In early 2018, National President Matthew W. Clifford and Foundation President Sally Albrecht charged a group of volunteers from the Omicron Delta Kappa Society Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees to explore the full leadership development and fundraising capacities of our organization. The Commission on Alternative Governance Models was charged with the tasks below:
- Examine the current governance structure of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society (the body of circles as represented at the national convention), the Society Board of Directors, and the Foundation Board of Trustees. Identify any redundancies and inefficiencies presented in the current model, as well as the strengths afforded by two governing boards.
- Research the elements required to appropriately govern the functions of the Society and Foundation.
- Explore alternative governance models, including merging into a single governing board with consideration of legal, financial, and strategic opportunities.
- Consider possible membership requirements in a revised board structure, titles of members and staff, term lengths and limits, and roles and responsibilities of a governing board as well as advisory boards and standing committees.
- Examine strategies to maintain the intentionally inter-generational nature of volunteer leadership within Omicron Delta Kappa.
At the conclusion of months of review and discussion, the commission made the recommendation that two legal entities (the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. and the Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Inc.) and their governing boards be merged to establish a single organization for the governance of Omicron Delta Kappa. The Society Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees voted on September 25, 2018, to proceed with this consolidation.
To proceed with the implementation of this proposed governance model, Omicron Delta Kappa will be holding a conclave in Charlotte, North Carolina from Friday, March 29 to Saturday, March 30, 2019. At the conclave, the delegates will be asked to vote on a resolution approving the new governance model including a new set of National Bylaws to replace the current National Constitution, Society Bylaws, and Foundation Bylaws. Pending approval by the delegates, Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Amended and Restated National Bylaws will be filed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. After that, the Foundation will legally merge into the single body to officially form the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
An explanation of the reasons for this proposed change in O∆K’s governance structure may be found here.
