Memo: Victims of Circumstance

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VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE by TFS

Have you ever witnessed an unfortunate student "take the rap" for something which was not his doing 1 Did you ever feel sorry for the honest politician who received the "political ax" for doing too good a job 1 What about the poor child who always finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time 1 Each of us can probably relate to the above situations because at some time in our life we have probably considered ourself a "Victim of Circumstance".

I hope you are wondering what this has to do with Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma because as the Executive Secretary, I have the opportunity to deal with organizational "Victims of Circumstance" on a daily basis. All too frequently we find ourselves attempting to serve the needs of someone within the framework of the organizations who happened to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time''. Yes, there are far too many "Victims of Circumstance" within Kappa Kappa Psi/ Tau Beta Sigma, and you must make up ·your mind to help eliminate this serious problem. Please read the following examples and ask if this has happened within your chapter.

Typical Letter: Dear National: My name is Jane Doe and I submitted life member application card and fee to Lambda Lambda Chapter two years ago, however, I have not received membership certificate or my PODIUMS. I have enclosed a copy of my cancelled check.

Frequent Response: Dear Jane: Cancelled check indicates money deposited into Lambda Lambda bank account, however, it was not forwarded to the National Office. Please write to Lambda Lambda and request their assistance.

Solution: Above person is at the mercy of current officers of Lambda Lambda Chapter. - Past officer should have processed application upon receipt from individual who should have followed-up sooner. -Individual has been a "Victim of Circumstance" and must rely upon chapter for initial assistance.

Typical Letter: Dear National: My name is John Doe and I am the new treasurer of Lambda Lambda chapter. I am really excited about my new position and want tO do a good job, however, our former treasurer skipped town and left me with nothing. Can you help me?

Frequent Response: Dear John: The National Office staff will attempt to provide all possible assistance to you in your new position. We have enclosed a copy of all Lambda Lambda financial transactions with this office during the past year. Please check with your chapter president for additional assistance and thoroughly review the chapter officer's manual provided tO your chapter.

Solution: Responsible officers must be elected and expected to do the job. The former treasurer was probably elected for his popularity not his proven skill or responsibility. -Chapter officers must help each other. -The chapter officer's manual must be kept in a safe place accessible tO all officers.

Typical Letter: Dear National: My name is Jane Doe and enclosed with this letter is a check for chapter fee and member dues for the ten members of Lambda Lambda Chapter.

Frequent Response: Dear Jane: We have received chapter fee and member dues for Lambda Lambda Chapter, however, we find no record of five persons listed as members of Lambda Lambda Chapter. Before we may accept member dues for these five members we must have additional information.

What Happened: The five girls were actually initiated during final week last Spring but were never reported to the National Office. The money submitted to the chapter was spent on the "get acquainted" band picnic and now there is no money to send to National. -Individuals in this case have been ''Victims of Circumstance''. They have not been recorded as members of the National Organization and have not received recognition pin, membership card or membership certificate. They have also been told the National Office is grossly inefficient and that we have been notified of our error.

Solution: Don't let this happen in your chapter! -Report all initiates immediately using proper procedures outlined in the chapter officer's manual.

-Keep a good record of all correspondence with the National Office and expect a response within a reasonable time. If you have not received a response within thirty days, call the office to see if your material was received.

The alarming fact concerning the above examples is the frequency with which they occur. The "Victims of Circumstance" are individuals who have displayed the spirit of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma by becoming involved in the organizations. The least we could do for these "Victims" would be to take all necessary steps to eliminate the circumstances which have resulted in inconvenience and ill feelings. For the National Organizations to expand their program of service to bands in America, during the 1980's the "Victim of Circumstance" must be eliminated from the framework of the organizations. Through the diligent work of strong chapter officers and efficient operation in the National Office, the "Victim of Circumstance" will become a thing of the past.