Membership Education & Standards Overview

Foundation and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on January 5, 1911, at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. The ten Founders established the organization on principles of achievement, brotherhood, and leadership — principles that require every member to maintain the highest standards of personal and organizational conduct.

The fraternity maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy for hazing in any form. There are no exceptions based on tradition, chapter custom, fraternal secrecy, or member consent. Any activity that endangers the physical or mental health of a candidate or member falls within this prohibition, regardless of how the activity is framed or who authorizes it.

Key Definitions

The Code of Conduct uses specific defined terms. Brothers must know these terms to properly understand their rights, obligations, and exposure under the Code.

Section I — MTA Violations

Section I addresses any deviation from the approved Membership Training Activity process. The MTA is a nationally standardized, time-limited program with a defined curriculum, timeline, and participant list. Any of the following constitute MTA violations:

• Conducting activities outside the approved MTA timeline or curriculum
• Allowing unauthorized persons — brothers or non-members — to participate in or observe the MTA process
• Collecting fees, gifts, or contributions from candidates beyond those explicitly authorized in the MTA guidelines
• Conducting a "shadow" or parallel intake process alongside or in addition to the official MTA
• Initiating a member without completing the full MTA process
• Permitting a suspended, barred, or non-member to serve in any capacity during the MTA

Section II — Hazing

Hazing is defined as any action, activity, or situation — whether on or off fraternity premises — that recklessly or intentionally endangers the physical health, mental health, or dignity of a member, candidate, or applicant, regardless of the person's consent or willingness to participate.

Consent is not a defense. The fraternity's position is that a candidate's environment — the power imbalance between initiates and initiated members — makes truly free consent impossible during the intake process. Any claimed consent is therefore not a mitigating factor.

Section III — Conduct Unbecoming

Conduct Unbecoming refers to any behavior by a brother that reflects negatively on himself, the chapter, or the fraternity, or that violates the fraternity's values and standards outside the specific context of hazing or intake. The Code organizes these violations into three levels of increasing severity.

Level 1 Minor Violations

Level 1 violations are addressed and resolved at the chapter level by the chapter officers. They do not require province or national involvement unless they recur or are left unaddressed. Examples include:

• Repeated unexcused absences from chapter meetings without notification
• Failure to pay dues or meet financial obligations to the chapter within the allotted period
• Disrespectful or dismissive behavior toward chapter officers during official meetings
• Failure to fulfill an assigned committee responsibility without notifying the chair
• Wearing the badge, letters, or insignia at an event that conflicts with fraternity values

Typical sanctions: Formal reprimand; requirement to complete a training module; temporary suspension of voting rights at the chapter level.

Level 2 Moderate Violations

Level 2 violations require involvement from the Province Polemarch and Province Board. They reflect behavior that embarrasses the fraternity in the community or demonstrates a pattern of disregard for fraternity standards. Examples include:

• Public intoxication while wearing fraternity insignia or representing the chapter at an event
• Misuse, misappropriation, or unauthorized disbursement of chapter funds
• Making false or defamatory statements about a brother or chapter officer
• Conduct at a fraternity event that results in legal involvement, a complaint to the host institution, or adverse media attention
• Repeated Level 1 violations that have not been corrected after formal reprimand

Typical sanctions: Suspension from chapter activities; financial restitution; mandatory province-level training; probation with conditions.

Level 3 Severe Violations

Level 3 violations are handled directly by the Grand Chapter. They represent behavior so serious that they threaten the integrity, legal standing, or public reputation of the fraternity at a national level. Examples include:

• Any criminal conviction that reflects directly on the fraternity's values
• Sexual misconduct or assault involving any fraternity event, member, or use of the fraternity's name
• Participation in, facilitation of, or failure to report hazing (including Code of Silence violations)
• Falsification of official fraternity records, intake documents, or financial reports
• Operating an unauthorized chapter or engaging in fraternity activities after suspension or expulsion

Typical sanctions: Immediate suspension pending hearing; expulsion; declaration as Barred; referral to law enforcement where applicable.

