WOFFORD SERVICE FRATERNITY BEGINS RUSH WEEK FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP—

With the start of a new semester, there are plenty of things to get geared up for. New courses, new textbooks, new opportunities, and of course, a new start to dive into service. In regards to service opportunities, one way in particular to be geared up for is the start of rush for Alpha Phi Omega, a public service fraternity. (Yes, there is such thing as one of those!) For this edition of S2S, I sat down with Alpha Phi Omega president, junior Sydney Allsbrook, and Rush Chair, junior Angela Ditolla, to find out more information about APO and how to join their brotherhood.

1. Tell me more about Alpha Phi Omega.

Allsbrook: Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a co-ed service fraternity that focuses on the three cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service. Our goal throughout APO is to better our fraternity, college, community, and nation through acts of service. We promote the principles of leadership, friendship, and service, as well.

2. How long have you been involved with APO?

Allsbrook: I rushed Spring 2013 and I’ve been secretary and now serving as president of Alpha Phi Omega for this term.

Ditolla: I rushed Fall of 2013 and now I am the rush chair for this term.

3. What are some projects that APO has done in the past on campus?

Allsbrook: We’ve done a variety of things. We have done soccer tournaments to help out different organizations on campus. For instance, last year’s soccer tournament we held benefitting Maggie Bosley and her medical expenses. We also help out different organizations on campus, such as Arcadia Volunteer Corps and also with Wofford and Me events.

Ditolla: Last year, we did a service project where we cleaned up the courtyard of DuPré so that students could use it. After cleaning it up and getting rid of the leaves, students now can take advantage of it and enjoy the courtyard.

4. How did you two get involved with service?

Allsbrook: I started out volunteering through Arcadia Volunteer Corps and the afterschool program, ARCH. I knew that I really liked to serve—having prior service experiences throughout middle and high school—and I wanted to find an organization on campus that would give me a lot more opportunities to continue my service.

Ditolla: I heard about APO throughout some of my friends who were in it and also, I wanted to join an organization on campus that did service and I wanted to be a part of something where I would have common values with everyone and APO really gave me that; so I was excited to join it!

5. Is there anything new that the campus should expect from APO this semester?

Allsbrook: We are trying to be more visible on campus, trying to get the word out about who exactly we are and what we do. We are going to put on a lot more service projects this semester than what we’ve done in the past semesters. Definitely look for us around.

6. Why should one rush APO?

Ditolla: One should rush APO because as a part of our leadership, friendship, service, we help to provide students with opportunities to work in a group while serving the communities around them. By being a part of this group, you’ll have a chance to connect with students on this campus who you may not normally connect with. There are a lot  of different groups on our campus and APO is a great way for you to meet some of the people in these different groups and will allow you to interact with the campus as a whole and the community. It’s a great way to do service!

7. If one is interested in rushing APO, what are the steps that they should take?

Allsbrook: If you Google ‘Wofford APO’, you’ll find our website. Once you’re on our website, look for ‘Rush APO’. There’s a link to our application and the last day to submit an application is February 28th, 2015 at Noon – that’s a Saturday! There’s also Rush Week, happening February 23-27, 2015. We’ll have a lot of different events taking place where you can get involved!

8. What advice would you give to those who are interested in community service, but may not want to rush a service fraternity?

Ditolla: If you don’t want to be a part of APO but still want to engage in service in some aspect, there are a lot of service opportunities on campus. We have a program called ‘Wofford and Me’, where first grade students from Arcadia Elementary School in Spartanburg come to campus a few Friday afternoons during the year. You can come and play with the kids here on campus or venture off campus to ARCH and volunteer there by helping kids with their homework and interacting with them, giving them a chance to interact with someone from within their community.

Allsbrook: Also, APO is very accepting of a lot of different people. I don’t want people to get nervous by the term ‘fraternity’. We accept everybody, regardless of background, age, or major. We’re a great organization where a lot of people can come together and serve.

9. Any last words?

Allsbrook: You should rush APO—cant wait to get your application!