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Alpha Phi Omega was founded
in Dec. 16, 1925, at LaFayette College, PA by Frank Reed Horton.
The purpose of this Fraternity is to assemble college students in a National
Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath
and Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop Leadership, to promote
Friendship and to provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that
is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.
ALPHA PHI OMEGA is today the single most represented undergraduate
intercollegiate organization in the United States of America. We take pride in
this and hope to be even larger. We dedicate ourselves to become larger only
because, if what we are and what we represent are important and useful to
students, then we should share what we have in order to further our common goals
more effectively. We want to share with colleges and universities all across
this great land the benefits that APO gives to students, their campuses and
their communities.
The strength of APO lies in its active chapters. The importance of APO consists
of what happens to the individuals who are pledged and initiated in these local
chapters. The future of APO is entirely in the hands of the students who
determine on each local campus what the APO program shall be. The status of APO
results directly from the maturity and meaningfulness of the local chapter
programs. Why, then, a National Fraternity? If what is important is what happens
in the local chapter, then why the need for a National Office, a national
magazine, a common ritual, a professional staff, national officers, and national
dues and fees? Why not just a very loose federation of independent local groups
rather than all the paraphernalia of a national organization?
The most obvious reason is to help us keep our goals before us. Without constant
reminders, teaching, help and advice, even the best of us lose sight of our
larger goals. We become introverted, concentrated on our own selfish ends,
forgetful that we come this way but once and that our challenge is to serve
others. This is why conventions have to deal repeatedly with memberships in IFCs,
questions of housing, violations of the dignity of individuals through hazing
practices, and the lure of social status and personal indulgence through primary
emphasis upon social programs. Without some structure to keep us focused on our
purposes we would quickly lose our way in an envious and competitive world. We
would soon disappear.
There are many other reasons for a truly national organization. We reaffirm our
openness to all when we come to know members from different sections of the
country, different religious, racial and ethnic groups, and different personal
circumstances. We share in the stimulus of association with students from
various kinds of colleges when we discuss common problems. We find friends
wherever we travel, when we transfer schools, when we begin our careers, when we
move from one city or part of the country to another in the pursuit of our
interests. We share in the costs of maintaining and advancing a common endeavor.
We make a mighty witness through our combined testimony to the power of the
ideal of service in our common and corporate life. Each of us needs to feel
pride in the things we are associated with. We are proud of the record of APO
and of the kind of individuals it attracts. The conventions increase our
confidence in what’s right with our country, for when hundreds of individuals
of differing views can make hard decisions in complete understanding and with a
sense of community, then there is hope in our democratic ideals, despite the
challenges of the times through which we are passing.Alpha Phi Omega,through its unique program of leadership,friendship and service,can broaden your experiences, as well as expand and test your abilities. It will make your college life more enjoyable...and more rewarding.
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