A Letter from the Vice President of Membership and Pledgemaster of Zeta Beta:

Dear Alpha Phi Omega Prospective,

My name is Ricky Soto and I am the Vice President of Membership. I pledged APO in Fall 2011 of my
sophomore year and was previously the Communications Secretary last school year. I am a fifth year
senior majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Professional Writing.
Id like to welcome you to the Spring 2015 Alpha Phi Omega, Zeta Beta rush! Since 1948, the Zeta Beta
chapter of Alpha Phi Omega has strived to develop individuals who exhibit strong leadership, promote
friendship and provide service to humanity. Our chapter reinforces those values as well as strives to
develop men and women that further freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual
heritage. Our rush allows you the opportunity to meet the brothers of our chapter, individuals who
share the same ideals of service as you, and get a small taste of what it is like to be part of our national
service fraternity. Ultimately, my goal is for you to witness how we as a brotherhood, exemplify the
principles of leadership, friendship and service, and how we distinguish ourselves from other
organizations on campus.
Best,
Ricky Soto
Phone: (973) 650-2143 Email: rsoto818@vt.edu
Hello there!
My name is Elise and I will be your pledgemaster for the Spring 2015 semester! I pledged as a freshman
in the spring of 2013 and have never looked back. I am a junior and was a pledgemaster assistant last
semester so I have plenty of experience and knowledge when it comes to the pledging process. I am so
excited that you have shown interest in our amazing fraternity by attending this rush event. Thank you
for taking the time to read this letter! Should you decided to take on Alpha Phi Omega and pledge, it will
be my pleasure and job to guide you through the pledging process and assist you to become a part of
our brotherhood. Pledging is absolutely a serious time commitment, but the rewards of becoming a
brother are limitless. Youll get to meet each and every brother one-on-one, participate in lots of service
events alongside brothers, and, of course, make amazing memories to last a lifetime! If you have any
questions, concerns, jokes, comments, stories, anything at all, feel free to contact me! I hope to meet
you very, very soon!
Cheers,
Elise Wiechart
Phone: (419) 812-3023 Email: elise12@vt.edu

About Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed, national, service fraternity for college students. Dedicated to fellowship,
leadership and most of all, community service, Alpha Phi Omega comprises of well over 360 active
chapters throughout the U.S. Alpha Phi Omega has also spread throughout the world, with a separate
organization in the republic of Philippines that has about 180 chapters.
Our chapter is a microcosm of our republic form of democracy, with leadership selected by the majority
of the membership. We allow every member the opportunity to lead and allow for increasing
responsibilities as experience and performance merit. Brothers are responsible for organizing, leading,
and ensuring the success of events in either service or fellowship as part of their leadership
requirement.
Alpha Phi Omega continues to strive to be recognized as the premier service-based leadership
development organization. As such, the brotherhood seeks highly dedicated, compassionate, and
enthusiastic pledges each semester. Anyone is welcome to Join Alpha Phi Omega. As a service fraternity,
Alpha Phi Omega welcomes all students who believe in the spirit of service regardless of sex, color,
religion, court o study or other fraternal affiliation. In this manner, the members of Alpha Phi Omega
seek to broaden their scope of service and friendship. Find out more about Alpha Phi Omega at our
national website, www.apo.org.
The Three Cardinal Principles of Alpha Phi Omega:
1) Leadership:
Alpha Phi Omega develops the leadership skills of its members. You have the opportunity to
serve as a chapter officer to plan and execute any number of service and social programs, as
well as have the chance to participate in a variety of leadership development programs
sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega.
2) Friendship:
Alpha Phi Omega is a fraternal organization. We believe participating in a wide variety of social
programs helps build a strong feeling of fellowship. Our social activities, which range from local
chapter parties to weekend gatherings involving members from many chapters, provide
opportunities to make lasting friendships.
3) Service:
In Alpha Phi Omega, you will be a member of the nations largest and most respected service
fraternity. Our projects serve young and old, campus and opportunity, the nation and our own
members. Each chapter decides its own service program, so members have the opportunity to
offer ideas for projects and to see them implemented.

