Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), commonly known as APO,[4] but also A-Phi-O[5][6] and A-Phi-Q,[7] is a coeducational service fraternity.

It is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of over 25,000 students, and over 500,000 alumni members.

The 500,000th member was initiated in the Rho Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at the University of California, San Diego.

Being primarily a service organization, Alpha Phi Omega does not operate nor maintain a fraternity house as lodging quarters for members nor for any other persons.

[11][12] The founders insisted that all those gaining membership must pledge to uphold the fraternity's three cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service.

Everett Probst designed the pin and coat of arms, Thane S. Cooley suggested the hand clasp during the toast song, and Elsworth Dobson and Gordon M. Looney helped write the constitution and bylaws.

Alpha Phi Omega became a national fraternity on January 11, 1927, with the founding of Beta chapter at University of Pittsburgh.

Early in his term (October 1931), Alpha Phi Omega was formally recognized by the Boy Scouts of America.

Sol Levy, an APO member from University of Washington and Professional Scouter introduced the organization to Filipino Scouts.

Inspired by Levy's words, he read the publications and shared them with fellow Eagle Scouts and students on the FEU campus.

By its third year, seven chapters had been chartered at Manila and Visayan schools and it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nonstock, nonprofit, and nondividend corporation.

Several Alpha Phi Omega chapters also had started "little sister" groups; some of which formed separate organizations (e.g. Jewels of Tau, Phyettes etc.).

[19] The first step in paving the way for women to join Alpha Phi Omega was the Constitutional Convention in 1967, which removed the requirement that members have affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America.

The Alpha Chi chapter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ran their own printing press, and thus was able to generate certificates and membership cards for their own female initiates prior to 1976.

This "gentleman's agreement" was formalized in a resolution at the 1998 Convention and includes the following points: "The fraternity continues to encourage all Chapters and petitioning groups to open their membership to all students.

[24] A decision by the 2006 National Convention on December 30, 2006, has essentially upheld the Board's previous resolution, adding additional clarifications to the transitional process for the all-male chapters, including a timeline for completion of their transition to co-educational status by the 2008 National Convention, and the establishment of a committee consisting of active members and alumni to assist with the process.

They cited that their action was due to an "ideological split", claiming that the national fraternity allowed female members to join and took away the student-focus.

[1][31] First published as the Lightbearer in February 1927,[11] the name was changed to the Torch & Trefoil by the decision of the Fifth Alpha Phi Omega national convention in December 1934.

Many chapters plan several local service projects throughout the year, including blood drives,[35] tutoring,[36] charity fundraising events,[37] Scouting events,[38] used book exchanges,[39] Boy Scout Merit Badge days,[8] campus escort initiatives,[40] and housing construction/rehabilitation.

Each of these modular components focus on skills that will help the participant be a successful leader and team member in Alpha Phi Omega and in life.

[45] At the completion of the series of courses, the participant will have a set of transferable skills that are applicable to Alpha Phi Omega, to the working world, as well as to leadership in other organizations.

During one weekend in April, millions of youth participate in this project, which bills itself as the largest service event in the world.

Projects include tutoring young children, disaster relief, voter registration, nutritional awareness, distributing HIV/AIDS prevention materials, and more.

National presidents Earle Herbert (USA) and Carlos "Caloy" Caliwara (Philippines) as well as other leaders in the two organizations concluded there was a need for an international coordinating body to promote the ideals of the fraternity around the world.

[57][58] Past locations of the national office in the United States include: The national organization of Alpha Phi Omega in the Philippines maintains a four layer administrative structure:[76] Alpha Phi Omega of the Philippines has charters (either fraternity, sorority or both) at 243 colleges and universities.

The bylaws also allowed for men to qualify by registering with their local council as a merit badge counselor, in the College Scouter Reserve, or other similar positions.

National conventions in Alpha Phi Omega are biennial gatherings of the respective national organization of the fraternity, in which official business is conducted and brothers from the various chapters in the organization meet to share ideas, expanding leadership, friendship, and service.

[2] Alpha Phi Omega of the United States hosts biennial national conventions during even-numbered years.

[31] As of 2019[update], Alpha Phi Omega has conducted forty-five national conventions, the most recent in Austin, Texas.

[2] In the US, national conventions are officially called to order by an opening ceremony in which the Eternal Flame of Service is brought forth by members of the Delta Omega chapter at the University of Houston.