Governance Structure
A minimum of organizational machinery has become an accepted tradition in Omicron Delta Kappa. The Society seeks the maximum of local autonomy and initiative. All regulations governing the Society are kept at a minimum sufficient to give the Omicron Delta Kappa key essentially the same significance everywhere. The Board of Directors urges Circles to concentrate their efforts on the distinctly major services and issues of their colleges and universities, and to engage in a select number of activities of the very highest quality. The National Officers and committee members exist primarily to serve the needs of the Circles and to assist them in maintaining reasonable similarity as active units of a strong and fully accredited National Leadership Honor Society. The national headquarters of the Society are located on the campus of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Circle
The basic unit of Omicron Delta Kappa is the collegiate Circle. Membership in the Society can come only through election and initiation by one of the collegiate Circles. Elections are normally held twice a year, in the fall or winter and the spring terms of the institution. The National Society consists of an association of all active collegiate and alumni Circles of the Society. At the present time there are Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa at 313 institutions of higher learning.
The Faculty Secretary of the Circle
The importance of the Faculty Secretary’s work cannot be overemphasized. Student officers of Circles usually serve for a year, while by tradition and the need for organizational continuity and the safekeeping of Circle records, the Faculty Secretary usually serves several terms. The Faculty Secretary’s compensation lies in the knowledge and satisfaction that the high standards, the honor and distinction, and the continuing influences and service of ΟΔΚ in college life are, in no small measure, results of his/her work and counsel year after year.
The Faculty Adviser of the Circle
The Circle officers are urged to become thoroughly conversant with the National Constitution and By-Laws of Omicron Delta Kappa and with other important information contained in this manual. By so doing the work of the Society at the local and national levels will be more effective. The Faculty Adviser serves an important role as supporter of Circle initiatives and liaisons between the Circle and the institution's faculty/administration.
Regions and Regional Directors
The Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa are grouped into geographic areas known as Regions over which three Directors serve in advisory and administrative positions. Regional Conferences, which are educational, consultative, and advisory in purpose and function - not legislative - are held in the interim between National Conventions under the direction of the Regional Directors.
By action of the 2006 National Convention, a provision was made that at least one of the three Regional Directors in each Region be chosen from among the students in that Region and at least one of the three be a non-student (faculty, staff or alum) at the time of the election.
The National Leadership Summit and Convention
The general legislative body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the National Convention, which is held biennially. It is formed by the members of the Board of Directors, the Regional Directors, and one official delegate or alternate from each collegiate Circle and Alumni Club. National Conventions provide varied opportunities and privileges for intercollegiate and general contacts and fellowship for the beneficial exchange of ideas and experiences; for discussion of mutual interests, and for sharing in the determination of policies and emphases of the Society.
The Board of Directors
The permanent executive body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the Board of Directors. It meets twice a year and, if necessary, at other times in special session. It is comprised of the National President; National Vice President for Circle Standards; National Vice President for Extension; and National Student Vice President, elected by the National Convention. The National Treasurer and National Counsel are appointed by the Board of Directors. The two Student members are elected from among the student members of the Council of Regional Directors. The Chair of the Council of Regional Directors and the Immediate Past National President also serve on the Board of Directors.
Under emergency conditions the Board of Directors serves as the ad interim legislative body as provided for in the National Constitution.
OΔK Foundation, Inc.
The Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Inc., was chartered in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation to administer the professional and philanthropic activities of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. The Foundation is governed by an unsalaried Board of Trustees who include national officers of the Society, thus assuring the Foundation’s continued identification with the purposes and programs of Omicron Delta Kappa.
The Circle
The basic unit of Omicron Delta Kappa is the collegiate Circle. Membership in the Society can come only through election and initiation by one of the collegiate Circles. Elections are normally held twice a year, in the fall or winter and the spring terms of the institution. The National Society consists of an association of all active collegiate and alumni Circles of the Society. At the present time there are Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa at 313 institutions of higher learning.
The Faculty Secretary of the Circle
The importance of the Faculty Secretary’s work cannot be overemphasized. Student officers of Circles usually serve for a year, while by tradition and the need for organizational continuity and the safekeeping of Circle records, the Faculty Secretary usually serves several terms. The Faculty Secretary’s compensation lies in the knowledge and satisfaction that the high standards, the honor and distinction, and the continuing influences and service of ΟΔΚ in college life are, in no small measure, results of his/her work and counsel year after year.
The Faculty Adviser of the Circle
The Circle officers are urged to become thoroughly conversant with the National Constitution and By-Laws of Omicron Delta Kappa and with other important information contained in this manual. By so doing the work of the Society at the local and national levels will be more effective. The Faculty Adviser serves an important role as supporter of Circle initiatives and liaisons between the Circle and the institution's faculty/administration.
The Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa are grouped into geographic areas known as Regions over which three Directors serve in advisory and administrative positions. Regional Conferences, which are educational, consultative, and advisory in purpose and function - not legislative - are held in the interim between National Conventions under the direction of the Regional Directors.
By action of the 2006 National Convention, a provision was made that at least one of the three Regional Directors in each Region be chosen from among the students in that Region and at least one of the three be a non-student (faculty, staff or alum) at the time of the election.
The National Leadership Summit and Convention
The general legislative body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the National Convention, which is held biennially. It is formed by the members of the Board of Directors, the Regional Directors, and one official delegate or alternate from each collegiate Circle and Alumni Club. National Conventions provide varied opportunities and privileges for intercollegiate and general contacts and fellowship for the beneficial exchange of ideas and experiences; for discussion of mutual interests, and for sharing in the determination of policies and emphases of the Society.
The Board of Directors
The permanent executive body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the Board of Directors. It meets twice a year and, if necessary, at other times in special session. It is comprised of the National President; National Vice President for Circle Standards; National Vice President for Extension; and National Student Vice President, elected by the National Convention. The National Treasurer and National Counsel are appointed by the Board of Directors. The two Student members are elected from among the student members of the Council of Regional Directors. The Chair of the Council of Regional Directors and the Immediate Past National President also serve on the Board of Directors.
Under emergency conditions the Board of Directors serves as the ad interim legislative body as provided for in the National Constitution.
OΔK Foundation, Inc.
The Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Inc., was chartered in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation to administer the professional and philanthropic activities of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. The Foundation is governed by an unsalaried Board of Trustees who include national officers of the Society, thus assuring the Foundation’s continued identification with the purposes and programs of Omicron Delta Kappa.
