Greetings, men of Alpha East!
I wish to first extend my gratitude to you. Many of you have given me your support, encouragement and, most of all, Brotherhood after I announced my candidacy to serve you as your 29th Vice President. I deeply appreciate you, your kindness, and generosity. I know your heart because I know mine. I know Alpha resides as well as grows there.
However, allow me to get straight to the point. We are in the fight of our lives, Brothers! COVID-19 altered who we were and are as a Fraternity. Our way of life is at risk from how we conduct chapter meetings to implementing IMDP. The pandemic and its mishandling put us in places unlike any one of us have experienced and seen before.
The modern world has few promising solutions for COVID-19, and other crises we face as a Fraternity. Zoom technologies do not nor will ever replace personal touch. Our grip, an embrace from a Brother we sorely missed, and sharing common space are what made us “amiable, kindly, fraternal” and the “first of all” for 114 years.
Social distancing puts the Eastern Region in jeopardy. From the most northern edge of Maine to the far southern reaches of Virginia many sat home alone on our most cherished day of the year. In solitude—on Founders Day—many grieved the loss of prophytes, those they initiated, other friends, and family members. Undoubtedly, employment was snatched from some Brothers due to the widening economic crisis. Despite their best investment plans and strategies for a rainy day many of our self-employed Brothers too are anxiety-ridden over making mortgage and rent payments.
No federal relief is in sight. Distance learning presents overwhelming challenges and constraints for college and graduate Brothers enrolled at liberal arts colleges, state universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and large publics like my dear alma mater Penn State University. They are striving to make the grade and conduct cutting-edge research. However, like the Jewels in 1905, their spirits are troubled. Judging from my conversations many wonder if they will live the lives they dreamed of living. These times are more than unprecedented, they are utterly tragic for us. I ask, my Brothers of Alpha East: How are we to get through them?
Our answer is embedded in the question, I say. We must choose to Advance as ONE towards a path of recovery and resilience. Today we must consider who we need to become as a region of Alpha men to move towards that vision in light of all that is impacting us. Our history tells us that the Jewels shifted quickly from discussion to action. In 1969 Jewel Brother Henry Arthur Callis said, “Society offered us narrowly circumscribed opportunity and no security. Out of our need, our Fraternity brought social purpose and social action. Number crunchers do not advance organizational missions . . . but leaders do. In this current climate polls will not get us to our destination. I am ready to be your leader in this regard as evidenced by my campaign platform, which is deeply rooted in fraternal mission.
I humbly ask that you reflect, refocus, and repurpose with me on how we become the region the Fraternity and our communities desire at this pivotal moment in our history. Together we may further action items like the Eastern Region Cost Study whose aim is to examine costs associated with Eastern Region operations to help make college and alumni participation in the fraternal mission more equitable and affordable for all Brothers. The College Brothers Trust Initiative is meant to reward college chapters for performance reflecting the Esprit de Fraternité with cost-saving incentives towards convention participation and lessen the burden of college living.
Moreover, in the attempt to better position us to address public policies that deepen the vulnerability of our Brothers and their families to COVID-19 and other life-threatening hazards, the Eastern Region Alpha Day at the Capitol Extension Plan is designed to engage coordinators of District-sponsored Alpha Day at the Capitol gatherings in developing and implementing a plan for greater Alpha presence at other centers of political and legislative power, including city councils, township boards, etc.
Join me in my regional campaign to Advance as ONE Although they have their place, time is short to sort out figures then wait for someone to act. COVID-19 and other crisis conditions are in a constant and accelerated state of flux. Leadership is needed now, and we must be nimble and flexible to emerge from our current state of being far stronger than how we were when we entered this awkward space. Our plan is in place, and I am inviting each Brother of the Eastern Region to stand by my side to help work that plan towards maximum output and success.
I thank you in advance for your participation in the plan should you elect me as your leader. You may gather more details about me and the campaign platform at www.advancingasone.com. I also welcome your calls. Do not hesitate to dial me at (860) 558-5118. My email address is steve@advancingasone.com. Follow me on other social media platforms like Instagram as well with the tagline advancingasone1906.
Fraternally yours,
Steven King, Jr.
29th Eastern Region Vice President Candidate
Made at Gamma Nu
Matured at Beta Sigma Lambda
