Circle Operations Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ODK assisgns a staff member to each circle. Click on the links below of maps of circle contacts:
By State.  By Circle.

Yes. There are no additional financial or informational requirements. The Society has programs and services for post-collegiate members where fees to participate may be necessary (e.g. convention or career services) but these are voluntary.

The only path to membership in OΔK is through an active circle on a college or university campus. OΔK does not maintain alumni circles, national circles, or national initiation of any kind.

There is no need to transfer membership.  You will always be considered a member of the original O∆K circle into which you were initiated.  Your O∆K membership is recognized by every circle nationwide.  A student member transferring in good standing to another institution in which a circle is located may hold voting membership, at the discretion of the circle, during the period in which he or she is enrolled.

The officers and members of the local circle manage the selection process. The Omicron Delta Kappa Policies and Procedures Manual explains the national standards for membership. Membership is determined by the circle as long as the selection meets the national bylaws (Jr/Sr, Grad, Faculty, Alumni, and top 35% of class).

Yes. All individuals who will be inducted into the society must complete the National Membership Application and agree to the terms and conditions of the Society.   A circle may choose to use this as the primary application or as a final step after they are selected by the circle for membership. The data gathered through the national membership application is crucial and needed to generate charters, membership certificates and serves as the beginning of the members’ permanent record with Omicron Delta Kappa.

The bylaws specify that students must be in the top 35% of the class.  OΔK does allow institutions to determine how that 35% is calculated as long as the circle and the institution state transparently in the circle governing documents how the percentage is calculated.

Yes. The OΔK Policies and Procedures Manual explains the restrictions and requirements of circle  membership.

Co-ops and students studying abroad are eligible so long as they meet all other enrollment criteria are considered enrolled students, so they are eligible.  Many times with co-ops and study abroad students the problem is getting back to campus for the ceremony.  They may apply and be accepted along with the rest of the class in that term.  Circles are permitted to include remote initiates via Zoom or other platforms as long as the circle ensures the initiate receives their emblems. If they cannot attend the ceremony that term, they may be initiated later at a “desk ceremony” or a ceremony when they are back on campus.  So long as the students have not graduated before the initiation ceremony it is acceptable to initiate them at a later date.

Circles are prohibited from using the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc. Circles are independent entities from the national organization; therefore, they must apply for and hold a separate FIN for any financial processes.

The lifetime membership fee is the core financial stream for Omicron Delta Kappa. As a non-profit organization, we are member supported and member driven. The lifetime membership fee supports all operations of the association including member and circle services, career services platform (including internships and mentoring program), web content including developing the leadership matters web site, leadership program development, subsidizing workshops and conferences, and general operations. Unlike some other associations and honor societies, there are no national dues after the initiation.

 Local dues are completely up to the circle. The OΔK national organization does not require, set, or collect local dues. For circles that do not have direct financial support from the institution, we recommend some kind of dues for members each year. This allows the circle to hold programs, plan a reception at initiations, or provide awards for service [for example, some circles purchases senior cords for members who complete set service hours. The circle sets the local dues process completely. Some have a one-time fee. Other have small amount annually.

The national headquarters can not collect local dues for circles through the payment of the lifetime membership fees.  If a circle charges local dues, those must be collected locally.  

Every circle, being an affiliated member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, will pay an annual Institutional Membership Fee that supports the admnistration of the national organization. The Board of Trustees determines the amount of the fee that is due each year that is due by December 3 each year.  For circles that only initiate in the spring term, we do allow an exception to pay the Institutional Membership Fee at the time of initiation.

Yes. According to the OΔK Policies and Procedures Manual, no member may receive the certificate and pin before the national lifetime dues are paid. For circles that pay the membership dues through a single invoice, we allow for payment of that invoice up to 30 days after the ceremony so long as the circle has completed the membership certificate order form at least ten (10) working days prior to the initiation ceremony.

There is no appeal for a rejected application. The decision to accept or reject an applicant is left solely to the discretion of the initiating circle.

The ritual is approved by the Board of Trustees and should be followed exactly as written.  The current initiation handbook provides alternative texts for the opening and closing portions of the program.  Circles that find specific language troublesome should contact the National Headquarters for advice on how to alter that specific portion of the ritual.

If an initiate cannot attend the initiation ceremony, circle leadership may offer a makeup option, often called a “desk ceremony.” This is a shortened initiation program, often held in an office; hence, the term “desk.” Circle leadership should reach out to their circle contact before conducting a desk ceremony. The circle should aim to have everyone attend the initiation ceremony and only utilize the desk ceremony when necessary. If an initiate misses both the initiation and the desk ceremony, circle leadership should notify their circle contact and make plans to return that certificate and pin. A desk ceremony should only be held for a few members. If there are more than 10, the circle should have a second ceremony.

To be a member, an initiate must recite the oath and pledge. The full ceremony with readings, speeches, and candles is not necessary for this circumstance. Reading the ritual and administering the oath and pledge are required. 

The data from the national membership application is stored in the Member Management System (MMS). Circle advisors can access the applications and download a spreadsheet of initiated members back to 2010.  Before 2010, you will need to contact the national headquarters to request a specific list.

All applicants for membership in OΔK are required to complete the National Membership Application. The data from the national membership application is stored in the Member Management System (MMS). Applications submitted will be maintained in MMS for one fiscal year. On or about July 1 of each year, all records that were not handled and are more than one calendar year in age will be removed from MMS and stored electronically in a separate file. All unhandled records are deleted after three years.