Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi,

As we come to the end of another academic year, we find many reasons to celebrate! We celebrate new beginnings as our Brothers graduate and take the role of the longest type of membership…alumni status. On behalf of Kappa Kappa Psi, congratulations and best of luck on your future endeavors.

In addition to graduation, there is much more to celebrate! The feeling of finishing that last final exam, and for many of you, this means (we hope) a higher GPA. Kappa Kappa Psi believes in recognizing those students who strive for the highest in everything they do and recognize academic excellence. The AEA Scholarship is one way of recognition. First awarded in 2000, the AEA Scholarship awards a bursary to eligible brothers representing the best of Kappa Kappa Psi by balancing academics and extra-curricular activities, as well as serving as role models in their band programs and for their fellow brothers.

The AEA Scholarship is awarded into two tiers: the AEA Distinguished Scholarship and the AEA Honored Scholarship. The Distinguished Scholarship awards a student up to $2000.  The candidate must be an active or associate brother in good standing at the time of application; hold at least a 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale; and submit the application and required documents prior to the deadline.

The Honored Scholarship awards a student up to $1000. Each candidate must be an active or associate brother in good standing at the time of application; hold at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale; and submit the application and required documents prior to the deadline. 

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE AEA SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE FALL IS JULY 1.

Another reason to celebrate is the swearing in of our new Chapter officers across the country. Although we realize this can create feelings of both excitement and anxiety, the National Council is here to help you, and make the most of your transitions. While you are brainstorming and planning for the next academic year, consider applying for the Chapter Development Grant and the Matching Grant.

The Chapter Development Grant is the newest initiative from the National Council. Adopted in January 2018, the Chapter Development Grant was created to promote leadership and chapter operations training for the brothers and band programs where chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi are located. Approved programs can receive funding up to $1000. For more information on the Chapter Development Grant, please visit our website at https://www.kkpsi.org/programs/chapter-dev/.

The Matching Grant Program is an initiative of Kappa Kappa Psi that provides financial support for obtaining guest conductors and performing artists for college/university bands.  The program provides financial support, up to $500, for programming and concerts twice a year. This program is not restricted only to college and university band programs with chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi. Any college band can apply for this grant. For more information on the Matching Grant program, please visit https://www.kkpsi.org/programs/matching-grant-program/.

Finally, for those who are looking for ways to collectively acknowledge your chapter’s hard work, we invite you to apply for our Academic Excellence Awards. These awards were established by the 1991 National Convention to honor outstanding academic achievement of both individuals and active chapters. Applications should be submitted to the National Headquarters with a copy of a grade report at the end of each academic term. The Top Chapter Scholar Award is presented to the active member from the chapter with the highest GPA for a given academic term. The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award is given to active members of the chapter who achieve a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for a particular term. The Chapter Certificate of Excellence in Academics is presented to chapters that achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better for a given academic term. Visit this link for the application and more information:https://www.kkpsi.org/academic-excellence-awards/

Should you have any more questions or concerns with regards to our programs and awards, please feel free to contact me at nbratcher@kkpsi.org. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have and even review potential applications for the Chapter Development and Matching Grants. Best of luck, and we look forward to your applications!

AEA,

Dr. Nicholas Bratcher

National Vice President for Programs

Kappa Kappa Psi

Chapter Presidents:

Chapter Summary Reports are due by June 1, 2018. This report requires approval by your Chapter Sponsor and Director of Bands, so make sure you follow up with these individuals prior to the deadline. Visit online.kkytbs.org and log-in to begin your report.

AEA,
Evan

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi:

The District Governors are key members of the National Leadership Team. These professional volunteers serve as the administrative officers of their respective district and provide mentorship to the district and chapter officers. District Governors are expected to assist the district officers with the development of a vision for the district and build positive, professional connections with all students, directors, sponsors, alumni, and national leadership. District Governors also engage in work that supports the National Vision including activity reviews for the National Membership Education Program: The Road to Wisdom and promoting national programs.

There is an immediate opening for a third Southeast District Governor and a third Northeast District Governor. The National Council is looking for brothers of outstanding quality who will join the current District Governors of the SED and NED. Eligible applicants will complete the application requirements and submit using the appropriate JotForm link. All requirements must be included in order to submit a completed application.

Applications and materials should be submitted by Thursday, May 31, 2018 via JotForm.

