Author Archive: Bang Co
Chapter Installation Announcement – Spring 2022
On behalf of the National Council, I am proud to announce the successful re-chartering and installation of both the Lambda Upsilon chapter at Savannah State University and the Zeta Pi chapter at Tennessee State University! The process started in late January of this semester with a petitioning group of ten band members for SSU and twenty-six band members for TSU. The Savannah State group was led by DeAnte Hillman with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Gabriel Arnold. The Tennessee State group was led by Curtis Olawumi with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Reginald McDonald and their Sponsor, Professor Larry Jenkins. Both installations took place at their respective campuses on Sunday, March 20th.
This process would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated Advising Teams. The group advising the SSU process was led by SED Governor, Arupa Gopal-Campbell and the group advising the TSU process was led by SED Governor, Kalem Graham. Both Advising Teams consisted of several alumni members, who are listed below. Thank you to these Brothers for their guidance and leadership in this process. We are deeply grateful for their service and support.
Savannah State Advising Team
- Tar-Shae Odom (Active Member, Zeta Eta & National VPSA)
- Greg Boike (Life Member, Kappa Mu & KKPsi AABOD Chair)
- Marina Peña Guiot (Life Members, Nu Alpha/Kappa Mu & KKPsi AABOD Vice Chair)
- Jordan Barnes (Life Member, Iota Xi & Past NED Historian/Alumni Liaison)
Tennessee State Advising Team
- Rassii Elliott (Life Member, Eta Omega & NED Governor)
- Atia Aroonsakulwongse (Life Member, Theta Theta & Past SED Sec/Treas)
- Jessica Needham (Alumna, Eta Sigma & Past SED VPP)
- Bryan Flippin (Alumnus, Theta Tau & Past Chapter President)
Several chapters offered to help out by providing supplies for the Ritual and installation. We would like to extend our appreciation to the following chapters for their assistance:
- Zeta Eta (South Carolina State University) and Nu Alpha (Georgia State University) for lending their Ritual gear for the Savannah State University chapter installation.
- Theta Theta (University of Alabama-Birmingham) for lending their Ritual gear for the Tennessee State University chapter installation.
Lastly, we would like to give thanks to all the chapters and alumni members who made the trip to provide support in the installation ceremony for the Lambda Upsilon and Zeta Pi chapters. It was extremely heartwarming to see everyone come together to welcome our new Brothers. We are excited to transition to the post-installation process with both chapters and for the opportunity to have both groups represented at the upcoming SED Convention. Please help us congratulate and welcome them to the Brotherhood! AEA.
If you or anyone you know has questions about our petitioning process, please visit our Starting A Chapter page or email me at [email protected].
Bang T. Co (He/Him/His/他)
National Vice President for Membership & Expansion
2021-2023 Kappa Kappa Psi National Council
Life Member | Alpha Zeta Chapter at Indiana University
Ritual Performance & Education Committee Workshops & Info Sessions
The Ritual Performance and Education Committee invites you and your chapter members to attend two days of workshops and information sessions about the fraternity’s new Ritual education resource, “The Inner Circle“. Please sign up for workshops using the link below, keeping in mind that these sessions are only for Brothers in good standing, and participants will have their membership status verified through the OMRS before being admitted to each session.
- 4:00 CDT “Introduction to The Inner Circle“: Learn about Kappa Kappa Psi’s upcoming Ritual Education resource, The Inner Circle, what it is, and how having robust conversations about the Ritual can benefit your chapter. Intended for any active brother or membership candidate of Kappa Kappa Psi.
- 5:00 CDT “Planning a Ritual Debrief”: This session will present best practices for talking about each Degree of the Ritual with your candidates and new brothers, and participants will leave with a better understanding of how to conduct these sometimes difficult conversations. This workshop is geared toward brothers who oversee membership education but is open to any Brother in good standing.
- 6:00 CDT “How to Present The Inner Circle“: This training for potential facilitators will look in-depth at the components of The Inner Circle and how chapters can make use of this great new resource. This session is geared toward those who might facilitate activities from The Inner Circle with their chapter, whether that’s the VPM, Ritual chair, CMEP officer, or any Brother who wants to start a conversation about the Ritual.
- 4:00 CDT “Introduction to The Inner Circle“: Learn about Kappa Kappa Psi’s upcoming Ritual Education resource, The Inner Circle, what it is, and how having robust conversations about the Ritual can benefit your chapter. Intended for any active brother or membership candidate of Kappa Kappa Psi.
- 5:00 CDT “Planning a Ritual Debrief”: This session will present best practices for talking about each Degree of the Ritual with your candidates and new brothers, and participants will leave with a better understanding of how to conduct these sometimes difficult conversations. This workshop is geared toward brothers who oversee membership education but is open to any Brother in good standing.
