This 3-hour session focuses on the interaction of members in the chapter, the leader(s) and the factors that lead to team success. Utilizing a mixture of interactive exercises and discussion, ACHIEVE takes the participants through a learning process that energizes, empowers and recognizes team. ACHIEVE centers skill development on the Team Achievements model (© Career Dimensions 1996) and celebrating success. This workshop includes:
- What is a team?
- The importance of being a good follower
- Understanding the interaction of various members of a team
- Resolving conflicts within teams
- Knowing the roles people may play in a team
- Respecting and utilizing the diversity of a team
- Utilizing effective skills for team achievements
- Sharing leadership
- Celebrating individual and team success
Advisors are individuals who have been elected by a chapter to serve on their Advisory Committee. Advisors are members of the chapter and of the fraternity, and have all the rights and privileges of active membership, except: 1) voting; 2) directing the fellowship, service, membership or pledge programs; 3) serving as a Big Brother to a pledge; and 4) holding office in the chapter, other than Chair of the Advisory Committee. Advisors are encouraged to attend APO chapter events whether or not they have an APO background. New advisors receive a certificate and membership card from the National Office and are inducted into the fraternity through the Initiation Ritual and given a service lapel pin by the chapter they have been asked to serve.
Advisors serve as a valuable liaisons and advocates for the chapter with the educational institution where the chapter is located, the community, scouting/youth organizations, and the national fraternity. Alpha Phi Omega recognizes three categories of advisors:
- Faculty/Staff Advisors - Advisors employed by the educational institution where an APO chapter is located as faculty members, campus officials, or staff members. As policies, procedures and politics change, these advisors can be invaluable on-campus resources to the chapter in keeping current on the happenings of the institution. The institution may require that one faculty/staff member be designated as an official liaison to the chapter.
- Scouting/Youth Advisors - Advisors who work with a scouting or youth organization. These advisors should encourage chapter participation in scouting and with youth in the community through the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, 4-H clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA/YWCA, community recreation programs, tutoring, etc.
- Community Advisors - Advisors who work for a community service, volunteer or civic organization or APO alumni who live near the chapter. These advisors typically have numerous community connections or insights that serve the needs of a chapter.
Advisory Committee is a committee consisting of four or more advisors, two or more from the faculty, administration or staff of the educational institution where the chapter is located; one or more scouting/youth advisors; and one or more community. Advisors are voted on by a chapter to serve on the Advisory Committee.
- In 1974, Affiliate Membership for women was approved by the National Convention. Affiliate members were not allowed to be initiated using the official Initiation Ritual, nor were they allowed to know certain fraternity secrets. This membership status was removed from our national bylaws in 1976 at the National Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, where chapters were granted the right to admit women as full Active Brothers.
- (colloquial) Another way of saying "a transfer student from another chapter".
Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity, is an international coeducational
service fraternity founded on the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship
and service. APO provides its membership the opportunity to develop leadership
skills as they provide service to their campus, to youth and the community,
to the nation, and to members of the fraternity.
(see also APhiO)
Dues paid by each chapter to the Alpha Phi Omega National Office by November 15 every year. The fee is a specified amount per active brother on the chapter's fall membership roster. Life members of the fraternity who are active members of a chapter must still pay these dues. Chapters who do not fulfill this requirement are not in compliance and are therefore not in good standing with the fraternity. After two years of nonpayment, the national fraternity may declare a chapter inactive.
APO LEADS is the leadership development program of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity. It was created to fulfill a portion of the the vision statement of the fraternity.
The APO LEADS program consists of five courses on leadership development. The courses each focus on skills that will help the participant be a successful leader and team member in Alpha Phi Omega and in life. At the completion of the series of courses the participant will have a set of transferable skills that are applicable to the work world and to other organizational leadership. The five components of the APO LEADS program are LAUNCH, EXPLORE, ACHIEVE, DISCOVER and SERVE.VISION STATEMENTAlpha Phi Omega will be the nation's foremost campus-based, inclusive, service-oriented, leadership development organization for university and college students by building upon its advantages and strengths as a unique and diverse Fraternity.
