The Southeast District of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi Present
The Eighth Note, Final Edition
Table of Contents Kappa Kappa Psi - A New Beginning - A New Leadership ................4 Leadership in the Individual and Beyond ....................................... 7 Reworking Sisterhood Retreat ........................................................... 8 How Did it End Up Like This? ........................................................ 10 Allison Gary ..................................................................................... 11 Strength. Excellence. Diversity. SED ................................................. 12
About the Cover This editions cover features the Eighth Note Committee at District Leadership Conference this year. We have had so much fun working together to create this publication, and thank you to everyone who has submitted! We hoped you’ve enjoyed this as much as we have!
Kappa Kappa Psi - A New Beginning – A New Generation of Leadership. Ken Corbett, Chris Haughee and Deb Eakins A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. Marcus Garvey History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. Napoleon Bonaparte As we celebrate the Centennial and 100 years of Kappa Kappa Psi, it seems appropriate to reflect on some of the key historical events that have helped shape our fraternity. There is no central repository of our history; no multi-volume or even single volume to research. In large part (probably too large a part), much of our history is unwritten, certainly not compiled – contained in archive documents yet to be comprehensively researched – and oral history, recited by those who were there or who have spoken with those who were there. This article is a documentation of the latter, though a lot of the archival documents are also ours.
The National Conventions of 1987 at the University of Michigan and 1989 at Oklahoma State University marked significant historical events for Kappa Kappa Psi, and the ensuing 30 years reflect a period of unprecedented growth for the fraternity. It seems appropriate to share this important history. Nothing herein is intended to denigrate or insult those who led our fraternity for 60 years. Rather, it is a story of leadership that had been previously untapped. Beginning with Bohumil Makovsky, our fourth Grand President, all but one of our national presidents (as well as members of the national council and district governors) were college band directors, typically with the title Director of Bands at their respective institutions. These gentlemen were highly respected in their profession and served the fraternity with distinction. The established line of succession ensured that all Grand Council (National Council) members were to be college band directors. The societal (largely student-based)
unrest and activism of the late 1960’s and 70’s gained access in Kappa Kappa Psi. There were calls for changes in our governance. In 1967 at the National Convention at Texas Christian University the position of National Member-at-Large was created to represent the voice of the active members on the national council. This officer, unlike the other national officers, did not need to be a college band director. In fact, the early MALs were not college band directors. However, the MAL was not part of the line of succession of national officers and did not advance up the ladder of national offices. Predictably, the success of those who served as MALs resulted in some stirring about allowing non-college band directors to serve at the highest levels of the fraternity. The argument was based on the notion that many dedicated brothers had leadership talent and skills but had decided on careers other than being a college band director. At the 1979 National Convention in Atlanta, GA, one small step was taken when the current National Member-at-Large Robert Joyce, who was a secondary school band director, was elected as National Secretary/Treasurer. At the 1981 National Convention, Joyce wanted to run for National First VP but was rebuffed by
others in the national leadership. This was generally seen as a heavy-handed reinforcement of the tradition that the highest levels of the national leadership was the exclusive domain of college band directors. The 1987 National Convention was held on the campus of the University of Michigan. At that time, Ken Corbett had served as National Memberat-Large for 2 terms, 1983-1985 and 1985-1987. As a non-college band director, by tradition his time on the National Council was coming to an end. However, early during convention week a group of brothers had a discussion with the National Secretary-Treasurer, who was to advance to the next office - National First Vice President. During this meeting the members were troubled by, among other things, this officer’s perspective and philosophy about not allowing auxiliary members of the band program to become Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. Throughout the week, these brothers sought options to offer the convention instead of advancing the National Secretary-Treasurer to National First Vice President. Several other college band directors were approached about running but all declined.
