ALPHA PHI OMEGA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY

"Alpha Phi Omega is destined to be one of the greatest college fraternities because it has as its foundations the highest ideals of the ages, the most perfect standard the generations have been able to produce, a standard accepted by all nations, all religions and all people, one whose motivating idea is looking for the good, and try to do good regardless of who or what belief and furthermore has the practical application in most commendable educational social services". 

--- FRANK REED HORTON

 

Alpha Phi Omega (commonly known as APO, but also A-Phi-O and A-Phi-Q), is a not-for-profit organization.

The purpose of this fraternity/sorority is to assemble college students in a national service fraternity/sorority in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts; to develop leadership, to promote friendship and to provide service to humanity; and to further freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.

Alpha Phi Omega is the single most representative undergraduate intercollegiate organization in the world. They take pride in this and want to be even larger. They determine to be larger only because, if what they are and what they represent are important and useful to students, then they should share what they have in order to further their common goals more effectively.

They want to share with colleges and universities all across this great land the benefits that Alpha Phi Omega gives to students, their campuses and their communities.

ALPHA PHI OMEGA --- ITS REAL FOUNDATION 

Alpha Phi Omega has a long tradition of Leadership, Friendship, and Service - the international service fraternity and sorority's three cardinal principles. Service is particularly emphasized. In its 83-year history APO founded on December 16, 1925, in Easton Pennsylvania, U.S.A. has rendered every imaginable kind of voluntary assistance under its four-fold program of service.

*Service to student Body and Faculty
*Service to Youth and Community
*Service to Fraternity Brothers and Sorority Sisters
*Service to the Nation as Fully Participating Citizens Scouting was the foundation of APO or Alpha Phi Omega.

To quote Frank Reed Horton, Founder of APO, "Through these experiences, I found that the Scout Oath and Law were what I had been seeking - a standard of manhood that would withstand the test of time and a code of ideals created and accepted by some of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. My purpose was to make Alpha Phi Omega an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting."

AND, AN APO MEMBER ABIDE THIS BY HEART.

1. Trustworthy A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him and he is punctual in terms of both regularity and timeliness.
2. Loyal A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. He is faithful, steadfast, and honest.
3. Helpful A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
4. Friendly A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
5. Courteous A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
6. Kind A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated.
7. Obedient A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
8. Cheerful A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
9. Thrifty A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
10. Brave A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
11. Clean A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
12. Reverent A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

A MEANINGFUL HISTORY

On December 16, 1925, at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega was founded. Fourteen charter members were initiated on the second floor of Brainerd Hall to form the fraternity's Alpha Chapter. These members included:

1. Frank R. Horton '26
2. Everett W. Probst '26
3. Thane S. Cooley '27
4. Ephraim M. Detwiler '27
5. William T. Wood '27
6. Lewis B. Blair '28
7. Gordon M. Looney '27
8. William W. Highberger '27
9. Donald L. Terwilliger '28
10. Donald H. Fritts '26
11. George A. Olsen '28
12. Robert J. Green '29
13. Ellsworth S. Dobson '28, and
14. Herbert Heinrich '27

Six advisors were also inducted, including four members of the Lafayette College faculty:

1. President John H. MacCracken
2. Dean Donald B. Prentice
3. Professors D. Arthur Hatch and
4. Harry T. Spengler

one local Scouting official:

1. Herbert G. Horton

and one national Scouting official, national director of the Boy Scouts of America:

1. Ray 0. Wyland

The idea behind the founding of Alpha Phi Omega was that of Frank Reed Horton, Lafayette Class of 1926. During World War I, Horton served in the US Navy on the minesweeper USS Whippoorwill in the North Sea. Because Horton had attended Boston University Law School, he was appointed to try court martial cases in his division, a task which brought to his attention cases of young sailors getting into trouble at ports. The experience of war and trying these cases instilled in Horton a desire to do two things: first, aid young people in obtaining the right start in life as well as holding before them a "standard of manhood;" and second, to assist in helping nations settle disputes in a more constructive and peaceful manner than by war.

