Alpha Phi Omega is based on three Cardinal Principles -- Leadership, Friendship and Service -- and is meant to aid each Member in discovering and developing leadership abilities; making and securing lasting friendships; and planning and providing useful services for others. Through these principles, Alpha Phi Omega teaches us that we are the architects of our own ambitions and that each of us has the opportunity to develop ourselves to be whatever we seek to be. In the areas of leadership, from within our own Fraternity, people are transformed from followers to leaders sometimes without really being aware of the development. It can happen gradually, or it might happen overnight - today a follower, tomorrow a leader.

Realistically, leadership is a matter of development, Alpha Phi Omega develops leaders, and we are very proud of that. As we grow, we seek qualities of leadership, and throughout our lives, we pursue the development of those qualities and the development of other "well-rounding" qualities. Through our leadership development program in Alpha Phi Omega, we are able to develop ourselves. And, as we aspire to greater things in life, we become aware of limiting factors...that we can't control the external forces that shape our destiny until we control and develop what we have inside of us. We discover our own talents and strive to better our skills. We study, we learn, we practice.

Once we do these things for ourselves, we learn to externalize our qualities and in the real sense, we are developing our leadership abilities. We become aware that Alpha Phi Omega is showing us the importance of leadership. Alpha Phi Omega is the tool that provides an atmosphere where brothers can develop and learn. Together we make and provide tremendous opportunities for our brothers to make meaningful contributions to the lives of those with whom we come in contact.

Leadership is a skill which can be learned. Recognizing that, Alpha Phi Omega has organized a program to aid brothers to do so. Each year we have workshops and seminars to help you.

Of course, none of these programs will help you unless you decide to take advantage of them. Attend your next Area and/or Regional Conference and participate in the seminars which are presented. If your chapter does not have any of the written materials on hand, ask the secretary to contact the National Office for them.


Alpha Phi Omega seeks to develop friendship. What do we mean by this?

It is not possible to establish a meaningful relationship with thousands of Brothers across the nation or even with every Brother in a single chapter. We believe it is possible, however, for all of our members to develop a sense of Brotherhood. Shared experiences and an understanding of our Fraternal history and goals provide a basis for our national Brotherhood.

Brotherhood is the spirit of friendship. It implies respect, honesty and dependability. It means that we overlook differences and emphasize similarities as we join together in unselfish service. It means listening to Brothers whose views on issues might differ from our own. It means working closely with people whom under other circumstances we might not choose as our friends.

Being a friend is not easy. It takes work. Every day we must challenge ourselves to be a better friend: to be more understanding, compassionate, welcoming and trusting. A chapter fellowship program provides opportunities for social interaction among all Brothers. The goal is to strengthen the chapter by bringing all of the members closer together. Fellowship activities range from structured events, such as parties and dinners, to informal gatherings after a service project. Each chapter has developed its own way of reaching our common goal: making friends through fellowship in the spirit of Brotherhood.

A successful fellowship program is essential to keep Brothers actively involved in Alpha Phi Omega. That success starts with each of us, for the surest way to have a friend is to be a friend.


"To be of service is a solid foundation for contentment in this world." by Charles William Eliot

Our service programs provide many opportunities for the development of social awareness, friendships and leadership skills. Participation in our Service program helps make Alpha Phi Omega the unique fraternal organization that it is.

The Fraternity has established "four fields of service" in which chapters would be involved. These are:

SERVICE TO THE CAMPUS: Each chapter should carry out projects that benefit the campus and fellow students.

SERVICE TO YOUTH AND THE COMMUNITY: Chapters should include projects which benefit the community and its residents. Service to youth - especially the Scouting movements - is a special area of consideration.

SERVICE TO THE NATION: Each chapter should develop projects which have an impact beyond the campus and community.

SERVICE TO THE MEMBERS: Service projects that directly benefit the members of the chapter should be included. Sponsoring leadership workshops, Fraternity conferences, fellowship events and academic support groups are some of the ways Brothers can challenge and support each other.

As a new member, you have a responsibility to contribute ideas, interest and desire to the planning of the service program. "We've always done it that way" is neither a reason to continue a program, drop it, or refuse to add innovative projects. As the membership of your chapter constantly changes, its needs, as well as those of your campus and community, change as well. The chapter program must reflect these changes.

Balance is the key to any great chapter service program. While all service projects can provide both leadership development and fellowship opportunities the benefits vary with the size and duration of the project. As you develop a service program, there are a variety of factors to consider:

LARGE OR SMALL? Large projects, involving most of the chapter, provide a greater opportunity for your members to work closely with each other. They may also present a chance to involve members from other chapters or other organizations. Several small projects will increase the chapters' diversity and meet the interests of a greater number of your Brothers.

TRADITIONAL OR NEW? Traditional (repeated annually, quarterly, etc.) service projects give a chapter a sense of continuity and history. They must be evaluated periodically to determine if they still meet a real need. New projects often have a sense of challenge and excitement which strengthens the chapter's morale.

"PEOPLE" OR "WORK-TYPE"? Projects with direct contact with people (visiting patients in a convalescent hospital or assisting a Girl Scout Troop) have a strong appeal to some members. Others are more interested in activities which have a longer lasting impact, such as building a nature trail in a national park or painting equipment in a community playground.

CHAPTER INITIATED OR ASSISTED? Service projects suggested, planned or carried out by chapter members provide a variety of leadership opportunities, as well as a way of utilizing the talents and resources of the members. Assisting at projects planned by others is usually less challenging but does promote Alpha Phi Omega and enhance opportunities for cooperation.

In addition to the above, Alpha Phi Omega encourages every chapter to participate in several national activities which are designed to enhance our impact on the nation. Each National Convention selects a "Program of Emphasis," which focuses service activities on a particular area.

In developing and executing a chapter service program, both the Members and those being served should benefit. Members should feel good about the quality of volunteer work they have done. They should feel challenged and have had the opportunity to learn new skills and strengthen friendships.

For as long as you are involved with Alpha Phi Omega, as a student or as an alumnus the philosophy of service, the leadership skills and the joy of helping others should remain with you. This commitment to our three Cardinal Principles is one of the continuing benefits of membership in Alpha Phi Omega.

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