ORGANIZATION OF PI KAPPA LAMBDA
Chapters
The unit of Pi Kappa Lambda is the local chapter. The national organization consists of an association of all active chapters of the Society.
Chapters of this Society may be established in institutions of higher learning which (1) are accredited by professional accrediting associations, (2) maintain curricula with majors in music, and (3) have been considered by the officers of the Society as acceptable for the establishment of a chapter.
General Convention
The supreme authority of the Society is vested in a General Convention consisting of the members of the Board of Regents and delegates selected by the chapters.
Board of Regents
See the National Constitution, Article V, Section 1.
National Induction Fee
An induction fee is paid to the Executive Director for each new member.
Association of College Honor Societies
Since 1941, the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda has held full membership in the Association of College Honor Societies and is represented on the Executive Council of the Association. An ACHS Booklet of Information may be obtained by writing to the Executive Director of Pi Kappa Lambda. In 2000, at the celebration of the ACHS 75th anniversary, the PKL Board of Regents designatedthree key persons who have profoundly influenced the history of the Society. The late Walter L. Stults, one of the charter members; the late Wilbur H. Rowand, secretary-treasurer for 25 years; and Wilbur D. Fullbright, long-time ACHS representative and past president of Pi Kappa Lambda were honored. Dr. Fullbright was present and accepted his certificate.
Publications, Contests, and Commissions
Two issues of the Society's Newsletter are published annually and copies are sent to each chapter for distribution to its membership. A series of monographs on American music, sponsored by Pi Kappa Lambda, has been published by the Northwestern Univesity Press. The series includes The Anthem in New England Before 1800, by Ralph T. Daniel of Indiana University; Andrew Law, American Psalmodist, by Richard A. Crawford of the University of Michigan; and Music in the Cultured Generation, A Social History of Music in America, 1870-1900, by Joseph A. Musselman of the University of Montana. The Society sponsored a national chamber opera contest in 1960, which was won by Stanford Beckler for The Outcasts of Poker Flat, based on Bret Harte's story. It was given its world premiere at The College of the Pacific.
In 1991, the Board of Regents established a Regents Composition Commission to be offered for new chamber works. Cindy McTee of the University of North Texas presented the first commissioned work, Eight ƒtudes, at the 1991 Atlanta Convention. Jennifer Higdon's commissioned chamber work, Autumn Music, was given its world premiere at the 1995 Convention in Pittsburgh. Peter Hamlin, faculty member at St. Olaf College, was commissioned to compose Zydeco Zephyrs for string quartet which was given its world premiere at the 1999 Convention in New Orleans. Temple University faculty member Cynthia FolioÕs commissioned wind quintet, Seven Aphorisms, was given its world premiere in 2001 in Philadelphia. The 2003 Convention in Evanston featured the string sextet mirror with(out) reflection by Lewis Nielson of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Keys and Certificates
In order to protect the design quality and use of the Pi Kappa Lambda key, the Executive Director obtains the service of an official jeweler and checks all orders against the membership records before authorizing the manufacture and delivery of keys. Trademark registration is held by the Board of Regents for the Greek characters used on the Society's emblem. Any unauthorized manufacture, sale or use of key or membership certificate should be reported to the Executive Director. Instructions regarding the ordering of KEYS AND CERTIFICATES are provided later in this section.
Certificates of Honor
A Certificate of Honor, authorized by the Board of Regents, is provided for chapters wishing to recognize outstanding students in the freshman and sophomore classes. Certificates may be awarded to juniors provided there is no election to membership from that class. The purpose of this certificate is to bring the standards and significance of Pi Kappa Lambda membership to the attention of the students in the lower divisions. Membership is open only to upper division students. See National Constitution, Article III, Section 1 for membership qualifications.
The certificate of honor measures eight by ten inches, is printed on heavy-quality stock and is lettered on white with the embossed key insignia in gold. The certificates may be purchased plain or embossed with the student's name, class (freshman or sophomore), date of presentation and chapter name. See the section "SUPPLIES" later in this document.
