Learn how to differentiate diversity from tokenism, then practice true diversity.

Understand that for the sake of diversity, some traditions are worth keeping.

Tighten up membership and (re)chartering criteria; give the prospectives something to desire besides something to put on their resume (my attitude is if you didn't have professional "game" before you joined APO, putting three letters on your resume won't help your cause). If they want the letters, make 'em work (and serve) for it.

Never forget our roots; we are a service fraternity with roots firmly planted in the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. And keep those roots in the forefront of everyone's mind. If the tenets of Scouting or the Boy Scouts offend you, don't join us. That's how we came into existence.

Stop trying to pander to the public and prospectives with all the politically correct attitudes and lingo. It makes us look wishy-washy.

Allow alumni to start alumni chapters, not merely alumni associations.

Allow alumni the same voting rights as undergraduates.

Respect others' right to disagree.

Extend the right hand of fellowship, especially after a heated disagreement.

Speak to be understood, not to make yourself heard.

Don't disrespect women in the org. You may not want them there, but respect the fact that they are there. That is something I NEVER have done as a brother, and that is disrespect a female brother.

Treat every brother as your equal and serve with them in an equal capacity.

We also need to stop subjecting ourselves to our own chapter and learn that there is much more to Alpha Phi Omega if we branch out.

In response to the OP's original question:
 

Having been a brother of both all-male (A-Phi-Que) and coed chapters, I can say this much:

Frankly, I just bonded much better with brothers from all-male chapters. It just appeared to me that there was a much better and much closer social dynamic in terms of bonding.

While the two co-ed chapters I was part of I didn't have any real issues with their operation or why they did what they did, I learned that too often I butted heads with them, because what I thought was important wasn't necessarily what they thought was important (though they did institute a cross-campus candlelight march ("Last Rites March") for the pledges who were about to be initiated due to an idea of mine. It was done away with when there was no Spring '98 "line" and was never picked up. I mentioned it to some undergrads a few years ago, and they were blown away by the concept and wanted to get more details, but they never followed up.

Overall, there were 2-3 brothers I had a good rapport with, but for the most part I never fully bonded with the chapters as a whole.

Someone said that HBCU chapters function too much like NPHC orgs, but I think that is a good thing. Because they see the brotherhood as being equally important as the service they perform, and without that brotherhood, they cannot serve effectively. This might just be a cultural thing, but I fully embrace it, and it is for that very reason that I support A-Phi-Que chapters.

Diversity is important, but too many people spout it, that I am turned off by this. Some groups think its sooo important, they seem to feel they need to promote this on their websites. Its turned 'diversity' it to a meaningless (to me) leftist buzzword.

Its important that chapters have a good pledge program. I kind of hope this new 'pledge program of excellence' award will get them thinking of it. There are many points for this award that many chapters overlook- such as teaching our history and traditions to pledges.

Pledge training is something I feel very strongely about. But I've learned that most others don't agree. I feel that most chapters have been poorly educated on what a pledge program is and should contain. I designed a series of training sessions on this topic, but have only been able to teach the first level session at sections & regionals. I took a 'pledge training' course at a recent national convention and was *very* disappointed. Too much 'sitting around and sharing pledge program ideas' with no true training on pledge programs. But that is a similiar program I have with too much training in APO. Too much 'roundtable discussions' and not enough real training in how things are and should be. Too many actives think they have the basics down (they don't) and feel they only need roundtable discussions with their peers (such 'classes' are really only for those who have gone thru the basics, which they haven't, first). (but I digress)

Agree. I joined APO because of Scouting. It's ok to have connections with other groups, but lets NEVER forget our connects to Scouting/BSA. Making connections with GSUSA, CFUSA, et al should never be at the expense of our connections with the BSA.

Again, I have to agree. Why should we consider changing our Toast Song because of what outside groups say? Its none of their business. If prospectives have an issue, the solution is educating them!

Never happen.

In the old days, alums formed Alumni Chapters and could send voting delegates to National Convention. Hasn't been that way since the 50s. We had an alum gathering in the 90s, and the consensus was how things run was just fine.

Its hard enought getting alums to form alumni associations. (I know, I've tried). Forget about trying to create 'alumni chapters'.

What are you, some kind of freak? :)

There are too many Brothers who fail to do this...

