However, with over 400,000 living alumni, it would take several years to meet with and interview every brother.
That’s why we are embarking on an Oral History Project to collect stories of alumni in their own words. These stories will be preserved and presented in a book that celebrates the impact that Alpha Phi Omega has had on brothers as we approach our Centennial Celebration in 2025. We are excited to dive into this project and hear from YOU!
To submit your story or to update your information, please call the number listed on the postcard or email you’ve received. You can also call our partner, PCI at 1-800-982-1590.
LET’S GET STARTED!
WHAT TYPE OF STORIES CAN I SUBMIT?
You can share any story that exemplifies the impact of APO in your life or examples of how you continued to develop and use your leadership skills after college.
- Can you trace your career back to a defining moment with APO?
- Have your chapter connections evolved into lifelong friendships?
- Have you continued to improve your communities after college by serving in leadership roles?
- Did an APO brother have a significant impact on your life?
PARTNERSHIP WITH PCI
Due to our limited resources, we would never be able to take on a project of this size without help. By partnering with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI), we are able to utilize their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to the stories you want to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble these stories into the Alpha Phi Omega Oral History Project book that we can share with all brothers.
Please note that we have shared your contact information with PCI strictly for the purposes of this project. Please be assured that your information has not and will not be sold or used for outside marketing purposes.
WILL I HAVE TO PAY OR DONATE TO BE INCLUDED?
The short answer is no!
This project is being done at no cost to Alpha Phi Omega alumni. The funding will come from those who choose to purchase the complete book that will be produced at the end of this project. Once the project and book are complete, various purchase options will be available, as well as other APO branded merchandise such as a shirt or hat. You are welcome to purchase these items, but it is not required to participate.
We want to thank each and every brother who chooses to participate in this project so we can all relive our favorite memories from Alpha Phi Omega.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Alumni will receive emails and postcard communications from PCI with instructions on how to participate. We would love it if you would share your stories with us, send in a photo and take part in this remarkable project to honor and showcase the voices of our alumni!
The PCI team will collect stories through November 10, 2023. After that, PCI will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book ready for distribution by the spring of 2024. We look forward to hearing your stories of Leadership, Friendship and Service!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS
I RECEIVED AN EMAIL/POSTCARD/PHONE CALL FROM A COMPANY ASKING FOR MY PERSONAL INFORMATION AND A STORY ABOUT ALPHA PHI OMEGA. TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Alpha Phi Omega. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Alpha Phi Omega and how the organization helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.
DOES ALPHA PHI OMEGA BENEFIT FROM THIS AT ALL?
Yes, in a few different ways:
- Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage members
- Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our organization
- Recruitment – summaries of stories will be used in recruitment tools that will assist chapters in growing their membership
- Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our organization
HOW DO I KNOW MY INFORMATION WILL ONLY BE USED FOR ORAL HISTORY PROJECT PURPOSES
PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.
I WOULD LIKE TO VERIFY OR UPDATE MY INFORMATION AND SHARE A STORY. HOW MAY I DO THIS?
- If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your experiences in Alpha Phi Omega. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip provided to Alpha Phi Omega at the conclusion of the project.
- If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I AM DEAF/HARD OF HEARING?
If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email [email protected]. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.
CAN I CHOOSE WHAT INFORMATION PRINTS IN THE PUBLICATION?
The only information that is included in the publication is your name and your chapter, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your member record for the organization. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before November 10, 2023 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / [email protected].
I UPDATED MY INFORMATION BUT NEED SOME MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT EXPERIENCE TO SHARE.
You can call back at any time before November 10, 2023 to share your story.
I SHARED A STORY AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID I COULD SEND A PHOTO. HOW DO I DO THIS?
You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.
If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).
CAN ANYONE PURCHASE A BOOK?
The Alpha Phi Omega Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Alpha Phi Omega members.
I ORDERED A BOOK/PACKAGE OVER THE PHONE AND WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY ORDER. HOW DO I DO THIS?
Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.