Write a Reference

Kappa Kappa Gamma unites women to learn, grow and inspire positive change throughout their lives. Tell us about a potential sorority woman you know!

All About Kappa Kappa Gamma References for Recruitment

References, also known as recommendations, introduce a chapter to someone who might want to join Kappa or who is going through sorority Recruitment. While potential new members (PNMs) don’t need a reference to join Kappa, they help a chapter learn more about them before Recruitment begins.

Any member who’s in good standing can write a reference. Alumna members may ensure they are in good standing by paying annual dues here or to their local alumnae association.

Ready to write a reference?

References are now available on MyKappa, our new members-only portal.

WRITE A REFERENCE ON MYKAPPA

Legacies

While PNMs with familial relationships to Kappa members are not given preferential treatment during Recruitment, members will have opportunities to celebrate their family members who join Kappa throughout her collegiate years at events like Initiation.

How to Complete a Reference

Before you begin

A PNM completes a comprehensive application when they begin the recruitment process on their campus, which often includes submitting a resume and photo. All the information provided by the PNM in their application is shared with the Kappa chapter on that campus.

Kappa’s reference form supplements the PNM’s application and shares personal insights into their leadership, activities, and values.

Take a moment to gather information and your thoughts before starting the reference form.

What information should I gather?

Kappa’s reference form includes the following information (asterisk denotes required information):

Potential New Member Contact Information
– First and last name*
– University (drop down list of Kappa chapters)*
– Email*

School(s) Attended
– High school*
– College or university previously attended

Leadership, Activities, and Values
You will give the chapter your personal insight into the PNM by briefly noting examples of the PNM’s leadership, activities, and values. Sections include (but are not required):
– Academic honors (255-character limit)
– Leadership positions (255-character limit)
– Community service (255-character limit)
– Sports (255-character limit)
– Other involvement/activities (255-character limit)
– How the PNM exemplifies one or more of Kappa’s values (trailblazing, knowledge, connection, optimism, respect, truth) (500-character limit)

Endorsement
– To complete and submit the application, you will choose an option that best describes your relationship with the PNM, sign your name, and check a box to endorse the PNM for membership in Kappa.

Pro tip: Before starting the reference, digitally compile the PNM’s contact information, schools attended, and your personal insights into their leadership, activities, and values in a document or note. You can easily copy and paste into the online reference form.

Reference FAQs

General Reference Questions

Who can submit a reference?

Any member who’s in good standing may submit a reference. From now–Aug. 3, alumna members may ensure they are in good standing by paying per capita dues here or to their local alumnae association.

Starting Aug. 3, alumna members may pay their per capita fees in the new MyKappa platform. Alumna members paying per capita fees to their alumnae association may experience a delay in access until their fees are submitted to Kappa Headquarters by their association. Note, starting Aug. 3, only alumna members who have paid per capita fees will be able to access the reference form.

Collegiate members cannot submit references to their own chapter while listed as an active member on the chapter’s roster.

Will the potential new member I recommend become a Kappa?

Submitting a reference doesn’t mean the PNM will automatically be invited to join. Having a reference doesn’t give anyone a special edge in becoming a member. Kappa does not do “courtesy” invites for any part of the process, and even if someone with a reference makes it to the preference round, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll get a bid.

Collegiate members are responsible for choosing who joins their chapter. While alumnae help by recommending potential new members, the collegians make the final call. Once the chapter makes its decisions during the selection process, those choices are final.

Will I receive confirmation from the chapter that they received the reference or at any point during the recruitment process?

Once you send in a reference, you’ll get an automatic email confirming receipt. After that, it’s up to the chapter how they use it. The rest of the membership process is confidential, so you won’t get any updates about the PNM’s progress.

When are references due?

References may be submitted at any point prior to the start of Recruitment. Try to submit at least two weeks prior to the start of Recruitment to allow the chapter enough time to review your reference.

I was told that references are due by May 1 for fall Recruitment. Is this true?

No, there is no May 1 deadline. References may be submitted at any point prior to the start of Recruitment. Try to submit at least two weeks prior to the start of Recruitment to allow the chapter enough time to review your reference.

May I submit a reference for my daughter?

Yes, you may submit a reference for your daughter if you are a member in good standing. You may ensure you are in good standing by paying annual dues here or to your local alumnae association.

How do I indicate the PNM is a legacy of Kappa?

Kappa no longer has an option to indicate Kappa legacy relationships or connections on the reference form. Following a change in policy in 2020, legacies do not receive preferential treatment during Recruitment.

If the PNM joins Kappa and has family connections to Kappa, there will be opportunities for their Kappa family to celebrate this connection during their collegiate years by attending events like their Initiation.

Does Kappa accept letters of support?

Kappa does not accept letters of support. If you would like to recommend a PNM for membership, please complete the online reference form.

Are references required for a potential new member to join Kappa?

No, PNMs don’t need a reference to join Kappa.

How many references does a potential new member need?

While PNMs do not need a reference to join Kappa, references can be a helpful introduction to a PNM for a chapter. A reference should share a Kappa member’s personal insight into the PNM. One to two references are sufficient in providing an introduction and insight into a PNM.

I received a packet of pictures, transcripts, resumes, and more from the potential new member I am recommending. What do I do with these materials?

You are welcome to use these materials in completing the online reference form. Once completed, you may discard these materials or ask the PNM if they would like the materials returned to them.

Once I submit my reference online, do I need to send it or other materials to the chapters in any other way?

No. Once your reference is submitted online, the chapter has access to the information and does not need any other information.

Reference Form Questions

I need to create an account on the Kappa website. What do I do?

1. Navigate to MyKappa. (Pro tip: Bookmark or favorite portal.kappakappagamma.org for easy access later.)
2. Select “Claim Your Account.”
3. Enter your email, first and last name, birthdate, chapter of initiation, and initiation year. This information must match what is in Kappa’s database.
4. An automated email should come to your inbox from [email protected] to verify your account. Click the link and follow the instructions to set your MyKappa password.
5. Once you are in MyKappa, navigate to “Membership References” to start your reference.

Are you unable to get logged in?
Email the reference team for assistance.

Reference season at Kappa Headquarters is busy. Staff will respond to you as soon as they are able.

I am not tech savvy but I want to submit a reference for a potential new member. How should I proceed?

You are welcome to ask family or friends to help you get logged in and complete your reference form. If you are involved with an alumnae association, consider requesting their assistance in completing your form.

Can I edit my reference once it is submitted?

No. Once a reference is submitted, it can no longer be edited by you or by Kappa Headquarters. You will need to submit a new reference for the PNM if you are missing key information.

I selected the wrong college/university on the submitted reference. What do I do?

Once a reference is submitted, it can no longer be edited by you or by Kappa Headquarters. You will need to submit a new reference for the PNM to the correct university.

My chapter is not appearing on the college/university list. Why can’t I submit it?

It’s likely your chapter has not updated your status on the roster, so the reference system will not allow you to submit a reference. Reach out to your chapter to confirm they removed you from the roster as a recent grad or as a member who left school/transferred.

I did not receive a confirmation email after I submitted the reference. Did the chapter receive my reference?

You can see submitted references on the tab labeled “My Submitted References” located on your reference form page in MyKappa. References saved but not submitted will show on the tab labeled “My Drafted References.” If the reference shows on the “My Submitted References” tab, the chapter received your reference.

Have questions?

Email our Reference team for additional assistance.

Reference season at Kappa Headquarters is busy so plan ahead! Kappa Headquarters staff are typically available from 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. ET Monday–Friday. We strive to respond as soon as possible.