PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR SCOUTING MONTH 2017
Before Alpha Phi Omega was founded by Frank Reed Horton, he realized that the Scout Oath and Scout Law were what he had been seeking. The tolerance among Scouts from various faiths impressed Brother Horton as he witnessed how the Scouts worked together and worshiped in their respective ways. He was likewise inspired by a group of former Scouts who provided opportunities for leadership experience.
From the installation of APO in Lafayette College on December 16, 1925, Brother Horton expressed that APO will be an organization that will cooperate with youth movements, especially Scouting; help people in need everywhere and do service on the campus of each chapter. He envisioned that as scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations.
Our heritage drawn from Scouting clearly shows how Leadership, Friendship and Service became the strands of our being. As Alpha Phi Omega was organized in the Philippines on March 2, 1950, the Scouting spirit was at the core, the organizers being a group of Scouts from the Far Eastern University (FEU). It is worth noting that the first registration of Alpha Phi Omega Philippines with the Securities and Exchange Commission was on October 21, 1953. This makes us unique and an organization with a brand of Scouting. Nowhere in our tradition can we find the means of hurting our recruitsand using hazing as a way to welcome members in our organization.
We might have slowed down on our cooperation with youth movements, in particular with Scouting but we will never fail the legacy that was passed on to us. Let us “Converge the Strands of LFS, and Intensify the APO Spirit.” Let us bond together in leadership, friendship and service and serve as Scouts, the Alpha Phi Omega spirit and look forward to our 100th years in 2025 alongside with the Scouting’s vision in preparing the youth to become agents of change in communities, guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
Let us revitalize our youth movement like what the Themes of our Method in Scouting is. The young people do their activities with the support of the adults. We as adults act as activity leaders, educators and group facilitators. Let us ensure that our youth members, our collegiate members do meaningful activities that promote the development of the individual Scout as well as our beloved Alpha Phi Omega, a national organization linked to the international community of Scouts and Alpha Phi Omega.
Let us chart our way to our 100 years as Scouts, members of Alpha Phi Omega, starting with the Growth and Stability theme of the Scouting movement until 2018. A Scout Salute to our brothers and sisters in Alpha Phi Omega, here in the Philippines and worldwide; we bring to heart making our nation stable and strong amidst the challenges. Therefore, as a duly registered organization with the Philippine Government, we are not taking part in any movement that may cause unnecessary tensions in the peace and governance of this country.
All RDs should touch base with the respective Scouting Councils in their areas of jurisdiction and identify areas of cooperation at least in terms of having all members undergo Rover Orientation, Vigil and Investiture Ceremony (ROVIC) and participate and/or serve in other scouting activities.
All officers from the National to the Section levels, elected and appointed, should undergo ROVIC and Basic Training Course (BTC). The APO Scouting Committee (ASCOM) will initiate the conduct of the BTC for the said officers while ROVIC may be carried out with respective local scouting councils in coordination with the ASCOM.
Making concrete our being Scouts, we are looking at elected and appointed officers to become at least Wood Badge Holders. As such, we are to adopt and support youth from Grades 11-12 as they are being prepared for college youth life.
A warm handshake to our fellow Scouts who will be participating in the 12th National Rover Moot in Camarines Sur, Philippines on 23-29 October 2017and in the 6TH ASEAN Scout Jamboree in Tagum City, Philippines on 27 November to 2
December 2017. APO Philippines is gearing up for its renewed institutional engagement with the Scouting Movement here in the country, at the regional and global scenes.
CONVERGE THE STRANDS OF LFS, INTENSIFY THE APO SPIRIT!
TOGETHER WE SERVE!!!
HAPPY SCOUTING MONTH!
BRO. ROEL “DABOY” E. FERNANDEZ
Alpha Gamma-2003-35044-Life
National President D.Y. 2017-2019
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