Selectivity And Apo

[33girl]

The members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council are shown below in alphabetical order.


Alpha Kappa Alpha January 15, 1908 (age 101)
Howard University Chicago, Illinois 950+ 1930

Alpha Phi Alpha December 4, 1906 (age 102)
Cornell University Baltimore, Maryland 850+ 1931

Delta Sigma Theta January 13, 1913 (age 96)
Howard University Washington, D.C. 950+ 1930

Iota Phi Theta September 19, 1963 (age 46)
Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland 200+ 1997

Kappa Alpha Psi January 5, 1911 (age 98)
Indiana University
as Kappa Alpha Nu Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 700+ 1930

Omega Psi Phi November 17, 1911 (age 97)
Howard University Decatur, Georgia 750+ 1930

Phi Beta Sigma January 9, 1914 (age 95)
Howard University Washington, D.C. 700+ 1931

Zeta Phi Beta January 16, 1920 (age 89)
Howard University Washington, D.C. 800+ 1930

Sigma Gamma Rho November 12, 1922 (age 86)
Butler University Cary, North Carolina 500+ 1937


Alpha Phi Omega is not on this list.

Please stop using the expectations of the organizations on this list to apply to it.

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council are shown below in alphabetical order.
...

Alpha Phi Omega is not on this list.

Perhaps they should join the list; if nothing else, it'll help step their much-needed membership candidate vetting process game up.

Please stop using the expectations of the organizations on this list to apply to it.

Why should I? It works, doesn't it?

OTOH, maybe I will once Alpha Phi Omega starts to get some backbone and use more stringent criteria to weed out the lame and lazy slackers and no professional game having resume-padders.

Your post confirms my point: Alpha Phi Omega has turned into Circle K with a ritual.

[arvid1978]

Originally Posted by KAPital PHINUst

Why should I? It works, doesn't it?

Here's the thing, though: It doesn't work, at least not for us. In my experience, the chapters that are faltering are the ones who forget what we're about and spend more time looking at the NPHC, NIC, PHC, etc and saying "we should do that". The chapters I see that are successful are the ones that put their message of Leadership, Friendship and Service out there every semester and run a solid pledge program that focuses more on preparing pledges to be functional and active members of the fraternity (which is less about "know your history" and more about learning how the chapter actually operates, how to develop new and exciting projects, and how to grow as leaders), and extend membership to those who lived up to the expectations placed before them.

I'm sorry that APO ended up not being what you thought it was, but you knew what you were joining and had plenty of opportunity to back out if you didn't feel it was a good match. Your pledge period was 6-10 weeks long, surely at some point you realized that this wasn't what you were looking for, right?

OTOH, maybe I will once Alpha Phi Omega starts to get some backbone and use more stringent criteria to weed out the lame and lazy slackers and no professional game having resume-padders.

Your post confirms my point: Alpha Phi Omega has turned into Circle K with a ritual.

And I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take serious anybody who talks about how we as a fraternity need to step up our game and that we're when he's continually repping another organization.

When was the last time you actually worked with a chapter outside of your little Viking scope? Or went to a conference instead of cookout? Or volunteered as an advisor to a chapter? How about joined an alumni association other than MOTRS? Why haven't you become an APO LEADS presenter or presented a workshop that can help develop students into campus and community leaders? How about become a Torchbearer? In other words, what have you done for Alpha Phi Omega as a whole lately other than bitch about it online?

You talk a big game and like to throw around "Circle K with a Ritual", but you really don't know what you're talking about. You're clearly unwilling to work within the existing structure to change it, and frankly that rings hollow with me.

Obviously Alpha Phi Omega doesn't mean that much to you or wasn't meeting your needs in some way. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you found an organization that is more up your alley. I'm seriously happy for you. However, don't think that just because you found what you were looking for means that everybody who joins APO is looking for the same thing.

