Kappa Kappa Psi
& Tau Beta Sigma
Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 1
February 4, 2000

IN THIS ISSUE:

Headquarters Staff Changes
National Council Winter Meetings January 13-15, 2000
TBS Wipes Out Capital Improvement Debt
Search is on for new KKPsi & TBS Chapter Field Representatives
The First National Intercollegiate Marching Band French Riviera Tour
 

1.  Introducing the new CyberNewsletter for Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
by Lt. Col. Alan Bonner, National Executive Director

Since the National Convention last summer, there has been some discussion among the National Councils as to how best we can keep the membership informed of activities, issues, and concerns that are on-going.  With the demise of NewsNotes, we no longer have an easy publication available to fill in the gap between PODIUM issues.

I belong to a number of professional organizations, and one in particular, the American Society of Association Executives, began publishing an electronic newsletter this past year.  It seemed to me a similar product developed by the Headquarters and National Councils could be an excellent resource to fill that gap for us.  This is the first issue of what I hope proves to be a worthwhile product for you.

Our method of dissemination will be to prepare monthly; include only a few articles per issue; and distribute by way of email to each District Governor, Counselor, and Council, as well as National Boards, Councils, and the NAA.  It would be the district leaders' responsibility to
forward to his or her respective chapters, who in turn would forward to each member.  I also intend to post each issue on the list serve, so there will be some redundancy.

Please keep in mind this is a project 'under construction' so to speak. I hope it will serve the Fraternity and Sorority in a positive way.  Of course, we are interested in feedback, so if you have contributions, suggestions, or constructive criticisms, I would like to hear from you. The Headquarters email address is: kkytbs@kkytbs.org and we check it every day!

2. Staff Changes at Headquarters

by Alan Bonner & Dixie Mosier-Greene, Office Manager and Membership Services Coordinator

After a month long search, we are pleased to announce the hiring of two new staff members.  Our new Headquarters Accountant is Debbie Farris. Debbie has 20 years of accounting experience and an MBA from Phillips University.  She and her family recently relocated to Stillwater from Ponca City, Oklahoma.

We have also found a new Publications Manager. He is Mike McMurtrey from Stillwater, and he brings a wealth of publication experience to the position. He has actually worked on a number of our products including The PODIUM in the past two years, so he is ideally suited for KKPsi & TBS publications.

Our staff situation has been a little volatile the past year. After so many years of little change in the Headquarters Staff, it is clear we will face new challenges in attracting individuals who look for stability in a job or career. Last year, long time National Administrator, Gwen Wilburn, retired after 21 years with Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma.  Just prior to that, Lucy McCoy, Office Secretary/Receptionist, resigned to pursue a doctoral program. Beginning January 1999, we had three new staff persons on board, Diane Smith - Publications Manager, Michelle Mahaffey - National Accountant, and Cordy Wheeler, Office Secretary/Receptionist.

In December 1999, two members of our staff resigned. Cordy submitted her resignation to go back to school to seek a degree in education, and we strongly support her career goals.  A short time later, Michelle was offered a position with one of the area's larger employers, and although we hated to lose her, it was a terrific move for her.  But, not all was done with staff changes.

In January, Diane was offered a new position in Stillwater with one of our leading dental offices, and unfortunately for us, she accepted.

We were most fortunate to have Rachel Karnes, a member of the Alpha Delta Chapter at Ohio University, move to Stillwater. Actually, she has ulterior motives in that she is the new fiancée of CFR Jeremy Thomas, and she hopes to begin her teaching career in the fall of 2000. However, we needed a new Secretary/Receptionist and when offered the position, Rachel agreed!  We are thankful!

With Debbie and Mike coming on board this month, we should be back on track shortly with all our projects and responsibilities.  We are happy to have them join the Headquarters Staff, and I hope you will drop them an email to welcome them to KKPsi & TBS.  As Publications Manager, Mike will continue using the PODIUM email address: podium@kkytbs.org. Similarly, Debbie's will continue using the accountant address: hqna@kkytbs.org.

