The Importance of Fundraising

Your chapter probably has a lot of passionate people, with a lot of big goals. Maybe you want to repair some worn-out uniforms that your band has had to retire. Maybe you want to have a guest speaker come and talk to your band about some important topic. Or maybe you just want to buy a whole bunch of cookies and baked goods for your next concert reception. Whatever the case, it’s generally the case that, in order to provide the level of service that your chapter is striving for, you’re going to need money to pay for it. And in all likelihood, that money is going to come from your chapter’s fundraising efforts.

Now, not every service project needs to break the bank. There’s a huge number of ways that you can help your band purely through the time and energy of you and your fellow sisters. Some things, however, have costs that you simply can’t get around. These are often the big projects, the kinds of things that make people remember your chapter and the kinds of things that can have a tremendous impact.

There’s a huge number of ways to fundraise, and every chapter is in a different situation. No one fundraising event is going to be the right thing to do for every chapter. At Epsilon Theta, we work the concessions stands at various sporting events in the fall and spring. This isn’t going to work as well at a smaller school, like one that doesn’t have a basketball team or lacks a home arena. But no matter what your situation, there’s always ways for a chapter to fundraise, as long as there are creative and passionate sisters at that chapter.

Almost more important than simply having a fundraiser is being persistent in continuing them. One-off ideas for fundraising can be useful, but a recurring source of income for your chapter will allow your finances to constantly get better as time goes on, and allow you to provide more and more service to your band. When you’re considering what fundraising projects to focus on, take into account whether an idea has the possibility of working again and again.

Some fundraising projects might cost a bit to get started. Basic supplies might be needed, or the project itself might have some inherent costs. It’s important to analyze how much was spent on a project and compare it to how much the project ended up making, to ensure that the time and energy being spent is worthwhile. But even if the numbers aren’t as great as you might hope, don’t immediately toss out the idea. Once you’ve done a fundraising project once, your chapter will have the experience to go and do it better the next time, often for cheaper, and with better results. Persistence is key.

One of the Eight Essential Factors calls for us to have the fortitude and courage to see an idea, to seize upon it, and follow it wherever it may lead us in Tau Beta Sigma. Take this message, and tenaciously pursue your chapter’s next fundraising opportunity. With persistence, you will enable your chapter to become better and achieve even loftier goals.

The sisters and brothers of Epsilon Theta hard at work raising money.

Becoming a Brother – Iota Zeta Edition

Brothers of Iota Zeta posing

“From outside of the bond to being in the bond, an expose on becoming a “good bruh” Iota Zeta Edition”

When I first decided to attend North Carolina A&T University, it was a last minute decision. The only research I did prior to orientation was to acquaint myself with the engineering program. I knew nothing about the Blue and Gold Marching Machine, let alone the organization Kappa Kappa Psi. Although band was pretty new to me, (having learned my instrument late in high school) I decided to become a collegiate marching band member in the fall. My only relation to band in college was my cousin who was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and said he could put me in touch with some of his brothers in Greensboro. I knew absolutely no one when I matriculated into NCA&T.

The first time I met the brothers was in band camp. They were helping the freshman move into their dorms. I mentioned who my cousin was to them and they instantly took me under their wing. They referred to him as “the good bruhs”. I had no idea what it meant, but it must have been a highly esteemed compliment. From then on, brothers looked out for me and helped me with even the most trivial of matters without hesitation. Whether it was financially, academically, musically, or even just advice in general, nothing was out of reach.

My first impression was that being a brother (or associated with the brotherhood) created a familiar relationship between people who seemed to have no previously shared background. I was not even a brother yet, but the kinship of the brotherhood was still extended towards me. Growing up as the only son in a single parent home left me without an older brother or father figure for the majority of my life. My mother did an exceptional job playing both roles, but still in some instances, could not fill the void that existed in my journey to manhood. My cousins were the closest thing I had to brothers, but our time together was only spent through occasional circumstances. As a result when I came to college I naturally gravitated towards this feeling of family that radiated easily from the brother of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Going through my first fall semester, I began to notice even more things about the brothers. Not only were they exceptional musicians and great leaders in the band, they were the “who’s-who” or very important figures throughout campus. All with different majors, and hailing from different climbs of life, they were referred to as the top of their class. They were known and spoken well of throughout the community, always exceling in their field of endeavor. Through witnessing the example the brothers set, the term “good bruhs” was no longer a mysterious concept to me.

When I first decided to seek membership for Kappa Kappa Psi, my big brother told me to do my research to see if it was something I really wanted to be a part of. Reading through the guide to membership, I ran across the Fraternal Code of Conduct. Reading it helped me truly understand why the brothers acted the way they did towards me.

“Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi are looked to as role models and leaders by other members in the band and on campus. We can never know who is watching our actions or who will be affected by our
deeds. It is therefore essential that we present positive qualities at all times. Being a Brother is not a part time commitment.”

Many may be wondering why I told this personal story. I told this to help to help fully illustrate the lesson those brothers taught me. They taught me that being a brother is not just an action or actions that you do because the guide says so but it is a lifestyle you live because you genuinely strive to become a better brother every day. I learned that the characteristics and traits that are instilled as a result of being a part of the fraternity is something that exceeds band and flows over into our daily life. It is shown through the people you meet. And that is what drew me in and gave me that family presence that I was longing for, it was their genuine desire as brothers to be loyal, dependable, and to have integrity to treat me as an equal even though they had no idea who I was.

And through that relationship I had as a freshman I can now look back on it as on old brother now and fully understand why they took me in. It is because they were not just doing the actions, it’s because they were living the actions set in the guide to membership and fraternal code of conduct and setting that standard of excellence around our peers to create a legacy for other to follow.

So I leave you with this question. What type of brother are you? Are you one who just does the bare minimum to get by or are you one who strives every day to make the guidelines set in the guide to membership a life style you live by? May I suggest that it is only once you begin to make it a lifestyle can you can truly experience brotherhood and share it with others as it was done for me.

Joseph Carey-Oduniyi
Kappa Kappa Psi SED Vice-President 2013-2014
Iota Zeta Chapter Spring ‘10
North Carolina A&T State University

Grasping Technology in the Chapter

Grasping Technology in the Chapter

As we are well into an era of growing technologies that lead to much efficiency, we must take the time to embrace the innovations that are available to us. For so many years, we have utilized the tangible and confident pen and paper to record our documents, our budgets, our programs, our communication and our history. And while many of those items should be preserved for historical sake, they are obsolete in the functions of today’s chapter.
Tools such as Microsoft’s Excel and Word, Google’s Docs and Sheets, Outlook, Gmail, Powerpoint, online banking, etc. are all examples of some of the technologies that we can use to make our chapter and district communication and functions more efficient, effective, and productive. The power that Google, in particular, has given us to share ideas, documents, and presentations allows chapters to communicate all of these things instantly. Google sheets, in particular, allows for an instant excel format that can be shared with multiple people. It also creates a database for forms that can communicate interest and execution in service events, fundraising, social activities, etc. Fortunately, Google’s interface is very user friendly that allows people across all fields of expertise to use this technology.
The beauty of communication across multiple mediums, particularly email, has created a method of quick and effective communication not only between individuals in the chapter, but those outside the chapter, other chapters and the district as a whole. Google groups allow forums for particular groups. Expanding beyond email to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Groupme, etc. combines functional communication with our daily lives and with an increasing number of people with smartphones, those methods are that much closer to our hands.
The issue that arises is that some of the district embraces this collection of innovation, while others do not and it creates a great disconnect for communication. Every chapter should at least participate in the communications that the district uses even if the functions within the chapter may be vastly different. Many chapters are enthusiastic to provide helpful advice on how to utilize these technologies on small or large scales.
Technology is only going to continue to move forward and the Southeast District will continue as well. Seek advice and embrace what is before us. Learn from your Brothers and hop on this technological train.

Dustin Ingram
2013-2014 Southeast District Secretary/Treasurer

Two Things Every Senior Needs to do After Graduation

 

           

    Graduation can be both a thrilling and uncertain time, and that time is filled with change. The people you see on a daily or weekly basis may change, as could the place you call home. Your role in Kappa Kappa Psi will certainly change as you transition from Active to Alumni status, but you will find comfort in that your involvement is far from over. In fact, there are two things that every Brother should do immediately after accepting your well-deserved diploma.

1)      Join (or Start) the Chapter’s Local Alumni Association (LAA)

Your Active Chapter can benefit from the love of supportive Alumni, especially if those Alumni are organized and unified. Whether your Chapter’s Alumni have been organized for years, or if there is no organization currently, this is the perfect outlet to continue involvement in Kappa Kappa Psi. This continued involvement is needed!

2)      Join the Southeast District Alumni Association (SEDAA)

In addition to continuing work to support your Chapter, you can (and need) to support the Southeast District as an Alumnus. The infrastructure within and between the Alumni Associations is young and is beginning to take form. Therefore, a liaison between your LAA and SEDAA would provide invaluable assistance to both organizations in working towards individual and mutual goals. This essential relationship can also provide the National Alumni Association insight into how individual LAAs operate.

