In this issue…. Grand Basileus “State of the

Fraternity

The Grand KF announces changes in the way we do business

Customer service improvements coming to IHQ

Omegas publications will soon be available for download

Memorial Tribute — 23rd Grand Basileus Brother Herbert E. Tucker

The 2007 District meeting schedule

John Williams Museum opens at the World Headquarters

One International commi� ee needs a chairman

100th Year Celebration Commi� ee has been seated

2007 Leadership Conference Proposed Agenda

The Grand Basileus speaks…Warren G. Lee Jr.

38th Grand Basileus

The State of the Fraternity

Saturday, February 24, 2007, the 38th Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi served as keynote speaker at the Tau Kappa Kappa 7th Annual State of the Fraternity luncheon. He laid out his plan and vision for Omega as the Fraternity quickly moves toward the Centennial birth date. During the 74th Grand Conclave in Li� le Rock, Arkansas, Brother Lee was elected as the Chief Executive offi cer of Omega Psi Phi and he carried the theme of “Three Looks, One Focus: Family, Fraternity and Friends,”

Brother Lee was initiated at Eta Theta Chapter December 18, 1971 and for more than three-decades, he has served Omega at all levels of the Fraternity.

In this issue, Brother Grand shares his vision for Omega, including his thoughts about the possible resurrection of the Lampados Club and his goal to make his administration accountable, from top to bo� om; and front to back.

Grand Offi cersWarren G. Lee, Jr., Grand BasileusCarl Blunt, 1st Vice Grand Basileus

Brian Gundy, 2nd Vice Grand Basileus

Charles Bruce, Grand KRSTony Knox,

Grand Keeper of FinanceMichael Adams Esq.,

Grand Counselor

Volume XXXVI Spring, 2007International Headquarters

3951 Snapfi nger Parkway, Decatur, Georgia 30035Phone: (404) 284-5533 Fax: (404) 284-0333 www.oppf.org

Volume XXXVI Spring, 2007

Offi cial Administrative Publication of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.(Publications for MEMBERS ONLY!)

Omega Charities honors active Omega Men in fi elds of Sports and Entertainment

as lifetime ahievers at the 2007 NBA All-Star game

Vince Carter Bill Cosby Steve HarveyMichael Jordan Tom Joyner Steve McNairAlonzo Mourning Shaquille O’Neal Ahmad RashadJohn Salley Ricky Smiley Terrence Trammell Joe Torre Maurice “Mo” Vaughn

From the desk of the1st Vice Grand BasileusBrother Carl A. Blunt

Greetings,

In this bulletin, I will cover four operational and administrative topics. Let me start by discussing the Fraternity’s Mandated Programs. At the St. Louis Conclave, our Mandated Programs were realigned into the following ten categories.

TEN MANDATED PROGRAMS

1. Achievement Week 2. Scholarship3. Social Action4. Talent Hunt5. Memorial Service6. Reclamation & Retention7. College Endowment Fund8. Health Initiatives9. Voter Registration, Education & Mobilization10. NAACP

Each District Representative is required to give a detailed quarterly report on the progress of his District. Emphasis will be placed on how each DR manages his District regarding the execution of the mandated programs, by the chapters in his District.

That means each chapter will be held accountable to his DR, for organizing, conducting and reporting the results of their Fraternity’s Ten Mandated Programs.

Many Districts conduct more than the Mandated Programs but are not expected to substitute any of their own programs for any of the Fraternity’s ten Mandated programs.

As the First Vice Grand Basileus, I intend to work with each District’s First Vice DR and assist them, (if needed) with the dissemination of information to their District commi�ee chairmen.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES

There are 34 International Commi�ees, and as of this bulletin’s printing, only one commi�ee is without a confirmed chairman. The rest of the commi�ees are functioning extremely well and I must compliment the majority of the chairmen for submi�ing their reports and updates in a timely manner and for conducting their quarterly conference calls.

There has been one request submi�ed for honorary membership and that request has been forwarded to the appropriate DR for review.

Continued

From the desk of the1st Vice Grand BasileusBrother Carl A. Blunt

A new commi�ee, the 100th Year Celebration Commi�ee, has been established and is chaired by Bro. Kenny Brown with Bro. Andrew Ray as the vice chair. One of the commi�ee’s functions will be to generate momentum around a five year fundraising campaign.

The majority of the commi�ee chairmen have submi�ed a list of their members, an overview of their commi�ee’s major focus for the upcoming year and an YTD update.

