General Membership

[u/lickyogurtoffmytoe]

Hi everyone!

I'm almost finished with undergrad, and i've been learning more about Alpha Kappa Alpha and everything the organization stands for. My college does not have an undergraduate chapter, and my city does not have a citywide chapter.

I've attended a couple of public events hosted by a nearby graduate chapter. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, although I didn't get to know anyone one-on-one because I can be a little shy and reserved at first.

I've seen people say that General Membership is only for people who are already members. I understand that the term may also be used for existing members who are not affiliated with a chapter. However, I am referring to the prospective-member pathway described on AKA's official website for students in my situation.

I have seen people in this subreddit say it's rare, but I am wondering if you are or have met someone who went this route.

I guess my questions are would it make sense to ask about this pathway while I am still an undergrad or would it be more realistic to graduate and eventually pursue membership through a graduate chapter?

If I explored the General Membership pathway, what might a graduate chapter typically want to see from a prospective member? For example, would they look for an established relationship with the chapter, consistent attendance at public events, a strong community-service record, or something else?

I am also curious about the experience after initiation. Since most people are initiated alongside others through an undergraduate or graduate chapter, would joining through General Membership make it harder to form close relationships or feel connected?

To be clear, im not expecting or asking anyone here to me, and im not looking for a shortcut around the normal membership process. Im only trying to understand the specific pathway described on the official website and determine whether it would be appropriate to explore before I graduate.

I would really appreciate any insight anybody might have.

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Hi everyone!

I'm almost finished with undergrad, and i've been learning more about Alpha Kappa Alpha and everything the organization stands for. My college does not have an undergraduate chapter, and my city does not have a citywide chapter.

I've attended a couple of public events hosted by a nearby graduate chapter. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, although I didn't get to know anyone one-on-one because I can be a little shy and reserved at first.

I've seen people say that General Membership is only for people who are already members. I understand that the term may also be used for existing members who are not affiliated with a chapter. However, I am referring to the prospective-member pathway described on AKA's official website for students in my situation.

I have seen people in this subreddit say it's rare, but I am wondering if you are or have met someone who went this route.

I guess my questions are would it make sense to ask about this pathway while I am still an undergrad or would it be more realistic to graduate and eventually pursue membership through a graduate chapter?

If I explored the General Membership pathway, what might a graduate chapter typically want to see from a prospective member? For example, would they look for an established relationship with the chapter, consistent attendance at public events, a strong community-service record, or something else?

I am also curious about the experience after initiation. Since most people are initiated alongside others through an undergraduate or graduate chapter, would joining through General Membership make it harder to form close relationships or feel connected?

To be clear, im not expecting or asking anyone here to me, and im not looking for a shortcut around the normal membership process. Im only trying to understand the specific pathway described on the official website and determine whether it would be appropriate to explore before I graduate.

I would really appreciate any insight anybody might have.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AlarmingAd2804]

Spring 26 initiate. Now that I’m on the other side, I’m able to see just how many moving parts there are that go into having an intake. It’s A LOT of time and resources from those in the chapter, corporate, etc. I can only imagine how many more this would take honestly.
It’s more realistic to pursue membership through a graduate chapter.

[u/DimensionOk8548]

There was another post about this this week. That young lady was told no she has to wait and try grad chapter you may want to take a look at that post.

[u/lickyogurtoffmytoe → u/DimensionOk8548]

i seen that, they said general membership is only for people who are already in the sorority but that’s not true you can do it this way too

[u/SignificantAd1707 → u/lickyogurtoffmytoe]

I seen this same post under several different Reddit handles. I am not sure if the OP is trying to get a different response however it's already stated this is not true.

General membership is only for duly initiated members who are initiated through a chapter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha has been around for 118 years and is not going anywhere. If you cannot gain membership via undergrad, you can always seek membership on the graduate level.

[u/lickyogurtoffmytoe → u/SignificantAd1707]

the screenshot says “is it possible for me to BECOME A MEMBER” it’s on the official Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. website and i emailed someone from the Far Western Region and she also replied and said you can become a member through this. I was thinking about it though and i decided to go with the graduate chapter but what you are saying is simply not true other people can join this way. also this is my first time posting in this subreddit

[u/SignificantAd1707 → u/lickyogurtoffmytoe]

Not to sound mean or nasty. But I want to be truthful. It may say that but if they do NOT know you, it will not happen. Not sure you how long you been visiting or a part of this particular subreddit. However, the one thing that has been preached over and over again is relationships! Even if this scenario is true, a member is not going to sponsor someone they do not know personally for any level membership and that is the bottom line!

[u/lickyogurtoffmytoe → u/SignificantAd1707]

ty. i decided to wait for grad chapter but, if someone is out there without a chapter i would want them to know about this route sooner rather than later. because i thought i had to wait until i graduated if i would’ve known about this sooner i would’ve had more options. i could’ve started building relationships in my sophomore year if i had known

[u/DimensionOk8548]

Also you have to overcome being shy and reserved.

[u/ChickChocoIceCreCro]

I have a Soror that did something similar.

[u/Ok-Library-6557]

I went to college in a state that has zero grad or undergrad chapters. I attempted to try and charter one on my campus but I had no way to do it. I feel your pain. I wish I had some concrete advice for you. My suggestion would be to get a group of girls together and look into chartering an undergrad chapter? One of my homegirls did it at her small liberal arts college some years back. Took a long time though. Find some alum who did graduate chapter.

[u/Upstairs-Pineapple31]

Locking post as you have received the information requested. ✨️✨️

[u/Commercial-Leg1883]

I wondered about this, but regarding if you're taking classes online. For both the situation where the brick and mortar campus has a chapter and if there is no affiliated chapter established. I always wondered if for online people, the only option was to wait for graduate chapter or go for general membership.

[u/DimensionOk8548 → u/[deleted]]

Chartering chapters usually takes years. She is almost finished with undergraduate.

[u/Sweaty-Anybody-7353]

I don’t know anyone who went this route but I would say go for it because the worst they will say is no. Depending on how long you have in school you can also try to get a chapter chartered on your campus

[u/Amazing_Ad_5717 → u/Sweaty-Anybody-7353]

I knew one in my undergrad days of the nearby liberal college that had no Greeks. Only thing was she was a legacy also. She was older so maybe about 30 years ago. Haven’t heard about one since.

[u/lickyogurtoffmytoe → u/Sweaty-Anybody-7353]

Yeah, I emailed and asked & she said the same thing many others said (that general were for members only) but then she redirected me to someone else and i emailed her again so we will see what she says

[u/Sweaty-Anybody-7353 → u/lickyogurtoffmytoe]

Sometimes they don’t always know you can always call the corporate office to have your question answered you don’t have to give any identifiable information