Alpha Phi Omega Eta Epsilon

Everyone at Eta Epsilon is getting ready for the Tri-Sectional Conference that is hosted at Millikin University and the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel this weekend. The theme for the weekend is, “Be a Leader. Be a Friend. Be a Super Service Hero!” Today, the chapter received the shirts, as well as the gifts for brothers who attend the conference. Pictured at the right is “Super Stewie”, the conference chair’s Beagle wearing one of the awesome conference shirts. Tonight will be the 2nd “prep party”, where members will be getting things ready for this weekend. The chapter would like to give a big thank you to Courtney Primm for all her hard work this year putting together what is going to be a SUPER conference!

Eta Epsilon would like to welcome its new members.  They include:

Alan Akers
Samantha Gambaccini
Steven Martinez
Mike Mkrtschjan
Pat Nakamura
Charles Purnell
Brian Wussow

Their namesake is National Vice President and former Region 6 Director, Mark Stratton.  Mark was chosen by Eta Epsilon to be the namesake because he is a distinguished member of Alpha Phi Omega from our region who has done many great things.  He will also be the Keynote speaker at the Tri-Sectional Conference next month.

Today marks the first day of the Spring ‘07 Recruitment Week. Our members couldn’t be more excited! We have so many great things going on this semester that it truly is a great time to join the Eta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.

Christopher Durham, who has served our chapter as Treasurer twice, and is currently our Sergent at Arms said, “I love the idea of community service. It’s great to see prospectives and their willingness to help others in need, and who share the same passion for leadership and service. Plus, with the conference in April, it will be a great semester for them.”

The conference Chris speaks of is the section 47/50/51 conference, and this is the first time Eta Epsilon has ever hosted it. It will take place the weekend of April 13-15th and be split between the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel as well as the campus of Millikin University. Our members are very excited about this historic event. And our new members will get to experience everything Alpha Phi Omega is about so close to home.

If you’re interested in joining our chapter please check out our Recruitment page. Also, feel free to email our Vice President of Membership, Kyle Lincoln.

This weeks Brother of the Week is our chapter’s Tri-Sectional Conference Chair and a voting delegate at the 2006 National Convention, Courtney Primm.

Year in School: Senior
Major: BFA Theatre Directing and Management
Pledged: Spring 2006

L, F, or S? Which is your favorite and why?
Leadership!! I love that I get the chance to develop my own leadership with the ultimate goal always being service to others. It is great to be in a safe environment to try new things. Even when I screw up, I have a whole brotherhood to support me!

What has Alpha Phi Omega done for you?
Reminded me that I am more than a “theatre person”.

What do you plan to do after graduation with APO?
I would love to be a APO LEADS presenter!! That would rock!!

This weeks Brother of the Week is our chapter’s Tri-Sectional Conference Fund Raising Chair, Benjamen von Behren.

Year in School: Sophomore
Major: Business/Entrepreneurship
Pledged: Fall 2006

Why Did You Join Alpha Phi Omega?
I joined APO originally because I found out that it was based on the principles of boy scouts and also because a few of my good friends were also a part of it and suggested I join.

What is Your Favorite Project?
Going to Future’s Unlimited. They are an alternitive high school for Macon County that doesn’t have a caferteria. Often times the students do not get a lunch and only have vending machines to get food from. We served them lunch, and talked to them about college oppertunites and how to have a successful college career.

Leadership, Friendship, or Service? Which is Your Favorite?
Friendship is most important to me because with the support and loyalty of close friends I’ve found that anything is possible. Everything else seems to fall into place after that.

This weeks Brother of the Week is our chapter’s current President, who has also served our chapter as Vice President of Membership, and President before, Philip Koberlein.
Year in School: Senior
Major: Psychology/Communications
Pledged: Spring 2005

Why did you join?
I joined because I had a few friends that were in it, one really compelled me to join. I was looking to do things in the community and because of the service projects APO was doing, I thought it would be a good fit for me. I was also looking for a strong brotherhood, which I found in APO.

Favorite project you’ve been a part of?
Millikin’s Next Top Model. It was a project that I started and it combined my love for photography, fund raising, and service by collecting money for worthwhile causes. It was such a blast and great chance to meet people.

What do you plan to do after graduation with APO?
I hope to become part of section staff, where I end up living. I think it’s a great chance to put into use all the great things I learned/did as an active to help other chapters.

As the Alpha Phi Omega 2006 National Convention in Louisville, KY comes to a close many brothers are eager to bring back to there chapters all the exciting things they have learned. Courtney Primm and Kyle Lincoln who served as voting delegets represented our chapter on the legislataive floor. The first female president of national fraternity was elected, on the same day, 30 years after women were first allowed into the fraternity. Open membership, which is the effort to convert all male chapters to co-ed was a historic topic of legislation. Ben Von Behren, an active who was also at conference felt, “the workshops taught me many things, and the experience of being surrounded by 1,700 people all sharing a common bond and commitment to the same purpose was powerful and an I can apply it to my day-to-day life.” Below is a candidate photo of the voting delegates taking a break from an intense 2-day legislative session.

Eta Epsilon would also like to congratulate Eta at Northern Illinois University on being chosen to host the next Regional Conference. Also Mark Stratton on being elected Vice President, and Maggie Katz on being elected national president, both of whom were former Region 6 Directors.

More information on the national fraternity can be found at here.

Eta Epsilon welcomed friends, alumnus, advisors, and the Eta chapter from Northern Illinois University to the 2006 Winter Formal held at Millikin’s Student Program Entertainment Center (SPEC). Dinner was catered by Sodexho, and Sarah VanderZee, chapter Vice President of Fellowship, was in charge of the event.

Alpha Phi Omega designated the first week of November as “National Service Week” to unify Chapters with a national theme and to inspire expansion of chapter service programs. During this week every chapter is encouraged to carry out a new, high profile service project related to the program of emphasis and involving other chapters and the community. The National Service Week Theme for 2006 is “Building Safer Homes & Stronger Communities.” Eta Epsilon kicked off the week with a visit to a local alternative high school to serve lunch to students who typically do not get a hot lunch served to them. The week wrapped up with Random Acts of Kindness day where members helped to brighten the day of students, staff, and members of the community. Coupons and hugs were passed out to community members, local fast food restaurant workers received goodie bags, and university staff was rewarded for their hard work. Random Acts of Kindness Day was featured on the local evening news, the local newspaper and radio station.

Congratulations to the Fall 2006 Pledge Class. The new members listed below are a part of the Kate Farrell Westlake pledge class. Katie was chosen by the National Fraternity as the namesake because of her dedication to Alpha Phi Omega. She joined in 1975 at the University of Michigan, Gamma Pi Chapter. She now lives in the Chicago area and has worked with the Girl Scouts for 20 years. Congrats to the new members of APO! The Eta Epsilon chapter welcomes you into our family!!

Brittney McLaughlin
Benjamen von Behren
David Cluver
Jaclyn Smith
John Regner
Kortney Gretencord
Libby Mueller