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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.
(Chapters are required to administer these programs annually.)
