CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Constitution
Article
One: Name
Article
Two: Purpose
Article
Three: Emblem and Colors
Article
Four: Membership
Article
Five: Eligibility
Article
Six: Election of Members
Article
Seven: Organization
Article
Eight: Local Powers
Article
Nine: Suspension and Expulsion
Article
Ten: Bylaws
Article
Eleven: Amendments
Bylaws
Article
One: Meetings
Article
Two: List of Officers and Their Duties
Article
Three: Finances
Article
Four: Parliamentary Authority
Article
Five: Amendments
National Constitution
ARTICLE ONE
Name
SECTION 1:
The name of this organization shall be Order of Omega.
SECTION 2:
Order of Omega is a Leadership Honor Society.
SECTION 3:
Each local unit of Order of Omega shall be called a chapter.
SECTION 1:
The purpose of The Order of Omega shall be threefold:
First, to recognize those students who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-Greek activities, 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 fraternity and sorority members, and to create an organization which will help 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 fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and cooperation.
ARTICLE THREE
Emblem and Colors
SECTION 1:
The emblem of Order shall be the Greek letter designating Omega.
SECTION 2:
The colors of Order of Omega shall be ivory and gold.
The membership of this Order shall be confined to members of Greek-letter social organizations.
SECTION 2:
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:
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 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 Executive Office.
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 V.
SECTION 5:
Chapters may select into membership a student who was initiated into a Greek organization at another institution that is not represented at the campus to which he/she has transferred. It is recommended that verification of the affiliation be confirmed with the National Office of the fraternity or sorority. 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:
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 V are met.
SECTION 1:
The qualifications for membership in Order of Omega shall be character, scholarship, service and leadership.
SECTION 2:
Exemplary character shall be the primary consideration for membership in Order of Omega.
SECTION 3:
To be eligible for membership in Order of Omega, a student shall meet the following minimum requirements:
a. One full academic year of residence at the institution where selected.
b. Junior or Senior (undergraduate) standing.
c. Rank academically above the all-Greek average. If the all-Greek average is less than the minimum requirement for graduation, the chapter shall be denied initiation privileges until such time as it has maintained this minimum academic requirement.
d. Be in good standing with the initiate’s fraternal organization.
e. At least one-third of each group of initiates shall be of junior standing at the time of initiation.
SECTION 4:
The selection of student members shall consider the following areas of a candidate’s collegiate record:
a. Character
b. Scholarship
c. Greek offices held
d. Greek participation
e. Service to the university
f. Service to the local community
ARTICLE SIX
Membership Selection
SECTION 1:
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.
The number of students initiated into membership in any one year may not exceed three percent (3%) of the total number of enrolled full-time Greek undergraduates at the beginning of the academic year on the campus, or fifteen (15), whichever number is greater.
SECTION 3:
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 Executive Office.
SECTION 4:
Two-thirds (2/3) of the active members of a chapter shall be present to conduct membership selection. In cases where the number of members participating in membership selection is ten or less, two (2) negative votes shall exclude a candidate from membership. When the number participating in membership selection is from eleven to twenty inclusive, three (3) negative votes shall exclude a candidate. When the number participating in membership selection is twenty-one or more, four (4) negative votes shall exclude a proposed member.
SECTION 1:
The organization shall consist of an association of all the active collegiate chapters of Order of Omega, divided into Regions, the boundaries of which shall be designated by a vote of the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall consist of the Executive Officers and the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2:
Each chapter shall be entitled to one voting delegate in all decisions as required by the constitution.
SECTION 3:
All Executive Officers will come from the honorary or alumni classes of members.
SECTION 4:
The Executive Officers shall consist of the Executive Director, President and other officers deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5:
Selection of the Executive Officers and Board of Directors shall be by a majority vote of the Executive Council in attendance at the annual meeting.
Each term of office for Executive Officers shall be four years and officers may be elected to consecutive terms.
Term of office for the Board of Directors shall be for three years and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Council.
SECTION 6:
Each Executive Council member shall be entitled to one vote.
SECTION 7:
An Executive Council member may be removed from office by a three-fourths vote of the Executive Council in attendance at the annual meeting.
SECTION 1:
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, Bylaws and Ritual. In case a chapter be charged with disregarding any of the conditions of its charter, the Executive Council shall have power and full inquiry; and may, in its discretion, take those steps the Executive Council deems necessary.
SECTION 2:
All chapter bylaw revisions must be submitted to the Executive Office.
SECTION 3:
The officers of each 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. Chapter officers shall be installed in accordance with the Order of Omega constitution and bylaws.
SECTION 4:
The advisor shall be nominated from among the faculty and staff of the institution.
ARTICLE NINE
Suspension and Expulsion
SECTION 1:
Any member found responsible of conduct unbecoming of Order of Omega shall be deprived of membership and required to surrender the pin and certificate. Written notification shall be sent to the individual in question and the Executive Office. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the active members of the local chapter is required to deprive an individual of membership and shall be subject to review by the Executive Council before it shall be made finally effective.
SECTION 2:
Resignation or expulsion from a fraternal organization may subject one to termination of membership in Order of Omega. Such termination may be subject to review by the Executive Council before it shall be made finally effective.
SECTION 1:
The Executive Council 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 a similar character not expressly provided for in this Constitution. These restrictions shall not be construed as limiting in any way the action of the Executive Council in emergency cases.
SECTION 1:
Any amendment to this Constitution shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the combined votes of the Executive Council and of the active chapters secured by mail vote within two months after its submission.
Revised 11/04
National Bylaws
SECTION 1:
a. The Board of Directors and the Executive Officers shall have a joint meeting at least once a year. To constitute an official meeting, two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Executive Council must be in attendance. All of the organization's members are eligible to attend the annual meeting.
b. The Executive Council may meet more often to conduct business of the organization.
ARTICLE TWO
List of Officers and Their Duties
SECTION 1:
a. Executive Officers will be determined by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary to fulfill the mission of Order of Omega at the annual meeting.
b. The Executive Director shall provide a report of activities at the annual meeting and as required by the Executive Council.
SECTION 2:
If a vacancy in an office should occur, the president shall nominate a replacement with concurrence from the Executive Council. A simple majority is all that is needed to confirm the nomination.
SECTION 1. Initiation Fee .
a. There shall be a one-time initiation fee of $40 for each undergraduate initiate. This shall include the official pin and certificate. This fee should be sent with the form provided by the Executive Office at least four (4) weeks before the date of initiation. Honorary members may be initiated for a one-time $10.00 fee.
b. Each local chapter shall decide if it is to have local dues and how much they will be.
ARTICLE FOUR
Parliamentary Authority
SECTION 1:
The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the standard for conducting meetings.
SECTION 1:
Any amendment to these Bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the combined votes of the Executive Council and of the active chapters secured by mail vote within two months after its submission.
Revised 11/04
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