Why did you join?

[Midwest]

I joined because I wanted to do more volunteer/service projects within my college community and to meet new people. I had a high school friend who wanted to pledge with him, and to add to the fact it was co-ed, I decided to check it out. I went to informationals and prospective pledge events in which I decided to go through the process. I wasn't "tight" with most of my pledge group or even some of the actives since it was such a large chapter. Little groups were formed and seemed like it was high school 2.0. Not cool. Even though I never felt the "brotherhood" I still praise APO, as an organization, for what it stands for and the values it instills for those who are lucky enough to understand and live them. I just wish my experience with my old chapter was better.

[CG4]

Brothers,

I became a member of Alpha Phi Omega for very similar reasons. I am an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow initiate as well. When I came to Florida A&M University and saw that I would have the opportunity to become a member after reading about it as a youth, I did not hesitate. My pledge class from spring 2002 had two other Eagle Scout/ OA Members, one member from my home troop!

But ultimately, my desire to be a member was based on the service aspect. I am forever grateful to APO for its perpetuation of scouting principles.

[Pingyang]

I was looking for a distraction from an abusive boyfriend. He had recently moved out-of-state, but he was sending me threatening messages and calling at random hours to make sure I hadn't met any other guys. Best thing that ever happened to me was him moving away. I didn't tell anyone about it until years later, and I think the number of people who know is still in the single-digits. I didn't want to think about him at all, or have other people thinking about him. I wanted a distraction.

I'd been looking for a distraction on the ground while I was walking to and from class, apparently. We use chalk markings as a way of advertising at Berkeley, and there were five sets between my house and the RSF (campus gym). I went to the events, and they seemed like a fun group of people. A large group. A safe group. I also really liked having the chance to meet people from other schools. My first service event was an IC, so I guess it set the tone for the rest of my time as an active. I didn't have any experience with volunteering or service other than helping at a local music venue in exchange for free entry to shows, but APO made it seem fun, so I kept going to service projects with them.

No one told me about the link to Scouting before the pledge ritual. I likely would not have joined if I knew about it earlier. I don't like BSA policies on religion and sexuality, and didn't want to be associated with them at the time, but I decided to give APO a chance since it seemed separate enough. Over the years I've become more comfortable with the distance.

I broke off contact with the abusive guy completely around the time I crossed. He still harasses me occasionally, seven years later, but someday he'll get the point. APO was also helpful in that it kept me from thinking that all men were jerks. I saw lots of guys who weren't almost every day while pledging.

Were someone to ask me in person why I pledged, I would say, "I was bored and there were some chalk markings on the ground telling me about APO, so I went." I don't like to talk about it, but I think it's important to recognize some of the more unusual motivations behind joining. I stayed involved because it's an awesome organization that does a lot of good things, but that's not why I joined.