Statement on COVID-19: Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Basic Chapter Operations

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are writing to you today to provide guidance on chapter operations for those chapters experiencing campus closures or restrictions on face-to-face interactions due to COVID-19. Please note that a separate message regarding district conventions is forthcoming.

The National Councils of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma recognize that each campus has its own unique procedure in place for this pandemic, and it is our hope that the information outlined below is easily adaptable to every chapter’s situation. However, we want to emphasize that we are here to assist your chapter and your chapter members through this difficult and unprecedented time. If, after reading the guidance below, you still have questions or concerns, please reach out to your District Counselors/Governors or send us an email at healthandsafety@tbsigma.org or healthandsafety@kkpsi.org

Membership Education Classes and/or Membership Intake

We are aware that there are chapters who were in the middle of conducting Membership Education Classes and/or Membership Intake on campuses that have cancelled face-to-face classes as a health and safety precaution. We are committed to assisting chapters in completing their Membership Education Classes and have therefore developed the following guidelines:

  • Online Membership Education Classes – All chapters are encouraged to continue the educational components of the Membership Education process via online meetings and sessions. This can be accomplished by using a number of online tools such as Google Hangout Meet, Google Classroom, Zoom Video Conferencing, etc. The curriculum committee for both organizations, as well as the National Councils are here to serve as resources, so please do not hesitate to reach out should your chapter require assistance in implementing an online educational experience for your Membership Candidates.
  •  

  • Initiate Registration and Fees – Initiate Registrations Forms do not require face-to-face interactions for completion, therefore all chapters who will be continuing their intake process during this time, should still plan to fill out the Initiate Registration Form, to collect all Initiate Fees, and to send both the form and fees into our National Headquarters for processing. This should occur upon the completion of the online Membership Education Classes. For the initiation date, please put the date in which you intend or intended to have your 3rd Degree. If chapters require assistance in getting electronic signatures on the Initiate Signature Page, please let us know as we have a system in place. A very important note: All initiate forms and fees must be sent into National Headquarters, no later than Friday, May 15, 2020.
  •  

  • Rituals – While not ideal, until face-to-face classes are back in session on your campus, performing the Rituals for your Membership Candidates will need to be postponed. Once your institution says that it is safe for students to return to campus, we ask that you consult your Sponsor and/or Director of Bands as you work to schedule a date for initiation. This could be as soon as you are allowed back on your campus, sometime during the summer months, or even right at the very beginning of the Fall 2020 semester.

Chapter Officer Elections

Some campuses have been instructed to close for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and this effectively ends most, if not all chapter business for this year. However, chapters that traditionally elect officers during the Spring Semester should plan to carry out this crucial item of business, regardless of not being able to meet in person. The National Councils will provide guidance to all chapters on how this task can be completed remotely using online election software very soon.

National Paperwork

  • Graduating Senior Report – Even if your campus is not able to host in-person commencement ceremonies, chapters should still fill out the Graduating Senior Report in the Online Membership Reporting System (OMRS), so that graduating seniors can be appropriately moved to Alumni Status.

 

  • Chapter Summary Report – The annual Chapter Summary Report is still due on June 1st. Since this is a yearly national requirement that does not require that a chapter meet in person in order to get it completed, there should not be any issues in completing this report on time.  Remember to start this report as soon as possible and give your Director of Bands (and Sponsor, if applicable) extra time to review your report and approve it before the deadline.  

 

Tau Beta Sigma Chapter Visitation Program

The COVID-19 pandemic will affect Tau Beta Sigma’s Chapter Visitation Program Chapter, as some chapters will no longer be on campus, some chapters will have limitations on face-to-face meetings, and some Chapter Visitation Assistants (CVAs) may feel uncomfortable traveling. In order to address each situation appropriately, CVAs have been instructed to reach out to chapters affected by closures or restrictions on face-to-face meetings to discuss transitioning to one of the following options: 1) Hosting a Virtual Visit, or 2) Rescheduling the visit to the 2020-2021 academic year. Please help us ensure this outreach is successful by checking in with your chapter president on the status of your visit.

Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representatives

Chapter Field Representative Visits are cancelled for the month of March and we are evaluating visits scheduled for April. We may conduct some visits virtually but the CFRs will contact chapters to discuss the best method to conduct these visits. Kappa Kappa Psi has also postponed the interviews for 2020-2022 CFRs until April. If you have questions about an upcoming CFR visit, please contact our CFRs at kkytbs@kkytbs.org.

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 wsnipes@miles.edu or to Colony President, Undra Porter at undraporter@gmail.com.

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 Thomas.jones@hamptonu.edu or to Colony President Ayan Keller at ayank1999@gmail.com.

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 roxannestevenson@sbcglobal.net or to Colony President Laurente Oby at obywanmusic@gmail.com.

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

VPSA Chat #4: Applying for Chapter Field Representative

We are excited to host our fourth “VPSA Chat” for the 2019-2021 biennium! This will be taking place on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. CT. Register using the form below and join our panel of current Chapter Field Representatives, Nicole Brooks and Justin Jensen, and Vice President for Colonization & Membership, Jessica Lee. If you are interested or even curious, this will be a very helpful session for you.

Use the link below to register. Thank you and AEA!

REGISTER

Apply for Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representative

Brothers:

Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, is hiring two talented and dedicated brothers for the position of Chapter Field Representative (CFR).  This position gives brothers a meaningful opportunity to give back to our organization as an official representative of the Fraternity and a staff member of our National Headquarters.  Over a two-year period, our CFRs will visit dozens of chapters, travel thousands of miles across the country, and work with thousands of brothers and their college bands from coast to coast.  The CFR position is supervised by National Executive Director, Steve Nelson, and National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, Jessica Lee.

The position starts in early summer 2020 (target date of May 29, 2020) and is held for two years.  Applicant must be an Alumnus or Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi in good standing on or before the first day of employment.  At that time, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.  Applicants must be able to obtain an Oklahoma driver’s license if hired.  Applicants must possess a good driving record and are subject to a check of their driving record, criminal background, and credit.  New-hire drug screening may also be required.

Applications are submitted via the online submission form only.  Paper applications will not be accepted.

Application Deadline: February 9, 2020 at 11:59 PM Central Time

Application Form:  https://www.kkpsi.org/cfr-2020-app/

Questions?  Email cfrsearch@kkytbsonline.com

Please consider serving the fraternity in this unique way!

AEA,

 

Jessica Lee

National Vice President for Colonization & Membership

 

Steve Nelson

National Executive Director

Update on Road to Wisdom 2.0 Release

Hello brothers!

As we get ready for the Road to Wisdom 2.0 release on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, we wanted to remind you to submit your Calendars to the National Curriculum Committee through JotForm on www.kkpsi.org!

If you are not sure what a great calendar looks like, we wanted to show you a couple of amazing examples done by a couple of chapters.  The first is from the Lambda Chapter at the University of Arkansas and the second is from the Lambda Xi Chapter at Southeastern Louisiana University!  Both do an outstanding job of being clear with the events of their chapters, as well as making sure that all of the events follow the guidelines of what chapters should be doing with regards to their Membership Education process.

Feel free to use these as templates, or use your own that follows these ideas!  You can find them at the following links:

Lambda: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uflGibwEkz8V1oSEp1lbRkFSdicl51ig

Lambda Xi: https://drive.google.com/open?id=174fHyrTJiBQeKCI9VinjQW360LjlLuau

As always, feel free to reach out to the committee, curriculum@kkpsi.org, if you have any questions or concerns!

