LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
“THE GRAND CHAPTER MEETING DATES BACK TO THE FRATERNITY’S NASCENT YEARS WHEN MEETINGS WERE HELD IN PRIVATE HOMES AND GREW TO USE FACILITIES SUCH AS YMCAS, MUNICIPAL HALLS, AND COLLEGE CAMPUS BUILDINGS IN CITIES NATIONWIDE.”
during the spring of each year, mainly to provide a venue for camaraderie and relaxation following the end of the school semester. The event also arranged for the business of the fraternity to be conducted. Since its inception, the fraternity has used this occasion to convene its leadership and members to review the organization’s previous actions, improve its struc- ture, and plan for the future. These early meetings held a special signif- icance for the embryonic fraternity, as they used this function to attract prospective members and promote the fraternity’s virtues. Due to racial segregation restric- tions, the fraternity could not use Indiana University facilities or other public accommodations to host their affairs. They harnessed their rela- tionship with local Black families to assist them in providing a location to host the house parties. The founders developed a relationship with Mr. & Mrs. William & Elizabeth Proffit and Mrs. Drake, who they rented rooms from at their residences. Mr. & Mrs. Proffit offered their home to be used
for the first two house parties (1911 & 1912). The third house party was held at the residence of Mrs. Drake (1913). Since these affairs were held at the homes of these benefactors, and most of the events held there were social in nature, they were named “house parties.” The first house party was held on May 19-21, 1911. Invitations were sent across Indiana, Ohio, Ken- tucky, and Missouri. A few of the Alpha Chapter member’s mothers served as chaperones for the female guests. During the 1st House Party, a banquet was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on the first day. On the second day, guests socialized, played cards, and enjoyed a horse and buggy ride to Arbutus Hill. Later that evening, the fraternity hosted a ‘Grand Prom” at a local hall. The fol- lowing day, the members and guests attended church service and social- ized. Six men were initiated into the fraternity during the weekend. The second house party was held on May 17 and 18, 1912, featuring a similar agenda as the first affair.
and time of the year they were held, and chronicles the expansion of an intimate three-day affair to become a six-day extravaganza, featuring business meetings, social affairs, entertainment performances, and local activities. This article is the first of a five-part series that explores the preliminary events that gave way to the Grand Chapter Meetings and the previously established convention of hosting Conclave between Christmas and New Year Day. HOUSE PARTIES BLOOMINGTON, IN 1911-1913 The precursor to the current Grand Chapter Meetings were the annual house parties. These affairs were held From top: First House Party, May 1911 and second House Party, May 1912 held at the resi- dence of Mr. and Mrs. Proffit, Bloomington, IN.
SPRING 2024 ♦ THE JOURNAL 33
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