Section IV — Chapter Misconduct

The Code recognizes that violations are not always the act of a single individual. A chapter itself can be found in violation when the organization collectively enables, condones, or fails to prevent prohibited behavior. Chapter Misconduct findings can result in suspension of the chapter's charter, loss of intake privileges, required supervision by the Province, or dissolution.

Specific grounds for a Chapter Misconduct finding include:

• Failure to maintain accurate membership, financial, or intake records as required by national policy
• Conducting an unauthorized event that results in harm to attendees
• Allowing members in bad standing, suspended individuals, or non-members to participate in official chapter business
• Pattern of unresolved individual violations that the chapter leadership has failed to address
• Operating slush funds or conducting chapter business through unofficial financial channels

Disciplinary Procedure (Sections A–T)

The Code of Conduct establishes a comprehensive, multi-step disciplinary procedure designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and due process for all parties. The level at which each step occurs — chapter, province, or Grand Chapter — depends on the severity of the alleged violation.

• AComplaint Filed: Any member, candidate, or affected party may file a formal written complaint with the chapter Polemarch, Province Polemarch, or Grand Chapter, depending on the severity of the alleged violation.
• BPreliminary Review: The receiving officer reviews the complaint to determine if it states a cognizable violation and whether it falls within their jurisdiction. Frivolous or anonymous complaints may be dismissed at this stage.
• CInvestigation: A designated investigator or committee conducts a fact-finding inquiry. The accused is not required to cooperate but the investigation proceeds regardless.
• DFormal Notice: The accused member receives written notice of the complaint, the specific charges, the evidence gathered, and the scheduled hearing date. The accused is entitled to reasonable time to prepare a response.
• ERight to Respond: The accused may submit a written response to the charges prior to the hearing. The accused may also be accompanied by a fraternity member of their choosing at the hearing.
• FHearing: A formal hearing is conducted before the appropriate body. Both the complainant and the accused may present evidence and witnesses. The hearing is not a legal proceeding but follows orderly procedure.
• GDecision and Sanction: The hearing body deliberates and renders a decision. If a violation is found, the body recommends a sanction appropriate to the severity of the offense and the brother's history.
• HAppeal: The accused member has the right to appeal a finding to the next higher body within the specified timeframe (typically 30 days). The appeal must state specific grounds — procedural error, new evidence, or disproportionate sanction.
• IFinal Action: Upon exhaustion of appeals or expiration of the appeal period, the sanction is enforced. Enforcement may include administrative holds, formal notification to institutions, or public fraternity records updates.

The Six Fraternity Traditions

These traditions are not historical artifacts — they are active expectations that shape how every brother conducts himself within and outside the fraternity.

Courtesies and Dignitary Protocol

The fraternity recognizes a clear hierarchy of national, province, and local dignitaries. Brothers are expected to know this hierarchy and conduct themselves accordingly.

Dress Code by Event Type

Personal appearance is a direct reflection of the fraternity. The following standards are mandatory — not suggested — for the events indicated.

Badge, Pins, and Insignia

The badge is the most sacred emblem of membership in Kappa Alpha Psi. It must be worn with reverence and in strict accordance with fraternity guidelines.

• The badge is worn over the heart — on the left chest. It is never worn on the right side, below the waist, or on non-fraternity clothing.
• The order of precedence when multiple insignia are worn: Badge → Life Membership Pin → 50-Year Pin → 25-Year Pin → Medallion.
• Insignia is never worn at events that conflict with fraternity values, including events involving illegal activity, events that demean the fraternity's image, or events where the brother's conduct does not meet fraternity standards.
• Renting, lending, or selling the badge or any official insignia to a non-member is a serious Code violation.
• The badge must be secured properly at all times. Losing a badge should be reported promptly and a replacement obtained through official channels.

