Kappa Sigma
Encyclopedia
Kappa Sigma commonly nicknamed Kappa Sig, is an international fraternity
with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America
. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living alumni and more than 14,250 undergraduate members. It is one of the leaders of all American fraternities in terms of pledges and new initiates per year, service hours, and philanthropic donations. Its endowment fund
, founded in 1919 is the oldest college fraternity foundation and has donated more than $6.5 million to undergrads since 1948 and now raises over $250,000 per year.
in 1400. Founded between 1395 and 1400.
According to the traditional story, the corrupt governor of the city, one-time pirate and later papal usurper
Baldassare Cossa
, took advantage of the students at Bologna, one of Europe's
preeminent universities which attracted students from all over the continent, by sending his men to assault and rob them; this motivated one of the university's scholars Manuel Chrysoloras
to found a secret society of students beginning with five of his most devoted disciples, for mutual protection against Cossa.
met in 46 East Lawn
and founded the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in America. William Grigsby McCormick
, George Miles Arnold, John Covert Boyd, Edmund Law Rogers Jr.
and Frank Courtney Nicodemus established the fraternity based on the traditions and of the ancient order in Bologna. These five founders became collectively known as the "Five Friends and Brothers."
In 1872, Kappa Sigma initiated Stephen Alonzo Jackson, who would go on to transform a struggling local fraternity into a strong international Brotherhood. The organization attributes much of its success to Jackson noting that, "Since his death in 1892, the success of the Order is the direct result of Jackson’s devotion 'to make Kappa Sigma the leading college fraternity of the world.'"
In 1873, Kappa Sigma expanded to Trinity College (Now Duke University
), the University of Maryland
, and Washington and Lee University
. The fraternity attributes this growth to the initiation of Stephen Alonzo Jackson in 1872. During his membership, Jackson expanded and revised the ritual of Kappa Sigma. He created the Supreme Executive Committee (SEC), which now serves as the governing body of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity on a national level. Jackson also introduced the idea of a frequent, national convention of all Kappa Sigmas, a practice now continued by the biennial Grand Conclave, and characterized the event as "the finest hour" of Kappa Sigma.
In 1912, Wilbur F. Denious (who would later become Worthy Grand Master) struck upon the idea to establish a charitable endowment for Kappa Sigma. As a result of the hard work of him and many others, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was established in 1919 "to support the charitable and beneficent purposes of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity."
In 1965, Kappa Sigma bought an estate to be the new perpetual home for the fraternity. In 1966, the SEC at the time formed Kappa Sigma Inc, claimed it to be in charge of the estate, and began to solicit for donations from brothers. In 1967, Kappa Sigma Inc changed its name to the Kappa Sigma Memorial Foundation (MF) and filed to be a foundation for tax purposes. This made two foundations for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity (the other being The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund). During this time the MF changed the bylaws of the organization instating life terms for the board and becoming a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization.
By the 1990s the Fraternity and MF grew apart due to a disagreement over a legal opinion requiring a lease agreement for the Fraternity's use of the MF-owned headquarters property. The disagreements culminated in a lawsuit filed in 2001 wherein the Kappa Sigma Fraternity asserted claim to the property which the MF had originally purchased. The case eventually reached the Virginia Supreme Court, where the justices ruled that, while there was merit to the Fraternity's case, the Fraternity had filed suit nearly two decades past the time required by the statute of limitations
. As noted by the justices, the Fraternity would have had to file within 5 years after the MF's decision to go non-profit, well before the disagreement occurred.
and Phi Delta Theta
, Kappa Sigma ended its involvement in the North-American Interfraternity Conference
due to disenchantment with the strategic direction of the organization.
In 2003, Kevin Kaplan was elected as Worthy Grand Master of the Fraternity, ushering in an unprecedented era of growth for the fraternity. He encouraged the fraternity to become the largest college fraternity. He encouraged chapters to pledge more men, and worked to reestablish chapters where they were dormant and establish colonies in new locations. Kappa Sigma states they annually broke recruiting records from 2003-2010.
In the Spring of 2005, Kappa Sigma Fraternity began fundraising for and construction of a new headquarters. This $6 million project had its grand opening on June 2, 2007. At the 66th Conclave, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was declared to be the only official educational foundation of the fraternity.
Kappa Sigmas are taught to live their lives by the Star and Crescent, which are also the symbols of the Fraternity that make up the official badge:
The Star and Crescent is also used as part of the guidelines behind Kappa Sigma's strict no-tolerance anti-hazing policy. The Fraternity takes all allegations of hazing
very seriously and routinely revokes charters from guilty chapters which can be as old as 130 years.
