Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

History Snippets

Snippet #4 - "Fourth Biennial Convention", excerpt taken from the December 1927 issue of The Baton.

Steve Nelson:  "This is a synopsis of the report published on the 4th Biennial Convention.  J. Lee Burke presided over the Convention as he wrapped up his term as Grand President.  He was quite proud of the fact that he was the first president to put forth a true framework to the national organization.  This report helps to show how this came true, what with a new dues structure, membership cards, etc.

    Another story that goes along with this is one which I'll tell later.  It deals with the relationship between Scott Squyres and J. Lee Burke at this time and how Boh Makovsky came to be elected Grand President at this convention."

(BATON, Vol 8-9, Nos. 1-2, October 1927-January 1928)
FOURTH BIENNIAL CONVENTION
DECEMBER 30, 1927
Huckins Hotel, Oklahoma City

    Grand President, J. Lee Burke, presided at the convention with credit to himself and to the fraternity.  The work done by members of the Supreme Council during the time previous to the convention just passed, was remarkable and showed such progress that the fraternity cannot help but go forward with even greater zest than ever.

[...]

    The financial condition of the Fraternity was shown to be in much better condition than it was ever before, all records being examined and found in excellent condition.  It is predicted that during the next two years Kappa Kappa Psi will have a nice reserve fund with which to carry on its work even more efficiently.

    It was thought to be advisable to change the constitution in such a manner as to reduce the national dues from $5.00 to $3.00 per year and also to provide for a fund to take care of convention expenses and to pay for expenses of delegates to our next convention.  This worked out in a very agreeable manner.  The idea being sponsored by Brothers Wall and Merril of Lambda and Pi Chapters respectively.  The change in the constitution provides that each chapter, as a chapter, pay to National Headquarters $10.00 each semester of each school year to be used for defraying convention expenses as above set forth; and the dues of $3.00 per man per year to be paid on or before October 1st of each year.  This rule is to take effect September 1st, 1928.  There was no change in the initiation fees, which remains $5.00 per man.

    Another idea was set forth and passed, becoming a rule that the National Headquarters would issue identification cards to each member of all local chapters after the dues had been paid.  This will take effect at the beginning of the school year 1928-29.  It is believed that this will be of much value to all members of the fraternity and will encourage the members to pay their dues more promptly.

    Another proposition was passed by the convention which will be a benefit, namely that of a fraternity key which may be used by alumni or even members of active chapters.  The design has not been chosen but a resolution was passed requesting each chapter to have it's members submit to National Headquarters designs for a key; the one chosen to be given to the designer gratis in recognition of his work to the fraternity in that respect; the key given to be the first one make from the design will be properly engraved.