[emb021]

All-

The chartering process is not secret, and it really shouldn't be different from Region to Region.

The following is a *high level* overview of the process. Its what I tell students interested in getting a chapter started/restarted.

Chartering a chapter is a several month process. Depending on how things work it can take about a year. Maybe a little less (doubtful) or a little longer (hopefully not). During this process the group will increase membership, do service projects, fellowship events, get their advisors, approvals, develop their pledge program, bylaws, etc. The Chartering Process document gives you the specifics as to what needs to be done when in the process.

First a group of students gets together, contacts the Fraternity, gets assigned a Sponsor (alumni who can guide them along the process) and probably a 'Big Brother' Chapter to assist as well. Once they meet certain requirements, they become an Interest Group (IG). Further along (more requirements), they become a Petitioning Group (PG). PG status is very important. Once a PG, the members go thru a special ceremony (similiar to our pledge ceremony), receive a special petitioner pin (which they may wear forever), and are considered Petitioning Members of APO. Once they met the other requirements they then get Chartered as a chapter, go thru a chartering ceremony and become APO Brothers.

In many ways, the chartering process is similiar to the pledge process, except its the whole group that goes thru it, as opposed to an individual. Being a Petitioner is similiar to a pledge, but different in other ways (one is usually a pledge during a 6-10 week period, but can be a petitioner for 2-3 semesters).

New people who come on board the group should be brought in as 'classes', and run thru the "pledge program" being developed by the group. Developing your own pledge program is part of the chartering process. Most groups are heavily influenced by their sponsor and big brother chapter as to their pledge program, but group are free to develop their own within our National Pledge Standards.

Hope this helps, but as I've (and others) have mentioned, GET IN CONTACT with our National Office.