Putting Virtual-Sigma Back On Line

In 1978, I sensed that something was going very wrong with Phi Beta Sigma. I did not know exactly what was wrong; but I knew definitely that we were in for a long decline.

I will not elaborate at this time; but I will say this – several of our past officers wanted an organization much different from that which was conceived by our Founders. They chose the critical period when we were trying to convert from a part-time to a full-time operation to strike. Essentially – because of their intervention, Phi Beta Sigma never made the necessary conversion. Instead, P.R. was used to replace actual service to humanity.

I am writing today to ask you to do two things.

(1) I want you to take the time to read three essays that I have written. I know that some of you have read them previously; but I beg you to reread them now.

The first enclosed essay, “A Conflict of Models” tells how we moved from the structure that the Founders left to us to the one we operate by today. The second essay, “The Birth of G. O. M. A. B” tells how we slowly turned our backs on the motto the Founders gave us – “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity” (which focused on bringing benefits to those outside of Sigma) to the self promoting[…]theme.

The third essay “Established Upon the Principles”, is yet unfinished. I had abandoned finishing it because I didn’t think that anybody cared. Kevin Christian and others have strengthened me to fight for the Founders. I began it in my heart; I trust you to finish it in yours.

Please read all three essays. Please discuss them among yourselves and pass them on to every committed Sigma that you know. If you have any questions, write them down and e-mail me. I will answer any question that you ask and I can answer. If you have a burning question, call me. Once you understand what must be done, tell every Sigma that you know. And when people try to beat on you, stand up and push them back in the name of the Founders.

(2) A couple of years ago, four members of Tri-Sigma chapter organized a website called Virtual-Sigma. Virtual-Sigma was a completely free website for brothers of Phi Beta Sigma. It was the place where you could post important information, ask questions or express your point of view. Many of you may have been members. In our three-year history, the administrators only edited one entry because of the excessive bad language – nothing else was changed or edited in any way. Although a few brothers recognized the value of the site and made contributions, the bulk of the fees were paid by Tri-Sigma Chapter ($1,600.00) and by the site founders (Abby Raymond, Eric Davis, John Jackson and me [Gerald Smith]). The monthly charge is approximately $200.00 per month.

Last year the site was deactivated because those of us who started it could no longer fund it. All of our information is still stored; but temporarily beyond our reach. At this point, we owe $2, 698.85 in back fees. It will take about the same amount to fund the site until Conclave Charlotte ’07.

As you may be aware, Abby Raymond (Abby Yusef Raymond Elmi) is a former National 2nd. Vice President. When he served, he attempted to organize an undergraduate newsletter. President Womack would not support his effort to fund the newsletter; so Abby raised the funds from the undergrads themselves utilizing the PBS Federal Credit Union as the collection source. When the newsletter project was completed, there was still a small balance remaining in the account. Abby has now agreed that the account can be renamed “the Virtual-Sigma” account. The account at the PBSFCU is 1180.

Here’s what I need for you to do.

I need 30 brothers who care about Phi Beta Sigma and who wish to become a part of the solution to send a check or money order ($30.00) to the Credit Union within the next two weeks. We will need an additional $30.00 at Thanksgiving. Please send good funds because we do not wish to burden the credit union with trying to collect on bad checks. If you know that your bank account is a little shaky from time to time – send a money order. I have included a short information form that I am requesting you send with your funds. When you send your check, two things will happen. First – the PBSFCU will record your funds and pass the information sheets on to me. Secondly – I will create a spreadsheet and acknowledge receipt of your funds and as soon as the site goes active again, I will post the completed financial report (with biweekly updates).

The Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union
145 Kennedy Street, NW (Mezzanine Level)
Washington, DC 20011
Make Check Out To – Virtual-Sigma – Account 1180

Make your checks or money orders payable to the PBSFCU and put the account number (1180) on the legend line so that the PBSFCU staff will know which account is to be credited.

Brothers who are good with math have probably figured out by now that 30 brothers paying $30.00 adds up to only $900.00 total. Good Thinking !!!

Once you send your check or money order; I need for you to do “an A. Langston Taylor”. Founder Taylor recognized that he needed two others to work with him to bring Sigma in to being. I would like to see us mirror our Founder as we work to restore Sigma to what Founder Taylor envisioned. Reach out to two other Sigma men who are close to you. Ask them to join you in this endeavor by sending $30.00 now and making preparations to send an additional $30.00 at Thanksgiving. As soon as the site goes active, I will notify those who have become members. Once we get going, new members will be asked to pay $20.00 to become a member. I recognize that you are being asked to go above and beyond by paying more that others – but that is why I chose you to write to.

Please take action right away because we have much work to do before Conclave Charlotte. Our Founder said the Conclave (the delegate assembly of chapters) should design and approve the program of the fraternity (not the president and the General Board). Our officers have convinced many that they are to be worshipped rather than given specific orders by our membership units. Our officers are elected to serve us as we serve others. At this point, the only ones being served is them.

Permit me to close with a short story.

A little more than ten years ago, a number of inactive Sigmas of the Washington DC area attended the Million Man March. We heard the Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan challenge those of us who had left organizations to return and to work to return them the dreams of the founders. Under the leadership of Steven Taylor (Alpha Chapter Alum. – Founder-President of Tri-Sigma), many of the inactive Sigmas applied for a charter under the name Sigma Sigma Sigma. Beyond indicating our allegiance to Sigma in all things, the symbol is a clever play on the “M’s” in the event that spurred our actions (Million Man March). Three years after our founding, we held a golf tournament that came in at just under one-million dollars. Our backers were federal mortgage agencies. We wanted to share the concept with chapters across the country; but 911 caused the federal mortgage agencies to get out of the tournament business. But there are many other avenues that we can pursue and share with our brother chapters around the country. In our ten-year history, we have given away more than one-half million dollars in scholarships, grants, computer equipment and computer software. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (as a national body) has contributed next to nothing. If you consult the most recent Jet Magazine ( Aug. 28, 2006), you will note that Delta just gave Southern University (New Orleans) the first $100,000.00 of a 700K pledge; that Sigma Gamma Rho just gave 10K to St. Judes Hospital and 20K to the American Red Cross; and that SGR joined with Alpha to give $10K to the Martin Luther King Memorial. The Dinner for Sutton and the upcoming dinner for Newton are not bad things to do; but I remind you – Founders Taylor, Morse and Brown did not form Phi Beta Sigma for us to honor ourselves.

The officers have ignored publicizing our activities because they would get no credit. We have also (with the help of both Alpha Sigma and Theta Tau Sigma) given more than $5,000.00 to purchase the software licenses for the software in the William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School named after our long-time National Executive Director. For three years no word has appeared in the Crescent Magazine to let our members know about the school and the life-long contributions of and Elaine Doar. I learned this week that the most recent article will not be included in the upcoming Crescent. I want you to have the article for your information. When you receive it, please share it with every Sigma that you know. Bill gave us thirty years; we can at-least give him an article in the Crescent. I will send the Doar article under separate cover because of its length.

Beloved: We must do what we swore to do when we first raised our hands as members of Phi Beta Sigma….
Please join me and others around the country in doing what must be done.