A Pledge Manual

and History

of Tri Kappa

2011

FOREWORD Welcome to Tri Kappa! This Pledge Manual introduces you to Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc., or Tri Kappa, as we are more commonly known. The manual contains a brief history of the organization, its purpose, form of government, and contributions for charity, culture, and education.

HISTORY Tri Kappa was formed by several ladies attending the Girls’ Classical

School founded by May Wright Sewall in Indianapolis. This secondary school also included the first two years of college level education. The young ladies decided it might be fun to form a “secret” organization, to have a few social times together, officers, dues, password, and a few rules.

Of the original eight members, only Beryl Showers of Bloomington returned to school the following fall. Beryl decided to revive the organization and selected her best friend, Erma Ribeyre, her roommate, Mary Sanders, and four other friends, Bertha Matthews, Gertrude Zumpe, Lulu Baer, and Frances Roberts. These seven young ladies are considered the founders of Tri Kappa. They met in Beryl's room on February 22, 1901, and formally organized. Officers were elected and they wrote a constitution avowing their purpose to be charity and kindness. The original pin later became the Council pin. To ensure that Tri Kappa would continue beyond their school days each member was to start a chapter in her hometown. No one of that small group would have believed that Kappa Kappa Kappa would become a thriving organization composed of 146 active and 114 associate chapters, with a current active membership of nearly 10,000 women in the state of Indiana. Beryl Showers and Bertha Matthews started the first chapter, Alpha in Bloomington. Erma Ribeyre organized Beta Chapter in New Harmony. Some remaining original members married and left the state, while two others began a chapter later. By 1903 there was a total of seven chapters. They held the first Convention in the old Opera House in Bloomington in 1903. At the time of the first Convention they decided to publish a magazine and call it Cross Keys.

In its early years Tri Kappa was devoted to charity work in the various communities where chapters were established. During the second decade additional chapters were added. What was once a loosely knit group of autonomous chapters became a strong forceful organization united in purpose and effort. On the local and State levels, Tri Kappa is able to give over $1.5 million every year to important projects that help babies, children, teens, and adults throughout Indiana. Tri Kappa members are very proud of what they and their chapters do for their communities and the state of Indiana.

PURPOSE “The object of this organization shall be to bring women into close, unselfish relationship for the promotion of charity, culture and education.” Each Active Chapter, in order to achieve a balanced program, must annually include work in each of these fields. This work incorporates moneymaking projects and community volunteer efforts. Each Associate Chapter is annually responsible for one financial or service project.

Charity Our State projects that fall under the heading of charity include the following: Mental Health, Memorial Fund, and Philanthropy. Tri Kappa's first endorsement of a Mental Health program was in 1927. In 1953 the Christmas gift program for state mental hospitals was begun. Mental Health projects include donations to Mental Health Association of Indiana, Special Olympics of Indiana, Very Special Arts of Indiana, Alzheimer’s Association, Best Buddies, and other special projects each term. The money for these contributions comes from both individuals and chapters. The Tri Kappa Memorial Fund was started in 1961 to grant money to colleges and universities in Indiana to establish emergency funds for students. Currently students in 19 Indiana schools benefit from contributions to this fund. Tri Kappa members or other individuals can make donations of $10.00 or more to the Memorial Fund. The form is located in Cross Keys and on the website. James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children has been a special project since 1922. Tri Kappa was one of the first organizations to contribute to the hospital. In 1961 the Philanthropy Fund was established and the Philanthropy Committee now oversees all Tri Kappa Riley Hospital projects. In 1987 Tri Kappa was one of three organizations honored by Riley Hospital in its “Way of Honor.” Over $1,000,000 has been given to Riley Hospital through State Tri Kappa projects and local chapter gifts. Some of the gifts have been a Burn Unit, the state’s first for children only; a Gamma Camera to detect tumors; many paintings; the Infant Nurture Center, which is unique in the United States; the Carousel Horse, which has become a symbol of hope; equipment for clinical and surgical use; K-Spot Teenage Lounge; “Islands of Interests”; the Day Hospital for Children with Cancer; Clinic B; and a nitric oxide machine. New projects are added each biennium and equipment is updated as requested. The Tri Kappa Philanthropy Endowment Fund was established in 2008 to obtain additional funds for the State Philanthropy program. The principal of the fund is preserved with only expenditure of the interest. Donations of cash, real estate, stocks, bonds, and other equities can be made with contributions tax deductible under the limits of the law. Both individuals and chapters can donate to this fund.

