Is there any connection between alpha sigma phi uSA and alpha sigma phi Philippines?

Answer 1

In 1984, Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. entered in to a "Heads of Agreement" outlining a relationship between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and an organization in the Philippines that had assumed our name, Alpha Sigma Phi of the Republic of the Philippines.

This agreement outlined various mechanisms by which each group would share information, assist in the solving of mutual problems, and established the "International Council of Alpha Sigma Phi".

The purpose of this relationship, at the time of its inception, was to foster a sense of international brotherhood between the two organizations. Beyond the sharing of open publications such as the Tomahawk, chapter operations manuals and the like, very little contact between the two organizations has developed, and the International Council of Alpha Sigma Phi has never been

formalized and has never conducted business.

In pre-internet days, this relationship was harmless enough, but brought no tangible benefit to Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Today, this relationship has become a liability. In 2008, Delegates at the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. Grand Chapter were presented with facts:

1. In the fall of 2007, videos of extreme hazing activities were posted on U-Tube under the heading of "Alpha Sigma Phi Omega Initiation", depicting initiation activities of groups located in the Philippines. While it is impossible to know how many perspective brothers saw this video and elected to pursue other fraternities, the potential damage is clear.

2. ΑΣΦ Philippines is a co-educational organization. According to our General Counsel, the relationship with this group could jeopardize our single sex status should that status be challenged in a U.S. court of law.

3. In 1984, the assets of our Fraternity and the Educational Foundation that supports us were small. Today, those assets exceed $12M. A significant target for anyone in the Philippines desiring to sue our organization for damages in a foreign court. While their chances for success are likely small, we would never the less be obliged to defend ourselves and thereby expend resources better spent in pursuit of our vision and purpose.

4. Without robust efforts to protect our marks and symbols (our Greek letters, our Coat-of-Arms, etc.) these precious symbols that have defined our brotherhood for 165 plus years could be legally taken from us by others. A recent case between a national fraternity and its educational foundation wherein the foundation claimed rights to the fraternity's marks and symbols is a case in point. Our continued acceptance of the use of these marks and symbols by the ΑΣΦ Philippines group weakens our hold on these assets.

Given these facts, it was the recommendation of the Grand Council that the 2008 Grand Chapter nullify the 1984 Heads of Agreement between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines, that the national staff be directed to inform Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines of this nullification and that Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines be directed to cease use of our marks and symbols in accordance with U.S. trademark law.

Grand Chapter Delegates approved the motion to dissolve the 1984 Heads of Agreement between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. of the United States and Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the Republic of the Philippines.

Answer 2

No. They are not connected at all.

"However, the recommendation of the US Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity were that the 2008 Grand Chapter would nullify the 1984 Heads of Agreement between the two, that the national staff of the US chapter inform the Filipino chapter of this nullification and that it be directed to cease use of the group's marks and symbols in accordance with US trademark law.

The 2008 Grand Chapter Delegates approved the motion to dissolve the 1984 Heads of Agreement between the two [1]".

Thus, the ASP Ph members are not allowed to use the properties of ASP USA.

Reference:

Wikipedia. Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines: Relationship with Alpha Sigma Phi of the United States