News

Closure of Iota Nu Chapter

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Brothers:

We are writing to inform you of a vote of the National Council.

The Council has unanimously voted to revoke the charter of the Iota Nu chapter from Alabama A & M University.  All active members have been expelled and the chapter alumni will not be allowed to form any Local Alumni Association that supports the band program at Alabama A& M University.  Given the nature of their offenses, the National Council has placed a 20 year moratorium on any future colonization on this campus.

This situation is the result of hazing related to their New Member Presentation Show, which violated both University and Kappa Kappa Psi policies.

Brothers, any chapter or individuals found responsible for hazing will be held accountable.  That means the National Council will consider dropping the chapter and expulsion for the individual members. Any chapter or individual brother that is found responsible for hazing will be held accountable.  Passively watching as hazing occurs in your chapter is not a defense; you are still responsible and will be held accountable.  If you do nothing, you are choosing to allow something to happen that is a violation of our policies.  Do not presume that any level of hazing is acceptable. Hazing never honors the name of Kappa Kappa Psi. It in no way is in the spirit of Striving for the Highest.

Brothers, I know you find these types of actions as intolerable as we do.  Individuals that choose to willingly violate our Fraternity Policies and sacred Ritualistic Vows and harm others through hazing have no place in Kappa Kappa Psi.  They tarnish the organization that we love.

In no way does this conduct honor our purposes or advance bands. In no way do such actions demonstrate strength or love for your fellow brother.

Each one of us, each and every chapter, and every individual member and membership candidate has a responsibility to uphold the values of our Fraternity.

The only way that Kappa Kappa Psi can continue to exist is with an appropriate stewardship of our values and policies through our active and alumni members.  When we ignore that responsibility and choose to look the other way or to participate in a violation of policies, we endanger the future of the organization, we ignore our oath, and we turn our backs on our fellow brothers.  We are better than this.

Since the 2019 National Convention, we have had 3 investigations that have resulted in violations of our Risk Management Policies.

  • Cost of Investigations: Estimated at $6,000
  • Legal Costs: Estimated at $4,400

These expenses are necessary for the security and future of our organization, but it is not how we want to spend fraternity money.  Each brother, each chapter should stop and take a moment to reflect on your chapter activities.  Is that activity or tradition worth your membership in Kappa Kappa Psi?  Your chapters’ charter?  Our fraternity?  These risks are real, each time Brothers choose to ignore and willingly violate our policies.

This National Council is very invested in the future of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Brothers everywhere are encouraged to join us in eradicating hazing and any other violations of our risk management policies.  All of our Risk Management policies can be found on the national website here: https://www.kkpsi.org/resources/policies/

If you see something in your chapter or another that is questionable, contact your Director of Bands, Chapter Sponsor, your District Governors, National Headquarters staff, or the National Council. Concerns may also reported anonymously using our national website: https://www.kkpsi.org/resources/report-a-problem/

Please feel free to contact Marco Krcatovich, National President, at mkrcatov@kkpsi.org, or Jessica Lee, National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, at jessicalee@kkpsi.org if you have any questions.

AEA,

The 2019-2021 National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi

Marco Krcatovich, National President

Jessica Lee, National Vice President for Colonization & Membership

Mike Napolitano, National Vice President for Programs

Bang Co, National Vice President for Student Affairs

Tony Falcone, National Vice President for Professional Relations

Evan Thompson, Immediate Past National President

Dr. Nicholas A. Rorrer, Chair, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Daniel George, Chair, Board of Trustees

Eric Morson, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

2019 Month of Musicianship

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Month of Musicianship

I hope you’ve all had the chance to see the launch video of this year’s Month of Musicianship campaign, celebrating our personal connections to music. Many thanks to National VPSA Bang Co and the National Communications team for bringing this year’s vision to life.

