Rechartering Efforts at Saint Augustine's

[naraht]

Also, for the group at St. Augustine, I really would recommend Delta Phi at JCSU as a model. Right now, I think that Delta Phi is the only private HBCU to recharter co-ed in the last 5 years. They and NCA&T are the only HBCU's with active chapters in North Carolina. There is another extension effort at an HBCU in Region III at Norfolk State, but I know that that group does have at least one woman (could be all women for all I know). Also, Howard University is active.

I'm not trying to be Separatist by race in terms of suggesting the chapters that would be good models, but the culture of the College/University *does* affect what characteristics make a strong chapter on that campus. I am absolutely convinced that the chapter that I pledged at (Kappa @ Carnegie-Mellon) would be a horrible model in some ways, while still perhaps having ideas that are worthwhile.

Randy

[Senusret I]

Let's back up for a moment:

My group and I have no problems doing service projects on and off campus discreetly (which helps in terms of "coming out" presentations)

I already PMed you my ideas about a coming out and offered to send you lyrics and music to various APO songs I'm familiar with, but I've got to say a few things for you and for the benefit of others in your situation:

Being discreet may very well be your problem.

How were the first 11 recruited? Were you all already friends?
What class years are all of you?
How are you recruiting?
Are any of you already members of NPHC organizations?

The coming out presentation is simply not as important as finding quality members that reflect the demographics of the campus.

When we began the process of rechartering Howard, we spent three weeks in a row standing out on the main quad just passing our fliers about APO and advertising the info session. When we did assemble the first line, we never told them they needed to be discreet -- you can't be discreet when you're rechartering a chapter. People have got to see that you're DOING stuff before they will express interest.

Trust me, I know the culture is different. Been there. But Alpha Phi Omega is different. We can reflect the traditions of the campus, sure -- but some "traditions" are merely habits, and some habits are made to be transcended by Alpha Phi Omega.

[MiQuelW]

How were the first 11 recruited? Were you all already friends? No, they were recruited by flyers (which were in both male & female dorms, as well as the cafe, etc. and said "...National Co-Ed Service...."). I don't know how the sex break-up is at Howard, but there was a female who transferred here who was interested in APO. However, she's not ready to partake in "greek" life. and my friend who is already Gamma Sig said she'd consider joining to help us meet our "quota", but is that really what you want? Because we've already let 2 guys go who hadn't participated in any of our service projects.... they just wanted to step.

What class years are all of you? We have freshmen, sophomores and Seniors, no juniors

How are you recruiting? Flyers, I'm the only one who's not "discreet". We've participated in Trick or treat for community children with other organizations where I've made it known that I was participating on the behalf of the IG of APO. We have organization day on our campus, where my adivsor and I had information packets.

Are any of you already members of NPHC organizations? No, alot of them don't know what APO is, and I had to talk to the NPHC advisor just so they'd know not to attack us in any of their presentations.


Two of the major goals I have for APO at St. Aug are
1) Service, because all of our NPHC claim to do so much, but we never see them doing anything for our campus or community (besides cookouts)
2) Greek Unity, it would be beautiful to see NPHC Greeks going at it one day, then working together the next with their APO shirts on.


As far as being discreet, our Director of Student Activities really wanted us to present ourselves to the campus, especially with the lack of Greek life at St-Aug, I guess he felt this was important?

On a brighter note, I've gotten alot of support from surrounding chapters & alumni, who are very anxious in seeing what we've been doing. And we're developing some nice traditions and a style that's going to be great for our chapter. Hopefully this whole situation will work itself out.

[Senusret I]

Thank you for answering my questions! I look forward to a response to my PM.

[scarleteriberry]

Originally Posted by MiQuelW

Are any of you already members of NPHC organizations? No, alot of them don't know what APO is, and I had to talk to the NPHC advisor just so they'd know not to attack us in any of their presentations.
=

Why would the attack you?