History of Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter (DRAC)
Historic Timeline
The initial petition team of Brothers Sherman Larkins, Rickalan “Rick” O’Riley and Thelonius Alexander worked tirelessly to recruit and reclaim brothers, ignite within those brothers that “Good ‘ol Kappa Spirit”, and realize their dream of bringing the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter (DRAC) into existence. As a result, the idea of establishing a viable chapter in the Dominican Republic was birthed, and the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter was provisionally approved (pending Province approval) during the Grand Board of Directors meeting held on May 31, 2019.
Here is a summary of the timeline of events:
January 2018 – While visiting the Dominican Republic (DR), brothers from California and Detroit met at a local island restaurant. During their meeting, they learned that many brothers regularly traveled to and owned property on the island, and quite a few resided there. At that restaurant, the idea of forming a Chapter in the DominicanRepublic was born.
March 2019 – The initial petition was submitted to the Western Province, and aproposal was made to have the chapter chartered as the “Santo Domingo/Santiago Alumni Chapter.” A total of 21 brothers were part of the initial petition.
June 2019 – The Grand Board provisionally approved the petition, with the following recommendations:
1) the chapter name would be “Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter”, and
2) the Chapter would function under the guidance of the Southern Province. During the transition from the Western Province to the Southern Province, the Southern Province Polemarch decided that the petition would be approved as an “Association.” This would afford interested brothers sufficient time to demonstrate that they were truly about the business of Kappa.
April 2020 to October 2020 - The DRAA corresponded with the Southern Province regarding the petition and various financial issues related to dues. During this process, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DRAA leadership was informed by IHQ that no Kappa business was to take place. When an announcement was made (in September 2020) that the Abu Dabi and Canada Alumni Chapters had been chartered, the DRAA revisited with the Southern Province Polemarch the prospect of the DRAA becoming a chartered chapter. After the financial issues were worked out between the Western and Southern Provinces, a charter member listing the cutoff date for the petition was voted on by the DRAA Board.
November 1, 2020 – The final petition was submitted to the Southern Province Polemarch, along with a proposal to have a “virtual” chartering ceremony take place prior to the end of the year. At 102 brothers strong, the final petition consisted, in part, of:
44 Life Members
1 Subscribing Life Member
42 Reclaimed Brothers
22 Expatriates
November 2019 – Vice-Polemarch Sherman Larkins attended and represented the Dominican Republic Alumni Association (DRAA) at the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership
Conference (CRWLC) in Orlando, Florida. Following the roll call, several brothers –including brothers Ken Frazier and Dr. Stevey Barnes – expressed to Vice-Polemarch Larkins their interest in joining the Association.
January 18-21, 2021 – The DRAA held its first annual “MLK Weekend”, and the first DRAA meeting on the island was conducted at that time. The weekend events were attended by over 40 brothers, and the DRAA meeting was attended by 34 financial brothers. Also in attendance at the meeting were the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch and the Southern Province Polemarch. During their visit, the Southern Province Polemarch asked the DRAA to revise its petition to include the fraternity’s Membership Training Academy (MTA) program. He also requested that the DRAA propose three possible chartering dates.
February 2020 – During the DRAA Board meeting, the Board voted to allow additional brothers to join the DRAA as potential charter members while the process of revising the petition continued.
April 6, 2020 - The revised petition was submitted to the Southern Province Polemarch with the following proposed chartering dates: June 27, July 25, or August 15, 2020. The actual date of chartering would be contingent on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and approval from the fraternity’s International Headquarters (IHQ). The revised petition included 81 brothers.
Chapter Logo Designed by Brother Ronald Greene
April 23, 2021 - The DRAA met with the Grand Polemarch, various Grand Board members, and the Southern Province Polemarch to discuss reasons why the DRAA had not been chartered. The Grand Polemarch clearly indicated the DRAA should be chartered, and he communicated to the Southern Province Polemarch that a date should be established following the Conclave.
July 2021 - Chauncy E. Haynes, was appointed the 11th Southern Province Polemarch. November 2021 – DRAA Polemarch Thelonius Alexander and Vice-Polemarch Sherman Larkins attended the Southern Province C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference. During the conference, they met with Southern Province Polemarch Haynes to discuss the next steps, and to establish a timeframe for chartering the DRAA.
January 2022 – Southern Province Polemarch Chauncy Haynes and brother Linnes Finney attended the DRAA annual “MLK Weekend” in the Dominican Republic.
February 2022 – Southern Province Polemarch Haynes requested the DRAA to host the January 2023 Southern Province National Founders Day.
March 2022 – At the 72 nd Southern Province Council meeting held in Huntsville, Alabama, Southern Province Polemarch Haynes announced that the DRAA would be hosting the January 2023 Southern Province National Founders Day in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
October 2022 – The DRAA held its General Membership Meeting in Punta Cana and hosted a site visit for Southern Province Polemarch Haynes and the Southern Province National Founders Day Planning Committee. A total of 27 brothers were in attendance at the meeting.
November 2022 – DRAA Polemarch Alexander and Vice-Polemarch Sherman Larkins attended the C. Rodger Leadership Conference held in Jacksonville, Florida. During the conference, Southern Province Polemarch Haynes announced that the DRAA chartering ceremony would take place in January 2023 as a part of the Southern Province National Founders Day.
January 15, 2023 - The chartering ceremony for the Dominican Republic Alumni “Association” was held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and it was officially chartered as the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter. The Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter was chartered with 66 Members. The membership consisted of:
24 Life Members
1 Subscribing Life Member
22 Expatriates
During the chartering ceremony, the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter recognized the following brothers for their support:
* Brother Linnes Finney, who stood by and supported the DRAA from its inception.
* Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer Rhen Bass, who advised the DRAA throughout the process.
* Southern Province Polemarch Chauncy E. Haynes for having confidence in the DRAA, and for partnering with us in our quest to become chartered as the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter.
From the time the initial petition was submitted in March 2019, a tremendous amount of time, work, and effort was devoted to ensuring that the chartering of the Dominican Republic Alumni Association would become a reality. Pursuant to becoming a chartered chapter, the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter has conducted several community service programs on the island – and the chapter is fully committed to continuing to live up to the fraternity’s ideals and principles. Special thanks to all Brothers who participated in the process of helping “DRAC” achieve their goal of becoming a chartered chapter!