Join Alpha Phi Omega!
Photo courtesy of the Knight’s Life Editor Daisy Sheldon
Painting the tree is the final event of the pledging process, in which brand new members paint their initials on the tree.
Are you looking for a resume builder or a friend or two? A meaningful way to contribute to your campus, community, or maybe even the entire nation? SUNY Geneseo’s service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), can give you all these opportunities and more.
Though they are a nationally recognized service fraternity with Greek letters, APO is the opposite of what you might expect from Greek life. The fraternity is founded on the principles of service, leadership, and friendship—at its core, APO is a meaningful way to contribute to your community, grow as a leader, and develop life-long friendships. Additionally, APO does not haze its rushes or pledges throughout the six-week process of becoming a member.
While the idea of service may sound intimidating, especially as a student, the level of engagement is up to the individual, as there are various options for service. For example, members have booked conference rooms in MacVittie College Union for service events such as Color a Smile, making blankets to donate, organizing CDs for the WGSU Studio, cleaning up trash, and writing Letters Against Depression. Whether it benefits the campus with trash cleanup, or the nation through colorful artwork sent to senior homes and overseas troops, APO is a place where you can make a difference—and have fun doing it!
The APO rush process is designed to be simple, welcoming, and low-pressure. One requirement is a rush chat, where potential new members meet with two members of APO’s Pledge Team. The Pledge Team supports the rush and pledging process by planning events, educating new members, and helping them feel comfortable within the organization. Rush chats are approximately 30 minutes long and function as a casual icebreaker. These conversations give potential new members a chance to feel at ease while allowing the Pledge Team to learn more about them, including their interests, hobbies, and academic majors.
In addition to the rush chat, potential new members must attend one interest meeting. This meeting offers an overview of APO, its core values, and what new members can expect throughout the rush and pledging process. The third requirement is attending one fellowship event, which provides an opportunity for rushes to connect with current APO members in a relaxed social setting and begin building a sense of belonging. Fellowship events include activities such as game nights, painting vinyl records, and speed dating. Finally, rushes are required to complete four hours of service benefiting the nation, community, and college.
Once initiated into APO, members are invited to attend Membership Development (MD) meetings every Sunday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Bailey. These meetings focus on learning more about the organization and its three pillars while also strengthening connections among members.
Throughout the semester, members are expected to complete requirements, including 24 hours of service, three fellowship events, one leadership activity, and one diversity activity. New members also participate in weekly chats with three to four active and executive board members. These conversations are flexible, low-commitment, and designed to build meaningful connections.
Members have many opportunities to fulfill their requirements. These include volunteering at cultural club dinners or developing leadership skills through interactive group activities, such as collaborative challenges like keeping a balloon from touching the ground.
APO also has a system of family lines for members. Pledges will be sorted into families with other members, such as the Lizards, Rocks, Smiles, and the Lucious. These families emphasize the importance of bonding with members without creating “us versus them” mentalities. Families are all about supporting each other and introducing fun traditions. The most important family traditions happen during Friday Night MD (FNMD), a night for celebrating APO and its traditions while having fun together.
If this sounds interesting to you, contact Liv Popielarski at omp5@geneseo.edu or follow the rush Instagram @geneseoaporush to learn more or start attending events. APO will welcome you with open arms and a commitment to ensuring you enjoy your time with us!