Reference Guide

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are common questions that may be directed to you. If you need further clarification, contact your province advisor.

1. Where do I get any resource materials I may need?

Contact the Executive Office. Also, a great deal of information is available on our website at www.orderofomega.org .

2. What does it cost to belong to The Order of Omega?

Each student pays a one-time $40.00 initiation fee to the Executive Office for their certificate and pin. If a chapter decides to have local dues, it sets the amount. Remember, membership should not be a financial hardship to individuals. All honorary initiates pay a one-time $10.00 membership fee.

3. What should I do if I suspect hazing in the Chapter?

Immediately after gathering information from the chapter, you must report any such incident to your advisor, who will, in turn, report the incident to the Executive Director. They will determine a course of action with you and your advisor.

4. What if our chapter is not using the official ritual?

Each chapter president and advisor has a copy of the Ritual. If you need a copy of the Initiation and Ritual, please contact the Executive Office. The ritual of The Order of Omega must be used. There are few acceptable, local adaptations including room set-up and allocation of the speaking parts. If there are parts of the ritual with which your chapter has an issue, please notify your advisor.

5. Is there a limit on the maximum number of members?

The number of students initiated each year may not exceed 3% of the total number of enrolled Greek undergraduates at the beginning of the academic year, or 15 members, whichever number is greater.(See Constitution, Article VI, Section 2.)

6. May a chapter initiate members of local sororities or fraternities?

Student membership is limited to members of Greek-letter, social organizations (Article IV, Section 1). Members of Greek-letter organizations recognized as part of the local Greek community are eligible, whether or not the chapter is affiliated with a national organization.

7. May non-Greeks be initiated?

Faculty/Staff members or other honorary members (elected honoris causa by the chapter) do not need to be affiliated with a fraternal organization. All student members must be members of Greek-letter organizations recognized as part of the local Greek community.

8. Is there a limit to the number of honorary initiates a chapter may have?

No, there is no limit. A chapter should recognize those persons who have given exemplary service to Greeks, choosing at least one honorary member at each initiation. There is a $10.00 fee per honoree. It is recommended the chapter be responsible for this fee.

9. How does a chapter get a replacement charter or replace a member certificate if it is lost or incorrect?

Contact the Executive Office for replacements or corrections.

10. How do you get members on the Board of Directors to present a program or be a part of initiation on our campus?

Contact the Executive Director as far in advance as possible to schedule a visit. Six to twelve weeks is not too early. The Executive Director will determine the closest person who meets the program’s needs. In some cases, the Executive Office will assist with travel expenses, matching your funds.

11. How long does it take to get certificates and pins made and sent to the chapter?

Allow at least two weeks. If for some unavoidable reason you cannot meet this deadline, call and discuss your needs with the Executive Office.

12. Is there a Order of Omega convention?

No; however, Order of Omega holds functions and/or educational sessions at each regional IFC and Panhellenic conference. Members are encouraged to attend these meetings as part of their college/university delegation.

13. How can we get news and photos in the Omega Trends ?

Order of Omega is always interested in news and pictures of chapter activities. Please send all materials directly to the Executive Office via our physical address or hq@orderofomega.org.

14. How do we obtain more stoles for initiation? Can we make them locally?

Stoles may only be ordered from the Executive Office. The cost is $15.00 each. Allow two weeks for delivery.

15. How do we obtain graduation cords?

Graduation cords are an excellent way to display your Order of Omega membership at graduation. They may only be ordered from the Executive Office and are $10 each. Allow at least two weeks for standard delivery. If you need cords sooner, please contact the Executive Office. Payment must be received before materials are sent.

16. How do I submit the names and fees of new initiates?

Complete an initiation form, which can be downloaded at www.orderofomega.org, and submit it along with the membership fees to the Executive Office. The membership fee is $40 for student members and $10 for honorary members. Allow at least two weeks for standard delivery. If you need materials sooner, please contact the Executive Office. Payment must be received before materials are sent.

17. How can I speed up the delivery process?

To receive your order within 2-3 days, there is an optional $25 rush fee. It is also helpful to pre-send your list via e-mail or fax so we may begin working on your order and have it ready to send when the check arrives.

18. What forms of payment do you accept?

Order of Omega only accepts checks or money orders. We DO NOT accept credit cards.

19. How do we obtain Order of Omega T-shirts?

T-shirts can be ordered through the Executive Office for $10.00 Long Sleeve shirts are available for $14.00 and hooded sweatshirts are $20.00. All products come in Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and XX-Large

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