OMEGA-WILLIAMS MUSEUM

A new sub-commi�ee of the History & Archives commi�ee was formed. It is the Museum Commi�ee and is chaired by Bro. Jarvis Green. The History Chairman, Bro. Vernon “Bop Swalos” Weakley & the Artifacts chairman Bro. Curt Childers along with Bro. Lewis Anderson comprise the core of the commi�ee.

Bro Keith Neal donated his graphics expertise for identification of the items and Bro. Jalani Bakari joined Bro. Franklin Henderson, Bro. Lewis Anderson and Dr. Floyd Thomas (a friend of Omega) in conducting a seminar on the life and times of Bro. Col. Young. Bro’s Don Lee, Kyle Plant, Keith Neal, & Lewis Anderson, joined me in providing personal artifacts to be displayed.

Second Vice Grand Basileus, Bro. Brian Gundy along with his undergraduate council: Bro’s McCoy, Bowers & Hart did an outstanding job in ge�ing over 300 undergraduates and guests to a�end the preview. Mr. Stephen Jackson, from the City of Raleigh and the Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau provided transportation and meals for the a�endees.

History was made with the “preview” opening of the Museum and video interviews of each former Grand Basileus in a�endance completed. A documentary of the Fraternity is in the works and the update to the history book underway.

FIRST VICE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

The First Vice DR’s are not a commi�ee, but have been organized as a recognized group. They met while at the undergraduate summit and assisted with the opening of the museum. They will also be available to Bro.’s Brown & Ray for use on the 100th anniversary commi�ee.

The 1st Vice DR’s will also support the History and Archives commi�ee by compiling historical information and artifacts from their Districts to display in the museum. They will participate in District Officers training in March in Raleigh, NC and will interact with the 1st Vice Grand Basileus to determine methods to maintain continuity in management of the District and International commi�ees.

It is a pleasure to serve; yours in Friendship and Fraternity.

A Message from the Grand Keeper of Records and SealBro. Charles A. Bruce

In a reorganization of our publication editorial structure, the responsibility for the Omega Bulletin was assigned to the Grand KRS. As such, this is the first issue of the Omega Bulletin distributed under that new scenario. The Omega Bulletin has been and will remain a vehicle to communicate information to:

1) Help the Membership plan their participation in the Fraternity’s International and District events

2) Improve the Fraternity’s organizational response to Omega Psi Phi programs, policies and procedures

3) Keep the Membership up to date with changes in our structure, priorities and methods.

Having said that, from my perspective as your GKRS, I must say that we, in total, have not fully adapted to the information that was disseminated in the 2006 Winter Edition of the Omega Bulletin. (This was the Bulletin most recently published and distributed prior to this Spring 2007 issue that you are currently reading.) As such, I feel compelled to direct you to that document to gain important information and direction in particular on the following topics:

Membership (Financial) Card Photograph Policy

Process for Submission of Funds to Omega International Headquarters

The Membership Selection Process (MSP) details and process flow

The Fraternity’s International Mandated Programs

Annual Chapter Assessmentso Liability Insuranceo College Endowment Funds

On-Line Interface with IHQo Lock Box Payment Protocolo Track-It Communication/Problem Resolution Protocol

This information is essential to the smooth and effective operation of the Fraternity and a productive interface between the IHQ operation, the Chapters and the Membership. The Winter 2006 Omega Bulletin is still available for viewing and printing from the Fraternity’s official web page.

Further in this issue, you will find communication from some of your Grand Officers and from the recently appointed Omega Psi Phi Director of Communications.

In our continuing effort to improve the interface between IHQ and our customers (the Membership,

the Chapters and the Districts), we have reviewed the high incidence of problems with transactions associated with transfer and re-instatement of Brothers. To respond and improve the situation, we have made changes in the utility of the LB001-R Form.

In the past, the Member Name and Member ID had to be typed in on the LB001-R. It was also neces-sary to select from two different Record Types (Reinstated or Transfer). The LB001-R has changed to be�er serve you and our process at IHQ.

What this means for the Chapters and Brothers is:

• You now can select from a list of Members that were in your Chapter when they were last fi-nancial; so you will not have to type in the information.

