|
On April 29, 30 and May 1, 1994, ALPHA PHI OMEGA International (Phils. Inc) Service Fraternity and Sorority conducted the 1994 Congress of Chapter Leaders at the Hiyas ng Bulakan Convention Center, Malolos, Bulacan. Chapter Delegates from all regions of the Philippines including a sizable contingent from Metro Manila and Alumni Assocations were represented. This Congress tackled an array of pressing issues confronting the fraternity system, and after considerable discussions, have come out in full accord and unanimity with the following statement.
A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE ALL-OUT CAMPAIGN FOR THE TOTAL ERADICATION OF HAZING AND THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE.
WHEREAS, there appears, of late, a growing perception in the popular mind that the Fraternity, as are other fraternal organizations, has since become an anachronistic creature of times past, and is now wholly irrelevant and completely devoid of meaning in contemporoary societal setting;
WHEREAS, events of recency clearly indicate that a significant measure of the negative public reaction to fraternal organizations, their existence, and their activities are directly traceable to sensationalized accounts of hazing of prospective members; to violent confrontations involving rival fraternity members; and to the notion that, as a closed elitist society, they exist solely to promote the selfish interests of its congregation;
WHEREAS, although largely unjust and unfair in certain respects, we recognize that the need to arrest this tendency is vital to the continued existence and effective functioning of the Fraternity.
WHEREAS, to our mind, it is necessary for us to take stock of ourselves; to reaffirm our commitment to the Fraternity�s core principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service, and to focus our collective and individual efforts at the promotion and propagation of these principles; and to revitalize the organization so that it may kindle once more the fires of pride our alumni and resident members have in it;
Foregoing premises considered:
WE, the undersigned Chapter Officers, in Congress duly assembled, do hereby MANIFEST & DECLARE THAT:
1. We urge the National and Regional leaderships to review, reassess, and if necessary, to revise our recruitment and pledgeship procedures, adapting traditional forms to new conditions, and generally, making such activities function in a way more congenial to the mood of the times;
2. At the same time that we reaffirm our adherence to the Anti-Hazing Resolution adopted by the National Congress of Chapter Officers in 1987, let the Fraternity publicly condemn, and banish, now and henceforward, all vestiges of hazing and similar activities from our recruitment and pledgeship procedures, and to declare, categorically and without any reservation, said acts or activities to be inimical to the interests of the Fraternity, and are sanctinoable as such;
3. Consistently therewith, we declare our unqualified support for the Anti-Hazing Bill now pending in the Congress of the Philippines;
4. To these ends, we commit ourselves to conduct our pledge recruitment and training activities in complete harmony with the foregoing, and with particular stress on civics and citizenship training, promoting intellectual advancement, and, most importantly, orienting the candidates for membership to the ideals of community service;
5. In a similar fashion, we regard it as essential as it is desirable to extend our hands in friendship to one and all, including those with whom we have had differences in the past, to renounce violence in whatever manner or form as a means of solving inter-organizational rivalries, and to take the initiative in creating a millieu wherein all associations, fraternal societies, varsitarians, clubs and organizations, in and out of the college and university campuses may co-exist in peace, amity and mutual cooperation;
6. Finally, we believe that time has come for us to dispel the idea that the Fraternity is a private planet into which non-members are forbidden to take a glimpse; that NOW is a good time as any for us to make a public avowal of our principles, objectives and social mission; and that it is to our best interests to involve ourselves more actively, individually and as an organization, in school, community and national projects and activities.
May 1, 1994, Malolos, Bulacan
The above declaration was adopted by the Grand Chancellors, Prime Chancellors, Grand Lady Chancellors and Prime Lady Chancellors as well as other observers and participants coming from the collegiate chapters of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity & Sorority during the National Congress of Chapter Officers on May 1, 1994 at Malolos, Bulacan.
Raul N. Espiritu
National Congress Secretary
Attested by:
Jojo C. Labrador
VP for Fraternity Affairs
Ronaldo B. Devesa
Director - NSRC
National Congress Programmer
Chairperson
| |
Atty. Lina I. Inductivo
VP For Sorority Affairs
Teddie Elison E. Rivera
National Congress Programmer
Chairperson
|
NEB SPECIAL RESOLUTION
The National Executive Board by special session hereby adopts the foregoing declaration in reiteration of established national policy against the use of violence and hereby enjoins all members, collegiate chapters and alumni associations to support the full implementation of the Revised Standard Training Procedure and the promotion of inter-fraternity friendship and cooperation.
Adopted this 1st day of May, 1994 at Malolos, Bulacan.
Marlyn P. Neri
National Executive Secretary
Attested by:
Felix J. Mari�as, Jr.
National President
|
Add Article
Back