Speaking and Seating Decorum

Speaking at Official Programs and Meetings:

• Always stand before speaking. A brother does not speak from a seated position during any formal meeting or program.
• If a microphone is available, approach it before speaking. Do not speak past the microphone from your seat.
• Introduce yourself each time you speak: "Brother [Last Name], [Chapter Name], [Province]." This applies even if you have spoken earlier in the session.
• Address remarks to the presiding officer, not to other brothers directly. In a meeting: "Brother Polemarch, I move that…" not "I think we should…"
• Do not interrupt another brother while he is speaking. Wait to be recognized by the presiding officer.

Seating at Programs:

• The Grand Board of Directors is always seated on the dais at national programs. No other brothers take seats on the dais unless they hold an appropriate office for that program.
• The Province Board of Directors is seated on the dais at province-level meetings and programs.
• Local chapter officers may be designated reserved seating near the front at local events, but this should be formally established in the event program.
• Brothers should be in their seats before the program begins. Late arrivals should enter quietly and take available seating without disrupting the program.

Fraternity Communication Standards

Verbal Communication

Officers are addressed by title in all formal settings. General brothers are addressed as "Brother [Last Name]." Using a brother's first name alone in a formal setting is a breach of protocol. When addressing a dignitary, always use the full title before the name.

Written Correspondence

All official written communications from or on behalf of the chapter must follow formal letter format:

• Address the recipient by full title and name on the salutation line
• State the fraternal year, chapter name, and province in the letterhead or opening line
• Use formal language throughout — avoid colloquialisms and abbreviations
• Close all formal letters with: "Yours in the Bond," followed by the writer's full name, title, chapter name, and province
• Official chapter correspondence must be reviewed and signed by the Keeper of Records & Exchequer and the Polemarch before being sent

Electronic Communication

Electronic communication is appropriate for: meeting reminders and logistics, sharing publicly available chapter news, coordinating service project details, and communicating event information that contains no sensitive fraternity content.

The Core Principle

Every action the chapter takes — hosting an event, promoting a gathering, co-sponsoring an activity — creates some level of legal and financial risk. The goal of the fraternity's risk management framework is not to eliminate all risk, which is impossible, but to reduce foreseeable risks to a manageable level and to ensure that when something does go wrong, the chapter has followed every reasonable precaution.

Failure to follow risk management protocols does not just expose the chapter to liability. It exposes individual brothers personally — their personal assets, academic standing, and employment can all be affected by incidents at improperly managed chapter events. Risk management is self-protection.

Fraternity Insurance Coverage

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. provides a $1,000,000 blanket general liability policy for registered chapter events. This policy provides the chapter's first line of financial defense in the event of a claim arising from an officially registered event.

Event Registration Requirements

Registration is not optional. The Constitution and Statutes require all chapter events to be formally registered through the official fraternity portal.

• Platform: All events must be registered on KappaOrg — the fraternity's official national membership and event management portal.
• Deadline: Registration must be submitted and approved at least two (2) weeks before the event date. Submitting on the deadline date does not guarantee approval.
• Responsibility: The chapter Polemarch and the Risk Management Chairman share responsibility for ensuring timely event registration. This cannot be delegated to a member without an official chapter office.
• Late Registration: Events registered after the deadline may still be submitted but will not receive insurance coverage. The Province Polemarch must also be notified of the late registration.
• Post-Event Reporting: Certain events require a post-event report to be filed on KappaOrg within 30 days, documenting attendance, incidents (if any), and event outcomes.

Key Risk Management Definitions

Event Safety Checklist

Every registered event must be reviewed against this checklist by the Risk Management Chairman prior to the event date. If any item cannot be confirmed, the event should be postponed until compliance is achieved.