Faculty Participation
The Constitution places the responsibility for the major duties relative to direction and function of the Society at the chapter level on the faculty members. They are responsible, as members of the Faculty Committee, for nominating and electing candidates in all categories. Active and continuous faculty affiliation with the local chapter - including serving as delegates to the Biennial Convention - greatly increases the stability and effectiveness of the Society.
Alumni and Emeriti Participation
Alumni members are encouraged to participate in all activities except the election of members, which is the responsibility of the Faculty Committee of the chapter. Emeriti do not participate in such elections. Alumni and emeriti, however, are eligible for office at the discretion of the chapter. Emeriti faculty may be elected by the chapter where they became emeritus, even if they are not alumni of that institution.
Transfer of Membership
See Article III, Section 5 of the National Constitution. Transfers may now be completed via email.
Typical Chapter Activities
The nature or frequency of Pi Kappa Lambda sponsored programs is determined by local campus needs and conditions. A variety of activities is, however, either sponsored by the chapter itself or stimulated and encouraged by its cooperation with other groups and individuals. Here is a sampling:
1. Individual recognition through:
a. honors recitals by newly-inducted members or faculty
b. gifts of recordings or season tickets to musical performances as recognition for superior ability in some phase of music
c. public performance of prize-winning compositions
d. token awards to leading members of each class
e. prizes to seniors in performance, composition and creative teaching
2. Financial and academic assistance, such as:
a. payment of induction fees for highest ranking senior
b. interest-free student loans to help pay membership fees
c. scholarship aid
d. a tutoring program for music students (especially under- classmen) staffed and sponsored by Pi Kappa Lambda members
e. contributions of funds to symphony orchestras, opera workshops, libraries and school events
f. establishment of an endowment fund for scholarships
g. matching funds scholarship donations, in partnership between a local music store and PKL alumni, for example
3. Sponsorship of events, such as:
a. benefit concerts by faculty, visiting artists or outstanding alumni
b. campus lectures, festivals, forums, workshops, chamber music concerts, and exchange faculty recitals
c. musical yard sale to benefit scholarship fund
4. Events to increase general awareness of Pi Kappa Lambda:
a. newsletter to graduates, faculty, and emeriti
b. "High School Day" for prospective music students and a freshman orientation program for new ones
c. a bulletin board which is maintained with information about events, outstanding students, alumni and faculty, and about chapter induction ceremony
d. sponsorship of Honors Day with banquet, induction, and public presentation of new members' pins
e. Certificates of Honor publicly awarded to outstanding freshmen and sophomores
f. distributing the Society's bookmarks at any or all of the above events, obtained free from national office
Duties of Chapter President
The chapter president assumes the duties generally associated with the office - with the additional duty at most chapters of initiating the membership election process and ensuring that the annual membership election report is sent to national office by July 1.
Duties of Chapter Secretary
The secretary of the chapter is responsible for the proper management of chapter business, such as:
Records and Relationships
1. keeping minutes, membership and other records in an accurate and permanent manner
2. issuing calls for meetings as necessary
3. maintaining contact with the national office
4. bringing official papers and communications from the national office to the attention of the chapter
5. maintaining archives and properly transferring them to a successor
6. mailing copies of the official publications to all members
7. maintaining a file of all chapter members with dates of induction to membership
8. processing changes in address for chapter mailing list.
Reports (many of which may be sent by email)
1. making certain that the annual election report is sent to national office by July 1 of each year. The sending of the new membership names and covering check to the Executive Director is considered "the annual election report;" however, "no election" report must be filed as well in the event that no election has been held, with reasons.
2. reporting names of newly elected chapter officers to the Secretary-Treasurer immediately upon election
3. reporting accounts of chapter activities to the national office for the Newsletter
4. reporting to the national office requests for transfer of membership, and placing those cards in the chapter's permanent file. See Constitution, Article III, Section 5.
