A Brother You Should Know – Brother Quincy Roseborough

June 2, 2011 No Comments

The very essence of leadership is the conceivability of a vision. Not just an idea but a vision for the type of organization that will truly impact the world. Sigma Men are beingprepared to lead that impact.

As Iota Nu Sigma Chapter reflect upon its 10 years of existence since reactivation, the chapterhas maintained a roster of talented leaders thathave impacted the organization on all levels.

Continuing in that tradition, The Sentinel is proud to present to our readers another dynamic leader that has caught the attention of Sigma brothers throughtout the region and nation.Brother Quincy Roseborough, 33 is the current Great Lakes Region Vice Regional Director and has served Phi Beta Sigma faithfully since his initiation in Alpha Alpha Beta Chapter at Chicago StateUniversity in 1997.

Roseborough has served the collegiate level as president, intake coordinator, and fund raisingchairman. As he progressed to the graduate level, he joined Iota Nu Sigma and has served as intake coordinator, director of membership, director of Blu Tuesday and currently director of education.

He moved on up the fraternity ladder, next serving on the state level as director of collegiate affairs and Illinois State Director. He received his Bachelors of Science degree inBusiness Administration from Chicago StateUniversity and is currently pursuing a MBA from the Keller Graduate School.

The Sentinel took a moment to get Bro. Roseborough’s thoughts and opinions on matters regarding a variety of issues and relative to Phi Beta Sigma.

TS: First, what inspired or motivated you to seek the office ofvice regional director for the Great Lakes Region?

QR: Well, I saw a need for change. The region needed better accountability and consistency from our leadership. I believe the brothers were impressed enough with my level of service andlooked to me for that change. Representing those members who did not always feel that they had a voice was, and is, my intent.

TS: What do you hope to accomplish in this position?

QR: My goal is to build stronger alumni chapters across the region.Through deliberate training and support, I will be a more consistent vehicle for communication from alumni chapters to the regional board. Alumni chapters have the opportunity to truly promote theprograms and initiatives of of the Fraternity, I want to represent their ideas and feedback.

TS: Why do you believe the members elected you?

QR: I really believe brothers saw someone that represents what they want–drive, energy and motivation. I think they connected with someone that can deal with the political climate and policies without becoming discouraged, consumed or combative.

TS: It’s been less than a year, how do you feel you’re handling the role thus?

QR: Thus far, it’s been challenging. As with any new administration,it takes some time to mesh and adjust as a board. We’re still navigating through the challenges, but I’m very optimistic. The brothers throughout the region have been very welcoming and receptive to new ideas and thoughts for changing the way programs andinitiatives are implemented.

TS: What do you think the region needs most?

QR: In order for the region to be successful and the fraternity stronger, a solid base of skilled and trained leaders that are capable of implementing policy on local levels is a must. We need strong leaders that can make sound judgement on regional levels that canimpact the national organization.

TS: Have you always wanted to be on the leadership track?

QR: Absolutely not! As a new initiate, I had no idea of how thiswhole thing worked. As I grew in Sigma, I continued to see the operation of the organization. At each level I became more knowledgeable of the process and procedures of policy making, program development, implementation and communication. I then saw a need for leaders and realized that I could be one of them. I recognized that I can relate to undergraduates as well as alumni members and represent the fraternity’s ideals inside and outside.

TS: You recently developed a program that received much attention in Chicago. Can you expound upon that event?

QR: The program was “Investing in our Future: Promoting Youth Guidance and Support- Addressing Youth Violence.” It sought to address the issue of teen violence in Chicago and communities nationwide. Having been in social services for the last ten years, I’ve seen first hand the effects of kids hurting each other. The out-ofcontrol behavior is partially due to the lack of resources and extra curricular activities in their community. Parents do not have resources for their children. The forum provided a venue where both can discuss their concerns in a safe and interested atmosphere.

The program featured three professional panelists and viable resources. Suprisingly, the audience participated with very lively conversation. They really expressed themselves with “real talk”. We were blessed to give parents a list of resources, with Phi Beta Sigma being one of them.

TS: How have you been able to parlay your professional experience into community service efforts within Phi Beta Sigma?

QR: Actually that’s been pretty easy. Our motto “Culture for Serviceand Service for Humanity” embodies what I do professionally. I wasrecruited by the Boys & Girls Club as a Male Program Coordinator after volunteering as a collegiate in Alpha Alpha Beta Chapter. So I was hired before I graduated from college. I took my experience with the organization’s Sigma Beta Club program and carried it over into my job and created a program called “Distinguished Gentlemen.”The program taught males how to become productive men through life skills, social skills, grooming and behavorial management.The experience also allowed me to grow professionally and understand clearly the process for which the Boys & Girls Club developed strong initiatives. At that same time, I had the priviledge of workingwith Brother John White, then International Director of Social Action on the pre-planning stages of the Building Strong Fathers initiative. I was able to provide and offer a template for developing the initiative.

TS: How do you feel knowing that your input has resulted intoan international initiative?

QR: It’s a great feeling to see the program unfold, and to know that I had a behind-the-scenes role. I think the goal is to do a better job of rolling out initiatives and implementation, especially on the local level. The experience of working with Brother White helped me torealize that we as ordinary brothers can definitely have an impact on the national organization. My passion has grown tremendously. I’mjust as motivated today, if not more so, than I was 13 years ago.

TS: What do you think is the greatest need facing the Fraternitytoday?

QR: While there are more than one need, I believe we must work to put a new face on Sigma. We must reflect a more programmatic face of service. The public needs to connect Sigma with such initiatives as Building Strong Fathers or Conversations Among Brothers. These are initiatives that are relevant to today’s society. We’ve come along way since 1914–we’ve evolved with the times. When we promote the organization and ask who is Phi Beta Sigma, it should be clear that we’re not just “Brotherhood, Scholarship & Service” — those are programs. It is our initiatives that are critical to our identity. When our culture or community seek resources and support, they should automatically think of Sigma. We also need consistency in training from one administration to the next. Our leaders must be knowledgeable of our programs. They are the front liners when it comes to implementation, branding, promotion and marketing. If our leaders aren’t equipped with the proper skill sets, how can we expect our chapters and members on the local level to carry out the vision.

TS: Iota Nu Sigma Chapter is celebrating 10 years since its reactivation. The faces of leadership have changed, yet the chapter continues to rank among the most productive chapters in the fraternity. What do you attribute to that success?

QR: It is very impactful and vital to the success of a chapter that there’s a change in the guard. It can be discouraging to a person in a chapter, when they have the motivation to step up and the opportunity never occurs.Iota Nu Sigma has always cultivated an atmosphere where those who’re eager to lead are pushed and encouraged to do so. It’s a great thing. We’ll continue to thrive and be successful, because we’re able to have diverse leaders and membership and be consistent with programs.

I think we need stronger leadership succession plans, having brothers work with us. Let’s recognize those brothers with a hungerto serve and lead and properly train them take up the mantle.