Your duty to Kappa Kappa Psi does not end at graduation; it is a commitment that lasts a lifetime. All Brothers, Active and Alumni, are called to work hard and strive together. Graduating seniors, your Brothers need you, and our success depends on you.

AEA,

Kevin Diana

Alpha Eta Chapter Alumnus

 

Unity Week: Strengthening the Bond

Written By Lilio Camere, Gamma Nu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi (Florida State University)

Every semester, there’s a very special time that rolls around for ΚΚΨ and ΤΒΣ at The Florida State University: Unity Week. While Gamma Nu and Alpha Omega work together year-round, it’s often difficult to find time to get together as Brothers and Sisters. We try and devote this week to more social events, strengthening our bond outside of serving the bands.

From left: Jennifer Gaudreau, Catherine Hertz, Lilio Camere, and Adam Quintanilla celebrate Unity Week

One of the many highlights of Unity Week is the fact that we host two different Family Nights, one for each organization. Since those in the bond here have both a Big Brother and a Big Sister, these events allow people to spend time with both of their families. Each event is as unique as the family hosting it, but most involve food and conversation, just like any family gathering. This is also one of the first opportunities that Candidates get to see Brothers and Sisters socializing as a family and get to see the individual spark that make each group special. These Family Night events also roll right into Big/Little Day. It’s always nice to be reminded that people care about you and want to see you succeed. Whether it’s giving your Big a gift as thanks for all their support, or bringing your Little a treat as a reward for the work they’ve done, Big/Little Day is all about your personal relationship and how you decide to show your appreciation for each other.

Unity Week wouldn’t be complete without a barbecue of some kind. While in the Spring the Candidates from both organizations help jointly organize an Alumni Picnic, in the Fall the Brothers and Sisters organize an event. This semester a pumpkin carving barbecue was held and allowed us to relax outdoors and work together on something outside the spectrum of band. This barbecue ends up being a lot like our closing event, Sunday’s bonfire, where Brothers, Sisters, and Candidates get to get some fresh air and socialize once more before the week is done.

Finally, there’s Candidate Class Night, a nighttime event where the joint candidate classes from both organizations get to hang out once again and go out for a nice dinner. During your Candidacy semester it’s a great time to get to know your Candidate Brothers and Sisters better, and in the semesters following, it’s a great trip down memory lane with those people who were beside you on your journey. These events help to remind us that we are not only two parallel organizations working towards greater bands, but also people in our right. Unity is not only relating to the opposite organization and working alongside them, unity is when you can relate to others as people in the bond and remember why you first wanted to join these organizations.

-We’d love to hear from the rest of SED–how do you stay united with your brothers and sisters? What kind of events do you create for spending time together?

Striving for Greater Bands: Creating Success with Collaboration

In light of the recent announcement of the Beta Gamma chapter at Louisiana State University being named the advising chapter for the Kappa Kappa Psi colony at the University of Southern Mississippi, the theme of collaboration between chapters, organizations, and districts could not be more relevant.  Much like an orchestra’s success depends on the conductor, the percussion, the strings, and the winds, the success of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma depends on the collaboration between their individual chapters.  The motivation for collaboration is sprinkled throughout both organizations’ purposes in “To foster a close relationship between college bands, Kappa Kappa Psi 4th Purpose” and “to cooperate with other musical organizations and societies in every manner consistent with our mutual purposes, Tau Beta Sigma 5th Purpose”.

We all love going to District Leadership Conference and Southeast District Convention for multiple reasons including taking a road trip to explore a new campus and getting to meet new brothers and sisters from other chapters that have different perspectives on not only music but also KKPsi and TBS.  The college, or university, band program that each of us is associated with, the location of the program, the size of the program, and several other characteristics give us individuality from each of the other chapters within our district.  That uniqueness enables us the opportunity to learn about different chapters’ approaches to promoting bands that could be more than insightful but also beneficial as we are all constantly looking for new ways in which we can make a bigger impact on our own band programs and in our band communities.

With the mottos of Strive for the Highest and Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands, the goal of bettering the band world seems to be a common interest for each of the chapters within Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and it also seems to be a common motif between the two organizations.  Where iron sharpens iron, we should use the bond between the chapters and organizations throughout the year rather than only at DLC and SED Convention.  I challenge each of you to evaluate how your chapter works with the musical organizations on your campus as well as with the musical organizations within your community, the Southeast District, or the national fraternity and/or sorority.

