|
Home
About APO
Pledging
Information
Calendar
Current
Brotherhood
Family Trees
Important Documents
Scrapbook
Contact
Information
Links
|
|
National Pledging Standards
The National Convention has adopted National Pledging Standards for use
by all Chapters. The Standards and their rationales are as follows:
- The general objectives of pledging. An appropriate period of
pledging consists of a well-rounded program of opportunities in
leadership, friendship and service. The program is in conformity with
the National Bylaws. Standard Chapter Articles of Association, state and
federal laws and campus regulations. The purpose of the program is to
identify students who will embrace and make a lifetime commitment to the
principles of Alpha Phi Omega and to prepare those students for active
Membership.
Rationale: This is the overall purpose of pledging and reflects
the legal obligation of all Members of Alpha Phi Omega.
- Hazing during pledging. An appropriate period of pledging has
no place for hazing practices. These include the degradation of
individuals, personal service demands, and any other practices
inconsistent with the spirit and principles of Alpha Phi Omega.
Rationale: The concept of Pledge Membership long ago progressed
beyond such practices since they violate the Member's obligation to
state law, the National Bylaws of the Fraternity and the regulations of
most campuses. Alpha Phi Omega Members respect the worth of human
dignity and, in firm support of our heritage of intellectual freedom, do
not tolerate unequal or abusive treatment of any person.
- The length of a pledging period. An appropriate period of
pledging should not be less than six weeks or more than ten weeks in
duration.
Rationale: Pledge Membership and the period of pledging must
provide adequate time for Pledges to acquire the knowledge and skills
necessary to function as active Members of the Fraternity, and as
officers of their Chapter, and to develop the commitment for continuing
service throughout their collegiate years and beyond. Pledgeship,
whether as part of a structured Pledge class or through individual
contracting, must provide these opportunities but must not last for such
a time period as to interfere with other obligations of the Pledges.
- Use of the Pledge Ritual. An appropriate period of pledging
begins with the introduction of students into Alpha Phi Omega only by
the Official Pledge Ritual and their timely registration with the
National Office in the approved manner.
Rationale: No person may receive the rights, benefits, and
privileges of Pledge Membership in Alpha Phi Omega until these
requirements have been satisfied.
- Wearing of Insignia. An appropriate period of pledging
includes wearing an official Pledge pin at all times.
Rationale: Chapter Image, on and off campus, is a vital concern
of all Members, new and old. The prominent and proud display of an Alpha
Phi Omega Pledge Pin instills pride through identity with Alpha Phi
Omega, signifies the Chapter's presence on campus and in the community,
and may also habituate all Members to proudly wear Fraternity insignia.
- Instruction in pertinent facts. An appropriate period of
pledging includes instruction in the National Bylaws; Standard Chapter
Articles of Association; Chapter bylaws; Chapter officers and advisors;
the decision making processes of the Chapter; key campus officials; and
sectional, regional and national officers of the Fraternity.
Rationale: It is vital for every new Member to develop a working
knowledge of the operating rules and procedures of the National
Fraternity, the individual Chapter, and the sponsoring college or
university campus. In addition, it is highly advantageous to be familiar
with and knowledgeable of future resource personnel on campus, in the
community, and within the Fraternity.
- Alpha Phi Omega heritage. An appropriate period of pledging
includes education in Chapter, campus and Fraternity history, including
our special ties to and relationship with the Scouting movement and our
common background.
Rationale: The Chapter, the sponsoring college or university, the
National Fraternity, and the Scouting movement have rich heritages which
should be shared with all those who follow. An appreciation of this
common heritage, bequeathed to all current and future Members, is a
thing to be cherished.
- Pledges in Chapter meeting. An appropriate period of pledging
includes direct observation by Pledges of the decision making process of
the Chapter.
Rationale: Pledges should be given the opportunity to have
additional contact with the Brothers and to learn more about how their
Chapter conducts business. The Chapter retains the right to decide what
portion and number of its meeting are appropriate for Pledges to attend.
- Inter-Chapter relationships. An appropriate period of
pledging includes an opportunity for all Pledges to visit one
neighboring Alpha Phi Omega Chapter.
Rationale: One of the most difficult concepts for new Members to
grasp is the scope of our National Fraternity. The wide acceptance of
Alpha Phi Omega, its principles, and the good works of its Members span
hundreds of campuses. Pledges should have the opportunity, firsthand, to
see it functioning on campuses other than their own.
- The development of leadership. An appropriate period of
pledging includes the opportunity for each Pledge to participate in
Chapter planning functions; leadership development experiences; and
sectional, regional and national conferences and conventions.
Rationale: Our cardinal principle of leadership is often merely
assumed rather than developed, and involvement in these opportunities
satisfies this need well. Virtually every active Member agrees that
conferences and conventions on all levels provide a unique learning
experience for all who attend. Conference and/or convention attendance
additionally reinforces inter-Chapter visitations by establishing an
appreciation for the national scope of Alpha Phi Omega.
- The promotion of Friendship. An appropriate period of
pledging includes a requirement that each Pledge meet and establish a
fraternal relationship with all active, associate, advisory, and when
possible, honorary Members of the Chapter.
Rationale: For the newly initiated, fraternalism is often
difficult concept to understand because of stereotypes, confusion, or
even ignorance. The exemplification of our cardinal principle of
friendship and the unique role of collegiate fraternalism are
experiences which, more than any other factor, will determine a Pledge's
willingness to remain committed throughout the collegiate years and
beyond. All Members of the Chapter grow personally as these
relationships are established and fostered.