5. reporting to the national office any major deviations in chapter bylaws (see Article II, Section 8, Constitution)
Keys and Certificates - Membership Registration
Key and membership certificate orders are placed through the office of the Executive Director on the official membership registration lists. The entire list must be sent, together with a single covering check for the membership fees. National office will return a copy of the membership list after it has been recorded at the national office. Note: Fifth year seniors who were elected as juniors need be included only once in the chapter's 20% of seniors elected - in the year of graduation. The forms should include the following:
1. the new member's name typed or printed out in normal order (not last name first)
2. the registration number (cumulative, according to total chapter membership)
3. the new member's permanent address if direct mailing is to the individual
4. the total number of music majors in each class - graduate, senior or junior (classification to be determined according to standing at the end of the first semester or second quarter) Ð recorded on the registration list
5. the total number of newly elected members this year
6. date of induction ceremony
7. expected date of graduation
8. type of key--pinback or pendant
9. signature and address of chapter secretary
The keys and certificates will be mailed from the jeweler's factory to the chapter secretary. These may arrive in two packages. In general, since the calligraphy takes longer on the certificates, the pins tend to arrive earlier. If direct mailing to individuals is requested, add $3.00 to each membership fee. NOTE: All questions and correspondence concerning keys or certificates should be directed to the Executive Director and not to the official jeweler.
Supplies
The following supplies may be obtained from the office of the Executive Director. Remittance should accompany the order where there is a charge.
(A) Supplies for which there is no charge:
Insignia Card (substitute for key at induction)
General Information Brochure
A Matter of Honor (ACHS Brochure)
Suggested Induction Ritual
Membership Registration list
Pi Kappa Lambda bookmarks
(B) Supplies for which there is a charge:
Pinback or Pendant Key (replacement) $25.00 (Give original chapter, with year or key number if possible.)
Certificate of Membership (replacement $7.00
Certificate of Honor (see page 5)
Plain (no chapter lettering or name) $5.00
Embossed (with chapter, name, date, class) $7.00
Invitation to Membership with envelope .20
Greetings(affirmation of membership and greetings) .25
Current Handbook $1.00 (Two copies free to each chapter when published; Two free on request in alternate years.)
Duties of Chapter Treasurer
Accounts and Reports
1. responsibility for all funds - especially working with secretary of chapter to send annual covering memberships check
2. maintenance of accurate and permanent record of all receipts and expenditures
3. maintenance of a permanent record of dues and payments in chapters where local dues are assessed
4. presentation of financial report at chapter business meetings
5. providing for a biennial statement of finances to the Executive Director upon request.
Tax Information
The Society of Pi Kappa Lambda functions under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), the highest exemption permissible for a non-profit organization. The group exemption number for chapters is 0672. Each chapter is assigned an employer identification number by the IRS approximately one year following the installation of the chapter. This should be made part of the permanent file of the chapter treasurer.
If chapter funds are deposited with a central student organization account, no tax report by the chapter is required; otherwise, at least one report should be made if requested.
New Chapters
Petition for Charter
Members of the music faculty interested in Pi Kappa Lambda and the possibility of establishing a chapter at their institution may obtain information and the requirements for petitioning from the Executive Director. Petitions are considered only from institutions fulfilling requirements as stated in Article II, Section 1, of the National Constitution, and are only considered by the Regents at their annual meeting.
Chapter Installation
All arrangements for the installation of a chapter shall be made directly with the President of the Society or the presidentÕs designated representative. The President or the President's designated representative will preside at the installation of the chapter (Constitution, Article II, Section 3). Installation and travel expenses are the responsibility of the applicant institution.
Probation and Deactivation
The Constitution provides an outline for the deactivation of a chapter in Article III, Section 3, based on two criteria: failure to submit an annual chapter election report to the national office, and failure to attend the Biennial Convention. Responsibility for decisions regarding deactivation rests with the Board of Regents. Although a chapter has occasionally requested deactivation, the Regents still must make the final decision.