Frank Reed Horton didn't find the standard of manhood he was looking for in SAE. He didn't take what he developed in APO and tried to change SAE to be more like that, nor did he try to make APO more like SAE. What makes you think it's ok if The Lightbearer wasn't willing to do it?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by arvid1978

Here's the thing, though: It doesn't work, at least not for us.

And it truly doesn't always work for NPHC organizations, either.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And it truly doesn't always work for NPHC organizations, either.

I'm just trying to imagine what APO would look like if it exactly followed the official NPHC rules regarding admission (post 1993) and *completely* failing...

OTOH, I'm also trying to think what would NPHC groups would look like doing if *they* followed the official NPHC rules and not having much better luck.

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by naraht

I'm just trying to imagine what APO would look like if it exactly followed the official NPHC rules regarding admission (post 1993) and *completely* failing...

OTOH, I'm also trying to think what would NPHC groups would look like doing if *they* followed the official NPHC rules and not having much better luck.

Funny you mention this, because in a back issue of the T&T (one of the 1992 issues at that), there is an article that allows campuses to institute an MIP program if their school prohibits formal pledging. And if I'm not mistaken, this MIP program was very similar, if not outright identical to the NPHC's Intake program. I also remember this issue being mentioned at the '92 CPW (either that or the 93 Sectional Conference--I think it was the latter).

I haven't read the article in well over 12-13 years so my memory of the article's details is extremely fuzzy, so if you have any back issues of the T&T from '92 or '93, check those. It is definately in there.

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by arvid1978

Here's the thing, though: It doesn't work, at least not for us.

According to whom? On what basis? Do you know this for a fact and/or have you even tried to institute it?

In my experience, the chapters that are faltering are the ones who forget what we're about and spend more time looking at the NPHC, NIC, PHC, etc and saying "we should do that". The chapters I see that are successful are the ones that put their message of Leadership, Friendship and Service out there every semester and run a solid pledge program that focuses more on preparing pledges to be functional and active members of the fraternity (which is less about "know your history" and more about learning how the chapter actually operates, how to develop new and exciting projects, and how to grow as leaders), and extend membership to those who lived up to the expectations placed before them.

Oh, get the fuss outta here with that empty canned rhetoric! Like I said before, one of the key element of a true FRATERNITY lies in its exclusivity and selectivity, usually through a rigorous thorough vetting process. Will it be foolproof or failsafe? Not at all. But it will definately show prospective members that APO isn't an organization which you can shuck and jive you way into joining.

I'm sorry that APO ended up not being what you thought it was, but you knew what you were joining and had plenty of opportunity to back out if you didn't feel it was a good match. Your pledge period was 6-10 weeks long, surely at some point you realized that this wasn't what you were looking for, right?

For the record, I was on line 11 weeks (I later found out that I was supposed to cross on April 30, but the Rodney King riots had the campus in an uproar and initiation took a back seat to campus programming which we volunteered for to address issues to that effect).

And I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take serious anybody who talks about how we as a fraternity need to step up our game and that we're when he's continually repping another organization.

Do you, then....

When was the last time you actually worked with a chapter outside of your little Viking scope? Or went to a conference instead of cookout? Or volunteered as an advisor to a chapter? How about joined an alumni association other than MOTRS?

Oh, so you want my resume? Trust, it isn't Viking/MOTRS only:

Chapter Historian, Alpha Gamma Theta Chapter, 1992-94. Helped organize a weekly service project where we would help a local community development program assemble fresh fruit and vegetable packages to issue to low income families.

Brother of Rho Theta Chapter, 1995-97. Assisted the Pledgemaster and Assistant Pledgemaster in the training and indoctrination of pledges. Initiated the Last Rites March where pledges and brothers would march across campus by candlelight.

BTW, these chapter are most definately NOT Viking chapters.

As far as attending workshops and conferences:

Chapter Presidents Workshop, 1992
Section 57 (later 56/59) Conference, 1993-97, 2000.
Region V Conference, 1995
National Convention (non-voting) delegate, 1996
Submitted legislation for the 2000 National Convention.

