Starting a new chapter is an exciting process! This section outlines the steps needed to establish an Alpha Psi Omega (ΑΨΩ) / Delta Psi Omega (ΔΨΩ) chapter at your institution.
Choose a full-time faculty member from the Department of Theatre or Speech to serve as the chapter advisor. If your institution’s theatre and production activities fall under another discipline, a faculty member from that area may also serve as the sponsor. This advisor will be the primary point of contact for all chapter correspondence unless they designate someone else.
Once the advisor is selected, they should complete the Chapter Formation Form available on our website. After submission, our Membership Coordinator will create an institutional account in our system and send an activation email. The advisor will also receive a copy of the National Constitution, which serves as a guide for developing local bylaws and inducting new members.
If the selected advisor is not already a member of Alpha Psi Omega / Delta Psi Omega, the National Office can award them honorary membership, allowing them to induct new members and elect chapter officers. Honorary membership is awarded at no cost.
The theatre staff and/or advisor will help identify new candidates for membership. APO/DPO strongly recommends using a point system to track candidates' eligibility, with criteria that align with your chapter’s goals and activities. A sample point system is outlined in the National Constitution and can be adjusted to meet your chapter’s specific needs.
The chapter advisor will enter the charter members’ basic contact information into the membership platform and provide details about the planned induction ceremony. Each candidate will confirm their interest in joining APO/DPO through the platform, at which point they will receive activation emails. An invoice will be generated to collect dues—a one-time payment for each member—as well as a one-time chapter formation fee. Once dues are received, the National Office will provide the advisor with a charter, a copy of the Induction and Officer Installation Ceremonies (explaining the initiation process), and membership cards, and certificates for each new inductee.
After dues are collected, plan and conduct an induction ceremony using the Ceremonies Book provided by the National Office.
Following the ceremony, chapter advisors can update members’ statuses from Inductee to Member in the membership platform and assign officer roles (each chapter must have at least a President, Vice President, and Business Officer).
Each chapter must develop a set of local bylaws outlining membership qualifications and other relevant guidelines. Use the National Constitution as a model, ensuring your bylaws align with APO/DPO's standards and goals. Most institutions require student organizations to submit their constitution and bylaws to the Office of Student Affairs.
Additionally, you will need to upload a copy of your local Constitution and Bylaws to your chapter files in the membership platform and submit updates as necessary.