2023 National Convention Recap

Thank you to every brother who joined together in Indianapolis to rev up to 100 years of Alpha Phi Omega! This four-day event was the starting line for celebrating a century of APO brothers impacting the world through Leadership, Friendship and Service.

The first day of the Convention was filled with reunions, registration, delegate training and exploring the city before officially kicking off the Convention with the opening session. Brother Christian Blackburn, Gamma Lambda `20, officially began the National Convention with the ceremonial gavel and National President Melody Martin, Delta Alpha `97, lit the Eternal Flame. Past President John K. Ottenad, J.D., Alpha Phi `89, introduced the keynote speaker, Liam Price, Special Olympics Indiana athlete and silver medalist. After Liam’s address, he and Brother Ottenad joined in a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding uniting Special Olympics and Alpha Phi Omega into a partnership agreement. Finally, National Membership Chair Brandon Douglas, Alpha Gamma Lambda `11, recognized chapters that were named Double Diamond Chapters, meaning they reached Diamond level status for Chapter of Excellence and Pledge Program of Excellence.

Learning Labs were very popular for attendees. Brothers lined the rooms to learn more about how to innovate their recruitment tactics to grow chapters. Brother Julius Bradley, Pi Omega `15, brought energy and information as he taught attendees the History of Strolling through demonstration. Students exemplified leadership skills as they took on the role of facilitating Learning Labs about perpetual recruitment and using community resources to expand service opportunities. Between honing skills for recruitment and exploring alternative recruitment options, students left the event with a renewed excitement and skills to take back to their chapter. Alumni had the chance to take time in the alumni solutions room to talk through the issues they are facing in their volunteer roles. There were other Learning Labs that focused more on the alumni role for extension efforts and how to become a more involved alumni member. Brothers gathered to hear more about how the Fraternity is preparing for the celebration of our lifetime – the Centennial in 2025.

“[The Convention was] incredible! The connections I made were amazing and the Learning Labs and LEADS courses were the best I’ve ever been to.” - Jordan H.

The 2023 Convention was the host of the inaugural APO Community Impact Poster Contest. Chapters were invited to create a poster and brief presentation about a project or idea that highlighted one or more of the Cardinal Principles. Each chapter that participated gave a two-minute presentation to a panel of judges. Participating chapters included:

• Alpha Alpha Chapter – International Dinner

• Alpha Eta Zeta Chapter – Back to School Bash

• Beta Beta Chapter – Camp Weekend

• Epsilon Zeta Chapter – RPI Service Day

• Gamma Lambda Chapter – Annual Blood Bowl

• Mu Chapter – 2024 Duck Race

• Tau Lambda Chapter – Campus Lost and Found

• Tau Omicron Chapter – Polar Plunge, Scouting and Blood Drive

Congratulations to Gamma Lambda Chapter from Clemson University who wow-ed the judges and won this contest!

Special Olympics Indiana and APO joined forces to host a bracket-style cornhole tournament where APO brothers had the incredible opportunity to team up with Special Olympics Indiana athletes and compete side by side. In true APO spirit, the volunteer slots were filled quickly! Many members who were unable secure a spot to play were assigned roles as scorekeepers. Other spectators lined the room and filled every seat! More than 20 teams were ready to compete for the top spot.

Other service opportunities were available through our national partnerships! Gift of Life Marrow Registry hosted a table with a swabbing station, where a match was found for a a 22-year-old man battling Hodgkins Lymphoma within just a few weeks of the event! Gift of Life also hosted a Learning Lab so students and alumni could learn about hosting or participating in a donor drive.

Finally, our newest partner, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, provided a service opportunity for members to write cards to the families of childhood cancer patients. They also hosted a Learning Lab to showcase their Ambassador Program as a service opportunity for students.

“The best part of the event was partnering with the Special Olympics and Unified Sports. I was able to volunteer to play cornhole with someone in Unified Sports. The tournament-style game was super fun and a great way to celebrate the local Indy community.” – Alyssa K.

The Fraternity would like to thank and honor the hundreds of students and alumni who dedicated their time in Indianapolis to serve as delegates during the Legislative Session. These brothers spent hours deliberating, asking thought-provoking questions and voting to make decisions that will affect the Fraternity as we get closer to the end of the first century of Alpha Phi Omega. Big changes are coming to the Fraternity thanks to these delegates and the hours they’ve dedicated. To read more on what legislation was passed, check out apo.org.

“Being in legislation was great! I loved passing and getting notes and feeling [like] a part of something bigger than my chapter.” – Hattie H.

Alumni Day took place on Friday, December 29. This day was full of alumni reuniting with their brothers, making new connections, attending Learning Labs with the alumni journey in mind and, finally, the Alumni Luncheon. The luncheon took place at the beautiful Indianapolis Artsgarden. This sold-out event celebrated brotherhood and was host to many connections with brothers, both old and new. During this time, a panel moderated by National Vice President, Disraeli W. Smith II, Kappa Delta `07, discussed the Alpha Phi Omega Endowment and the launch of the new Centennial Capital Campaign, Leading the Way. If you’d like to read more about this campaign or learn how to get involved, check out apo.org. It was great seeing so many members meet and reconnect throughout Alumni Day! The Centennial Celebration and 2025 National Convention cannot come quick enough so we can gather again and celebrate 100 years of our Fraternity.

This four-day event wrapped up with the Celebration Banquet. This was an opportunity to honor chapter and member accomplishments. During this time, national award recipients were announced and celebrated by their brothers.

The most prestigious award one can receive from the National Fraternity is the National Distinguished Service Key, or DSK. Brother Ping Huang, Alpha Chi `90, was honored with this distinction. You can find the complete list of award recipients on page 5. During the Celebration Banquet, the regional chairs and the Board of Directors were installed. Brother Abigail Martin, Alpha Epsilon Theta `23, had the unique opportunity to install the Board, including her mother, National President Melody A. Martin, Delta Alpha `97. You can find the full list of regional chairs on apo.org. The evening concluded with attendees linking arms and singing the Alpha Phi Omega Toast Song.

“The best part was being able to meet so many new brothers and make lasting connections with them!” - Kaya E.

We are counting down the days until we get to gather again as a whole; December 27, 2025, cannot get here quick enough! We will gather in Philadelphia for four days in 2025 to commemorate the largest celebration of Leadership, Friendship and Service this century! Keep an eye out for more information and registration details so you don’t miss out on this opportunity to gather as a Fraternity and celebrate APO as we move into our next 100 years of developing leaders, uniting members through friendship and rendering service to all.

Interested in what legislation passed during the National Convention? Check it out here!