Applicant Requirements:

• Must be at least twenty-five (25) years old
• Completed an undergraduate degree
• Possess outstanding business or professional ability
• Resident of district applying for
• Be a Life, Alumni, or Honorary member in good standing of Kappa Kappa Psi

Governor Application Requirements:

• Letter of Intent – Highlight fraternity, band, and professional experience
• Resume/Vita
• Three Letters of Recommendation, one of which should be within the applicant’s profession
• JotForm Application:
  • Northeast District: https://form.jotform.com/81164845331152
  • Southeast District: https://form.jotform.com/81164104531142

Please submit completed applications via JotForm by Thursday, May 31, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact National President Evan Thompson (evan@kkpsi.org).

AEA,

Evan L. Thompson
National President
Kappa Kappa Psi

Brothers:
As we close out another school year, I want to share this friendly reminder with all of our outgoing and incoming chapter officers, active members, sponsors, and directors.

• Initiate Registration Form – Please complete and submit all fees and paperwork associated with your Initiate Registration Form. This should be submitted within 30 days of initiation. Late fees apply to chapters who do not submit within the appropriate time. Remember that this form cannot be processed if you do not submit a copy of the signed summary page along with payment.  The signatures from the Candidate Registration & Risk Management Form required as part of the Road to Wisdom do not count as the signed summary page.
• Officer & Chapter Update – If you have held elections that have not been reported, please complete this form as soon as possible so that National Headquarters has accurate contact information for your chapter leadership. If you have not yet started your Chapter Summary Report, please check that you officers are listed correctly before beginning the CSR.  This form will also need to be completed prior to submitting a Graduating Senior Report if any of your currently listed officers are graduating.
• Chapter Summary Report – This report is due by June 1st. Please begin working on this document now and remember to give time for sponsor and director approval prior to the deadline. We recommend completing this form prior to the end of finals week.
• Graduating Senior Report – This report allows us to document graduating seniors and provide recognition to them for their service to college bands. Graduating Seniors receive a one-year complimentary membership in the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association if the chapter submits this form. This report should be completed alongside the Chapter Summary Report.
• Officer Transition Meeting – The National Council encourages all chapters to hold a transition meeting between outgoing and incoming officers. Many discipline issues occur as a result of a lack of institutional knowledge of the larger fraternal responsibilities of the active chapter including reports and dues. Outgoing officers please take time to review these responsibilities with your successor. Set your chapter up success in the coming year.
• National Awards/Programs – The National Council encourages all chapters and members to review the national awards and scholarships which can be found at kkpsi.org under the Programs tab. Due date for applications and nominations is July 1st. If you have specific questions, contact Vice President Bratcher at nbratcher@kkpsi.org.
• Vice Presidents of Membership Joining Edmodo – All Vice Presidents of Membership for the 2018-2019 school year should join the Learning Community at Edmodo.com. Edmodo contains all of the updated documents and forms associated with The Road to Wisdom. All previous VPMs will be removed at the end of the school year. If you have questions about joining, please email curriculum@kkpsi.org.

For each of the forms submitted in the OMRS, please make sure you are following up directly with your Sponsor and Director of Bands when forms are ready to be approved. Do not rely on email notifications from the OMRS as your only means of follow-up.

If you have any questions, please let us know by emailing kkytbs@kkytbs.org.

AEA,
Evan L. Thompson
National President
2017-2019

Congratulations to Dennis Zeisler on receiving The Distinguished Service to Music Medal in the area of Conducting! Professor Zeisler has been exceptional in his field, and that work has had a positive impact on Kappa Kappa Psi and the college band movement. He has served as Director of Bands and Professor of Clarinet and Saxophone at Old Dominion University for over three decades. Zeisler is an elected member and Past President of the American Bandmasters Association and serves on the Board of Directors for The Midwest Clinic. Northeast District Governor Michael Napolitano and Curriculum Committee Chair Yvonne Daye presented the award on behalf of the National Council and the National Chapter.

The Distinguished Service to Music Medal is the highest honor awarded by Kappa Kappa Psi. The award, founded at the 1963 National Convention, recognizes those who have contributed “above and beyond” of themselves and their talents to help bands and band music grow in both performance and purpose. Past recipients include Morton Gould, W. Francis McBeth, William Revelli, Jerry Junkin, and Julie Giroux. The National Council is pleased to recognize Professor Dennis Zeisler for his contributions and leadership in the band field.

Brothers:

Copies of the newly revised Ritual and Ceremonies of Kappa Kappa Psi began being shipped to your chapter’s physical address listed in OMRS on Friday, March 16^th. You should expect them to arrive over the next two weeks. Please be on the lookout for them! If you are on Spring Break, please make a note to look for them when you return to campus.

If you have trouble locating them by Monday, March 26^th, please contact the National Headquarters (kkytbs@kkytbs.org or 405-372-2333) for the UPS tracking number.