Chi Rho Omicron

Infobox Fraternity
name = Chi Rho Omicron
letters = ΧΡΟ
crest =
motto = Mga Lalaking Kagalanggalang ("Respectful Young Gentlemen")
headquarters = Sacramento, CA
colors = Black and Blue
birthplace = California State University, Fresno
founded = 16 February, 1995
type = Social
emphasis = Cultural
address = 4049 Fawn Cir.
city = Sacramento
state = CA
country = USA
zip = 95823
scope = Regional
chapters = 7
colonies = 1
free_label = Nickname
free = XPO

Chi Rho Omicron (ΧΡΟ) is a Filipino American based brotherhood at the American university level. Chi Rho Omicron was founded on February 16, 1995 at California State University, Fresno, and currently has seven chapters. Chi Rho Omicron is dedicated to the enrichment, education, and service of the Filipino American community.

Mission

The purpose of Chi Rho Omicron shall be to promote the understanding, enrichment, and appreciation of the Filipino culture, history, and heritage through a brotherhood/family environment; to instill the desire for self-improvement, scholastic excellence, and the cultivation for civic responsibility.

History

Chi Rho Omicron (XPO) was founded on February 16, 1995 at California State University, Fresno by seven founding fathers. They sought an alternative to the existing Pilipino organizations on campus with a greater emphasis upon community service, post-graduation relations for alumni, and unity amongst the Filipino community. The fraternity is made up of Filipinos and non-filipinos in hopes of reducing regional, class, and language barriers.

One year later, on February 20, 1996, XPO expanded to San Francisco State University.

On May 18, 1998, XPO established itself on the California State University, Sacramento campus.

On June 28, 1999, the University of California, Davis (UCD) welcomed an XPO colony to its campus. On May 11, 2000, the colony became Zeta Chapter of XPO.

On June 2, 2000, XPO expanded to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

On March 24, 2006, XPO incorporated itself within the state of California

On September 1, 2007, XPO opened the doors to its first fraternity house on the UCD campus.

On May 11, 2008, San Diego State University welcomed an XPO colony to its campus.

Implementation of the Mission

Filipino culture, history, and heritage

The organization has been involved with [http://www.littlemanila.net the preservation of Little Manila historical sites] in Stockton, California, [http://www.manilatown.org the reconstruction of the International Hotel] in San Francisco, California, and the fight for [http://www.nafve.org full equity for Filipino World War II veterans] . The organization is also involved in youth empowerment at events like the annual Filipino American Youth Leadership Conference (FAYLC) and the annual Pilipino Youth Coalition (PYC) Retreat. The fraternity also takes part in different theatre projects such as the [http://www.sftpaa.org Sinag-tala Filipino Theatre and Performing Arts Association] (SFTPAA) and [http://www.interact-theatre.org Interactive Asian Contemporary Theatre] (InterACT), promoting their mission through other forms of performance art.

Each chapter holds at least two cultural events each year. The events have covered a plethora of topics, including Filipino fighting arts, Asian Americans in mainstream media, supernaturalism, sikolohiyang Pilipino (Philippine psychology), Filipinos in jazz, harana (Filipino courting customs), pre-Hispanic Philippine civilizations, and Philippine ingenuity.

Brothers of Chi Rho Omicron are encouraged to apply the organization's mission statement to their daily lives. Some of the results of their efforts include the recognition of [http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/fb/yr07calendar.asp Filipino American History Month] in the California Public School system, public speaking engagements regarding the importance of educating people about Philippine and Pilipino American history, and speaking at a graduation and college recruitment event to urge students to always seek excellence, not just for themselves, but for their communities, both immediate and global.

Brotherhood

An annual retreat and annual formal provide the opportunity for brothers of Chi Rho Omicron from across the globe to see and reacquaint themselves with each other. National conferences also provide a venue for the fraternity to collaborate and discuss important issues, not only for the organization, but also for its individual members.

Each chapter hosts a minimum of two brotherhood events a year, inviting all brothers from all chapters to attend. These events are closed off to only the brothers. The event may be social, academic, or task-oriented, as the intention is for the brothers to share time and experiences together.

Members of Chi Rho Omicron extend their brotherhood outside of the university environment, through daily life and even familial events.

elf-improvement and Scholastic Excellence

Members of Chi Rho Omicron place a major emphasis upon self-improvement and scholastic excellence. Brothers are expected to be involved with the implementation of study hours, tutoring, and retention programs. Networking, interning, and volunteering are promoted throughout the brotherhood as well.

Alumni often remain active in the organization through overseeing the growth and development of newer members as well as providing them with advice. Brothers go into a variety of fields and are always seeking to excel in whatever field they choose, with the hope that they can also assist other brothers in reaching their goals as well.

Civic Responsibility

XPO became incorporated in California on March 24, 2006 and is currently seeking 501(c)(3) non-profit status. They are working to develop larger service events, like a national and international scholarship program, a Pilipino/Pilipino American museum and library, as well as major movements to aid in the recognition of the positive contributions of Pilipinos to the world. When conflict arose on the UC Davis campus, specifically the vandalism of some Filipino American organizations signs and the Philippine flag, the [http://www.californiaaggie.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=4a438128-3f29-4b42-99bd-6c3ca799b78a brotherhood represented the communities' views] .

Each chapter participates in or organizes a variety of community service events, which have included raising funds and material goods for Asian tsunami victims, Philippine landslide victims, 9/11 victims, and Hurricane Katrina victims. However, more than just funding, the brothers also have volunteered to phone bank for organizations like the Public Broadcasting Service or their campuses. Within their communities, the chapters take part in the organizing of various community events such as the different "Filipino Fiestas" across the nation, and different conferences, and seminars.

Epsilon chapter hosted a black-tie event to honor of Filipino American World War II veterans called, "Closing the Gap and Giving Back." The epsilon brothers each became an ading, or younger sibling, of a Sacramento-based Filipino World War II veteran. The evening included dinner, entertainment, a special oral history video featuring the sponsored veterans, and special recognition and awards for the veterans. The funds raised were used toward care packages and other essential living and estate expenses for the guests of honor.

Chapters

The brotherhood has grown to establish itself on seven campuses, including:

* Alpha Chapter - California State University, Fresno
* Beta Chapter - San Francisco State University
* Gamma Chapter - California State University, East Bay
* Delta Chapter - University of San Francisco
* Epsilon Chapter - California State University, Sacramento
* Zeta Chapter - University of California, Davis
* Eta Chapter - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
* Theta Colony - San Diego State UniversityWhile the fraternity philanthropy specifically delineates the promotion and understanding of the Pilipino culture, the brotherhood consists of individuals of all ethnicities.

Evaluation

Some believe that fraternities are too exclusive and that fraternities actually separate, rather than unite people. They point to the bonds of brotherhood as being like that of a clique that are too difficult to penetrate. [Ross, Jr., Lawrence C.: "The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities", xii]

Notes