During this Month of Musicianship, we are charging brothers to take some time and reflect on our personal relationship with music. Remember, while service to college and university bands unites us, it is the art of music that unifies us. So throughout this Month of Musicianship, not only do we want to actively showcase the best of what our brothers do for advancing music in our lives, but we want us all to take an inside look about what connects us to music in the first place.

Ask yourself: Band is our bond, but what does music mean to me? If I could find one word that summed up how important music is to me, what would it be?

Once you’ve uncovered your word, print out the attached template, write it out, snap a picture or a video, and post it up on social media using the hashtags #BandIsOurBond and #MonthofMusicianship. Take some time to share your story – celebrate how meaningful music is to you.

This can be an amazing conversation starter within your chapter, and an amazing opportunity to make connections with brothers across the country. Expand the conversation – we aren’t the only musicians in our bands. Ask our sisters in Tau Beta Sigma and other band members what music means to them. Because once we start to look at the broader meaning of music in our lives, music is no longer a broad concept, but something that holds true meaning in our identity.

Continue to share all of the amazing activities that you and your chapters are doing to hone the craft of music, but also share the stories of what music means to you.

If you have any questions about this year’s Month of Musicianship, or any of Kappa Kappa Psi’s national programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at mnapolitano@kkpsi.org.

If you have not yet had a chance to watch the Month of Musicianship launch video, find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9nBjj5Zn_I

To share and print out the template, visit: http://bit.ly/KKPsiMoM19

 

AEA,

Mike Napolitano
National Vice President for Programs, 2019-2021
Kappa Kappa Psi
National Honorary Band Fraternity
Pronouns: he, him, his

Student Advisory Committee October 2019 Report

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Brothers –

Below you will find an outline of the Student Advisory Committee’s meeting on October 16, 2019. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. You can reach me at bangco@kkpsi.org or the whole committee at studentadvisory@kkpsi.org.