Student Advisory Committee November 2019 Report

Brothers –

Below you will find an outline of the Student Advisory Committee’s meeting on November 15, 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

—November SAC – Minutes 11/15/2019—

  • Attendance – please list your name and position below
      1. Bang Co – VPSA
      2. Jessica Lee – VPCM
      3. Hunter Murphy – WD President
      4. Oliver Kou – WD MaL
      5. Ema Alexander- NED President
      6. Ben Tuttle – NCD Sec/Treas
      7. Mali Glaister – MWD Sec/Treas
      8. Brianna McKinzie – SED President
      9. Jack Gornick – NCD VPM
      10. Jessica Needham – SED VPP
      1. Questions? – Seeing none
  • National Council Updates/Announcements
    1. Iota Nu (Jessica)
      • Western District was not on the email list
      • Ema did not receive this email either
      • Hunter saw the email but didn’t see the WD listserv on the recipient list
      • The DPs will receive any status change to a chapter within their district
      • Brianna did not receive the second clarification email
      • Jessica Needham: Brothers brought up a concern about the Facebook post being made; Brothers were being approached for interviews and had not received news yet. 
      • Posting of news on social media seen as “public lynching”
      • People were concerned about how the university “not knowing” about the closing of their chapter.
    2. Centennial Day (Jessica)
      • Nov. 27, 2019
      • Scroggs was moved to Stillwater, OK
      • Ceremony in the graveyard – live-streamed
      • Ceremony for Founders Day – live-streamed
    3. Month of Musicianship
    4. Chapter Summary Report
      • Alpha Alpha / Nevada / No money submitted  — Still waiting on University issued check
      • Alpha Tau / Texas / Signatures and late fees missing  — Waiting on signatures and late fees
      • Eta Pi / Northern Iowa / DOB approval, late fees, signatures   — Pending receipt of remaining fees, late fees, and signed summary page
      • Gamma Eta / New Mexico State / Need more money   — Pending receipt of remaining fees, late fees, and signed summary page
      • Iota Kappa / Boise State / Waiting on check from school to be processed  — Still waiting on University issued check
      • Iota Mu / Kentucky State / More money needed, and late fees  — Pending receipt of remaining fees and late fees
      • Mu Pi / Oregon / No money submitted  — Pending receipt of fees (late fees waived if submitted within few days of 1/11/19)
    5. Fall Activity Report
        • CA question to be changed – when? ASK AARON!!!
  • VPSA Updates
      1. Communications Team – Content Calendar
      2. VPSA Media – What is coming up?
        1. KKPsi TV
        2. VPSA chats: monthly
          1. Last month: Month of Musicianship Prep
          2. It’s on YouTube now!
          3. Upcoming: Self-care
        3. KKPsi Presents
          1. Have you listened?
          2. Alternating between member interviews and national updates
  • District Updates
      1. Upcoming Events
        1. MWD
          1. Fall District Day is next weekend
          2. Convention hotel contract was signed
        2. NED: 
          1. One on Ones still in progress
          2. Reaching out for FAR
          3. Month of Musicianship feature for NED
          4. Alumni Speaker Series
        3. NCD
          1. Russell attended Alpha Beta’s First Degree – 20 Brothers from other chapters were in attendance
          2. DLC – very successful; invited Greg Boike; 17 Brothers
          3. District Liaison program is starting up
          4. Online workshop on music
        4. SED
          1. Centennial Web Series on Sunday!! Please invite all of your chapters! 
            1. https://www.facebook.com/events/544468736115976/
          2. After the Web Series we will begin charts again 🙂
          3. We’re getting all set up for Winter Council
        5. SWD
          1. </3
        6. WD
          1. Had a great Pre-Con
          2. Gearing up for an informal event in January 
          3. Doing a cool fundraiser for MofM 
            1. Collective practice-a-thon
          4. States days hosts confirmed 
            1. Going to set dates soon 
          5. District programming 
            1. Snarky’s Challenge
      2. Upcoming Deadlines
        1. FAR – BEFORE DEC. 1ST
      3. Common Questions/Issues
        1. Updates on Inner Circle and Founder’s Circle?
        2. Travel money – where the money at???
  • SAC Topic #1: Visioning and Goal Setting (***SAVE FOR NEXT MEETING***)
      1.  
  • SAC Topic #2: Convention Planning (***SAVE FOR NEXT MEETING***)
  • What can I and/or the National Council do to help you?
    1. Ask Aaron about email listservs

Closure of Iota Nu Chapter

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

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

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

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