Not *quite* sure I understand your point, but a problem I've seen with too many in APO is that, to them, APO is their Chapter. And nothing else. They have little concept/appreciate of APO outside their Chapter. If their Chapter is in need of help, they will come running. But if they are asked to join an alumni association, help other Chapters, be involved as an alumni volunteer, they have no interest in doing so.

Their Chapter has failed them. Their Chapter has failed to educate them in what APO is: a NATIONAL Service Fraternity, of which their Chapter is but one of 360+ Chapters around the country. Their Chapter has probably failed to educate them on our NATIONAL history, organization, etc. They probably had little interaction with any Brothers outside their Chapter, unless they went to a conference or convention. And their Chapter probably never really promoted these events and tried to get as many people as possible to attend.

Our Fraternity is ill served by the many alumni who do not get involved in us, not because they have a full life, but because they were never educated that Brotherhood in APO is for life, and that they should consider being involved with APO after they've left their college and Chapter.

Alpha Phi Omega has failed to provide a meaningful, diverse, and robust method of alumni participation.


An above-adequate alumni program would include:

1) A plan to charter geographic-based alumni associations in the 25 most populous United States cities.

2) A consistent alumni association program with annual goals, reporting, and awards for participation. For example, as it stands right now, there is no Distinguished Service Key that Alumni Association may present to their members.

3) A meaningful membership program that addresses the needs of all ages/experience levels of alumni: recent college graduates, alums with families, and retired/empty nest alums.

Our alums typically remain active in other endeavors after college -- some become Masons, alumni/ae initiates of GLOs, Kiwanis, Junior League, etc. Some become very active in their churches or participate in more focused service opportunities. They follow interests that are more adult and are more tailored to their needs at the time.

APO just doesn't have that. I think it CAN, but the focus has to move away from "Hey, you graduated now join section staff!" to "You've graduated -- here's a local alumni association that does some service, does some professional development, and has a little fun -- come to a meeting and see if you like it."

THEN you cultivate your sectional leadership from the alumni associations.... I am tired of seeing section staffs recreate programming which SHOULD be performed by alumni associations.

I won't dissagree with you, but part of the problem is that WE (the alum) have not really stepped up and said we want this and that we will help achieve this.

Actually, I took a look at the alumni association awards and even proposed an AA DSK a couple of NatConvs back. I don't think it got out of the reference committee.

I have to agree. Some of us tried to established an alumni association in our local area. One of the purposes was to cultivate a group from which future sectional leadership could be drawn, as well as future charter sponsers, etc. But getting people to come out even on a monthly basis was very difficult. Somehow asking people to travel 15-20 minutes to the meeting was too much of an inconvenience to them. (as if they don't travel the same amount to time to certain venues like major malls/theaters, sports stadiums, etc) Petty little interpersonal issues also didn't help. (Brother X didn't like Brother Y. Because Brother Y was involved in group, didn't want to come to group. As Brothers A, B, C friends of Brother X, they too didn't come. Even after Brother Y moved out of the area, Brothers A, B, C, and X would not come out)

Have you considered sending this to the Alumni PD?

I am hoping you will repost your thoughts in the other thread I created about this topic. :)

I'm a black girl in a coed apo chapter at a historically white school....i look forward to one day going to the cook out and visiting other chapters....

nuff said

Why wait for "one day" to visit other chapters...

Regionals are coming up, make a point to attend one of them. If possible, attend your Regionals. If not, attend another.

Attend Sectionals. If possible, consider attending other sectionals. (I am considering attending Section 98's this Spring, in additional to my own).

And keep in mind Nationals coming up next year in Boston.

This is the best way to met other chapters and establish friendships.

If nearby chapters are having events, see if they are open to other chapters visits (many are).

Its strange that my chapter has little contact with their 'big brother' chapter which is 30 minutes away, but has good contacts with a chapter farther away in our section. My chapter tries to get as many people as possible to attend sectionals. they don't care were it is, they'll be there. Sadly, many chapters don't do that, either sending a small number or worse, basically not showing up.

Most of the people who attend the cookout wouldn't know the difference.

me too !!! i cant wait!

LOL...i am going to regionals...i mean one day where i can travel and visit non neighboring chapters

and now i want to go even more LOL