A plan is now in place which will make it clear to chapters that the Regents may impose disciplinary action on a chapter which has repeatedly failed to submit an annual report and/or has not attended Biennial Conventions over a period of time.
I. After a chapter has not sent annual election reports for two years, the chapter will be placed on probation. A letter formally notifying the chapter that it has been placed on probation, and citing Section III below will be sent to the chapter president and secretary, the music department chair, and the president of the university or college.
II. If the chapter does not respond by sending an annual election report during two years of probation, that chapter will be deactivated by the Board of Regents at their next meeting - with notification to chapter officers, the department chair, and the university president. In the event of deactivation, a reactivation fee will be assessed.
Example:
July, 2000 - no report from chapter
July, 2001 - no report from chapter
November, 2001 - no convention delegate from chapter
Nov.-Dec., 2001 - Regents place chapter on probation
January, 2002 - chapter notified of probationary status, and of consequences of failure to act within two years
July, 2002 - no report from chapter
July, 2003 - no report from chapter
Nov.-Dec., 2003 - chapter deactivated by Regents
January, 2004 - chapter notified of deactivation and of proper procedures for reactivation
Exemplary Chapters
The Regents, beginning in 1988, have recognized chapters which reach beyond the mechanics of timely, accurate reporting and payment of dues by initiating and maintaining programs which admirably characterize the goals of Pi Kappa Lambda and serve as role models for other chapters. Recipients of this designation receive certificates which include their citations.
National Conventions
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois April 10, 1925
University of Illinois Urbana, Illinois April 10, 1927
Lyon and Healy Chicago, Illinois March 29, 1929
Lyon and Healy Chicago, Illinois April 3, 1931
Lyon and Healy Chicago, Illinois April 7, 1933
Stevens Hotel Chicago, Illinois April 20, 1935
Palmer House Chicago, Illinois March 26, 1937
Palmer House Chicago, Illinois April 22, 1939
Palmer House Chicago, Illinois April 25, 1941
Palmer House Chicago, Illinois April 14, 1946
Palmer House Chicago, Illinois April 16, 1948
Illini Club - Hotel LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois April 14, 1950
Illini Club - Hotel LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois April 18, 1952
Illini Club - Hotel LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois March 25, 1954
Hotel Jefferson St. Louis, Missouri April 11, 1956
The Conrad Hilton Chicago, Illinois April 11, 1958
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois April 1, 1960
The Conrad Hilton Chicago, Illinois March 14, 1962
Sheraton Hotel Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 12, 1964
Muehlenbach Hotel Kansas City, Missouri March 17, 1966
Olympic Hotel Seattle, Washington March 14, 1968
Conrad Hilton Hotel Chicago, Illinois March 5, 1970
Marriott Hotel Atlanta, Georgia March 7, 1972
Holiday Inn Anaheim, California March 21, 1974
La Concha Hotel Atlantic City, New Jersey March 9, 1976
Airport Hilton Inn St. Louis, Missouri October 14, 1977
Holiday Inn O'Hare Kennedy Chicago, Illinois October 25, 1979
Colonial Williamsburg Virginia December 10-12, 1981
Marriott Hotel-Airport Atlanta, Georgia October 28-29, 1983
Orrington Hotel Evanston, Illinois October 4-5, 1985
Lincoln Hotel Westshore Tampa, Florida October 23-24, 1987
Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel Houston, Texas October 20-22, 1989
The Doubletree Hotel Atlanta, Georgia October 11-13,1991
The Clarion Hotel Cincinnati, Ohio October 22-24, 1993
Westin William Penn Hotel Pittsburgh, Penna. November 3-5, 1995
Marquette Hotel Minneapolis, Minn. November 7-9, 1997
Embassy Suites Hotel New Orleans, Lousiana December 10-12, 1999
Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia, Penna. December 7-9, 2001
Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, Illinois. December 5-7, 2003
Crowne Plaza Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas, September 15, 2006