Dear Brothers,

Your health and welfare are the Fraternity's leadership’s number one concern. In these unprecedented times, I want to share with you updates regarding chapter and fraternity operations so that the family you find in APO can continue and/or evolve in the post-campus shutdown.

First and foremost, you and your chapter need to follow the instructions and directions of your host institution. If your school has not limited contact and/or gone to a virtual environment, use best practices when gathering, including avoiding personal contact and eliminating the use of the fellowship circle when singing the Toast Song.  

There are a number of campuses across the country moving to remote learning through the end of the semester, and at the same time shutting down campus living. Please connect with your brothers via phone, text, email to ensure everyone has found a place to go in light of the changes.

The Fraternity is working on resources, virtual tools and suggestions to help you and your chapter stay connected.  Your school may also have tools available for your chapter to use.  Please check the Officer Resource area of the website (login required) or the Alpha Phi Omega Mobile Resource App starting tomorrow, for the most current information, recommended tools and resources. For continued updates, follow @apostaff on Twitter.

Now is the time to be flexible, patient and creative when it comes to chapter operations and activities. We are working on acquiring new tools that will allow chapters to hold virtual gatherings. These gatherings will have to be scheduled through your regional chair or their designee as only one chapter per region will be able to use these tools at a time. 

Online activities may include: chapter ceremonies*, chapter meetings, executive committee meetings, CAPS, fellowship, service, etc.

*Chapters can hold virtual pledge and initiation ceremonies adjusting the staging and allowing for everyone to be in different locations. The sergeant-at-arms or a similar officer should watch the list of attendees to ensure that only members are present in the virtual room. If you choose to go this route, I suggest that once the chapter is back to in-person meetings you walk through the ceremony again so the new members can experience the breadth and tradition of the ceremony.

Additionally, there are other online resources that individual members can take advantage of including APO LEADS Launch Online, on-demand officer and member training videos, and the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential education. Now is a great time to expand your leadership skill set and knowledgebase.

The Fraternity’s leadership will continue to monitor this ever-evolving situation and will provide updates and adjustments as needed. While this is an unprecedented situation, I know the brothers of Alpha Phi Omega will work and be creative in finding ways to support their campuses and communities through service in the wake of this pandemic.

Please do your best to stay safe and minimize risk where possible.

Thank you for your Leadership, Friendship and Service.

Rob Coop