By Charlotte Murphy, IU Corps Student Intern
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a co-ed international service fraternity at Indiana University founded on the principles of Scouting America, a youth program that provides character development and leadership training. APO is rooted in the cardinal principles of leadership, fellowship, and service. Put into action, this manifests as active and ongoing servant leadership development with a strong value placed on the friendships that develop in the process.
This year, the IU APO chapter is supporting food insecurity partners in Bloomington. In an interview, Karis Balmer, the Vice President of Semester Service Project for APO, shared that “the Rubber Duck Formal is a fundraising-based event aimed to support our partnering organizations centered around food insecurity. Our partners are Community Kitchen, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Crimson Cupboard, and Pantry 279.”
On November 15, IU community members can dress up in their best masquerade attire and support Alpha Phi Omega’s Annual Rubber Duck Formal. The formal has been an APO tradition since the 1980s and was brought back in 2023. This year, the formal will be held at The Mill, a local non-profit center in downtown Bloomington.
APO has a consistent variety of organizations that they volunteer at, support, and rotate through over time. To establish which organizations APO would be supporting this year, Karis had to work with her chapter.
“When I began my position, I did a deep dive into what I thought were important dimensions of wellness. I wanted to make sure we didn’t repeat anything we’ve done in the past and I wanted something that was different. Once I brought together my potential ideas, I poled our chapter and food insecurity was the top choice based off members’ interest.”
Anyone from the community is invited to attend the formal. At the event, there will be guest speakers from the community partners, free food, music, and good vibes. The theme is Masquerade Ball with a semi-formal/formal dress code.
“We are encouraging all community members to wear what makes them most confident and comfortable with the awareness that we will have a best-dressed competition,” Balmer said.
The ticket link can be found on Instagram (@apomu.duck) and tickets can be purchased through Venmo for $15. Tickets will be available through the month of October. If interested in joining APO, check out their beINvolved or email apomu1929@gmail.com.