Constitution and Bylaws

SECTION 1: Name

The name of this international organization shall be Order of Omega.

SECTION 2: Definition

Order of Omega is a Leadership Honor Society.

SECTION 1: Purpose

The purpose of Order of Omega shall be threefold:

First, to recognize those students who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-collegiate social fraternity(s) or sorority(s) , to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.

Second, to bring together the most representative collegiate social fraternity(s) or sorority(s) members, and to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate affairs.

Third, to bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution’s collegiate social fraternity(s) or sorority(s) on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and cooperation.

SECTION 1: Emblem

The emblem of Order of Omega shall be the Greek letter designating Omega.

SECTION 2: Colors

The colors of Order of Omega shall be ivory and gold.

SECTION 1: Definition

The membership of this Order shall be confined to members of collegial social fraternity(s) or sorority(s), except for honorary non-undergraduate members.

SECTION 2: Categories

There shall be three classes of members: first, student; second, honorary; and third, alumni.

Student members shall be those selected to membership as undergraduate students by a chapter and they shall be so designated during the remaining period of their undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and/or graduate enrollment.

Honorary members shall be those selected honoris causa by a chapter of Order of Omega. These members shall include faculty, staff, alumni and other community members who are not undergraduate students. 

Alumni members shall be all former student members after their graduation or the termination of their collegiate enrollment.

SECTION 3: Rights and Privileges

Membership in Order of Omega entitles the initiated to the rights and privileges of life membership. Only student members may vote and hold office in a local chapter.

SECTION 4: Transfer Members

Transfer members may affiliate or be eligible for selection to membership according to the following:

a.  Initiated transfer students shall be affiliated with an Order of Omega chapter at the campus which they transferred at the discretion of that chapter. It is recommended that the chapter verify Order of Omega membership with the International Headquarters.

b.  A student transferring from another institution shall be eligible for selection to membership in Order of Omega. Such transfer students are subject to the eligibility requirements as defined in Article Five.

SECTION 5: Other Transfer Eligibility

Chapters may select into membership a student who was initiated into a fraternity(s) or sorority(s) at another institution that is not represented at the campus to which they have transferred. It is recommended that verification of the affiliation be confirmed with the National Office of the collegiate social fraternity(s) or sorority(s). In the case of membership in a local Greek organization, the membership should be verified with the Greek Advisor at the student’s former institution.

SECTION 6: Loss of Fraternal Organization

Should a student’s fraternal organization close or lose official institution recognition the student may be eligible for membership or may maintain membership in Order of Omega as long as eligibility requirements of Article Five are met.

SECTION 7: Posthumous Membership

Requests for posthumous membership must be submitted to the International Headquarters for approval. Approval for such induction will be made by the Executive Officers.

SECTION 1: Qualifications

The qualifications for membership in Order of Omega shall be character, scholarship, service and leadership.

SECTION 2: Character

Exemplary character shall be the primary consideration for membership in Order of Omega.

SECTION 3: Requirements

To be eligible for membership in Order of Omega, a student shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. One full academic year of enrollment at the institution.
2. Be in good standing with the institution.
3. Be in good standing with the initiate’s fraternal organization.

SECTION 4: Criteria

The selection of student members shall consider the following areas of a candidate’s collegiate record:

1. Character
2. Scholarship
3. Greek Offices Held
4. Greek Participation
5. Service to the University
6. Service to the Local Community

SECTION 1: Selection

New members may be chosen either annually or semi-annually by each chapter, the manner and frequency of selections being subject to the provisions of the chapter’s bylaws. Honorary members may be selected as frequently as a chapter may desire.

SECTION 2: Maximum Number

The number of students initiated into membership in any one year may not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of enrolled full-time Greek undergraduates at the beginning of the academic year on the main campus, or twenty (20), whichever number is greater.

SECTION 3: Chapter Authority

The selection of student members under the provisions of this Constitution shall be left to the discretion of the individual collegiate chapter, subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the International Headquarters.

SECTION 4: Vote Requirement

A majority vote of initiated undergraduate members in attendance at the membership selection meeting shall confirm a candidate for membership.

SECTION 1: Definitions

1. The International Organization shall consist of all active collegiate chapters of Order of Omega, Board of Directors, Executive Director, Regional Chapter Directors, and Order of Omega Headquarters Staff.
2. Collegiate chapters are divided into Regions, the boundaries of which shall be designated by a vote of the Board of Directors.
3. Each chapter shall be entitled to one voting delegate in all decisions as required by the Constitution.

