Kappa Alpha Psi

] are Kappa League, Jr. Kappa League, A-MAN Program, [ cite web |url=http://www.aman.org/KappaInfo/Kappahome.html |title=Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Partners with A-MAN, Inc. To Promote Interest In Science and Technology Among Youth |publisher=A-MAN, Inc. |accessdate=2006-11-27] St. Jude Research Hospital, and the premier program, "Kappa Kamp," which enables inner city boys to attend camp at the Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi. [ cite web |url=http://www.kappaalphapsi1911.com/committees/guideright_kappakamp.asp |title=Message From Guide Right Commission Chairman |publisher=Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Grand Chapter Website |accessdate=2004-04-01] In addition to the above-mentioned national initiatives, chapters within the Fraternity sponsor a wide variety of Guide Right programs in their communities that support their local youth.

Kappa League

The Kappa League was founded Thursday, February 12, 1970 by the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi; under the direction of Mel L. Davis. Davis brought the idea to LA from Dayton, OH where he had worked closely with Jay Crosby to expand the guide right activities of Dayton (OH) Alumni chapter. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. The activities provide both challenging and rewarding experiences to enhance their lives. The goal of the League is to help the students achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The League includes a series of workshops to achieve its goals. Grand Chapter 2004, "op. cit.", pp. 38.]

tudent of the Year Competition

The Student of the Year Competition is a contest that encompasses six areas deemed critical to a successful life - scholarship, talent, community involvement, poise and appearance, career preparation, and model chapter operation. Each Province sponsors a pageant during its Council. In the year of a Grand Chapter Meeting, the Province winners compete at the Grand Chapter Meeting. The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. The first Pageant at the Grand Chapter Meeting occurred at the 58th Grand Chapter Meeting. Grand Chapter 2004, "op. cit.", pp. 38.]

Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

The "Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation," established in 1981, is the philanthropic arm of the fraternity and assists both alumni and undergraduate chapters in support of scholarships, after-school programs, and national projects such as Habitat for Humanity.cite web |url=http://kappafoundation.org/ |title=Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation |publisher=kappafoundation.org |accessdate=2006-05-08]

The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation was conceived by Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, the 23rd Grand Polemarch. His dream began to take shape at a May 1982 with the past Grand Polemarchs and the national officers in Washington, DC. He proposed forming a separate 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to accept contributions to finance the headquarter's renovation project. Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. The Foundation would also accept contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses. Grand Chapter 2004, "op. cit.", pp. 38.]

Pan-Hellenic membership

The fraternity maintains dual membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

The NPHC is composed of nine international black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.cite web |url=http://www.nphchq.org/about.htm |title=National Pan-Hellenic Council Aboutpage |publisher=NPHC |accessdate=2006-07-02]

The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community, and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions.cite web |url=http://www.nicindy.org/ |title=North American Interfraternity Conference |publisher=NIC |accessdate=2006-07-02]

Membership

Kappa Alpha Psi offers undergrad and graduate membership to potential aspirants, and its constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership because of color, creed, or national origin. [cite web |url=http://www.mekapsi.org/web/frat_history.asp |title=Fraternity History |publisher=mekapsi.org |accessdate=2007-07-11] Annually more than 1,800 members are initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi. Undergraduate Chapters are located on more than 377 College and University campuses and Alumni Chapters are arrayed in some 367 cities in the United States and 8 foreign countries. [cite web |url=http://www.kapsinep.com/province/fraternity.html |title=NEP |publisher=kapsinep|accessdate=2007-07-11]

To be considered for membership, an aspirant must have at least a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale. For consideration into Kappa Alpha Psi on the alumni level, one must possess at least a Bachelors Degree or the equivalent of such a degree from an accredited college or university. [cite web |url=http://www.kapsimwp.com/Forms/Form50.pdf |title=Membership reqiurements |publisher=Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. |accessdate=2007-07-12] Kappa Alpha Psi also prides itself in that it has never bestowed honorary membership. [ cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/waynekapsi/history.html |title=KAPSI History |publisher=Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity |accessdate=2007-07-12]

tance on hazing

Kappa Alpha Psi has never condoned hazing, but is aware of incidents that have occurred.cite news |first= Peter|last= Applebome|title= Lawsuit Shatters Code of Silence Over Hazing at Black Fraternities |url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801EFDB1038F932A15751C1A962958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink|work=New York Times|publisher= New York|date= 1994-12-21|accessdate=2008-01-24 ] In 1990, Kappa Alpha Psi along with fellow NPHC organizations issued a joint statement announcing the elimination of pledging. The fraternity revised its membership development and intake process; instituted strong policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stance against prohibited conduct. [cite web |url=http://www.kappaalphapsi1911.com/fraternity/nphc.asp |title=Hazing |publisher=Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity |accessdate=2007-07-26] The fraternity backed its stance by releasing Executive Order One in 1988, Executive Order Two in 1993, and Executive Order Three in 1994. [cite web |url=http://www.kappaalphapsi1911.com/fraternity/hazing.asp |title=Excutive Orders 1,2,3 |publisher=kappaalphapsi1911.com |accessdate=2007-07-26]

Provinces

In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. David II, the third Grand Polemarch. David was first Grand Polemarch who had not been nurtured by the Alpha Chapter under the influence of the Founders, proposed dividing the Fraternity into supervisory districts. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Church and also member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Grand Polemarch David, II implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. The three districts grew into four "regions". Fifth Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson changed the designation of "Region" to "Province" and "Regional Director" to "Province Polemarch" at the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1925. And during the original establishment of provinces, the following provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces. [ cite web |url=http://www.kapsi-np.org/NPHistory.htm |title=Fraternity History |publisher=kapsi-np.org |accessdate=2007-07-11] Today there are currently 12 provinces and they are:
*Northern
*Eastern
*Southern
*Western
*North Central
*East Central
*South Central
*South-Western
*South Eastern
*Middle Eastern
*North Eastern
*Middle Western

Citations and further reading

Citations

Further reading

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External links

* [http://www.kappaalphapsi1911.com/ Kappa Alpha Psi Official Website]