The First Thirty Days

May 3, 2008

Dear Brothers,
Since we last spoke, the work of chapter revitalization has been moving Forward. As a refresher, Gamma was re-activated on March 13th with Twelve members. Basic infrastructure has been established with payment of College Endowment Fund and Insurance obligations to International Headquarters, obtaining an EIN and associated bank account, securing a post office box for chapter business, and re-launch of the Gammachapter1916.org website for go-forward activities. These basic, but fundamental, steps are necessary in enabling the operation of the chapter that has been dormant for more than a decade. The chapter was also represented and voted at the 1st District Meeting held in Boston April 11-13th.

The current members have established the following working committees: Bylaws/501(c)(3), History, Events and Reclamation/New Membership. To Align with the initial priority of establishing a foundation and operating protocols, the Bylaws/501(c)(3) committee aims to apply for "Non-profit" status to assist in partnering for social action, raising funds from corporate sponsors, and allowing Brothers a tax advantaged way to support chapter activities. The History committee has established contact with Boston University and collected documents and media related to Bishop Edgar Amos Love's matriculation. The hope is to add this to articles/artifacts at Omega's International Headquarters to provide a more robust telling of the Gamma story. The event committee is focused on a "kick-off" event in the September/October timeframe which will combine a service project and a social (party) to re-introduce Gamma to the greater Boston college community. Finally, Reclamation/New Membership will guide the membership selection process in compliance with the new process being vetted by Omega.

The current, established committees are but a subset of the ideas under Consideration by the working members. A priority has been set to establish the foundation and then move forward with additional opportunities to serve the community and re-establish Gamma's place in the greater Boston college community. To that end, we will be sending an introductory letter to local colleges and following that with a calling campaign that will begin now and proceed throughout the summer. The objective is to establish near and long term relationships that will support social action programs as well as create a pipeline of interest for prospective members. In addition, the chapter will continue to forge ahead with its duties to the fraternity by having representation at this summer's 1st district council meeting as well as at the Grand Conclave in Birmingham, Alabama. These primary activities will give way to the fall where a set of discrete activities supporting our beloved fraternity's national social action programs and spurring interest of prospective members will be the order of the day.

Brothers, you can financially support the effort by making a $50.00 donation on this website. Scroll to the top and look left, select Chapter Payments from the menu. We accept all major credit cards. If you prefer mailing a donation, please send to the following address.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Gamma Chapter PO BOX 190486
Roxbury, MA 02119

Fraternally Yours,
Sharrieff W. Christmas
Basileus, Gamma Chapter