Greetings Sorors ,
Belgian author Maurice Maeterlinck wrote , “ At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future , tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past .” We are incredibly fortunate that our treasured Ivy Leaf ® magazine is still in place , protecting our history . Since 1921 , the Ivy Leaf ® has documented our accomplishments in the areas of race and cultural matters , economics , political and civic engagement , health , the Black Family , and education , to name a few . It also credibly depicts the expansion of the Corporate Office from our location at 5211 South Greenwood to our current site of 5656 South Stony Island Avenue . Our impressive periodical even captures the evolution of our operations from simply housing membership records to serving as the nerve center for delivering programs and services worldwide .
Our tradition of excellent service continues .
MEMBERSHIP As of June 16 , 2021 , Alpha Kappa Alpha ’ s Corporate Office processed 102,810 memberships . This number reflects the highest financially active membership in the Sorority ’ s history .
REACTIVATIONS Within the last six months , we have processed over 13,500 reactivations and are pleased to welcome our members back into the fold . Like churches and employers , chapters should consider hosting chapter orientations for new and reactivated members to explain current initiatives , processes , procedures , chapter programs , and fees .
NURTURING OUR UNDERGRADUATES – SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONING Congratulations to our recent graduates ! We are anxiously anticipating your move from undergraduate status to either a graduate chapter or general membership . After graduation , you should have received a signed Transfer Verification Form from your Chapter Basileus and Graduate Advisor . If you did not receive the form , please reach out to them immediately . This document is a “ must-have ” to smoothly transition your membership . If you decide to join a local graduate chapter , you must provide them with a copy of the transfer form . The chapter will explain the cost of the local chapter dues and / or assessments . Some graduate chapters even have discounts for recent graduates , so please inquire . The graduate chapter will remit the transfer report and form to this office so we can complete your transfer into the chapter .
If you are not quite ready to join a local chapter , please submit your Transfer Verification Form to the Corporate Office so you may be transferred into General Membership . As a General Member , you can maintain your membership with the Sorority until you decide to join a local chapter . If you are currently active , you do not have to submit any fees with your form for 2021 .
VIRTUAL 69TH BOULE / 2021 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The Corporate Office extends congratulations to all ten regions for a successful regional conference season , even during a pandemic . Planning and implementing a virtual conference is more than just a notion ! The Divine 9 Executive Directors meet monthly , and each of us agrees that we much rather plan an onsite international conference than a virtual one . Our stress level is heightened because of all the unknowns inherent in technology . This fear , combined with our desire to make the event a positive experience for everyone , makes planning for a virtual event one of the most stressful endeavors imaginable .
Additionally , many of our members are questioning the amount of the registration fee . After all , the conference is virtual . Sorors , putting on a hybrid , virtual event for almost 30,000 members takes more than a subscription to Zoom . In our case ,
4 I vyL eaf ® Spring 2021 Centennial edition