Alpha Phi Omega

About

 

Who We Are

 

Alpha Phi Omega is the most representative undergraduate, intercollegiate, co-ed non-profit organization in the United States.

 

The purpose of APO is to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship and to provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.

 

What We Do

 

JMU’s Chi Gamma Chapter is involved in many different kinds of service projects. Weekly projects include, but are not limited to…

 

Socializing animals at the Harrisonburg SPCA
Aiding and practicing skills with Special Olympics athletes.
Spending time with children at Harrisonburg’s Salvation Army
Attending shifts at Harrisonburg’s Mercy House Thrift Store
Aiding the elderly at Bridgewater Retirement Community

 

These are only a few examples! There are also many special service projects we are involved in, including stream clean-up, an alternative Spring Break trip, and Habitat for Humanity. There are always new projects and ideas popping up and we of Chi Gamma are constantly striving to involve ourselves in as many diverse and useful projects as we can. Our hearts and minds are service oriented.

 

Our Chapter’s History

 

Alpha Phi Omega has set a standard of excellence since its inception as a National Service Fraternity on December 16, 1925 at Lafayette College. There were 14 founding members in the Alpha chapter and Frank Reed Horton served as the founding president. Alpha Phi Omega was an all male fraternity until the 1976 National Convention when they elected to become co-ed. This was known as the “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and since then women have been serving in all facets of fraternity leadership. Alpha Phi Omega has influenced many individuals and affected the lives of millions through service and is the single most representative undergraduate intercollegiate organization in the United States of America.

 

The original petitioning for a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega on the campus of James Madison University began in September 1968. There were 25 original petitioning members and William S. Hawkes, Jr. served as the petitioning president. On October 10, 1970, the original charter of Chi Gamma was given from the National office, making us the 531st chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. The chapter enjoyed several years of service before unknown circumstances led to its dissolution in the late 1970′s.

 

During the 1987-88 academic year, Sandra Koucher and Dennis Silver began efforts to reorganize the Chi Gamma chapter. There were 41 new petitioning members and Derek La Mar Robinson served as the new petitioning president. On March 19, 1989 the Chi Gamma chapter was re-chartered. Since then we have had 44 pledge classes in its 23 years including the Fall of 2012. In this brief period of time, our chapter has grown to a size larger than many older schools in our region. At its largest, Chi Gamma had more than 100 active brothers. Many of Chi Gamma’s alumni remain active supporters of the chapter.

 

The Chi Gamma chapter is currently a member of Section 82, which lies inside Region III. Our chapter number is 531. Our voice has been heard at nearly all Section and Region Conferences as well as National Conventions. Jason Planakis and Megan Sheedfar served as voting delegates at the National Convention in Denver, Colorado in December 2004. This is the last National Convention that our chapter has been present at. Beth Paglianite and Taylor Johnson served as voting delegates at the 2011 Region 3 Conference in College Park, Maryland.

 

Although Alpha Phi Omega is not the only service organization at JMU, it has fulfilled an important role. The Chi Gamma chapter has encouraged its members to assume numerous leadership roles in many other organizations, inspired them to appreciate each other as brothers and friends, and provide service to the campus and Harrisonburg community. In February 1993, Chi Gamma adopted a whale as its mascot, designating it “Ogey” after the former chapter president Mike Ogilive.

 

Take pride in APO and Chi Gamma at JMU. Remember, in the immortal words of Brian Coons, APO is cool.