About Zeta Beta

The year was 1934, and an interest in founding a chapter of APO was sparked on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic
Institute. Unfortunately, the country was firmly in grip of the Great Depression. The students were unable to afford the
finances required, and the attempt was abandoned.
During the following six years, Professor Marion Buford
Blair, the District Scout Commissioner and the Director of
Physical Education at V.P.I., kept interest alive. In 1940, he
sent a letter to the national office in order to express
interest in petitioning. By 1941, 25 men had already signed
applications, and the other seemed well on its way.
But once again our founding brothers met with misfortune
as the outbreak of WWII halted their efforts. Professor Blair
remained undaunted. In the Fall of 1947, he began working
with Richard Snedegar on the third (and ultimately
successful) attempt at founding our chapter. On January 20,
1948, Brother Snedegar sent letters out to the scouts on
campus, inviting them to a January 23 meeting with the purpose of forming a petitioning group. Once agreeing that
joining APO was a worthy cause, the founding brothers voted to select three honorary charter brothers. These were
Paul N. Derring, secretary of the YMCA, Mr. Joe Gutheridge, advisor to the civilian
students, and Dr. Walter S. Newman, President of Virginia Tech and a founder of FFA.
Future meetings of the petitioning group were schedule for Tuesday afternoons from
4:30 until 5:15.
On February 14, 1948, the petitioning group elected its first officers, with Richard
Snedegar as president. The following week, Brother Snedegar wrote a letter to Dr. R.E.
Bates, Director of Student Affairs, explaining the purpose of the fraternity and
requesting the endorsement fo the administration. On March 2, Dr. Bates replied, "I
believe that you have a real opportunity to contribute to the enrichment of student life
on the V.P.I. campus." He wrote that the student life committee had approved the
groups' request for endorsement.
It is obvious that Brother Snedegar attended the meeting, as he sent the application
for charter to the National office on February 25, 1948, before the official
announcement had been made. In March, Brother Snedegar graduated and Brother
Culpepper stood in as President of the petitioning group until the end of the quarter. At this time, new elections were
held, and he was officially elected president.
On April 5, 1948, the group received a brief telegram informing them that their chapter name was to be Zeta Beta.
National Secretary Sidney B. North congratulated them for their achievement of establishing the largest new chapter in
APO history.
Zeta Beta's installation ceremony was held on May 30, 1948 in the William Preston Hotel, and was presided over by
Frank D. Wood, APO's National Treasurer. During the banquet, Mr. Wood installed the Chapter's officers and presented
the charter. The eighty-two pledges and three honoraries of the petitioning group were initiated by four
representatives from our sponsor chapter, Alpha Iota from Ohio State University.

Rushing Requirements
Rush Requirements:

You must be at least a second semester freshman with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Attend the mandatory first rush event, and attend two out of the three remaining rush events
Attend 4 rush service events before Initial Interviews
Sign-up and attend Initial Interviews if invited to closed rush

Pledging Requirements
1. Complete at least 29 service hours by the end of the pledge period; including a minimum of 5
from your pledge class project.
2. Have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
3. Interview the active brothers, the advisors, your pledge brothers, and one honorary.
4. Wear a pledge pin and carry your pledge book as required by the brotherhood.
5. Attend one Executive Committee meeting during the pledge period.
6. Attend all pledge meetings, ceremonies, and joint meetings.
7. Pay pledge dues ($70) at the beginning of the pledge period and an activation fee ($50) after
initiation.
8. Adhere to the policies and bylaws of Alpha Phi Omega and the Zeta Beta Chapter.
9. Adhere to the code of conduct set forth by Virginia Tech, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Zeta Beta
Chapter.
10. Adhere to all the rules set forth by the brotherhood for the entirety of the pledging (8 weeks)
and neophyte (1 week) periods and successfully be voted into the fraternity as a brother.

Service Chart
This chart is for you to begin keeping track of your service hours prior to your Initial Interview.
Four rush events are required, and we provide many service events. You are welcomed to do
service other than the ones provided by Zeta Beta as well. If you have any questions or need
help finding projects, please contact the Vice President of Membership, Ricky Soto.
Date

Project

Number of Hours

Service Assistants

Pledges will serve as a member-at-large and assistance to one of the following committees as
per requirements:
Service Committee:
Help make project(s) assigned to you by the Vice President of Service
Make announcements of the service projects at the pledge meetings
Membership Committee:
Attend selected committee meetings
Help with the aid of rush and Initial Interviews for future semesters
Friendship Committee
Help chairs that need an extra hand, specifically intramurals and banquet
Make announcements regarding the friendship events at pledge meetings
Finance/Fundraising Chair
Shadow treasurer and learn the skills of the position
Assist in the present and future budgets and fundraising activities
Communications Committee
Help with weekly newsletter and the website
Assist inter-chapter relations
Historian Committee
Help Historian with the picture archives of our chapter
Assists and maintains chapter history
Rules Committee
Possess prior knowledge or experience with Roberts Rules or intend to learn
Become familiar with the Bylaws and Policies and input at committee meetings