• BUT…you will no longer be able to choose the Transfer option. You must submit a Form 35

(Request For Transfer) to IHQ, once this form is received and processed by IHQ, the member being transferred will show up in either LB001 or LB001-R depending on their last financial date

• Any Brother with an expiration date of 10/31/06 or later will be listed on the LB001 form • Any Brother with an expiration date earlier than 10/31/06 will be listed on the LB001-R form. How this benefits you:

• No more transposing Member IDs

• No more applying the wrong Member ID to a name

• Access to more reclaimable members

• Assures that money will be applied to members in your Chapter once the transfer process is complete

It is suggested that you submit your Transfer Request through the TrackIT system so that you will be notified of the completion of transfer and you can continue on from that point, paying the dues for the newly transferred member. Although you can fax or mail the form in to IHQ, you will still have to use TrackIT in order to get a status. (Please be advised, there will be a minimum 24 hour turn around on this as it is a two step process involving our membership and IT departments.)

Continued

A Message from the Grand Keeper of Records and SealBro. Charles A. Bruce

From the desk of theGrand Keeper of FinanceBro. Tony Knox

My Brothers I hope all is well with you and your families! We are working hard to create the best possible finance department within any organization or business.

Unfortunately we do not have an onsite manager, but we are in discussion with someone with 30-years of finance experience, at all levels of management, that will be available June 1, 2007. In the interim we have a consultant leading the department with 30-years in accounting, who has been a special projects person for Omega Psi Phi previously, her name is Veronica Bailey.

Janine Percival our interim manager resigned effective February 23, 2007, and we wish her well in her new position.

I would like to announce a couple of changes that have been implemented since November 1, 2007. Our goal is to cut checks on the 15th and 30th of each month and we are asking all invoices and expenses reimbursements to be submi�ed by the 5th and 20th of the month.

The Travel Policy has been modified and will be put in print on a postcard or brochure;Basic Changes to the policy are as follows:

A. Mileage rate is 90% of the IRS rate

B. Meal allowance continues at 40.00 per day but is broken down as follows:

Breakfast 7.00

Lunch 9.00

Dinner 24.00

Total 40.00

C. Lodging rate without prior approval 79.00 plus tax

The District Officers workshop will be in Raleigh, NC March 9-10, 2007 at the Sheraton Capital Center.

Thank you brothers for allowing me to serve Omega, please email me if you have any questions.

Fraternally,

A note from the Grand Counselor...Brother Michael Adams

Each year we spend thousand of dollars dealing with the a�ermath of poor planning and the high cost of insurance. Managing our risk is a smart and safe way to ensure we have successful programs.

The Fraternity is in the process of renewing all of our insurance coverages. Each member of Omega can participate in keeping our premiums low and our events safe by taking a smart look at how we do business.

Here are 10 practical Tips that each Brother can remember that will help manage our risk.

• Plan your event and be organized• Submit the insurance coverage forms to the international office 2 weeks prior to your event• If the event is open to the public, have the appropriate security• Work with you advisor and university officials if the event is on a college campus• If an incident occurs, contact the District Counselor and your DR• All chapters who participate in the MSP process should have each member trained and

certified • Only trained and certified members should serve as mentors• If an incident occurs, notify the DR and file the Grand Counselors 48 hour report• Make sure form 50 and form 37 are current with IHQ

Each one of us has a duty to do our part to make sure Omega is around long a�er we are all gone.

Long Live Omega...Omega Men Mourn the passing of

The Honorable Herbert E. Tucker, Jr. (23rd Grand Basileus (1955 - 1958)

Civil rights pioneer and former Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi, Judge Herbert E. Tucker Jr., has entered Omega Chapter. He died Friday, March 3, 2007 in his home state of Massachuse�s. Brother Tucker served as Omega’s 23rd international president from 1955 to 1958. He was 91-years old.

During the mid 50’s there was a thrust for social change. Thousands of Omega men in every area of the country were actively involved in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination and Judge Tucker was leading the charge. “Brother Tucker was truly a giant among of men, a brilliant legal scholar and a determined champion to the cause to upli�ing the African-American community,” said Warren G. Lee Jr., Omega’s current and 38th Grand Basileus

With Brother Tucker at the helm at the 1955 Grand Conclave in Los Angeles, Omega initiated a pro-gram whereby each graduate chapter would purchase a Life Membership from the NAACP. Between 1955 and 1959, chapters contributed almost $40,000 to the NAACP. In 1960, Tucker was appointed by Senator John F. Kennedy to the civil rights section of Kennedy 1960 presidential campaign. Nine years later, Tucker became commissioner of the Massachuse�s Department of Public Utilities and was named chairman in 1972. The following year, Tucker was named special justice to the Municipal Court of Dorchester, and in 1974 he became the presiding justice of the district. Five years later he became presiding judge of the Edgartown District Court, where he remained in the position until his retirement in 1985. His alma mater, Northeastern University, named him the alumnus of the year in 1971. Brother Tucker also served as the chairman of the executive commi�ee of Simmons College. He is survived by his wife, Mary and two children.

