On Hazing

Prevention is better than cure as doctors say.

The APO Executive Council and the Board of Directors back in DY 2007-2009, invested substantial resources to conduct APO Pledge Program (APP) seminars in all of the local Administrative Regions with the creation of a task force to educate members on the relatively new policy in accepting members in which hazing is no longer a part of. Investing in the publication and distribution of APP Manuals so that collegiate chapter will have at least two copies each, including the training of more over 300 certified APP trainers all over the nation. This makes a 1:1 chapter to trainer ratio.

With the limited resources the organization have it was a successful campaign. It has always been said that traditional ways of pledgeship cannot be eradicated overnight, however there was an increase in the number of chapters that complied with APP. Though the APP process was new, peculiar and a challenge for most, there are chapters that instead of complaining the inapplicability of some parts of the program, they resort to creative ways that played a huge role in adopting the polices while keeping APO traditions that was shared by all, whatever modification that was made, the bottom line is, hazing should no longer be part of it.

With the success of the APP campaigns the programs of the incumbent collegiate officers are more focused on recruitment. Initial steps have already been taken, from recruitment videos to other marketing tools that would significantly help collegiate chapters in acquiring applicants to join.

However, reality strikes that majority of collegiate chapters are only informed about the Anti-hazing Law and the APP but are not implementing or at least tried to. A sad truth, the supposedly growth of APO hit major a setback when a death due hazing was widely publicized.

Moving forward to establish recruitment programs is a must, but APP information campaign should be backed up with APP implementation, policing ranks from alumni members to the newest chapter members. The recruitment program would heavily rely upon the ability of the local chapter to comply with the Anti-hazing law and deliver the

promises of the recruitment paraphernalia to the prospects.

APO is in a very significant position, with high ranking members in the roster, partnerships with other notable service organization, and learning from past mistakes will indeed secure the future of a continuous flow of new members.

In pursuance of the massive recruitment campaign, the prevention of hazing activities will be the primary concern. The recruitment tools that will be available for chapters will explicitly indicate that upon the hint of hazing activity, applicants are discouraged to continue the pledge process.

APP help desks are to be established to help chapters customize the pledge program that would fit its current situation and comply to with the resources available, alumni concerns, and most of all the laws of the republic.

The goals of multiplying the number of collegiate members may be more of a challenge with this approach, however, it is a bitter pill to take in order to save the organization from future untoward incidences.

Click here for more info on R.A. 8049 or Anti-hazing Law