Governing Committees

The standing Development Committee is comprised of at least seven members, each appointed by the Board Chair to serve for a term of one year. The Development Committee Chair is appointed by the Board Chair. Non-Trustees may serve on the committee, but the majority of the committee shall be composed of Trustees.

The Development Committee has two subcommittees which will be charged with establishing the following:

• An annual giving subcommittee which takes a leadership role in Trustee solicitation, recruiting a chair for the annual fund campaign, and assisting the committee chair in securing annual gifts at a leadership level, and
• A major gifts and planned giving subcommittee which focuses on assisting with the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift and planned giving prospects, and its work is coordinated with or folded in to any campaign the Society shall conduct.

The Development Committee also considers how the fundraising initiatives of the Society will support a diverse and inclusive membership and how the philanthropic dollars received will be disbursed in a fair and equitable manner.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee is comprised of up to 16 members including the National Diversity Officer who serves as chair. The National Diversity Officer is a member of the Board of Trustees. The other members of the committee are be appointed by the Board Chair to serve a term of three years. Non-Trustees may serve on the committee. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee  identifies activities and practices that support the recruitment, involvement, and engagement of a multicultural membership. The committee establishes and evaluates the benchmarks for diversity and inclusion found within Omicron Delta Kappa at all levels of the organization. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee also develops programmatic recommendations related to topics of leading in a diverse world and supporting leadership development in marginalized student populations.

The Finance Committee is comprised of at least five members including the National Treasurer who serves as chair. The other members of the committee are appointed by the Board Chair to serve for a term of one year. Non-Trustees may serve on the committee, but the majority of the committee shall be composed of Trustees.

The Finance Committee develops and recommends to the Board of Trustees those financial principles, plans, and courses of action that provide for mission accomplishment and organizational financial well-being. Consistent with this responsibility, it reviews the proposed annual budget and submit it to the Board for its approval. In addition, the committee makes recommendations with regard to the level and terms of indebtedness, cash management, risk management, financial monitoring and reports, employee benefit plans, signatory authority for expenditures, and other policies that the committee determines are advisable for effective financial management of the Society.

Specifically, the Finance Committee is charged with the following:

• Developing and monitoring the annual budget,
• Reviewing quarterly financial statements,
• Engaging and overseeing the Society’s auditor and receiving the auditor’s report,
• Ensuring that the Society has adequate risk protection for its Trustees and officers and comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, and
• Monitoring investment performance throughout the year and, if constituted, receiving advice from an investment subcommittee.

The Finance Committee also considers how the financial administration of the Society will support a diverse and inclusive membership and how the resources of the Society will be disbursed in a fair and equitable manner.

The Governance and Trusteeship Committee is comprised of of at least five members chaired by the Board Chair-Elect. The other members of the committee shall be appointed by the Board Chair to serve for a term of one year. Non-Trustees may serve on the committee, but the majority of the committee shall be composed of Trustees.

The Governance and Trusteeship Committee is charged with the following:

• Identifying, educating, cultivating, recruiting, nominating, orienting, mentoring, and evaluating members of the Board of Trustees,
• Recommending a policy statement on the role and responsibilities of Trustees,
• Annually recommending the strategic goals and objectives for the Society in consultation with the officers and other standing committees, and
• Regularly reviewing the Society’s then current articles of incorporation and bylaws.

The Governance and Trusteeship Committee also provides oversight on matters pertaining to governance issues and processes including long-range planning. The committee examines how the Board of Trustees is functioning, how Board of Trustees members communicate, and whether the Board of Trustees is fulfilling its responsibilities and living up to the objectives and aspirations set for itself and the organization. The Governance and Trusteeship Committee also considers how the trusteeship recruitment practices lead to the establishment of a diverse and inclusive board reflective of the membership in the Society. The Governance and Trusteeship Committee will also consider how the Society’s governing documents convey the organization’s commitment to social justice, fairness, and equity in all of its operations.

There shall be a Mission Committee of at least 10 voting members. The chair of the Mission Committee will be the Faculty and Staff Trustee serving in the individual’s second year on the Board. All faculty/staff, and student trustees will serve on the Mission Committee. One At-Large Trustee shall be appointed to serve. Two Non-Trustee student members and two additional Non-Trustees shall be appointed as voting members to serve on the committee. Ex-officio members of the committee shall a member of the Scholarship Review and Selection Committee, the National Awards Committee, and the Equal Access and Opportunity Committee. The Committee shall meet quarterly, prior to the Board of Trustees’ quarterly meeting. The Mission Committee is staffed by the Vice President for Membership and Operations.

The Mission Committee has three subcommittees.

• Membership – The membership subcommittee shall provide advice and insight for the recruitment, selection, and retention of members in accordance with the Society’s eligibility standards and values. Responsibilities include reviewing application procedures, advising on membership management systems, and fostering a welcoming environment that reflects the Society’s mission.
• Circle Operations – Supports the effective functioning of circles by providing guidance on governance, compliance, and administrative best practices. Responsibilities include monitoring chapter health, assisting with officer transitions, ensuring adherence to bylaws and organizational policies, and serving as a resource for circle leadership.
• Programs – Develops and coordinates initiatives that advance the ODK mission through meaningful member engagement. Responsibilities include advising and assisting in planning educational, professional development, and service-oriented programs, evaluating program effectiveness, and identifying opportunities that align with the organization’s goals and member interests.