• 1Registered On Time: Confirm the event has been submitted and approved on KappaOrg at least two weeks prior. Print or screenshot the confirmation for chapter records. Without this, there is no insurance coverage.
• 2Guest List Maintained: A written list of all invited and expected guests must be prepared before the event and checked at the door. Walk-in guests without prior authorization should not be admitted. The guest list is legal documentation in the event of an incident.
• 3Safe Rides Arranged: Transportation options must be communicated to all attendees in advance. Post rideshare codes, taxi numbers, or designated driver arrangements. No brother or guest should be driving impaired from a chapter event.
• 4Substantive Food Available: If alcohol is served, unsalted, substantive food must be available throughout the event — not just at the beginning. Food that slows alcohol absorption is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions and directly reduces liability exposure.
• 5ID Checked at Entry: All attendees must present valid, government-issued identification before entry to any event where alcohol is present. No exceptions. A brother who allows a minor to access alcohol faces personal criminal liability under state law.
• 6Designated Sober Brother: At least one brother must be formally assigned as the Sober Brother for the event. The Sober Brother does not consume alcohol, monitors the event for safety concerns, intervenes in problem situations, and ensures the event ends safely. This role must be assigned before the event, not improvised during it.
• 7No Slush Funds: Confirm that all event funding has been processed through official chapter accounts and approved by the Treasurer and chapter vote. No money should be collected at the door or from attendees in an unofficial capacity.
• 8No Drinking Games: Confirm that no organized drinking games, drinking challenges, or consumption competitions are planned or permitted at the event in any form.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Alcohol: Alcohol may be present at a chapter event only when the event is properly registered, the venue is legally permitted to have alcohol, and all attendees consuming alcohol are verified to be of legal drinking age. The chapter may not purchase alcohol for the event using chapter funds in most circumstances — consult the fraternity's current event guidelines for the specific rules governing alcohol funding. Brothers who provide alcohol to minors face criminal prosecution independent of any fraternity disciplinary action.

Illegal Drugs: The presence or use of illegal drugs at any event affiliated with the chapter — in any quantity, by any person — is an automatic basis for the insurance policy to deny all coverage and for all chapter officers to face disciplinary action. There are no exceptions. Brothers found to have facilitated or knowingly permitted drug use at a chapter event face Level 3 disciplinary action.

Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Consent

The fraternity has an absolute zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and harassment at any event or in any context where brothers are acting in a fraternal capacity. This policy applies regardless of the relationship between the parties involved.

Consent must be:

• Freely given — not obtained through pressure, manipulation, or coercion
• Reversible — anyone can change their mind at any point
• Informed — both parties understand what they are agreeing to
• Enthusiastic — the absence of a "no" is not a "yes"
• Sober — a person who is intoxicated cannot legally give consent

Bystander Obligation: Brothers who witness behavior that appears threatening, non-consensual, or harassing are required to intervene. Acceptable intervention includes approaching the individuals directly, alerting the Sober Brother or event organizer, or contacting security. A brother who witnesses potential sexual misconduct and does nothing may face disciplinary action for failure to act.

Types of Business Meetings

Kappa Alpha Psi conducts formal business at multiple levels. Understanding which meeting does what — and what is expected of the chapter at each — is a foundational responsibility of every member.

The Chapter Delegate

The Delegate is the chapter's official representative at Province Council and Grand Chapter meetings. The role carries both privilege and responsibility.

Requirements: The Delegate must be an active member of the chapter in good standing — all dues paid, no administrative holds, no active suspension. The chapter Polemarch formally designates the Delegate prior to the meeting and communicates this designation to the Province.

Voting Rights: Every chapter, regardless of size, is allotted exactly three (3) votes at Province Council and Grand Chapter meetings. This equal representation structure ensures that small chapters have the same institutional voice as large chapters. The Delegate casts all three votes on behalf of the chapter.

Responsibilities of the Delegate:

• Attend all scheduled business sessions of the meeting — unexcused absence forfeits the chapter's votes
• Carry the chapter's formal positions on pending motions and votes, as determined by a chapter vote before the meeting
• Conduct themselves in full compliance with Protocol and Etiquette standards throughout the meeting
• Take detailed notes of all actions taken at the meeting and report back to the full chapter within a reasonable period after returning
• Collect and return all meeting materials, official publications, and communications distributed at the meeting

Business Meeting Activities

Province Council and Grand Chapter meetings follow a structured schedule. Brothers attending in any capacity should understand what each component entails and what conduct is expected.

