Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), commonly known as APO,[4] but also A-Phi-O[5][6] and A-Phi-Q,[7] is a coeducational service fraternity. It is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of over 25,000 students, and over 500,000 alumni members. There are also 250 chapters in the Philippines, one in Australia and one in Canada. The 500,000th member was initiated in the Rho Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at the University of California, San Diego.
For the related fraternity founded in the Philippines, see Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines).Alpha Phi Omega
December 16, 1925
Lafayette College
Active
International
To prepare campus and community leaders through service
To be recognized as the premier service-based leadership, development organization
Be a Leader,
Be a Friend,
Be of Service
Torch & Trefoil
U.S. 369 Active (of 744 charters),
Philippines 250,
Australia 1,
Canada 1,
Petitioning Groups in the U.S. 13
United States 500,000+ collegiate
Leadership, friendship and service
1441 East 104th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64131
U.S.
Alpha Phi Omega is a national co-ed service fraternity organized to provide community service, leadership development, and social opportunities for college students. The purpose of the fraternity is "to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Scout Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship, and to provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational, and intellectual heritage."[8] Alpha Phi Omega's primary focus is to provide volunteer service within four areas: service to the community, service to the campus, service to the fraternity, and service to the nation and world.
Being primarily a service organization, Alpha Phi Omega does not operate nor maintain a fraternity house as lodging quarters for members nor for any other persons. However, a chapter may maintain rooms for meetings at the discretion of its members. Alpha Phi Omega does not restrict its members from being members of any other organization.[9]
Organization[edit]
International[edit]
The International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO) is the coordinating council of the Alpha Phi Omega National Organizations. During the 1980s, contact between Alpha Phi Omega (USA) and Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) increased. National presidents Earle Herbert (USA) and Carlos "Caloy" Caliwara (Philippines) as well as other leaders in the two organizations concluded there was a need for an international coordinating body to promote the ideals of the fraternity around the world.[30]
As stated in the charter of ICAPO:[30] "The purpose of the ICAPO is to promote the principles and ideals of Alpha Phi Omega, as originally exemplified by Frank Reed Horton, around the world. To this end, the Council aids in introducing and establishing collegiate-based Alpha Phi Omega organizations in countries where it is not now located and assists in institutionalizing Alpha Phi Omega organizations in countries where it is currently introduced or established. It serves as an official link among the variously established independent national Alpha Phi Omega organizations, and works to promote a deeper understanding and an increased working relationship among the independent national organizations."
While the ICAPO binds both Alpha Phi Omega (USA) and Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) into one larger international organization, the respective national organizations operate as individual organizations with a high degree of autonomy. Alpha Phi Omega (USA) has committed to the establishment of Alpha Phi Omega in Canada, and Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) has committed to the establishment of Alpha Phi Omega in Australia.[48]
Publications[edit]
The official publication of the fraternity is the Torch & Trefoil.[1][89] First published as the Lightbearer in February 1927,[11] the name was changed to the Torch & Trefoil by the decision of the Fifth Alpha Phi Omega national convention in December 1934. The new name was from the Torch as the emblem of Education and the Trefoil as the emblem of Scouting.[91] A version is published quarterly by the national organization of the United States, as well as a separate version by the national organization of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Lightbearer has been published since 1966 as a separate daily publication during Alpha Phi Omega National Conventions, and distributed to convention attendees.[92][93]
The monthly mailing from the fraternity to its chapters was the Chapter Bulletin from 2004 to 2008.[89]
