Alpha ESQuires Program

1. Alpha ESQuires Program What is the Alpha ESQuires Program? • A male mentoring program is for students that will be engaged in mentoring activities, community service, academic enrichment, and physical fitness programs that aims to develop the young men to be productive citizens. • The group consists of young men in grades 8 – 12. • The objectives are to promote leadership development training, career awareness, community involvement, educational planning, oral communication skills and social awareness. • The goals of the Alpha ESQuires are for each member to strive for high scholarship and excellence, exhibit good leadership skills and maintain progress toward their life goals. • Students are matched with a mentor who will meet with the student throughout the school year. The mentor will act as role model and a source of friendship and encouragement.

2. Program Thrust Though society tends to label the “Black Man,” we strive to tear down those barriers of disbelief by developing young-positive African American men intellectually, emotionally, culturally, spiritually, socially, as well as physically for passage into young adulthood… It’s all about the “BetterMaking of Men”…but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 The Facts Regarding Black Male Achievement • Every 5 seconds during the school day, a Black public school student is suspended. • Every 46 seconds during the school day, a Black high school student drops out. • A Black male is 700% more likely than a White male to be sentenced to a local, state, or federal prison. • The unemployment rate for Blacks ages 16-19 is 25 percent. • Every 5 hours, a Black youth is a homicide victim. • Of the black males that graduate from high school, only 45% will enroll into higher education (college, vocational, or trade school). • Of the black males that enroll into higher education, only 33% will complete that higher education. • Every day a Black child or youth under 20 commits suicide.

3. Program Initiatives The Alpha ESQuires strives to reach their goals and objectives and overcome many of life’s challenges through these set program initiatives: • Improve student’s academic performance. • Encourage students to complete high school and pursue education beyond the high school level. • Grow the next generation of leadership. • Build responsible stewards as it relates to managing finances. • Develop strategies to deal effectively with conflict resolutions and enhance problem-solving skills. • Learn about responsible manhood, sexuality, and relationship issues. • Discuss and understand spiritual disciplines and the spiritual gifts within. • Participate in social (i.e. step shows, community service projects) activities that exhibit teamwork, creativity, discipline, and commitment. • Use stepping to encourage physical fitness & integration of wellness programs.

4. Academic Development Leadership & Community Development Career Guidance / Counseling/Goal Setting High School / College PreparationStudy Skills / Learning Strategies/Tutoring Entrepreneurship/Leadership Training Political Consciousness/Public Speaking Voter Registration / Education Personal Development Social Development Communication Skills/Conflict ResolutionHealth & HygieneMale Sexuality & Responsibility Peer Relationships/Self-Discipline/Time Management Cultural Enrichment/Current EventsEtiquette/Group ProcessesHistorical PerspectivesLeisure Activities/Team Building Mentoring Model • The male mentoring implementation model focuses on developing talented, capable young men into leaders of men who serve others through their leadership and commitment to community. • Through the execution of this model, the group meets under the supervision and guidance of Alpha Brothers and invited community leaders who serve as presenters, teachers, and mentors on lessons in leadership.

5. Alpha ESQuires ProgramMembership Criteria The selection criteria for the ESQuires Program are: • Current high school and middle school grade students (8-12) • Achieved academic attainment of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average • In need of motivation • Interested in the goals and objectives of the ESQuires program • Have a career interest • Willing to work in order to succeed • Parent/Guardian permission and support Membership is not restricted to any particular school and any young man that qualifies may participate.

6. Role of the Mentor • Be a progressive male leader with boldness and honourwith various professional experiences. • Be a man who will be honest and supportive at all times. • Be accountable to each participant, to the mission of the organization, to the donors, members, partners, and to the public. • Earn trust by building relationships, being competent, and following through on all of our commitments. • Be challenged to meet the goals and objectives of the program through a professional yet personal approach in which mentors will pass on wisdom, information, experience, confidence and insight to the young male. • Commit to growth and discovery of the mentee through support and challenge; • Be open to give and receive help and feedback; • Commit to action and results, with the ability to make it happen.

7. Responsibility of the Mentor • Initiate at the minimum a monthly contact with the student and household. • Build rapport with student, so that student will be able to share concerns and ask questions. • Provide constructive feedback to mentee. • Serve as communications conduit or liaison between student, home, school, Alpha ESQuiresProgram, and advisors whenever necessary. • Make contributions to the quality of educational performance of the student. • Support the student in seminars pertaining to academics, leadership, social, and personal development at various sites throughout the city. • Engage and support mentee in Social Activities and Community Outreach of the Program. • Report to the Advisory Team and/or Educational Activities Committee any concerns that may effect the continuous participation of mentee.

8. Boys Scouts AmericaAffiliation The Boy Scouts Program • Across the country scouts are making a difference. For nearly 100 years, Scouting has been committed to providing a quality Scouting program that supports the family by creating opportunities to enhance positive values of good character, personal fitness and citizenship in our children. • Specifically, The Venturing Crew is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men who are 13 through 21 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young men mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. • Through this unique partnership, the fraternity is able to facilitate the goals and objectives of the Alpha ESQuires Program

9. BSA Venturing Crew Guidelines • Two-deep leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. • No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. • Respect of privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. • Cameras, imaging, and digital devices. It is inappropriate to use any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in shower houses, restrooms, or other areas where privacy is expected by participants. • Proper preparation for high-adventure activities. Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.

10. BSA Venturing Crew Guidelines • No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders. • Constructive discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted. • Hazing prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity. • Junior leader training and supervision. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed. • Member responsibilities. All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law.

11. BSA Venturing CrewProgram Structure • Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. We have and continue to identify committed parents and community volunteers to work with and support our student’s development. • The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. • To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs. • The BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our members. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse. • The expectation is that every Alpha ESQuire and adult participant become a financial member of the BSA Venturing Crew program through the local Boy Scouts of America office to receive the benefits and services of BSA.

12. Program Implementation Here are some suggested steps to effectively begin the Alpha ESQuires Youth Development Program in your community. • Present concept to the chapter’s executive committee for review and approval as an on-going program of the Educational Activities committee. • Present to the general body final approval. • Consider an annual chapter budgetary line item for general expenses of the program, separate from other education activities. • Develop the Alpha ESQuires Advisory Committee. • Make the appropriate connections with the local Boy Scouts of America office to establish the Venturing Crew, background checks, leadership training, and first aid training. • Begin to recruit student and mentor participants.

13. Program Implementation • Establish specific goals for the year and outline potential funding to supplement program expenses (membership dues, popcorn sales, performance winnings/donations). • Engage parents, community patrons, interested brothers to support the program. • Consider involving students in all other youth related Educational Activity programs. • Develop a calendar of events that address the four major development areas: academic, personal, leadership/community, and social. • Adopt guidelines for new membership, induction, officers, and by-laws. • Integrate Project Alpha, LDI, Go to High School-Go to College, curriculum within the Alpha ESQuires activities • Establish meeting and practice schedule • Continue to assess program to growth and development.