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APO History Series: Publications
In honor of this special 100th volume of the Torch & Trefoil, this installation of the APO History Series will highlight Alpha Phi Omega publications that have been produced throughout the last 100 years. Between the Torch & Trefoil and various other publications, APO has sent messages of unity, shared important news and worked to keep spirits high in tough times.
Torch & Trefoil
Alpha Phi Omega’s first widespread publication was The Lightbearer. It made its debut in February 1927. The first issue (pictured below) included a brief explanation of why this publication was created, updates on Alpha, Beta and Gamma Chapters, alumni updates, Scouting updates, a list of petitioning groups and National Officers. Issues of The Lightbearer were published once or twice a year through 1934. It was at this time; the publication changed its name to Torch & Trefoil and more closely represents what we see today.
The name “Torch & Trefoil” was decided at the 5th Biennial National Convention because “it carries much more significance than the former name, the ‘Lightbearer,’” (Torch & Trefoil, Vol. 10 No. 1). The name stems from the significance of the two words, the torch represents education and trefoil is the emblem of Scouting.
The first issue of the Torch & Trefoil included segments, some of which are still included in the current magazine, such as: a letter from the National President, chapter and member updates, National Convention updates and an In Memoriam. During this time, there were just two issues of the Torch & Trefoil each year.
In the following years, the publishing schedule changed and evolved to fit the needs of the Fraternity. From 1940 through the mid-1960s, issues were sent to chapters nearly every month. By the early-1970s, issues were published four times a year, a schedule we still adhere to more than 50 years later.
The early 1940s was a different era for the Torch & Trefoil, issues during this time focused heavily on the war. From service projects to aid those overseas to calling out members to join, these issues were wildly powerful.
The next major change for the Torch & Trefoil was in 2020, when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APO began to publish two digital only issues each year as an effort to save on costs while being good stewards with existing funds.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the world into chaos. The spring 2020 issue was the first Torch & Trefoil to be published digitally. The summer 2020 issue spotlighted chapters offering service in creative ways during an uncharted time.
Additional Publications
In 1993, Alpha Phi Omega published what is reverently referred to as “The Blue History Book”. This is a nearly 300-page book that covers the history of Alpha Phi Omega from the very beginning. Areas of interest include: Emblems, Symbols and Insignias, National Conventions, National Leadership, Chapters, and more. If you’d like to take a look at this book, visit www.apoarchive.org and select “History Book”.
Beginning in 2015, an annual tribute magazine was published and mailed out thanking each of our donors for their generosity. This publication was moved to the Fraternity’s website in 2021 to recognize donors on an ongoing basis instead of just once a year.
In 2023, the Fraternity embarked on the Oral History Project. This project will produce a book full of stories and memories from brothers. This also served as an opportunity for the Fraternity to collect and update contact information for thousands of members.
If you’d like to read any of our previous publications, you can view them on our archive website at www.apoarchive.org.
