ALPHA PHI OMEGA Eastern Visayas Net (APO-EVNET)

APO BASICS

WHAT IS ALPHA PHI OMEGA

ALPHA PHI OMEGA is an international service fraternity and sorority. We are an organization dedicated to serving mankind and developing ourselves to become leaders and friends to humanity. To those ends, we create our own democracy. We train our people to be excellent leaders and creative team members. We open our hearts and minds to people and show that the newest generation of adults do care. Alpha Phi Omega is destined to be one of the greatest fraternities in the world because it has as its foundation the highest ideals of the ages, the most perfect standard the generations have been able to produce, a standard accepted by all nations, all religions and all people, one where the motivating idea is to look for the good and to try to do good to everyone regardless of who or what belief, and furthermore has the practical application in most commendable educational social services.

INSTITUTIONAL POLICY

An institution of fraternal excellence is potent and viable only when it can effectively and efficiently integrate and utilize its resources towards the development of a well-rounded individual who will ultimately become productive and competent leader of the community.

OUR VISION

Envision a just, prosperous, cohesive and responsive membership, peaceful and caring society anchored on the cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

OUR MISSION

To assemble men and women in the fellowship of Scout Oath and Law, to develop leadership, to promote friendship and to provide service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is national, educational and intellectual heritage.

OUR GOALS

To develop among the members their full potential for self-actualization, productivity and social usefulness to effectively contribute to national development. Likewise, to inculcate and enhance positive values among the members vital to moral regeneration and social transformation.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

To actively participate in the implementation of government programs/projects and activities;

To develop and promote integrated economic, educational and socio-cultural development programs for the members and the people in the community;

To assist the government in the implementation of the Anti-Hazing Law;

To strengthen its administrative machinery and to improve its financial resource management;

To promote sustainable income generating projects; and,

To establish linkages with government and non-government organizations here and in abroad to ensure the needed support projects and services in the community.

DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Community Organization Institutional Building and StrengtheningProject DevelopmentNetworking and Linkaging Synergistic Approach to Development

========THE STORY BEHIND THE FOUNDING

THIS IS THE STORY behind the creation of Alpha Phi Omega. It is also the story of the beginning of the first Chapter - the ALPHA Chapter - at Lafayette College. It is also the story of the formation of the first national organization of the Fraternity. Above all, it is the story of the dreams of one man for an organization through which men might better the conditions of other men, as well as of themselves. This man is FRANK REED HORTON.

DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, I served as an ensign in the United States Navy aboard a minesweeper in the North Sea. Our ship and its partner exploded more than 1,000 magnetic mines. My law school background at Boston University led to my appointment to try court-martial cases in our Division. When we reached ports some of the sailors ran wild. Many court- martial cases resulted. I saw young boys in their teens getting into trouble.

Because of these experiences, I made a firm resolution within myself that if I returned alive I would try to do two things and do them with all my power: First, do my best to help young people get the right start in life, by holding up before them a "standard of manhood" that would withstand the test of time. Second and just as important, try to help the nations of the world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war.

After the war, I became a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. One evening, while attending an American banquet during my sophomore year, I sat next to an inspiring man named Herbert G. Horton. We were not related but we became fast friends. He too had been a naval officer but was now serving as the local Scout

Executive. He helped me to become a Deputy Scout Commissioner. One of the troops needed a leader, so I became a Scoutmaster as well.

Through these experiences I found that the Scout Oath and Law were what I had been seeking -- a standard of manhood that would withstand the test of time and a code of ideals created and accepted by some of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

The summer of my junior year was spent as an Associate Camp Director at the Easton Scout Reservation. Here I was impressed with the religious tolerance in the hearts of boys. This I have not found so easily among older people. Scouts of the Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths worked together in everything at camp, and everyone had an opportunity to worship on his Sabbath in his own way.

My brothers in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity house, where I lived, who were outstanding for high ideals and clean living, were all former Scouts. I felt a college organization should be formed that would strengthen men in these ideals, and give them an opportunity for Leadership experience and for Service to others.

As a senior at Lafayette College, I talked to some of the men with a Scouting background and the response was good. These men would join an organization based on the ideals of Scouting. I created the name Alpha Phi Omega, the motto and the Greek words and their meaning and wrote the Ritual. Everett W. Probst designed the pin and drew the Coat-of-Arms. Thane S. Cooley suggested the handclasp. Ellsworth S. Dobson and Gordon M. Looney helped write the Constitution and Bylaws.