3. National Council Winter Meetings January 13-16, 2000

A.  Kappa Kappa Psi Summary Report
by Dr. Michael Golemo, National President

The members of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Council, including the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees, the past National President, and the KKPsi Chapter Field Representative met both separately, and jointly with the National Council of Tau Beta Sigma for our mid-year meeting January 13-16. We reviewed and performed the normal maintenance activities of the fraternity, e.g., awards/programs, membership, finances, activities, and chapter problems.

We are delighted with the sound financial position of the fraternity, and we are enjoying a continued surge in colonization.  In fact, we believe that we have never had more colonies than currently exist. We will soon have 170 chapters - this is record growth!

We continue to share a positive spirit of collaboration with Tau Beta Sigma, and are working jointly in a number of areas, including colonization and membership.

The National Council and Board of Trustees are meeting February 11-13 in Indianapolis, IN for a weekend of strategic planning & action meetings. These sessions allow us to get away from the day-to-day maintenance-type meeting, and allow us to "look at the big picture" and find ways to achieve larger goals and formulate ways to help our brotherhood meet the future needs of college and university bands.

B.  Tau Beta Sigma Summary Report
by Karon Miller, National President

The Tau Beta Sigma National Council met in Las Vegas for our Winter Council Meeting January 13-16, 2000.  It was a very productive time for the council as we reviewed all areas of the Sorority.  It was during this meeting that the first Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director Award was decided.  We were very excited to have received 6 nominations, and it was a difficult decision.  The recipient will be announced at a later date.  For the first time in a very long time we were able to have both the Chairman, Patsy Hejl and the Vice Chairman Debbie Baker, of the Board of Trustees in attendance. It provided the National Council the opportunity to share with the board our ideas directly and receive their wise counsel and advice.  It was also reported that our membership numbers are excellent, as we were at 108% of our membership from this time last year.

With the KKPsi council we began making plans for the 2001 National Convention in Corpus Christi, TX, which promises to be great. The TBS council is always appreciative of the healthy collaboration we have with KKPsi.

4. TBS Wipes Out Capital Improvement Debt

Great news!  As of December 31, 1999 the Capital Improvement Debt for Tau Beta Sigma has been PAID IN FULL!  Thanks to a terrific fall with active and initiate memberships, and a timely contribution by a TBS Alumnus, we were able to eliminate the last remaining major debt of the Sorority.  The improvements that the KKPsi & TBS National Councils made in the National Headquarters were important and will be long lasting, but it was a financial challenge for us, and we will continue to operate frugally until our financial standing is a bit more stable. The TBS National Council urges all chapters, members, and alumni to consider the major contribution programs available to you, including the SOS Campaign, the Century Club, and the Brick Program as possible ways you can help us more quickly get back to a more solid financial position. We are on the right track, and we will get there!

5. Search is on for new Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma CFRs.

This summer, Jeremy Thomas and Chaundra Zelinski will complete their two-year terms as Chapter Field Representatives for Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma respectively.   Applications are being accepted this spring and deadlines are as follows: For KKPsi: March 15, 2000 and for TBS: April 1, 2000.  If you think you are qualified and are interested, look for more information in the Winter Issue of The PODIUM, which you should receive very shortly.  If you need to talk to a real person, please call the National Headquarters or contact the National Vice Presidents for Colonization & Membership, Kirk Randazzo for KKPsi and Sylvia Halbardier for TBS.  Contact information is available on the National HQ's Home page at www.kkytbs.org.

6.  Announcing the First National Intercollegiate Marching Band French Riviera Tour.

The National Councils for KKPsi & TBS have announced the creation of a new national program in response to many suggestions and recommendations in recent years. The National Intercollegiate Marching Band will be a terrific opportunity to experience a different culture, march in several parades with your brothers & sisters, and have one incredible trip to France. The 1st Biennial NIMB will take place June 26 to July 5, 2002, and registrations will be accepted beginning this spring 2000.  Cost of the trip will be approximately $1600 and initial deposit of $100 is due June 1, 2000.

There are too many details to include in this article, but you will find complete details in the spring issue of The PODIUM in March.  You can also watch for complete announcement, details and registration form on the National HQs Home page in the near future.