CAMDEN — By LOWELL SANDERS
For the Camden News
Members of the Rho Phi Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., exemplified their commitment to community service by signing a “Memorandum Of Understanding” with the Camden Fairview Intermediate School on Friday, Aug. 3.
The partnership (Adopt-A-School) is a component of the fraternity’s Education Program. CFIS Principal Amy Sanchez and RPS President Lowell Sanders signed the agreement with chapter brothers Mark Anthony Green and Fredrick Lilly II on hand to witness.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is an international organization comprised of 150,000 college-educated men, and built primarily on the ideology of promoting “Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service.” Over its one-hundred-plus years of existence, the fraternity has focused on improving the global community through dedicated service. This focus has compelled the development of the organization’s four main programs: Bigger and Better Business, Education, Social Action and Sigma Beta Clubs that embrace the following objectives:
• To support Sigma’s vision of ensuring programs are focused and committed to serving our communities and serving young males through mentoring and scholarships;
• To ensure symmetry among all organizational and community initiatives;
• To develop a sense of pride and commitment in the community toward healthy living that will reduce the incidences of health conditions that adversely affect men of color.
Through the lens of these programs, members determine how best they can serve their respective communities. For example, the national mentoring program for males ages 8-18 provides for the development of young men as they prepare for college and the workforce. The organization’s partnerships with the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund are examples of its efforts to address societal ills including health disparities and educational and developmental challenges for people of all backgrounds.
The Adopt-A-School component is designed to get Sigma men into the schools in the community, working with teachers and principals to assist students in improving their knowledge, skills academically and build student literacy.
While in the schools, the chapter will implement one or more of the sub-components of this initiative which include:
• Reading Days – Essay Contests
• Spelling bees
• Oratory and Debate Competition
• Math and Problem-Solving Competitions
• S.T.E.A.M (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics)
• S.T.E.A.M related experiences, field trips and projects.