• 1Public Meeting: An open session welcoming community members and guests to observe formal fraternity business. The chapter demonstrates its commitment to transparency and community engagement. Brothers must be in full protocol dress and on their best behavior during public sessions.
• 2Undergraduate Luncheon: A dedicated gathering for undergraduate brothers to network, discuss challenges unique to their chapters, and build relationships across chapters. The Province Polemarch or a designated facilitator leads the discussion.
• 3Business Sessions: Formal meetings where motions are made, debated, and voted upon. All business is conducted according to parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules of Order). Delegates vote; observers may not interrupt or participate in voting. The presiding officer controls the floor.
• 4Awards Ceremony: Outstanding brothers, chapters, and community leaders are formally recognized. Both Province Council and Grand Chapter present a series of awards. Attendance is expected of all brothers attending the meeting.
• 5Closed Banquet: A formal, tuxedo-required event open to brothers only. The Closed Banquet includes the Oath of Rededication, in which brothers formally renew their commitment to the fraternity's founding principles. Conduct and protocol expectations are at their highest during the Closed Banquet.
• 6Elections of Leadership: Province and national officers are elected by eligible Delegates. Candidates must meet specific requirements including active status and service history. Elections must be conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the Constitution — any interference with a fair election is a Code violation.

Awards Recognized at Meetings

Meeting Conduct Expectations

The following standards apply at all formal fraternity meetings, whether at the local chapter level, province, or national.

As an Attendee

• Arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt quorum counts, interrupt proceedings, and demonstrate disrespect for the body. If you will be late, notify the Polemarch or chapter Secretary in advance.
• Silence all electronic devices before the meeting is called to order. Texting, browsing, or taking calls during a session is a breach of protocol.
• Maintain appropriate dress for the event. Do not attend formal sessions in casual attire.
• Maintain confidentiality. Closed-session discussions are confidential. Nothing said in a closed session may be shared outside the meeting without the presiding officer's authorization.

As a Speaking Participant

• Rise and wait to be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking on any matter.
• Identify yourself fully: name, chapter, and province at Province Council and Grand Chapter; name and role at local meetings.
• Speak to the motion or agenda item — do not introduce unrelated topics during debate on a motion.
• Debate the issue, not the person. Personal attacks on other brothers during a business session are out of order and subject to being ruled a breach of conduct.
• Accept the outcome of a properly conducted vote. A brother who refuses to accept a democratic outcome may be ruled out of order and removed from the session.

Leadership Development Programs

The Role of Committees in Chapter Governance

Committees are the primary operational units of a well-functioning chapter. They exist because the full General Body cannot efficiently deliberate on every detail of chapter operations. Committees research, plan, and execute within their assigned areas, then bring their work products and recommendations back to the full membership for approval and vote.

This structure serves two critical purposes. First, it distributes work across a broader portion of the membership, preventing burnout in officers and building engagement across all brothers. Second, it maintains accountability — no committee acts unilaterally on behalf of the chapter without the General Body's authorization.

Every active brother is expected to serve on at least one committee. Service on a committee is not optional for members in good standing. Brothers who decline all committee service without cause may be considered inactive for chapter purposes.

Standing Committees

Standing Committees are permanent committees established by the chapter's Constitution and Bylaws. They exist from year to year regardless of who serves on them. Because the work of a Standing Committee never ends — the chapter always needs to manage its finances, develop its youth program, and manage risk — these committees are structural features of the chapter, not temporary responses to a specific need.