And I hadn't even mentioned that I helped get some women to organize a local chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma in 1999 to help build synergy with Alpha Phi Omega.

As for joining an alumni association, all they did was have a monthly dinner and socialize, and that was when I was an undergrad. When I finally graduated, the association had faded out.

Why haven't you become an APO LEADS presenter or presented a workshop...

In 2000, I offered my services as a member of Sectional Staff and no one would contact me to follow up with me. Later that year, I presented a proposal for a workshop I would facilitate for the 2000 National Convention and the Convention co-ordinator refused. At that point, I said that I was done; if APO has that much of an issue with me being pro-all male and pro-Viking (all the while respecting brothers of chapters that wish to be co-ed and being a team player in the process), then I pretty much earned the right to b**ch about Alpha Phi Omega.

In other words, what have you done for Alpha Phi Omega as a whole lately other than bitch about it online?

(see above)

You talk a big game and like to throw around "Circle K with a Ritual", but you really don't know what you're talking about.

BULL$#!T!! I have been in this organization for 17 years, I know exactly what I am talking about!

You're clearly unwilling to work within the existing structure to change it, and frankly that rings hollow with me.

As you can see, it wasn't for lack of trying.

Frank Reed Horton didn't find the standard of manhood he was looking for in SAE. He didn't take what he developed in APO and tried to change SAE to be more like that, nor did he try to make APO more like SAE. What makes you think it's ok if The Lightbearer wasn't willing to do it?

FRH also wanted a fraternity that functioned like a fraternity in substance, not merely in form. When the basic requirements began to be eliminated (had to be a former Boy Scout, etc.), APO went into a whole new direction which permanently changed its image and structure.

[33girl]

RainMan, didn't you renounce your APO membership because you were afraid of the idolatry aspect? You seem to have no problem idolizing Kappa Alpha Psi all over the intraweb.

And if there is anything I got sick of hearing while I was pledging APO, it was the pledgemaster saying "In Crows we did blah blah blah." It's 2 different kinds of organizations. PERIOD.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by 33girl

And if there is anything I got sick of hearing while I was pledging APO, it was the pledgemaster saying "In Crows we did blah blah blah." It's 2 different kinds of organizations. PERIOD.

I agree with you. While it's one thing to compare the best practices of organizations (APO and social fraternities/sororities ARE nonprofit organizations with similar operations), it's another thing to intentionally misinterpret and misrepresent what Alpha Phi Omega is in order to craft a chapter or organization that one thinks it should be.

Some things you outgrow over time. At the very least, you understand what works for your chapter is not likely to be a universal truth in APO.

On the complete other hand all together, there are times in APO when experience with a social GLO scene is beneficial to a local APO experience. A Petitioning Group I am dealing with is made up of mostly BGLO members, and also being a BGLO member myself, I can relate to these students on a level that other volunteers can't or choose not to.

Being a dual member in that case makes some things easier -- all it takes is a conversation saying "In XYZ, you might do *this* but in APO that doesn't work because..."

Selectivity prior to the pledge process is one of those things I advise against.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree with you. While it's one thing to compare the best practices of organizations (APO and social fraternities/sororities ARE nonprofit organizations with similar operations), it's another thing to intentionally misinterpret and misrepresent what Alpha Phi Omega is in order to craft a chapter or organization that one thinks it should be.

Some things you outgrow over time. At the very least, you understand what works for your chapter is not likely to be a universal truth in APO.

On the complete other hand all together, there are times in APO when experience with a social GLO scene is beneficial to a local APO experience. A Petitioning Group I am dealing with is made up of mostly BGLO members, and also being a BGLO member myself, I can relate to these students on a level that other volunteers can't or choose not to.

Being a dual member in that case makes some things easier -- all it takes is a conversation saying "In XYZ, you might do *this* but in APO that doesn't work because..."

Selectivity prior to the pledge process is one of those things I advise against.