Culture State Tri Kappa cultural projects include Fine Arts Scholarships. Annually Tri Kappa awards scholarships to students majoring in dance, drama, art or music. These scholarships are funded through members’ per capita assessment and donations. The annual Hoosier Salon Patrons Association was begun in 1926 and held in the Marshall Field Store in Chicago. Beryl Showers Holland was responsible for the headquarters of the Hoosier Salon Patrons Association being moved to Indianapolis in 1941. Tri Kappa is the Salon's oldest patron and provider of awards. The Tri Kappa Art Collection is an important and beautiful art collection. This collection was begun when Tri Kappa purchased award-winning paintings at the Hoosier Salon and other art association shows. This collection is currently housed in the John Logan Memorial Library at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology at Terre Haute. Today the collection has 107 paintings and is valued at nearly $400,000. Tours to view the collection may be arranged. Tri Kappa members are encouraged to participate in the Province Convention Fine Arts Exhibit in various categories. The top three (3) winners of each category are recognized and the first place winners compete at State Convention. The Tri Kappa Fine Arts Endowment Fund was established in 2008 to obtain additional funds for the State Fine Arts program. The principal of the fund is preserved with only expenditure of the interest. Donations of cash, real estate, stocks, bonds, and other equities can be made with contributions tax deductible under the limits of the law. Both individuals and chapters can donate to this fund.

Education In 1913, our first State project was inaugurated when a scholarship was given to a high school graduate who required financial aid for her higher education. Scholarships annually offered at the State level, in addition to the Fine Arts Scholarships include:

♦ State Academic Scholarship (one per province) is awarded to a student who has completed at least one (1) year of college. Additional at large scholarships may be awarded depending on available funding.

♦ Key Scholarship (two statewide) is awarded to a student who has an interruption in education for at least five years, has no previous undergraduate degree and plans to enroll for a minimum of six credit hours.

♦ Twanette Nutter Fleming Music Award is given to a student who is pursuing a degree in Music Education with the intention of teaching music. It was established in memory of Mrs. Fleming, who wrote the Tri Kappa Opening Song.

♦ Wilson Award, created in 1973, is given to the State academic scholarship recipient who maintains the highest scholastic record during the year of the scholarship. It is funded by a bequest from the estate of Mary Sanders Wilson, one of the founders.

♦ Beryl Showers Holland Fellowships are awarded to two (2) seniors at Indiana University for graduate study.

The Tri Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1988 to obtain additional funds for the State Scholarship program. The principal of the fund is preserved with only expenditure of the interest. Donations of cash, real estate, stocks, bonds, and other equities can be made with contributions tax deductible under the limits of the law. Both individuals and chapters can donate to this fund. The Gifted and Talented Fund, established in 1984, makes donations to programs at Purdue and Indiana State Universities, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, and the Indiana Academy at Ball State each year. Tri Kappa also supports the Indiana “We the People” program designed to educate students about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE Our unique women's group is the only Greek letter organization confining its membership and service within the boundaries of one state. Even so, the membership and number of chapters are larger than most national sororities.

The state is divided into twelve (12) Provinces, or areas, determined by the Convention or Council according to the geographical location of the chapters. Each Province is headed by a Province Officer and has 20-25 Active and Associate Chapters. Chapters may only be established in the State of Indiana. There are two types of chapters: Active and Associate.

Active Chapters consist of ten (10) or more women duly qualified for membership and shall hold at least ten (10) business meetings per year. Chapters are designated by letters of the Greek alphabet taken in alphabetical order, which also designates the order in which they were installed. Active chapter officers must include a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

Associate Chapters can be formed when there is an Active Chapter in the town with forty (40) or more members or when the Active Chapter is twenty-five (25) or more years old. Each chapter is designated by the name of the town or community in which it is located, followed by the words “Associate Chapter.” The regulations of Associate Chapters are similar. However, they cannot pledge and initiate new members; must have a minimum of four (4) business meetings per year, and are responsible for one financial or service project each year. Associate Chapter officers must include a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Some communities have more than one Associate Chapter. Active members can affiliate with an Associate Chapter after a minimum of ten (10) years of active service. In extenuating circumstances, the member must have been initiated a minimum of ten (10) years prior to the time of a request for special exemption.

