1. New District Convention Policies
Brothers and Sisters:
As Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma have moved forward, both organizations have had to confront the realities of risk management. Among those realities is the need to make sure that everyone who takes part in the offerings of our active organizations must be sharing in the cost of insurance, and registering as a participant who follows our policies, just as our Active Members must do for their participation.
From this point forward, for all six districts' conventions and the National Convention, alumni attending conventions must have either a Life Membership or a current National Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association or National Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association membership.
We recognize questions may arise, and encourage you to send them to your National President or other members of your National Council. A list of Frequently Asked Questions has been provided with this letter. We may post further updates to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) if several people ask the same question.
We received the following questions from your District Presidents, Governors, and Counselors, as we spoke with them about this change in direction. As you can see, they spend a great amount of time thinking about the issues on your mind, and making sure you have the best conventions possible.
We look forward to seeing you across the nation as the year unfolds!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Hey, you said six districts. Can Southeast District Alumni go to convention this year? Yes, as long as they are Life Members or members of one of the two organization's alumni associations.
I'm a member of my Local Alumni Association. Does that work? You'll need to be a member of one of the organization's national associations.
Was there any indication this was coming before the Life Membership increase for Kappa Kappa Psi? Our Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association has been indicating for the last two years that it would start a process of surcharges for non-members to attend conventions. Rather than put the host chapters in the middle of this process, we've chosen to just have people purchase their memberships from National Headquarters.
Can I buy an Alumni Association Membership on the site of the convention? No. You should arrange to send your payment for that membership to National Headquarters by the registration deadline for the convention you plan to attend.
What about special speakers and guests for the convention? District and National Conventions will from time to time bring in speakers who are not members. We encourage this to continue. Any such speaker must be approved by the Governors or Counselor(s) for your district, as well as the respective National President. We recognize this to be a limited number of people for any convention.
What about Directors and Sponsors? As we have for many years, we welcome directors of bands from our current chapters and their sponsors of record (those registered with National Headquarters).
What about Honoraries? An honorary card will not be sufficient to attend convention. However, honorary Members may be a part of their organization's alumni association.
I just graduated. How can I afford it? The National Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association grants one year of free membership to new graduates. Your chapter needs to complete the Graduating Senior Report to make that happen, something they can include with the upcoming dues collection. The National Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association offers a Young Alumni rate of $30.
Where do I get membership forms? Here are forms you can use:
Kappa Kappa Psi Life Membership ($500/one time)
http://www.kkpsi.org/forms/KKPsi-LifeMembership.pdf
Tau Beta Sigma Life Membership ($250/one time)
http://www.tbsigma.org/Forms/TBSLifeMemberApplication.pdf
Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Membership ($50/year)
http://www.kkpsi.org/KKPsiAlumniAssociation/KKPsiAlumniAssociationForm.pdf
Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Membership ($50/year)
http://www.tbsigma.org/TBSAA/TBS%20Membership%202008.pdf
Kappa Kappa Psi Graduating Senior Report
http://www.kkytbs.org/forms/KKPsi-GradSeniorReport.pdf
Tau Beta Sigma Graduating Senior Report
http://www.kkytbs.org/forms/GradSnrReport.pdf
2. National Hazing Prevention Week
Brothers,
As you know Kappa Kappa Psi has a long history of no tolerance regarding hazing practices. We as a National Council feel these practices directly violate our ritual and put the very existence of our organization at risk. This week is National Hazing Prevention Week. I encourage all of you to explore what programs may be going on this week on your campus. If you are unsure if your campus has any activities contact your student activities office or the office of fraternity and sorority life.
In an effort to help increase the resources we provide to our membership Kappa Kappa Psi has partnered with the website HazingPrevention.org. This partnership allows us to provide more resources to you as student members. Examples of the benefits include access to education resources, training for staff, on-line seminars, and other items through the website and program.
We hope you all will stand with the National Council as we take necessary and aggressive actions against the hazing practices. We know this partnership with HazingPrevention.org will provide us with more support in our education against hazing. We are all dedicated to “Preserving the Honor of KKPsi.” Are you?
AEA,
Kappa Kappa Psi National Council
Adam Cantley
National Vice President for Programs
adamcan@vt.edu
3. TBSigma Ritual in a Box Update
I wanted to update you on Tau Beta Sigma Ritual Items being sold on-line through our website & one of our vendors. National Headquarters has produced a "key" that will go along with the chapter membership materials giving our chapters a guide while ordering ritual items. The sooner Chapter Personnel Reports are submitted and processed, the sooner a Ritual Key will be mailed to the chapter.
If you have any questions or get students that have questions, please feel free to have them contact National Headquarters and one of the staff members can assist our students in ordering ritual items.
Thanks,
--
Dollie McDonald O'Neill
Tau Beta Sigma
National VP for Colonization & Membership
dolliemcdonald@tbsigma.org
4. Put Your Band History On Display At National Convention
We want to hear about your bands! Kappa Kappa Psi wants to devote one session of Interactive Psi at National Convention to your college band histories. We ask active chapters to create proposals for us of what you plan to cover. Beyond these important discussions, we want you to look for historical items on your campus -- past letters, programs, pictures, tour details, whatever.
