A Message From the 32nd Grand Polemarch…

William "Randy" Bates, Esq

My Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity:

When I first knelt at the Sacred Altar, little did I know that one day I would be the first Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi to be elected in the second century of our fraternity. I never dreamed that my name would be called to be the conservator of the greatest fraternity on this planet.

Today, I hold the gavel of authority, symbolic of the expectations you have of me, to guide the fraternity in accordance with the Constitution and Statutes, the vision of our Founders, and the legacies of my predecessors, the 31 Grand Polemarchs who made humility the watchword for the last one hundred years.

It is an awesome responsibility you have given me, one that I have accepted with great anticipation, humility, and a willingness to hold on to you, as you help me stay on the course toward more achievement in second century Kappa.

When a person ascends to a high office like the Grand Polemarch, he is compelled to reflect on the lives of those who were instrumental in their achievements. My humility takes me swiftly to that place, where a few people whose shoulders I have stood on, must be recognized at this time.

My Mother and Father provided the greatest influence in my life. My Father insisted that I attend college. It was there that I received the education that formed the foundations of all further achievements. He taught me the value in working hard and not seeking recognition. My Mother made me believe that I could do anything that I set my mind to do, as long as I kept God in my life. My sister Patricia continues to instruct me to “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you”. I am the oldest of six siblings and each of us shape each other everyday.

To all of them, and to all of you who have elected me to this office, I thank with all of my heart. I am mindful, that accepting the office, and acknowledging how I got here is not enough. I have waited for my turn, for my link to be inserted in the chain of Grand Polemarchs, so that I could respond like Isaiah when he said; “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8

It is my time to reach out among my brethren, to identify those who will serve with me in the 32nd Administration of our fraternity. It’s my time to have each of them to understand the expectations, responsibilities and accountability that our Constitution, Statutes, Laws and Policies require of us. Each of us must clearly understand the concepts of the recent past; “excellence is the only acceptable standard;” “servant leadership,” and creating inspiration, and a call to service.” These concepts have sustained us for more than a decade. These and all the building blocks that have been laid by the builders are the fabric of which our Fraternity has been built over one hundred years.

The Thirty Second Administration will go forth with the theme: “100 Years and Building: The Journey Continues.”

It is our time, as One KAPPA, to reexamine the bridges that have brought us to this place. It’s our time to make sure that each bridge is sound enough to carry the traffic that will be coming in our second century. It’s our time to recognize where we are in the mainstream of America, and what we need to do move more intimately into the decision making of our nation and the world. It is our time to determine what the next step is in the building process. How will we grow our Kappa brand? How will we discharge our fiscal strategies to continue to increase our solvency? How will we increase our relationships with Corporate America? Who should we add to our list of organization partners? What should we do to make sure that our infrastructure fits our policies and programs? What are the desires of the brothers for the future of our International Headquarters, short and long term?

The leadership team must recognize that we have boarded a speeding train, and it becomes our responsibility to make sure it’s safe and that the tracks below it are stable. We must sit down and ponder the words of Booker T. Washington, “Cast Down Your Bucket Where You Are.” We are in Indianapolis, IN, just a few miles from the hallowed ground of Indiana University at Bloomington, the birth of our fraternity. This means that our journey is continuing from here; this is the place for us to cast down our bucket. When we cast it down, let us pray that it will be filled with motivation, zeal, and a willingness to provide the services that our brothers require, and that our destiny demands.

As I was pondering these words, I thought very seriously about one word; a word that presents the greatest challenge a Grand Polemarch will have, that is, accountability. The members of the 32nd Administration’s leadership team must come to know this day, that the 32nd Grand Polemarch will hold up the banner of accountability, and expect of each of them to do the same. Each of them will have the opportunity to say, “I will serve my brothers in a manner that they should be served.” They will also have opportunity to say; Brother Grand Polemarch, I’ve changed my mind.” The exercise of these options will ensure that our team will be giving due diligence to the requirements of the various positions. A fast train needs fast responses to keep it safely on the track.

As One KAPPA, I hope that you will prepare yourselves to participate in the journey we are continuing. If there are places we need to pay particular attention to, let us know. If there are places we should go where we haven’t been yet, let us know. Read the Constitution and Statutes, policies and laws, so that you can help your Polemarchs, Province Polemarchs, and the Grand Polemarch and his immediate team to address these issues and help us implement what’s needed to improve upon them.

In the days ahead, your leadership team will be moving to effect a transparent transition, recognizing that we have witnessed the most magnificent occasion in our lives. I know that any brother who has had the opportunity to kneel at the Delphic Shrine, and live to see the curtain close to end our first century, is filled with pride, and hopefully with a humility that will demand them to have a greater desire to serve Kappa and mankind.

My Brothers, we are on the Sesquicentennial train, filled with memories of a people who survived the middle passage, and the brutal aftermath of oppression; it’s filled by elders and brothers continuing to implement our founder’s vision; and the greatest anticipation that boys yet unborn, will hear the clarion call of Kappa, bidding them to meet us somewhere along the track in years to come, where they will crave to sit at the Kappa table.

I pray that God will sustain us throughout our journey, and that peace and love will abound, as we continue to walk by faith. Let us know for sure, that “the steps of a good man, are ordered by the Lord, obey His teachings and our journey will be safe and abounding with abundance.

Yours in the Bond,

William “Randy” Bates, Esq.
Grand Polemarch