[16747] in APO-L
Presidents' Summit for America's Future
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (APONED@AOL.COM)
Mon Apr 28 13:22:40 1997
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 13:12:35 -0400
Reply-To: APONED@AOL.COM
From: APONED@AOL.COM
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
April 28, 1997
Good Morning Brothers,
Well, if you watched "Meet the Press" yesterday, and the network news this
morning you know that the Presidents' Summit for America's Future is underway
in Philadelphia, PA.
By way of background, the goal of the Summit is to mobilize millions of
citizens and thousands of organizations from all sectors in order to ensure
that our future generations have access to five fundamental resources that
can help them lead healthy, fulfilling, and productive lives. These
resources are:
1. An ongoing relationship with a caring adult or mentor;
2. Safe places to learn and grow;
3. A healthy start;
4. A marketable skill through effective education; and
5. An opportunity to give back through community service.
Although the Fraternity is not a specific participant in the Summit we have
become involved and will continue to do so. (Not as an apology, but for
further information I want you to know that the Fraternity tried to become an
active participant at the Summit, but the list of participants was very
limited. Those specific oganizations who are participating had to make
considerable commitments in the way of national goals in manpower and
resources, for an extended period of time.)
As you know, our Fraternity currently exists as 330 active Chapters around
the country fulfilling a commitment of service to chapter, campus, community
and nation. At the very heart of our Fraternity is our autonomy in carrying
out service in the manner each Chapter chooses. Because we have this
diversity of service we didn't meet a major requirement of participation at
the Summit. The Summit wanted organizations to make a 3-5 year commitment to
one area. For example: Big Brothers and Big Sisters committed to doubling
their mentoring relationships, reaching 200,000 matches through the year
2000. In another example, Columbia Healthcare Corporation has committed to
immunize one million children by the year 2000.
Please remember that the philosophy of the Fraternity has never been to
direct the Chapters in just one specific area of service, but rather the
Fraternity encourages all Chapters to embrace the entire concept of service
in specific areas they determine.
So, where does this leave Alpha Phi Omega in relationship to the Summit and
future involvement? It may sound simplistic but, we are in the middle of
the action!
We will continue doing our best through our diverse service programs, as we
have done for almost 75 years! Much of the great service our Chapters
conduct on a daily basis is a shining example of what the Summit is trying to
achieve on a national basis. And, I am sure that some Chapters will
carefully review the goals of the Summit listed above, and begin new service
projects related to those areas of concern.
But, as I said earlier we are involved in the summit. Already one of our
Chapters has been recognized. Eta Pi Chapter at the University of Detroit
Mercy has been involved in a mentoring program for the past two years. The
'service' of the Chapter was selected as a "Teaching Example" to be featured
on the official website of the Summit. In the near future you will be able
to read about the Eta Pi Mentoring Program on the Summit's web page
<www.citizenservice.org>
As the Summit gears up to fulfill its goals, Chapters who become involved in
service projects which follow the goals of the Summit, will also be able to
apply as "Teaching Examples" for the website. Your good example will serve
as an inspiraton and tool for others who are looking for replicable solutions
to the challenges they face in their own communities.
I believe the Presidents' Summit for America's Future will continue to
present unique opportunities for our Chapters and our Fraternity. Your
Chapter may be called upon for more "Summit related service" through your
college or university. Or, the leaders of your community may call on you for
more specific activity in regard to the goals and objectives of the Summit.
The Presidents' Summit for America's Future is an unprecedented opportunity
for service, recognition and growth for your Chapter and the Fraternity.
Have a great day in Leadership, Friendship and Service.
Fraternally,
Patrick W. Burke
National Executive Director