I got a *real* heads up at my first section conference in terms of "what works in my chapter may not work in yours". My chapter's budget had single *line items* larger that the entire budget for at least three of the other chapters there, some of which were nearly our size. Trying to give the other chapters financial advice was a disaster.

One of the challenges to extension is figuring out what chapters are likely models for a new extension group and which ones are *not*. Trying to use the chapter George Washington University for a Model for a chapter at Howard University would be waste of *everyone*'s effort. (And vice versa). On the other hand, there are schools were existing models work fine. If I'm working on an extension to a Cal State University campus, I'll definitely try out the other Cal State campuses as Models.

There is only one case where I do advise a *certain* level of selectivity and that is in the area of super-rapid expansion. I wouldn't look badly on a chapter that tried to keep the number of pledges to twice the number of active brothers (or 15 if the number of brothers is less than 8). At that point though I'd ask staff to help in coming up with solutions.

[arvid1978]

Originally Posted by KAPital PHINUst

According to whom? On what basis? Do you know this for a fact and/or have you even tried to institute it?

As an active alumni volunteer on both the sectional and regional level, advisor to two different chapters and currently am a sponsor to an extension group, I have seen this first hand in several situations. I advised a predominantly black co-ed chapter for 5 years, and guess what? Every semester they tried to emulate NPHC groups with selectivity, all they got were people who were really good at putting up a fake and then disappearing the next time the Alphas or Deltas or whoever were running a line. The semesters they did it the right way, by putting out there that they're not like these groups and everybody who wants to try to be of service gets the opportunity to pledge, placed the standard of what is expected before them to attain active membership, and treated them how an APO pledge class is supposed to be treated... those were the semesters that people stuck around because they spent a semester thinking if APO was the right group for them.

So yes, I have seen it done that way, and I can say with multiple data points to back me up that it does not work with our existing structure and policies on the vast majority of our campuses.

Oh, get the fuss outta here with that empty canned rhetoric! Like I said before, one of the key element of a true FRATERNITY lies in its exclusivity and selectivity, usually through a rigorous thorough vetting process. Will it be foolproof or failsafe? Not at all. But it will definately show prospective members that APO isn't an organization which you can shuck and jive you way into joining.

You have a very serious misunderstanding of what it means to be in a fraternity, my friend, and I'm beginning to think that you would be the person who joined for the wrong reasons.

If you prefer to dismiss that as rhetoric, that's fine because I can't control what you think, no matter how horribly misguided and wrong it is. The pledge program IS the vetting process. If you can't or won't understand that, then APO *really* is the wrong group for you. We select, just on the back end. If someone comes up to pledge review and doesn't have their shit together, they've got questions to answer as to why, and if they can't get it done in time, they're invited to try again. If they've got it all done, then our national policies dictate that you need to have a much better reason that "I just don't like you" to not initiate that pledge. If you can't follow national pledging standards and policies because you find them inconvenient, then you truly have no respect for APO and I'm wondering why you haven't taken the recently-implemented option to resign your membership if you find our policies so detestable. I'm sure Judy and Bob would be able to process that for you in a timely manner.

Do you, then....

I do. I call complete bullshit on someone who talks about how dedicated they are to APO out of the same mouth that is telling me that they have done absolutely nothing with or for APO in almost 10 years. It rings incredibly hollow, indeed.

Oh, so you want my resume? Trust, it isn't Viking/MOTRS only:

Chapter Historian, Alpha Gamma Theta Chapter, 1992-94. Helped organize a weekly service project where we would help a local community development program assemble fresh fruit and vegetable packages to issue to low income families.

Brother of Rho Theta Chapter, 1995-97. Assisted the Pledgemaster and Assistant Pledgemaster in the training and indoctrination of pledges. Initiated the Last Rites March where pledges and brothers would march across campus by candlelight.

BTW, these chapter are most definately NOT Viking chapters.

And when was the last time you contacted or did anything with them? I'm guessing it's been quite a while since AGT is inactive and Rho Theta's website hasn't been updated since 2002.

