KKΨ TBΣ: What is the Difference?

CLC 2017 - Susie Geiger, Ahnika Leroy, Collin Richardson, and Tate Williams

History of Our Organizations

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Kappa Kappa Psi is a National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Founded in 1919. WWII put a great deal of strain on the membership of Kappa Kappa Psi, eventually forcing 90 percent of all chapters to shut down.

Kappa Kappa Psi was kept alive by the efforts of A. Frank Martin, William Scroggs, and the five remaining active chapters (Alpha, Oklahoma State University; Alpha Beta, Butler University; Alpha Iota, University of Colorado; Alpha Omicron, Texas Tech University; and Alpha Pi, University of Tulsa).

Tau Beta Sigma was formed in 1939, and in 1944 they petitioned the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi to be allowed as an auxiliary chapter of the Fraternity.

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A. Frank Martin

The Alpha Chapter of KKY

History of Our Organizations

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TBS didn’t become a auxiliary chapter. However, some hopeful members of KKPsi helped guide TBS with the intent of getting them into Kappa Kappa Psi. In the end, membership was granted to both male and females. This quote from a letter to Martin to Scroggs helps illustrate the motives and feeling for doing so.

“If we do not meet this new situation and give recognition to the girls who are coming into the bands or make it possible to give aid or assistance to the many universities and colleges that have bands composed of both boys and girls, we will be playing second fiddle within the next five years to some band fraternity that will grant membership to boys and girls and their chapters will open up in the smaller schools where ours have died. It is a new era and some of the best band directors in the United States are coming to the theory that girls must be recognized and give the same opportunity as boys.”

On March 26, 1946, Tau Beta Sigma was officially chartered as a national organization, chapter as a sister organization.

History of Our

However, some members were not satisfied with keeping the organizations segregated.

After being faced with one of the first co-ed marching band members from Alpha Phi chapter voted to admit women on October 8, 1972. Knowing their actions would have consequences they were harshly suspended from the organization and cut off from all communication for working to protect gender equality in band programs. As a result they formed their own band fraternity within their school that is still active today.

Title IX would lead the way to getting both organizations co-ed

National convention eventually voted to remove any references from gender. As an alternate method de-segregation there was a vote to combined both TBS and KKY however this suggestion was not popular and was shot down with a strong majority against consolidation.

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Well what’s the same...?

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Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are honorary service organizations whose purposes include serving college and university band programs through service projects, fundraisers, social events and other projects as needed.

We both fall under the same organizational hierarchy, base out of the same National Headquarters, and basically we have the same five purposes.

National Headquarters in Stillwater, OK

KKΨ - Who We Are!

The Fraternity is presently located at over 200 colleges and universities with 5,000 active members.

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(1)To promote the existence and welfare of the college and�university bands and to cultivate at large a wholesome�respect for their activities and achievements.�(2) To honor outstanding band members through privilege of�membership extended as a reward for technical achievement�and appreciation for the best in music.�(3) To stimulate campus leadership and promulgate an�uncompromising respect through the medium of the college�band for gracious conduct, good taste and unswerving�loyalty.�(4) To foster a close relationship between college bands and�promote a high average of attainment by the performance�of good music and selection of worthwhile projects.�(5) To provide a pleasant and helpful social experience for all�engaged in college band work and to cooperate with other�musical organizations in any manner consistent with the�purposes of the institution at which chapters are located.

Our 5 purposes boil down to provide service the bands, Strive for the Highest in music, be a great leader and help others grow, and have fun with other brothers.

Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi is an educational and service activity as well as social one. It is a strongly held understanding in Kappa that life's accomplishments are diminished in value without love and brotherhood.

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Tau Beta Sigma -- Who We Are!

• We are a music organization represented by over 160 collegiate chapters and 3,800 active members.
• Most chapters of TBS are co-ed, though some are still female only.
• Like KKY, the mission of TBS is to serve collegiate bands, promote music education, and embrace diversity and equality in music. However, our mission statement also has a specific focus on empowering women in the music profession.
• However, many KKY chapters across the country do a lot to support their Tau chapters in this purpose.
• We have the same five purposes, but instead of a Fraternal Code of Conduct we have Eight Essential Factors and Five Qualities for our members to embrace.�

Working together

Right now, at the district level there is joint works in commissioning a piece, and general fundraising and natcon specific

We can leverage our skills and connections to help serve music.

There may be cultural differences between our two organizations, however diversity of thought is what drives greatness.

Make a conscious effort in communicating fairly and building a team relationship between organizations.

Communicating as Kappa’s and Tau’s

• Listen
• Realize that you are two different bodies coming together. There are things the other organization might do you don’t understand. Listen to what they have to say and try to accommodate both sides rather than jumping to conclusions
• Encourage
• Being different is good! Constantly praise your brother or sister chapter in the good things they do, especially if they are doing something unique! Always remain positive and never complain or look for faults. This can lead to miscommunication and hurt feelings.
• Speak your mind
• Sometimes (or frequently) people may not see eye to eye. If this occurs between organizations, assess the problem separately (chapter meeting or exec meeting), form your opinions, and respectfully inform the other chapter of how you feel.

Maintaining Identity -- Recruitment

• If you want to attract quality, well-fitting members, establish the differences between organizations right off the bat -- initial draw is often challenging step of recruitment
• Talk with the other organizations about how you want to distinguish yourself -- agree on some general language to prevent misunderstandings
• Don’t just use words -- some differences, like member personalities, are better (and less problematically) communicated by recruitment events and materials/social media.
• Obviously -- don’t try to “steal” the other organization’s potential members, but never withhold information from those who are interested
• It’s perfectly fine for a member to be interested in both organizations -- simply communicate your purpose and image to them
• Don’t let disappointment in their decision create bad blood -- focus on who decided to join you!

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Doing Your Own Thing

• Craft a clear image you want to project to your campus and community -- evaluate each month how you are doing that
• Put yourself in the mind of a freshman -- how is KKY different than TBS -- why would I be a good fit for a particular organization?
• Make sure your chapter displays, website, and recruitment materials have a distinct look to them! Give them personality!
• Designate a goal for how much of your events/projects you want to be joint but don’t feel obligated to do everything together
• Don’t be afraid to partner with other organizations -- Example: A TBS chapter and a women’s empowerment organization on campus
• If your organization does not want to be involved, communicate it early and clearly to prevent unequal contributions

Workshop

Group discussion -

What are your experiences with working with counterpart groups?

Good?

Needs improvement?

Cultural Difference