Spring 2015 Pledging Calender

Event

Date and Time

Location

Zeta Beta Rush

Breaking Ice w/ LFS

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Surge 104 C
7:00 9:00 PM

Zeta Beta Rush

Zumba! with APO

Thursday, Jan. 29

Surge 104 C
7:00 8:30 PM

Zeta Beta Rush

Bowling, Billiards & Brotherhood

Tuesday, Feb. 3

BreakZone
7:00 8:00 PM

Zeta Beta Rush

Chocolate Fun-due
Wednesday, Feb. 4

Surge 104 C
7:00 8:30 PM

Rush Service Projects

Jan. 28 Feb. 4

Initial Interviews, Day 1

Sunday, Feb. 8 | 12:00 7:30 PM

McBryde 210

Initial Interviews, Day 2

Monday, Feb. 9 | 5:30 10:30 PM

McBryde 210

Bid Delivery

Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 5:30 9:00 PM

Ritual

Friday, Feb. 13 | 5:30 6:30 PM

War Memorial Chapel

Bookmaking

Sunday, Feb. 15 | 6:00 PM

Pamplin 32

Midquarters

Thursday, March 26 | 5:30 PM

Pamplin 31 & 32

Final Vote-In

Thursday, April 23 | 5:30 PM

Pamplin 31 & 32

Plaquemaking

Sunday, April 26 | 5:00 PM

Pamplin 32

Neophyte Week

April 27 May 1

Virginia Tech

Initiation

Saturday, May 2 | 1:30 2:30 PM

War Memorial Chapel

Contact Information

President Santiago Cisneros

Direct your questions about anything to Santi. He can answer your questions and point you to
other individuals who can help.
Phone: (703) 371-1187
E-mail: csanti8@vt.edu
Vice President of Service Kyndal Stakes
Kyndal is in charge of service projects and hours. Direct your questions to her for information
about projects and fulfilling service hour requirements.
Phone: (757) 322-0693
E-mail: kyndals1@vt.edu
Vice President of Membership Ricky Soto
Ricky has all your information regarding rushing, pledging, and becoming a brother of our
chapter. Send him any questions you have about the brotherhood, joining, events or
ceremonies.
Phone: (973) 650-2143
E-mail: rsoto818@vt.edu
Vice President of Friendship Hasibul Chowdhury
For information regarding brotherhood and fellowship events, direct your questions to Hasibul.
He will be able to inform you about the exciting and various fellowship events the brotherhood
holds.
Phone: (703) 625-0679
E-mail: kabob33@vt.edu
Pledgemaster Elise Wiechart
Elise is in charge of the pledging process. If you have any questions about the pledging process,
requirements, anything at all, please direct your questions to her. She will do her best to help
you understand the requirements and the pledging process as a whole.
Phone: (419) 812-3023
E-mail: elise12@vt.edu
Treasurer Emily Peck
Emily handles the finances of our chapter. Direct all questions regarding dues and finances as
well as fundraising to Emily.
Phone: (703) 597-3839
E-mail: emily12@vt.edu
Communications Secretary Caitlin Sweeney
Caitlin handles the listserv, website, intercommunications as well as interrelations of our
chapter. Direct all questions regarding communication to Caitlin.
Phone: (703) 618-4788
E-mail: caitlins@vt.edu

Contact Information

Historian Megan Burpo

Megan works on maintaining a record of our chapter as well as being in charge of our chapters
photos, composites, scrapbooks, and slideshows. For information about our chapters history,
direct all questions to her.
Phone: (571) 733-7075
E-mail: meganb93@vt.edu
Alumni Secretary Alex Manikas
Alex handles all alumni relations. From alumni tailgates to keeping in touch with what the
alumni of Zeta Beta are doing post-graduation. For questions regarding what it is like to be an
alumni of Zeta Beta, direct your questions to her.
Phone: (703) 861-6985
E-mail: alexm001@vt.edu
Sergeant-at-Arms Mary Pat Colandro
Mary Pats role as Sergeant-at-Arms is to make sure that the chapter is abiding by the Bylaws
and Polices set forth by our chapter and Alpha Phi Omega. Direct all questions regarding our
Bylaws and Policies to Mary Pat.
Phone: (703) 655-3474
E-mail: marypatc@vt.edu