In the wee hours of Friday, July 30, 1987, the day before the Nominations Committee report was to be presented, a profound sense of frustration overtook the members. It was clear to these members that this officer should not be elevated to the next higher officer position just because he was a band director. Left without a “traditional” option, these members appealed to Ken Corbett about having his name placed in nomination for National First Vice President. After some soul searching (Ken had promised his wife he would not seek another term on the National Council), Ken agreed and the effort to build support for the Corbett candidacy took off. Ken had been very successful as MAL and was highly regarded by the active members. On Saturday, July 31 during the final separate session, the report from the Nominations Committee was presented and elections immediately followed. During the nominating process Corbett was nominated and several other placards went up to second the nomination. There was a request for a short question and answer period for both candidates
which was quickly denied by the chair. However, a request for district caucuses was granted so members could discuss this unexpected development. The room was filled with an air of excitement tinged with tension. The historic significance of the moment was not lost on the brothers. The vote occurred and Corbett won the election, forever changing the face of the national council - the first non-band director to hold a higher national office in many years. To say the national leadership was surprised is a gross understatement. But the students had spoken with their vote, and some adjustments were in order. The 1987-1989 Biennium with Dr. Robert Fleming as National President saw a growth in chapters by 12 and colonies 15. We ended the biennium with 137 chapters, having installed and reactivated 14 chapters. We had a membership of 2,552. In the course of the biennium the national leadership reacted to Ken’s election by becoming more insulated and protective, with a degree of hostility to students’ requests for information and details about what was happening at the national level. Our failings lay mainly in our inability
to communicate effectively with the membership. We could have done a better job of communicating with our District Presidents and our members at District Conventions.
The 1989-1991 Biennium with Ken Corbett as National President, saw dramatic changes in communication from the National Council. Ken flooded the other council members, governors and district president’s with mail almost Hazing was a primary concern. It every week of his term. Kappa Kappa seemed impossible to impress upon Psi began a remarkable growth spurt. some brothers that hazing was not In this biennium, the number of chapnecessary to produce an excellent ters grew from 137 to 143. The number brotherhood and that liability conof members grew from 2,552 to 2,883. cerns were a threat to the existence of Dramatic growth continued over the the fraternity. Incidents of beatings, next 15 years. By 2005 there were 179 brandings, and various forms of men- chapters and total membership had tal harassment continue, albeit less reached 4,420. often, in spite of our concerted efforts to educate and deter such behavior. Ken made a concerted effort to strengthen ties with Phi Mu Alpha SinThe 1989 National Convention was fonia since so many of our members held in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The are both Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu historical line of succession placed Alpha members. Ken in line to become the national president, but heading into the con- The “Top Ten” award was renamed the vention, it was uncertain if the band “Chapter Leadership Award” in order directors in the national leadership to allow more worthy chapters than would support that step. Ken had just 10 to be recognized. done an outstanding job as First VP and had worked to maintain a good The “J. Lee Burke Student Achieveworking relationship with the other ment Award” was created to honor our members of the National Council and third Grand President and recognize the Board of Trustees. Ultimately, outstanding student leaders. Students there was no opposition to electing are the life blood of our organization Ken Corbett as National President. and recognizing them by such a pillar of the Fraternity as J. Lee Burke makes
Kappa Kappa Psi - A New Beginning – A New Generation of Leadership. cont. Ken Corbett, Chris Haughee and Deb Eakins the award more special.
outgoing National President on the National Council, the National ConAs MAL Ken had surveyed other stitution was amended to include the fraternities across the nation. Based Immediate Past National President as on his findings, he began working on an ex-officio member of the Nationa national membership program for al Council. In addition, the titles of the Fraternity. At the 1985 and 1987 the National Officer positions were National Conventions, the members changed to better reflect more their were enthused about such a possibili- actual duties and as such these were ty. This program was finalized during approved – National First President the 1989-91 biennium, and a model to National Vice President for Coluniform Membership Education Pro- onization & Membership, National gram was adopted by the 1991 conSecretary-Treasurer to National Secvention. retary, and National Member-at-Large to National Vice President for Student Recognizing the value of having the Affairs.
