Why did you join?

[Brother Joseph]

Last week this forum saw a fairly nasty debate regarding selectivity and the role of all male chapters within the fraternity. There is obviously an unresolved tension there and so it was no surprise when that discussion ended poorly in my opinion. However, we somehow still all agree that in some way we are brothers. So I went back last night and looked for a thread like this and though there were similar ones I couldn't find anything exactly like this. What I'm asking is what are the reasons you joined APO in the first place. Hoepfully, we get better responses than "I just really liked service". That's great but there had to be something deeper that made our organization appeal to you over others. (If there is another thread like this please redirect this there).

I'll start since I have two or three reasons why I joined.

1) First was my scouting background. I am an eagle scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. I clearly remember my ordeal (initiation into the OA). I remember getting the membership book and flipping through it finding the section entitled "further opportunities for arrowmen". The page had a very nice picture of the National Eagle Scout Association badge and the APO coat of Arms as well as a small description. This definitely got me thinking since I loved the OA and was always looking for similar things to do.

It wasn't until later in my college search that I discovered two of my dearest scoutmasters were members of APO from back in the 60's. These were men I respected and so when they suggested to me I join up when I got to school I took them seriously.

2) The other reason is the people I met on campus. I got to my school (a small lib-arts school in the Northeast) and I have to admit I was pretty shy. Coming from a small rural high school didn't give the opportunity for much of a social life. I was recruited and ran NCAA cross country and track in college so when I got to campus for preseason I already had something to do and a very close group of men that I belonged to and in many ways my team took on the role of a traditional fraternity.

However, I soon found that many of the team members were members of APO as well. Not quite sure why except that it really didn't conflict with our team responsibilities. Anyway, as a young freshman trying to impress his team captains and make a name for himself on campus I got the dispensation from the administration and pledged APO during my fall semester. (Freshman were not allowed to pledge social fraternities during the first year and APO only with permission). Maybe this wasn't the greatest motivation to join but it did bind me to my teammates in a new way and did provide a unique perspective to my college career.

Okay, that's my story. ANd though I'm not always happy with where I see the fraternity going I'm still very proud that I was (am) a member and wouldn't change that decision lightly. Now it's your turn. What was it that made you join?