With much love,

Bang

—October SAC – Minutes 10/16/2019—

  • Attendance – please list your name and position below
    • Bang Co – VPSA
    • Evan Choy – NED VP
    • Will Johnston- NED MaL
    • Gillian Jinkins -SED VPM
    • Atia Aroonsakulwongse – SED Sec/Treas
    • Garret Gardenhire – SWD Pres
    • Andy Cifuentes – SWD MAL
    • Ema Alexander- NED President
    • Brianna McKinzie – SED President
    • Ashley Nowikowski – SWD Sec/Treas
    • Jordan Barnes – NED HAL
    • Jessica Needham – SED VPP
  • Review/Discuss Previous Minutes
    • Questions?
  • National Council Updates/Announcements
    • Working on finishing tasks from the past biennium  
    • Wanting to help educate brothers and band directors about hazing concerns
  • VPSA Updates
      1. Communications Team – Content Calendar
        1. Being Consistent & Proactive (i.e. Mental Health Day & Coming Out Day)
        2. If there’s things that we think is important, PLEASE let VPSA know so it can be added to the calendar.
        3. Goal: Send this calendar out to chapters so chapters have some start grounds for content.
      2. VPSA Media – What is coming up?
        1. KKPsi TV
          1. LIKE COMMENT SUBSCRIBE
          2. Again, let them know if there’s topics to cover (how to sign up for an email, for example)
        2. VPSA chats: monthly
          1. Last month was recruitment & membership ed
          2. It’s on YouTube now!
          3. Upcoming: Month of Musicianship Prep
        3. KKPsi Presents
          1. It’s baaaack. 
          2. It gets a student/Brother voice and story. Showcase the student level.
          3. Working to make it more consistent – Goal is two per month.
  • District Updates
      1. Upcoming Events
        1. MWD
          1. Convention site and date all going well
          2. Social media is going well. Snail mail has been a hit here!
        2. NED: 
          1. One on One meeting starting this week!
          2. We have a Convention Site and Date!
        3. NCD – none
        4. SED
          1. Online Centennial workshop series!! 
          2. Only 3/47 Chapters late for Chapter Personnel Reports
          3. We have a VPM!! Yay Gillian!
          4. Eta Eta Colony Dates! (10/20/19 1st, 11/3/19, 2nd, 11/24/19, 3rd)
        5. SWD
          1. We have a Convention Date!
          2. Began The Charge
          3. Assembling a Standing History and Traditions Committee
          4. Website changes are …. coming
        6. WD – none
      2. Upcoming Deadlines
        1. none!
      3. Common Questions/Issues
        1. VPMs with Membership Candidate Registration Forms being delayed from CPR?
          1. Chapters should be safe; the committee is aware of this though!
  • SAC Topic #1: Social Media Guidelines & Chapter Social Media Info Collection Form
      1. Give feedback on the guidelines
      2. Future brand ambassadors program to come
      3. Common issues to keep an eye on: being mindful of Secrets, incorrect usage of crest, not using correct colors, not using correct sizing for images
      4. Take screenshots so it can be added to a database for the future. 
      5. Chapter Mascots with Crest? (Bang is checking on this question)
      6. Being mindful too about chapter’s using university logos
      7. Snapchats/Instagram takeovers may need separate outlines
  • SAC Topic #2: Month of Musicianship
      1. Clarifying expectations and what to do
      2. Making a hashtag! 
        1. Districts – push the national hashtag, but you are HIGHLY encouraged to still create your own district hashtags too. (i.e. SWD’s #TheCharge)
      3. Template “Music/Band is ___ to me” – inviting a more emotional/vulnerable response
      4. VPSA Chat for this potential – what are chapters doing/what does it mean to you?
      5. Please reach out if you’re interested – questions to come for prep!
      6. Month of Musicianship Checklist (SED inspired suggestion?)
  • What can I and/or the National Council do to help you?
      1. Will nationals be releasing anything to celebrate the centennial? 
        1. A mini version of what was done at natcon for chapter centennials
        2. Looking for a ceremony or something to do for the National Centennial
      2. Updates on Founders Circle/Inner Circle
        1. Revisions being made on Inner Circle 
          1. should be released by the end of the year
        2. Founders Circle more updates around February
          1. Looking specifically keep secrets safe so where to put it 
        3. Students lovingly nudge.
  • Announcements – none
  • Celebrate WINs
    1. Ashley is going to be published!
    2. Jacob will be at a BOC regional staff member!
    3. Annual Audition workshop was a huge success from Gillian!
    4. Atia – Homecoming week, football team is partnering with the children’s hospital, adorable tradition!

Student Advisory Committee September 2019 Report

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Brothers –

Below you will find an outline of what took place during the September Student Advisory Committee meeting on September 13, 2019. Ema Alexander of the NED took notes for the meeting. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. You can reach me at bangco@kkpsi.org or the whole committee at studentadvisory@kkpsi.org.

