A Chapter Congress is the Fraternity's official legislative body that brings together delegates from chapters to discuss and vote on proposed changes to AKPsi's governing documents.

The agenda for the Chapter Congress in January will be set in the coming weeks; however, even if no specific legislation is submitted for decision for this Congress, the delegate will still have the opportunity to make recommendations on topics and submit items that can be decided by the next Congress. The main objective is to use these opportunities to convene to discuss items that are important to our future, rather than limiting these conversations to every two years.

This will help the organization effectively operate, adapt, and serve members today and in the future.

Specific legislative proposals will need to be formulated in the next two months, with the official call for Congress to be distributed to all chapters in early December.

Depending upon the topics that arise from individual chapters or from the current Board of Directors, the approach will be to:

• Make each proposal easier to tie back to expected impact/results.
• Encourage meaningful discussion and debate.
• Allow delegates to evaluate each change on its own merits.
• Increase transparency throughout the process.

All proposed amendments and supporting materials will be shared with delegates before the Chapter Congress via the Call to Chapter Congress.

The Chapter Congress is planned to occur during the upcoming Pathways Officers Summit. Since each collegiate chapter will have its president or president-elect at the Summit, with almost 100% of the cost covered by the Fraternity, this is a good opportunity to bring together a Congress session.

The Summit will be conducted during the weekend of January 8, 2027.

The Congress will convene at 1:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, January 9, 2027. Depending on the agenda, the Congress will adjourn at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2027, including a break for dinner.

Chapters will receive the required notification and supporting materials in advance to allow adequate time for delegate selection and preparation.

The Chapter Congress will take place at the Howell+Wendroff Professional Center, 8001 E. 196th St., Noblesville, IN, 46062.

Additional logistical details will be included in official communications.

Collegiate Chapters

Each college chapter in good standing selects and credentials one Chapter Delegate. To be eligible, that delegate must be a member in good standing of the chapter with at least one full academic year of undergraduate study remaining before graduation at the time of the election. It's recommended that each chapter's president-elect (already attending the Summit) serves as the delegate.

A collegiate chapter should choose an alternate delegate if their president-elect delegate cannot attend the Pathways Officers Summit. The Fraternity will only be financing the travel and accommodations of one delegate per chapter.

Alumni Chapters

Each alumni chapter in good standing selects and credentials one Chapter Delegate, who must be a member in good standing of that alumni chapter.

Delegates

Only properly credentialed delegates will be authorized to vote on proposed legislative changes.

Every college chapter and alumni chapter elects a Chapter Delegate and an alternate delegate before the date of the annual meeting. Chapter governing documents allow flexibility in how that election happens, so each chapter should:

1. Review its local procedures.
2. Run a fair, transparent election.
3. Select both a delegate and an alternate.
4. Complete all credentialing requirements before the Chapter Congress.

Additional guidance regarding delegate credentialing and documentation will be distributed with the official notice.

No. Each delegate must be present to participate in committees, discussion, and voting

Pathways Officer Summit is only $100 for each collegiate chapter. For collegiate chapters, the Fraternity will cover the travel and accommodations costs of all president or president-elect delegates.  Alumni chapters will cover their own cost of travel and lodging for their delegate, but the registration fee will only be $20.

AKPsi has been planning an update to our governing documents to streamline decision-making and to incorporate more inclusive language to be better aligned with our mission. This will ensure the fraternity is fit for the future and protected appropriately as the educational and political landscapes change.

Previous efforts to make comprehensive changes have not been successful, which indicates the need for more dialogue.

The current approach focuses on presenting well-defined proposals on which members can collaborate, creating greater clarity, transparency, and opportunity for member engagement.

Delaying needed governance updates may continue to limit the Fraternity's ability to respond effectively to operational, legal, and organizational needs.

No.

The Board of Directors does not discuss or vote on operational programs. The pledge program is narrowly defined in our Statutory Code; The Bridge to Brotherhood Program ("Bridge") reflects the definition in the Statutory Code.

None of the proposed legislation from the 2026 Convention was related to the Bridge Program.  To the degree that the organization wants to examine the pledge program in the context of the Statutory Code, then the Congress could have that topic as part of its agenda, with the understanding that legal review is necessary for any changes that could create additional liability for AKPsi, its members, collegiate chapter officers, and chapter advisors.

On a related note, because pledging is specifically mentioned in our governing documents, some of our collegiate chapters must operate delinquent of our statutory code because of local campus/university requirements that forbid hazing for any recognized student organization. This is the type of flexibility that the Board seeks to build into our governing documents but currently cannot.

The AKPsi Professional Staff manages the Bridge Program – any questions or concerns can be pointed to them. Outside of pledging, the Chapter Congress agenda will focus specifically on the proposed governing document amendments.

Chapters can prepare by:

• Reviewing all materials distributed before the Congress.
• Electing your chapter's Delegate and submitting documentation that the election occurred, who was elected as Delegate and alternate Delegate, and confirming that they meet the eligibility requirements. It is ideal that the elected Delegate would be the president-elect.
• Discussing proposed changes within the chapter.
• Submitting questions through established communication channels.
• Encouraging delegates to attend informational sessions before the vote.

Members will have multiple opportunities to learn about the proposed changes before the Chapter Congress. Additional communications, educational resources, and question-and-answer sessions will be provided as planning continues.

Members are encouraged to submit questions through their chapter leadership, district  volunteers, or Fraternity Professional Staff.

Alumni chapters will be invited to participate just like any other Chapter Congress. Alumni chapters play an important role in the Chapter Congress process and are encouraged to participate in discussions about AKPsi's future governance.

Alumni chapters in good standing will:

• Receive the same official notice of the Chapter Congress as collegiate chapters.
• Have the opportunity to select and credential delegates in accordance with Fraternity requirements.
• Have the opportunity to review proposed legislative changes before the Congress convenes.
• Be eligible to participate in discussions and voting through their properly credentialed delegates.

Alumni chapter leaders should:

1. Watch for the official Chapter Congress notification.
2. Review the proposed legislative materials once distributed.
3. Identify and select delegate(s) to represent their chapter.
4. Share information and encourage discussion among alumni members.
5. Submit questions through designated communication channels prior to the Congress.