Organization Remains Number One as Most Preferred, Retains Lowest Membership Dues of any International Fraternity and Has Best Year Financially in its History
Charlottesville, VA (June 16, 2011) – Kappa Sigma Fraternity today announced that it set numerous all-time organization records for recruitment, community service and overall membership growth during the 2009-11 biennium. As the most preferred fraternity in North America, Kappa Sigma has for seven consecutive years added more new members than any other men’s collegiate social fraternity. Its accolades for the most recent two-year period include:
• More than 850,000 man-hours volunteered for community service and more than
$2.8 million raised for charity during 2009-11 … A NEW RECORD
• Total number of chapters and colonies at present: 281 … A NEW RECORD.
• More than 14,000 new pledges recruited over the two-year period … A NEW RECORD.
• Over 10,300 members initiated … A NEW RECORD.
• Number of total undergraduate members exceeds 14,500 … A NEW RECORD.
• A new Fisher House was dedicated in Washington, D.C., in honor of Kappa Sigma alumnus Senator Robert J. Dole, to provide lodging for wounded veterans and their families. For 2009-11, Kappa Sigma exceeded its goal of raising an additional $200,000 for its Military Heroes program … A NEW RECORD.
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity ended the 2010-11 academic year firmly in the black, realizing its best ever year financially.
“We are proud to report that Kappa Sigma Fraternity today stands stronger than at any point in its 142 year history,” said E.L. “Bill” Betz, Jr., Worthy Grand Master (President) of Kappa Sigma’s Supreme Executive Committee (alumni Board of Directors). “Our success is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding undergraduates and dedication of our world class alumni volunteers.”
Record Community Service
Through its A Greater Cause program, Kappa Sigma’s undergraduate members this year volunteered more than 859,000 hours of community service to over 300 different non-profit organizations and projects across the U.S. and Canada. Kappa Sigma members also raised more than $2.8 million for charity, including over $200,000 for its ‘Military Heroes’ program, in support of wounded military veterans and their families.
“As an organization, we take very seriously our duty to give back to the community and to support charitable endeavors across North America,” said S. Christian Nascimento, Worthy Grand Procurator (Vice President of the Board of Directors). “This duty – ‘Our Call to Service’ – exemplifies the character of our members and is an important aspect of life as a Kappa Sigma.”
Record Growth and Membership Development
For 2010-11, Kappa Sigma surpassed its goal of 7,500 new pledges, realizing an impressive 9.3% annual rate of growth in recruitment over the prior school year. Through its Champion Quest program, the organization established 50 new colonies and revived several dormant chapters, including the recolonization of Mu Chapter at Washington and Lee University and the rechartering of Kappa-Upsilon Chapter at Clemson University.
“Since the launch of Champion Quest in 2003, we have consistently dominated recruitment across North America,” said Hugh M. Robert, Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies (second Vice President of the Board). “Our success really validates the demand for a values-based fraternity experience on today’s college campuses.”
Milestones in Membership Development, Financial Operations
Kappa Sigma’s recruitment success is transformed into chapter strength by its unique and powerful membership development program, Brothers In Action. Designed to achieve excellence in chapter operations through individual goal-setting and accountability, Brothers In Action teaches the core standards and values of Kappa Sigma through educational programming related to the four pillars of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. It includes the implementation of a membership Code of Conduct and a strict zero-tolerance hazing policy.
“Among our organization’s greatest accomplishments in recent years has been our focus on establishing a culture of personal accountability and responsibility, to help reduce the dangerous behaviors that unfortunately still run rampant on many college campuses,” said Nascimento. “Kappa Sigma offers male college students with an unparalleled fraternity experience, great opportunities for leadership growth and a tremendous lifetime value of membership.”
These successes, combined with a record 281 total chapters and colonies and sound fiscal management, leave Kappa Sigma in its strongest ever financial position. Despite the current challenging economic climate and normal inflation over the past two decades, Kappa Sigma’s undergraduate dues have not increased since 1991. They remain the lowest of any international men’s collegiate social fraternity.
About Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Founded in 1869 at the University of Virginia, Kappa Sigma Fraternity is currently one of the largest men's college organizations in North America, having initiated more than 200,000 members. Currently with more than 14,500 undergraduates, at over 280 chapters and colonies throughout the U.S. and Canada, the Fraternity teaches its core standards and values through educational programming related to the four pillars of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service.
