LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
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Reflections of Early Conclaves
My second Conclave was the 62nd in Chicago, IL [in 1979]. I was the delegate for the Beta Psi Chapter. The Conclave schedule was similar to Denver's, although attendance was significantly larger. The parties were phenomenal. This is where I met and talked extensively with Bruce Rush (Grand Board of Directors - Undergraduate), Dr. James Abram (Eastern Province Polemarch), Randall Bacon (Grand Senior Vice Polemarch), and Robert Harris (Western Province Polemarch). I also met Jay Crosby and watched his patient interaction with his Kappa League students. What's different from Grand Chapter Meetings today: 1. All the brothers (undergraduate and alumni) were open and friendly, everyone stopped to talk to and greet you. 2. The business sessions were orderly, any registered brother could speak or make a motion. 3. I recall that the Rules of the Convention stated, “Be an advocate for, not against, a specific candidate.” I viewed this as being in line with the “Good Ole Kappa Spirit.” 4. Campaign material was not to be made public outside of the Brothers. All open Grand Chapter offices were contested. 5. There was an Undergrad/Alumni Breakfast as opposed to a luncheon. 6. The undergraduate caucus was well-attended and packed. We discussed how we could leverage our votes to support undergraduate chapters. 7. All Conclave and social events were included in your registration. 8. Undergrad and Alumni brothers attended the same social events; the parties were packed and jamming.
9. From an undergrad perspective, you learned the business and workings of the Fraternity. 10. Brothers did not skip meetings. 11. For undergrads, Conclaves was also a “style” event. Brothers wore their Kappa shirts, and we shared and swapped designs to take back to our campuses. Since there was no public access to the internet, [there] was no way to share this information other than at Grand Chapter or Province meetings. 12. Many activities were casual, you could tell who was running for office because they were always in a suit. As a young Kappa, the idea of attending a Conclave was unbelievable, especially as the official delegate representing my chapter. I would have the opportunity to meet and fellowship with Kappas from across the country, and all expenses would be covered. My first Conclave was the "Fine 79" in Chicago [the 62nd GCM]. I don't know what the numbers were, but there were definitely more Kappas than I had ever seen. I was awestruck by all of the Alumni Kappas; even the local leaders and others seemed so impressive to me. Being from Delta Theta, I knew [then] Grand Polemarch Hiliary Holloway, and he made a few introductions to dignitaries. The business sessions were different in that I was so young to the fraternity, and I had no knowledge of how these sessions would go. Most Undergrads were too intimidated to have any meaningful input. The formality of it was what made it different for me. It was my first experience of seeing Brothers in such a formal manner.
KEVIN L. BURNETT (Beta Psi 1975), 118th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee
RICHARD LEE SNOW (Delta Theta 1977), 112th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee and Past IHQ Executive Director
SPRING 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 57
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