- 6:00 CDR “Attributes of a Successful Life”: Open only to Brothers in good standing, this workshop will explore lessons from 3rd Degree that contribute to a successful and fulfilling life, and how those lessons can be applied to each of our personal journeys.
D.C. al Coda Weekend – Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events
Saturday, April 25th
7:00am – 11:30am EDT | TBSAA “For Greater Bands” 5K
11:30am – 1:00pm EDT | KKPsiAA Graduating Senior Celebration
1:00pm – 2:00pm EDT | Colony & District Officer Installation
2:00pm – 3:00pm EDT | Workshop Block #1
3:00pm – 4:00pm EDT | Women In Music Speaker
4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT | Workshop Block #2
5:00pm – 6:00pm EDT | Workshop Block #3
6:00pm – 7:00pm EDT | Workshop on Singing the Hymn & Song
7:00pm – 7:19pm EDT | Presentation of National Awards
7:19pm EDT | Singing of the Hymn & Song
Sunday (April 26th) – Rest and Reset
Update from National Curriculum Committee
Brothers –
To say that this is an unprecedented time in the history of our world would be an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on all of us, and we know that many of you have a lot of questions and uncertainties about all things associated with Kappa Kappa Psi, as well as with your daily lives. The Curriculum Committee has been hard at work, coming up with solutions to help all of you navigate the rest of your semesters and ensure that your MCs become Active Brothers by the end of the semester.
You can complete lessons virtually and when they are finished, you should submit your initiation paperwork via the Initiate Registration Report. The actual Ritual can take place when you are allowed to meet in person, which may be in the fall. We recognize that these are extraordinary times and that this is unusual, but this is the best course of action.
The National Headquarters has posted some information on how to accomplish the tasks that need to be accomplished by the end of the semester; you can find it at https://www.kkpsi.org/covid19/. Also, please know that membership classes CANNOT continue into the fall. Plan to have your MCs finish the Road to Wisdom over the course of this semester and become Active Brothers by the end of the school year.
We encourage you to check out the Kappa Kappa Psi TV YouTube page, located at https://www.youtube.com/user/KKPsiTV; it has a few sample lessons taught by VPMs from across the country. We are constantly working to update this, with the goal that eventually, all lessons will be available for you to watch and share with your MCs. If this is not possible, or you need help figuring out how to get lessons taught virtually to your MCs, please reach out to the Curriculum Committee at [email protected], and we will help you get the resources that you need. In addition, we are available to potentially teach some lessons for you, should that be a necessity.
Please know that all of us that are in leadership roles are here to help you. We will all work together and get through this difficult time, and at the end of the day, ensure that all of you have what you need. Do not hesitate to reach out at any time with any questions or concerns; all questions are appropriate at this time! We love all of you and are on your side, as we continue to Strive For The Highest!!
Coping with Cancellations/Closures and Managing Your Wellness
Dear Brothers,
These are confusing and tough times. As we adjust to this new normal of closures and cancellations, we want to assure you that your safety and health are our top priorities. The recent changes in our organization’s programming and across campuses throughout the nation are leaving many with strong emotions. We want you to know that it is ok to feel anxious and stressed. If you have been forced to unexpectedly leave your campus and to disengage from your community, then you may be experiencing fear and anger. It is ok to feel this way. Some of our graduating seniors may be feeling disheartended because they didn’t get to attend their last convention or concert – there’s no closure. It is ok to feel this way. These are natural reactions that we are all coping with. The important thing to note is that everyone reacts differently to change and uncertainty.
As many of our Active members are transitioning to online classes, we wanted to share with you some practices that can help you cope with these changes and manage your wellness. These suggestions were collected from several articles, including the NIH, NPR, and various wellness sites.
Build a Schedule and Routine
- Going from in-person classes to all online courses can be difficult for some. You may experience restlessness and anxiety because it is different and not what your brain/body is used to. Some may be stressing out because they don’t have internet at home to even take online classes. Whatever it is that you have to do to adjust to these changes, try to build a schedule that reflects your normal routine. It may seem enticing to try to take all your classes in one sitting or to wait until later, but this could lead to burnout or further procrastination. One strategy is to time block all of your classes and set timers for each class.
Make Time to Unwind and Relax
- Without the breaks and physical movement between classes, it is important that you make time to unwind and relax. This means something different for each person. It could mean take a quick nap, taking a walk, or listening to music. Whatever it is that helps you unwind, try to make time in your daily schedule to relax. You may feel the need to take more breaks as you adjust to your new environment and that is ok. Give yourself the time to adapt and learn.
Practice Healthy Habits and Self-Care Activities
- More than likely, your environment will be different from what you are used to at college. It is important that you take the time to make a list of healthy habits and self-care activities you want to practice in your new space. Even if this is back at home or in your regular living space, being stuck inside and staring at one primary screen is difficult for most people. One important example of a healthy habit is maintaining a regular eating and sleeping schedule.