With much love,

Bang

—September SAC – Minutes 9/13/2019—

  • Introduction/Attendance
    • Midwest: Sam Faulkner – VPM, Jenn Taylor – Governor
    • North Central:  Russell House – President, Jack Gornick – VPM, Jenna Jansa – VPP, Ben Tuttle – Sec/Treas
    • Northeast: Ema Alexander – President, Evan Choy – VP, Will Johnston – MAL, Bill Welch – Governor
    • Southeast: Jessica Needham – VPP, Atia Aroonsakulwongse Sec/Treas
    • Southwest: Hannah Cheeseman – VPM 
    • Western:Hunter Murphy – President, Oliver Kou – MAL
  • District Updates
    • Midwest:
      • District Day (Nov. 23) at University of Nebraska – Omaha
    • North Central
      • Membership Retreat (Oct. 6)
      • Online workshops (virtual)
      • Google Classroom introduction
      • Book Club
    • Northeast
      • Online workshops (virtual)
      • Chapter One-on-Ones
      • New website
      • Standing committees
    • Southeast
      • DLC & MER in February
      • FocuSED Connections – Pen pal program for chapters
      • Reach for the Stars Program starting soon
    • Southwest
      • Histroy & Traditions Committee
      • Publications
      • The Charge – chapters post good examples of service and values
    • Western
      • VPM virtual workshops
      • Centennial
      • Snarky’s Challenge (monthly for chapters)
  • SAC Topic #1: District Communications Plan
    • How are you marketing district events and updates/news?
      • Midwest: Facebook Group, District Website (hopefully), Instagram, and Facebook Page
      • Northeast: Infographics, Flyers, emails, individual contact, officer specific FB groups, public FB and Instagram pages
      • North Central: Posts on District Facebook Page, our email list, Instagram, officer twitter pages
      • Southeast: Facebook group, SED Slack channel, district website
      • Southwest:
      • Western: FB Group but hopefully transitioning to our website, occasionally Twitter
    • What are you doing for follow-up?
      • Midwest:
      • Northeast: Messaging Presidents individually, emailing, repeat posts as big deadlines approach
      • North Central: Individually emailing chapter presidents, or eventually FB messaging/calling them for reports and stuff. Also we ask the Brothers to spread info through word of mouth at their chapters
      • Southeast: FB messaging brothers individually, tagging chapter FB pages, and some emailing
      • Southwest:
      • Western:
    • What are you using to measure your quality of communication methods/strategies?
      • Midwest:
      • Northeast: Made a google doc for contact information for chapter officers. Asked chapters to verify the information was correct by checking a box. This was a visual representation of which chapters are being reached and which chapters are not receiving information.
      • North Central: Have a spreadsheet of chapters with their submission status for forms, but not much in the way of promoting events
      • Southeast: Made a spreadsheet and note which chapters I reached out to, how I reached out, and who I specifically communicated with if relevant. Then noting who has followed through and who needs another reminder
      • Southwest:
      • Western:
    • What does “successful communication” look like in your district?
      • Midwest:
      • Northeast: When brothers interact with posts tagging other brothers which helps us to reach all our followers but additionally brothers who do not follow us. High completion of forms and chapter polls indicate communication is being received well
      • North Central: Brothers showing up to events whether in person or digitally depending on the event and having brothers contribute to our online initiatives
      • Southeast: Communicating messages on several platforms: FB, Insta, Slack, and email
      • Southwest:
      • Western:
    • What are some successful practices?
      • Midwest:
      • Northeast: We post a graphic as deadlines approach that has every chapter and a series of 4 gray bars. We change the bars to green 1 at a time for being, submitted to sponsor, sponsor approved, DOB approved-pending collection of fees, completed. The updated graphics are posted weekly. Often, a brother will see their chapter has 0 gray bars and it promotes an accountability system where they will then personally check with those in the chapter responsible for submitting forms and thus more chapters are filling out forms earlier than the deadline.
      • North Central: Using a promotional schedule so Brothers on the council know when to post on social media (and on which platform) to ensure a regular stream of information
      • Southeast: Using Canva graphics for deadlines
      • Southwest:
      • Western:
    • What are some of your communication goals?
      • Midwest:
      • Northeast: Build relations with chapters and presidents who routinely struggle to respond to district events and district officers
      • North Central: Reach chapters that aren’t at most district events and get to know at least one person in every chapter of the District personally
      • Southeast: Increasing interactions with chapters on social media, continuing to utilize the SM calendar as a council to pre-plan as much as possible so that we aren’t over posting, and Get as much communication through slack as possible
      • Southwest:
      • Western:
  • National Council Updates
    • Deadlines:
      • Chapter Personnel Report (Semester): September 30
      • Chapter Personnel Report (Quarter): October 15
    • We had our first National Council meeting on September 12.
  • VPSA Updates
    • 100-Day Plan
      • Established the Communications Team members
      • Created content calendar
      • KKPsi TV – created Chapter Personnel Report walkthrough video with Ema
      • VPSA Chat (September 24) – recruitment and membership education
      • KKPsi Presents – first episode to be released in October
  • Celebrate WINs
    • Western
      • Parliamentarian, dissolving joint constitution into a handbook
    • Southeast
      • Almost have a VPM
    • Northeast
      • Almost have a convention site

Newly Appointed District Governors for the 2019-2021 Biennium

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Brothers,

Following our 2019 National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma we were left with two vacancies for District Governors and two positions were replaced due to election/appointment.

