February 2022
Dear O∆K Member:
At the January 26, 2022, meeting of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, our organization’s leadership reflected upon the progress made toward completing the goals and objectives set out in the new strategic plan. I am pleased to share that we have been able to achieve quite a bit within the first several months of the plan’s implementation.
In support of Goal One: Provide an excellent, relevant campus member and circle experience, the National Headquarters team sponsored a Circle Advisor Training Workshop in early January. This program provided new and experienced advisors with information and resources on strengthening circles, best recruiting new members, and securing support from institutional administrations. More than 30 advisors from around the country participated in this program.
Our dedicated volunteers and staff have also been working on Goal Two: Build a more diverse and inclusive organization. The Society’s Key Fund continues to grow, providing scholarships and the gift of membership for students from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. Five students have already received the gift of membership this year.
Much progress has also been made with Goal Three: Champion, recognize, and celebrate collaborative and inclusive leadership. To increase the recognition of our members, the Society acquired a system called Merit. This platform facilitates the distribution of hometown news releases celebrating new initiates, scholarship recipients, and award winners. Since the system was implemented, more than 1,500 individuals have been recognized for their achievements and membership in O∆K.
You may review the plan tracking scorecard here. It will be updated again at the conclusion of the third quarter (March 31, 2022).
Please enjoy reading about additional Omicron Delta Kappa updates below.
Comprehensive Campaign and Endowment Update
The Campaign for Our Second Century officially went public earlier this fiscal year. I am pleased to share that there has been a good response from several members who wanted to participate. With the support of our members, the campaign total has reached $4.9 million toward the $5.6 million goal, and the endowment has grown to $2.81 million.
The campaign will conclude on June 30, 2023, but we hope to exceed the goal well before then. Naming opportunities for scholarships and headquarters facility are still available. If you would like to contribute, or if you have included O∆K in your estate plans, don’t hesitate to contact President/CEO Tara Singer at tara@odk.org or (540) 458-5340.
National Day of Service and National Day of Giving
The annual National Day of Service is scheduled for April 14. The 2022 National Day of Giving will be held on May 6. I hope you will join us in working toward achieving our $30,000 goal for this year. Your outright and unrestricted support helps our organization continue to thrive – even as the pandemic has negatively impacted the Society’s initiation numbers.
National Leadership Conference
With a theme of “Leading Right Out of the Gate,” the 2022 National Leadership Conference will take place June 2-5, 2022, on the campus of the University of Kentucky. We are pleased to announce this year’s group of inspiring keynote speakers:
- Steve Rohr, M.A. (Concordia College, 1991) – Hollywood publicist, media expert, author, and educator
- Everett McCorvey, Ph.D. (University of Alabama, 1981) – tenor soloist, conductor, and professor of voice
- Sydnee McElroy, M.D. (Marshall University, 2003) – physician, assistant professor at Marshall University, and co-host of the podcasts Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine and Still Buffering
Please consider joining us by registering at odk2022.org.
New Circles
High Point University held its chartering ceremony on October 24, 2021. The HPU Circle is the 425th to be established in the Society’s history. Lamar University will be holding its chartering ceremony on March 3, 2022.
The Circle
The 2021 annual report issue of The Circle is out. This issue contains the profiles of all of this year’s scholarship and award winners, along with the honor roll of donors. You may read it online here.
Looking Forward
Being the Board Chair of an organization sharing the names of two variants has been a little surreal. I understand that there is a Kappa variant, but it hasn’t become an issue yet. Let’s hope that it doesn’t. If nothing else, the letters O∆K will continue to trend upward on Google searches!
This year marks the third spring term facing challenges related to COVID-19. However, let me assure you that our Society will continue to move forward. Thank you for your ongoing interest in Omicron Delta Kappa, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You may reach me at boardchair@odk.org.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022!
Sincerely,
WB
Willie L. Banks, Jr., Ph.D. (University of Georgia, 2002)
Chair, Board of Trustees
Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