Alpha Phi Omega members completing the APO LEADS program will be recognized
for the dedication to their own leadership development and furthering the
principles of the Fraternity.
The fraternity established a national E-mail discussion listserve (APO-L) to allow members to make announcements about projects, conferences, and special events and to discuss or gather opinions on various issues facing the fraternity. This list is intended for discussion among chapters, petitioning groups, actives, advisors, alumni, and staff. This listserve is a forum for communication among members. For an official answer, the Sectional Chair should be contacted.
To subscribe to the list, send the following message to the following address:
SUBSCRIBE APO-L your name to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU
If you would like the messages on APO-L compiled into a daily digest, send the following message:
SET APO-L DIGEST to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU
You can stop digesting the APO-L at any time by sending the following message:
SET listname MAIL to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU
You may leave the list entirely by sending the following message;
SIGNOFF listname to LISTSERV@IUPUI.EDU
You may send a message to the list, by using the address:
APO-L@IUPUI.EDU
Typically, associate membership limits the brother's rights in chapter
activities such as holding an elected position in the chapter.
- Distinguished Service Key
- David B. Corning Chapter Program Revivier Award
- Dean Arno Nowotny National Service Award
- Earle M. Herbert National Friendship Award
- Ellsworth P. Dobson National Certificate of Merit
- Founders Life Membership Award
- H. Roe Bartle Chapter Award
- Joseph J. Scanlon National Certificate of Merit
- Josiah Frank Historians Award
- Local Organizational Distinguished Alumni Citation
- Maude Walker Young Award
- M.R. Disborough Scouting Service Award
- National Certificate of Appreciation
- National Certificate of Recognition
- National Honorary Membership in APO
- Regional Certificate of Appreciation
- Regional Alumni Certificate of Appreciation
- Regional Distinguished Alumnus Citation
- Sectional Certificate of Appreciation
- Sectional Chair Certificate of Recognition
- Alumni Chapter Certificate of Appreciation
- Chapter Certificate of Appreciation
- Certificate of Appreciation
- Man Mile
Big Brother. (colloquial) An active brother in an APO chapter who serves as a mentor to guide a pledge known as their Little Brother through the pledging process.
(one of the fraternity symbols) The Golden Eagle.
At the 1976 National Convention the delegates chose another symbol to further this richness of our history and traditions. They declared the golden eagle as a new Fraternity symbol. An eagle is often found as a standard or as a part of the seal of a nation. The golden eagle symbolizes strength, gracefulness, keenness of vision, and endurance.
Though past membership in the Boy Scouts of America is no longer required for membership in Alpha Phi Omega, our fraternity is still based upon the principles of this organization
- A common foundation of shared beliefs, experiences and an understanding
of our fraternal history and goals that is shared among all brothers of
Alpha Phi Omega.
(from the Region III Advisor's Guide) - The collective group of people in a chapter.
(from the Region III Advisor's Guide)
- Leadership
- Realistically, leadership is a matter of development. Alpha Phi Omega develops leaders, and we are very proud of that. As we grow, we seek qualities of leadership, and throughout our lives, we pursue the development of those qualities and the development of other 'well-rounding' qualities. Through our leadership development program in Alpha Phi Omega, we are able to develop ourselves. And, as we aspire to greater things in life, we become aware of limiting factors - which we can't control, the external forces that shape our destiny until we control and develop what we have inside of us. We discover our own talents and strive to better our skills. We study, we learn, we practice.
- Friendship
- Brotherhood is the spirit of friendship. It implies respect, honesty and dependability. It means that we overlook differences and emphasize similarities as we join together in unselfish service. It means listening to Brothers whose views on issues might differ from our own. It means working closely with people whom under other circumstances we might not choose as our friends.
- Service
- Our Chapter service program provides many opportunities for the development of social awareness, friendships and leadership skills. Participation in our service program helps make Alpha Phi Omega the unique fraternal organization that it is.
Chapters exist because they have been officially recognized by (1) the educational institution where the chapter is located and (2) the organization of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity. Both of these organizations jointly hold the chapter's charter.
The students of the chapter must be registered at the educational institution where the APO chapter is located and must abide by the policies and regulations of the institution. To remain in good standing with the institution, there are often additional requirements a chapter must fulfill on a semester or annual basis, including filling out paperwork and participating in informational or leadership sessions.