MEMBERSHIP A member shall be a resident of the community in which the chapter is located, or shall live within a ten (10) mile radius beyond the corporate limits. A member shall not retain membership in or become a member of any other Greek letter organization except college fraternities and professional or vocational organizations. A member shall be a high school graduate or have equivalent educational qualifications. Membership in Tri Kappa is by invitation only. Prospective members are sponsored by active Tri Kappas and voted on by the chapter. The fact

that an individual is being considered for membership is never revealed to her until she is actually approved by chapter vote to be invited to become a Tri Kappa. Classifications of membership: * An Active member is one who is duly initiated into an active chapter and who participates in the work of the active chapter. * An Inactive member is one who resides permanently beyond the jurisdiction of the chapter and fails to request to continue membership; remains within the jurisdiction of the chapter but who after written request is excused by a majority vote of the chapter from active participation, or remains within the jurisdiction of the chapter but becomes inactive not in good standing. * A College member shall be a member of an active chapter who is a full-time student for at least nine (9) months of the year. She pays per capita assessment only. She shall not present nor recommend names for membership. Each college year counts as one-fourth (1/4) year of service. * An Associate member is one who has been duly initiated into an active chapter, who has given a minimum of ten (10) years of active service, and who, having ceased to be a member of an active chapter, participates in the work of an associate chapter. * A Sustaining member is any member who has given a minimum of twenty (20) years of service. She pays per capita assessment only. She relinquishes all voting rights but may attend chapter functions. There is a big difference between requesting inactive status and withdrawing. A member who withdraws or is expelled shall not be readmitted except by action of the Convention. A member may affiliate with another Tri Kappa chapter if she moves to the jurisdiction of another chapter; if a newly established chapter overlaps in jurisdiction the chapter to which she belongs; if she is a member of a chapter no longer in existence; or if she lives within the jurisdiction of more than one chapter and shows justifiable cause and receives agreement from both chapters.

GOVERNMENT Tri Kappa is governed by a Convention and a Council. Each chapter is at all times amenable to the Bylaws and Chapter Bylaws.

Each chapter is self-governing and the State Parliamentarian has approved its bylaws. Chapter Bylaws may not conflict with the State Bylaws. The State Parliamentarian shall approve the complete Bylaws and Standing Rules of all chapters every four (4) years. Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules revisions must be sent for approval to the State Parliamentarian within ten (10) days after being voted upon by the chapter. State Bylaws are the rules by which we are governed. Included in the Bylaws are the rules for voting on members,

establishment of chapters, election of State and chapter officers, officers' duties, agenda for meetings, fine system, rules governing State Convention, and the publication of the official magazine, Cross Keys. Tri Kappa's parliamentary authority is Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Tri Kappa is a philanthropic organization that donates all monies from public moneymaking projects to charity, culture, and education. Because Tri Kappa has been designated a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization each chapter must adhere to the State Bylaws and Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules. The Convention is the supreme governing body. When the Convention is not in session, Council shall have the same power to act as does the Convention on matters about which the Convention has not specifically decreed otherwise. The Council is elected at Convention for a term of two (2) years. It is composed of five (5) officers: Council President, Council Vice President, Council Secretary, Council Treasurer, and Council Adviser (the immediate past Council President). State Officers are appointed for a term of two (2) years and include the Historian, Parliamentarian, and the Province Officers. The State Chairs and their committees are appointed by Council for a term of two (2) years and include Chapters and Charters, Fine Arts, Gifted and Talented, Memorial Fund, Mental Health, Philanthropy, Ritual, Scholarship, and the Cross Keys staff.

MEETINGS/COMMUNICATION State Tri Kappa functions on a two-year term. There are three (3) State-sponsored events: Inspections, Province Conventions, and State

Convention. Each is presented to keep members informed of State activities and to provide chapters with a forum for the exchange of information. Inspection, a required meeting for active members, is held in the fall of each even year. The Province Officer visits Active and Associate Chapter Officers for an officers’ review, and attends the Active Chapter Meeting where she conveys to all the members what the State Committees are doing. Province Conventions are held in the fall of each odd year. All members are invited to attend. Training sessions for officers are held, information about the activities of the State Committees is given, and a Fine Arts Exhibit is held for members. The State Convention is held in the spring of each odd year. Officers and Chairs of State Committees give reports, Bylaws may be revised, and Council is elected. There are Workshops for members and State Exhibits. Tours and Fun Shops may also be available. Council Officers meet at least once each quarter of the fiscal year, which begins July 1 and ends June 30. Active chapters must have at least ten (10) business meetings each year. Associate chapters must have at least four (4) business meetings each year.

