Internationally Mandated Programs
ACHIEVEMENT WEEK
Originally
designed to promote the study of Negro life and history. Achievement
Week is observed in November of each year and is designed to seek out
and give due recognition to those individuals at the local and
international levels who have made a noteworthy contribution toward
improving the quality of life for black Americans. A High School Essay
Contest is to be held in conjunction with Achievement Week. This
contest is open to all college-bound high school seniors. College
scholarships are awarded to the winners, each of whom must submit an
essay on a theme/topic chosen by the fraternity. This contest is a
phase of the International Achievement Week observance.
SCHOLARSHIP
The
Scholarship Program is intended to promote academic excellence among
the undergraduate members. Graduate chapters are expected to provide
financial assistance to student members and non-members. A portion of
the fraternity’s international budget is allocated to scholarships
through the Charles R. Drew Scholarship Commission.
SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS
All
levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and
coordinate activities that will uplift their communities. An
international committee will coordinate the multifaceted programs of
the various chapters. Some of the activities under the umbrella of
social action include, but are not limited to: voter registration,
education and “getting out the vote”; Assault on Illiteracy; Habitat
for Humanity; volunteering time to charities and less fortunate
individuals; mentoring; and participation in fundraisers for charities
such as American Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia,
etc.
TALENT HUNT PROGRAM
This
program provides exposure, encouragement and financial assistance to
talented young people participating in the Performing Arts. Winners of
the competition are awarded recognition for their talents. Awards may
include college scholarships.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
March
12th of each year has been established as Memorial Day. Chapters are
expected to conduct an appropriate service to recall the memory of
those members who have entered into Omega Chapter.
RECLAMATION AND RETENTION
A
concerted effort at the international, district and local levels to
retain active brothers and return inactive brothers to full
participatory status so that they may enjoy the full benefits of Omega.
COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND
Each
year the fraternity gives at least $50,000.00 to Historically Black
College Institutions (HBCU) in furtherance of Omega’s commitment to
provide philanthropic support. Chapters are assessed donations based on
chapter size.
HEALTH INITIATIVES
All
levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and/or
coordinate activities that will uplift their communities by promoting
good health practices. An international committee will coordinate and
facilitate multifaceted programs of the various chapters, districts,
etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters will execute the health
directives at the local level. Some of the programs under the umbrella
of Health Initiatives are the Charles Drew Blood Drive (normally held
in June), AIDS/HIV Awareness, and the American Diabetes Association
Partnership. This does not prevent the local chapters from performing
additional health initiatives under the umbrella of the Health
Initiatives mandate.
VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION
All
levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and/or
coordinate activities that will uplift their communities through the
power of the vote. An international committee will coordinate and
facilitate multifaceted programs of the various chapters, districts,
etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters will execute the
directives at the local level. This does not prevent the local chapters
from performing additional voter initiatives under the umbrella of the
Voter Education, Registration and Mobilization mandate.
NAACP
Every
district and chapter of the fraternity is required to maintain a Life
Membership at Large in the NAACP. In the event that a chapter or
district is not a life member of the NAACP, it must maintain a yearly
membership to be in Good Standing with the fraternity. Furthermore, all
members of the fraternity are strongly encouraged to become members of
the NAACP.
Omega has a rich
heritage to be protected, celebrated and enhanced!