As far as attending workshops and conferences:

Chapter Presidents Workshop, 1992
Section 57 (later 56/59) Conference, 1993-97, 2000.
Region V Conference, 1995
National Convention (non-voting) delegate, 1996
Submitted legislation for the 2000 National Convention.

That's great and all, but your resume is about 10-15 years out of date. What have you done for APO lately? Are you aware of a huge shift in how students think about volunteerism lately?

And I hadn't even mentioned that I helped get some women to organize a local chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma in 1999 to help build synergy with Alpha Phi Omega.

No disrespect to the women of GSS, but that has absolutely nothing to do with APO, so that isn't even germane to the discussion. But I digress...

As for joining an alumni association, all they did was have a monthly dinner and socialize, and that was when I was an undergrad. When I finally graduated, the association had faded out.

And that happens. If you care so much about APO, why didn't you restart it? Why didn't you seek to improve what you saw as not meeting your needs? It sounds to me like you weren't willing to invest the time to make it better, and that you were hoping for someone else to do it for you instead of being a leader yourself...

In 2000, I offered my services as a member of Sectional Staff and no one would contact me to follow up with me. Later that year, I presented a proposal for a workshop I would facilitate for the 2000 National Convention and the Convention co-ordinator refused. At that point, I said that I was done; if APO has that much of an issue with me being pro-all male and pro-Viking (all the while respecting brothers of chapters that wish to be co-ed and being a team player in the process), then I pretty much earned the right to b**ch about Alpha Phi Omega.

So you weren't of use to the section at that time, or the section chair failed to contact you (which happens all too often). When I was a section vice-chair, we turned down alumni who it was felt would not make good sectional volunteers for a variety of reasons. I just talked to a recent alum of a chapter in my area who wants to go be an advisor for the same chapter she just graduated from. I advised her against it, because she would not be a good fit for the role, and invited her to try a different chapter in the area or to wait a couple of years and get her life in order first.

I hope the irony of saying we need to tighten up our standards on who we allow into our brotherhood in the same thread that you are complaining that you were not selected for Sectional Staff after asking only once is not lost on you. I guess you just didn't want it bad enough to actually work for it...

Oh boo hoo, so you weren't picked to present at the one national convention you volunteered for. I have attended 5 conventions, of which 4 were as an alumni volunteer. I have only presented twice at a nationals, and both were LAUNCH courses. I have prepared other workshops that were rejected at all three levels. What did you have to present? Was it something you saw of value to the students, but they didn't? Was it for something that they already had a much more qualified presenter lined up already?

None of this gives you the right to bitch and moan the way you do. It barely gives you the right to throw a pity-party. Again, I say: you knew what you were getting into when you joined. You knew that we do things differently because we're different. You had almost 3 months to decide if this was going to be the right group for you. Yet, you joined anyway and took an oath. If you don't want to live up to your oath, fine. I also hope the irony of complaining about people who leave APO right after pledging at the same time you talk about leaving APO yourself is also not lost on you.

(see above)

That would be a moderately impressive resume if it wasn't horribly dated by almost 9 years. I believe I asked, what have you done for APO lately? And, as it turns out, the answer is nothing but bitch. Oh, and Viking stuff, but that doesn't count because it's not really APO.

BULL$#!T!! I have been in this organization for 17 years, I know exactly what I am talking about!

You may have been holding a membership card for 17 years, but you really haven't been involved with APO for all 17 years. You have a very poor understanding of today's college student, and I encourage you to spend a bit more time with a large variety of them to get a better understanding before you go spouting off.

As you can see, it wasn't for lack of trying.

That's hardly trying. There are always ways to get involved and ways to effect change. It's pretty clear though, that your brand of change is a huge move backwards for APO, and it's not what the students want.

FRH also wanted a fraternity that functioned like a fraternity in substance, not merely in form. When the basic requirements began to be eliminated (had to be a former Boy Scout, etc.), APO went into a whole new direction which permanently changed its image and structure.