Characteristics of Standing Committees:

• Authorized by name in the chapter's Constitution and Bylaws
• Operate continuously throughout the fraternal year, from installation of officers to end of term
• Chaired by a member appointed by the Polemarch or elected by the General Body, as specified in the Bylaws
• Report formally to the General Body at every regular chapter meeting — even if the report is only "no update this period"
• Maintain ongoing records, minutes of committee meetings, and documentation of all major decisions and expenditures

Core Standing Committees:

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are temporary committees created to address a specific, defined need. They are not in the Bylaws because they are not permanent features of the chapter — they are responses to a particular situation or project.

Characteristics of Ad Hoc Committees:

• Created by a motion and vote of the General Body, or at the direction of the Polemarch for administrative matters within the Polemarch's authority
• Given a specific, written charge — the task the committee is created to accomplish — at the time of their formation
• Limited in authority strictly to their written charge; they may not expand their scope without a new General Body vote
• Dissolved automatically when their final report or work product is submitted to the General Body and accepted
• Do not carry over from one fraternal year to the next unless a new vote re-establishes them

Examples of Ad Hoc Committees:

• Charter Anniversary Planning Committee (tasked with planning a single event)
• Bylaws Revision Committee (tasked with proposing amendments for a General Body vote)
• Venue Selection Committee (tasked with identifying and recommending a location for a specific event)
• Grievance Investigation Committee (tasked with investigating a specific complaint and reporting findings)
• Social Media Policy Committee (tasked with drafting a chapter social media policy for General Body adoption)

Special Committees

Special Committees are committees of elevated importance or sensitivity, appointed when a task requires broader authority, higher-level oversight, or involvement that extends beyond the local chapter. They are a distinct category from standard Ad Hoc Committees.

Characteristics of Special Committees:

• May be appointed at the chapter, province, or Grand Chapter level — the level of appointment determines the level of oversight
• Typically handle matters of significant organizational sensitivity: disciplinary appeals, constitutional review, strategic planning, or investigations that cannot be handled at the chapter level
• May be granted broader authority than a standard Ad Hoc Committee, as explicitly stated in the resolution or order that creates them
• May include members from outside the local chapter — for example, a province-appointed oversight committee placed on a chapter under probation
• Like Ad Hoc Committees, they are dissolved once their work is complete; unlike Ad Hoc Committees, their dissolution may require formal action by the appointing body rather than automatic dissolution

Examples of Special Committees:

• Judicial Appeals Committee (hearing a member's formal appeal of a disciplinary decision)
• Strategic Vision Committee (developing a multi-year plan for presentation to Grand Chapter)
• Province Oversight Committee (placed on a chapter in conflict or under probation)
• National Task Force (established by Grand Chapter to address a fraternity-wide policy issue)

Committee Chair Responsibilities

The committee chair is accountable to the General Body and to the chapter Polemarch for the work of the committee. The chair's responsibilities include:

• Scheduling and facilitating all committee meetings; maintaining attendance records
• Setting a written agenda for each committee meeting and distributing it to members in advance
• Ensuring every committee meeting produces action items with assigned owners and deadlines
• Preparing a written committee report for each General Body meeting; delivering the report verbally and in writing
• Escalating to the Polemarch any matter that falls outside the committee's authority or requires General Body action
• Maintaining a committee file containing meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and work products that can be passed to the next committee chair at the end of the fraternal year

Committee Member Obligations

• Attend all committee meetings. Unexcused absences should be reported to the chair and may be reported to the Polemarch.
• Carry out all assigned tasks within agreed-upon deadlines and communicate proactively if a deadline cannot be met.
• Bring analysis and recommendations to the committee — not just problems. A committee member who only identifies obstacles without proposing solutions is not fulfilling the role.
• Maintain confidentiality of committee deliberations where the committee is handling sensitive matters (personnel, disciplinary, financial).
• Operate strictly within the committee's authorized scope. Do not take actions that bind the chapter or commit chapter resources without General Body approval.
• Support the committee chair's reporting to the General Body and contribute to the committee's written records.

How Authority Flows in the Fraternity

Top-down policy: Grand Chapter establishes fraternity-wide standards, policies, and constitutional requirements. Province enforces and implements those standards within the province. Local chapters operate within the framework set by both Grand Chapter and Province.

Bottom-up accountability: The General Body holds local leadership accountable through regular elections and votes. Local leadership reports to Province. Province reports to Grand Chapter. Every level of the organization is accountable to the level above it.

Understanding where you stand in this structure — and who is accountable to whom — is essential for effective participation at every level of fraternity life.

National Administration — Grand Chapter

National Officers — Roles and Responsibilities

Province Structure

The Province Polemarch is appointed by the Grand Polemarch, not elected. This appointment structure ensures that provincial leadership aligns with national priorities. The Province Polemarch serves as the direct link between local chapters and Grand Chapter — all major chapter actions, disciplinary matters, and event registrations flow through the Province.

Local Chapter — Executive Officers

Chapter Officers — Duties

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides oversight, institutional memory, and strategic guidance to chapter leadership. Board members are typically past officers or senior brothers with demonstrated service to the chapter. They are not the executive leadership — that is the role of the elected officers — but they serve as a check on executive action and a reservoir of experience.

The Board's authority includes reviewing major financial decisions, advising the Polemarch on matters of chapter policy, and hearing Level 1 disciplinary matters when convened as a disciplinary body. The Board reports to the General Body, not the other way around.

Standing Committees

Each Standing Committee is chaired by a member appointed or elected per the Bylaws and reports to the General Body at every regular meeting. Committees coordinate with the relevant executive officer — for example, the Finance Committee works with the Keeper of Records & Exchequer — but their reporting obligation is to the full General Body.

Liaisons

Liaisons are brothers assigned to maintain the chapter's formal relationship with a specific external organization or governing body. A Liaison does not have independent authority to commit the chapter to agreements or positions — they communicate, coordinate, and represent, then report back to chapter leadership and the General Body for any decisions that require chapter authorization.

The NPHC Liaison is particularly important — this brother represents the chapter within the National Pan-Hellenic Council, ensures the chapter meets NPHC requirements, and fosters cooperative relationships with the chapter's peer organizations in the Divine Nine.

The General Body

The General Body is every active member of the chapter who is in good standing. While officers lead and committees execute, the General Body holds ultimate authority over all chapter matters. Officers serve the General Body — not the other way around.

The General Body exercises its authority by:

• Voting on all major decisions: the annual budget, significant expenditures, chapter program commitments, and bylaw amendments
• Electing officers at the end of each fraternal term through a fair, transparent election process
• Ratifying committee recommendations before they become chapter policy or binding commitments
• Holding leadership accountable through the election process, through motions to censure, and through the removal process if officers fail to meet their obligations

Why Digital Standards Matter

Social media and digital platforms have become the primary way chapters communicate with the public, recruit prospective members, and demonstrate the fraternity’s impact in the community. Every post, photo, video, and web page associated with the Denton-Lewisville Chapter is a direct extension of the Kappa Alpha Psi brand and is subject to national fraternity standards.

Social Media Defined

Social media encompasses the websites, applications, and mobile apps used for multimedia communication. The fraternity’s guidelines apply to all of the following categories:

Mandatory Social Media Rules

The following rules apply to every account and every post from any chapter, officer, or member of Kappa Alpha Psi in a fraternal capacity. Non-compliance with these rules is a conduct violation.

• 1Represent the chapter or entity: The account must be a clear reflection of the province, chapter, or event it represents. Personal social media accounts may not claim to represent the chapter without authorization from the Polemarch and Board of Directors.
• 2No unauthorized promotional use: Chapter accounts may not be used to promote individual members’ personal business interests, political campaigns, or any activity not directly approved by the Polemarch and Board of Directors.
• 3Credit all third-party content: Quotations, images, and intellectual property from third parties must be appropriately credited. Use of copyrighted materials without credit is strictly prohibited.
• 4No duplicate or plagiarized content: Do not copy content directly from other chapter websites or social media pages without attribution. The chapter’s digital presence should reflect its own unique story and programs.
• 5No esoteric or confidential content: Ritual content, intake-related information, and confidential fraternity business must never appear on any digital platform in any form. This is a separate prohibition from the Code of Conduct’s electronic communication rule — both apply simultaneously.
• 6No prohibited imagery: No alcoholic imagery, drug paraphernalia, sexually explicit content, or the Playboy bunny logo in any form may appear on any chapter digital platform.

