= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity +---+ +---+ | | | | S E C T I O N +---+ +---+ N E W S | | | +---+ + A Newsletter from the Section Chair (electronic edition) Volume 4, Number 3 November 4, 1994 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Events Digest: - All Chapter Annual Paperwork and $ Due, Nov 15. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- S P E C I A L C O N V E N T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N I N S I D E ! ! ! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, it was only very recently that I put out the last Section 89 News. This issue contains some late breaking information about the upcoming National Convention in Dallas, important enough that I wanted to share it with everyone. Several of these items came from APO-L, an APO e-mail list, and I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to see them. There are a number of important issues arrising at this convention. Remember that we only have these once every two years, and this is the only time that many of these changes can be made. Please give them great consideration; your decisions will impact the future of APO for years to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 89 Roadtrips on the Information Super-highway... WWW Server now fully operational... Folks in Section 89 now have yet another way to get important and useful APO information. I am running a World-Wide-Web server just for Section 89 Information. You can connect by pointing your Web client at: http://www.nnf.cornell.edu/Section89.html Direct any questions or comments to Rick. We'll continue to add more information and more links as time allows. I'm really curious to see how well this new method of communicating information works in this application. Let me know your thoughts. If there is sufficient demand, I will provide a Gopher server also; but only if there are people who can access Gopher, but not WWW. Let me know. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Henry Thoreau ----------------------------------------------------------------------- What Is All This Stuff, Rick? Ok, a little explanation. Why am I bothering to reprint stuff from other sources? The reason is because I have been besieged with questions about various convention issues, most notably the proposed "BSA amendments" and the proposed changes to the Toast Song. As always, I have tried to answer these questions to the best of my ability. But, I think that passing along the words of others who have had more direct involvement in the creation of these proposals is an appropriate way to help answer these questions. As for sources, the article below giving motivation and preparation for attending a National Convention is reprinted from the Fall 1994 Torch & Trefoil. On the facing page is a letter of background and explanation sent to the APO-L electronic mailing list by Jerry Schroeder, and I think everyone should read it carefully before forming any further opinion or making additional comment on these proposed changes. Finally, on the back page is the rationale from the National Board meeting on their recommendation that the Toast Song be changed. This rationale, as well as various other parts of properly proposed legislation was inadvertently left out of the original mailing, and was mailed out one week later. None-the-less, many have seen only the original, un-corrected version, so I reprint it in its entirety here for everyone to read and carefully consider. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A Message From the National President From the Fall 1994 Torch & Trefoil [Gerald A. Schroeder, National President] 1994 is a convention year. This December our delegates will gather in Dallas to make the decisions that will guide Alpha Phi Omega into the twenty-first century. National Conventions are unique, wonderful and uplifting experiences. Most of all, they are the vehicle through which you students govern your Fraternity. You decide what your Fraternity should look like, what it should feel like, what it should do, and what it shouldn't do. You elect your volunteer leaders and, thereby, define its vision. In Dallas, many choices will be made. It might be a change to the Toast Song or to our Ritual, a risk management policy, a long range plan, a national alumni association. And beneath every choice is an ideal, a dream to be realized. Every decision must be based on not what is best for us as individuals, but what is best for Alpha Phi Omega. Alpha Phi Omega is not our chapter. It is all chapters. It is not us. It is all its students--past, present, and future. It is bigger than any of us and, for that reason, we have a responsibility to contribute to the welfare of the whole. We will not always agree on exactly what to do at the Convention. But our differences will be enriching if we remember what we have in common: an agreement to look for solutions and an acknowledgment that we all are genuinely interested in the longterm best interests of our Fraternity. Our differences will be educational if we keep our minds truly open. Each chapter must give its delegates the benefit of its wisdom and guidance. No chapter should bind its delegates to one view or another. Doing so renders the synergy of the whole futile. There is no collective wisdom because there is no personal listening. The