And this goes back to you have a very bad understanding of what it means to be in a Fraternity. You obviously don't have the dedication it takes to be in a fraternity if you're willing to just quit because you can't get your way.

Wait, you mean to say that the group looked at itself and decided to change it's structure to better ensure our founder's vision? Scandalous, I say! How dare they move from the original structure. And may I ask, since you're so adamant about doing it the Founder's way, what was YOUR Scouting affiliation when you pledged?

[KAPital PHINUst]

I skimmed over the post to address the key issues at hand. Most of your post I read as mere expression of difference of opinion or quibbling to make a point, but here's the stuff I find most relevant:

You have a very serious misunderstanding of what it means to be in a fraternity, my friend, and I'm beginning to think that you would be the person who joined for the wrong reasons.

Oh really? You know, if you were a Kappa, that statement might've meant something.

If you prefer to dismiss that as rhetoric...

I actually would, thank you very much.

And when was the last time you contacted or did anything with them? I'm guessing it's been quite a while since AGT is inactive and Rho Theta's website hasn't been updated since 2002.

Alpha Gamma Theta, 1995 (it's located at a community college, and its 15 year active history was filled with long period of semi-inactivity). This, consistent with other community colleges, was due to the very unstable student enrollment patterns at these schools. It is for this reason that I don't think APO should have chapters at 2-year schools. And from what I've been hearing, the fraternity more or less agrees.

Rho Theta, 2005: I joined them at Steak-n-Shake for a post-initiation meal. I would also visit them every year at homecoming, but over the last 2-3 years, I haven't seen APO at all, and I attend Capital's homecoming every year without fail. I think they're (informally) inactive.

No disrespect to the women of GSS, but that has absolutely nothing to do with APO, so that isn't even germane to the discussion. But I digress...

Your reference to the Germans have absolutely nothing to do with APO or the discussion either. What's your point?

btw, before you attack me, know that it was a Sheriff Buford T. Justice joke. Pump your brakes....

And that happens. If you care so much about APO, why didn't you restart it?

I wasn't interested, there was nothing about it that appealed to me. 'Nuff said.

I advised her against it, because she would not be a good fit for the role...

Oh, so NOW the issue of fit becomes a matter of concern. How convenient...

*edited for brevity*

After all that ranting and raving, let's get something straight: I'm not having a pity party at all, I'm just explaining what happened. If Sectional Staff wasn't interested or the National Convention didn't want me to put together a workshop, fine. That's on them. But I'll be damned if I'm going to continue to chase people who aren't interested in what I have to offer. They weren't interested, so I moved on. That has nothing to do with lack of commitment or lack of dedication. It has to do with not throwing quality time and effort after wasted and cutting your losses.

BTW, who the hell are you to say that my time spent doing "Viking" stuff doesn't count? Brothers from KA, KD, Chi Nu, Chi Up, Sig Pi, and TZ could probably run circles around your chapter and a lot of other chapters in the way of service projects. Mighty self-righteous of you.

And may I ask, since you're so adamant about doing it the Founder's way, what was YOUR Scouting affiliation when you pledged?

Troop 029, West Park United Methodist Church

[emb021]

Originally Posted by arvid1978

So you weren't of use to the section at that time, or the section chair failed to contact you (which happens all too often). When I was a section vice-chair, we turned down alumni who it was felt would not make good sectional volunteers for a variety of reasons.

As someone who also volunteers at the sectional, regional, and national levels I can say it took me several years to get to the levels I am at. A good deal of this was proving to the PTB that I can be an asset.

In many cases I am working with or for the same people who initially rejected my attempts at volunteering. I think most of them are now grateful for my help and that I 'stuck around' to be there now.

Being rejected when you volunteer can be frustrating. But sometimes you have to keep at it before the doors open.