To apply, send a message to writinghistory@kkpsi.org, letting us know:
- The name of your band program.
- The materials you are using to research your history (and particularly materials you could transport to Phoenix for National Convention showing).
- The outline of what you've learned so far about your band's history. (200 words or less)
If you have more questions about this project, write to writinghistory@kkpsi.org.
Chapters submitting by 1 January 2009 will receive first consideration for this opportunity!
5. KKPsi Life Membership Increases
Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi,
Those graduated senior, alumni, and honoraries now thinking about becoming Life Members of Kappa Kappa Psi, please be aware that the Life Membership fee is now $500. By signing up for Life Membership, you will receive a Life Membership card, certificate, pin, and a lifetime subscription to The PODIUM. In addition to this, you are eligible to join the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association for no additional cost for life!!!
To become a Life Member today, please fill out the membership form and submit it to national headquarters. You can find the life membership form by clicking here or cutting and pasting this link (http://www.kkpsi.org/forms/LifeMemberApplication.pdf).
If you do decide to become a Life Member, you can also 'opt-in' to the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association by filling out the registration form. Just submit the form to National Headquarters with $0 in the dues section. You can find the form here or by cutting and pasting this link (http://www.kkpsi.org/KKPsiAlumniAssociation/KKPsiAlumniAssociationForm.pdf). To learn more about the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association, you can click here for more information.
We encourage you to continue your involvement with Kappa Kappa Psi as Alumni by becoming a Life Member and being a part of the Alumni Association.
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations, please email the Kappa Kappa Psi Advisory Committee at NASC@kkpsi.org.
Fraternally,
Art Kerdmanee
Alumnus at Large
KKPsi Alumni Association
6. Welcome! To the Newest KKPsi Chapters
Brothers,
On behalf of the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi, it is my pleasure to announce the installation of the Mu Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, chapter #295, at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. The installation took place Saturday, September 7, 2008 on the UNC campus.
Attending the installation were many friends and family members as well as Brothers from Zeta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Iota Zeta, Kappa Mu, Iota Lambda and Sisters from Iota Lambda and Epsilon Alpha. In addition, Ken Corbett, Past National President and DSMM recipient, and Phil Rubin, Past National Chapter Field Representative were present.
Thanks to the Zeta Chi chapter at the University of South Carolina for serving as the advising chapter. They performed their duties, including the initiation, admirably. Also, thank you to David O’Shields for serving as the advising person for Mu Eta. These Brothers were an excellent team to help guide this exciting addition to our Brotherhood.
Mu Eta is the seventh chapter to be installed this biennium.
Join me in welcoming the charter members of our newest chapter and their director of bands/sponsor:
Channing Bennett
Clifton Carroll
Terry Hartman
Terass Misher
Anthony Sawyer
Avery Simmons, II
Andre Watson
Jesse Watson, Jr.
Mr. Jeffrey Feuchs, Director of Bands/Sponsor
Notes of congratulations can be sent to Mu Eta’s Chapter President, Channing Bennett at bchannin@email.unc.edu
It was an honor to visit the Southeast District and serve as the installing officer for Mu Eta. Thank you to everyone who’s work and dedication made the day a great success!
AEA,
Jason Morris
National Vice President for Student Affairs
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
7. The PODIUM Fall 2008 is on its way!
Watch your mail because the Fall 2008 issue of The PODIUM is coming soon.
8. Calendar of Events
September 30
Postmark Deadline for Chapter Personnel Reports and fees
for schools starting before Sept. 15
October 15
Postmark Deadline for Chapter Personnel Reports and fees
for schools starting after Sept. 15
October 30
25% Late Fee is imposed on Chapter Fees and Membership Dues
for schools starting before Sept. 15
November 1
Postmark Deadline for articles being submitted to the
Spring 2009 issue of The PODIUM
November 15
25% Late Fee is imposed on Chapter Fees and Dues for
schools starting after Sept. 15
December 1
Postmark Deadline for Fall Activity Reports
Postmark Deadline for Tau Beta Sigma Award Applications
January 17-18
Winter Council Meeting in Phoenix, AZ
March 19-22
Northeast District Convention, Amherst, MA
March 27-29
North Central District Convention, Toledo, OH
April 3-4
Southeast District Convention, Columbia, SC
April 3-5
Midwest District Convention, Manhattan, KS
Western District Convention, San Luis Obispo, CA
April 15
Postmark Deadline for National Intercollegiate Band audition tapes
April 17-19
Southwest District Convention, Baton Rouge, LA
May 1
Postmark Deadline for articles being submitted to the
Fall 2009 issue of The PODIUM
June 1
Postmark Deadline for Chapter Summary Reports
Deadline for the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees
Scholarship Application
June 15
Postmark Deadline for the 2009 National Convention registration forms.
No refunds will be available and forms submitted after this date will
incur a 25% late fee.
July 1
Only on-line and on-site registration for the 2009 National Convention
will be accepted at this point.
July 19-21
National Intercollegiate Band
2009 District Leadership Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
July 21-25
National Convention at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa,
Phoenix, Arizona
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