THE ALPHA PHI OMEGA MEMBERSHIP CYCLE

Although the image of fraternities here in the country is continuously blemished by the scandals it is facing and had undergone, there are still a number of young adolescents who would take risks just to be involved in a so-called 'brotherhood' or 'sisterhood'.
The Alpha Phi Omega (APO) envisions to be the leading international service fraternity and sorority in the principles that it has chosen that are: Leadership, Friendship, and Service, having the latter as its ulterior motive to continuously grow.
The Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines Incorporated (formerly known as Alpha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority) was founded by Dr. Frank Reed Horton at Lafayette College, Easton Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Horton served as an ensign during the World War 1. He promised himself that after the war was over and if would return alive he will spearhead an organization with two motives. One was to help the young boys get into the proper track of life by building up into them a 'standard of manhood' that would withstand the test of time. The second was to help settle the nations' disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war. He found that the Greek symbols of Alpha Phi Omega were the ones that he was looking for.
The Alpha Phi Omega reached the Philippine grounds. On April 3, 1950, the first organization outside the Alpha Phi Omega U.S.A. was founded at Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines.
There are two ways in which you can join the organization. One is by recruitment and the other is by personally applying. Interested recruits are given brief indoctrinations about the founding of Alpha Phi Omega. After they have heard what the organization had to say, they are free to choose if they want to pursue joining the organization. They are also given the chance in asking non-confidential questions and the most common they got is: “Will there be hazing?”
Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-hazing Law is an ordinance which is strictly followed by the organization. Any chapter that will be caught violating the law would be given sanctions depending upon the degree of offense.
If the recruit pursues to join the organization, he /she will be baptized. He/she will be sponsored by an active member and will be given a baptismal name in which he/she will be recognized in the organization.
Since Alpha Phi Omega believes that the main purpose of a student why he/she enters college is study, he/she is given a number of hours for reporting according to his/her class schedule. Continuous indoctrination are further given to the aspiring pledge(s) which are written in his/her tickler. His/her tickler is the pledge's only passport for active membership. Loosing it would mean loosing your opportunity to be a part of the organization.
There are three rites: 1. The Alpha (Leadership) Rites, in which in this phase leadership seminars, trainings, and exams are given to the pledge(s). In this phase also, the aspiring pledge(s) is/are becomes fully recognized as a pledge(s) of Alpha Phi Omega. 2. The Phi (Friendship) Rites where in this stage, a 'Public Humiliation' is practiced, depending upon the chapter rules and/or Master Initiator (M.I.). They are also given exams and activities to further improve their humility to others. 3. The Omega (Service) Rites will only be initiated if the pledge(s) have completed the Alpha Phi Omega four folds of program service which are: 1. Service to the fraternity and sorority; 2. Service to the student body and the faculty; 3. Service to the youth and the community and lastly; 4. Service to the nation as a fully participating citizen. A given number of service hours are given to the pledge(s) for them to obtain.
In completing the Omega Rites, a pledge becomes a half-pledged member of APO but their obligations doesn't stop there. By being a half-pledged member, he/she is to be put under observation. Continuous initiation of service programs are expected of him/her.
The Ritual Rites, a solemn oath undertaking would only take place if the half-pledged member has proven himself/herself worthy to be a full-fledged member of the Alpha Phi Omega. By deciding to enter the Alpha Phi Omega, an individual had committed and dedicated himself to be of service to every individual who needs it.
The Philippines alone has 175,000 registered members and over 100,000 unregistered members of the Alpha Phi Omega.
The principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service of Alpha Phi Omega will be an inspiration for a lifetime to its dedicated members, thus, making them model citizens of our country.

September 8, 2008