In the Midwest District, Tony Falcone (Life – Eta Omicron) has been appointed our 2019-2021 National Vice President for Professional Relations after twelve years as a District Governor.  This vacancy was filled by Jennifer Pitts-Taylor (Life – Gamma Theta).  Jennifer was recently a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and helped build the model we use for alumni-centered programming at our District Conventions.  She also served on our National Curriculum Committee and brings that work and her background as a leader in Chi Omega Sorority to the role.

In the Northeast District, Marie Burleigh (Life – Omicron) has been the longest-serving District Governor in our Fraternity’s history and began in that role on July 1, 2000.  Marie will be cycling off this year as she helps mentor the new Governors in the District.  In her place, Sarah Fitzgerald (Life – Iota Delta) was appointed this July.  A long-time leader in the Northeast District Alumni Association, she has been involved in the work of our alumni association for more than a decade and last biennium she served as a Curriculum Advisor as well.  This July, Sarah was awarded the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award for her work in the Northeast District.

Following his election to the office of National Vice President for Programs, Michael Napolitano (Life – Kappa Upsilon), will no longer serve as a District Governor in the Northeast District.  After a long search I am pleased to appoint Dr. Brad Townsend (Alpha Epsilon) to the position of Northeast District Governor.  Brad is the Director of Bands at the University of Pittsburgh and has worked with the chapters there since 2013.  Prior to that, he was the Sponsor of the Theta chapter and for five years (2008-2013) served as Western District Governor.

A short time after the close of the 2019 National Convention, Latrondrick Hunter (Life – Zeta Eta) decided to step down as Southeast District Governor.  We know the decision was not easy and we are honored by his work and passion for our organization.  Following a long process where I was able to talk to an incredible slate of alumni leaders in the district, I have appointed Kalem Graham (Life – Zeta Psi) to serve as Southeast District Governor.  Kalem is the Director of Bands at Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, and was previously Assistant Director of Bands at Langston University.  From 2015 to 2018, Kalem served as a Southwest District Governor and during that time served on our National Nominations Committee.

We will be updating our National Website soon with their contact information as we continue our transition into the new biennium.  Please join me in welcoming and celebrating these new members of our National Leadership Team and thanking the four incredible individuals who served as District Governors last biennium and continue to serve the organization and model our values.

 

AEA

Marco A. Krcatovich II

National President, 2019-2021

president@kkpsi.org

2019 Gold Star Memorial Recognition Nominations Open

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Brothers,

In 1947, at the National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi recognized brothers who were killed in action while serving our country during World War II. They created a memorial recognition knows as the Gold Star.

Prior to the 2007 National Convention, the National Council was approached by Danielle Adams-Davis, a brother from the Zeta Sigma and Kappa Epsilon chapters.  Danielle asked the National Council what could be done to recognize current Brothers and band members serving in the military. At that time, the National Council felt the National Convention in Orlando would be an appropriate time to recognize members of Kappa Kappa Psi and our band family who have served our country. The National Council used the Gold Star recognition ceremony from 1947 to serve as inspiration to recognize brothers and band members that were current military members or who had previously served their country.

As part of our centennial year celebration, the National Council continues this honored tradition during the 2019 National Convention. Brothers will be recognized in the following manner:

  • Gold Star Memorial for Brothers who have passed while serving our country.

 

  • Blue Star Recognition for Brothers who are currently serving our country or are veterans.

 

  • Silver Star Memorial for Band members who have passed while serving our country.

 

  • White Star Recognition for Band members who are currently serving our country or are veterans.

