Kappa Journal Conclave Issue (Summer 2017)

Cover Story

Journal: Who are all of the members of your planning team?

leadership role in the planning and coordination of everything locally as it relates to the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meet- ing. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had the unique opportunity to travel the country to meet brothers and talk about the wonderful things we’re planning in Orlando for the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting. My leadership role, locally, has been to galvanize the membership in both chapters and work shoulder-to- shoulder with those brothers to plan and execute the Conclave. It’s been a lot of work, meetings, conference calls, and travel, but I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve been able to learn and experience throughout this process. Journal: What experience do you want the delegates and the social participants to have at the 83 rd ? Wicker: In planning this Conclave, I envisioned that this would be an inclusive experience for brothers as well as their families. I want brothers to be excited about coming to Orlando to take care of the business of the fraternity, but I also want their families to experience all that the city has to offer as one of the most significant tourist destinations in the country. Because of the pride we feel for Brother Grand Polemarch Battles – a son of the Southern Province – we plan to make this the greatest Con- clave in the history of Kappa Alpha Psi ® and hope that every participant at every level will walk away with that feeling.

lenging?

Wicker: The most challenging part of this process for me has been the time that I’ve spent away from my family. We all knew that this was going to require a lot of time and sacrifice, but you never really understand just how much until you get further and further along in the planning process. Fortunately, I’ve exposed my two sons to Kappa at an early age, so they understand that I’m doing the work of Kappa Alpha Psi ® and exactly what that means and the positive impact it has on our community.

Wicker: My Co-Chairman on the local planning committee is Brother Marion Campbell. As Polemarchs of Winter Park Alumni Chapter and Orlando Alumni Chapter, we were appointed by Brother Grand Polemarch Battles to lead the effort of having two local chapters plan and host a Conclave. We have had the unique opportuni- ties of appointing and working with co-chairmen to lead all of the planning sub-committees and these brothers have worked tirelessly to help create a memorable experience for all those who will be here in Orlando in July. Wicker: My favorite part of this entire process is the number of brothers I’ve gotten to know over the past year and a half. As I’ve traveled the country, I’ve met countless brothers who reminisced about their past Conclave experiences and I’ve been able to share our vision for the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting. I’ve also enjoyed developing deeper relationships with all of the brothers in the Central Florida area who have participated in our planning meetings and events. Journal: What has been your favorite part so far?

Journal: Use three distinct words your friends would use to describe you.

Wicker: Father, Driven, Community- servant.

Journal: What do you want to get out of the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting?

Wicker: I would like for this to be the best Conclave I’ve ever attended! I also hope to meet and get to know brothers from across the world that I’ve never met before. We all bring our unique ex- periences in Kappa to Conclaves, so I’m looking forward to that. Obviously there is a certain level of pride I know I’ll feel as the Local Planning Co-Chairman and Polemarch of one of the host chapters, but I just want all brothers and their families to walk away feeling like they had the time of their lives.

Journal: What has been the most chal-

Publishing achievement for more than 100 years

THE JOURNAL  SUMMER 2017  | 89

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