The chapter remains in good standing with Alpha Phi Omega by adhering to the national bylaws and fulfilling all reporting and financial obligations in a timely fashion (see AAMD).
A chapter is required by Alpha Phi Omega National Bylaws and Standard Chapter Articles of Association to have an Advisory Committee consisting of three or more advisors from the faculty, staff or administration of the educational institution where the chapter is located; one or more scouting/youth advisors; and any other advisors deemed necessary. Undergraduates may not serve as chapter advisors.
The Chapter Program Planning Conference is a tool to involve the entire chapter in goal setting and planning. If used properly it will make your chapter more effective.
Leaders are selected to serve Alpha Phi Omega. They must determine the needs of the chapter and develop a plan, which will cause those needs to be met. The Leader's responsibility is to motivate and guide the chapter in the development of these goals.
The Chapter Program Planning Conference is an opportunity for the entire membership (actives, advisors, and associates) to review chapter operations (including Leadership, Fellowship, and Service programs) for the preceding year and to set goals for the upcoming year. It will enable the chapter to formulate a chapter program, which represents the desires of the chapter.
Some chapters find the CPPC so helpful that they hold one every semester rather than just every year.
The Chapter Program Workshop is a w
orkshop open to current and future chapter officers, staff members, and advisors from throughout the country who come together for a weekend of leadership development, idea exchange, and fellowship. Topics focus on setting and achieving personal and chapter goals; chapter operations; and specific duties of officers, staff, and advisors.| The ideals of Alpha Phi Omega are embodied in our coat-of-arms. As everyone who has passed through the ritual knows, the symbolism of the coat-of-arms stands for the very purpose of our brotherhood. |  |
Our color of blue is a royal blue color. It is elegant, a sign of pure deed and thought. A color in our nation's flag.
Our color of gold is called "old glory" gold. A color also found in the
nation's flag (fringe and tassels). It represents the high value, respect,
royalty, and a sign of love.
- A certificate shall be awarded by the National Membership and Extension Program Director after consultation with the appropriate Regional Director to any individual or group responsible for reviving a chapter that is on the verge of going inactive.
- Any Alpha Phi Omega member (active, alumni, advisor, sectional, regional, and/or national staff) is eligible to submit a nomination for the award.
(an award) A plaque presented at National Conventions to the Chapter judged to have the best overall service program. Selection is made by the Service Reference Committee in session at the National Convention based on the two year time period between Conventions.
Criteria:
- The Chapter has conducted at least one project in each of the five areas
of service:
- Chapter--to the members of the Fraternity;
- Campus--to the student body and faculty;
- Community--to the community as a whole;
- Country--to the nation as participating citizens; and
- Scouting--to the youth of the nation registered in any division of the Scouting Movement.
- The Chapter has participated in National Service Week and has reported their project to the National Office.
- The Chapter has conducted at least one project related to the National Program of Emphasis.
- The Chapter has submitted at least one Project Sharing Form to the National Service Project Exchange at the National Convention.
- The percentage of active participation in the Chapter's service program is considered in the selection.
(This workshop is still under development.)
As a leader you will find yourself utilizing personal success strategies.
These strategies include time and stress management, assertive communication,
and self-motivation techniques. The DISCOVER course will be an opportunity
to look at yourself, your personal strengths and to develop a plan for continued
personal and professional success.
(an award) The highest award in the fraternity. There are several varieties of DSKs, described below:
- Chapter Distinguished Service Key (Chapter DSK)
- A black service key on a light blue ribbon presented to a person who has distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their chapter. Recipients have made an outstanding and unique contribution to the chapter as a whole; exemplify and demonstrate the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service; and made a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time. Chapter DSKs are voted on by the chapter and are often presented at a chapter banquet or semiformal.
- Sectional Distinguished Service Key (Section DSK)
- A green service key on a green ribbon presented to a brother who has distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their section. Recipients have made an outstanding and unique contribution to the section as a whole; exemplify and demonstrate the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service; and made a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time. Section DSKs are voted on by the Section and are often presented at the Sectional Conference.
