My Dear Brothers:

No matter how many reports I write, each new report brings new challenges. Ive rewritten this report mentally several times, after both super positive experiences and profoundly negative ones. Fortunately, the positive outweighs the negative by far in the North Central District this year, and that makes this the time to plan for the future.

The journey we are taking as Brothers doesnt stop, and this year has brought us new beginnings in abundance. We have Brothers here who have just celebrated their one week anniversary of having an active chapter, and future Brothers with an installation date yet to come. We have at the same time experienced Brothers here in this room that will return to the National Council for another biennium of service, representing us in national-scale decisions. We also have special guests from other districts who have served as Governors with me for several years, and whose guidance I still seek frequently. The learning along the journey never stops, either.

For us, the challenges may not be clear in the midst of this success, but challenges do confront us:

• We must not assume that the success of today is the reality of tomorrow without even more hard work and effort. Whether you are viewing the potential for several new colonies or the strength of so many of our band programs, we have hard work ahead to maintain this success while reaching out for new service possibilities and new venues to promote our college bands.

• Expansion is an area that requires our attention right now. This is not because we want to claim all of the free world for Kappa Kappa Psi or for the North Central District (although we have had fun stretching our borders this year). We expand to other schools when they feel Kappa Kappa Psi can add to their band programs, and when Kappa Kappa Psi feels that their band programs promote the cause of advancing the college and university bands nationally. That effort starts with you all talking to all your friends about the experiences you have in Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like people on campus want to join a group that has excited members, your friends will want to spread the word of a group that excites. In this area, we have special lessons to learn from our newly initiated Brothers and newly installed chapters, and we should not pass this chance up to listen to their guidance.

• We have the largest average chapter size in the nation for Kappa Kappa Psi (and our North Central Sisters have an even larger average chapter size). That must make us review three areas. First, whatever is happening in our local recruitment should be documented, and ideas shared, so that we dont forget how to make this happen. Second, we need to make sure we are being choosy enough in who we invite to become a part of Kappa Kappa Psi. We should never become elitist, but we should never pass up a positive time to review what qualities we require of future members. Finally, we should take a hard look at our retention of members. That ties in with point two we seem to lose a lot of Brothers to inactivity in this district between sophomore and junior year. We should explore what we can do to boost retention as well as what we can do to ensure that people who join are prepared for a long term commitment.

As your Governor, it pleases me to see the hard work that North Central Brothers can and will do. That abundance makes me know that we can confront our challenges and build a bright future.

A few individual challenges to those of you who want to take your Brotherhood and band membership to the next level:

• Audition for National Intercollegiate Band. I participated in three of them, and they were fantastic experiences, both in music and friendship.

• Visit another chapter, and the more different from your school, the better. Seeing a whole new perspective may give you great ideas for home.

• Apply for something. The Keynote Address Contest. An academic award. A challenging music competition. A very different chapter office from your normal niche. A selective leadership workshop on your campus. Stretch what you think is possible for yourself.

• Challenge yourself academically. Take the difficult but interesting course, look into a unique minor, apply for graduate school, or write my dissertation. (Well, the dissertation will remain my challenge.) For some people graduation may be challenge enough. Remember that there is no Bachelor of Fraternal Management degree, so find something else that stretches you.

I would like to thank some people who have challenged me this year. These people have continued to make me rethink things from new perspectives.

• Brandon, thank you for being intense, self-motivated, caring, and very good at the financial matters without losing focus on the leadership of district office. You have a great many gifts that our Fraternity needs in abundance.

• Amy, thank you for keeping music front and center in our discussions. You will be a gifted professional, both as a teacher and performer, and you will add immeasurably to the band professional community.

• Sean, you have been a thoughtful overseer of all things related to membership education of both young and old. You have wonderful gifts of intellect and concern, and they will serve you well as you join the corporate world.

• H.R., what on earth can I say? Your wit and humor help keep things light in even the most trying of times, and you will need those gifts in graduate school!

• To all the officers, thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives.

• Every officer needs support from home, and I do as well. To Nu and, although they arent here, Lambda at Michigan, thank you for including me in your lives, as well as reminding me on a nearly daily basis of why were doing these district endeavors. Your support keeps me going many days.

• To the Governors visiting: Thanks for the daily affirmation, support, and humor through the years.

• To the National Council: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve.

The North Central District has a special opportunity for leadership nationally right now, with the high level of positive activity and student ingenuity we have perking here. We should not take this as our time to gloat or coast, but as an opportunity to share and gather new ideas and challenge ourselves to take the next strategic risks.

On a more personal note, I love serving the NCD because of the special Brothers and Sisters I continue to meet and get to know. Being Governor would be meaningless if I didnt get the opportunity to learn from you and get to know so many of you. Thank you all for blessing me and making me appreciate the full blessing I have in serving you as your Governor!

Fraternally,

Malinda M. Matney

North Central District Governor