District Date Location Hotel

1st District Apr 27 - Apr 29, 2007 Stamford, CT Holiday Inn

2nd District May 3 - 7, 2007 Pittsburgh, PA Downtown Westin Convention Center

3rd District April 26 - 29, 2007 Alexandria, VA Hilton Alexander Mark Center

4th District May 4 - 6, 2007 Toledo, OH Toledo Hilton

5th District March 23 - 24, 2007 Oakridge, TN Double Tree

6th District April 26 - 29, 2007 Greensboro, NC Sheraton Greensboro Hotel @ Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center

7th District Mar 28 - Apr 1, 2007 Huntsville, AL Marriott

8th District April 26 - 29, 2007 Des Moines, Iowa Embassy Suites Hotel

9th District April 6 - 8, 2007 Houston, TX Hilton of Americus Hotel

10th District April 19 - 22, 2007 Milwaukee, WI Four Points Sheraton- Airport

12th District April 25 - 29, 2007 Oakland, CA Downtown Marriott

13th District July 12 - 14, 2007 Philadelphia, PA Downtown Marriott Leadership Conference

2007 District Conference/ Meeting Dates

Q: Will the Fraternity return to using the Lampados Club as an element for intake?

A: In my 35-plus years in the Fraternity, one of the discussion dear to everyone heart is how we bring folk into our organization. I’m really more concerned about what you do once you get into the organization. However, we’ve had pledge clubs, we’ve had selection and education, we’ve had intake and now we have MSP. What we want to do is bring about some commonality of process of how potentials come into the Fraternity.

While we want to go back and re-install the Lampados club, we also want to make sure the po-tentials, particularly on the undergraduate level will have a day of importance and significance in their lives where they walk around in coat, shirt and tie. And, they will have to interface with the Brothers. But, to do all of that, one thing we have to do above all else is maintain our zero-toler-ance policy on hazing.

We must continue to say, “if you haze and you get caught, you’re out.”

The Supreme Council gave us authority to have a trial run in this spring semester. We want to expand the trial in the fall and the spring of 2007-2008. So when we get to the Grand Conclave in Birmingham, in the summer of 2008, we will have become more familiar with the process, and be comfortable enough to make an intelligent decision about whether or not we want to continue it, and discontinue what we have.

Q: What will be the process for graduate level candidates?

A: I believe, if we are going to allow a potential come into the fraternity through the graduate situ-ation, he should have some demonstrated success. You (candidate) should already be lined up (informed) about who we are and what we are about. What I am saying is, if someone is hoping to come into the chapter, and he is not a part of anything – and all he does is sit on the couch all day; and just because he becomes an Omega, all of a sudden, is he going to be community-minded and trying to make a difference in the lives of black people???

All that candidate will do is still sit on the couch, but he will have on purple and gold parapherna-lia. And then what he will do is try to keep everyone else on the couch, because if others are doing something progressive, it’s going to make him look bad. So when we start looking at graduate initiation, we need to look at men who have already done and are making progressive, Omega-like contributions. Then they can help to make Omega be�er – rather than Omega making them be�er.

State of the Fraternity/ With Warren G. Lee. Jr. 38th Grand Basileus

Q: Much has been said about reclamation. What is your position on the topic, Brother Grand?

A: Let’s be honest. Reclamation for numbers is not meaningful. And, we don’t want everybody back. In our ninety-five years we have made some mistakes by bringing in some folk. And, if they are already out, we need to keep them out. And, we’ve got some (brothers) who are still in who, if they are two days late, we should not accept their money. Tell them their window of opportunity is closed. Because we cannot go forward, as an organization, if we are having a meeting, and someone is there, just to be disruptive. These Brothers have a question on everything, but partici-pate in nothing! They are just disruptive forces, with no constructive impact. For the sake of the chapter, the fraternity, the confusion they create and maintain is not worth the dues they pay.

Our chapters need to be responsive and moving forward. And before we look at trying to reclaim a brother who has been out of the Fraternity for 20-years, we need to find out where he has been and what he has been doing for the last 20 years.

Q: Is there anything special planned for the Centennial Celebration of Omega Psi Phi?

A: Our marketing theme will be 100 for the 100th. We are trying to have 100,000 financial members. We have ten living Grand Basilei. Every Grand Basilei is going to send a le�er to all the brothers for whom we have good addresses, who were initiated during his term as Grand Basileus. We are go-ing to have a photo opportunity where you will be able to take a picture with “My Grand Basileus” during the Centennial Celebration.

