Greetings Brothers,
I pray this communication finds all of my Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity as well as my Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta 
Sorority, to include our friends and families, well in body, mind and soul.
First, I must I am proud of the progress of our constitutionally-bound Zetas. All three of their Central Indiana alumni chapters are growing and serving the community and continue to represent the Blue Family well. Z-Hope is recognized nationally as a model community service initiative.
I am also encouraged by the progress of Xi Sigma Alumni Chapter and the restructuring we have begun. However, as Brothers in Sigma, we face serious challenges to the future of our Fraternity, our community and our country. I pray for our �Glorious Band� as we try to make good on our pledge of �Culture for Service, Service for Humanity.�
As Xi Sigma continues our campaign to �Grow Indiana� I realize this task can not be achieved with only my sweat. Our goals for Indiana will not be met with just the sweat of Arnald Beckwith, Eric Williams, Jerry Mooney, Yancy Hollonquest, Victor Hill, Eric Ashford, Kevin Wilson, Williw Pritchett, Joe Guyton, Hamid Saahir, Ryan Smith, Crandal Shumpert, Charles Smiley or even our Regional Director Lezell Lowe. To �Grow Indiana� it will take all of our elected officers and appointed directors. It will take all of our financial Brothers, active Brothers and in-active Brothers to accomplish our goals and bring the Xi Sigma Alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc to the baseline for our national membership objectives and to serve the community and fraternity that we all love.
My campaign of �Grow Indiana� is not just about increasing membership by recruiting and reclaiming new men for Phi Beta Sigma Indianapolis. Although very important, it is not just about increasing the chapter treasury, our regional and national voting strength, or improving our visibility to enhance recruiting efforts. My �Grow Indiana� campaign is all about our mission; �Culture for Service and Service for Humanity� Below are the expanded bullet points of our mission.
To optimize Phi Beta Sigma’s effectiveness, the Fraternity will:
�Strengthen and serve proactively, the Brotherhood as a supportive resource that positively impacts the Fraternity’s growth and financial solvency.
�Reaffirm and maintain a strong commitment to Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service.
�Ensure that the Fraternity programs are focused and committed to serving humanity.
�Create an environment that respects the dignity and worth of each brother.
�Exhibit integrity and ethical behavior in conducting the Fraternity’s business. Serving as a model for all Greek-letter organizations.
�Maintain and improve the Fraternity’s technological literacy in order to better service its members and the community at large.
�Foster and nurture our constitutional bond with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
�Encourage a closer and mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow Greek-letter organizations, other community service organizations, business and government.
�Select leaders who are committed and have demonstrated the ability to �lead.�
Yesterday, the Indy Star printed an article on IPS dropout rates for African-American males. The title of the article was �Study; Black males falter in IPS� The article findings put the graduation rate at 19% for black males in the Indianapolis Public Schools, which made it the worst of 63 other urban districts, behind even Detroit and Baltimore.
There were comments from Superintendent Eugene White about changes in school policies and how he had different data which brought the rate up to about 25%, but administrators were not surprised with the findings. They were just embarrassed. I am embarrassed. Eastern Star and Light of the World churches should be embarrassed. Xi Sigma and all Central Indiana men of Phi Beta Sigma should be embarrassed. We are allowing our black young men to drop out of high school at a rate of 4 in 5. If 81% of our black men are not graduating from high schools, what are their options, McDonald�s, dealing drugs, making babies, petty crime, prison, or death. I am not certain about McDonalds, but none of these others require a high school degree.
Our Cause for Growth is about taking ownership of our pledged oath of responsibility to our Fraternity. In those pledges, you worthy hosts, are the responsibility of our mission to our community.
We have been waiting for reparations since 1865. Even with the historic election of President-Elect Barack Obama, it is unlikely the US government will take responsibility for the weight and destruction caused by slavery, Jim Crow laws and segregation.
So we must understand if our community and youth will be reclaimed it will have to be by us. So let us start by making good on our pledge to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and our mission of �Culture for Service, Service for Humanity.�
Andre M. Arnold, Xi Sigma Chapter President, edited November 19th 2008.
