Overview  ●  Checklist  ●  Documents & Forms  ●  FAQ & Challenges  ●  Success Stories

Overview

Prospect Group Overview

After confirming your intent to pursue the formation of a chapter via e-mail to chapter.services.dir@apo.org (or by in writing), the National Office will provide this information to the Extension Coordinator, Section Chair and the Region Director.  A Sponsor will be chosen to assist you. The Sponsor is an alumni volunteer whose role is to help guide you through the process of building a new chapter. He/she will act as your primary support system during this process. In certain situations, your Section Chair may be appointed as your Sponsor.

The Section Chair or Region Director will most likely recruit a Big Brother Chapter for your group. This is most often a chapter that is close by that can assist your Sponsor in helping guide you through the process of establishing a chapter. The relationship between the two groups should foster trust, exchanges of ideas and knowledge. They can do service projects and fellowships with you, help you with rush and planning chapter programs, and in general, show you the ropes.  However, they cannot do the work for you. They are there for assistance and support only.

One of your first tasks should be to verify that your college/university has granted permission to bring Alpha Phi Omega to campus. Your college/university should have received an information packet about APO including Form DE-1, Authorization to Conduct Activities on Campus. You should verify that the appropriate school official/office has completed and returned this form to the National Office. This would also be a good time to gather information about your school’s policies and procedures and to establish a permanent chapter mailing address.

Your Sponsor will meet with you to review this guide and the process of building a new chapter. They will also introduce you to Alpha Phi Omega and explain the Membership and Risk Management Policies of this Fraternity. All of your group’s members must review these policies and indicate their agreement to abide by them as part of the Application for Interest Group Status.

During this stage of the extension process you will need to recruit a total membership of at least three students. However, the more students you can get involved, the easier it will be for your group to work through the requirements to establish a new chapter. You will also need to complete and document at least one service project. (Form DE-2) This project does not need to be complicated, just something to get your group to begin doing service.

After you have completed all of the above, you will need to fill out the Application for Interest Group Status. (Form DE-8) You should submit the completed application to your Section Chair for approval. They will verify you have met the requirements to progress to Interest Group status and then forward your application to your Region Director for approval. Your Region Director will then forward your application to the National Office for processing.

Checklist

Checklist of Requirements for Achieving Interest Group Status

1. A group Sponsor has been appointed by the Region Director. (Remember to document your Sponsor’s contact information on page 8 of this guide)

2. Permission from the appropriate school official/office to bring Alpha Phi Omega to the campus has been granted.  (This should be documented using Form DE-1, Authorization to Conduct Activities on Campus. Check with your school or the National Office to verify your school has submitted this form.)
 

3. The group has a membership of at least 3 students. (List all members and their personal information on the Group Roster section of Form DE-8, Application for Interest Group Status)
 

4. The Sponsor has reviewed the “Guide to Building a New Chapter” with the group’s students and advisors (if the group has any advisors at this point). (Indicate this in the appropriate place on Form DE-8, Application for Interest Group Status)
 

5. All group members (students and any advisors) have read the National Fraternity’s Risk Management Policies and Membership Policies (located in the Pledge Manual and the Guidebook) and have indicated their understanding of, and agreement to abide by, these policies by signing the Affirmation of Compliance with Fraternity Policies section of Form DE-8, Application for Interest Group Status.
 

6. The group has established a permanent chapter mailing address. (Indicate this address on Form DE-8, Application for Interest Group Status, along with the group’s email and/or phone number if such exists) This information should be shared with the Sponsor, Section Chair and Region Director to facilitate communication.
 

7. At least 1 service project has been conducted and documented using Form DE-2, Service Project Report Form.
 

8. The Application for Interest Group Status, Form DE-8, has been completed. (It is recommended that your Sponsor review your
application prior to submission and that you make a copy of the completed application and all supporting materials for your own records as these materials will be retained by the National Office.)
 

9. The completed Application for Interest Group Status (Form DE-8) has been sent to the Section Chair for approval.  For the application to be considered complete, it must contain all of the following:

o    The Authorization to Conduct Activities on Campus (Form DE-1) ONLY if your school has not already submitted this form to the National Office

o    The Application for Interest Group Status (Form DE-8)

o    A Service Project Report Form (Form DE-2) for any service project(s) completed  

Documents & Forms

• Authorization to Conduct Activities on Campus
   
• Application for Interest Group Status
   
• Guide to Building a New Chapter
   
• Pledge Manual
   
• Guidebook
   
• Service Project Report Form

FAQ & Challenges

Success Stories