SECTION 2: Board of Directors

The Board of Directors serve as an advisory, policy-making, and fiduciary body for Order of Omega. The Board of Directors consists of Board officers, Board members and Student Board Members. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote.

a.  Board officers shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer.  All officers shall be honorary or alumni members of
Order of Omega. Other officers may be approved by the Board of Directors.
Board officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Board members in attendance at the annual meeting. Each term of office shall be four years and may be elected to consecutive terms.
b.   Board Directors shall be elected by majority vote of the Board members in attendance at the annual meeting. Each term of office for the directors shall be for three years and may be elected for consecutive terms.
c.   The Student Board Member shall be a current undergraduate member of Order of Omega. The Student Board Member shall serve a one-year term beginning at the annual meeting and concluding at the following annual meeting and is a voting member of the Board. Both outgoing and incoming Student Board Members shall be voting members at the annual meeting. The application and selection process shall be coordinated by the Executive Director.

SECTION 3: International Board Meetings

The Board of Directors shall have a joint meeting at least once a year. To constitute an official meeting, two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors must be in attendance. All of the organization’s members are eligible to attend the meeting.

The Board of Directors may meet more often to conduct business of the organization.

The Executive Director shall provide a report of activities at the annual meeting.

SECTION 4: Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the standard for conduction the meeting.

SECTION 5: Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director shall serve in an ex-officio capacity.

SECTION 6: Regional Chapter Directors

Regional Chapter Directors are appointed to advise chapters in their designated regions and submit a report annually. Regional Chapter Directors are non-voting members.

SECTION 7: Vacancies

Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by nominations from the Board of Directors and presented to the Board at the annual meeting.

SECTION 8: Removal

A member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a three-fourths (¾) vote of the Board members in attendance at the annual meeting.

SECTION 1: Initiation Fee

The one-time initiation fee and honorary member fee shall be set by the Board of Directors.
A two-thirds (⅔) vote is required to set the fee. The current fee amount shall be listed on
the initiation report form. The fee covers initiation, membership pin, and certificate.

SECTION 2: Local Dues
Each local chapter shall decide if it is to have local dues and how much they will be. Local dues should be minimal and not place a financial hardship on members.

SECTION 1: Local Powers

Each local unit of Order of Omega shall be called a chapter. A chapter operates under a charter from the International Headquarters. A chapter operates under a charter from the International Headquarters. A chapter must be recognized/registered by their host institution. Each collegiate chapter shall have complete control of all matters of local concern under such restrictions as may be imposed by this Constitution. In no case shall such local power be exercised in a way contrary to the ideals and purposes of Order of Omega as set forth in the Constitution, Position Statements, and Ritual of the International Organization. In case a chapter is charged with disregarding any of the
conditions of its charter, the International Organization Board of Directors shall have power and full inquiry; and may, in its discretion, take those steps the Board of Directors deems necessary.

SECTION 2: Chapter Bylaws

All chapter bylaw revisions must be submitted to the International Headquarters.

SECTION 3: Chapter Governance

The officers of each collegiate chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and advisor. All officers shall be elected by the chapter in accordance with local bylaws. An officer shall be eligible for reelection or reappointment. A collegiate chapter may designate additional officers as deemed necessary. Chapter officers shall be installed in accordance with Order of Omega Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 4: Chapter Advisor

The advisor shall be nominated from among the faculty and staff of the institution.

The Board of Directors shall be empowered to pass, repeal, or modify bylaws relating to the mode of procedure with reference to initiation, installation, extension, general policy, and all other matters of similar character not expressly provided for in this Constitution. These restrictions shall not be construed as limiting in any way the actions of the Board of Directors in emergency cases.

Any amendment to this Constitution shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the combined votes of the Board of Directors and of the active chapters secured by mail vote within two months after its submission.

Revisions Approved by Board of Directors on July 9. 2022
Chapters Ratified on November 16, 2022

The Board of Directors shall have a joint meeting at least once a year. To constitute an official meeting, two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors must be in attendance. All of the organization’s members are eligible to attend the meeting.

The Board of Directors may meet more often to conduct business of the organization.

The Executive Director shall provide a report of activities at the annual meeting.

SECTION ONE: Initiation Fee

The one-time initiation fee and honorary member fee shall be set by the Board of Directors. A two-thirds (⅔) vote is required to set the fee. The current fee amount shall be listed on the initiation report form. The fee covers initiation, membership pin, and certificate.

SECTION TWO: Local Dues

Each local chapter shall decide if it is to have local dues and how much they will be. Local dues should be minimal and not place a financial hardship on members.

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the standard for conducting the meeting.

Any amendment to these Bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the combined votes of the Board of Directors and of the active chapters secured by mail vote within two months after its submission.

Revisions Approved by the Board of Directors on July 9, 2022
Chapters Ratified on November 16, 2022