Who we are

“The Keepers of the Key,” as we are informally called, are Kappa alumnae and collegiate members tied together through the internet, dedicated to redeeming and preserving Kappa Kappa Gamma membership badges and keeping them in the hands of loyal sisters and the Fraternity.

This crusade to rescue wandering items is an individual effort among an ever-growing band of sisters who are dedicated to ensuring our badges remain symbols of membership in our great Fraternity rather than simply pieces of jewelry or collectors’ items. Our group includes current and former Fraternity officers, chapter advisers, alumnae, and collegiate members. We are Kappas from different chapters, backgrounds, lifestyles, and age groups, but we all share a passion for keeping badges and other ephemera in the Kappa family. 

What we do

Since the advent and widespread popularity of online selling sites, Kappa badges, like many other NPC and IFC membership badges, have become highly collectible items. Keepers work tirelessly to ensure Kappa badges stay in the Kappa family, not in the hands of non-Kappa collectors or others who do not have the deep respect and appreciation Kappas have for our golden key. We have rescued many historically significant pieces which have been put on display at Fraternity Headquarters and in our lovely Museum in Monmouth. Some of the badges we rescue were lost or stolen from members who never thought they would see them again -- some for upwards of 40 years! The joy and happiness that members express at being reunited with their original Kappa badge truly exemplifies the ties that bind us together as sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma.  

Most often, we pass badges along to other sisters who reimburse us the purchase price, usually replacing a lost or stolen badge with one of the same style or vintage. Some of us have our own collections — of badges from our chapter, in various styles and eras, or just the ones we like — because we value the deeper meaning behind our golden key.

How we do, what we do…

When a Keeper finds a Kappa badge, we contact the member (if living) using Fraternity Headquarters’ membership database.  If the member is “lost”- no current information on file, we utilize our resources to contact (and subsequently update the Fraternity’s records) the member. Usually, she has no idea her badge is for sale online and is delighted at the prospect of having it returned to her.  In other instances, the member may be deceased, resigned, or simply wishes her badge to be available for another Kappa to adopt, cherish, and enjoy.  We work within the larger Kappa community to find adoptive homes for these badges.