Atheists
are ineligible for membership and in at least one situation, Kappa Sigma has revoked a chapter's charter for omitting the fraternity's religious requirements from its initiation.
At the international level, the Supreme Executive Council (SEC) sets policy for the fraternity, disciplines chapters, and approves the formation of colonies and chapter. The offices of the SEC mirror the office of the undergraduate EC and consist of the Worthy Grand Master (WGM), the Worthy Grand Procurator (WGP), the Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies (WGMC), the Worthy Grand Scribe (WGS), and the Worthy Grand Treasurer (WGT). The WGM, WGP and the WGMC each serve a two-year term, while the WGS and WGT each serve a four-year term with either the WGS or the WGT elected along with the other officers at the biennial Grand Conclave.
There are over sixty districts covering America and Canada divided into five Areas. Typically, districts are composed of all the Kappa Sigma chapters and colonies with in a State or Province, or a portion of a State or Province. Each district, composed of roughly 5 chapters each, are overseen by the District Grand Masters (DGM) and Assistant District Grand Masters (ADGM) who serve as liaisons between the undergraduate chapters and colonies and the SEC.
An Alumnus Adviser (an AA) and several Assistant Alumnus Advisers (AAA), provide advice and assistance to each undergraduate chapter and colony. Along with the Alumnus Adviser, there are traditionally one Assistant Alumnus Adviser for each of the four EC positions other than Grand Master. That is, there are AAAs for the undergraduate offices of GP, GMC, GT and GS respectively.
There also exists several committees (each with a volunteer commissioner) under the SEC (e.g. ritual committee, business and finance committee, long-range planning committee). Each committee is made up strictly of volunteers and some contain various targeted subcommittees.
The Undergraduate Advisory Committee (UAC), which is made of one undergraduate from each of the five areas, is charged with representing the their respective area as well as the general undergraduate perspective at all SEC meetings.
, Virginia
.
This staff includes the Executive Director, Mitchell Wilson, as well as multiple program directors and administrative assistants.
Also based out of international headquarters are the Area Recruitment Managers (ARM), who are in charge of recruitment goals and provide recruitment assistance to chapters in their respective geographic area.
Some of the bigger events that chapters organize are the "Catch-A-Dream Charity Classic Football Game" organized by the Delta-Chi Chapter at Mississippi State University
, and the "Apple Cup Run," jointly organized by the Beta-Psi Chapter at the University of Washington
and the Gamma-Mu Chapter at Washington State University
. Or, the "Governor's Cup Ball Run," jointly organized by the Mu-Eta Chapter at the University of Louisville
and the Beta-Nu Chapter at the University of Kentucky
, who in 2010 will hold its 16th Annual Run. The Chi-Omega chapter at the University of South Carolina
raises money annually for the Ray Tanner Foundation, which benefits economically and medically disadvantaged children in South Carolina, and the Columbia metropolitan area. The Kappa-Pi chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma hosts the Bath Tub push that benefits the Veterans' Families United Foundation,
The fraternity attributes its success to "its pursuit of Jackson's Dream", a reference to the dream of the influential member Steven Alonzo Jackson, and notes that the campaign has "yielded six consecutive years of record-setting membership growth and elevated Kappa Sigma to new heights, as the most preferred college fraternity in North America."
The Brothers in Action program begins with the "BIA for Pledges program" and continues throughout your involvement with Kappa Sigma, including opportunities for personal growth and development at the various leadership conferences and conclaves.
whereas the Canadian Chapters raise money for either the Fisher House Foundation or one of two other approved Canadian Armed Forces organizations.
Military Heroes Campaign Charity Bracelets Available on Ebay, as well as Deity Greek Wear's Facebook Page and Deity Greek Wear's Kappa Sigma T Shirt Site. All proceeds will benefit the Fisher House Foundation: in addition, 20% of the Profits of Deity Greek Wear's Kappa Sigma T-shirts and Greek Fraternity and Sorority Graphic Tees will also be donated.
The Endowment Fund assists with the educational and leadership programming at each Conclave and Leadership Conference. In addition, each year, the Endowment Fund awards $250,000 in scholarships to undergraduate members. These Scholarship and Leadership Awards are presented on Founders' Day (December 10). To date, the Endowment Fund has contributed over $4.5 million in scholarships since 1948.
Currently, the Endowment Fund, along with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, holds in trust for the members of Kappa Sigma, the fraternity's headquarters in Charlottesville
, Virginia
.
