Alumni chapters serve as a link for continuing active participation by alumni members in the work and brotherhood of their fraternity. It is the goal of the alumni chapter to extend the KA experience far past the undergraduate years.
VIEW A LISTING OF EXISTING ALUMNI CHAPTERS
What does an Alumni Chapter Do?
Most alumni chapters are organized to coalesce support for an Active Chapter or to gather up alumni in a regional or geographic area for brotherhood and social or professional networking. As constitutional units of the Order, accredited alumni chapters have all the rights and privileges of an active chapter, except for electing new members, and may:
- Be represented and vote at Convention
- Recommend prospective new members
- Host regular social activities in KA fellowship
- Celebrate the Convivium as a chapter and, if desired, with any local active chapter
- Nominate members for election into the Province Court of Honor
- Recognize its members with certificates and awards as appropriate
- Adopt bylaws
There are a number of Kappa Alpha alumni chapters across the country, each one started by a group of KAs who wanted to associate with men of like character. Each of these groups is a little different and each has its own agenda, social calendar and expectations, much like our undergraduate chapters.
History of Alumni Chapters
As early members of Alpha and Beta left their schools in Virginia, they showed interest in organizing alumni groups which could be conducive to the establishment and upbuilding of active chapters. Those early members established the first alumni chapter in Macon, Georgia, on December 18, 1869; a second chapter was established ten years later, in 1879, in Columbus, Georgia.The provision for the establishment of alumni chapters did not actually exist until the Constitution of 1874, and it included the limitation that chapters would not have the authority to initiate new members.
The 17th Convention (1893 in Richmond, Virginia) encouraged the establishment of alumni chapters and declared that such chapters “when duly authorized and chartered by the Knight Commander shall have every privilege enjoyed by active chapters with the exception of initiating new members.” Since that time, provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws have allowed for the establishment of alumni chapters “to collaborate with the Order, and its active chapters, to further its objectives, intention, and purposes and to preserve and maintain its traditions and national reputation.”
See Additional Laws Regarding Alumni Chapters
Kappa Alpha Laws regarding Alumni Chapter Representation, Recognition, and Operations
11-121. Alumni Chapters. An Alumni Chapter may be established by the issuance of an Alumni Charter by the Knight Commander, upon satisfactory petition by ten or more Alumni Members. An Alumnus Member may be a member of more than one Alumni Chapter, but only one Alumni Chapter may count him as an enrolled member for the purpose of meeting the establishment or annual qualification requirement. Alumni Chapters shall have no power or authority to elect or initiate new members.
11-122. Qualification for Convention representation. Every Alumni Chapter established under this article may be qualified for representation at a Convention, provided it submits an Annual Report including the following information:
a) Confirmation of annual meeting,
b) Update from election of officers,
c) Maintenance of a minimum membership of at least ten Alumni Members,
d) Comply with IRS, federal, and state guidelines; and,
e) Submission of annual dues, as prescribed in the Regulations.
11-123. Officers and operations. The officers of an Alumni Chapter shall be a President and a Secretary and such other officers as the chapter may prescribe. Alumni Chapters may enact such bylaws and rules for their own internal government as are not in conflict with the laws and customs of the Order. Any bylaws or rules so enacted shall be filed with the Executive Director. Alumni Chapters are expected to collaborate with Province Commanders as requested and Province Commanders and their deputies shall cooperate with the Alumni Chapters within their provinces as may be appropriate or as requested.
11-124. Withdrawal and reactivation of charter. For cause, the Knight Commander may withdraw the charter of an Alumni Chapter with the consent of the Executive Council. Alumni Chapters which have been inactive for a period of one year or more may petition for reactivation of their charter by remitting the regular charter fee to the Executive Director.
R11-121. REQUIREMENTS OF ALUMNI CHAPTERS.
(a) A petition form for Alumni Members seeking to establish an Alumni Chapter shall be specified by the Executive Council. It shall be submitted to the Executive Director for consideration by the Knight Commander.
(b) An annual report for Alumni Chapters shall be specified by the Executive Council. It shall be submitted to the Executive Director.
(c) The Province Commander for which an Alumni Chapter may be located or assigned by the Knight Commander shall be notified by the Executive Director of the receipt of a petition for a charter
(d) Upon approval of the petition, the Knight Commander shall assign the name of a new Alumni Chapter or one that has been inactive for more than one year. The name shall not include that of any Active Chapter, in good standing or not, nor that of any college or university.
(e) The charter fee for an Alumni Chapter shall be $500. A duplicate charter for an Alumni Chapter shall be at cost from the supplier.
(f) Biennial Dues of an Alumni Chapter shall be $300
CREATING OR RESTARTING AN ALUMNI CHAPTER
Starting an Alumni Chapter is as Easy as 1-2-3!
Alumni Chapters may be formed at any time during the year. If you are creating a new alumni chapter or restarting an alumni chapter, you must submit the application along with $500 chartering fee which will also cover your first two years of dues.
ANNUAL REPORT OF AN EXISTING, QUALIFIED ALUMNI CHAPTER
If you are simply renewing your Alumni Chapter, submit the Annual Report along with $300 for your biennial dues (only due in odd-numbered years). While recognition and dues are biennial, the Annual Report is due before June 1.