Your national and district officers are here to help with any questions you may ever have.  I would love to hear about what types of activities your chapters do to reach out to other musical organizations on your campus or beyond.  You can give me a call at 251.564.8312 or email me at rmartin@auburn.edu.

Striving for the Highest,

Richard Martin

Kappa Kappa Psi

Southeast District Vice President

Kappa Kappa Psi District President

Developing leaders through tradition.

Promoting music through service.

In the Southeast we have a lot to be proud of. We are the district where leaders are born. Our strong tradition of leadership has placed us among the best in the Nation and it is time that we honor that.

Brothers from the Southeast District have gone on to join many ranks, including that of National President. They have each held instrumental roles in shaping our fraternity to what it is today. Ken Corbett (ZX),elected National President at the 35th National Convention, worked to strengthen our ties with Phi Mu Alpha, helped us adopt a uniform national membership education program and developed the Chapter Field Representative Program. Kirk Randazzo (ZX) began the Diversity in Music Speaker series, as well as the Service Showcase at National Convention. Scott Stowell (AH) was the first National President in modern history to serve in all four of the National Council elected positions, He began a long term-strategic plan for our fraternity that included a mission and vision statement. This is just to name a few of our brothers who have been active on the Kappa Kappa Psi National stage

Three of the seven members of the National Board of trustees are brothers of the Southeast District. The Kappa Kappa Psi National Flag was created by G.R. Schagg a brother from the SED. The brothers from our district are constantly recognized for excellence in music, service, and brotherhood.

This year at Southeast District Convention we will be celebrating our tradition of leadership. You will get the chance to have an open dialogue with leaders from the Southeast, bond with brothers and sisters from our great district, and participate in meaningful workshops that will help you strive for the highest in all that you do.

AEA,

Ema Ashley

Kappa Kappa Psi

Southeast District President

FGCU musician adapts, wants to inspire

Republished from news-press.com News, 2012

Valerie Baker grabbed two drumsticks and played a timpani set that made the FGCU music department’s walls reverberate with joy. Then the FGCU sophomore walked over to the xylophone, snare drum and bells and delivered more harmonious tunes.

Closing your eyes and listening to the melodies, one can easily forget a cold, hard fact about Baker: She lives with a disorder that deformed the joints in her hands and feet. She has limited range of motion, muscle weakness and needs a wheelchair to get around campus.

“I shouldn’t let my disability pull me back from doing anything,” Baker said. “And I’m not. I’m having a lot of fun.”

A top player on FGCU’s percussion ensemble team, the 19-year-old wants to inspire others with disabilities. Baker recently helped launch a mentoring program for students with disabilities through the university’s Office of Adaptive Services. She also served as a mentor to nearly 50 people with disabilities last month during the annual Florida Youth Leadership Forum in Tallahassee. The weeklong forum is designed to teach students with a wide range of disabilities about personal leadership.

“I think it’s very important for me to share my story with everyone with disabilities,” Baker said. “My hope is to inspire future generations to be independent and go to college like me.”

Baker was born with the disorder called arthrogryposis. Baker said her parents pushed her to explore extracurricular activities. In the fifth grade, Baker’s elementary music teacher encouraged her to join the school’s percussion team.

Baker hasn’t dropped her percussion sticks yet.

The Tampa native has to do several things differently than able-bodied players. Baker takes a different grip, clutching the sticks between her thumb and index finger. She also has to wear ankle supports above her black Converse shoes so she can walk to different instruments. Baker has to angle the snare drum toward her so she can play.

“As far as her physical disability, it doesn’t get in the way at all,” said FGCU sophomore Juan Acosta, who also is on the school’s percussion ensemble team. “Seeing her play puts things in perspective for me. When I say I don’t feel like playing or I’m too tired, I can look at her. It’s inspirational every time I see her.”

At a recent FGCU audition, Baker rode her black wheelchair to the music department, grabbed her backpack full of different drumsticks and tuned up the timpani with help of a classmate before playing. Acosta said Baker’s outgoing personality has helped bring the percussion team together.

Baker credits YLF for creating her outgoing personality and helping her make the choice to live away from home for college. Since YLF began 13 years ago, more than 500 students across Florida have traveled to Tallahassee with hopes of cultivating leadership, citizenship and social skills. The event is hosted by The Able Trust, a statewide nonprofit organization.

“One of our goals of The Able Trust is to ensure that young people with disabilities have the skills and confidence they need to pursue college or a position in the workforce after high school,” said Dr. Susanne Homant, president and CEO of The Able Trust.

With an expected graduation from FGCU in 2015, Baker is majoring in psychology with a minor in music and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in music therapy. Ultimately, she would like to conduct research on the affects of music on the cognitive development of people with disabilities.

“I want to help others,” Baker said.

Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Takes Top Honors

Republished from scsu.edu News Archives, 2012 

For more than 30 years, the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity has represented all facets of the University’s Band Program.  This national fraternity is dedicated to service and music performances. Recently, the Zeta Eta Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Psi was recognized during the organizations Southeast District Convention held at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.

The Southeast District is comprised of seven states; Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina. During the convention, members of the organization attended several workshops, meetings and group activities. At the conclusion of the conference there was an awards banquet and the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi captured three of the highest honors; the Raymond D. Shannon District Leadership Award, the Outstanding Service Award and the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award.

Devoted to becoming leaders in a global society, the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi received the Raymond D. Shannon District Leadership Award for the following service project: the ‘SC State University Honor Band Clinic.’  In 2011, Florence, S.C. native Latrondrick Hunter, a senior music education major at SC State University, reinstated the SC State University Honor Band Clinic. This four-day clinic recruited high school students across the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. It presents all participants with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with a renowned band clinician. During the clinic, participants engaged in sectional rehearsals and master classes with members of the University’s Band Program with a closing concert on Sunday with a notable band clinician.

Alphonso Counts, a senior music education major at SC State University and member of the organization since 2009, is elated about the opportunity awarded to high school African-American students. “We reinstated a clinic predominately for African-American students amongst South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. We are presenting students with the opportunity to become better musicians, helping to keep music in schools.”

The Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi also received the Outstanding Service Award for their committed service to the Orangeburg community. The organization also hosts several community service events in the Orangeburg community such as the following; a high school band camp, a high school band day and a band appreciation day.
After receiving two of the highest honors in the district, Latrondrick Hunter took home the most honorable achievement of them all, the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award, the award given to student leaders who have made an outstanding contribution to college bands and the Fraternity.  In honor of Dr. J. Lee Burke who served as the grand president from 1925 to 1967. Hunter, who currently serves as the president of the Zeta Eta Chapter, received the highest national award a student can receive. “I was shocked and at a loss of words, when I received this award. As a student from a Historically Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCU) out of the pool of students from six other states, it was a great feeling,” said Hunter. “It is great to know that my name will always be a part of the history and legacy of Kappa Kappa Psi he continued.

Hunter has served in several leadership capacities at SC State University. He has served as a former drum major for the Marching 101 Band, overseeing more than 300 students, and he is also a 2010 alumnus of the Conn-Selmer Institute for Music Educators, one of the most elite manufacturers and distributors of band and orchestral instruments. After graduation from to SC State University, Hunter plans to attend graduate school.

In 2010, Avery Daniels became the advisor to the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and transformed the organization on campus. Daniels is excited about the direction of the organization. “The Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi has evolved and is becoming more visible on campus and in the community. Members of Kappa Kappa Psi have been elected to serve as presidents and vice-presidents in other organizations on campus. We are an organization of leaders. It feels great to be recognized for all of the dedication and commitment that we have for the University’s Band Program,” he exclaimed.

Building “Nu” Traditions

By: Kristen Williams, Nu Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, Georgia State University

Upon embarking into college band programs, I have been afforded with some special opportunities. Here at Georgia State University, our marching band program is currently in its third season since the start of our football team just two short years ago. Our chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Nu Alpha Chapter, is currently its second year since being a colony and crossed its Alpha class this past spring 2012. This newness brings about not only excitement, but the chance to build “Nu” traditions and legacies in our unique programs.

I, as well as most of the members of the Nu Alpha Chapter, am a charter member of the Georgia State University marching band. This is a special privilege that most college band member cannot say that they have had. We have a very unique program here that is a reflection of the lively and diverse city that we live in. Our students, school and community shower us with support and praise and we are truly grateful for them. Being in downtown, space is often limited, but we have found ways to work around this. We practice on a state of the art AstroTurf field which we share with the football team, whom the marching band has a great relationship with. For our home stadium, we have the privilege of the dome being our home every week. Since our first performance in the dome we have rocked the crowd with our full rock band, and have had the energy to match. Through hard work and dedication, we have gotten to where we are now while building a tradition and setting a standard of excellence for the generations to follow.

I have also had the honor to be a member of the Alpha class of the Nu Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Being in the first class, my line brothers, along with the charter members, have been able to set the foundation and structure of what our chapter will become. Thus far we are a very diverse chapter sure to grow with our many prospective members. We have brothers of many races as well as majors ranging from art, to biology, to business. As we take on the challenge to build a chapter and set “Nu” traditions, the Nu Alpha chapter will continue to “Strive for the Highest!”