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 could standing with the fraternity. Furthermore,
all members of the fraternity are strongly encouraged to become members of the NAACP.