Join Us
What to Expect When Pledging
The purpose of our pledging program is to identify students who will embrace and commit themselves to the principles of Alpha Phi Omega and to prepare those students for active membership. Your period of pledgeship begins after you participate in a brief Pledge Ritual and it ends after you participate in our Initiation Ritual. In total, you will be a pledge member for just ten weeks, during which time you will attend weekly meetings (on Sundays at 5:00pm); serve on a fellowship and a service committee; attend, in addition to the Pledge and Initiation Rituals, Pledge Ropes, the Pledge-Active Retreat, and the Pledge-Active Party; participate in elections; and, have the opportunity to lead a group, meet your new best friend, and help others along the way. Pledges participate at at least two service events totaling at least seven hours and at least two fellowship events totaling at least five hours. Dues for pledges ($125) cover national dues and fees, a Pledge-Class T-shirt, and the registration fees for Pledge Ropes and the Pledge-Active Retreat; however, we never want concerns about money to be a deterrent to joining Alpha Phi Omega. As such, a limited number of scholarships are available. (Also, please note that we do not haze pledges or members. We respect the worth of human dignity and, in firm support of our heritage of intellectual freedom, do not tolerate unequal or abusive treatment of any person.)
Life as an Active Member, or Membership Requirements
The requirements for active members differ slightly from those for pledges: the number of service hours increases from seven to 15 per semester; the number of fellowship hours, from five to seven. Active members are still required to attend weekly meetings (still on Sundays, now at 6:00pm), though, in addition to either a Pledge or Initiation Ritual. Dues for actives ($55) are also lower than for pledges. (Again, we don’t want concerns about money to be a deterrent to being in Alpha Phi Omega. If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, let us know.) Otherwise, being an active member is really just about strengthening the commitment you made as a pledge to the principles of leadership, friendship, and service.
Low Ropes COPE Course
Pledge Ropes is often reported as being the catalyst of many lasting friendships in Alpha Phi Omega. The Low Ropes COPE Course ("COPE" is an acronym for "Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience") is comprised of activities that can only be completed through teamwork. It is planned around an imagined scenario that often includes "handicaps" designed to highlight the importance of acceptance, patience, and dedication in challenging situations. The course will also encourage you and your team to look at problems from different perspectives, building leadership, trust, and self-confidence in the process. We typically use the course at the Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation
Pledge-Active Retreat
Pledge-Active Retreat is the absolute best opportunity for actives and pledges to get acquainted. We typically leave for camp (usually, Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca or Camp Wyoming) late on a Saturday afternoon. During the evening, we cook and eat dinner, play team games, make s‘mores around a bonfire (weather permitting), and do other fun stuff; on Sunday morning, we help out around camp. Attendance is required for pledges and strong encouraged for active members.