(D-9)Re-inventing Your Organization for the Next 100 Years
 

The Divine 9 will begin celebrating their respective Centennials starting next year. As we all reflect on the past 100 years of our organizations, what do you envision for your organization (MEMBERS ONLY) for the next 100 years?

Let's not discuss MEMBERSHIP and the PROCESS. Let's talk about some HARDCORE areas that our organizations might want to focus on (or expand) in SERVING OUR communities.

Re: (D-9)Re-inventing Your Organization for the Next 100 Years
 

I think that Alpha Kappa Alpha as well as other D9 organizations will continue to focus on the importance of education. As a teacher I see everyday how many of our young people (especially minorities) fail to take their education seriously. The achievement gap has grown farther apart (African Americans/Hispanics vs. Caucasians/Asians) over the past 10-20 yrs. (very noticeable in inner city areas).

I also think that we (D9) should focus on ways to help rehabilitate our young people in the Juvenile Correction facilities. Many times these young people come home from jail facing the same situations without any assistance (can’t find a job due to lack of training, no support system, etc.). We should continue to start programs that will give our youth positive support.

One of my visions for Alpha Kappa Alpha is for us to begin to give scholarships on the LARGE scale to deserving students of color. I would love if AKA could endow a scholarship at each of the top 15 U.S. public and private institutions. What better way to maintain a progressive interest in college life? I am happy about the two and three thousand dollar scholarships we now give, but I would be so EXCITED and ON FIRE if AKA became the single largest benefactor sending Black students to college.

The scholarship I am envisioning would cover tuition, room, board and books AND provide a tutor for our students falling below a 2.50 at any time. I had a scholarship like this from the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering while I was in undergrad and it was one of God's greatest gifts to me. If AKA could endow something like this at 30 schools nationwide we would fulfill so many of our targets, not to mention our purpose, in one beautiful endeavor.

Clearly endowing one scholarship like this would require hundreds of thousands, but wouldn't it be beautiful?

I'd like to see Alpha kappa Alpha move back into the forefront politically. Even though we aren't a political organization, per se, we have been involved in making positive strides in changing the social climate of this country. We, as African Americans are still suffering from social injustices. I'd like to see us eventually target this. I know if we were to become politically active directly, it's not politically correct "PC". However, in the early 1900s, it wasn't politically correct for African Americans to establish organizations such as our organizations we hold dear today. Years ago, the NAACP was not alone in its efforts to seek social change.


That's all. :D :p

I really have to agree with you. I think we (D9) need to take a more active and up front role in politics. This is one area that if we were to unite with other orgs, can make some serious changes.

A more foundational role
 

I would like to see individual chapters and members take a more "non profit" foundation or "public policy setting" role in the corporate sector and commerce in each respective city that they serve.

I appreciate the legacy brought forth by our ancestors with all the politics and I think that should continue. And I think that some things can only be accomplished behind closed doors at the corporate level to get goals accomplished.

If more local chapter members--especially those of the younger generation--were to sit on non-profit and/or for-profit boards of directors, we would have our voices heard... So far, at least where I live, we are playing catch-up in that sector--so nobody's voice is heard, until something negative goes down. That in my opinion is reactive rather than proactive. And I am tired of "our" reactivity to a situation rather than never letting it start...

I can go into more detail, but I will stop for now...

I would like to see more collaboration with other Divine 9 oganizations in terms of housing and providing a community service center for those in the community tutoring , after school programs, eldercare etc. i would like to see more unity within the organization less distinction between grand and undergrad members., north vs south etc. We are all AKAs regardless of how and where we were made. More community service activities- An appreciation for the history of our organization rather than the purported image of it.

This is my own perception and experience of our organization we do a lot in community service but we could stand to do MORE! My experience is not the whole entitiy of AKA nor could I propose to speak for all members of AKA. It is a wonderful organization! However, we are not perfect!:)