DKA Masterlist

When and where was DKA founded?

March 16, 1936, at USC’s Bridge Hall in Los Angeles, CA.

What was DKA originally founded as?

A Professional Cinematography Fraternity for men (1935), using "society" and "fraternity" interchangeably.

What do Delta, Kappa, and Alpha stand for, and why were they chosen?

Delta = Dramatic, Kappa = Kinematic, Alpha = Aesthetic; chosen because they are the reversed initials of Allen K. Dallas, leading founder and first president.

What major events occurred in early DKA history (1936-1953)?

1938: National Board established, Jack H. McClelland elected first National President. Early 1940s: Cinematography → Cinema Fraternity. 1949: Beta Chapter (Boston). 1950: Gamma Chapter (NYU). 1953: Delta Chapter (UCLA). Early 1950s: gender-inclusive membership begins.

Why is Herbert E. Farmer called "The Wizard of DKA"?

He innovated USC's early film program, donated equipment, repurposed technology, led film education, taught Navy film school, preserved DKA's archives, and ensured the fraternity could be revived after dissolving.

How did Herbert E. Farmer save the fraternity?

By meticulously archiving all documents, records, photos, and history during the years when chapters became inactive, enabling DKA's eventual rebirth.

What were DKA Banquets?

Large Hollywood-industry banquets where honorary members were inducted. Once considered among Hollywood's major annual events (comparable to Oscars/Emmys).

Who were notable DKA Banquet honorees?

Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson, Adolph Zukor, Jack Lemmon, Billy Wilder, Mae West, Steve McQueen, Julie Andrews, Fred Astaire, Lyle Wheeler, Neil Simon.

Who were notable DKA Banquet MCs?

Bette Davis, Dick Van Dyke, Gene Kelly, Bob Crane, Carl Reiner, Norman Corwin, Jerry Lewis, Shirley Jones.

What was the Rebirth of DKA in 1979-2014?

1979: all chapters inactive. 2008: revival at USC by Andy Dulman. 2012: national re-founding by Hillary Levi & Grace Lee. 2013: expansion to 16 chapters. 2014: return of National Convention with many re-founded/new chapters.

What is DKA's current national size?

20 active chapters, 2 associate chapters, and 2 archived chapters (with plans for expansion).

What is ritual in DKA?

The physical and meaningful expression of DKA's values, structured around Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey (Monomyth).

What does Recruitment symbolize in the Hero's Journey?

The "Call to Adventure"—transition from ordinary life into the unknown.

What does Associate Education symbolize in the Hero's Journey?

The "Road of Trials"—tests, tasks, and challenges that transform the hero.

What does Initiation symbolize in the Hero's Journey?

The receiving of the "Ultimate Boon," the reward at the end of trials.

Who are the 10 Founders of DKA?

Allen K. Dallas; John W. Findlater; Jack H. McClelland; Robert V. Rogers; Robert Turner; William Halpern; Donald Fischer; Terry Bissinger; Louis Tarleton; Peter Kinnel.

Who was Herbert E. Farmer?

USC student (1938), innovator in early cinematography; donated equipment; built sound capabilities; repurposed projectors; collaborated with DKA; became acting head of USC Cinema before graduation; served in Navy teaching film; returned to USC for 71 years; DKA's archivist/historian.

What is the national leadership structure of DKA?

Two Executive Departments (Board of Governors & Executive Council) and five Administrative Departments (Membership, Public Relations, Cinematic Affairs, Standards Board, Programming).

What are the Executive Council roles and their film-industry equivalents?

President = Producer/Facilitator; Vice President = Director/Internal manager; Secretary = Internal communications; Treasurer = Budgeting/Finances; Public Relations = Publicist/External communications; Cinematic Affairs = Content & Education; Programming = Scheduling/Events.

What are Chapter Bylaws?

Local governing articles outlining operations, responsibilities, and internal structure of a chapter.

What is the purpose of Production Meetings?

To align goals, schedules, recruitment plans, budgeting, and chapter-wide motivation at the beginning and end of each term.

What is the purpose of dues?

To pool financial resources so members can access opportunities, events, and materials they could not achieve individually.

What is the Culture of Respect in DKA?

The expectation that members care for each other's well-being and respect one another as artists and professionals, regardless of friendship.

What is a Pre-Production Lock-In?

Meeting including recruitment school, budget votes, professionalism refreshers, master calendar review, returning activities, and chapter goal planning.

What is a Post-Production Lock-In?

Chapter evaluations, goal-setting, scheduling, committee idea generation, budgeting discussion, and officer transitions.

What is officer accountability in DKA?

Ensuring officers understand the WHY behind their roles, meet consistently, document work, communicate, and track progress through Pulse/to-do lists.

What is the National Convention?

The supreme legislative body of DKA; elects national officers, amends constitution, hears national reports, and convenes every two years.

Who may attend National Convention?

Any undergraduate or alumni member, with unlimited attendees per chapter.

How many voting delegates does each chapter have at Convention?

Two—one from the Resident Council and one from the Graduate Council.

What is Conclave?

Off-year national event in Los Angeles that includes history tours, banquets, discussions, and celebrations.

Who can attend Conclave?

Any DKA member, without attendance limits.

What do chapter dues enable?

Maintaining chapter financial health, programming, scholarship funds, and purchasing one-time associate materials; budgets reviewed by Director of Chapter Services.