Fourteen undergraduates signed as charter members. Scouting advisors were Dr. Ray O. Wyland and Herbert G. Horton.

The Lafayette College Faculty approved the petition for recognition. On December 16, 1925, I conducted the Ritual initiation at Brainerd Hall, second floor, and Alpha Phi Omega was born.

My purpose was to make Alpha Phi Omega an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting. I also anticipated that our Service program would expand to help people in need everywhere and to do service on the campus of each chapter.

As Scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations. Alpha Phi Omega can help bring about more nearly, through the future statesman of the world, that standard of manhood and international understanding and friendship that will lead to a better, more peaceful world in which to live and in which to make a living and a life.

By Frank Reed Horton, FounderAlpha Phi Omega

Dr. Frank Reed Horton while a student at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA, conceived of "an organization that could influence college men and women to be of service to campus, community and nation." Along with thirteen fellow students who all

had scouting background, and with the help of six faculty and scouting advisers, Alpha Phi Omega was born on December 16, 1925 at Room 214, Hogg Hall, Lafayette College. This organization was soon recognized by the college, and later mushroomed throughout the United States. By 1950, it already boasted of 227 chapters coast to coast. On the same year, APO reached the Philippine shore.

In 1950, Manila scouts were invited to a conference by Sol Levy, Boy Scout Executive from Washington, USA. Levy expressed his desire to organize the APO in the Philippines as he gave copies to the scouts publications from the Alpha Rho Chapter, University of Texas, Austin, USA encapsulating the APO history, national constitution and by-laws, and ritual rites and ceremonies.

Among those interested who was awakened was an Eagle Scout from the Far Eastern University, Dr. Librado I. Ureta, inspired by Sol Levy's words, read the publications and later started a movement which found its affiliation into the Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity on March 2, 1950 at Nicanor Reyes Sr. Hall, Room 214, Far Eastern University. After early preparations, a petition for official status and copies of the publications were sent to Far Eastern University Administration. Few days later, the university recognized the organization.

Alpha Phi Omega grew rapidly and healthy in the Philippines, in its third year when seven chapters had been chartered on Manila and Visayan campuses, it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit and non-dividend corporation. Alpha Phi Omega (Phils.) Inc. was the first chapter country to be chartered independent from its mother country. It adheres to the cardinal principles designed by Brother F.R. Horton. The pin and revised Coat of Arms created by Everett W. Probst, one of the original members, however, were adopted. However, the handclasp was patterned from the Boy Scouts' and not from that of Thane J. Cooley, another original member.

========ALPHA PHI OMEGA IN THE PHILIPPINES

Alpha Phi Omega of the Philippines in "The Story Behind the Founding", Alpha Phi Omega founder Dr. Frank Reed Horton, wrote: "As Scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations." Sir Robert Baden-Powell started the Boy Scout movement in 1907. Scouting reached the United States in 1912 and the Philippines in 1923.

Introduced to Scouting after the first world war, Dr. Horton formed Alpha Phi Omega at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1925, as "an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting." Sometime after World War II, Sol Levy, a Scouter and an APO alumnus of Gamma Alpha chapter at University of Washington in Seattle, went to the Philippines. At a conference, Levy shared the idea of a Scouting-based fraternity and left APO publications with the Filipinos in attendance, among them Dr. Librado I. Ureta, who liked the idea.

Starting in 1947, Dr. Ureta organized Alpha Phi Omega at Far Eastern University in Manila where he was a graduate student. The response from fellow Eagle Scouts was

good. By the year 1950, APO already had more than 200 American chapters coast to coast, and the Filipinos were ready for official recognition by the school administration.

On March 2, 1950, at Room 214 of the Nicanor Reyes Sr. Memorial Hall, the first organization of APO outside of the United States was established by Dr. Ureta's group of over 20 Scouts and advisors. Far Eastern University became the Alpha chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega of the Republic of the Philippines.

Later in the same year, with the participation of other Scouts in Manila, including those from the nearby National University (named the Beta chapter on March 24, 1951), the Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity became a national organization and elected the following officers: National president: Dr. Librado I. Ureta of Far Eastern University (FEU) National first vice-president: Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. of National University (NU) National second vice-president: Dr. Romeo Y. Atienza of NU National third vice-president: Dr. Guillermo R. Padolina of NU National secretary: Godofredo P. Neric of FEU National treasurer: Leonardo R. Osorio of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) National editor and historian: Ralph G. Hawkins of NU National director of relationship: Alfredo de los Reyes of NU National executive board members: Lamberto T. Dominguez of BSP; Dr. Bonifacio V. Lazcano of BSP; and Max M. Velasco of NU.