The celebration will be held over three or four days with activities including site visits to Howard University.

We are also going to raise 4-million dollars for Howard, one million for each Founder. We have five years to raise four million dollars. It seems like a lot of money, but we can break it down into something that is manageable.

Q: We understand that the Fraternity has a separate group entitled Omega Charities. What is the purpose of that group?

A: The purpose of the charities is to be the black answer to the American Red Cross. We realized that when Katrina hit and what we went through when Andrew hit, is that we have agencies showcas-ing a lot of pictures of li�le black babies presenting a show of inclusion. These organizations want us to sign-up and give them a check every year. But by and large, when it comes time to handout the money, they can’t seem to find those li�le black babies! We need to be able to do something for ourselves! Now is the time for us to say to everyone “Not only do we have the capacity but also the inclination to save ourselves.”

Thank you Brothers!

State of the Fraternity/ With Warren G. Lee. Jr. 38th Grand Basileus

Continued

2007 Leadership ConferenceEverything Rises & Falls on Leadership. Leadership Today, Tomorrow & Forever

Friday & Saturday July 13th & 14th, 2007Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Host Chapter: Mu Omega Graduate Chapter

Point Of Contact: Bro. Al W. Junius, Basileus Mu Omega • (302) 573-7663

Host Hotel: Marrio� Philadelphia Downtown Room Rate $139

1201 Market Street • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 19107(215) 625-2900 • www.marrio�.com/PHILDT

Proposed Agenda(subject to approval and subject to change)

Thursday July 12, 2007 Friday July 13, 2007 Supreme Council Meeting Official Welcome Golf Tournament 70 & 60 Year Member Breakfast Supreme Council Reception Medical Panel & Sponsors Recognition Que�e Activities (All Day) Life Membership Meeting TBD “Break Out’ Workshops” # 1 See the city Luncheon w/Keynote Speaker Frat House open “Break Out” Workshops # 2 See the city / Entertainment

Saturday July 14, 2007 Sunday July 15, 2007 Announcements Spiritual Service 50 Year Member Breakfast Visit to Founders Grave-site Medical Panel Leave for Home Que�e Activities (All Day) “Break Out” Workshops # 1 Luncheon w/Keynote Speaker “Break Out” sessions # 2 See the city / Entertainment

REMEMBER!!!!!!!This agenda is “PROPOSED” as of February, 2007

and has not been approved by the Supreme Council.

Special Note: All Fraternity publications will soon be available on the International web site. Broth-ers who have access to the Internet will be able to indicate if they want to download the publication(s) to view on their computer or continue to have a hard copy mailed to their home or place of business.

Non-profit organizationU.S. Postage

PAIDDecatur, GA

30035Permit #9

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, IncInternational Headquarters3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur GA 30035www.oppf.org

From the office of the Director of CommunicationsBrother Ben Holbert

Dear Brothers,

I am indeed honored to accept the appointment of Director of Communications for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. As Director, I will make it a priority to promote, respond, and aggressively present our Fraternity in the greatest light possible. Under the direction of the 38th Grand Basileus, Brother Warren G. Lee, Jr., I will strive to maximize our efficiency and improve our ability to deliver services in a cost-efficient and professional manner.

As a member of Omega Psi Phi with more than a quarter-century of service, it will be my personal commitment to communicate to the media and others the hallmark of Omega’s existence – community service.

Our people (the Black community) are starving for true leadership from every village to metropolitan area, where Omegas reside. Help me, as Communications Director, tell our fraternal story. Participate in civic projects, hold blood drives where blood emergencies exist; mentor youth and inspire teens to become productive citizens; generate scholarship dollars that will facilitate college-bound students to realize their dreams; and make a pledge to reclaim one of our most valued resources—non-financial brothers who are simply wanting to reconnect with a chapter that clearly demonstrates integrity, leadership capacity and progressive change for our constituency.

As we move towards the centennial celebration of our illustrious brotherhood, all hearts and minds should be focused on giving Omega our best–-which will, in turn, demonstrate to the world that Omega is indeed the best that our society has to give.

We will use our publications and web site to keep the Brotherhood informed of the fraternal vision, our Fraternity successes, and our chapter best practices. Utilizing the technology currently available, our publications will be downloadable in so� copy vs. hard copy via the International web site. A drop down menu will offer Brothers the choice to receive the publications electronically, or via the U.S. Postal Service. We hope to use this technology to minimize cost to the Fraternity and place our publications at your finger tips sooner.

In Friendship,