- Providing service. An appropriate period of pledging includes
a weekly (or other appropriate) service obligation, equal to that
required of active Members to remain in good standing with the Chapter.
Sufficient projects must be available and all four fields of service
should be embraced by the conclusion of the Pledge period.
Rationale: Most people are willing to help others in time of
need, but few are willing to make the many personal sacrifices which a
life of service may demand. Our cardinal principle of service is the
heartbeat of Alpha Phi Omega, and our fourfold service program
encourages the experience of helping all in need, rather than just those
who are in time of need. By designing this standard in such a fashion,
we demonstrate that no more is demanded of Pledges than of their active
counterparts and that sufficient opportunity is provided for Pledges to
demonstrate their commitment to the service program in all four fields.
It prepares Pledges realistically for participation in the Chapter
service program as active Members and strengthens the foundation for
their way of life after graduation.
- Pledge projects. An appropriate period of pledging requires
the planning, organizing and execution of a Chapter approved service
project of some significance under the leadership of Pledge Members.
Rationale: A period of Pledge Membership would be severely
limited in effectiveness if it did not provide the opportunity for the
development of necessary organizational planning and leadership skills
which are required of active Members in carrying out the service program
of their Chapter. This Standard thus carries a practical necessity while
further implanting our cardinal principle of service in each Member and
deepening a lifetime commitment of serving humanity.
- Academic obligation. An appropriate period of pledging gives
high priority to the academic success of the Pledges.
Rationale: Alpha Phi Omega is a collegiate fraternity and has an
obligation to both its prospective Members and to its sponsoring college
or university to insure that the academic experience is both fulfilling
and successful, supporting our heritage of educational freedom.
- The use of "Pledge books". An appropriate period of pledging
includes a requirement that each Pledge maintain a permanent record
which documents successful completion of the Pledge Program
requirements, in such form as the Chapter may require.
Rationale: Each Pledge should be evaluated on the individual
achievement of program requirements whether as a Member of a structured
class or as an individual fulfilling a personal contract. This permanent
record will be an objective source for the evaluation of these
accomplishments as well as the likely source of significant personal
memorabilia in years to come.
- The Oath of Loyalty and Service. An appropriate period of
pledging includes the presentation and explanation of the Oath of
Loyalty and Service to the Pledges by the officers supervising the
Pledge class.
Rationale: A presentation and explanation is needed to assist the
Pledges in fully understanding the commitments they will make to Alpha
Phi Omega when they are initiated.
- Replenishing Membership. An appropriate period of pledging
emphasized the need to continue Membership expansion.
Rationale: A good Chapter continues to live not only through the
service participation of its current Members but also through their
commitment to perpetuating its programs by extending Membership
opportunities to similarly dedicated students. This activity also
further reinforces our national heritage of freedom of association.
- Pledge period reviews. An appropriate period of pledging
includes at least one opportunity at its conclusion for the constructive
evaluation of the program. This evaluation should be made by both
Pledges and active Members and should cover both individual performances
and program goals.
Rationale: Chapter programs succeed not by mere repetition, but
through careful reflection upon the successes and failures experienced
each time the program is offered. Evaluation is the key to healthy
programs, healthy Members, and healthy Chapters. Evaluation is also
necessary to determine the individual successes of Pledge Members
throughout the program. The process should reveal how well they satisfy
the program requirements and how well they demonstrate that they are
ready for the confirmation of active Membership.
- Method of selection following pledging. An appropriate period
of pledging includes objective determinations for eligibility to receive
active Membership based upon the individual's successful completion of
program requirements. The completion by a Pledge of all Chapter
requirements established at the beginning of the pledging experience is
a strong indication that active Membership may not be denied by the
Chapter.
Rationale: While the confirmation of active Membership is the
single greatest power of a Chapter, this power must never be used
capriciously or arbitrarily. The entire concept of pledging is to
provide a complete opportunity for individuals to acquire those skills
and that knowledge necessary for active Membership, as well as to make a
commitment to our purpose and principles. If a Chapter enters into
"black-balling" or some other abuse of its powers, it defeats the entire
purpose of a Pledge Program and pledging standards. Eligibility for
active Membership and its rights, benefits and privileges should be
based upon an objective evaluation of the Pledge's successful completion
of those pledging standards adopted by the Chapter. Membership in Alpha
Phi Omega is a great honor, earned through hard work, diligent effort,
and dedication to our principles. It is not based merely on a popularity
vote of the other Members. Any other reason is a betrayal of our high
principles of Brotherhood.
- Initiation of neophytes by the Fraternity Ritual. An
appropriate period of pledging concludes with the initiation of all
qualifying Pledges into Alpha Phi Omega only by the Official Fraternity
Ritual and by their timely registration with the Fraternity's National
Office in the approved manner. Pledges should be made aware that the
Official Fraternity Initiation Ritual contains references to God and a
dedication invoking the name of "Our Common God".
Rationale: The initiation ritual of Alpha Phi Omega is both a
beautiful and significant ceremony. Its purpose is not to mark the
conclusion of Pledge Membership, but rather to herald the beginning of a
lifetime of leadership, friendship, and service in Alpha Phi Omega as an
active Member. Every Fraternity Member shares this common experience
and, indeed, may not receive the rights, benefits, or privileges of
active Membership until these requirements have been satisfied.
|