On September 13, 1953, APO of the Philippines held its first national convention in Manila. The last convention was held on May 25-28, 2005 at the Provincial Convention Center in Surigao City.

No. YEAR CONVENTION SITE NATIONAL PRESIDENT-ELECTI. 1953 Ermita, Manila Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)II. 1955 Ermita, Manila Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)III. 1958 Diliman, QC Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)IV. 1960 Los Baños, Laguna Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)V. 1962 Sampaloc, Manila Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)VI. 1965 Intramuros, Mla. Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla Sr. (Deceased)VII. 1968 Sampaloc, Manila Dr. Librado I. Ureta (Deceased)VIII. 1971 Los Banos, Laguna Dr. Librado I. Ureta (Deceased) Note: There was no convention in 1973, the year after the declaration of Martial Law IX. 1976 Mariveles, Bataan Dr. Librado I. Ureta (1976-77) (Deceased) Dr. Melchizedek Y. Maquiso (1977-79) Dr. Amancio S. Donato (1977)X. 1979 Campo 7, Cebu Dr. Melchizedek Y. MaquisoXI. 1981 Cagayan de Oro City Dr. Francisco P. Brosas Jr.XII. 1983 Bamban, Tarlac Engr. Mama S. LalantoXIII. 1985 Los Banos, Laguna Col. Oscar V. Lazo Jr. (1985-86) and Geoffrey A. Pungutan, Al-Haj (1986-87)XIV. 1987 Tacloban City Atty. Carlos M.E. CaliwaraXV. 1989 Davao City Arch. Jose Antonio L. Dimaano XVI. 1991 Santa Mesa, Mla. Engr. Rolando B. Baluyut (Deceased)XVII. 1993 Miag-ao, Iloilo Atty. Felix J. Marinas Jr.XVIII. 1995 Zamboanga City Ismail Michael A. Abantas (1995-96) and

Agaton C. Labrador Jr. (1996-97)XVIX. 1997 Baguio City Engr. Mariano R. AlquizaXX. 1999 Davao City Teddie Elson E. RiveraXXI. 2001 SBUM Subic Blo Adiong

Two past national presidents have been honored as national president emeritus for life: Dr. Librado I. Ureta (deceased), 1979-91, and Dr. Melchizedek Y. Maquiso, 1991 to date.

A Philippine college or university may become an APO chapter on the petition of at least 15 students -- all-male or all-female -- of the school. As of June 24, 2000, 261 fraternity charters and 109 sorority charters have been granted: from Alpha through Kappa Phi. Whichever organization by gender is established on campus first, the fraternity brothers and sorority sisters share the same chapter name.

In the past, sisters belonged to sororities of different names, such as Alpha Phi Sigma, Alpha Sigma Omega, Delta Sigma Phi, and Kappa Phi Omega. Women were first admitted into the APO ranks on September 17, 1968, when the first sorority chapter was given official recognition at Alpha Eta, Philippine College of Business Administration in Manila. On December 18, 1971, during the Los Banos, Laguna, convention, Alpha Phi Omega Auxiliary Sorority took legal form. Alpha Phi Omega Service Sorority became the official name during the convention in Campo 7, Cebu, on March 31, 1979.

It was during the 1976 convention that women were formally accepted as full- fledged brothers of the fraternity in the United States. On October 13, 1976, the APO national executive board started to grant recognition to alumni associations on the petition of 10 life members from the fraternity or sorority. As of June 24, 2000, 122 AAs based on location, region, profession, or chapter are official APO service resources throughout the Philippine archipelago and abroad.

Among countries with active alumni groups are: Australia, Bahrain, England, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In North America (Canada and United States), local chapters may contact these Filipino groups:

1. APO-AA of British Columbia 2. APO-AA of Delaware Valley3. APO-AA of Delta Chapter in the US and Canada 4. APO-AA of the East Coast 5. APO-Eta of North America 6. APO-AA of Florida 7. APO-AA of Greater Los Angeles 8. Latte APO-AA of Guam 9. APO-AA of Metro Houston, Texas 10. APO-AA of the Midwest 11. APO Nevada State AA 12. APO-AA of New Jersey 13. APO-AA of Northern California 14. APO-AA of Montreal, Quebec, Canada 15. APO-AA of Saipan

16. APO-AA of San Diego, California 17. APO-AA of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area 18. APO-AA of Toronto, Ontario, Canada 19. APO-AA of Washington State 20. APO-AA of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Many of these alumni associations are members of the Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Council of North America OR APO-ACNA (organized on September 1, 1990, in San Francisco, California) with Eugenio L. Licauco as incumbent president and Mel S. Gonzales Jr. as president for 2001-2002.