collision of adverse ideas cannot produce truth because there is no freedom to react to the reverberations. We all have a great responsibility to Alpha Phi Omega, the whole Alpha Phi Omega, to participate meaningfully in this democratic process. Our obligation is to share our ideas with others in Dallas and, in return, receive theirs. Every chapter has an obligation to be represented. Every delegate has an obligation to be informed, prepared and, above all, open-minded. The gift we hold in trust for those who will follow us needs our leadership now, for it is we who find ourselves representing Alpha Phi Omega in all of its majesty and promise when it is time to speak and act on its behalf. It is we who are asked for the highest form of service to our Fraternity, and we must respond without hesitation or reservation. What we do at the Convention will be our gift to Alpha Phi Omega's future. It must be given unselfishly and thoughtfully. It must be worthy both of us and of those to whom we send it. Let all chapters resolve now to be represented in Dallas. Let us begin now to plan how we will get our delegates there. Let us inform ourselves of the issues, and, most of all, let us dream about what APO really means to us and what it can mean to the students of tomorrow. A few years before his death, Ellsworth "Dobby" Dobson marveled at what he and his brothers started in a dormitory room at Lafayette College had grown to be. Our Founders must never be allowed to stop marveling. Let us follow our dream to Dallas! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us. Henri Matisse ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding the BSA Legislation [Sent to APO-L by Jerry Schroeder, National President.] I think it best to start with a summary of my remarks at the Boston Convention during my state of the fraternity address concerning this situation (which arose less than one month before the convention). I said that I was involved in "discussions with the Boy Scouts of America concerning the future course of our relationship. This dialogue was initiated by BSA and primarily focuses on the impact, if any, of the differences in our two organizations' membership policies on the Boy Scouts of America. "Let me make several points. "First, it is my belief that all private, voluntary organizations -- including BSA -- have a constitutional right to determine their own leadership and membership standards. At the same time, Alpha Phi Omega expects others to accord it the same respect for its rights. "Second, unless and until a convention takes action in this area, my job as national president is to conclude these discussions with our relationship exactly where it has been for 67 years. Candidly, I think the prognosis is guarded, but we must try. "Third, I am sure many of you are concerned over the mere existence of such discussions between APO and BSA. Friends often find it necessary to talk about individual and mutual concerns, and the friendship is what makes this possible. In fact, true friendship demands no less -- and that's what happening here." With that introduction, let me say that some months later after prolonged and sometimes difficult -- but always friendly -- discussions, the dialogue was completed. Although I kept the Board of Directors currently and fully informed of the negotiations, it was I who found myself representing Alpha Phi Omega when it was time to speak and act on its behalf. The result was, in my opinion, a good one that benefits both organizations and that could have been much worse for both organizations had it not been for the good faith and friendship between both APO and BSA generally, and the Chief Scout Executive and myself particularly. We agreed that: (1) the mutually supportive relationship that has existed between APO and BSA since 1925 would continue, (2) we both acknowledged our respect for the constitutional right of all private, voluntary organizations to determine their own values and policies, and that APO would take steps by changing certain aspects of our bylaws and ceremonies to reduce the erroneous perception of affiliation between our two organizations among some members of the public. My proposals to change our bylaws and ceremonies implement that agreement. The specific changes were not negotiating with BSA, nor should they have been. But they are a key ingredient to the agreement. They do not rewrite our history or our founding, and one of the first things the Chief Scout Executive and I agreed to was that neither of us wanted or could do that. They do not eliminate all references to BSA from our bylaws or anything else. They are designed to preserve our heritage and history while, at the same time, reducing or eliminating any perception of official affiliation between our two organizations. Of course, I did not have to do all this. But I thought it was fair and recognized, as should you, that BSA controls its own copyrighted symbols as does APO control its symbols. There are some areas where we simply do not have a choice, as someone said, "to do what we want to do." But I want to emphasize several points. First, this is not a PC issue. The issue is the relationship between two old and close friends. Second, it is BSA that initiated this discussion and, while that is OK and expected between friends where there are concerns, it is important