Xi Alpha Pi
Encyclopedia
Xi Alpha Pi also known as "XAP" or "Xi's", is a multicultural-interest fraternity
based in Canada
. Founded at University of Toronto Scarborough
in 2008, the fraternity's existence is defined by its mission to build better men of society, or specifically, leaders of multiculturalism
and humanitarian concern, through the Four Pillars of "Unity, Sacrifice, Achievement, and Growth." The fraternity’s motto, "in brotherhood we sacrifice," depicts the fraternity’s aim to live as a collective
family, where members commit their lives to the duty of making sacrifices for their brothers and for all those who are helpless.
leading to ethnic/cultural isolations, discrimination
due to a lack of comprehension for differences, and urbanization's
rarity in altruistic behaviour
. The Founding Fathers envisioned to create a multicultural brotherhood of unified strength based on the values of altruism
, collectivism
, and sacrifice
, which would revolutionize the way present-day fraternities
are perceived.
In Canada
, with a significant visible minority
population, huge numbers of ethnic enclave
s, a lack of cultural fraternities
, and the dominating scene of cultural isolation on campus, the Founding Fathers regarded a new outlet to promote multicultural awareness and to aid different ethnic/cultural groups, a necessity. Combing all ideas from the Founding Fathers, the decision to create a brand new fraternity from scratch was eventually proposed and agreed upon. It was decided that they would construct a fraternity, of both modernity and traditions, unique in its own ideals and beliefs, inclusive of all cultural backgrounds, and without the weaknesses perceived in other fraternities. In addition, the fraternity would aim to strengthen qualities amongst its members so that they would become better men of society and contribute to building a better world. The Founding Fathers wanted to offer the world a meaningful organization that could challenge the negative stereotypes of fraternities with its eclectic mix of traditional Greek teachings, modern thought, and revolutionary concepts such as: a "zero membership fee" requirement and a strict anti-hazing policy. Through collaborative efforts, a new brotherhood was officially formed on 28 September 2008 under the name of Xi Alpha Pi. Each individual Greek letter is symbolic to an ideal of the fraternity, and the Greek letters as a whole represent the unified strengths and common purpose of the brotherhood. On 2 October 2008, the first official Xi Alpha Pi meeting was held and this was the historical moment where the fraternity began to operate as a new organization.
to local and global communities through members’ long-term dedication to philanthropy
and community service
. With a focus on multicultural philanthropy, the fraternity emphasizes on meaningful hands-on experiences and interactions with diverse cultural communities around the globe. Examples from 2009 and 2010 include: the organization of "Unleashed 101" charity concert at The Opera House
to raise funds for United Way Toronto
in support of community redevelopment
in the Greater Toronto Area
; the hosting of two blood donor clinics
on campus in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services
; sponsoring the "University of Toronto Annual Tri-Campus Stem Cell Challenge" to increase the ethnic diversity of the Canadian Stem Cell and Marrow Database in collaboration with OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network
; raising and donating funds for humanitarian aid
to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
, and sponsoring the education of children in poverty
overseas.
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general or social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in a culture or cultural identity....
based in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Founded at University of Toronto Scarborough
University of Toronto Scarborough
The University of Toronto Scarborough is a satellite campus of the University of Toronto. Based in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the campus is set upon suburban parkland in the residential neighbourhood of Highland Creek...
in 2008, the fraternity's existence is defined by its mission to build better men of society, or specifically, leaders of multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
and humanitarian concern, through the Four Pillars of "Unity, Sacrifice, Achievement, and Growth." The fraternity’s motto, "in brotherhood we sacrifice," depicts the fraternity’s aim to live as a collective
Collectivism
Collectivism is any philosophic, political, economic, mystical or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human in some collective group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. Collectivists usually focus on community, society, or nation...
family, where members commit their lives to the duty of making sacrifices for their brothers and for all those who are helpless.
Overview
Xi Alpha Pi was founded by six Founding Fathers in response to the issues of: passive multiculturalismMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
leading to ethnic/cultural isolations, discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
due to a lack of comprehension for differences, and urbanization's
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
rarity in altruistic behaviour
Altruism (ethics)
Altruism is an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary at the sacrifice of self interest. Auguste Comte's version of altruism calls for living for the sake of others...
. The Founding Fathers envisioned to create a multicultural brotherhood of unified strength based on the values of altruism
Altruism
Altruism is a concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and a core aspect of various religious traditions, though the concept of 'others' toward whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions. Altruism is the opposite of...
, collectivism
Collectivism
Collectivism is any philosophic, political, economic, mystical or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human in some collective group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. Collectivists usually focus on community, society, or nation...
, and sacrifice
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.While sacrifice often implies ritual killing, the term offering can be used for bloodless sacrifices of cereal food or artifacts...
, which would revolutionize the way present-day fraternities
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
are perceived.