- Regional Distinguished Service Key (Region DSK)
- A red service key on a red ribbon presented to a person who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their region. Recipients have made an outstanding and unique contribution to the region as a whole; exemplify and demonstrate the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service; and made a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time. Region DSKs are voted on by the Region and are often presented at the Regional Conference or National Convention.
- National Distinguished Service Key (National DSK)
- A blue service key with diamonds on a dark blue ribbon presented to a person who has distinguished themselves through outstanding service to the National Fraternity. Recipients have made an outstanding and unique contribution to the welfare of the entire fraternity on a national basis; exemplify and demonstrate the {cardinal principles} of leadership, friendship and service; and made a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time. Selection is made a committee composed of past recipients appointed by the National President and are often presented at the National Convention.
- National Alumni Distinguished Service Key (National Alumni DSK)
- A gold service key on a gold ribbon presented to alumni, honorary or advisory members who best exemplify the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service. Recipients exemplify outstanding characteristics in the area of service to others. Outstanding service may be exhibited through, or to, the community, business, or educational affiliation and is not limited to Alpha Phi Omega activities. Candidates do not have to be involved in alumni activities of the fraternity. Nominations are accepted from recognized alumni associations, active brothers, advisory, or alumni members. Selection is made by the National Alumni Committee. National Alumni DSKs are often presented at a meeting of the recipient's peers (i.e., a corporate board meeting, church service, alumni association meeting, etc.).
- Chapter growth and retention
- Fellowship activities
- Pledge, alumni and advisor involvement
- Rush Program
- Awards & Recognitions given by the Chapter
- Attendance at inter-Chapter events (i.e. Sectional, Regional and National Conventions)
- Participation in leadership and membership development programs
Executive Committee. Each chapter elects its own officers who comprise the Executive Committee. A typical Executive Committee includes: a President, Service Vice President, Membership Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chair of the Advisory Committee. Other officers may include: Leadership Vice President, Fellowship Vice President (a.k.a. Friendship Vice President or Social Vice President), Pledge Trainer (a.k.a. Pledge Educator or Pledge Master), Sergeant-at-Arms, Historian, Recording/Corresponding Secretary, Alumni Secretary, Rush Chair, and Interchapter Liaison.
Presented as a full-day (six hours) session, EXPLORE provides an opportunity to expand your personal odyssey into leadership development by increasing your understanding of individual leadership skills. EXPLORE will cover:
- Leadership values and qualities
- The model of Situational Leadership and importance of the interaction between leader and follower
- A more in depth view of Ethics, Morals and Values and its impact on leadership
- How to make good decisions and effectively problem solve
- Conflict, factors leading to conflict and how to resolve conflict effectively
A member of a chapter's executive committee. The duties of any chapter's VPF are defined by it's bylaws. Other common executive committee members are the President, the VPS and the VPM.
(one of the fraternity symbols) The Forget-Me-Not.
A perennial flower with royal blue blossoms. It is everlasting, always remembered.
Though the girl scouts is a recent addition to the groups we officially affiliate ourselves with, our members have been affiliated with this organization for a long time
Ceremony at the beginning of the pledge period when prospective members officially become pledges.
Ceremony at the end of the pledge period when pledges, petitioners, advisors and honorary members become brothers of APO.
A group of students interested in forming an APO chapter or reactivating an inactive chapter. The students have not completed any requirements and Alpha Phi Omega has not committed resources.
The 1980s brought about renewed contact between APhiO-USA and APhiO-Philippines. Leaders in both organizations, including National Presidents Earle M. Herbert (APhiO-USA) and Carlos "Caloy" Caliwara (APO-Philippines) concluded there was a need for an international coordinating body to promote the ideals of the Fraternity around the world. This resulted in the birth of the International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO) at the 1994 Dallas-Fort Worth APhiO-USA Convention with the signing of the Charter document. The first meeting of the Council was held in Zamboanga City at the 1995 APhiO Philippines National Convention. The second meeting of the International Council was held in Phoenix 1996 at the APhiO-USA National Convention. At that time a formal set of Operating Policies for the Council was signed and the officers were elected.
