As a servant leader in this community, it would be unfitting for me not to begin this letter with a most sincere thank you to every FMO member who has entrusted me with the leadership of this great organization. I, as well as the entire 2007-2008 Executive Board, am completely indebted to you, and am committed to seeing FMO prosper for our ever-evolving community.

In my time at Northwestern I have explored the various ways with which I could become involved in the broad Northwestern community, but particularly with which I could help our Black students. It is with this same duality that I will approach my tenure as Coordinator, seeking to unite and engage both the large and sub communities on this campus.

In this short statement, I would like to address just a few of the myths that I have seen circulated about FMO in my two years here. Let me first say that FMO is NOT the ten members that comprise its Executive Board. It is imperative that, as a community, we come to realize that FMO’s success or failure as an organization depends on the commitment of all its members. This body is a tool and resource for every student on this campus that identifies with our mission, but can only operate at full potential with the help of those very students. At the risk of sounding cliché, YOU are FMO.

Secondly, FMO is more than just a programming board. Our Fall and Spring events are FMO’s main programming endeavors, but the organization serves in so many other capacities. This year we are hoping to sponsor no small-scale events that are not co-hosted by at least one of our satellites and affiliates. Furthermore, we’ll seek to fulfill every aspect of our mission, encouraging “political, social, cultural and intellectual unity and growth within Northwestern University’s Black students and its broader community.”

With that said, I encourage every single member and supporter of FMO to become engaged. There are openings on every committee, Publicity, Fundraising, Programming, and the Coordinator's, as well as the opportunity to create ad hoc committees serving specific purposes. Come out to our open Exec Board meetings, or Office Hours at the House. Something as simple as helping with one fundraising event can certainly help distance us from the constraints of past financial barriers. It is every FMO member’s responsibility to the students who have come before us, to our current community, and most importantly, to those that will succeed us, to make FMO as meaningful as possible.

I firmly believe that FMO can and will again be the premier student group on this campus, offering more to our members and community than we have in the past. The rich history of our organization speaks to the vast potential of our future.

Join us in making this a most memorable year for FMO!

Mark Crain
Coordinator
For Members Only

Download Spring 2007 General’s Handout on our Mission Statement, 07-08 Goals, and Ways to Engage.