PsiAA Brother Fighting Trim Workout March-April 2021

Posted on by Chapter Reporter

During the months of March and April 2021, the Brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. conducted our second virtual health initiatives workout event, due to the current environment related to COVID-19 and the stay at home order and social distancing in Virginia. The event was for Brothers to continue participate and encourage each r Brothers to engage consistently in various healthy activities. The event was a tremendous success with 56-chapter Brothers participating. The activities included walk/run, biking, cardio, High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.), weight training, abs/core workout, sit-ups/crunches, push-ups, pull-ups, and water intake. The Brothers exercised great ingenuity utilizing the tools at their disposal by walking their stairs at home and the neighborhood and biking the city. Outstanding work from the great Brothers of the Psi Alpha Alpha chapter.

The Supreme Basileus tells us in Ecclesiastics 30:15, "Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth."

The totals for the month were as follows:
# Brothers Submitted Activity 56 / 141 total 40% of chapter Brothers
Run/Walk - 1,868 miles
Biking - 1,004 miles
Cardio - 947 hours
H.I.I.T. - 26 hours
Weight Training - 30 hours
Abs/Core workout - 46 hours
Sit-ups/Crunches - 14,898 reps
Push-ups - 22,794 reps
Pull-ups - 686 reps
Water Intake - 110 gallons

Fairfax County Volunteer and Partner Services Volunteer Appreciation Event 2021

Posted on by Chapter Reporter

Bro. James Cherry represented Psi Alpha Alpha at the Fairfax County  Volunteer and Partner Services Volunteer Appreciation Event sponsored by the Fairfax County Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families Division.  The audience of more than 80 volunteers was treated to violin selections by Fire Orne, an African American violin duo comprised of  16-year-old twins Ethan & Nathan Morlu. Remarks were given by Krissa Stone, Director of Volunteer and Partner Services, Michael Becketts, Director of DFS, and Oriane Eriksen, Director of Children, Youth, and Families Division.  They thanked everyone for their gift of time and resources that allow them to continue to provide services in the County:

  • 80 volunteers supported Children/Youth/Families in various ways.
  • Brought on one intern.
  • Adopt a family program has helped 1245 children this year.
  • Total donations - $440K
  • Volunteer hours = $367K in economic impact

 The volunteers were also treated to training around Emotional Intelligence from Robin Baker, Organizational Development Division Director with Fairfax County.  She discussed the factors that contribute to having a high level of emotional intelligence such as:

  • Stress management
    • Flexibility
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Optimism
  • Decision Making
    • Problem Solving
    • Reality Testing
    • Impulse Control
  • Interpersonal
    • Interpersonal Relationships
    • Empathy
    • Social Responsibility
  • Self-Expression
    • Emotional Expression
    • Assertiveness
    • Independence
  • Self-Perception
    • Self-Regard
    • Self-Actualization
    • Emotional Self-Awareness

The Volunteer Appreciation Event was an incredible event in celebration of all we do and what we do for our community!

Dad’s Parenting – Fatherhood Initiatives 2021

Posted on by Chapter Reporter

The Brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, in collaboration with the Father Engagement Unit of Fairfax County Department of Family Services, completed another successful facilitation of the County’s Dad’s Parenting Program in the Spring of 2021.

From February to April of 2021, the brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha provided direction and insight on what it means to be a man and a father as well as expounded on their varied experiences as fathers.   In total, ten fathers graduated from the 13-session virtual program.  To supplement the financial burden caused by the pandemic, Psi Alpha Alpha donated gift cards totaling $500 to the participating fathers to provide support for some of the basic necessities such as food, gas, infant care, or anything else they may need in support of their families.

The Dad’s Parenting program serves to enhance fathers’ overall parenting and fathering skills as well as promote and celebrate the importance of fathers in Fairfax County.  The Chapter’s involvement has helped increase Fairfax County DFS’ capacity to meet the needs of fathers in Fairfax County, as well as educate fathers about the critical roles they play in the lives of their children.