The work of our chapters on a local basis is the life blood of our Fraternity. Realizing the need for more interaction and support from the National level with the local chapter, research began with other Greek organizations across the national who already had full-time Chapter Consultants. A proposal was presented to the 1991 National Convention to establish a similar program in KKY by creating a Chapter Field Representative (CFR). This was a bold step and a number of chapters resisted, primarily concerned about funding and the possible intrusion on local autonomy. Knowing how important the CFR position would be to the fraternity, the District Presidents were called together the night before the final vote to explain the position and to make sure they knew how important this position would be to the fraternity’s growth. The next day, following some heated debate, the position of Chapter Field Representative was approved. With Ken’s election to and success as National President, the door was opened to other worthy non-director brothers with leadership abilities and aspirations. Appointments
of non-director District Governors were made including Chris Haughee in the Southeast District to serve as co-governor, Tim Greenwell in the Midwest and Al Saloky in the Northeast. The pairing of a band director and non-director as co-Governors became standard, and ensured additional support for district officers and chapters. We should note the 1987 national election of Ken Corbett and subsequent successes lead the way for many other non-director brothers to lead our fraternity including the election of our first woman president – Tim Greenwell, Scott Stowell, Kirk Randazzo, and Malinda Matney, among others. We want to again stress that nothing herein is intended to denigrate or insult those who led our fraternity for 60 years. That history is to be celebrated, too. But the face of our fraternity today is a direct result of the dramatic change that occurred in the late 1980’s. It is a story of extraordinary new leadership that is now part of the history of our Fraternity.
Leadership in the Individual and Beyond Darius Smith
Kappa Kappa Psi, Southeast District Vice President of Membership This year at the 2019 District Leadership Conference, we decided to focus on the different types of leadership and how it affects your chapter and the district. Workshops were offered on how to develops the individual as a leader. We also focused on the different types of leadership styles because we are all different. From there we dove into the types of leadership we have within chapters. We focused on different positions in the chapter and how to resolve conflicts in order to maintain harmony amongst brothers. This was important because we were able to discuss how to approach different types of personalities and the importance of showing brothers: Honor, Integrity, Respect, and Loyalty. Lastly, we spoke about how to lead in the district. We did a team activity that allowed chapters to share amongst the district how they display the pillars of Kappa Kappa Psi. We ended DLC with the display of
our district fundraiser, where we collected two bins of schools supplies for local schools. I look forward to see what the district has to offer next year! Respectfully submitted, Darius Smith Vice President of Membership
Allison Gary
Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi
Kappa Kappa Psi has taught me a lot about supporting people. We support the band program, we support the football team, and we support each other. Auburn, like many other schools, has a pep band that supports the basketball team as well! This season, our jokes about being a “basketball school” have actually come true, as Auburn men’s basketball made it to the final four this season. The women’s team made it to the NCAA. Our pep band has been there the entire way, and have put a lot of their time and effort towards supporting both teams. Many brothers that are on the pep band stepped up to help with the service that is needed. It is also remarkable how much Auburn as a whole has united in support of the basketball team. The whole campus has been buzzing throughout the season, and the relations between the campus community and the team tends to boost morale. One of the things I learned from marching band is the importance of supporting your team in all situations. Rather our football or basketball team wins or loses, we stay for the entire game, keep a positive attitude, and represent our school in the best way that we possibly can. This concept also applies to Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma as well. We have ups in downs in our lives, and it is very important for us to support each other through them. Through this community, we have a family that cheers us on, and that is a truly wonderful thing.
