PROJECT 10,000+
Together, we will reach 10,000+ financial members by our Centennial Celebration. In order to accomplish this task, we must put certain operational mechanisms in place to service, recognize and inform our membership!
I. First Impressions
- Recruitment Materials – Unified Recruitment Brochures will be developed for our chapters. These brochures, along with other informational pieces would be available to chapters for their informational meetings. Brochures could be downloaded from the Fraternity website or chapters would be asked to contact the Headquarters two weeks prior to an informational to ensure timely delivery. In this Brochure we will provide a brief history, highlight notable Sigmas, recognize major Sigma contributions to the community and list the top 10 reasons why Sigma should be someone’s fraternal home.
- New Membership Materials – By the end of our first year in office, all chapters will receive all new member materials for their initiates prior to the initiation ceremony provided they have honored all guidelines set forth by the Corporate Headquarters.
- New Member Welcome Packages – The Packages would include a welcome letter signed by the President, First-Vice President and the Executive Director, a recent edition of the Crescent Magazine and a piece of paraphernalia. Ideally, the packages will be mailed to the new member within a week of his initiation.
II. Membership Recognition
- Acknowledgement of Collegiate Graduation – Collegiate chapters will be asked to submit the names of their graduating seniors to the International Headquarters by the end of the fall semester. In May, a personalized congratulatory card will be sent to each graduating senior with a list of the local Alumni chapters in their area.
- Acknowledgment of Personal or Professional Achievements – Twice per month, the membership will receive updates from the First-Vice President regarding the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma. Marriages, births, job promotions and fraternity milestones will be highlighted in this digital newsletter. Members will be able to submit information through the fraternity website. In essence, we will create an online social networking tool focused on bringing our membership closer together!
III. Internal and External Business Networking
- Sigma to Sigma Business Network – The Men of Sigma have a strong corporate and political presence domestically and internationally! It is important for members of the fraternity to be able to contact other members for business services and entrepreneurial opportunities. IF WE HAVE DOLLARS TO SPEND OR INVEST, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUPPORT SIGMA MEMBERS! The Sigma to Sigma Business Network will facilitate this process. A site will be created that lists the names, occupation, contact information and web links for our brothers in business. Periodically, we will host Sigma to Sigma Business Networking functions in YOUR communities!
- Corporate Partnership Sigma – As your First Vice-President, one of my main priorities will be to develop additional revenue sources and in-kind contributions for the Fraternity. We will aggressively approach Corporate America with opportunities to support Phi Beta Sigma. Our programs and conferences provide an attractive marketing option for many companies. We have raised well over $250,000 for Phi Beta Sigma. Ask other candidates seeking elected office to tell you what resources THEY bring to the table. Ask them to tell you what corporate support they have generated for the Fraternity. Challenge them to BE SPECIFIC! As your First-Vice President, I will put my contacts where my mouth is!
IV. Measurement and Accountability
- Membership Tracking – Each quarter, I will send each Regional and Vice Director a membership tracking spread sheet. The spreadsheet will allow us to ascertain where we need to work harder and where hard work is being done. The form will track:
§ year vs. year performance
§ five year membership analysis
§ membership share vs. fraternity
§ alumni share vs. collegiate share
§ current performance vs. annual goals
V. Communication
- Organizations must ‘meet their members where they are’. Sigma members have transcended traditional snail mail and email. In order for our members to stay informed and engaged, we must utilize many methods of communication to spread Sigma’s message. As First-Vice President, we will utilize conference calls, webcasts, internet radio broadcasts, text messaging and social networking communities like Facebook and Twitter to communicate. We will use these methods in conjunction with the traditional means of forms of communication.
VI. Preservation of Phi Beta Sigma’s History
- As First-Vice President, preservation of our history will be a primary concern. We will work to:
§ Create a video documentary of ‘Sigma Trailblazers’
§ Update our Sigma History Book
§ Create a Sigma Museum
§ Turn over the original Delta Chapter House to the Fraternity (members of the Delta Chapter lived in this house from 1920 – 1930. Most Honorable Charles I. Brown founded the Delta Chapter)
VII. Sigma Talent Search
- We need new faces at the ‘Sigma Table’. In order for the fraternity to realize its potential, we need to engage Brothers from all walks of life to work for the Cause. I have been affiliated with the General Board in some form or fashion for the last 10 years. I can report that we do not see enough new faces around the table. We cannot continue to grow if we RECYCLE LEADERSHIP. As your First-Vice President, I will commit to reach out to ‘new faces’ to help with the execution of the programs outlined in this brochure. In order for Sigma to reach 10,000+ members, we will need support from our ENTIRE TEAM OF BROTHERS!
VIII. Yes We Can!
- President Obama fired the imagination of a country with these words. It is now our opportunity as members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, to increase Sigma’s visibility in our communities, secures Sigma’s position as a relevant service organization in an ever-changing society and heightens awareness to the important issues that impact our future generations.
The Time is now and OUR time is NOW. Together, there is no hill we cannot climb and no river we cannot cross. Together, we can end the ‘clique mentality’ that has gripped our fraternity for years and usher in a new day of unity and true bi-partisanship! Yes We Can!
I humbly ask for your vote and your influence at Conclave 2009. Please know that your trust in me will not be in vain! I look forward to delivering results for the fraternity we all love!
Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Brother Jonathan A. Mason Sr.