On January 7, 2000, the Alumni Council of the Middle East (APO-ACME) held its first convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Among alumni associations in the Middle East are:

1. APO-Bahrain AA 2. APO-Dharhan AA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) 3. APO-Jubail AA, KSA 4. APO-Riyadh AA, KSA 5. APO-AA of Western Region, Jeddah, KSA 6. APO-EMARAT AA, United Arab Emirates 7. APO-Qatar AA

Virgilio M. Guevarra is the APO-ACME president for 2000-2002. The National Office is staffed by volunteer brothers and sisters.

The national executive board bought a condominium unit, and on September 4, 1999, the National Office moved into its permanent headquarters at Suite 3A-1, Residencia Braganza, 270 Ermin Garcia Street, Silangan, Cubao, Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila (Tel. No. 632 439-7640, Fax 632 439-7603). The purchase was in line with the long-time dream of an APO building similar to APO-USA's National Office in Independence, Missouri.

Throughout these 50 years, APO-Philippines has been headquartered at: 1. Boy Scout of the Philippines building in Ermita, Manila 2. Residence of Dr. Librado I. Ureta in Taytay, Rizal 3. Residence of Mel S. Gonzales Jr. in Tondo, Manila 4. Office of Jose V. Cutaran in Cubao, Quezon City 5. Office of Efren Neri at Comfoods building in Buendia, Makati City 6. Office of Col. Oscar V. Lazo Jr. at Borres building in Cubao, Quezon City 7. Leased office at Don Calvo building in Escolta, Manila 8. Leased office at V.V. Soliven Complex in San Juan 9. Purchased to own a condominium suite at Residencia Braganza, Cubao, Quezon City

On October 21, 1953, APO was registered with the Philippine securities and exchange commission as a nonstock, nonprofit, and nondividend corporation. The corporation was renewed for another 50 years on June 8, 1981. The Alpha Phi Omega International (Philippines), Incorporated, Service Fraternity and Sorority, is recognized in its current legal form until 2031.

The United States and the Philippines have maintained a close relationship from the start. Dr. Guillermo R. Padolina attended the 1952 convention in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Roy P. Villasor gave a speech at Long Beach, California, in 1956. Dr. Horton wrote later, "At the convention, I met a brother from the Philippines. Alpha Phi Omega is international, I concluded."

In the 1980 convention in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Ureta and head delegate Mel S. Gonzales Jr. said a few words at the opening banquet and were received with standing ovations. Erle M. Herbert, national president, went with Dr. Ureta to the Philippines to attend the 1985 convention in Los Banos, Laguna. The following year, Dr. Ureta and head delegate Atty. Carlos M.E. Caliwara thrilled the Houston, Texas, conventioneers. Atty. Caliwara was warmly welcomed back at the 1988 convention in Denver, Colorado. In 1989, Past national president Herbert went back to the Philippines with Dr. Stan Carpenter, national president. The convention was held in Davao City, last year's (1999) convention site.

In the 1990s, the alternate attendance at conventions continued: Atty. Felix J. Marinas Jr., national president, and Atty. Gerald A. Schroeder, national president, formalized the organization of the International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO) at the

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, convention in 1994. The following year, an American delegation headed by Wilfred M. Krenek, national president, went to the Zamboanga City convention. Jose Policarpio, one of the national vice-presidents, signed the ICAPO operating policies with David A. Emery, international relations director, at the Phoenix, Arizona, 1996 convention. In 1997, the American delegation, again led by National President Krenek, went to the Baguio City convention. There was no official Philippine delegation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last December 1998; however, a number of Filipinos from American and Canadian cities participated in the convention. In 1999, Jack A. McKenzie, national president, headed the APO-USA delegation to the Davao City convention.

While APO through the years has acquired an identity separate from the Boy Scouts, and native culture has influenced the biggest fraternity and sorority in the Southeast Asian country, the Philippine Alpha Phi Omega always adheres to Dr. Horton's cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. If there is one difference, it is the handclasp based not on the original APO member Thane J. Cooley's but on the Boy Scout handshake.