Fraternity History
The birth of Xi Alpha Pi was initially inspired by the dramatic transition of historical fraternities to modern-day fraternities. Dissatisfied with what many fraternities in North America had turned into, their methods of operation, and the connotations that they reflected, the Founding Fathers considered starting a new one-of-a-kind fraternity in the country.In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, with a significant visible minority
Visible minority
A visible minority is a person who is visibly not one of the majority race in a given population.The term is used as a demographic category by Statistics Canada in connection with that country's Employment Equity policies. The qualifier "visible" is important in the Canadian context where...
population, huge numbers of ethnic enclave
Ethnic enclave
An ethnic enclave is an ethnic community which retains some cultural distinction from a larger, surrounding area, it may be a neighborhood, an area or an administrative division based on ethnic groups. Sometimes an entire city may have such a feel. Usually the enclave revolves around businesses...
s, a lack of cultural fraternities
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general or social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in a culture or cultural identity....
, and the dominating scene of cultural isolation on campus, the Founding Fathers regarded a new outlet to promote multicultural awareness and to aid different ethnic/cultural groups, a necessity. Combing all ideas from the Founding Fathers, the decision to create a brand new fraternity from scratch was eventually proposed and agreed upon. It was decided that they would construct a fraternity, of both modernity and traditions, unique in its own ideals and beliefs, inclusive of all cultural backgrounds, and without the weaknesses perceived in other fraternities. In addition, the fraternity would aim to strengthen qualities amongst its members so that they would become better men of society and contribute to building a better world. The Founding Fathers wanted to offer the world a meaningful organization that could challenge the negative stereotypes of fraternities with its eclectic mix of traditional Greek teachings, modern thought, and revolutionary concepts such as: a "zero membership fee" requirement and a strict anti-hazing policy. Through collaborative efforts, a new brotherhood was officially formed on 28 September 2008 under the name of Xi Alpha Pi. Each individual Greek letter is symbolic to an ideal of the fraternity, and the Greek letters as a whole represent the unified strengths and common purpose of the brotherhood. On 2 October 2008, the first official Xi Alpha Pi meeting was held and this was the historical moment where the fraternity began to operate as a new organization.
Mission Statement
"We, the Brothers of Xi Alpha Pi Fraternity, swear to uphold the values of Unity, Sacrifice, Achievement, and Growth, in order to become better men of society and to benefit the whole of humanity."Founding Objectives
In order to fulfill the ultimate purpose of Xi Alpha Pi, the objectives of the organization shall be:- To discover the truth about ourselves through the appreciation of our unique cultural heritage.
- To unite all cultures by promoting active multiculturalism and cultural awareness.
- To forge an eternal brotherhood of men dedicated to sacrifice for each other, overcome all struggles together, and to better ourselves.
- To persist for the highest academic potential and accomplish the greatest achievements in our lifetime.
- To aid all those who are helpless, suffering and voiceless with our individual and collective strengths.
- To develop strong skills of leadership, interpersonal and moral to be utilized in our undergraduate and postgraduate years.
- To inspire others through our actions of greatness.
Four Pillars
In carrying out the purpose of Xi Alpha Pi, the fraternity intends to personify the Four Pillars within the lives of the brotherhood. The Four Pillars are:- Unity – loyal to one another, collective as a brotherhood, and multicultural as a family.
- Sacrifice – devotion to the brotherhood and compassion towards humanity.
- Achievement – men of success, self-motivation, and persistence.
- Growth – self-improvement, the thirst for knowledge, and attainment of wisdom.
Xi Alpha Pi Today
Xi Alpha Pi has made numerous charitable contributionsCharity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
to local and global communities through members’ long-term dedication to philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
and community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
. With a focus on multicultural philanthropy, the fraternity emphasizes on meaningful hands-on experiences and interactions with diverse cultural communities around the globe. Examples from 2009 and 2010 include: the organization of "Unleashed 101" charity concert at The Opera House
The Opera House (Toronto)
The Opera House is a music venue in Toronto, Canada. It is one of the city's most historic performing venues, opening in 1909. It has also been a cinema and a live theatre venue. It is located at 735 Queen Street East, east of downtown in the Riverdale neighbourhood.-History:It opened in 1909 as a...
to raise funds for United Way Toronto
United Way of Canada
United Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada. United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the...
in support of community redevelopment
Community development
Community development is a broad term applied to the practices and academic disciplines of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens and professionals to improve various aspects of local communities....
in the Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
; the hosting of two blood donor clinics
Blood donation
A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions or made into medications by a process called fractionation....
on campus in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories of Canada, outside of Quebec, and oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network . A separate organization, Héma-Québec, operates in the province of Quebec...
; sponsoring the "University of Toronto Annual Tri-Campus Stem Cell Challenge" to increase the ethnic diversity of the Canadian Stem Cell and Marrow Database in collaboration with OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network
Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories of Canada, outside of Quebec, and oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network . A separate organization, Héma-Québec, operates in the province of Quebec...
; raising and donating funds for humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, and sponsoring the education of children in poverty
Child poverty
Child poverty refers to the phenomenon of children living in poverty. This applies to children that come from poor families or orphans being raised with limited, or in some cases absent, state resources. Children that fail to meet the minimum acceptable standard of life for the nation where that...
overseas.
External links
See also
- Fraternities and sororitiesFraternities and sororitiesFraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
- List of fraternities and sororities
- Fraternities and sororities in CanadaFraternities and sororities in CanadaThe expansion of Greek Letter Organizations into Canada was an important stage of the North American fraternity movement. In the nineteenth century, apart from the University of Toronto, very few Canadian universities had the same repute and secularity as their American counterparts...
- Greek life at University of Toronto