How Did it End Up Like This? Adam Thompson Kappa Kappa Psi, Gamma Nu
As someone who is approaching the final chapter of their college career, it feels like a lifetime ago that I was a candidate in the Fall of 2016. It feels even stranger to think about a time that Kappa Kappa Psi wasn’t anywhere on my radar. The story of how I came into contact with Kappa Kappa Psi remains one of my favorite personal memories and I hope it may also serve as a lesson for others. I had never really tried to do well in high school, and as a result I received a wake up call in the form of a deferral and then denial from my number one college choice, Florida State University. From the second my first visit on campus ended, I knew I wanted to be a Marching Chief. I knew that I wanted to be a student on that campus. I received word from the admissions office that they were willing to offer me a deal: acceptance into FSU in the Spring in exchange for a semester spent at Tallahassee Community College. While I had alternatives, I knew that there would be a brighter future ahead if I took a new path that would force me to
face the hard reality of my past decisions. As a result, I wasn’t able to join the Marching Chiefs or other school clubs I was interested in. My entire freshman year of college became a self inflicted dark period in my life. I never left my room, didn’t eat very often, and lost 30 pounds in the process. I hung out with the only person I knew from my high school. He just so happened to make Marching Chiefs that freshman year, so he invited me along to different events so that I could meet people. One day he invited me to join him in going to a recruitment event for a band service fraternity called Kappa Kappa Psi. I really knew nothing about it, but he had me at a chance to leave my room for free food. Despite attending the event, I never really had an in depth conversation with anyone there. I ended up going back to every recruitment event that week, never really feeling like I had made a connection with anyone. Nothing had changed and I was still as down and dejected as I had been that entire year. It was at that point that my life changed. At the formal
recruitment event, one of the last events of the week, I was approached by a brother who wanted to have a deep conversation with me. By the end of the night I knew that she played the same instrument as me, that she was going to be my section’s section leader the next year, and that she was actually interested in learning about me as a person. As the evening concluded and we all got set to leave, she took the time to ensure she gave me a hug. I realized that night that that had been the first time in over a year that anyone had expressed an interest in wanting to know more about me. That anyone had wanted to make me excited for the future. That someone who really didn’t know me had wanted to be that kind. I knew at that moment that I wanted to be a part of the organization that had any members like her. The rest was history. I don’t think I ever imagined in my wildest dreams that I could have held the positions I have in my own chapter, or that I would have been able to serve on the District Council. Or most importantly that I would be given a new outlook on life. But if there is anything that these years have taught me, its that you have an impact on everyone that you meet. Next time you see the quiet kid sitting in the corner, make sure to go talk to them. It could very well make all the difference.
Reworking Sisterhood Retreat Adriana Ortiz Tau Beta Sigma, Beta Xi
they had with the state of the chapter. Every spring semester means another It would often shift between helpful semester full of bonding for sisters. suggestions to general complaints. The For the Beta Xi chapter, it means result of these discussions would often spring concert bands, concession amount to small changes that would stand shifts, and Sisterhood Retreat! not amount to as much change as what Sisterhood Retreat is an event that was initially desired. happens once a year during the spring This year, we decided to change semester where the whole chapter up Sisterhood Retreat by focusing comes together to spend a night full of more on the purpose of the night - to bonding activities and re-evaluating encourage bonding and get to know the state of the chapter. It is traditionyour sisters more. The changes were ally held overnight at a sister’s apartspearheaded by our President and ment or house. What makes this year’s tweaked out by our executive board edition special is that it has been and fellowship committee. The enrevamped to include more fun activtire chapter was encouraged to submit ities as opposed to a time to release ideas for activities for the retreat. These any pent up frustrations. In the past, ranged from your common bonding these retreats have gone on for hours activities like human knots to more Tau while sisters shared any dissatisfaction Beta Sigma-related ones like promise
