AKA Documents
Rank Order of Governing Documents
This Founder was the first women's dean at Howard University and first elected Basileus of the sorority
Lucy Diggs Slowe
Soror (Sister)
Founders' Day and Location
January 15, 1908 at Howard University
Classifications of Membership
Undergraduate, Graduate, General, Associate, Life and Honorary
This establishes a uniform guideline for members' behavior; interacting with other members, interacting with non-members, ensuring financial integrity, upholding our commitment to service, and respecting our sorority
Soror Code of Ethics
The "Moving Spirit" in the establishment of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the two teachers who influenced them
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle
Influencers - Ethel Robinson and Elizabeth Appa Cook
Chief Officer of the Sorority who’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Boule and Directorate. Appoint chairmen and members of all committees and fill vacancies except as otherwise provided for in the Bylaws. General supervision over employed personnel and over the Boule.
Supreme Basileus
This five word phrase is the motto of the sorority
By Culture and By Merit
Conference of study sessions designed to clarify procedures and resolve problems of the chapters within a region through workshops, discussions, demonstrations, and other types of group activity
Regional Conference
This governing document defines the primary purpose, official colors, motto, governing body, and policy making body of the sorority. It supercedes all other governing documents
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Constitution & Bylaws
After attending a sorority meeting in 1912 where she heard proposals to change the group's name, colors, symbols, and motto; she realized the need for intervention to preserve the premise of the sorority in perpetuity
Nellie May Quander
This governing body is the executive power and policy making body of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that meets biannually in the summer
Boule
The official publication of the sorority
The Ivy Leaf
This international officer presides over the Constitution and Bylaws committee, ensures sessions are orderly, ensures the Supreme Basileus is neutral and offers advisement as necessary
Supreme Parliamentarian (International Parliamentarian)
The First Verse of the Ivy Hymn
Pushing the clods of earth aside,
Leaving the dark where foul things hide,
Spreading its leaves to the summer sun,
Bondage ended, freedom won;
So let my soul like the Ivy be;
Rise, for the sunshine calls for thee.
Share the title of the Sophomores and Incorporators
Norma Elizabeth Boyd and Ethel Jones Mowbray
This administrative division has the power to conduct sorority business and submit amendments to the constitution
Directorate
In 1968, Alpha Kappa Alpha began publishing these series of brochures detailing the accomplishments of Black women
Heritage Series of Black Women
Number and Titles of Sorors that constitute the Directorate
18: Supreme Basileus, First Supreme Anti-Basileus, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus, Supreme Grammateus, Supreme Tamiochous, Supreme Parliamentarian, 10 Regional Directors, Two Undergraduate Members-at-Large
The Mission Statement
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”
The Twenty Pearls
Eight Greek Chapter Titles and Role
Basileus - President
Anti-Basileus - Vice President
Grammateus - Secretary
Epistoleus - Corresponding Secretary
Tamiochous - Treasurer
Pecunious Grammateus - Financial Secretary
Hodegos - Hostess
Philacter - Sergeant-At-Arms
AKA Corporate Office Name and Full Address
The Ivy Center
5656 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
Difference between undergraduate and graduate chapters
Undergrad: established by charter to a collegiate institution or area; minimum of 12 prospective candidates needed to start
Graduate: established for alumnae, only AKA members can form chapters, minimum of 15 sorors to charter; if AKA chapter exist in an area, at least 25 sorors must petition to charter a new chapter