As the public situation around COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to evolve, we are monitoring developments, garnering information from the appropriate health experts and officials, and working to address the continued impact on Kappa Kappa Gamma. Before you and your chapter members return to campus, please familiarize yourself with Kappa’s latest guidance and resources.
Vaccine Information
Chapter Operations
Chapter Finance
Events and Risk Management
Facilities
Membership
Member Education and Harm Prevention Updates
Ritual and History
Alumna Member Experience
Additional Resources
As information is constantly changing, please continue to check this page for the latest information and guidance.
- Chapters are asked to continue following state, local, provincial, federal guidelines as well as those from the CDC/PHAC and the host college/university regarding holding chapter activities.
- Keep in mind that members may continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, be it from mental/physical health or financial impact. These members may be eligible for Associate Membership or Special Status. Click here for information on both Associate Membership and Special Status.
- It is recommended that chapters offer a virtual option for members who are unable or uncomfortable attending events in person.
- We recommend chapters evaluate what worked well for their membership experience during the last school year and consider adapting some of that flexibility going forward. For example, if virtual chapter meetings were successful, consider hosting a virtual chapter meeting once a month going forward if allowed by the chapter Bylaws. If small group gatherings or virtual sisterhoods were well attended, consider incorporating them into chapter programming.
Please reach out to your Content Specialist, District Director, or the Chapter Services Department at chapter_services@kappa.org with any questions or for further assistance.
Chapter Finance
- Chapters can bill members in one installment with the option of offering payment plans to those who need them. The per capita fee should be included in the scheduled fees created by the chapter Treasurer/Vice President Finance. Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters will not be billing this fee separately to members.
- Remember that the chapter has until Aug. 31 to make roster updates in order to receive a credit for per capita fees billed on Aug. 1. This relates to members who graduated in spring 2021, left/transferred, or resigned prior to Aug. 31. The fall per capita fees are due to Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters in equal installments, beginning Aug. 31 until Dec. 30.
- New member fees are nonrefundable after 30 days from pledging. If a new member drops within 30 days of pledging, have the chapter Secretary/Administration Director mark them as such in KeyReports to ensure the chapter receives a credit for the new member fee. The chapter will only receive a credit if the new member is marked in KeyReports within 30 days, if it is after the 30 days the chapter will still owe the new member fee.
For questions or additional assistance, please email cfinance@kappa.org.
Events and Risk Management
Kappa will not place any restrictions on chapter events during the 2021–22 academic year, aside from requiring that all events follow state, local, provincial, federal guidelines as well as those from the CDC/PHAC and the host college/university.
- Events with alcohol are permitted for the 2021–22 academic year.
- Complete In-Person Event Safety Plans for in-person gatherings. Those should be sent to the Risk Management Specialist for assistance in planning the safest event possible.
- Plan virtual options for members who are high risk or who do not yet feel comfortable attending larger gatherings.
- Ensure local gathering size limits/capacity restrictions are followed. Consider hosting fall term events in groups of 100 or less.
- Monitor the local COVID-19 positivity rate. Consider switching events to virtual/hybrid if the positivity rate exceeds 5%.
Please continue working closely with the Risk Management Specialist.
Facilities
- Make sure members are aware of university requirements for their return to campus for the fall term.
- The chapter House Chairman/Facilities Director should coordinate with House Board to review and edit the Chapter Safety Plan as necessary.
- Ensure all residents are familiar with move-in schedules and processes.
- Prepare for and arrange House Orientation meetings (resident and non-resident) using suggested guidelines.
Please reach out to your Facilities Specialist if you need any assistance with any housing issues, COVID-19 related or otherwise.
Membership
Please reach out to your Membership Specialist to discuss questions and prepare for Recruitment-related activities.
Member Education and Harm Prevention Updates
We are continuing to conduct Courage to Commit and Kappa Education Trainer visits virtually for the remainder of 2021 with plans to return to in-person programming in spring 2022.
The New Member Experience Guidebook, Senior Member Experience Guidebook and All-Member Experience Guidebook as well as the supporting resources have been updated for the 2021–22 academic year and are available in the resources section of our website. Please make sure to connect with your Programming Specialist to discuss and plan for any modifications that you need to make related to campus or local guidelines or requirements.
This year, you’ll have two opportunities to attend Leadership Academy. Sessions will take place March 24–27, 2021, and Sept. 15–18, 2022. Details on how to secure your spot will be emailed to all chapter members this fall.
GIRLS Academy applications for in-person events will be accepted this fall. Chapters may apply Oct. 15–Nov. 15 to host in fall 2022. Please email education@kappa.org with any questions.
Ritual and History
Please reach out to your Ritual and History Specialist when preparing for ritual ceremonies, including but not limited to a formal chapter meeting, Founders Day, Formal Pledging, Inspiration Period, and Initiation. Additionally, please remember:
- Overnight events are discouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Please follow “Hosting a Safe Ritual Event,” which can be found by logging in and navigating to More Resources > Chapter Marshal.
Throughout the coming year, flexibility and communication will continue to be crucial. As always, we will monitor the situation, consult guidance from the appropriate health officials and collaborate with you all to make adjustments as needed. Together, we will persevere and will keep doing our parts to ensure the safety and well-being of our members, volunteers, staff and communities.
Alumna Member Experience
Alumnae associations are encouraged to continue to engage with their membership as well as review and adjust plans for the fall. We recommend that associations follow all local and state guidelines around COVID-19 and gatherings. The health and safety of our membership is paramount, so virtual gatherings might be the best option. For resources for alumnae associations, log in and navigate to More Resources > General Resources.
Contact the Alumnae Experience Department at Kappa Headquarters for more.
Additional Resources
Mental Wellness
The outbreak of the coronavirus may be stressful for many members. Remember that Kappa has resources for members who may need support during this time, including Kappa’s mental health screening and the Mental Health and Well-Being Chapter Guide. Refer to A Virtual Kappa Experience for more ideas. These resources can be found by logging in and navigating to More Resources > General Resources. For a helpful general resource, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guide to managing anxiety and stress and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s guide to managing mental and physical health.
Rose McGill Grants | Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
Rose McGill Grants are available for members experiencing financial challenges due to the pandemic. If you or a Kappa you know are having difficulty paying bills related to the basic necessities of life because of a loss of income or an unexpected financial emergency, the Foundation may be able to help through a Rose McGill Grant. Initiated members, both alumnae and collegians, may apply for a grant.
Applications for disaster relief and other types of grants are available here.
Since 1922, Kappa’s Rose McGill fund has been available for members. Rose McGill embodies the best in our Kappa sisterhood: sisters helping each other through life's challenges. We are here for you.
For additional information, please contact the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.
For the latest information about the public health situation, please visit:
World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
For more information about COVID-19’s impact on Greek-letter organizations and membership experiences, please visit:
National Panhellenic Conference
MJ Insurance
Holmes Murphy
To read Kappa's coronavirus-related communications, click here. Please note: You will be asked to log in.