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Alpha Phi Omega, is the single most representative undergraduate intercollegiate co-ed non-profit organization in the United States of America. The purpose of this organization is to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship and to provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage. We want to share with colleges and universities all across this great land the benefits that APO gives to students, their campuses and their communities.
Bill Clinton President of the United States (1993 to 2001)
Lucius Young
Zeta Phi
Lisa Covi Kappa, 1981
Leadership Development Program Director
Alpha Phi Omega has set a standard of excellence since its inception as a National Service Fraternity on December 16, 1925 at Lafayette College. There were 14 founding members in the Alpha chapter and Frank Reed Horton served as the founding president. Alpha Phi Omega was an all male fraternity until the 1976 National Convention when they elected to become co-ed. This was known as the "Gentlemen's Agreement" and since then women have been serving in all fascist of fraternity leadership. Alpha Phi Omega has influenced many individuals and affected the lives of millions through service and is the single most representative undergraduate intercollegiate organization in the United States of America.
The original petitioning for a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega on the campus of James Madison University began in September 1968. There were 25 original petitioning members and William S. Hawkes, Jr. served as the petitioning president. On October 10, 1970, the original charter of Chi Gamma was given from the National office, making us the 531st chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. The chapter enjoyed several years of service before unknown circumstances led to its dissolution in the late 1970's.
During the 1987-88 academic year, Sandra Koucher and Dennis Silver began efforts to reorganize the Chi Gamma chapter. There were 41 new petitioning members and Derek La Mar Robinson served as the new petitioning president. On March 19, 1989 the Chi Gamma chapter was re-chartered. Since then we have had 31 pledge classes in its 16-˝ years including the fall of 2005. In this brief period of time, our chapter has grown to a size larger than many older schools in our region. At its largest, Chi Gamma had more than 100 active brothers. Many of Chi Gamma's alumni remain active supporters of the chapter.
The Chi Gamma chapter is currently a member of Section 83, which lies inside Region III. Our chapter number is 531. Originally we were part of Section 82, but at the 1996 Section Conference, as a result of the tremendous growth, Section 82 split into the current sections of 81 and 83. Our voice has been heard at nearly all Section and Region Conferences as well as National Conventions. Jason Planakis and Megan Sheedfar served as voting delegates to the last National Convention in Denver, Colorado in December 2004.
Although Alpha Phi Omega is not the only service organization at JMU, it has fulfilled an important role. The Chi Gamma chapter has encouraged its members to assume numerous leadership roles in many other organizations, inspired them to appreciate each other as brothers and friends, and provide service to the campus and Harrisonburg community. In February 1993, Chi Gamma adopted a whale as its mascot, designating it "Ogey" after the former chapter president Mike Ogilive. Take pride in APO and Chi Gamma at JMU. Remember, in the immortal words of Brian Coons, “APO is cool.”
The history of Alpha Phi Omega is a story of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. Since the founding at Lafayette College in 1925, more than 255,000 students have participated in this nationwide Brotherhood. From a single chapter in 1925, this National Service Fraternity has grown to 684 chapters.
Following the chartering of Beta Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh, three more chapters were chartered in 1927 - Gamma at Cornell University on February 17, Delta at Auburn University on November 8, and Epsilon at Northeast Missouri State University on December 13. And with the chartering of the sixth chapter - Zeta at Stanford University - on May 19, 1928, Alpha Phi Omega in its first four years had spread from the East to the South to the Midwest and all the way to the Pacific Coast. The Fraternity has continued to grow, having chartered more chapters than any other collegiate organization.
In the very early years, decisions of the National Fraternity were made by mail. The first actual assembly of delegates in convention was in St. Louis, Missouri, March 1 and 2, 1931. By that date the Fraternity had grown to 18 chapters. Seven of the chapters were represented at the convention by a total of 23 students and advisors.
Thirty-one biennial National Conventions have been held (two were skipped in 1942 and 1944 because of World War II). A special Constitutional Convention was held in 1967.
Convention attendance has, of course, grown tremendously. The largest registration thus far was 2,035 at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1992, and the largest number of chapters represented was 231 in Dallas, Texas, in 1970.
At the 1931 Convention, the presiding officer was Frank R. Horton. He had served as Supreme Grand Master (National President) from the beginning of the organization until that time. The convention elected Dr. H. Roe Bartle to succeed our Founder as Supreme Grand Master.
For years, Alpha Phi Omega state conventions were held. Today chapters are grouped in 'sections' and 'regions.' There are 50 sections in 10 regions across the country. Sectional and Regional Conferences are a very important part in our Fraternity operation. They foster good fellowship and helpful exchange of ideas for the advancement of our service program.
At the 1976 National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, the delegates voted to open the ranks of full membership to women, thereby making the Alpha Phi Omega experience available to all students.
Alpha Phi Omega will be the nation's foremost campus-based, inclusive, service-oriented, leadership development organization for university and college students by building upon its advantages and strengths as a unique and diverse Fraternity.
To strengthen the presence of Alpha Phi Omega on college campuses and among its members; To support the spread of the Fraternity's principles and activities on college campuses and among its members; To provide opportunities for its members and college students to develop effective leadership skills; To promote fellowship among all people; To provide service to humanity; and To further our acknowledged freedoms   
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