Q: When was your sorority founded?
A: Sept. 1, 1994 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. We were officially incorporated by the state of North Carolina in November 1995.
Q: What are your sorority’s founding principles?
A: Our four founding principles are traditionalism, education, contemporary issues and honoring the Creator.
Q: What are your symbols?
A: Our colors are fire red, new grass green and maize yellow. Our mascot is the queen bee and our other symbols are the dogwood blossom, cedar tree and amethyst gem.
Q: What is your national philanthropy?
A: In 2010, the sorority chose National Indian Education Association as its permanent national philanthropy. Previous philanthropies include AISES, Planned Parenthood, Americans for Indian Opportunity and the Native American Rights Fund.
Q: What are the membership requirements?
A: Women interested in joining an undergraduate chapter must have at least a 2.5 GPA (or higher if required by the university), completed at least one full-time academic term towards an undergraduate degree and not be affiliated with another social sorority, including those organizations that belong to the National Pan-Hellenic Conference, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, the National Panhellenic Conference, National Multicultural Greek Council and National APIA Panhellenic Association. Membership in professional or honorary Greek-letter organizations, such as Phi Beta Kappa or Kappa Kappa Psi, is acceptable.
Q: My school does not offer bachelor’s degrees. Could I still start a chapter or join one at a nearby four-year school?
A: No. We do not conduct expansion processes at schools that only offer associate’s degrees, nor do we allow women who are not enrolled at a college that awards bachelor’s degrees to join undergraduate chapters.
Q: I already earned one bachelor's degree and am now working on a second one. May I join my campus' undergraduate chapter?
A: No. You are more than welcome to join a local professional chapter, though.
Q: Do I have to be a member of a federally recognized tribe to join?
A: No.
Q: I’m interested in joining, but will be graduating soon. What will happen to my membership then?
A: Once a sister, always a sister! We currently have professional chapters and provisional professional chapters in four states and the District of Columbia. Recent graduates are more than welcome to transfer their membership and stay involved with the sorority after finishing undergraduate school, either through a professional chapter or as a general member.
Q: I’m interested in joining, but am no longer in undergraduate school. Any way I could get involved?
A: Yes! Women who have completed a bachelor’s degree are welcome to join a professional chapter as long as they did not join a social sorority while in undergraduate school.
Q: How big are your chapters?
A: Most of our chapters have fewer than 10 members. However, many inactive sisters also participate in chapter-sponsored functions.
Q: Do any of your chapters have a housing requirement?
A: No.
Q: There’s not a chapter near me. Now what?
A: Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc., is always looking to expand to new universities and communities. Contact our Grand Expansion Director Ashley Morris for more information about starting a chapter.
