Omicron Delta Kappa Welcomes You!

2012-2013 Executive Board:

ODK and the University at Albany Circle would like to extend its thanks in your interest to join our leadership organization. Through membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, you gain potential friendships with over 226,000 women and men whose peers recognize them as scholars and leaders; recognition by those around you who have been selected as the very top men and women at your college or university; recognition by leaders throughout the world; and the opportunity to continue lifetime service to your college with fellow ODK® members and alumni.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

As a member of OΔK you can take advantage of local, regional, and national opportunities offered by the society - including scholarships, grants, and leadership development training. Being a member of Omicron Delta Kappa is more than something you include on a resume or vitae. It is a commitment to leadership on and off the campus and an opportunity to improve your skills as a leader.

Activities and Programs
The National Leadership Summit and Convention provide opportunities for growth and learning at the national level.  Regional conferences offer those same growth and learning opportunities in alternate years.  At the local level Circle activities such as sponsoring forums and workshops, completing fund raising projects for charity, etc., provide the same benefits for members.

Mentorship Program
In 2011, the UAlbany Circle created a mentorship program for current faculty/staff members to serve as mentors to new student members. Click here for the mentorship application.

Awards
Numerous student and faculty/staff awards are given nationally and by region. 

Career Center
Through a partnership with Experience.com to produce www.odk.experience.com, OΔK offers members a unique portal for finding career and networking opportunities.

Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative
Circles can receive grants of up to $500 for specific programs to enhance leadership development on campus and in the community.

National Leadership Summit and Convention Benefit
Each Circle that has paid their Circle Affiliation Fees has one student delegate’s National Leadership Summit and Convention registration fee waived, as it is for all Faculty Secretary and Faculty Advisor attendees.  In addition, the student delegate’s transportation costs to and from the Summit and Convention will be reimbursed, subject to certain restrictions.

Networking
Through membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, students, faculty and staff members gain potential friendships with over 300,000 women and men whose peers recognize them as scholars and leaders.  Members can connect through our Facebook Fan Page, Twitter Profile, and LinkedIn group. Regional OΔK Alumni Clubs provide an opportunity to stay involved with the Society after graduation.

The OΔK Idea
In addition to recognizing five major phases of campus life (scholarship; athletics; campus/community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; creative and performing arts), a key feature of OΔK is that active participation of faculty and staff and their cooperation with student members is encouraged and expected.

Recognition
Membership conveys recognition by those who have been selected as the very top men and women at each school, as well as recognition by leaders throughout the world.  Circles are able to recognize outstanding alumni with either alumni or honoris causa memberships, too. Membership is recognized at commencement with an honor stole.

Service
Membership provides the opportunity to continue lifetime service to one’s school with fellow OΔK members and alumni.  Two student members serve on the Board of Directors of OΔK with national business and academic leaders.

Scholarships
Multiple scholarships are awarded by the OΔK Foundation each year to qualifying student members, plus one General Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award which includes a $4,000 scholarship.

Value
The lifetime membership fee also includes a beautiful membership certificate and pin, as well as a five-year subscription to The Circle.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

Membership in Omicron Delta Kappa is as much an obligation and responsibility in leadership as it is a mark of highest distinction and honor. Membership is awarded to undergraduate junior and senior students; to graduate students; to faculty, staff, administration and alumni; and to persons qualifying for membership "honoris causa." Student members must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students at the time of initiation, have at least a 3.25 GPA, and have exhibited proven leadership in campus and community activities.

The Society recognizes achievement in five areas:

• Scholarship
• Athletics
• Campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government
• Journalism, speech, and the mass media
• Creative and performing arts

An individual achieving distinction in his or her chosen profession or rendering outstanding service through leadership may be elected to honorary membership (honoris causa).

Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society. Hence, the purpose of Omicron Delta Kappa is threefold:

1. To recognize those who have exhibited a high standard of leadership and efficiency in collegiate activities;
2. To bring together student leaders from all sectors of collegiate life in order to help mold the sentiment of the university for questions of local and collegiate interest;
3. To bring together members of the faculty and the student body on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

If you believe that you have demonstrated achievement across the five categories, we strongly urge you to apply for membership. Achievement in all five areas referenced above is not required in order to apply. Please note that you will only be evaluated for post-high school accomplishments (this includes military service). Be sure to include dates with each accomplishment. The selection committee will review each application and notify candidates of their status in April.

Examples of what to include on the application for each category is as follows:

• Scholarship (Presidential Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, Departmental Academic Honors/Societies, Dean's List, number of semesters, Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant)
  

• Athletics (Varsity sports, Varsity captains, Team Awards, Intramural Directors/Captains, All American Designation, Club Sports)

• Campus/ Community Service, Social/Religious Activities, and Campus Government (Resident Assistant/Residential Life Staff, Members of Campus Organizations, Presidents/Founders of Campus Organizations, Student Association E-Board Member, Student Judiciary Board Member, Five Quad Member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Community EMS Member, Greek officer, Greek members)

• Journalism, Speech and the Mass Media (WCDB General Manager, ASP contributor, Photo Service Director, WCDB Radio Member, ATV Member)

• Creative and Performing Arts (Angelic Voices of Praise Member, Orchestra or Band Member, Earth Tones, Serendipity, University Choir Pep Band Member, Knemesis, Performers in theatrical productions)

If you are selected, there is a one-time membership fee of $80, which must be submitted before you are inducted. This fee helps support ODK® on our campus and national level. The induction ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the end of Homecoming Weekend in Fall 2013. Families and friends are welcome to attend and witness your initiation to the University at Albany’s Chapter of ODK®.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Beth Conrad, UAlbany’s ODK® Faculty Secretary, by email at odk@albany.edu. In the meantime, if you wish to learn more about Omicron Delta Kappa, please visit the National website at www.odk.org.

To be considered, please visit Omicron Delta Kappa on MyInvolvement.org and submit the application form by 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (Application is under the Forms tab)

*If you are not sure about applying or you simply have questions about the organization, there will be an informational/Q&A session in University Hall 110 from 4:30-5:00 PM on 3/13 to help you decide whether applying to ODK is the right choice for you.