The most precious of all gemstones representing brilliance, luster, always
increasing in value, and an expression of the greatest gift of love when
given.
(an award) Awarded by the National Membership and Extension Chairman to Chapters which:
- report 15 or more active Brothers after having reported fewer than 15 the prior fiscal year;
- report a net growth of a least 5 active Brothers after having reported a total membership of between 15 and 50 the prior year; or
- report a net growth of 15%, after having reported an active membership of 51 or more the prior year.
Criteria:
- The perpetuation and maintenance of Chapter traditions such as service projects, founders day celebration, etc.
- The maintenance of a visual Chapter history, such as a scrapbook.
- The maintenance of a complete Chapter administrative history, such as minutes of meetings, project reports, treasurer's records, etc.
- The maintenance of a written Chapter history.
- Any other criteria deemed necessary or appropriate by the committee.
This 3-hour introductory leadership session is the launching point in the personal odyssey of leadership development and is a prerequisite session for the other APO LEADS courses. LAUNCH has participants examine:
- What is leadership and what are the difference between leadership and management skills?
- What are characteristics of a good leader
- How we provide leadership through the Servant Leader and Chapter models
- Organizational support of leadership
- Effective communication and conflict resolution
- Dealing with change
- Goal setting using the SMARTER model
LeAP is a 4 hour intensive workshop that develops personal communication and goal setting skills to introduce our members to leadership development. This will eventually be replaced by the Serve workshop (part of the APO LEADS series).
National committee whose mandate is to promote leadership development in the fraternity. Many of the seminars promoted by the national office were developed by this committee
Multi day workshop that was developed and maintained by a subcommittee of the Leadership Development committee whose purpose is to enhance the leadership skills of students and alumni. This has been replaced by the Explore workshop (part of the APO LEADS series).
Leadership, Friendship, Service. Common abbreviation used among brothers of the fraternity as it relates to the three cardinal principles of APO. A variation of this is YILFS, "Yours in Leadership, Friendship and Service."
Life Membership is a most positive way to remain involved with the Fraternity after graduation. The life member fee for students is $50 and for alumni the fee is $100 for more information contact: executive.director@apo.org or call the national office at +1 816 373 8667.
Little Brother. (colloquial) A pledge in an APO chapter who has an active brother known as their Big Brother serving as mentor to guide the pledge through the pledging process.
Criteria:
- Candidates for the award must be alumni, honorary, or advisory members of Alpha Phi Omega.
- Candidates should exemplify outstanding characteristics in the area of service to others. Outstanding service may be exhibited through, or to, a brother's community, business, or educational affiliation and is not limited to Alpha Phi Omega activities.
- Candidates do not have to be involved in alumni activities of the Fraternity.
(an award) Given at each National Convention to chapters with exceptional service to Scouting as an integral part of their overall service program. The award acknowledges service being performed by a chapter for the Scouting movement through a continuing program or through a single outstanding project that has a lasting effect. The criteria are:
- Requires service to be performed by a Chapter for Scouting.
- Service should have a lasting effect.
- The Chapter's entire service to scouting program must be included for consideration.
- Service performed may be through a continuing program or through a single outstanding project.
- Service performed by the Chapter must incur direct involvement with youth registered in any division of the Scouting Movement.
- An appropriate committee at the National Convention will consider the number of youth served by the Chapter's program or project.
- An appropriate committee at the National Convention will consider the number of active members of the Chapter involved with the program or project.
- Is performed by a person who never seeks recognition or reward for assistance;
- Contributes to the success of the service program;
- Promotes friendship in the Chapter(s); and
- Encourages greater success and achievement by the Chapter(s).
A member of a chapter's executive committee. The duties of any chapter's VPM are defined by it's bylaws. Other common executive committee members are the President, the VPS and the VPF.
The Board of Directors consists of the National President, the National Vice-President, 11 Region Directors, 6 Program Directors, and Ex-Officio Members.
The National Convention is the supreme authority of the fraternity and is held in even-numbered years during the last week of the year (between Christmas Day and New Year's Day). Recognized chapters in good standing with the national fraternity may send two voting delegates (active or chapter advisor) to the legislative session to vote on fraternity business. The convention also provides an opportunity for members to participate in leadership development seminars, workshops, service projects, fellowship activities, and assist on the legislative floor.
