Those early alumni members established the first alumni chapter in Macon, Georgia, on December 18, 1869; a second chapter was established ten years later, in 1879, in Columbus, Georgia. The Macon chapter actually initiated a member into the Order, despite the fact that there was no provision in the Constitution for the establishment of alumni chapters, and certainly no authority for their initiation of new members! In fact, provision for establishment of alumni chapters did not exist until the Constitution of 1874, and it included the limitation that chapters would not have the authority to initiate new members.
The 17th Convention (1893 in Richmond, Virginia) encouraged the establishment of alumni chapters and declared that such chapters “when duly authorized and chartered by the Knight Commander shall have every privilege enjoyed by active chapters with the exception of initiating new members.”
Since that time, provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws have allowed for the establishment of alumni chapters “to collaborate with the Order, and its Active chapters, to further its objectives, intention, and purposes and to preserve and maintain its traditions and national reputation.”