What do National dues provide?

National programs, resources, opportunities, materials, support, event organization, and staff.

What is the Mission Statement of DKA?

To foster lifelong character, creative storytelling, ethical business practices, philanthropy, and fellowship among cinematic arts students.

What is the Vision Statement of DKA?

To be recognized as the premier institute of upstanding entertainment industry leaders.

What is the Creed of DKA?

A pledge of loyalty, character, professionalism, history preservation, humility, and honor; emphasizes helping others follow their bliss without seeking reward.

What is the DKA mascot, symbol, flower, and colors?

Mascot: Dragon; Symbol: Film Camera; Flower: White Carnation; Colors: Deep Royal Blue & Old Gold.

What is the internal visual theme of DKA?

Medieval/Middle Ages Magic.

What is the external visual theme of DKA?

Classic Hollywood.

What is the DKA call and response?

Call: "Assay!" Response: "D-K-A!" Meaning "a testing of merit."

What is DKA's slogan?

Cinematic Artists of Character.

What is the open motto?

Truth in Illusion.

What does "DeKA" mean?

"Ten" in Greek; represents 10 Founders and 10 Jewels.

What is the Risk Management Policy for?

Protecting members, minimizing liability, and ensuring safety.

What is the Anti-Retaliation clause?

No member may be punished for reporting, inquiring, or cooperating with a risk management report.

What are signs of alcohol poisoning?

Mental confusion, stupor, coma, vomiting, slow/irregular breathing, hypothermia, bluish skin, paleness.

What is the Standards Board?

A seven-member board enforcing the Oath, managing accountability, recognizing achievements, and applying membership sanctions.

What are major National Programs?

Executives Academy, Good-to-Great Retreats, Founders Month of Service, Building Artists of Character Retreats, Cinematic Arts Appreciation Day (CAADay).

What is CAADay?

Dec 28 celebration of cinema's birth, honoring Lumière Brothers' first public film screening; members share and enjoy cinematic art.

What is the McClelland Challenge?

Annual assessment of chapter processes, standards, and performance to ensure high-quality member experience.

What are the three McClelland statuses?

Basic (average), Order of the Dragon (above average), Farmer (highest outstanding performance).

Who identified & coined the Hero's Journey?

Joseph Campbell.

What are the phases of the Hero's Journey?

Departure, Initiation, Return.

What are the 17 steps of the Hero's Journey?

The Call to Adventure; Refusal of the Call; Supernatural Aid; Crossing the First Threshold; Belly of the Whale; Road of Trials; Meeting with the Goddess; Temptation; Atonement with the Father; Apostasis; The Ultimate Boon; Refusal to Return; Magic Flight; Rescue from Without; Crossing the Return Threshold; Master of Two Worlds; Freedom to Live.

Why does the hero go on the journey?

To grow, mature, expand awareness, gain skills and responsibilities, and return transformed; turning back means rejecting growth.

What do one, two, and three gavel raps mean?

One = silence; Two = be seated; Three = stand.

What is Professionalism in DKA?

A tool for industry preparation, acknowledging roots in biased systems while applying professionalism ethically and inclusively.

What are "Thank You Note" guidelines?

Send within 24 hours; simple, genuine, not overdone; handwritten optional; email acceptable.

What is "Complete Respect"?

Three qualities: well-being above politics; acceptance that confrontation is necessary; professionalism replacing gossip and avoidance.

What is Brownian Motion?

Disorganized meetings causing loss of group memory and wasted effort.

What is Downspiraling?

Over-discussing unimportant topics due to perfectionism or urgency illusions.

What is Groupthink?

Discouraging dissent; minimizing conflict; suppressing alternatives; rushing consensus.

How can Groupthink be prevented?

Critical evaluation, inviting advisors, devil's advocates, structured feedback, and inclusive discussion.

What is delegation for in DKA?

Increasing involvement, distributing work, empowering members, and growing talent.

When should tasks not be delegated?

When expectations/resources/deadlines are unclear or when the leader wouldn't do the task themselves.

What are signs of micromanagement?

Not delegating, reclaiming tasks, focusing on tiny details, preventing decisions without approval.

Why do officers micromanage?

Lack of trust, fear of imperfect execution, desire for credit, past role habits, or inexperience collaborating.

How do you avoid micromanagement?

Clear communication, progress updates, encouraging volunteers, helping leaders trust the team.

What is the purpose of DEI in DKA?

Ensuring inclusivity, reducing bias, respecting identities, and recognizing how diversity strengthens the cinematic community.

What are microaggressions?

Everyday slights or insults toward marginalized groups, intentional or unintentional.

What motivates DKA members?

Revisiting WHY; gratitude; recognition; communication; feeling secure and valued.

What is the purpose of chapter meetings?

Decision-making, reports, motions, discussions, elections, committee work, and professional communication.

What makes chapter meetings effective?

Following agenda, limiting to one hour, speaking respectfully, focusing on business before socializing.

What is the purpose of the committee system?

Enabling productivity, creating idea flow, distributing responsibilities, and allowing chapter meetings to run efficiently.

What are the three key purposes of effective committee meetings?

Communicating information, making decisions, and organizing/delegating tasks.

What are SMARTER goals?

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Ethical, Resourceful.

How can alumni support DKA?

Through time (mentorship, advising) and resources (funding, opportunities).