[24114] in APO-L
[APO-L] Welcome back
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Aphio57@aol.com)
Tue Jan 20 14:39:41 2004
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 14:39:24 EST
Reply-To: Aphio57@aol.com
From: Aphio57@aol.com
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Hello Brothers:
While some Chapters have already returned to school for the winter term,=20
other Chapters are just now getting back to begin the spring semester. In an=
y=20
case, I would like to welcome you all back and I hope you all had a restful=
and=20
fun winter/holiday break.
Right now, many Chapters are gearing up for their rush and pledging programs=
=20
and I would like wish you all well in your efforts to grow and maintain your=
=20
Chapters.
While you are getting your plans in place, please make sure everyone in your=
=20
Chapter is working to help your membership committee in recruiting and rushi=
ng=20
prospective members. Everyone should be working to bring one more member int=
o=20
your Chapter because Alpha Phi Omega is a great experience and a fantastic=20
way to be of service to others, learn leadership skills and to make new frie=
nds.
Take some time to review your plans for your rush meetings. This is where we=
=20
make our first big impression on prospective new members and this is where=20
their interest grows or wanes in APO. Good planning and preparation goes a l=
ong=20
way in having a successful rush program.
Chapters should also take some time to review their pledging program to make=
=20
sure it is meeting its needs to properly educate our new members. We also ne=
ed=20
to make sure we are explaining the "Why" of our pledging program throughout=20
the process. If pledges are clear on the 'Why" of their requirements, it he=
lps=20
to build clear internal communications, reduces misunderstandings and/or=20
miscommunications and builds a stronger brotherhood.=20
If the actives or the pledges are not clear on the "Why" of a Chapter's=20
pledging requirements, then those requirements may need to be reviewed, clar=
ified=20
or possibly discarded if they are not meeting the needs of the Chapter or it=
s=20
membership. Our National Pledging Standards is a great guide to ensure your=20
Chapter's pledge program is in compliance with our National Bylaws and polic=
ies.
And like nearly everything else in life, no job is complete without filling=20
out the paperwork and submitting the appropriate fees to the National Office=
=20
within 10 days of the Pledging Ceremony. This is required under the National=
=20
Bylaws. If your college or university requires your Chapter to have checks=20
issued by the college or university, then mail in the Pledge Applications an=
d a=20
note saying the check will be issued by your college or university.
Unfortunately, the overall number of Chapters reporting Pledges, Initiates,=
=20
AAMD and Charter Reaffirmations are also down from last year and this is=20
something that all Chapters need to improve on this semester.
Nationwide, our Fraternity is down about two pledges per Chapter; down abou=
t=20
three initiates per Chapter; and our AAMD total is also down nearly two=20
members per Chapter.
If your Chapter has not submitted its AAMD, Charter Reaffirmation, Service=20
Reporting and sign offs on the risk management and membership policies (all=20=
of =20
which were due on Nov. 15, 2003), please submit them to the National Office=20
immediately. If you have questions about your Chapter's status, please conta=
ct=20
your Sectional Chair and/or Regional Director for assistance. Chapters are n=
ot=20
in good standing with the National Fraternity if these documents and fees ar=
e=20
not submitted to the National Office each year.
Last fall, there were a number of Chapters who did not report Pledge Classes=
.=20
If your Chapter did have a Pledge Class but has not submitted the proper=20
forms and fees, please submit those as soon as possible to the National Offi=
ce. A=20
person is not registered or recognized as a member of Alpha Phi Omega (and=20
that includes pledges, actives, transfers and advisors) until the proper fee=
s and=20
forms are received and processed by the National Office.
If a person thinks enough of our Fraternity to want to become a member,=20
fulfills their Chapter's pledging requirements and was initiated, the very l=
east=20
that we can do is to have their membership forms and fees received and recor=
ded=20
at the National Office and that those new members receive proof of our highe=
st=20
honor =E2=80=94 active membership in Alpha Phi Omega =E2=80=94 with their M=
embership=20
Certificate and card.
If your Chapter held a Pledge Class and/or initiated those students as activ=
e=20
members and have not submitted those forms and fees to the National Office,=20
please do so immediately so that our new members can be properly recorded an=
d=20
recognized with their Membership Certificate and card. If you have any=20
questions, again, please contact your Sectional Chair and/or Regional Direc=
tor for=20
assistance.
Our membership numbers dropped a bit last fall and I am encouraging all=20
Chapters to reach out and recruit, rush, pledge and initiate at least TWO mo=
re=20
members than they did last fall. This effort is called "Net 2."
By reaching out and adding a net growth of two more members per Chapter wil=
l=20
help our Fraternity get back on a steady course of growth. Please help your=
=20
Chapter and Fraternity grow so that it is able to maintain its level of=20
Leadership, Friendship and Service on your campus for many years to come. In=
=20
addition, you will be doing your part to ensure that our Founder's dream con=
tinues to=20
be a reality on our college and university campuses.
As always, your Regional Membership Chair, the National Membership/Extension=
=20
Committee and I stand ready to assist your Chapter build a strong membership=
=20
program.
Good Luck this term on your efforts.
Yours in Service,
Ed Richter
National Membership/Extension Program Director
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity
membership.director@apo.org