to remember. Third, as national president I represented APO and was, properly, its exclusive spokesperson. I did my best and am convinced the outcome is in our best interests. Finally and obviously, the convention is free to reject some or all of my proposals. But I would hope that the history of these discussions and my actions are given great weight. We are not writing on a clean slate here, and the wrong response will result in the dialogue being reopened again. I don't believe that is in anyone's best interests. I would be happy to respond to anyone's concerns or questions -- privately or publicly. Obviously, I will be speaking from the floor at the convention to further explain this process. But cool, realistic heads must prevail here. You elected me to do a job and I tried to do it under very stressful circunderstanding [sic - damn computers] of the Chief Scout Executive. I ask for your support as your president. Jerry Schroeder National President Alpha Phi Omega ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed changes to the Toast Song Submitted by the National Board of Directors, as a result of action taken at the July 16, 1994 Board Meeting. (Chapter Operations Ref. Committee) TOAST SONG. Move that the words "men of" be replaced by "true to" throughout the Toast Song. RATIONALE: The Toast Song is both an internal bond uniting all Brothers and a public statement of who we are, of what Alpha Phi Omega is. Our bond as Brothers exists because we are all true to the Fraternity and its principles. In many situations the Toast Song has become a point of contention, rather than an expression of our commitment and unity. The current exclusive wording continues to create widespread discord among chapters, alienation of many of our Brothers, and detriment to the public image of Alpha Phi Omega. The history of APO supports this change, in that over the years the Fraternity has followed a steady path of becoming increasingly inclusive and as a result, of modifying its practices and governing documents accordingly. Updating the phrase "men of" would more accurately reflect the composition of the National Fraternity, of which women have been full members since 1976. Changing the Toast Song has no impact on the membership policies as stated in the National Bylaws, therefore it will not require any alternation of the membership policies of chapters. Changing the Toast Song will not destroy Fraternity tradition, it will extend and build upon our tradition. This change is in the best interest of the Fraternity. Though this specific motion did not originate with the National Board of Directors, we wish to take the unusual action of supporting this expression of inclusiveness. While the Board fully understands that this is a Convention decision to be made by the Active-Member Delegates, an overwhelming majority of the Board, for the reasons cited, believe that the history, substance and significance of this matter warrant a Board recommendation to the Convention. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Answer to the Last Challenge It really wasn't that hard, was it? If you remember, the challenge of last issue was to identify the group which had a hit song with the same title as one of the sub-headings from the last issue. The sub-heading in question was Take Off to the Great White North, referring both to the Sectional Conference at St. Lawrence, and also that great song of the early eighties by none other than Bob and Doug McKenzie, eh? I'm sorry (and surprised) to report that no one sent in the correct answer. This issue's challenge is even easier and less obscure. I am determined to make a winner out of somebody. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- National Rooms for New Years [This notice comes via Jack McKenzie, National Public Relations and Publications Chair, and has been mailed to all chapters.] For the night of Dec. 31, New Year's Eve, there are no more sleeping rooms available at the Convention hotel, the Hyatt Regency DFW. There are still plenty of rooms available for Dec.26-30, but New Year's Eve is booked. HOWEVER, the Fraternity has contracted with a nearby hotel, the Sheraton Grand, for rooms there on New Year's Eve for the $40-per-night Convention rate. If you want to stay at the Sheraton Grand on New Year's Eve, call 1-800-345-5251 (you must call this number to get the Convention rate). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Section 89 News Challenge.... Send your answer to me in writing: e-mail or US mail. Difficulty rating: 2/10. We all know that Frank Reed Horton served on a mine-sweeper in WW-I. What was the name of that mine-sweeper? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Conferences: National Convention: Dec 27-30, 1994. Dallas, TX 88/89 Sectional Conference: Mar 30-Apr 2, 1995. Alfred, NY ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Section 89 News | | | | The Section 89 News is published for Section 89 to provide | | communication from the Section Chair about upcoming events, | | important announcements, and amusement. Please send articles, | | news of events, or other comments to: | | | | Rick Bojko | | Section 89 Chair | | 700 Warren Rd, # 15-3D | | Ithaca, NY 14850 | | | | 607 257-9875 (H) 607 255-2329 (W) | | bojko@nnf.cornell.edu | +----------------------------------------------------------------+