Omega Phi Alpha

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This article is about the national service sorority. For other uses, see Omega Phi Alpha (disambiguation).
Omega Phi Alpha
ΩΦΑ
Coatarms color.jpg
Founded June 15, 1967 (1967-06-15) (44 years ago)
Bowling Green State University
Type Service
Scope National
Motto Today's Friends, Tomorrow's Leaders, Forever in Service
Colors

     Dark Blue      Baby Blue

     Gold
Symbol Chevron
Flower Yellow Rose
Publication The Chevron
Chapters 26
Mascot Ophia (Raggedy Ann)
Headquarters East Lyme, Connecticut, 06333, US
Homepage http://www.omegaphialpha.org

Omega Phi Alpha (ΩΦΑ) is an American national service sorority. It was founded in 1967 at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. OPA currently has twenty six active chapters in the United States.

Contents

[edit] Purpose

The purpose of Omega Phi Alpha reads as follows:

The purpose and goals of this sorority shall be to assemble its members in the fellowship of Omega Phi Alpha, to develop friendship, leadership and cooperation by promoting service to the university community, to the community-at-large, to the members of the sorority, and to the nations of the world.

[edit] History

In 1953, the Zeta Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, expressed interest in forming a group much like theirs to help them in their service endeavors. The brothers of Zeta Kappa formed interest groups for a new organization, and many of the attendees at these interest groups were women. The need for a female service sorority then became evident.

The two groups were to be alike in objectives—friendship, leadership, and service. A similar name—Omega Phi Alpha—was chosen for the new organization.

Two more Omega Phi Alpha groups were formed at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Bridgeport in 1958 and 1962, respectively. All three groups had the intention of becoming a national sorority together; however, it would be five more years before national status was reached.

In 1966, plans for a national convention, at which the three chapters could meet, were made. In the summer of 1967, the three groups met in Bowling Green for the first time and laid the foundations for what is currently Omega Phi Alpha. The Bowling Green group was given the title of Alpha Chapter, University of Bridgeport became the Beta Chapter, and Eastern Michigan was named the Gamma Chapter.

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma chapters continued for several years as a national sorority until women at Texas A&M University formed the Delta chapter in 1970. Currently, there are twenty-six active chapters of Omega Phi Alpha.

[edit] Service program

Omega Phi Alpha has a diverse, flexible service program which allows each member to contribute to the world around her. Many chapters have ongoing projects that they have worked with for years.

Six areas of service:

1. Permanent Project: The permanent project is mental health. Mental health service projects are defined as any project that improves the well being of others, and these projects are typically hands on projects such as playing with kids in an afterschool program, playing Bingo at a nursing home, or serving meals at a soup kitchen.

2. President's Project: Each year at Omega Phi Alpha National Convention, the National President of Omega Phi Alpha presents the cause she feels is worthy of being the focus of OPA service nationwide.

3. Service to the University Community: Volunteering to help at a school event, holding stress relief classes, random acts of kindness

4. Service to the Community at Large: Local park clean ups, food banks, tutoring at a local school, Humane Society volunteering

5. Service to the members of the sorority: Alumnae, internal strengthening

6. Service to the nations of the world: UNICEF, AIDS Awareness, diabetes awareness (American Diabetes Association), breast cancer awareness (Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, among others)

Through these six areas of service, active and alumnae chapters plan a variety of service projects year each to carry out and make a difference.

Portal icon Scouting portal

[edit] Active chapters

These are the current active chapters of Omega Phi Alpha.[23][24] Generally, chapters of Omega Phi Alpha are named in Greek alphabetical order. The only exception to this is the Penn State chapter, which was founded from a local sorority named Theta Alpha Pi. This chapter was named Alpha Theta as a tribute to their founding organization.

[edit] Inactive chapters

These are the current inactive chapters of Omega Phi Alpha[24]

[edit] Alumnae chapters

  • Omega Alpha - Connecticut Area Alumnae Chapter
  • Omega Beta - Michigan Alumnae Association
  • Omega Gamma - Greater Atlanta Alumnae Association
  • Omega Delta - Greater Nashville Area Alumnae Chapter
  • Omega Epsilon - Chattanooga Area Alumnae Council
  • Omega Zeta - Austin Area Alumnae Chapter (inactive)
  • Omega Eta - Knoxville Alumnae chapter (inactive)
  • Omega Theta - Louisiana Alumnae Chapter

[edit] Convention

Omega Phi Alpha holds one national convention each year. The national conventions provide a forum for making sorority-wide decisions like aligning on a budget, electing national officers, or changing the national policies reflected in the constitution and by-laws. Each active chapter in good standing has two votes to use in deciding sorority issues. Active chapters who are not in good standing have only one vote. There are also alumnae delegates who represent each of OPA's four districts. For every three active votes, alumnae get one vote.