FINANCES A per capita assessment is paid annually by each member and remitted to the State Treasury. It is divided among the General Fund, and the Fine Arts, Philanthropy, and Scholarship Funds (FAPS). The General Fund money is used for the expenses involved with operating Central Office, expenses for State Personnel, costs of the State Convention, and other obligations associated in running the corporation. The monies in the remaining funds are used for donations in their respective fields.

CROSS KEYS Cross Keys is the official publication of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. and is published quarterly. Its purpose is to provide a written personal link among all Tri Kappa members and to inform and educate them by providing for the exchange

of information on ideas, projects, and ideals. It has the latest information from Council and other State Personnel concerning their committees. There is an active and associate chapters’ directory in the fall issue, and a listing of the State Officers and State Chairs and their committees in each issue. Due dates of forms for chapter officers are included, as well as a list of supplies and jewelry available from Central Office. There are letters and articles from each active and associate chapter that describe their activities. These provide new ideas to other chapters for projects and programs.

WEBSITE Our official website is www.trikappa.org. On it you will find most any printed matter which our organization uses. Also listed are all State Personnel with their mailing addresses and telephone numbers. Jewelry and supplies available through Central Office and directions for ordering are included. Items for purchase from chapters are listed in the White Carnation Shops as well as a listing of chapter projects under Coming Attractions. News for a particular Province is under Province News.

CENTRAL OFFICE Tri Kappa has a Central Office located in Indianapolis. Co-office managers handle business matters such as address corrections for Cross Keys, responding to requests for forms, supplies, and jewelry, updating the membership files, and many other tasks for the organization.

STATE COMMITTEES There are many State Committees of which local members can serve for a term of two (2) years. Those interested should obtain a form (P-25) from the chapter president to complete prior to State Convention. Most committees meet one or two times a year and most expenses are covered by the State Organization.

LOCAL HISTORY AND INFORMATION Review founding and history of local chapter What is the Greek name of this chapter? When was the local chapter founded? Who were the charter members? What is the number of this Province? Discuss the Associate chapter if one or more has been established. Review Chapter Bylaws & Standing Rules What are members’ responsibilities and obligations? What officers are elected and what are their duties? What committees are appointed and what are their duties? What does a member do to be considered a member in good standing by her chapter? If a member finds it impossible to participate fully in financial or service projects, what options are open to her? A listing of current Officers: A listing of current Members:

Charity: Culture: Education: Projects Money-making: Service: Responsibilities Committee: Hostess:

Meetings Attendance at Business Meetings: Inspection (required): Regular meeting date, time, place: Other:

Important Dates New Member Orientation: Pledging: Initiation: Regular meeting date, time, place:

Finances Initiation - $15.00 Dues - $ _______, payable on July 1 and divided into:

• State Per Capita Assessment of $ 21.00, which includes Cross Keys subscription for active members

• Chapter dues__________ Fines – *The chapter information (pages 11-13) is provided in outline form and should be compiled and distributed as an additional handout in conjunction with this manual. Those joining Tri Kappa can feel a justifiable sense of pride and accomplishment. They can look forward to being a part of our continuing efforts of dedicated service in contributing to society and making our communities and state a better place to live. Tri Kappa can be a rewarding and learning experience where members can receive training in leadership and parliamentary procedures. Members can also benefit from the social and business networking. Welcome to Tri Kappa!

Opening Song Let us sing again Tri Kappa's name, Loyalty we pledge to thee; Let us now to thee our tributes bring, Honor, truth and fame. We are ever loyal Kappa girls With a purpose strong and true, Trusting that whate'er our task may be, Our strength thou wilt renew. ---Twanette Nutter Fleming

Opening Verse We come with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

---Ephesians 4: 2-3

Closing Verse Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

---Psalms 19:4

Prayer Our Heavenly Father,

We thank Thee for our sisterly love. We thank Thee for the opportunities to learn and to share our knowledge. Please guide us in our endeavors to serve Thee, in doing little kindnesses and leaving no task undone. We thank Thee for all Thy gifts and Thy love. Amen.

---Sarah Tolbert

Colors: Black & White Flower: White Carnation

Responses: Kappa - Yes

Tri - No