[20356] in APO-L
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daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ellen Kranzer)
Wed Mar 24 22:29:08 1999
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 22:23:40 -0500
Reply-To: Ellen Kranzer <ellen_kranzer@HARVARD.EDU>
From: Ellen Kranzer <ellen_kranzer@HARVARD.EDU>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
I was asked to forward this to the list:
---------------------Forwarded Message -----------------------
First I would like to thank Jesse for bringing up this subject. I too
believe that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, I think it took
courage, and I hope that what I am about to say does not come off as rude or
argumentative. I've been in the fraternity for over 11 years, and have been
a Section Chair in two different Regions that have dealt with this subject.
And I have bent over backwards to help these groups become part of APO and
to help keep our current chapters alive, so I am very familiar with this
subject. So I just wanted to highlight a few things you touched on:
Jesse: What if, Alpha Phi Omega allowed all-male chapters to exist at
chapters where there is a chapter of the unofficially recognized sister
organization of Gamma Sigma Sigma, by the request of that individual Gamma
Sigma Sigma Chapter. And also allowing Alpha Phi Omega exist on the same
campus as co-ed if a there isa group that wish to exist as co-ed. My
question to you is, would most Co-ed Chapters reject that idea?
Kim: I have a major problem with this because GSS is not the only
female-dominated organization we have associations with. The Brothers at
Auburn (Delta) have established a tie with Omega Phi Alpha, and I know of
countless others that affiliate with OPA, or other "female" organizations.
Please realize that GSS is not our "unofficial sister organization" because
not every all-male chapter is affiliated with them.
Jesse: That, to me this is great for a nation with primarily one culture.
[meaning the Philippines]
Kim: I am not Phillipino, nor have I been there, but I do not doubt for a
second that there are many cultures there. I would imagine there are
countless numbers of them. Based on religion, race, ethnicity and other
factors. Please do not group them into one category.
Jesse: But you have those guys that would not want to have to be force to
get one female to become an Alpha Phi Omega fraternity.
Kim: That delineates a major problem there, on most of these campuses, the
groups of interested males do not let anyone know that APO is co-ed. They
present themselves as an all-male group. Then they "find" a female or two
who is willing to "pledge" and then when they get their charter, the group
strips the female of her membership and says that she is a little sister.
(Which btw, little sisters are not an officially recognized form of
membership). If these groups would start their "rush" off right by saying
the group is co-ed they may not have to be "forced" to get one female.
Jesse: Alpha Phi Omega is one organization and has several sub-national
organizations already.
Kim: Please fill me in because I do not know of any. I am not an expert of
the international aspects of APO, but the Philippines are a separately run
organization, connected to APO-USA only by ICAPO (International Council of
APO). To quote the pledge manual "APhiO-Philippines became a thriving,
independent national organization..." And when the Canadian extension
efforts are successful "APhiO-USA will work with these chapters to help them
set up an independent national organization".
So Jesse, I ask what sub-national organizations are you referring to? If you
are referring to the elusive APhiQ National Headquarters, please fill us in
on how to contact them. We understand that many "chapters" that are going to
them instead of us. Also these "groups" of men on these campuses that are
unofficially using our name, have no legal protection from us, no access to
our Legal Counsel, and not nearly as much financial backing. Remember the
incident at Alcorn State a few years ago?????
Lastly on this subject, instead of trying to start new groups, why don't you
help the ones that are already out there struggling. I spent so much of my
own time trying to help the Savannah State chapter keep from dying. And
currently, Fort Valley State is one year away from losing their charter
because they have not paid their AAMD's for this year. Why not work with
them and make them stronger? Why not encourage them to go to conventions and
try and bridge the gap? We send them info on conventions, and it comes back
to us. We call them and invite them to things, and they never show. I had a
good relationship with Ft. Valley when I was Section Chair, but when the
leadership changed they ignored the new person and cut off all ties. Why
don't you, Jesse, come to conventions, or contact the Regional Director
yourself and see that he is not a genocidal man, and neither are the other
10 Regional Directors? Why don't you help us help the current chapters? We
are good people who want the same things that you do-successful chapters.
And what if we showed up at the APhiQ-GSS picnic this summer, would we be
well received?
Jesse: There are people that support the principles all over the world. The
Philippines are just as"true" and the Puerto Ricans.
Kim: Puerto Rico is part of APhiO-USA, it's in your Region, Region 4.
Frank Goodhew: I have had first hand experience with some of your efforts to
bring back old all male chapters. I will be glad to tell everyone on the
forum which campuses you wish to bring back. The funny thing is that they
are all old all male, all black chapters.
Kim: Thanks Frank for clarifying that. Jesse, would you be willing to work
with an all-white group if they wanted to do the same thing? Say at Alabama
or Georgia State? Would you be willing to work with an all-female group at
Columbus State University in Columbus Georgia? If your proposal would come
to pass, it would have to encompass those types of groups as well.
Jesse: A chapter should get suspended for discriminating. It should not turn
them down. I know a situation where a petitioning group had one member get
their petitioning status revoked. And they do not have any females no more.
They have paid the National Office, but because of one careless mistake by a
now missing member of the innocent survivors, these men are not welcomed
into this fraternity. And some have been trying for near two years and will
be graduating soon.
Kim: I can assure you that more than one person knew what he was doing and
condoned it. Every chapter has to follow the rules, and if you think the
National Membership and Extension Committee is not just as difficult on
EVERY Petitioning and Charter application that comes through, you are
mistaken.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this!
In Leadership, Friendship, and Service
Kim