=======ALPHA PHI OMEGA IN REGION 8, EASTERN VISAYAS

The Fraternity first came to Region 8 when Alumni Brothers Aurelio "Loy" Tabangcura - MAPUA (Delta '56), Jose "Pepot" Pedrosa - MAPUA (Delta '604) and Liberador "Libby" Villegas - National University (Beta '64 ) organized APO in Divine Word Unversity (Alpha Omicron Chapter), Tacloban City on August 8, 1966. From then on, Alpha Phi Omega spread further to the different provinces in the Region that now boasts of more than 20 chartered ollegiate chapters, 8 chartered alumni associations and more than 20 petitioning chapters.

It was in the later part of the 70's in the middle of the country's political instability that the National Council began to institutionalize its program thrusts particulary in the performance of the four service fields. Guided by the cardinal principles of LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP and SERVICE under the stewardship of NP Emeritus Melchizedek Maquiso (Gamma), who authored the first APO-Philippines "Two-Year Development Plan" led to the creation of the Area Coordinators in the National Territories.

One of the territories to be activated was the Eastern Visayas Region which was first chaired by Bro. Edgar Brosas (Beta Omega), who was followed by the late Bro. Dan Cardillo (Gamma) and which eventually led to the organization of the Eastern Region Executive Committee (EREC).

Then RDD Bro. Frank Brosas (Alpha Omicron) who later became the National President in 1981 activated the EREC. Bro. Frank appointed the late Bro. Rudy Anloague (Alpha Omicron) as the executive chairman. Under the stewardship of the late "McRod" as he was fondly called would become the foundation of continued professionalism in the regional organization that later became the Regional Development Council 8 (RDC 8).

McRod's" protege Bro. Rey Seno (Epsilon Omega), then a newcomer, followed his "godfather's" footsteps when he was elected as RDD 8 during the Cagayan de Oro Convention in 1981. It was during his short stint as RDD that the first Regional Development Council was formally organized and activated. He later relinquished his position to Bro. Manuel Marta (Alpha Omicron) who finished the term with enthusiasm and who worked seriously on the affairs of the region.

As the pattern for regional development was introduced, an equally dynamic leader who is credited with the most chapters organized in the region succeeded the position as RDD. Bro. Ruben Bulic (Alpha Omicron) held the position in Development Year 1983-1985.

Development Year 1985-1987 became the historical milestone for RDC 8 under the late Bro. Oscar Pedrosa when the region hosted the National Convention in 1987 and had as delegates, members from APO-USA. The succeeding years provided for the smooth transition of leadership to the first lady member who would become the next RDD 8, Sis. Pinky H. Brosas (Alpha Omicron), the sister-in-law of Past NP Frank Brosas.

Bro. Edgar Velasquez (Alpha Omicon) took over as RDD 8 for Development Year 1989-1991 after being elected during the Davao Convention. It was during his term that the members in the region became aware of the major thrusts in the National Council's program through the region's networking when the Area Development Councils were activated, the latter of which addressed the RDC constituents with the RDC's programs of development.

Bro. Roy Pacto (Alpha) was the RDD for Development Year 1991-1993. The interest in the political field became the trend during his term. Bro. Jun Ballais (Alpha Omicron) broke the record when he held the position for two consecutive terms. Elected during the Regional Convention in 1993, he was reelected in 1995.

The year 1997 was the turning point for the region. A complete facelifting and surgery unfolded. The dynamic leadership of Immediate Past NP Alquiza provided the "materials and tools" needed to once again revive the ailing region and to spring it back to where it was before.

Bro. Edmar Par (Sigma) became an "accidental hero" when he represented the region in the 1997 Baguio Convention and was elected as RDD 8 in lieu of a regionally-elected brother who failed to attend the national convention. Little did everyone in the region know that the diminutive brother who works at PASAR would propel the RDC back to its old glory when during the 20th National Biennial Convention in Davao City on May 7-9, 1999, the region was awarded the Best RDC by the National Executive Board (NEB).

Past NVP Romi Restituto (Pi) became the RDD 8 for Development Year 1999-2001 (APO Philippines Golden Year) when he was elected during the Regional Convention on March 6, 1999 at UP Tacloban City and was confirmed by the NEB during the 1999 Davao Convention where a big delegation from the region attended.