Maintain Awareness of Safety Recommendations
- Most of our student members are safe and healthy and we hope to keep it that way. It is extremely important that everyone maintain a healthy awareness of COVID-19 and preventative measures. You can visit the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health to check out their safety recommendations. This generally includes practicing social distancing, consistent hand washing, and avoiding crowded areas. It is also important to point out that it is healthy to limit your exposure to general news coverage on COVID-19 and to double-check your sources.
Stay Connected and Engaged
- Being removed from your community is never easy to cope with. Luckily, we have access to some pretty powerful tools that you can leverage. It is important for your health to practice interconnectedness. Utilize social media, video calls, and phone calls to stay connected and engaged with one another. We are social creatures and just because events/classes are canceled doesn’t mean that our relationships should be too.
We recognize that for many college students campus is the only safe space they have. This makes life harder to adjust to when you don’t have the resources or space to take care of yourself. There are no easy solutions to these issues, but there are people out there that can help you. If you need help, please reach out to fellow Brothers and community members. At the end of the day, the most important concern for your National Council is your safety and health. We are here for you and we want to help.
If you need someone to talk to or help you get connected, please reach out to your National Vice President for Student Affairs, Bang Co. If you feel that you need to or would like to speak to a professional, there are several resources at your disposal. Here are a couple that you can try today:
Crisis Text Line – Text “HOME” to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust: text.
SAMHSA HOTLINE – Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
AEA
Bang T. Co
National Vice President for Student Affairs
(317) 370-6057
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Read more about Convention Cancellations.
Read more about Chapter Operations During COVID-19 Statement.
Spring 2020 Colonies
Brothers,
I am excited to announce our colonies for the Spring 2020 semester!
Miles College – Kappa Kappa Recolonization – Southeast District
Kalem Graham (Life Member, Zeta Eta, Southeast District Governor) will serve as lead colony advisor, and James Washburn III (Alumni Association Member, Iota Zeta) and Marina Pena Guoit (Life Member, Nu Alpha) will serve on the colony advising team.
The Miles College band program has a tradition of success under the direction of Mr. Willie Snipes that includes performing at Honda Battle of the Bands, the UNCF Mayoral Ball, Tournament of Roses Parade, Queen City Battle of the Bands, and other high profile performances, including performing for Hillary Clinton. In the past four years, Miles College has been named HBCU Band of the Year, ESPN Band of the Year, and HBCU Digest Band of the Year. Miles College Band Program includes Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz band, pep band, and the Purple Marching Machine Marching Band. We are excited to welcome Miles College back to Kappa Kappa Psi! Feel free to send notes of congratulation to Mr. Snipes at [email protected] or to Colony President, Undra Porter at [email protected].
Hampton University – New Colonization – Northeast District
Marie Burleigh (Life Member, Omicron – former Northeast District Governor) will serve as lead colony advisor, and Sarah Fitzgerald (Life Member, Iota Delta – Northeast District Governor) and Rassii Elliott (Alumni Association Member, Eta Omega) will serve on the colony advising team.
The Hampton University Band Program has grown and flourished under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jones. The band has had a multitude of high profile performances, including the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, Honda Battle of the Bands 2018 & 2020, Tournament of Roses Parade 2019, Rome New Year’s Day Parade 2020, and will perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2020. The band program at Hampton University includes wind ensemble, concert band, jazz band, basketball band, and the Hampton University Marching Force Marching Band. Dr. Jones is committed to the advancement of the music department at Hampton University, building the best band members both in music and in life. We are excited to welcome Hampton University to Kappa Kappa Psi! You may send notes of congratulation to Dr. Jones at [email protected] or to Colony President Ayan Keller at [email protected].
Chicago State University – New Colonization – North Central District
Marc Renaud (Life Member, Zeta Epsilon – North Central District Governor) will serve as lead colony advisor, and Akilah Thomas (Life Member, Beta Kappa) and Emily Durie (Alumni Association Member, Nu) will serve on the colony advising team.
The Chicago State University Band program has been thriving under the direction of Roxanne Stevenson for the last 28 years. During her tenure, she has built the CSU Community Concert Band, CSU Jazz Band, CSU Gospel Ensemble, and other chamber groups. Most recently, Ms. Stevenson has started the CSU Marching Band, the first in Chicago State University history. Ms. Stevenson has had ensembles perform at Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the Jazz Education Network Conference. We are thrilled to welcome Chicago State University to Kappa Kappa Psi! You may send notes of congratulation to Ms. Stevenson at [email protected] or to Colony President Laurente Oby at [email protected].
Thank you to those Brothers who will be serving on the colony advising teams. Each team will assist the colony during the colonization process, and will then follow the colony through a full year of reporting to ensure a strong foundation of support and success. Please join me in welcoming these three colonies to the Brotherhood!
AEA,
Jessica Lee
Life Member, Eta Alpha Chapter, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Kappa Kappa Psi National Vice President for Colonization & Membership