As we embark upon another page in the history of Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the National Alumni Association (NAA), it is imperative that we recognize many of the alumni that have gone before us and have made this illustrious University, what it is today.

We are thankful for alumni such as Reverend Moses General Miles, an outstanding supporter who was quoted numerous times as saying “FAMU must live on forever”; Dr. Leonard Johnson, a physician and community activist who fought for FAMU to maintain its autonomy; or Dr. Hyacinth C. Akunne, the University’s first recipient of the doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in pharmacology in 1989, conferred by former president Frederick S. Humphries whose administration propelled FAMU into national prominence as a premier institution and a university of choice for National Achievement Scholars.

In recent years, FAMU experienced many firsts. It is the spirit of leadership that the Florida A & M University National Alumni Association will embark upon several firsts. The beginning of 2005, will mark the first time in the history of the National Alumni Association a “Million Dollar Campaign” chaired by Ms. Charlie E. Brown; the first National Convention “All Classes Reunion” this Century; the first Orange and Green Commission chaired by Attorney Marlon Moffett and a group of outstanding graduates and long time supporters of FAMU that represent some of the best and the brightest minds in America; and the first “National FAMU Church Day” across America. The Orange and Green Commission will conduct a study of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the NAA presently and in the future.

The NAA is undergoing a paradigm shift; moving to a more business oriented organization, devoted and united on behalf of FAMU. We are moving from inaction and friction to productivity and action. The NAA is working toward becoming better donors, than recipients. There must be less reliance on the University and more dependence on our own collective expertise and experiences. So far, the NAA has developed partnerships with the Rattler Boosters, the National Rattler F Club, and Toast to the Champions Football Reunion. We are seeking additional partnerships with other organizations united on behalf of FAMU. We realize that there is power in numbers. Developing partnerships will allow us collectively to push for more aggressive agendas on behalf of the University.

The 2005 Winter Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland was well attended by many FAMUans, especially our recent graduates. In the last twenty years, Florida A&M University has graduated approximately 26,220 students. Of this number, approximately 38 or more were foreign students; 40 or more American Indian: 480 or more were Asian of Pacific Islander: 420 or more Hispanic: and, 2,000 or more were White. Many of these graduates are now employed in Corporate America, local, state, and federal governments; academia, business and industry, as well as, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, etc. However, the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association currently has approximately 3,000 active financial members. Therefore, our goal is to increase the membership body, with an emphasis on new graduates from 1985 to the present. As a result of these statistics, I have appointed some outstanding graduates to the Graduate Task-Force Committee. The goal of the Graduate Task Force is to assist the NAA in increasing the number of recent graduate financial members in the NAA; and to provide a vehicle to transition new graduates into the association. We believe that all graduates should be involved in the promotion and maintenance of FAMU’s position to remain autonomous and viable as an institution of higher education, research and public service.

You may recall that I campaigned on the 3 M’s and 2 P’s. This administration is focused on raising money, increasing membership, management of the organization, public relations (image building), and political savvy. Presently, we have two major campaigns running simultaneously to raise money, the One Million Dollars Campaign and the FAMU-NAA National Church Day, both spearheaded by the National Alumni Association. The kickoff for the National Church Day is 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 2005 at 224 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida. On Sunday, April 10, 2005 we are asking churches across the country to raise a love offering from Florida A&M University. Funds that are raised should be earmarked and forwarded to the attention of Mr. Clinton McGill, Financial Secretary, FAMU-NAA, P. O. Box 7351, Tallahassee, FL 32314. FAMU has been instrumental in catapulting a new generation of African Americans into the ranks of middle class America. The NAA normal fundraising efforts also seek gifts meant to support our students, faculty and physical facilities. Yet the FAMU National Church Day Campaign is distinctive in that it exposes the University's many contributions to parishioners throughout the nation and offers them a way to participate in advancing the cause of this truly great American university. The University’s motto: “Excellence with Caring” has transformed generations of avid learners and turned them in to a community of scholars whose scholarly achievements have touch communities throughout the nation. The will be an annual fundraising initiative under my administration. FAMU has given a lot to many communities by educating their citizens and opening doors where none existed into corporate America and higher education.

Membership is important to the survival and longevity of our association. We are currently engaging chapters across the country to increase their membership rosters and contact the graduates in the area from the databases provided by us. As we increase our membership, we must deal with managing our association better and holding those elected to offices to perform at the highest level. An Orange and Green Commission has been appointed to study our association and provide a written report on improving the overall management of the NAA and assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats we face as an association presently and in the future. As an association, we must understand that in politics we do not have permanent enemies or friends; therefore, we must use our political savvy to lobby both sides of the aisle to insure that FAMU maintains its rightful place in higher education. We can do this by branding the FAMU image locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as the number one choice for outstanding students. We are the public relations firm hired to promote FAMU through our actions and deeds as an association. Therefore, we must increase our participation on all levels, for example, planned giving through the NAA, increasing memberships, forming new chapters and reactivating old chapters; and attending NAA sponsored events, such as the 2005 National Convention All Classes Reunion and 2005 Weekend of Rededication (WORD).

Finally, there is one more thing we need to accomplish above and beyond the business aspect of this operation. We need unity of purpose, good will and harmony in our approach with each other. We must not only be high tech, but high touch. I personally respect all of you and need your assistance to move this organization forward. We need all of your talents, resources, ideas and support. You should be able to tell from my committee appointments, that I have no preferential groups or hidden agendas. There are opportunities for those who want to sign up for a piece of the action. You can get on board, become a team player and buy in to our Ten (10) Point Action Plan:

• To target 20,000 non dues paying graduates during a two-phase period. From January 2005 – March 2006 and March 2006 to December 2006.
• To establish a new category of life membership at $1,500.
• To raise more than one million dollars on or before the All Classes Reunion Convention 2005.
• To coordinate a National Presidential Scholars Program with local chapters.
• To provide improved quality of services to our members, i.e., membership pins, Life Membership Plaques, and assure timely receipt of scholarship money by students, etc.
• To sponsor an All Classes Reunion Convention 2005 in Orlando, Florida, July 20-24, 2005.
• To establish bipartisan support with elected officials in support of FAMU and its mission.
• To continue to develop the Student Alumni Association.
• To establish a task-force of recent graduates who will help find, recruit recent graduates as active members and suggest activities that will influence their retention.
• To foster a think tank like organization to develop best practices in implementing the above goals and others.