The RDD for Development Year 2001-2003, Brod Raul A. Mabini (Delta Phi) was chosen during the regional election held in April 2001. He was elected by the regional delegates during the 21st National Convention in Subic last May 25-27, 2001. Alpha Phi Omega is a never-ending-story. So is the Regional Development Council 8.

Bro. Brassett Espiritu (Alpha Omicron) was elected as the RDD for D.Y. 2003-2005 with a landslide win on March 2, 2003. The continuing implementation of the Standard Training Procedure, the full implementation of the Balik-Skawting Program, the use of Information Technology, conducting Information drives and leadership trainings, recognition of collegiate chapters and alumni associations, and ID registration and renewals became the noteworthy accomplishments during his term, among others. Brod Brassett's term also marked the end of the era of the old APO Code of By Laws. The legacy goes on...

========FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ALPHA PHI OMEGA

WHAT IS ALPHA PHI OMEGA?

ALPHA PHI OMEGA is an international service fraternity and sorority. We are an organization dedicated to serving mankind and developing ourselves to become leaders and friends to humanity. To those ends, we create our own democracy. We train our people to be excellent leaders and creative team members. We open our hearts and minds to people and show that the newest generation of adults do care. Alpha Phi Omega is destined to be one of the greatest fraternities in the world because it has as its foundation the highest ideals of the ages, the most perfect standard the generations have been able to produce, a standard accepted by all nations, all religions and all people, one where the motivating idea is to look for the good and to try to do good to everyone regardless of who or what belief, and furthermore has the practical application in most commendable educational social services.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Membership is open to any college student enrolled on a campus where a chapter exists who is approved for membership by that chapter. If there is no chapter at your college, but there is a campus nearby with a chapter, contact that chapter. The chapter may be able to invite you to participate in their service program.

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN? WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU?

College should be more than just the acquisition of facts and figures; it should also broaden your experiences, expand and test your inherent abilities, and sharpen your social skills. Alpha Phi Omega, through its unique program of leadership, friendship and service, can add this necessary but often lacking aspect of college life -- and at the same time enable you to help others while helping yourself.

HOW IS THE FRATERNITY GOVERNED ON THE CAMPUS?

Under the Chapter Articles of Association and National Code of Bylaws, each chapter is its own self-governing organization, electing its own officers and establishing its own operating rules and programs. Each chapter also elects an Advisory Committee consisting of three or more members of the faculty or administration and one or more Scouting and community representatives. These advisors ensure continuity of operation as the student leaders change, and encourage the achievement of fraternal, scholastic and service goals.

HOW IS THE FRATERNITY GOVERNED NATIONALY?

Alpha Phi Omega is a student-based organization. The supreme authority of the fraternity is the National Convention, which meets every two years. It is composed of 4 voting delegates from each of the active chapters throughout the nation. Between Conventions, the National Executive Board -- elected by the Convention delegates -- runs the fraternity within the framework of the Bylaws established by the chapter delegates. Only the National Convention may amend the Bylaws.

WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALPHA PHI OMEGA AND SCOUTING?

Alpha Phi Omega was founded on Scouting principles. Alpha Phi Omega-Philippines, as with the APO-USA, maintains a strong relationship with the international Boy Scouts movement. However, the Boys Scouts of the Philippines does not govern, control or finance Alpha Phi Omega in any way, and previous membership in a Scouting group is not required to join our fraternity.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ALUMNI WITHIN ALPHA PHI OMEGA?

"Once a member of Alpha Phi Omega... Always a member of Alpha Phi Omega!"

Every National Officer and Regional Director of Alpha Phi Omega is an Alumnus. There are more than 100 Alumni Associations active throughout the nation helping chapters and maintaining relationships to Alpha Phi Omega. These associations can be formed on

either a chapter or geographical basis. Alumni, individually and collectively, are becoming more involved in supporting and expanding our fraternity.

HOW CAN YOU BE A FRATERNITY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HOUSE?

Alpha Phi Omega is unique; it is a Service fraternity. We use the concept of fraternalism as a means of providing service, to ourselves as well as to others. The fact that our meetings are held in campus meeting rooms or our members' apartments or dorm rooms does not decrease our sense of brotherhood. In addition, since we are unique, we have no conflict with social fraternities; independents, commuters, dorm dwellers, and social fraternity members: all are welcome as members of Alpha Phi Omega.

IS THERE ANY FORM OF HAZING IN YOUR FRATERNITY?