The Endowment Fund sponsors leadership conferences each year held in conjunction with Kappa Sigma's biennial Conclave and Regional Leadership Conferences. In 2009, the 67th Grand Conclave and Leadership Conference was held in San Antonio, Texas.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living alumni and more than 14,250 undergraduate members. It is one of the leaders of all American fraternities in terms of pledges and new initiates per year, service hours, and philanthropic donations. Its endowment fund
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
, founded in 1919 is the oldest college fraternity foundation and has donated more than $6.5 million to undergrads since 1948 and now raises over $250,000 per year.
Traditional founding: 1400
The Kappa Sigma Fraternity states that it is modeled after an extinct order said to have been founded at the University of BolognaUniversity of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
in 1400. Founded between 1395 and 1400.
According to the traditional story, the corrupt governor of the city, one-time pirate and later papal usurper
Antipope
An antipope is a person who opposes a legitimately elected or sitting Pope and makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were typically those supported by a...
Baldassare Cossa
Antipope John XXIII
Baldassarre Cossa was Pope John XXIII during the Western Schism. The Catholic Church regards him as an antipope.-Biography:...
, took advantage of the students at Bologna, one of Europe's
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
preeminent universities which attracted students from all over the continent, by sending his men to assault and rob them; this motivated one of the university's scholars Manuel Chrysoloras
Manuel Chrysoloras
Manuel Chrysoloras was a pioneer in the introduction of Greek literature to Western Europe during the late middle ages....
to found a secret society of students beginning with five of his most devoted disciples, for mutual protection against Cossa.
American founding: 1869-1880
On December 10, 1869, five students at the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
met in 46 East Lawn
The Lawn
The Lawn is a large, terraced grassy court at the historic center of Jefferson's academic community at the University of Virginia. The design shows Jefferson's mastery of Palladian architecture...
and founded the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in America. William Grigsby McCormick
William Grigsby McCormick
William Grigsby McCormick was an American businessman of the influential McCormick family in Chicago.He was a co-founder of a college fraternity.-Life:William Grigsby McCormick was born June 3, 1851 in Chicago....
, George Miles Arnold, John Covert Boyd, Edmund Law Rogers Jr.
Edmund Law Rogers Jr.
Edmund Law Rogers, also known under the pseudonym Leslie Edmunds, was a stage actor who appeared in dramas such as The Octoroon. He is also a founding father of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Virginia....
and Frank Courtney Nicodemus established the fraternity based on the traditions and of the ancient order in Bologna. These five founders became collectively known as the "Five Friends and Brothers."
In 1873, Kappa Sigma expanded to Trinity College (Now Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
), the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
, and Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
. The fraternity attributes this growth to the initiation of Stephen Alonzo Jackson in 1872. During his membership, Jackson expanded and revised the ritual of Kappa Sigma. He created the Supreme Executive Committee (SEC), which now serves as the governing body of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity on a national level. Jackson also introduced the idea of a frequent, national convention of all Kappa Sigmas, a practice now continued by the biennial Grand Conclave, and characterized the event as "the finest hour" of Kappa Sigma.
History: 1880-2000
In 1885, the publication of Kappa Sigma's quarterly magazine was commissioned under the name The Quarterly This publication ran successfully for 5 years until it was reorganized to run bi-monthly and renamed The Caduceus, the name it holds to this day.In 1912, Wilbur F. Denious (who would later become Worthy Grand Master) struck upon the idea to establish a charitable endowment for Kappa Sigma. As a result of the hard work of him and many others, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was established in 1919 "to support the charitable and beneficent purposes of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity."
In 1965, Kappa Sigma bought an estate to be the new perpetual home for the fraternity. In 1966, the SEC at the time formed Kappa Sigma Inc, claimed it to be in charge of the estate, and began to solicit for donations from brothers. In 1967, Kappa Sigma Inc changed its name to the Kappa Sigma Memorial Foundation (MF) and filed to be a foundation for tax purposes. This made two foundations for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity (the other being The Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund). During this time the MF changed the bylaws of the organization instating life terms for the board and becoming a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization.
By the 1990s the Fraternity and MF grew apart due to a disagreement over a legal opinion requiring a lease agreement for the Fraternity's use of the MF-owned headquarters property. The disagreements culminated in a lawsuit filed in 2001 wherein the Kappa Sigma Fraternity asserted claim to the property which the MF had originally purchased. The case eventually reached the Virginia Supreme Court, where the justices ruled that, while there was merit to the Fraternity's case, the Fraternity had filed suit nearly two decades past the time required by the statute of limitations
Statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is an enactment in a common law legal system that sets the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings based on that event may be initiated...
