The Membership Recognition Pin, affectionately known as the "Cofa" (a term derived from coat of arms), is a gold lapel pin featuring the official crest or coat of arms of Kappa Kappa Psi. It serves as an accessible, everyday identification pin for members who may not purchase the Crown Pearl Badge.
The Cofa features all the important symbols of Kappa Kappa Psi on a single, elegant pin:
The Cofa is designed to be quickly recognizable to other members while maintaining the dignity and formality of the Fraternity.
The nickname "Cofa" comes from Coat of Arms and has become the standard way Kappa Kappa Psi members refer to this pin. It's a term you'll hear across all chapters and regions.
While the Crown Pearl Badge is optional but premium, the Cofa is designed to be more accessible in terms of both cost and ease of acquisition. It provides an entry-level way to visibly identify as a Kappa Kappa Psi member.
Unlike the Crown Pearl Badge which has specific formal placement requirements, the Cofa is designed for casual, everyday wear:
Prospective members are encouraged to become familiar with the Cofa and its symbols during their membership education. Learning to recognize the Cofa is part of becoming a true member of the Brotherhood.
Like the Crown Pearl Badge, the Cofa is typically made of gold, ensuring durability and giving it a sense of permanence. A Cofa pin should last a lifetime of daily wear.
When traveling or attending events, wearing the Cofa allows Brothers from different chapters to quickly recognize each other. It's a portable symbol of fraternal connection.
There are actually two versions of the Cofa:
Many new initiates start with the Cofa as their first piece of Kappa Kappa Psi jewelry, then later may upgrade to the Crown Pearl Badge as they deepen their commitment and investment in the organization.
The Cofa's simple, elegant design makes it universally recognizable. A member in California wearing a Cofa looks identical to a member in Maine wearing the same pin—reinforcing the unity of the national organization.
Since the founding of Kappa Kappa Psi in 1919, there have always been versions of the fraternity's main crest available as smaller, more accessible pins. The tradition continues with the modern Cofa.
Coat of Arms Designed - As part of the Fraternity's founding and charter process, the coat of arms (crest) is designed to represent the organization's values and symbols.
Cofa Pin Introduced - To make the crest accessible to all members, smaller versions are produced as lapel pins. The term "Cofa" becomes popular.
Standardization - Official Cofa designs are standardized across the Fraternity to ensure consistency and authenticity.
Enameled Version Created - The Enameled Recognition Pin (colorized, larger version) is introduced as an alternative Cofa for different occasions.
Accessibility Emphasis - As the Fraternity emphasizes that badge purchase is optional, the Cofa becomes the standard entry-level identification pin for members.
Continued Tradition - The Cofa remains a popular choice for members at all levels of the organization, from new initiates to long-time brothers.
Digital Age - Cofa designs are preserved digitally and made available to chapters for easy ordering and reference.
When wearing the Cofa alongside other Kappa Kappa Psi jewelry:
| Aspect | Cofa (Membership Recognition Pin) | Crown Pearl Badge | |---|---|---| | Cost | Lower | Higher | | Formality Level | Casual to semi-formal | Formal | | Symbols | Crest only | Crown, Pearl, & Additional Symbols | | Wearing Occasions | Everyday, casual events | Formal events, Greek functions | | Customization | Limited | Can be customized with office bars | | Requirement | Optional | Optional | | Purpose | Daily identification | Official formal identification |
Many chapters recommend that new initiates purchase the Cofa as their first piece of Kappa Kappa Psi jewelry. It:
Active members often wear the Cofa:
Alumni members often appreciate the Cofa because:
The Membership Recognition Pin (Cofa) represents Kappa Kappa Psi's commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Not every member needs to purchase premium jewelry to be a full, valued member of the Fraternity.
The Cofa allows brothers across all economic backgrounds to proudly display their membership and be recognized by fellow members. It embodies the principle that membership in Kappa Kappa Psi is based on values, commitment, and brotherhood—not on the price of one's jewelry.
For over 100 years, the Cofa has been the accessible badge that allows every member to say, "I am a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi."