| Sire Archon Greeting |
Fellow Archons,
On October 27th I was installed as the 14th Southeastern Region Sire Archon at the Biennial Region Boulé in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Thank you for according me the privilege of serving you in that capacity.
Sire Archon James Beaty and the Archons and Archousai of Gamma Kappa Boulé welcomed over 400 Archons and Archousai from around the region to an exciting and successful meeting.
Archons who attended the Grand Boulé in Detroit heard first hand the Fraternity's emphasis on young African American males. From Archon Marc Morial’s stirring keynote address to the excellent public policy forum, “Responding to Our Leadership Role of Nurturing Young American Males”, the Archons of Sigma Pi Phi were challenged to get involved in this critical issue. Both our Grand Sire Archon and Grand Sire Archon-Elect committed the Fraternity to action.
This year, the Grand Public Policy Committee issued a report “The State of the Young African American Male” which addresses the issues of Cultural Values and Behavior, Education, Employment Opportunities, Incarceration and Health. It also contains 4 general recommendations for public policy and 2 recommendations for the Fraternity. The full report can be found on-line at http://www.sigmapiphi.org/home/the-state-of-the-young-african-american-male.php.
In the winter 2006 issue of the Boulé Journal, Archousa Susan L. Taylor, Alpha Sigma Boulé, described the Essence Call to Action, the CARES program. As she wrote, “we must own it locally; brand it; not Essence Cares, but Atlanta Cares, Houston Cares, Mobile Cares. Wherever black children are suffering or at risk, we must take the matter into our own hands. Here is a model. Here is a plan.” She is right. I will make the CARES program and integral part of my administration and encourage each of our 43 Member Boulé s to adopt and implement it in your jurisdictions.
The Southeast Region Public Policy and Social Action Committees have met to discuss ways in which we can make a difference for the young African American men in our region. I am pleased to announce that during the first half of 2008, we will convene a Town hall meeting to address this important issue. Archons Ben Blackburn and Win Tillery, chairmen of the Public Policy and Social Action committees, are responsible for organizing the meeting and are currently reviewing potential locations. The meeting which will be open to the public will feature a morning program which reviews the impact of education, employment, incarceration and cultural values on our young men followed by a dynamic luncheon speaker. The afternoon session will focus on a presentation of programs which have proven successful in allowing African American men to connect with and help our younger counterparts. Stay tuned for further developments.
I have written each Sire Archon soliciting the names of Archons who wish to contribute to the work of our Fraternity by serving on the various standing and ad hoc committees. Don’t wait to be asked, make your wishes known to your Sire Archon.
Finally, we will be upgrading the website. It will feature frequent updates, more content and a greater use of existing technology. If you have ideas on how better to use this valuable tool please share them with us by sending an email to: serinfo@sigmapiphiser.org
Fraternally,
William A. Webb
Sire Archon
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