About the Circle
The National Circle is a circle (chapter) of Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK) that seeks to engage collegiate leaders at institutions where we have not yet established a campus-based circle. The National Circle is open to students, faculty, and staff who are not eligible to join Omicron Delta Kappa because they are currently enrolled or work at a college or university where there is no currently chartered and active circle. Check here to see if your campus has an OΔK circle.
Membership Requirements
Lifetime membership in Omicron Delta Kappa is granted to those individuals who have excelled in scholarship, leadership, and service. The National Circle seeks individuals who meet these qualities on campuses where there is no currently chartered OΔK circle.
Undergraduates must be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited four-year college or university. They must have a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework completed, with not less than 15 hours of coursework on the campus in which they are currently enrolled. Prospective undergraduate members must all have a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher grade point average (or its equivalent).
Graduate and professional students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited four-year college or university. They must have at least one semester of coursework completed on the campus at which they are currently enrolled. Prospective graduate student members must have a 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher graduate grade point average.
Faculty and staff of an institution are eligible for membership in the National Circle under the same conditions as stated in these policies and procedures for a campus circle. Faculty and staff members may be nominated by current members of the National Circle or individuals currently associated with the campus.
NOTE: National Circle membership is open only to individuals registered at institutions based in the United States, although membership is open to international students enrolled on US campuses.
Recommend someone for membership in the National Circle by completing this form.
Programs
The National Circle shall operate as closely to a campus circle as possible.
Officers
- The National Circle Advisory Council will select the circle coordinator and faculty advisor and shall be selected from among the members of the Society.
- The Circle Coordinator must be a member in good standing and vetted by the National Headquarters through the Volunteer Application process. The Circle Coordinator should be a current or former faculty/staff member at a four-year college or university. The Circle Coordinator shall have a term of three years that may be renewed once.
- The Faculty Advisor must be a member in good standing and vetted by the National Headquarters through the Volunteer Application process. The Faculty Advisor should be a current or former faculty/staff member at a four-year college or university. The Faculty Advisor shall have a term of three years that may be renewed once.
- A member of the National Headquarters staff will serve as the director and treasurer.
- The National Circle student president and student vice president will be chosen annually from among the circle’s collegiate members.
Meetings
- The National Circle will meet virtually no less than twice between July and December and January and June in accordance with OΔK minimum standards.
- The National Circle will participate in leadership and service programs as planned and approved by the circle leadership. These may include online leadership courses, webinars, and seminars.
- The National Circle will participate in the National Day of Service by conducting a digital or virtual service program.
- The National Circle shall be eligible to nominate an individual for Circle Leader of the Year honors.
Connections
- The National Circle will have its own channel on the OΔK Discord Server. We will encourage National Circle members to connect through the channel.
Honors and Awards
The National Circle aims to achieve Circle of Distinction status in its first year of operation.
Circle of Distinction
In addition to the Circle Minimum Standards, this award honors circles that have completed at least three of the following:
- Selected and submitted the nomination for a Circle Leader of the Year
- Sponsored a circle-driven signature virtual event
- Participated in the National Day of Service (or an equivalent service project)
- Applied for the Maurice A. Clay Leadership Initiative Grant
- Submitted a nomination for a national award (Hogle, Roark, etc.)
