OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, Inc.
Second
District Historical Sketches 1947-1973
Since 1963, Chapters of the District have hosted the
Annual Shirtsleeve Conferences that are held during the month of September. This
important Conference allows the Brotherhood to brainstorm with each other and to
create programs for the growth of the Second District. This conference as was
stated earlier was the brainchild of James S. Avery (who became Grand Basileus)
and at the urging of William C. Jason of Mu Omega. The early conference
preparations were made by Seymour Hundley, J. Minor Sullivan, Charles Buford and
James Murray, of Delta Upsilon Chapter. The ideas of a brainstorming working
conference has served as the model for the Supreme Council and Grand Basileus in
currently hosting the "National Leadership Conferences".
District Representatives have helped to create a
healthy thrust for annual conferences by forming themes for each District
Conference. This has stimulated discussion, growth, and motivation. The themes
have some of our National Achievement Week Observances and from the brotherhood.
Some of the themes were: Omega's Challenge in the 80's; Accent on Service
Accountability: A Continuous Process; New Directions for Black America and our
1989 Theme of "The Black Family: Indispensable Resource".
Our District Representatives beginning in 1964
through 1990 have had the foresight to practice their personal expertise in
business, public relations, and financial careers to enhance the District. Their
experience helped the District to grow to a higher level with the advent of
computers, networking, ability to motivate, and to travel across the USA
gathering new ideas. As a result seminars and experts were attracted to assist
Omega in the Second District. The D.R.'s also maintained a humble attitude in
that the spirit that we must expand and still help the less unfortunate members
in our communities. Plans were created to improve their status by sponsoring
clinics, Health Fairs, Homes for the Aged, and by providing tutorial
services.
Many of the District Talent Hunt winners and participants have appeared on T.V.
Many winners have entered the entertainment and classical fields. Talent has no
limitation for the Chapters have raised money for the United Negro College Fund.
Theta Omicrom of Rochester has raised more than $40,000 and Mu Omega Has raised
$25,000 for the UNCF. Other programs such as the NAACP annually receive
financial support from Omega. Individual brothers have also contributed their
and corporate monies to private and African-American institutions, such as:
William Cosby, has given $20,000 to a college and $150,000 to support the 1991
Renn Relays Carnival that are held in Philadelphia, PA; Joseph Black, Vice
President for the Greyhound Corporation has given Morgan State University a bus
and $10,000. We must do much to remember our ARoots@ and to support education,
our communities, and our youngsters. We, as Omega Men must always remember that
we must lift others as we climb.