The chief administrative officer of the Fraternity. His responsibility encompasses all administrative and organizational aspects of the Fraternity, and he reports directly to the National President and the National Board of Directors.
The National
Office of Alpha Phi Omega is the administrative center for programs of the
fraternity as well as the administrative arm that insures that the structure
stays "glued" together. The office is located at 14901 East 42nd
Street in Independence, Missouri, and is open from 8:45 PM to 4:45 PM CST,
Monday through Friday. It is home to the National
Executive Director and a small staff.
The national office is responsible for the national website and it maintains a page on the
site with more information
about the national office.
The program of emphasis for 2003-2004 is "Building a Sound Mind and Body."
The Fraternity has designated the first week of November as "National Service Week" to unify Chapters with a national theme and to inspire expansion of chapter service programs. During this week every chapter is encouraged to carry out a new, high profile service project related to the national program of emphasis and involving other chapters and the community.
A member who has completed pledging but hasn't been initiated yet.
(colloquial) A member of Alpha Phi Omega who has participated in the Initiation Ritual within the last six months.
A group of students known as petitioners recognized by Alpha Phi Omega and the university who are in the process of forming an APO chapter or reactivating an inactive chapter. The petitioners are members of APO. When the requirements are completed, the petitioning group will have established a functioning chapter of APO.
An enrolled student at an educational institution where a Petitioning Group of Alpha Phi Omega is located who is selected by the Petitioning Group to participate in the establishment of an APO chapter.
| This badge, worn by thousands of brothers of APO, is the "Emblem of Campus Service." Students and faculty alike recognize and respect the activities for which it stands. |  |
Head honcho.
Each Program Director is assigned by the National President to chair a National Standing Committee or to serve in some other national leadership role. Five of these assignments are set forth in the Bylaws: Alumni/Internal Volunteer Development, Service/Communication, Finance/Operations, Leadership Development, and Membership/Extension.
Alpha Phi Omega in the United States organizes the country into eleven geographical regions numbered from east to west. Chapters within each region elect a region director at the national convention to represent them on the national board of directors. Regions are further divided into sections which group the chapters. For historic reasons regions are numbered using Roman numerals.
| Region | Territories |
|---|---|
| I | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and Vermont; and all counties of New York including and to the southeast of Dutchess and Orange |
| II | Delaware; all counties of New York including and to the northwest of Columbia, Sullivan and Ulster; and all counties of Pennsylvania including and to the east of Bedford, Blair, Centre, Clinton and Potter |
| III | District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia |
| IV | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee; all counties of Kentucky including and to the west of Adair, Breckinridge, Grayson, Green, Hart, Russell and Wayne; and all U.S. Caribbean possessions |
| V | Ohio and West Virginia; all counties of Kentucky including and to the east of Casey, Hardin, Larue, Meade, McCreary, Pulaski and Taylor; and all counties of Pennsylvania including and to the west of Cambria, Cameron, Clearfield, McKean and Somerset |
| VI | Indiana and Michigan; and all counties of Illinois except the following counties: Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, Marion, Washington, Jefferson, Perry, Franklin, Jackson, Williamson, Union, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac |
| VII | Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas |
| VIII | Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and the following counties in Illinois: Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, Marion, Washington, Jefferson, Perry, Franklin, Jackson, Williamson, Union, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac |
| IX | Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin |
| X | Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah; the Northern Marianas Islands; and all U.S. Pacific possessions |
| XI | Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington |
The Regional Directors are the chief administrative officers of their Regions who have been elected by the Chapters within the region for a two-year term. They are members of the National Board of Directors. Regional Directors and work closely with Sectional Chairs and other volunteers to support the Chapters in their Regions. They are also held responsible for the actions of members and chapters within their regions. Their responsibilities include, among many other things, serving as a liaison between chapters in the region and the national fraternity; providing leadership to the region; and monitoring and communicating membership trends, problems, and concerns to the National Board of Directors.
(an award) Given by the National
Board to the region having the largest overall increase in membership reporting.