Oh boo hoo, so you weren't picked to present at the one national convention you volunteered for. I have attended 5 conventions, of which 4 were as an alumni volunteer. I have only presented twice at a nationals, and both were LAUNCH courses. I have prepared other workshops that were rejected at all three levels. What did you have to present? Was it something you saw of value to the students, but they didn't? Was it for something that they already had a much more qualified presenter lined up already?

I've also been to 5 conventions. At almost all of them I've done workshops, sometimes mine, sometimes APO LEADS courses, usually both. I've offered more workshops then have been accepted. that's just the way things go.

[AndrewPiChi]

Originally Posted by arvid1978

Oh, and Viking stuff, but that doesn't count because it's not really APO.

Yup, cause all male chapters are not apo right?

Now, on pledging, pledging a weak applicant is like having a weak link in the chain or like having a coward in the ranks. I'd rather have ten people that bleed their fraternity than 200 people that are only active for a semester or two.

And on being like more a traditional fraternity as opposed than being different and accepting of all? I mean, it works a whole lot better than being a huge blob of unorganized and uncommitted brothers. I'll put my money where my mouth is, I think we won more national awards than anyone in region V, and hands down we were one of the smallest chapters to.

Now when my grandfather pledged Alpha Phi Omega in 1954, they're chapter was incredibly selective. Eagle Scouts and military only, I asked him how many service projects they did and he said 'well we ran a bookstore'. I was like is that it?

It was apparently the same thing my chapter early on as well, Pi Chi from what I hear was just an extension of rotc.

Attending national stuff doesn't really even register to me anymore as part of a 'fraternity resume' that a bunch of people keep throwing around here. I attended this and this, who the hell cares.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by AndrewPiChi

Yup, cause all male chapters are not apo right?

Now, on pledging, pledging a weak applicant is like having a weak link in the chain or like having a coward in the ranks. I'd rather have ten people that bleed their fraternity than 200 people that are only active for a semester or two.

And on being like more a traditional fraternity as opposed than being different and accepting of all? I mean, it works a whole lot better than being a huge blob of unorganized and uncommitted brothers. I'll put my money where my mouth is, I think we won more national awards than anyone in region V, and hands down we were one of the smallest chapters to.

Now when my grandfather pledged Alpha Phi Omega in 1954, they're chapter was incredibly selective. Eagle Scouts and military only, I asked him how many service projects they did and he said 'well we ran a bookstore'. I was like is that it?

It was apparently the same thing my chapter early on as well, Pi Chi from what I hear was just an extension of rotc.

Attending national stuff doesn't really even register to me anymore as part of a 'fraternity resume' that a bunch of people keep throwing around here. I attended this and this, who the hell cares.

You are oversimplifying a great deal of the Alpha Phi Omega experience.

1) Pledging a weak applicant is not at all like having a coward in the ranks. Pledging is not equal to initiating. A good pledging program will have several opportunities for reflection, self-assessment, and group assessment. Someone who is weak at the beginning has the (mandated) opportunity to prove themselves worthy by the end.

2) Quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive.

3) Attendance and support of national conventions does matter -- it not only demonstrates the commitment, but suggests a knowledge of how the fraternity operates.

Nobody here was throwing around their resume -- they are demonstrating an understanding of how the fraternity runs, commitment to the fraternity over a long period of time, and showing that it doesn't matter the date on your shingle as much as the quality of what you're doing for Alpha Phi Omega right now.

As stated earlier, there are many ways to serve, especially upon graduation:

1) Advise a chapter. There are no limits on the number of advisors a chapter can have.

2) Section, Region, or National Volunteer. I have (also) done all three and they are very different at each level.

3) Annual giving -- for those who are fine putting their money where their mouth is.

4) Joining or starting an alumni association and keeping it going -- if you're not selected to advise a chapter and can't seem to get your foot in the door with volunteering as staff, nobody can stop you from joining or starting an alumni association if you have done it by the rules (which are pretty loose, if you ask me)

I have always taken the stance that there is no good excuse for inactivity in APO after graduation.