. As noted by the justices, the Fraternity would have had to file within 5 years after the MF's decision to go non-profit, well before the disagreement occurred.
Recent history
In 2002, along with Phi Sigma KappaPhi Sigma Kappa
-Phi Sigma Kappa's Creed and Cardinal Principles:The 1934 Convention in Ann Arbor brought more changes for the fraternity. Brother Stewart W. Herman of Gettysburg wrote and presented the Creed, and Brother Ralph Watts of Massachusetts drafted and presented the Cardinal Principles.-World War II:The...
and Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
, Kappa Sigma ended its involvement in the North-American Interfraternity Conference
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
due to disenchantment with the strategic direction of the organization.
In 2003, Kevin Kaplan was elected as Worthy Grand Master of the Fraternity, ushering in an unprecedented era of growth for the fraternity. He encouraged the fraternity to become the largest college fraternity. He encouraged chapters to pledge more men, and worked to reestablish chapters where they were dormant and establish colonies in new locations. Kappa Sigma states they annually broke recruiting records from 2003-2010.
In the Spring of 2005, Kappa Sigma Fraternity began fundraising for and construction of a new headquarters. This $6 million project had its grand opening on June 2, 2007. At the 66th Conclave, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was declared to be the only official educational foundation of the fraternity.
Membership
The Star and Crescent shall not be worn by every man, but only by him who is worthy to wear it. He must be a gentleman... a man of honor and courage... a man of zeal, yet humble... an intelligent man...a man of truth... one who tempers action with wisdom and, above all else, one who walks in the light of God.They also follow the four pillars of the Fraternity: Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service.
The Star and Crescent is also used as part of the guidelines behind Kappa Sigma's strict no-tolerance anti-hazing policy. The Fraternity takes all allegations of hazing
Hazing
Hazing is a term used to describe various ritual and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group....
very seriously and routinely revokes charters from guilty chapters which can be as old as 130 years.
Atheists
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
are ineligible for membership and in at least one situation, Kappa Sigma has revoked a chapter's charter for omitting the fraternity's religious requirements from its initiation.
Mission Statement
Kappa Sigma's mission statement is outlined by five points:- The Fraternity should complement and enhance the educational mission of the host institution.
- The Fraternity should promote the ideal of Brotherhood.
- The Fraternity should actively contribute to the personal growth and development of its members.
- The Fraternity should promote ethical behavior and decision-making.
- The Fraternity should encourage service to others.
Organization
Undergraduate Organization
The Kappa Sigma Fraternity consists of over 350 chapters and colonies (probationary chapters). Each chapter is led by a five member Executive Committee (EC), each referred to as an officer. These officers consist of the Grand Master (President), Grand Procurator (First Vice President), Grand Master of Ceremonies (Second Vice President), Grand Scribe (Secretary), and Grand Treasurer. Each chapter and colony also has a number of committee chairs that are assigned to specific areas (e.g. scholarship, sports, community service).Volunteer Organization
Kappa Sigma enjoys the involvement of more than 1,200 appointed volunteer alumni advisors and states that such levels are "unmatched in the fraternal world".At the international level, the Supreme Executive Council (SEC) sets policy for the fraternity, disciplines chapters, and approves the formation of colonies and chapter. The offices of the SEC mirror the office of the undergraduate EC and consist of the Worthy Grand Master (WGM), the Worthy Grand Procurator (WGP), the Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies (WGMC), the Worthy Grand Scribe (WGS), and the Worthy Grand Treasurer (WGT). The WGM, WGP and the WGMC each serve a two-year term, while the WGS and WGT each serve a four-year term with either the WGS or the WGT elected along with the other officers at the biennial Grand Conclave.
There are over sixty districts covering America and Canada divided into five Areas. Typically, districts are composed of all the Kappa Sigma chapters and colonies with in a State or Province, or a portion of a State or Province. Each district, composed of roughly 5 chapters each, are overseen by the District Grand Masters (DGM) and Assistant District Grand Masters (ADGM) who serve as liaisons between the undergraduate chapters and colonies and the SEC.
An Alumnus Adviser (an AA) and several Assistant Alumnus Advisers (AAA), provide advice and assistance to each undergraduate chapter and colony. Along with the Alumnus Adviser, there are traditionally one Assistant Alumnus Adviser for each of the four EC positions other than Grand Master. That is, there are AAAs for the undergraduate offices of GP, GMC, GT and GS respectively.
There also exists several committees (each with a volunteer commissioner) under the SEC (e.g. ritual committee, business and finance committee, long-range planning committee). Each committee is made up strictly of volunteers and some contain various targeted subcommittees.