Hazing or informal initiation is not allowed in Alpha Phi Omega. Any mistreatment of pledges, members or other persons at any time is a violation of the purposes of the Fraternity.

HOW CAN I JOIN?

There are several approaches.

Ask an Alpha Phi Omega member on your campus; Contact the local chapter; Ask the Student Affairs Office for the name, address and telephone number of the Alpha Phi Omega president or the chapter office (many campuses provide Alpha Phi Omega office space).

For Further Information Contact:

The National CouncilAlpha Phi Omega Philippines, Inc.Unit-3A, Residencia Braganza, 270 E. Garcia St. QC(632) 439-7640, (632) 439-7603

A LETTER FOR YOU

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your interest in Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity and Sorority.

You must have known someone who is an APO (acronym for the frat) to have an interest in the frat; and if you don't know anyone, you may have heard something about apo that made you interested.

It won't be that easy for me to encourage or discourage you to join apo, unless I know somehow your true intentions and what little you know about us.

If you are a good student and have a strong self-discipline, then in my book you are the right person to join APO. i say in my book because I don't totally represent the thoughts of my brothers and sisters. But the frat itself stands for something noble - it represents the ideals of leadership, friendship and service.

A good recruit then would be someone who has the potential to be a leader or who is willing to be developed as a leader. But when we talk about leadership, it has to be the positive type of leadership that contributes positively to oneself, the frat, the country and humanity. It's not that type of leadership that destroy oneself and others through participation in something destructive like frat war or kayabangan, or indulging in activities that are abhorable to your parents and the society in general like too much pulutan at inuman, bulakbol at iba pang kabulastugan.

The frat itself is sometimes notoriously well known by the individual acts of others or by a group of brods and sis who unknowingly perhaps unable to dedicate their actions to the true ideals of the frat. This is true to any organizations where there are recalcitrants. And there are recalcitrants in my book in APO - those who joined because of the mystical allure of the frat.

Friend, if you are looking for a sanctuary or a group to belong and without knowing your true purpose, then APO is not for you. But again that is by measuring you with the true ideals of the frat because I couldn't totally claim now that all of us who became brothers and sisters are living the ideals of the frat. Somehow others became brods and sis without grasping the true ideals of the fraternity.

There are many intangibles in becoming a brother or a sister. For one thing, it is a life time membership and hardly anyone is expelled or denied of membership. Have you ever met someone for the first time and feel at ease as if you have been friends before? In apo, this feeling is universal regardless who you are and where you are and who they are, and what part of the world you travel to.

To me, Friend, the most important ideal of the frat is service. Service is mostly defined in tangible ways like helping others, the community and the country. But if you are providing leadership to your peers and molding them to be a good student and eventually becoming a productive citizen, then you are doing a service. If you are focused on your studies and attaining good grades, then you are doing a service to yourself and to those who expect you to be successful in life. If you are mentoring a kid now and showing him or her the ropes for good citizenry, then you are also doing a noble service. If you are advising someone now to clean up his or her acts, then you are doing a service. Service takes many forms and not always tangible.

Just like our country who needs new and dynamic breed of leaders, the frat is in need of recruits who will be devoted to the true ideals of leadership, friendship and service of the frat. I am hoping that your intention to join the frat is founded on a sense of purpose to be of service and of become a true leader.

Sincerely,

A Friend from Alpha Phi Omegahttp://apo-evnet.netfirms.com

CONGRATULATIONS Friend!

We hope you have learned some insights about Alpha Phi Omega.

Friend, we would like you to know that we want to share that Alpha Phi Omega experience to college students in the campus. We are therefore cordially inviting you to join APO.

You may contact any APO member in your college campus and inquire about their Pledging activities. You will be required to attend an orientation.

This orientation, which is a part of the membership process, will introduce you to Alpha Phi Omega. If after the orientation you decide to join, then you will join a Pledge Batch and participate in a short Pledge Period. An applicant for membership is called a Pledge. A group of Pledge in a single batch is called a Pledge Class or Pledge Batch. The Pledge Period is a sort of training period wherein the participants in a Pledge Class will be molded into future membership. Among the activities are lectures and seminars, service activities and fellowship gatherings. There will be exams to evaluate each applicant's performance. Hazing is not tolerated in our pledging activities.

If you want us to contact you, please feel free to send your email to apo_evnet@yahoo.com.ph

Once again, Friend, congratulations.

10/13/05