Thirty-ninth Annual Florida Statewide Organization Workshop

Thirty-ninth Annual Florida Statewide Organization Workshop

Eta Nu Chapter brothers proudly display Chapter of the Year plaque at the Florida Statewide Organization Workshop in Orlando.

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

The 39th annual Florida Statewide Organization Workshop convened in Orlando, Fla, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on Sept. 12-15, 2013. The Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first Greek letter organization in the city of Pompano Beach, Fla. (established in 1969), represented the city and Broward County with unabashed enthusiasm and tremendous aplomb in both numbers and participation.

Basileus Antonio Brihm led a contingent of  brothers intent on re-establishing Eta Nu as not only the premiere chapter in the state of Florida but also in the entire Seventh District – Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi – the largest district in Omega Psi Phi.

After being named Seventh District Social Action and Chapter of the Year  three consecutive years (2009-2011), the chapter leadership and members determined through commitment, dedication, community service/involvement; and a spirit of excellence to reach the pinnacle of achievement in the FSO, positively and emphatically reflecting Omega’s cardinal principles – Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift.

Eta Nu won first place in every major category except Social Action. Nonetheless, Eta Nu was awarded first place in the following categories for the year 2012-13: Chapter of the Year, Achievement Week Chapter of the Year, Talent Hunt, Archives, Citizen of the Year and the Founders’ Award.

Eta Nu’s Achievement Week impetus centered around voter registration and education, leading our sagacious chairman Brother Wayne Comer to invite Geno Herring from the Broward Supervisor of Elections’ office to be our keynote speaker and share pertinent information re voting rights and changes in that crucial 2012 presidential election year, coupled with the unscrupulous voter suppression laws perpetrated/promoted, depending on one’s point of view, by our honorable Governor Rick Scott. Herring’s inspiring and informative speech spurred the brothers of Eta Nu to register an unprecedented number of citizens throughout Broward County, thus his selection as the FSO Citizen of the Year. Bethune-Cookman alum and former Eta Nu Basileus Brother Robert Bailey won the distinguish Founders Award based on his innovative leadership as Eta Nu’s scholarship chair.

Umoja McNeish, Dillard High School performing arts student, was an overwhelming Talent Hunt winner with his brillant violin performance. By virtue of his victory, he will re-present the FSO and Eta Nu at the Seventh District meeting in Atlanta, Ga. in April 2014.

Highlighting Eta Nu’s winning archives display were numerous oracles, newsletters, fraternity publications, shields, and a vintage, mint-conditioned 1950’s sweater owned by Founder James L. Jones. Winning Chapter of the Year positions Eta Nu to compete for Seventh District Chapter of the Year, a testament to all the brothers whose hard work, persistence and dedication illustrate our love for Omega.

The following brothers attended the state meeting: Robert Bailey, Antonio Brihm, Melvin Brooks, Bruce Brown, Antonio Burgess, Samuel Clear, Melvin Davis, Virgil Dixon, D. J. Dowling, Cornelius Faulk, Thomas Flowers, Lennox George, Harry Harrell, Kenneth Ivory, Feirmon Johnson, Daryl Johnson, James Jones, Calvin Lamar, William Lyons, Roderick Parker, Cosey Proctor, Sylvester Robinson, Robert Smith, James St. Louis, Gary Torrence, Jr., Alan Williams, Darryl Wilson, Clifford Wimberly, Sr., John Wimberly and C.J. Wimberly, Jr.