The first recipient of the Region Director's cup was Region I, of course.Criteria:
- Candidates for the award must be alumni, honorary, or advisory members.
- Candidates should exemplify outstanding characteristics in the area of service to others. Outstanding service may be exhibited through, or to, a brother's community, business, or educational affiliation and is not limited to Alpha Phi Omega activities.
- Candidates do not have to be involved in alumni activities of the Fraternity.
- Nominations for the award can be made from recognized alumni associations, active brothers, advisory, or alumni members.
Alpha Phi Omega members must abide by the laws of the nation, the laws
of the state in which they reside, the local laws of the municipalities
they operate within, the rules and regulations of the educational institute
they operate in, and the rules and regulations of this fraternity. As a
general rule, advisors should ask three questions when there is a concern
about liability and safety at chapter events: 1) Is it possible given the
arrangements made for this event, some injury may result? 2) Has everything
appropriate been done to avoid accidents? and 3) Given the arrangements
for this event, is there any way the event or arrangements could possibly
be interpreted to violate the laws of the country, state, city, university,
etc. (a.k.a. "How Idiot-proof Is This Event?")
The policy says the following about advisors:
"Advisors and alumni serving Alpha Phi Omega on behalf of their employer or respective volunteer agency (educational institution, youth service organization, etc.) will do so in accordance with the policies of said entity, including but not limited to risk management and personal liability. Advisors and alumni shall adhere to the provisions of this and all applicable policies of the fraternity when engaging in fraternity-related activities. Advisors and alumni shall recognize the appropriate authority of elected or appointed officers, representatives or employees of the fraternity in question of policy, and shall not engage in activities designed to circumvent fraternity policies."
APO divides each region into a number of sections.
While regional boundries are determined by the National Convention,
sectional boundries are at the discretion of the Region Director.
The section is administered by a Section Chair who has been elected by the chapters within the section for a one-year term. The Section Chair oversees sectional operations and acts as a liaison between chapters and the national fraternity. Responsibilities include: helping and guiding chapters in developing their leadership, membership, fellowship and service programs; ensuring chapters are adhering to APO national policies; and coordinating a sectional conference, and multi-chapter leadership, membership, fellowship, and service events within the section.
A Sectional Conference is held at least annually, possibly semesterly. At these conferences, students and advisors from chapters throughout the section gather with alumni and staff to participate in leadership development seminars, workshops, service projects, and fellowship activities. A business meeting is held during the conference to consider section business, elect a Sectional Chair, and select a site for the next Sectional Conference. Each chapter is expected to send at least two active or advisory members to serve as voting delegates to the conference and represent their chapter during this meeting.
An interactive program that will help provide answers to the questions that most Alpha Phi Omega chapters deal with in their chapter activities.
(This workshop is still under development.)
SERVE will be an experience giving participants an opportunity to learn
strategies and skills needed to operate a chapter. Participants will network
with others who are charged with the daily operational needs of the chapter.
The strategies and skills presented in SERVE will help participants succeed
in their odyssey.
A member of a chapter's executive committee. The duties of any chapter's VPS are defined by it's bylaws. Other common executive committee members are the President, the VPM and the VPF.
An interactive 4 hour workshop that develops the skills that team leaders need to reach their goals. This has been replaced with the Achieve workshop (part of the APO LEADS series).
(Sung to the tune of “Alma Mater”)
Here's to Alpha Phi Omega, Loyal Brothers we,
True to Self and to each other, firm in loyalty
Daily working, daily striving, ever more to be,
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, our Fraternity.
Brothers clasp the hands of Brothers, strong the circle we,
Ever mindful ever serving all humanity
Now we raise our grateful voices, in our song to thee
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, may we always be.
Sheet music for the Toast Song.
The Torch and Trefoil is the official magazine of Alpha Phi Omega. In order to receive the magazine one must be a student in a Chapter or a Life Member. Life Membership is a most positive way to remain involved with the Fraternity after graduation.
Visit the webpage for the Torch and Trefoil.
We have all heard from a parent or mentor at least once in our lives the
story of the sturdy oak tree that grew from a small acorn. The oak is stately,
sturdy, and sheltering.
Return to the APO Glossary