Picture: Bro. James Cherry presenting gift cards to Dad’s Parenting facilitator Bennie Herron, PsiAA CItizen of the Year

Brother James Cherry

Chairman – Fatherhood Initiative Committee

PsiAA Virtual Social 2021

Posted on by Chapter Reporter

On April 17, 2021, the Bernie L. Bates Foundation, Inc sponsored the Virtual 80s QUE-Rantine Extravaganza. This progressive, virtual social event was hosted by the Brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. This was a first-of-its-kind Virtual Social Event that featured not only the now common awesome DJ in virtual space, but this event also featured six additional breakout rooms offering a variety of options for the participants.

“If we are bound to improve, we need not trouble to improve. The pure doctrine of progress is the best of all reasons for not being a progressive.”
G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

The event was attended by more than 150 patrons. It was designed to appeal to a diverse clientele by providing a variety of activities in several breakout rooms. It also featured an exhibit hall with several vendors to display their goods and services and potentially make some sales and foster relationships.  The music in the main room was provided by DJ Rob Stacks, a brother of Omega, who pledged at Tau Lambda Chapter during the Spring of 2001. He played a mix of 80s and 90s hip hop and R&B tunes while providing excitement with his personal touch.  For a more mellow vibe, Brother Keith Wilson (Lambda Gamma, Spring 1980) from Kool K Entertainment provided his smooth jazz saxophone flavor in a separate breakout room.  Psi Alpha Alpha’s own in-house chef, Julian Gudger (Psi Alpha Alpha, 2000) provided an interactive cooking demonstration instructing patrons how to properly cook bacon-wrapped dates, chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce, and kettle popcorn.  To work off that delicious meal, patrons could switch to another breakout room for an energetic Zumba class, led by Rosa Seward from Brickhouse Fitness.  Bro. Ikey Staton (Gamma Pi, Fall 2004) from Southern Sticks & Smoke, and Dyane Johnson from Petworth Cigars, held separate “Cigar 101” sessions that showcased their knowledge of cigar brands and flavors, and accessories. This also included a tour of the Petworth Lounge and education on cigar etiquette, drink pairing, and basic cigar knowledge (selecting the right cigar, cutting vs. punching, lighting cigars, etc.).  Patrons had access to two Show Biz Production’s Casino game breakout rooms during the event, where they could try their hand at the Blackjack tables. The evening also featured two 50/50 Raffles that kept all on edge as the drawings were being announced. All event sponsors were prominently displayed throughout the night on our digital Sponsorship billboard. In addition, all Top sponsors were provided a 30 second advertisement video which was played during the event. Overall, the event was a great success that set the bar for virtual events where only Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter has ascended.

Adopt-A-Highway April 2021

Posted on by Chapter Reporter

On April 3, 2021, the men of Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. met to perform our first Adopt-A-Highway event of the 2021 Omega year. Over the past several years, our chapter has collaborated with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to help clean up litter along Richmond Highway Corridor in East Fairfax County, VA.

Each year, nearly 18,000 Adopt-a-Highway volunteers collect more than 25,600 bags of waste along Virginia’s highways. The state of Virginia estimates that our assistance contributes to saving the commonwealth over $1.3 M that would have otherwise gone to clean up Virginia’s roads.

The morning was a brisk and somewhat windy day, but the brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha persevered and saw it through. As with all things associated with the current COVID environment, we as a chapter ensured the health and welfare of all participants by compliance with social distancing, practicing good protective behaviors by wearing all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Eighteen brothers, as well as two family members, volunteered to come out in support of this important and impactful initiative. All told, we collected thirteen bags of trash and debris. Based on the county’s calculation methodology of (Hours X participants), this equated to 52.5 hours of community service. As we continue to operate in this arduous COVID environment, we as a chapter remain steadfast in our commitment to civic duty through our social action efforts.