Information for Parents and Educators
-> Download DKA General Information Brochure
Your child’s decision to join a Chapter of the Gender-Inclusive, National, Honorary, Values-Based, Professional Cinema Fraternity, Delta Kappa Alpha. begins a lifelong experience, and we are pleased that they are a part of our circle. Our Professional Cinema Fraternity is grounded in timeless personal values and principles, and as an organization, we challenge our members to set the standard in their field of work, community, and campus by being cinematic artists of excellent character.
Delta Kappa Alpha members make a difference on their campuses and in their communities because of the wonderful support they receive from their parents. A parent’s job never stops, and we know how important it is to stay involved in your child’s choices and experiences. We invite you to be part of your child’s fraternity experience-even if it just means that you ask questions or consider volunteering your time. We know our mission is a team effort. We encourage all parents and other parental figures to join each chapter’s Parent’s Club.
Professional Fraternity life, when focused properly, is very much about personal development, leadership, professional training and practice, fellowship, scholastic support, and positive experiences that will add value and enhance the academic experience. On behalf of all our members, we are proud that your child is a part of our fellowship, and we hope they will always take advantage of all that Delta Kappa Alpha has to offer.
The DKA Creed
“I believe in Delta Kappa Alpha, its principles and its traditions. I will be loyal to my college, my chapter, and my Fraternity by keeping strong ties and retaining the spirit of youth. In helping others follow their bliss, I shall ask for no reward, I shall seek no glory. I will put character above wealth and my actions will follow my word. I will preserve the history of Cinema and the heritage of my Fraternity. I say with all sincerity; Delta Kappa Alpha has given me honor and distinction; the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal, I will endeavor to so develop myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit to our Fraternity.”
Get Involved!
Being a member of Delta Kappa Alpha is a life-long experience and community of support. Delta Kappa Alpha is more than a Chapter, and a Chapter is more than the current undergraduates; this is what makes our fraternity so special. From the first day of association with DKA, you become part of something truly great. Being a member is a commitment, one that is well worth everything put into it. Stop by the house, meet us at the cafe, or talk to us in class. We’ll be more than willing to let you know what it means to be a member of a Chapter of Delta Kappa Alpha Professional Cinema Fraternity.
“How do I get involved in Delta Kappa Alpha?”
DKA holds “Recruitment” events year-round. This is a chance for those interested in DKA, and the professional side of Greek Life, to come up and meet the members and begin to understand what this chapter has to offer. At the beginning of every semester, “Formal Recruitment” week is held. This is when men and women who are interested in joining Delta Kappa Alpha formally express their intent to join and can be offered an invitation to join the chapter (if they qualify according to the requirements below). This is followed up by a professional new member education and orientation program that lasts 6 weeks. The program is a set of activities and presentations that teach the associating members everything there is to know about DKA and how to gain the most out of the experience. We are very passionate and proud to have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on Hazing. This orientation and education semester is often our members favorite experience as the activities are fun, collaborative, and teach members professional skills and all that DKA has to offer.
Why does DKA have a new member program?
The word “Pledge” is often associated with mistreatment and low-status by stereotypes related to “Fraternities”. But in DKA, the term “pledge member” refers to the individuals pledge of commitment toward learning about the organization, it’s history and operations, as well as essential career and professional skills. The pledge member period is exclusively an orientation and educational period. The program will share the Heritage, Structure and Operations, Communication and Resources, and Values of DKA. Pledge members will learn the basic workings of a chapter and of the national organization. The program will help the member acclimate to the culture of the Chapter and overall Fraternity, develop a continually growing level of fellowship and partnership between initiated Brothers and Sisters, and will give the member an amazing and positive experience that they will fondly look back on.
Delta Kappa Alpha Fast Facts
- Founded March 16, 1936 in Los Angeles, California
- Colors: Deep Royal Blue and Old Gold
- Flower: White Carnation
- National Service Partner: SeriousFun Children’s Network
- National Magazine: The National CineJournal
- Mission: To foster lifelong character, collaborative and creative storytelling, ethical and productive business practices, philanthropic action, and fraternal bonds by and between students of the cinematic arts.
Terms To Know
Chapter
A Chapter is a local group of a National Fraternity or Sorority. Local chapters are given a Greek Letter that correlates to what order it associated with the National organization. The first chapter is the Alpha Chapter, the second is Beta Chapter, etc”¦ The term “Chapter” is also used to signify the weekly meeting of the Resident Council.
Nationals
“Nationals” refers to the governing officials of the Delta Kappa Alpha National Fraternity, located in Los Angeles, California.
Resident Council
The “Resident Council” is a group of active undergraduate or graduate school student members of the chapter.
Executive Council (EC)
Executive Council is the governing board of the Resident Council, and is made up of elected undergraduate members. “EC” is short name for “Executive Council.”
Graduate Council
The “Graduate Council” of the Chapter is used to signify a group of alumni members of the chapter who have graduated or left school in good standing.
Board of Governors (BOG)
The “Board of Governors” is a subset of the Graduate Council, and is made up of alumni that guide the Resident Council.
Recruitment
“Recruitment” is the common term used to describe the new-member recruitment procedure for Greek organizations at most colleges. It occurs towards the beginning of each semester, and is proceeded by Pledge Education Program. Recruitment is a year-round process.
Pledge Member
“Pledge Member” is the term for an undergraduate or graduate school student who has gone through the Recruitment process, has decided to join Delta Kappa Alpha, and is going through the Pledge Education Process.
Pledge Education Program (TROT Program)
The “Pledge Education Program” is a 6 week process, consisting of a set of activities and presentations that teach the “Pledge Members” everything there is to know about Delta Kappa Alpha.
Neophyte
A “Neophyte” is an Pledge Member who has completed the Pledge Education Program, but has yet to be initiated as a brother or sister of the Fraternity.
Hazing
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, regardless of location, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. All Chapters of the Delta Kappa Alpha Fraternity DO NOT permit hazing during any of its activities.
Recruitment/New Member Education
“Recruitment” is the common term used to describe the new-member recruitment procedure for Greek organizations at most colleges. Students must be in good standing with the University/College in order to join a Fraternity or Sorority. Students are required to have at least a 2.00 GPA in order to be considered eligible. The Office of Student Affairs reserves the right to deny any student entrance to a chapter for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Formal recruitment takes place at the beginning of each term. Provided that they meet the requirements stated above, all independent men and women wishing to join a chapter may participate. The specific rules and procedures regarding recruitment are set by the Professional Fraternity Council. These rules are on file at with the Office of Student Affairs and are available to all students upon request. All students interested in joining a chapter are invited to bring any questions or concerns they may have to the Office of Student Affairs. Greek life at a residential college can enhance many opportunities to students who choose to become affiliated with Greek organizations. “Recruitment” is a time when members of the Greek organization provide organized programs to explain and promote the benefits of Greek Life.
CHAPTER GOVERNANCE
The University/College considers two key chapter members as the primary contacts for housing issues: the Chapter President and the House Manager. The Chapter President is considered the official spokesperson for the house on all issues, with the exception of the House Manager, who is seen as the primary contact person for any housing or maintenance issues.
The chapter has 3 governing boards that conduct business specific to Delta Kappa Alpha at this campus. The Executive Council of the Resident Council is a council of active undergraduates that organize and plan the day-to-day activities of the Chapter. The Executive Council of the Graduate Council is the alumni board of the chapter, and deals mostly with alumni, and their involvement with the chapter. The Board of Governors (BOG) is a subset of the Graduate Council, and is made up of alumni that guide the Resident Council (Undergraduates).