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My Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity:
When I first knelt at the Sacred Altar, little did I know that one
day I would be the first Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi to be
elected in the second century of our fraternity. I never dreamed
that my name would be called to be the conservator of the greatest
fraternity on this planet.
Today, I hold the gavel of authority, symbolic of the expectations
you have of me, to guide the fraternity in accordance with the Constitution
and Statutes, the vision of our Founders, and the legacies of my
predecessors, the 31 Grand Polemarchs who made humility the watchword
for the last one hundred years.
It is an awesome responsibility you have given me, one that I have
accepted with great anticipation, humility, and a willingness to
hold on to you, as you help me stay on the course toward more achievement
in second century Kappa.
When a person ascends to a high office like the Grand Polemarch,
he is compelled to reflect on the lives of those who were instrumental
in their achievements. My humility takes me swiftly to that place,
where a few people whose shoulders I have stood on, must be recognized
at this time.
My Mother and Father provided the greatest influence in my life.
My Father insisted that I attend college. It was there that I received
the education that formed the foundations of all further achievements.
He taught me the value in working hard and not seeking recognition.
My Mother made me believe that I could do anything that I set my
mind to do, as long as I kept God in my life. My sister Patricia
continues to instruct me to "But seek ye first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added
unto you". I am the oldest of six siblings and each of us shape
each other everyday.
To all of them, and to all of you who have elected me to this office,
I thank with all of my heart. I am mindful, that accepting the office,
and acknowledging how I got here is not enough. I have waited for
my turn, for my link to be inserted in the chain of Grand Polemarchs,
so that I could respond like Isaiah when he said; “Also I heard
the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go
for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8
It is my time to reach out among my brethren, to identify those
who will serve with me in the 32nd Administration of our fraternity.
It’s my time to have each of them to understand the expectations,
responsibilities and accountability that our Constitution, Statutes,
Laws and Policies require of us. Each of us must clearly understand
the concepts of the recent past; “excellence is the only acceptable
standard;” “servant leadership,” and creating inspiration, and a
call to service.” These concepts have sustained us for more than
a decade. These and all the building blocks that have been laid
by the builders are the fabric of which our Fraternity has been
built over one hundred years.
The Thirty Second Administration will go forth with the theme: “100
Years and Building: The Journey Continues.”
It is our time, as One KAPPA, to reexamine the bridges that have
brought us to this place. It’s our time to make sure that each bridge
is sound enough to carry the traffic that will be coming in our
second century. It’s our time to recognize where we are in the mainstream
of America, and what we need to do move more intimately into the
decision making of our nation and the world. It is our time to determine
what the next step is in the building process. How will we grow
our Kappa brand? How will we discharge our fiscal strategies to
continue to increase our solvency? How will we increase our relationships
with Corporate America? Who should we add to our list of organization
partners? What should we do to make sure that our infrastructure
fits our policies and programs? What are the desires of the brothers
for the future of our International Headquarters, short and long
term?
The leadership team must recognize that we have boarded a speeding
train, and it becomes our responsibility to make sure it’s safe
and that the tracks below it are stable. We must sit down and ponder
the words of Booker T. Washington, “Cast Down Your Bucket Where
You Are.” We are in Indianapolis, IN, just a few miles from the
hallowed ground of Indiana University at Bloomington, the birth
of our fraternity. This means that our journey is continuing from
here; this is the place for us to cast down our bucket. When we
cast it down, let us pray that it will be filled with motivation,
zeal, and a willingness to provide the services that our brothers
require, and that our destiny demands.
As I was pondering these words, I thought very seriously about one
word; a word that presents the greatest challenge a Grand Polemarch
will have, that is, accountability. The members of the 32nd Administration’s
leadership team must come to know this day, that the 32nd Grand
Polemarch will hold up the banner of accountability, and expect
of each of them to do the same. Each of them will have the opportunity
to say, “I will serve my brothers in a manner that they should be
served.” They will also have opportunity to say; Brother Grand Polemarch,
I’ve changed my mind.” The exercise of these options will ensure
that our team will be giving due diligence to the requirements of
the various positions. A fast train needs fast responses to keep
it safely on the track.
As One KAPPA, I hope that you will prepare yourselves to participate
in the journey we are continuing. If there are places we need to
pay particular attention to, let us know. If there are places we
should go where we haven’t been yet, let us know. Read the Constitution
and Statutes, policies and laws, so that you can help your Polemarchs,
Province Polemarchs, and the Grand Polemarch and his immediate team
to address these issues and help us implement what’s needed to improve
upon them.
In the days ahead, your leadership team will be moving to effect
a transparent transition, recognizing that we have witnessed the
most magnificent occasion in our lives. I know that any brother
who has had the opportunity to kneel at the Delphic Shrine, and
live to see the curtain close to end our first century, is filled
with pride, and hopefully with a humility that will demand them
to have a greater desire to serve Kappa and mankind.
My Brothers, we are on the Sesquicentennial train, filled with memories
of a people who survived the middle passage, and the brutal aftermath
of oppression; it’s filled by elders and brothers continuing to
implement our founder’s vision; and the greatest anticipation that
boys yet unborn, will hear the clarion call of Kappa, bidding them
to meet us somewhere along the track in years to come, where they
will crave to sit at the Kappa table.
I pray that God will sustain us throughout our journey, and that
peace and love will abound, as we continue to walk by faith. Let
us know for sure, that “the steps of a good man, are ordered by
the Lord, obey His teachings and our journey will be safe and abounding
with abundance.
Yours in the Bond,
William “Randy” Bates, Esq.
Grand Polemarch
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