Supporting the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund Through The Legacy Badge
I n 1993, the Grand Board of Direc- tors determined that all alumni chapters have a standing Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. A Senior Kappa is a brother who is 60 years or older. Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. has made Senior Kappa Affairs a part of his Six-Point Plan. Today, every province has at least one Province Chairman of a Senior Kappa Affairs Committee. The Province Chairman works to encourage the develop- ment and execution of a strategic plan for Senior Kappa Affairs at each chapter in his province. In January 2016, the Grand Board of Directors established a Senior Kappa Week as a na- tional initiative to be celebrated during the third week of May of each year. Under the leadership of National Senior Kappa Affairs Committee Chairman, John L. Stewart, who is also the Province Chairman for the Southeastern Province, Kappa Alpha Psi ® has increased its focus on this initiative throughout Kappa Land. For example, in the Southeastern Province in 2013 only 16 percent of alumni chapters reported having a standing committee. In 2017, that number rose to 62 percent. As of January 2018, every alumni chapter in the Southeastern Province was in compliance. The Middle Western Province reports that over 80% of its chapters are comprised of Senior Kappas. The province supported Senior Kappas beginning in 2017 with “This-is- Your-Life” video montages for Senior Kappas in the following age groups: 60-69, 70-79 and 80 years of age and
older. Those brothers who attend are pro- vided with complimentary registration to Province Council. The montage showcased the brother from his early years to present day. The Province was able to see the recognized brother at work, play, volunteering, his years in school and with his family, a wonder- ful tribute. Another initiative promulgated by the 33 rd Administration was the creation of the Senior Kappa Affairs Endow- ment Fund (SKAEF). Senior Kappa Affairs En- dowment Fund “It’s time that we support those that have served Kappa the longest…” is the mantra of SKAEF. As Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has entered the second century since our ing and continues to grow, many of our members have achieved senior status and remain active and engaged. Thus, Grand Polemarch Battles suggested it is time to give back to those that have given to Kappa for so long. The purpose of the Senior Kappa found- Affairs Endowment Fund is to raise funds to provide financial resources to fund increased and sustainable programs and services for senior members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Legacy Badge Program The primary method to contribute to the SKAE Fund is through the Legacy Badge Program.
Conceived as a promotional reward for donations to the Senior Kappa Affairs Endowment Fund, the KAN badge celebrates the fraternity’s first name and is crafted with white enamel and golden metal. History of the Badge According to research conducted by Grand Historian, Kevin Scott, the original badge—now known as the Legacy Badge—was designed by Founder Byron K. Armstrong at the close of the 1911–1912 school year. Although the exact date when the diamond was conceived is not abso- lutely clear, the work to develop it be- gan in June 1912 and the concept of the diamond was finalized sometime in the year 1912. The first design was flat with a scroll in the center and a beveled edge. It was enameled in white and lettered in gold. There were no jewels. There were three badges made and they were owned by Founders Alexander, Armstrong and Lee. In 1912, Founder Armstrong suggested raising the scroll and he had a copy made by a jeweler in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the spring of 1913. The location of the original badge is unknown, as it was lost by Founder Armstrong sometime in 1915. This original badge was adorned with the uppercase Greek letters KAN as the Fraternity did not change its name to Kappa Alpha Psi ® until 1915. In ad- dition, the Greek letters featured on the scroll of the badge were lower- case φνπ , which resembled the way it was depicted on the rendition of the Coat of Arms at that time.
Publishing achievement for 105 years
THE JOURNAL 84 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING ISSUE | 115
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