District History
The first District Designation of the present day to include the Northeast was the Eastern District[1]. From 1949-1955 District X and District XI occupied the boundaries of the Northeast District. The reorganization of District Lines at 1955’s National Convention caused Districts X and XI be redistricted to allow balance due to the expansion of both organizations.[2] District X consisted of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. District XI consisted of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia. Both Districts agreed to meet together for Convention in 1958. This was also the first time that Tau Beta Sigma had appeared at any District Convention in the Northeast. By 1969 District IX took the place of Districts X and XI. In 1987 District IX was dubbed the Northeast District and continues with this designation to the present.
[1] Due to the fire damage of the Archives little is known of the Eastern District and its boundaries. However Raymond D. Shannon is named the Eastern District Governor in the Beta Zeta Petitioning Document.
[2] The Podium May 1955 pg. 8
The Brothers in the NED
There
were many local band fraternities during the early stages of colonization and
installation of Kappa Kappa Psi chapters. After receiving information of the
National Fraternity, a band club at Pennsylvania State University showed
interest. The first chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi present in the Northeast was the
Zeta Chapter installed April 25, 1923. Many of the beginning chapters in the
Northeast found most of their members in the R.O.T.C. Bands. Military recruitment would lead to the
inactive status of many chapters during World War II. Once World War II ended
many men came back to their respective chapters. However, the war took a toll
on the chapter level for more than a fourth of the Brotherhood had been called
to active duty[1]. Many
chapters faced financial difficulties and were disheartened at the loss of
their fellow comrades. Many chapters folded for good.
During the 1950’s the role of expansion and revitalization became the most important aspect of the Fraternity. Many chapters flourished from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Unfortunately, many new chapters folded within the first two years of activation due to the instability of their new band programs. Revitalization of old chapters became the District’s priority in the 1970’s and 1980’s. A few early chapters were reinstalled to serve their bands. Some revitalization efforts failed and those chapters have remained inactive. From the 1980’s to the present the Northeast District of Kappa Kappa Psi has expanded to having a chapter present in all states in its boundaries except for Vermont [1] 2003 Historical Snap shot of Kappa Kappa Psi
During the 1950’s the role of expansion and revitalization became the most important aspect of the Fraternity. Many chapters flourished from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Unfortunately, many new chapters folded within the first two years of activation due to the instability of their new band programs. Revitalization of old chapters became the District’s priority in the 1970’s and 1980’s. A few early chapters were reinstalled to serve their bands. Some revitalization efforts failed and those chapters have remained inactive. From the 1980’s to the present the Northeast District of Kappa Kappa Psi has expanded to having a chapter present in all states in its boundaries except for Vermont [1] 2003 Historical Snap shot of Kappa Kappa Psi
