Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ) (commonly known as APO,[3] but also A-Phi-O[4] and A-Phi-Q[5]) is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members. There are also 250 chapters in the Philippines and one in Australia.
Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed service fraternity organized to provide community service, leadership development,[6] and social opportunities for college students. Chapters range in size from a handful of active members to over 200 active members, independent of each college's size.
The purpose of the fraternity is "to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from theScout Oath and Scout 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."[7] Unlike many other fraternities, APO's primary focus is to provide volunteer service within four areas: service to the community, service to the campus, service to the fraternity, and service to the nation as participating citizens.[2] Being primarily a service organization, the fraternity restricts its chapters from maintaining fraternity houses to serve as residences for their members.[8] This also encourages members of social fraternities and sororities that have houses to join APO as well.