The International Fraternity’s Structure
Fundamentally, Pi Kappa Alpha is an unincorporated fraternal affiliation that exists in the hearts of its members. It is not a corporate structure, although corporate entities have been formed to support the work of the Fraternity. It is not a hierarchy, although leaders are elected by the International Convention to advance the organization’s interests. Instead, the Fraternity is truly what it should be – a brotherhood of people and groups working cooperatively for their mutual benefit. Advisors may want to be familiar with the following:
The Supreme Council
The Supreme Council is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected by the International Convention. They serve a two-year term and are charged with leading the Fraternity between Conventions. It is composed of the International President, six International Vice Presidents (two of whom are students appointed to one-year terms), the International Legal Counsel and the Past International President.
Executive Vice President
The Executive Vice President is selected by the Supreme Council and serves as the chief executive officer of the Fraternity’s affiliated corporations. He hires and manages the professional staff working at the Memorial Headquarters.
Regional Presidents
Regional Presidents are International Officers of the Fraternity and are also considered volunteer or “non-paid” (versus professional) staff. They are appointed by the Supreme Council to two year terms and report to the Executive Vice President throughout the year. They are charged with supporting and recruiting alumni volunteers in a geographic area. Each has typically served as a local volunteer and/or as a member of the Fraternity’s professional staff prior to their appointment.
Regional Presidents are an advisor’s primary point of contact. Regional Presidents attend each Leadership Summit and International Convention. These volunteers provide assistance such as sourcing and recruiting volunteers, providing Fraternity-related educational support to advisory boards, facilitating volunteer organizational meetings and serving as an ambassador for significant chapter or alumni events.
Fraternity Services & Professional Staff
More than 50 full and part-time professionals work on behalf of Pi Kappa Alpha at the Memorial Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. The staff reports to the Executive Vice President and is generally organized in the following manner. A full staff directory is available by clicking on “About” on the Fraternity’s website.
PIKE University
The PIKE University staff is charged with the development of educational curriculum for the Fraternity. This includes planning and hosting PIKE University leadership summits, chapter executive conferences, and the International Convention. In addition, the PIKE University team directly supports the True PIKE Experience and other chapter educational initiatives.
Alumni & Volunteer Department
This department supports the many alumni and volunteers who give their time and talent at the local level as chapter advisors and members of alumni advisory boards. The alumni & volunteer department helps to recruit advisors, assist them through the accreditation process, and provide training and resource materials.
Chapter Services Department
The chapter services staff conducts more than 250 visits annually to Pi Kappa Alpha chapters. The bulk of these visits are made by chapter consultants. Their standard three-day visit focuses on chapter programming using the Chapter Success Plan.
Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation
The Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation is the preferred institution for members interested in providing financial support to the Fraternity. The Foundation provides grants for qualifying Fraternity programs, administers chapter specific endowments for every PIKE chapter, and individual named endowments from alumni and friends.
Finances, Healthy & Safety
The staff offers a variety of resources to help chapters manage their finances, including sample financial reports and forms. The Fraternity also provides student members, chapters, alumni advisors and affiliated house corporations with liability protection via the Liability Protection Program. For more information, contact the chief financial officer.
Housing & Real Estate
Pi Kappa Alpha’s real estate support includes first and second mortgage loans, consultation and guidance in conducting fundraising and capital campaigns and the International Work Day program – which encourages and provides assistance for chapters that participate in a house improvement project. Also available are special grants for life safety improvements, sample forms and educational resources.
Recruitment & Expansion
Pi Kappa Alpha has traditionally been a leader in the area of membership recruitment and expansion. The Fraternity averages three to six new colonies per year, and offers a variety of educational programs and resources to assist chapters in recruitment.
For a full staff directory, please click here.
International Fraternity Policies
Constitution
The Constitution lays forth the name and object of the Fraternity, its governance structure, amendment procedures and how appeals may be made. It describes the authorities of the Supreme Council and the International Convention. The Constitution is amendable by a two-thirds vote of accredited chapter delegates at an International Convention.
Chapter Codes
The Chapter Codes describe the Fraternity’s symbols, membership policies, dues and fees and officer roles. The Codes are amendable by a majority vote of accredited chapter delegates, alumni association delegates, International Officers and Past Inter/National Presidents at an International Convention. The only exception pertains to dues and fees, which may only be voted on by chapter delegates.
Supreme Council General Policies
The Supreme Council has adopted its own policies and guidelines. They deal with issues of governance and the role of the professional staff. These policies are amendable by the Supreme Council.
Convention Resolutions
The International Convention typically adopts several resolutions when it meets every two years. Some of these resolutions can be expressions of appreciation or support, or they can be positions on important issues.