Certificates for the Blue Star Recognition and White Star Recognition will be issued to the Brother’s home chapter following National Convention. The home chapter will then be responsible for issuing those certificates to the individual Brothers. All categories of recognition will be memorialized by the Brothers’ respective District Presidents during the 2019 National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma and recorded in a memorial resolution in the convention minutes.

If you have names you would like to submit to be recognized this summer at National Convention in Stillwater, OK, please complete the form here.

 

AEA,

Dr. Nicholas Bratcher
National Vice President for Programs
Kappa Kappa Psi

Call for 2019-2021 Biennium National Volunteers

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Brothers,

As we prepare for our 2019 National Convention and Centennial Celebration, we are also preparing our Fraternity for another 100 years of serving college and university bands.  There are so many ways to give back to Kappa Kappa Psi and help us collectively serve as “Founders” for our next century.   I invite you to register for National Convention and the Centennial Celebration, check out the history of the Fraternity and what a century of service looks like, and I strongly encourage you to support our student Brothers and Sisters financially to make sure they can be part of this truly once-in-a-lifetime moment for Kappa Kappa Psi.  I know I will be sending money back to my home chapters to help support the active Brothers and Sisters who wish to attend National Convention and the Centennial Celebration.

Our National President, Evan Thompson, often talks about the incredible importance and life-changing power of giving back to support others.  The Servant Leader.   I wanted to extend an opportunity to each of you to give back to Kappa Kappa Psi.

As part of this national call for volunteers, below is an application for those interested in serving.   We will be looking for brothers interested in serving as District Governors, National Committee Members, Colony Advisors, Curriculum Advisors, Speakers, and more.   I will start reaching out to brothers in June who are interested in volunteering as we work to fill these responsibilities for the coming biennium.   Most of these roles do not involve a significant time commitment and you’ll see information on what kind of commitment these roles require, whether traveling may be involved, and our volunteer expectations.  We want to support you personally by respecting the fact that you may have other obligations and responsibilities, and you’ll see plain information on the commitment you would be making by serving.  We don’t want to place a Brother in a position where they shirk their duties and responsibilities.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/19-21Volunteers

This biennium we were surrounded by the “Founder’s Spirit” and the history and great work of our organization as we approach a century of service.   Now we have the responsibility of doing whatever we can to build the foundation for the next one hundred years.  I hope you will look at ways you can donate your time, your talents, your treasure, your enthusiasm, and your support for our mission.   Every collective contribution moves the Brotherhood forward.  I am excited to see so many of you in July and beyond as we all Strive for the Highest.

 

Your Brother,

Marco.

—

Marco A. Krcatovich II

National Vice President for Colonization and Membership

mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

2019 National Convention Delegate/Proxy Form Due

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Brothers:

Submit your Delegate/Proxy Form now and have your voice heard at National Convention this summer in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Be sure to contact the chapters you list to make sure they will be in attendance at convention and can serve as your proxy if you cannot send a delegate.

All forms should be submitted by June 15, 2019. Committee assignment preferences by June 1, 2019.

AEA,
Evan L. Thompson
National President

Kappa Kappa Psi – Clarion University of Pennsylvania

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Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity mourns the loss of a brother from the Epsilon Phi chapter at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The Fraternity sends its deepest condolences to family, friends, chapter brothers and sisters, faculty, and fellow band members. It is especially difficult to lose an active student. The power of our connections as brothers and band members becomes even more significant during these times of loss and confusion. We are here to support and encourage our fellow brothers and band members without reservation.

Brothers, help is available 24/7 for emergencies and students in crisis. We hope that our collegiate brothers will look to resources on their campus such as the Office of the Dean of Students and counseling centers who work to support students in a variety of ways. Please do not hesitate to ask for help and seek out services on your campus.

Anyone who is struggling can access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Our ritual teaches that life is a journey with peaks and valleys. We want our brothers to feel empowered to access help when needed.

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