Can I be in a different Greek organization and in APO too?
Yes. APO is unique as a service fraternity, so we have no conflict with social fraternities. All Drake students are welcome to join APO, regardless of their participation in other groups and organizations on campus.

Why should I join?
While students can do service activities without being a member of APO, this organization allows students to combine service with the other cardinal principles of our fraternity – leadership and friendship. While we are required to complete a certain amount of service hours each semester, we also spend a lot of time getting to know our brothers and making new friends on the campus and in the community.

What can APO do for me?
APO allows its members to get more out of college than just memorization and paper-writing. It allows us to broaden our experiences, test our inherent abilities, and sharpen our social skills. While these things aren’t likely to be on any college exam you’ll ever take, they can be essential to a student’s future career. In short, APO allows brothers to help others while helping themselves.

How can I join?
Near the beginning of each semester, the Rush Chair will coordinate a series of activities and events that allow interested students to get a taste of APO, so that they can decide if they would like to join. If you’re interested in joining APO – or even just learning more about our organization – please email our Rush Chair for more information.

So I have to go through a rush process to join APO?
Technically, yes, but it is very easy. During rush week, we hold a series of rush events, which are open to anyone interested in joining APO. In recent semesters, these have included an ice cream social, a food scavenger hunt, and other service events that we regularly do as a chapter. Participating in rush, gives potential pledges a chance to get to know members of APO and see if the organization something they’d be interested in joining. Unlike social Greek organizations, there is no bid selection. Anyone who wants to be a member of APO can pledge.

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What’s a pledge parent?
A pledge parent is an APO active who will help guide a pledge through his or her pledge semester. They are there to act as a reference and friend for the pledge as they become accustomed to how APO works.

What do I all have to do as a pledge?
1) A minimum of twelve (12) hours of service.
2) Attend a minimum of four (4) fellowship events.
3) Pledges must attend four (4) of the General Chapter or Executive Council Meetings.
4) Pledges must actively serve on one (1) Pledge Committee or serve as Pledge Class President.
5) Pledges must attend all Chapter and Pledge Mandatory Events.
7) Pledges must pay an Initiation Fee ($25) as well as an Activation Fee ($35).
8) Pledges must pass all of their weekly quizes.
9) Failure to complete requirements by the end of the pledging period will result in the Pledge having to attend Pledge Voting.

Are the quizzes hard?
The quizzes are not all that difficult, and the pledge educator will provide pledges with study guides beforehand, so they know what material they will be responsible for. The information that is on the quizzes are important to helping pledges learn more about the fraternity and chapter, so that they can become active members in the fraternity upon activation.

What if I don’t get everything done on time?
Pledges who don’t meet their requirements go before the chapter at Pledge Voting. This special meeting allows the pledge(s) to explain why they were unable to complete their requirements and answer questions from the actives. The actives will then vote to determine if the pledge should be allowed to become an active member in APO. If the chapter votes in favor of activation, the pledge will be on probation the following semester, until they make up whatever requirement they were missing.

Does it take a lot of time to pledge APO?
With APO, what you get out of it is proportional to how much time you put into it.  That being said, APO can easily be fit into a busy schedule.  Many of our members are active with many other activities on campus, most work, and almost all our members are full time students at Drake.  We understand that school and work are, and should be, prioritized over your commitment to Alpha Phi Omega, so our requirements are made accordingly.

However, some feel that the pledge semester can be time-intensive. If a pledge realizes that they won’t be able to handle APO in addition to their other obligations, they always have the option to de-pledge. Even if one de-pledges, they are still welcome to enter into the pledge process and try again in a later semester.

What if money is a problem?
If money is a problem, the treasurer is often willing to work out a payment plan of some sort to help interested pledges overcome that potential obstacle.

Does APO haze?
Absolutely not. Alpha Phi Omega has a strict no hazing policy. At all times in during the pledging process you will be respected. You will never asked to do anything inappropriate or that you are uncomfortable with doing.

I work on weekends. Can I still join APO?
Many of our events occur on weekends, but there are often service and fellowship events happening almost every day of the week. However, our general meetings (as well as initiation and activation) occur Sundays at 4pm. So you should plan on being available after 4 on Sundays, or you should at least have the flexibility to be available on a fair number of Sundays after 4pm over the course of the semester.

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