Charlotte, N.C. (March 30, 2019) – Delegates representing the more than 300 circles of Omicron Delta Kappa (O∆K) gathered in Charlotte over the weekend to review and vote upon a new governance structure. The delegates voted to merge the two legal entities which coordinate the membership, programming, and philanthropic initiatives of the organization.
The announcement was made together by Matthew Clifford, O∆K’s national president, and Sally Albrecht, president of the O∆K Foundation. Clifford and Albrecht said, “We, along with the circle delegates and members of the current governing boards, believe this consolidation of the legal entities is in the best long-term interest of Omicron Delta Kappa. By establishing a single governing board to comprehensively address the fiduciary requirements for the entire organization, it will allow our volunteer leadership to more effectively and efficiently respond to opportunities and challenges facing our honor society.”
The new legal entity is named the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc. It will be governed by a board of trustees which includes three student representatives, three faculty/staff representatives, a national counsel, a national treasurer, a national conference chair, up to 18 at-large trustees, and the President/CEO. Current Executive Director, Tara Singer, will have the title of President/CEO. The head of the new governing body will be identified as board chair. The transition is effective as of July 1, 2019.
Andrew Brown, national student vice president, commented on the new governance structure’s inclusion of collegiate members on the board. He said, “Since our founding, student members have held leadership roles at the national organization of our Society. I am pleased that the new model provides for an open process for student members to run for the positions on the boards. My fellow students and I appreciate the recognition of the importance of the collegiate perspective in discussions regarding the future and direction of O∆K.”
Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, on Dec. 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level. The founders established the O∆K Idea—the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community. O∆K’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K’s ideals of scholarship, service, integrity, character, and fellowship on college and university campuses throughout North America. The headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
Contact
Tara Singer, executive director, Omicron Delta Kappa, (540) 458-5340, tara@odk.org
