enjoying the Omega hospitality suite.

Brother Sullivan Ruff was the District Marshal for the District Meeting. “The committee members began meeting, planning, and organizing for the event a year in advance. Early preparation, utilization of readily available technology, and regular, consistent communication with each other was the key to us having such a successful meeting,” said Ruff.  He later said “I am so proud of the unity and effort given by all Brothers to make this 62^nd District Meeting a resounding success”.

The 63th Annual 5th District Meeting will be hosted by Theta Omega Chapter in Louisville, KY in the spring of 2011.

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Event: Omega Power Twenty prayer conference call
Members Only: All Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are welcomed
Date: Friday morning,  January 28, 2011
Time: 6:00a.m. – 6:20a.m. (Central Standard Time)
Capacity: 96 participants
Dial in Number: (760) 569-9000
Participant Access Code: 382145#

If you can’t make the call, but would like to submit a special prayer request
for you or a loved one, click on the link below and fill out the special prayer
request form:

http://www.omega5d.us/FifthDistrict/power-twenty

Hope to have you on the call.

Fraternally,

Clint Boyd, Jr.
Chaplain
Gamma Phi Chapter
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
clintboydjr@yahoo.com
615-243-2184

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity!” Psalm 133:1

Special thanks to  Brothers Robert Bostick (chair), Cuba Johnson, Clint Boyd, Jr., Jerry Blackman,  Michael Woods, Michael Moultry, Geoffrey Rhett and Andre Boykins for their  assistance, and patience!

Check out the Gamma Phi Album in the Photo Gallery for pictures

With sadness I announce the passing of Brother Alvin M. Brown, M.D. (Pi Chapter ’43 or ’44- Morgan State). His family has requested an Omega Service.

The details are:
Memorial Service for Alvin M. Brown, M.D.

Location:
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill
625 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.
Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Date: October 16, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.  – 11:00 (CST) Visitation | 10:40 a.m.   OMEGA SERVICE (Brothers arrive by 10:20 a.m.) | 11:00 A.M.  Memorial Service

Memorials may be sent in his honor to The Meharry Alumni Association, c/o Dr. Henry A. Moses, 1005 D. B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208. Made payable toMeharry Alumni Association for Alvin M. Brown, M.D. ’60 Scholarship Fund. Brothers, we welcome your participation in the OMEGA SERVICE. If you plan to attend, wear a dark suit (purple or gold tie appropriate) and bring white gloves if you have them. We have extra gloves. The OMEGA SERVICE begins promptly at 10:40am (CST). Brothers please arrive by 10:20a.m.

For a map of the church location, click on the link below:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Nashville&state=TN&address=625+Rosa+L+Parks+Blvd&zipcode=37203-3364&country=US&latitude=36.167277&longitude=-86.787319&geocode=ADDRESS

Fraternally,
Clint Boyd, Jr.
Chaplain
Gamma Phi Chapter
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Nominated to serve as chief judge by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1995, Collier is the first African American federal judge in the District, the second in the state of Tennessee and the first African American chief judge in the Eastern District…read more by clicking here