Chapter Website Standards

If the chapter maintains a website, it must meet the following minimum standards. The chapter Polemarch, Vice Polemarch, and Keeper of Records are jointly responsible for ensuring compliance.

Accessibility & Responsiveness

The website must be usable across different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet), browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), and by users with disabilities. Web accessibility is not optional — it is a fraternity standard that ensures all community members can access the chapter’s digital presence regardless of ability or device.

Navigation Standards

• All links (internal and external) must work properly — no broken links
• Main navigation must be consistent on every page
• The site must not depend on the browser’s back button for navigation
• Pages must load quickly; all graphics must be optimized for web delivery
• No unsolicited pop-ups or auto-play audio or video of any kind
• The chapter’s name must appear in the title of every page for bookmarking purposes

Required Content

• The fraternity’s position on hazing must be clearly stated on the website
• Current contact information for the chapter must be displayed
• Information about the Grand Chapter, province, and local chapter must be present
• The website must include information on how to become a member of Kappa Alpha Psi
• Chapter programs must be described with current, accurate information — outdated content must be removed promptly

Content & Design Standards

• Proper grammar and spelling throughout — no spelling errors, punctuation mistakes, or factual inaccuracies
• No content that could be construed as distasteful, offensive, or profane
• All graphics must be crisp and visually appropriate; no inappropriate graphics
• Consistent design layout across all pages; user-friendly, simple interface
• Page length should be reasonable — pages longer than four “page downs” should include “Return to Top” links
• Only official Kappa Alpha Psi digital images supplied by the fraternity may be used. Second-generation photography or images downloaded from unauthorized sources are prohibited

Multimedia Guidelines

Video, audio, and animation can be powerful tools for chapter communications when used correctly.

Trademark & Branding Compliance

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. holds registered trademarks on its name, Greek letters (KΦΠ), Coat of Arms, and other insignia. The following restrictions apply to all chapter digital and physical communications.

Permitted Uses

• Official fraternity colors: Crimson (PMS #199C) and Cream (PMS #461C). Red and white are acceptable alternatives for printed materials.
• The fraternity name and Greek letters when used in direct connection with official chapter business — always with the registered trademark symbol (®)
• Images and photographs downloaded directly from the official Kappa Media Kit (kappamediakit.com) with proper attribution and subject to the media kit’s terms

Prohibited Uses

• The fraternity’s badge (Diamond) or any facsimile of the badge on programs, articles of wear, stationery, announcements, or invitations (Statute 35, Section 7)
• The Coat of Arms reproduced without the registered trademark; the fraternity’s name without the registered trademark symbol
• Any sexually explicit content, including “Kappa Diamonds” imagery, “Girls of the Month Club,” or similar content
• Alcoholic imagery, drug paraphernalia, or any content that contradicts the fraternity’s values and standards
• Second-generation photography (images copied from another source rather than downloaded directly from authorized fraternity media)

Chapter Website Certification

Before a chapter website goes live or after significant updates, the chapter must submit its website link to the Grand Chapter along with contact information for primary and secondary webmasters. A signed certification document — signed by the Polemarch, Vice Polemarch, Keeper of Records, Keeper of Exchequer, and all webmasters — must confirm that:

• The “bunny rabbit” logo does not appear anywhere on the website, in any flyer, or in any correspondence related to the chapter
• The website does not contain sexually explicit songs, images, or resemblances to prohibited content
• The website does not contain alcoholic imagery or drug paraphernalia

If the chapter operates a Kappa League with its own website, the same certification and webmaster contact information must be submitted for that site as well.