The Undergraduate Advisory Committee (UAC), which is made of one undergraduate from each of the five areas, is charged with representing the their respective area as well as the general undergraduate perspective at all SEC meetings.
Professional Staff
There is a professional staff that manages the day-to-day operations the Fraternity at the international headquarters in CharlottesvilleCharlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
This staff includes the Executive Director, Mitchell Wilson, as well as multiple program directors and administrative assistants.
Also based out of international headquarters are the Area Recruitment Managers (ARM), who are in charge of recruitment goals and provide recruitment assistance to chapters in their respective geographic area.
National Programs
While most activities of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity occur at the undergraduate chapters, the Fraternity oversees four international programs or campaigns.A Greater Cause
The Greater Cause program is designed to record the activities and reinforce the concept that Kappa Sigma members should play an active role in their communities. Specifically, the program aims at raising $25 for and dedicating 25 hours per year towards charitable causes for each member. The program also aims at having 100% of the eligible chapter members registered to vote. Every chapter organizes its own charitable events, usually donating the proceeds to a local charity.Some of the bigger events that chapters organize are the "Catch-A-Dream Charity Classic Football Game" organized by the Delta-Chi Chapter at Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, and the "Apple Cup Run," jointly organized by the Beta-Psi Chapter at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
and the Gamma-Mu Chapter at Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. Or, the "Governor's Cup Ball Run," jointly organized by the Mu-Eta Chapter at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
and the Beta-Nu Chapter at the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, who in 2010 will hold its 16th Annual Run. The Chi-Omega chapter at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
raises money annually for the Ray Tanner Foundation, which benefits economically and medically disadvantaged children in South Carolina, and the Columbia metropolitan area. The Kappa-Pi chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma hosts the Bath Tub push that benefits the Veterans' Families United Foundation,
Champion Quest
Kappa Sigma's Champion Quest Program is a "results-driven" recruitment initiative aimed at increasing the number of men added to the Kappa Sigma each year.The fraternity attributes its success to "its pursuit of Jackson's Dream", a reference to the dream of the influential member Steven Alonzo Jackson, and notes that the campaign has "yielded six consecutive years of record-setting membership growth and elevated Kappa Sigma to new heights, as the most preferred college fraternity in North America."
Brothers in Action
Brothers in Action (BIA) is the "official membership development program of Kappa Sigma Fraternity" which seeks both individual and chapter development through goal setting and through emphasizing the four cornerstones of Kappa Sigma: Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship and Service.The Brothers in Action program begins with the "BIA for Pledges program" and continues throughout your involvement with Kappa Sigma, including opportunities for personal growth and development at the various leadership conferences and conclaves.
Military Heroes Campaign
During the 66th Grand Conclave the Fraternity announced a new charity entitled the "Kappa Sigma Fraternity Military Heroes Campaign". The effort focuses service and donations towards soldiers disabled or killed in the line of duty. The American chapters raise money for the Fisher House FoundationFisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The Fisher Houses are 5,000 to homes, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment...
whereas the Canadian Chapters raise money for either the Fisher House Foundation or one of two other approved Canadian Armed Forces organizations.
Military Heroes Campaign Charity Bracelets Available on Ebay, as well as Deity Greek Wear's Facebook Page and Deity Greek Wear's Kappa Sigma T Shirt Site. All proceeds will benefit the Fisher House Foundation: in addition, 20% of the Profits of Deity Greek Wear's Kappa Sigma T-shirts and Greek Fraternity and Sorority Graphic Tees will also be donated.
Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund
In 1919, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund was established "to support the charitable and beneficent purposes of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity". The Endowment Fund's first donors contributed $101 as the foundation for the fund's assets. Currently, the Endowment Fund has two primary recognition levels for donors, the One of Jackson's Men program - for donors who contributed $1000 or more to the Endowment Fund, and the Heritage Society for planned gift donors.The Endowment Fund assists with the educational and leadership programming at each Conclave and Leadership Conference. In addition, each year, the Endowment Fund awards $250,000 in scholarships to undergraduate members. These Scholarship and Leadership Awards are presented on Founders' Day (December 10). To date, the Endowment Fund has contributed over $4.5 million in scholarships since 1948.
Currently, the Endowment Fund, along with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, holds in trust for the members of Kappa Sigma, the fraternity's headquarters in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
The Endowment Fund sponsors leadership conferences each year held in conjunction with Kappa Sigma's biennial Conclave and Regional Leadership Conferences. In 2009, the 67th Grand Conclave and Leadership Conference was held in San Antonio, Texas.