cards. The fellowship committee met along with the president to decide on the final schedule. We talked through the purpose of each activity to ensure that it would be beneficial for everyone. The final event ran from 6:30pm to 10:30pm and included the following activities:
tivity, we sit around in a circle with our eyes closed as a narrator chooses 3-4 people per round to walk around and tap people as different “touch someone who..” action statements are said. These statements range from “touch someone who makes you smile” to “touch someone who you have gotten to know better tonight”. It is a wonder6:30-7:30: eat, play games, hang out ful and heartwarming way to wrap up 7:30-7:45: “headbandz” but with sis- the night. ters as the people The important thing to remember 7:45-8:10: Promise cards and breakout is that Sisterhood is an important asgroups for goals for Fall 2019 pect of our organization. When people 8:10-8:30: Paper plate activity describe Tau Beta Sigma they often 8:30-9:00: “Burn the Bad” say it is more than a club because of 9:00-10:00: Sister Jeopardy the bonds people create while they are 10:00-10:15: “Touch Someone Who” active sisters. Chapters should remember the importance of fostering these The event ended up being a ma- bonds and initiating hangouts. Events jor success. Sisters resonated much like these, when done right, leave sismore with the activities planned than ters with the feeling that they truly are what had been done in years prior. where they are meant to be. Sister Jeopardy - where the “answers” to all of the questions were our fellow sisters - was an especially big hit. We had varying categories such as “fun facts” and “cringy social media posts”. Another new addition was “Burn the Bad” in which we wrote down anything that was bringing us down, lit a small fire in the backyard, and tossed the insecurities into the fire. A tried and true favorite activity is “Touch Someone Who”. For this ac-
Strength. Excellence. Diversity. SED. Brianna McKinzie Kappa Kappa Psi, Southeast District President This Fraternity has awarded me the opportunity to witness these three qualities in so many Brothers and Sisters over the years. The Southeast District is a diverse group of people who all express these qualities, both as individuals and as a group. As District President, I have also had the honor to meet Brothers from across the country. However, the Southeast District is home. I believe that the Southeast District nourishes these qualities and creates better leaders from it. As a woman in a Fraternity that once only allowed this privilege to serve to men, it is sometimes intimidating to step out and fulfill leadership positions. As I hope to inspire women to be strong and excellent, I myself have been inspired by the women in this Brotherhood. Three special women who come to mind are Arupa Gopal, Kappa Kappa Psi Southeast District Governor, Malinda Matney, Kappa Kappa Psi Past National President and Jessica Lee, Kappa Kappa Psi National Vice President for Student Affairs. Their dedication to this Fraternity,
this District and all Brothers who cross their path is so special. Arupa Gopal is an SED native, as she graduated from the University of South Florida. As a new SED Governor, Arupa has been a wonderful addition to the District Council team. Arupa constantly amazes me with her eagerness to learn. Taking on a new position is tough, especially when it comes to Governor, where every District has their own way of doing things. Arupa has taken on the job well and has always been ready to help the team. I first met Malinda Matney at National Leadership Conference in Stillwater, OK in July 2018. Immediately, I was stunned. When she spoke, everybody listened. I crossed paths with her again at the Peach Bowl for the Florida-Michigan game. We met in the lobby of the hotel and had a chat for a long time. During this chat, she listened to my excitement for the future, offered advice and we just got to know each other. Malinda did not have to do this, but I think she knew she could have an impact. She did. Jessica Lee is a shining star ev-
erywhere she goes. Her excitement for this Fraternity inspires the masses. I have had a close relationship with Jessica Lee since National Convention 2017. Since then, she has had compassion for me not only as a Brother, as a District Officer, but as a person. Jessica’s dedication to this Fraternity and the people in it is unmatched. She inspires me with the lengths she will go. All of these women are Strong, Excellent and offer the Diversity that should be present in our leadership. It’s an honor to call these women my Brothers and a privilege to learn from them. Their inspiration is so important to so many people, and I hope only inspires more women to take that leap in Leadership. We are Strong, Excellent and Diverse.
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The Eighth Note Committee Although most of us are at different schools, we managed to to meet up on different occasions. We always doccumented it with selfies! We all loved getting to know each other through this committee. MLITB!