Alpha Chapter at Lafayette College, Horton enrolled at Lafayette after the war and during his sophomore year became acquainted with Boy Scout executive Herbert G. Horton (no relation), who helped him become deputy scout commissioner in charge of the Easton South Side district. This marked Horton's introduction to the Scouting creed, something in which he found the standard of manhood he sought. Horton's favorable impressions of Scouting were strengthened during the summer of his junior year when he served as an Associate Camp Director at the Easton Scout Reservation. Horton was impressed by the religious tolerance among the boys. Furthermore, as a senior, Horton noticed that members of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, who stood out for "clean living" were former Scouts.

Horton decided there was a need for an organization that would strengthen former Scouts in their early ideals, develop friendship with other students who were former Scouts, and provide an opportunity for leadership and the rendering of service. Horton believed that such an organization, with chapters in the colleges of the nations of the world, would motivate national and international leaders to aspire to the organization's ideals and the settling of international disputes peacefully.

During his senior year in 1925, Horton founded Alpha Phi Omega. He selected the Greek words and their meaning, the motto "Be a leader, Be a friend, Be of service," and created the initiation ritual, the constitution, and by-laws. From 1925-1931, Horton served as Alpha Phi Omega's first national president. During this period, eighteen chapters were established. Horton served as editor of the first national publication, The Light bearer, which he established in 1927 and which later became the Torch and Trefoil. The national organization was incorporated on January 11, 1927. By 1929 Horton secured a copyright from the United States Patent Office to protect the fraternity trademark and in 1930 he entered Alpha Phi Omega in the 12th edition of Baird's Manual, American College Fraternities.

By the year 1950, it already had 227 chapters from coast to coast. And since then, Alpha Phi Omega scattered around the world like wildfire. Today, Alpha Phi Omega is one of the most popular fraternity/sorority in the world. It is also one of the most active service fraternity/sorority in the world. Thanks to one student of La Fayette University who dreamed and created this organization that is now known as the ALPHA PHI OMEGA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY.

(source: http://www.aphio.net/organization)

VISIONS, MISSIONS, GOALS  

Alpha Phi Omega's Vision and Mission

VISION

To be recognized as the premier service-based leadership development organization.

MISSION

Prepare campus and community leaders through service.

VALUES

Develop leadership, promote friendship, and provide service.

OBJECTIVES

Share Grow Improve Invest

APO'S GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Leadership.

Realistically, leadership is a matter of development. Alpha Phi Omega develops leaders, and they are very proud of that. As they grow, they seek qualities of leadership, and throughout their lives, they pursue the development of those qualities and the development of other 'well-rounding' qualities. Through their leadership development program in Alpha Phi Omega, they are able to develop ourselves. And, as they aspire to greater things in life, they become aware of limiting factors - which they can't control, the external forces that shape the destiny until they control and develop what they have inside of them. they discover their own talents and strive to better their skills. They study, They learn, They practice.

Friendship.

Brotherhood is the spirit of friendship. It implies respect, honesty and dependability. It means that they overlook differences and emphasize similarities as they join together in unselfish service. It means listening to Brothers whose views on issues might differ from their own. It means working closely with people whom under other circumstances they might not choose as their friends.

Service.

The Chapter service program provides many opportunities for the development of social awareness, friendships and leadership skills. Participation in their service program helps make Alpha Phi Omega the unique fraternal organization that it is.

"HERE'S TO ALPHA PHI OMEGA... 

LOYAL BROTHERS/SISTERS WE...." (APO's Toast Song)

Here's to Alpha Phi Omega, Loyal Brothers we,
True to Self and to each other, firm in loyalty
Daily working, daily striving, ever more to be,
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, our Fraternity.

Brothers clasp the hands of Brothers, strong the circle we,
Ever mindful ever serving all humanity
Now we raise our grateful voices, in our song to thee
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, may we always be.

WATCH AND BE ENTHRALLED

 

WHY I LOVE ALPHA PHI OMEGA? 

well, because...

1) I believe in their principles;

2) I admire their dedication to help in the community;

3) I salute to their solidarity;

4) I commend their camaraderie;

5) I AM ONE OF THEM.

To my brothers and Sisters: MAY WE ALWAYS BE!!!!