Brothers –
On behalf of the National Leadership Team, I would like to extend warm greetings and wish you a happy start to your November! October was an incredibly eventful and productive month, and I’m delighted to take a moment to share with you a few highlights to recap the fantastic progress we made. In addition, I’m excited to provide you with a preview of some exciting developments to look forward to this month. Please take a moment to read through the rest of this message below.
November Highlights
Highlight #1: Fall Activity Report
The first report through the new OPUS membership portal is in the books! Many thanks to all the chapters that submitted their Chapter Personnel Reports (CPR) and dues/fees on time. As of today, we have 74.6% of all CPRs in and our HQ staff are hard at work making sure everything is processed correctly. If you are still having issues with your CPR, please reach out to HQ as soon as possible to get everything submitted. Now, it’s time to focus on the Fall Activity Report (FAR), which is due by December 1, 2023. Be on the lookout for more information, resources, and office hours for assistance with the FAR.
**Note: I would like to also extend my deepest appreciation to our HQ staff members, particularly Aaron Moore, Nicole Brooks, and Debbie Morris, for their support and guidance to our students and Chapter Sponsors/DoBs during the CPR process. We could not have gone through this as smoothly without their help and leadership.
Highlight #2: Chapter Field Representatives Applications
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Chapter Field Representative (CFR) Hiring Process for the 2024-2026 term. The application will be open from November 1st through December 1st with phone interviews anticipated to take place mid-December and in-person interviews in early January. If you or anyone you know is interested in this role, please visit our application site for more information.
*Note: I would like to extend my profound gratitude to our current CFRs, Jake January and Kennedy Struck, for their unwavering dedication and guidance in this process. Their remarkable service to the Fraternity over the past three years has been nothing short of exceptional, and their support has been an invaluable asset in my journey as a national officer.
Highlight #3: Celebrating our Month of Musicianship
In keeping with tradition, November is designated as our Month of Musicianship, and this year, we are channeling our enthusiasm toward the celebration of one of our most profound and impactful programs, the National Intercollegiate Band (NIB). We are actively working to provide you with different opportunities to engage, participate, and celebrate in this special event. Stay tuned for more details on how you can help uplift the NIB and celebrate our dedication to musicianship.
Highlight #4: Celebrating our 104th Founders’ Day
I am excited to celebrate Kappa Kappa Psi’s 104th Founders’ Day on November 27th, 2023! This special occasion is a cherished time for Brothers spanning generations and geographic locations to unite once again in celebration of our illustrious history, the vibrancy of our present, and the promising journey that lies ahead. I extend a warm invitation to all Brothers to dedicate a moment for self-reflection on their own fraternal journey and the profound impact that Kappa Kappa Psi has had on their lives. Furthermore, on November 27th, I encourage all Brothers to actively participate by sharing their personal Kappa Kappa Psi stories and posting pictures of their most memorable fraternal experiences. Please use the hashtags #KKPsiFoundersDay and #104YearsofKKPsi as we come together to honor our remarkable journey.
Highlight #5: Fraternal Law Conference
We are looking forward to continuing our presence at the annual Fraternal Law Conference in Cincinnati, OH this year. Dr. Rorrer (NVPME), Nicole Brooks (National Chapter Support Coordinator), and I will be there to represent Kappa Kappa Psi between November 2nd-4th. This is an example of one of the many behind-the-scenes activities the National Council works on throughout the biennium. While this may not be considered as “sexy” as the more public-facing work that we do, our participation at this event is essential to our work as a national organization. Staying at the forefront of trends, legal matters, and current affairs is our commitment to safeguarding Kappa Kappa Psi against potential challenges and fostering its continued growth.
October Recap
Update #1: KKPsi Giving Program Town Hall
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Alumni Association Board of Directors for organizing the Kappa Kappa Psi Giving Program Town Hall. This took place on October 3rd and it was a fantastic opportunity for Dr. Matney and me to engage with our existing donors. Our Giving Program is open to all members (active & alumni) and friends of KKPsi to participate in and as you are thinking about your end-of-year giving, please check out the site for more information (Learn More about the Giving Program).
Update #2: Virtual Workshops & Sessions
With over 100 unique attendees, our virtual workshops and sessions throughout October have been a great success! Many thanks to all those who attended and to our presenters on creating a productive learning environment. You can use the following link to access the recordings: October 2023 Virtual Workshops & Sessions.
Update #3: Iota Theta Chapter Installation
I am thrilled to share the wonderful news of the successful rechartering and installation of the Iota Theta Chapter at Morehouse College. This exciting journey began in early September of this semester, with a petitioning group of 19 dedicated band members from Morehouse, led by Phillip Redden and supported by their Director of Bands, Dr. Chad Hughes. The official installation ceremony took place on Morehouse’s campus on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023. You can read more about this exciting news here: Iota Theta Recharter.
Update #4: Celebrating our 100th Day in Office
The National Council celebrated our 100th Day in office, marking a significant milestone in our biennium. It was an excellent occasion to reflect on the progress we’ve made so far. As we are taught in our fraternal experience, I encourage all Brothers to take a moment to appreciate their individual contributions to our collective journey as Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. We are always excited to celebrate your successes and journey so please submit your story to The Podium!
Update #5: Board of Trustees Appointment
After a thorough process, I am excited to welcome Brother Franklin “Frankie” Johnson-Norwood, Life Member of the Zeta Psi Chapter at Virginia State University, to the National Leadership Team and Board of Trustees! If you missed his installation ceremony and Q&A session, which took place on October 25th, please check our Facebook page for details.
Update #6: Share Your Bandtober Activities
Throughout the month of October, my heart filled with joy as I saw so many posts celebrating the unifying spirit of band and our profound love for music. From inspiring joint performances to the heartwarming reunions of alumni bands, I was thrilled to witness the unity of Brothers and musicians from across the nation. Whether it was during DCI Finals Weekend, the National Battle of the Bands, the Collegiate Marching Band Festival, homecoming events, or countless other occasions, it was heartwarming to see everyone come together to share their passion for this unique and cherished activity that we fondly call “banding.” We are eager to showcase these remarkable Bandtober moments and invite all Brothers to share their experiences with us, allowing us to highlight them on our social media platforms! You can easily submit your photos here: Submit Your Photos.
As we venture into the promising month of November together, I would like to share my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to Kappa Kappa Psi. I am truly excited to witness the remarkable contributions and achievements that lie ahead for our Brotherhood. Like any voyage, we understand that it will come with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Yet, it is in these moments that we find opportunities for growth and the pursuit of excellence. Let’s navigate this journey together, forging ahead to elevate our fraternity to unprecedented heights, secure in the knowledge that our collective efforts will shape a brighter and more inspiring future for Kappa Kappa Psi. AEA.
Yours in Brotherhood & Service,
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