OPA national convention locations include:[26][27]

Year Location Theme Dates Refs
1967 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter 01967-06-12 June 12, 1967–01967-06-15 June 15, 1967 [28][29]
1968 Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted by Beta Chapter 01968-07-11 July 11, 1968–01968-07-14 July 14, 1968 [30]
1969 Ypsilanti, Michigan hosted by Gamma Chapter 01969-06-16 June 16, 1969–01969-06-19 June 19, 1969 [31]
1970 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter 01970 1970
1971 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter 01971-06 June 1971 [32][33]
1972 Ypsilanti, Michigan hosted by Gamma Chapter 01972-06-30 June 30, 1972–01972-07-02 July 2, 1972 [34]
1973 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter 01973-06 June 1973 [35]
1974 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter 01974-06-25 June 25, 1974–01974-06-28 June 28, 1974 [36]
1975 Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted by Beta Chapter 01975-06-18 June 18, 1975–01975-06-22 June 22, 1975 [37]
1976 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter 01976-06-17 June 17, 1976–01976-06-20 June 20, 1976 [38]
1977 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter Happy Tenth Birthday 01977-06-15 June 15, 1977–01977-06-19 June 19, 1977 [39]
1978 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter Raggedy Ann Goes South 01978-06-21 June 21, 1978–01978-06-25 June 25, 1978 [40]
1979 Amarillo, Texas & Plainview, Texas hosted by Zeta Chapter & Eta Chapter 01979-07-10 July 10, 1979–01979-07-15 July 15, 1979 [41]
1980 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter The Yellow Rose of Texas 01980-06-18 June 18, 1980–01980-06-22 June 22, 1980 [42]
1981 Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted by Beta Chapter –01981-06-20 June 20, 1981– [43]
1982 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter All of Tomorrow Depends On Today...Upon You 01982-06-16 June 16, 1982–01982-06-20 June 20, 1982 [44]
1983 Columbus, Ohio hosted by Kappa Chapter Create!......Relate!.......Motivate! 01983-08-03 August 3, 1983–01983-08-07 August 7, 1983 [9]
1984 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter Hit the Trail for the "The Wild Wild West" 01984-08-01 August 1, 1984–01984-08-05 August 5, 1984 [45]
1985 Murfreesboro, Tennessee hosted by Mu Chapter OPA in for A Dixieland Delight 01985-08-06 August 6, 1985–01985-08-10 August 10, 1985 [11][46]
1986 Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted by Beta Chapter 01986-08-11 August 11, 1986–01986-08-17 August 17, 1986 [47]
1987 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter 20th anniversary 01987-08-04 August 4, 1987–01987-08-08 August 8, 1987 [48]
1988 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter 01988 1988
1989 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter 01989 1989
1990 Atlanta, Georgia hosted by Nu Chapter 01990 1990 [2]
1991 Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted by Beta Chapter Convention '91 – Barnum and Beta Circus 01991-07-29 July 29, 1991–01991-08-04 August 4, 1991 [49]
1992 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter Omega Phi Alpha 25 Years of Excellence 01992-07-29 July 29, 1992–01992-08-02 August 2, 1992 [50]
1993 Bowling Green, Ohio hosted by Alpha Chapter Celebrate Cardinal Principles 01993-07-29 July 29, 1993–01993-08-01 August 1, 1993 [51]
1994 Auburn, Alabama hosted by Omicron Chapter Sisterhood in the Heart of Dixie 01994-07-27 July 27, 1994–01994-07-31 July 31, 1994 [14][52]
1995 Atlanta, Georgia hosted by Nu Chapter 01995 1995
1996 Chattanooga, Tennessee hosted by Sigma Chapter 01996 1996
1997 Cookeville, Tennessee hosted by Epsilon Chapter 01997 1997
1998 College Station, Texas hosted by Delta Chapter 01998 1998
1999 Columbus, Ohio 01999 1999
2000 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 02000 2000
2001 San Antonio, Texas 02001-07-18 July 18, 2001–02001-07-22 July 22, 2001 [53]
2002 Radisson Hotel & Suites, Chicago, Illinois 02002-07-17 July 17, 2002–02002-07-21 July 21, 2002 [54][55][56]
2003 Renaissance Waverly Hotel Atlanta, Georgia 02003-07-30 July 30, 2003–02003-08-02 August 2, 2003 [57]
2004 Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee 02004-07-14 July 14, 2004–02004-07-18 July 18, 2004 [58]
2005 Embassy Suites Biltmore Hotel Phoenix, Arizona Service at the Oasis 02005-07-20 July 20, 2005–02005-07-24 July 24, 2005 [59]
2006 Hilton Hartford Hotel Hartford, Connecticut Service in the City 02006-07-19 July 19, 2006–02006-07-23 July 23, 2006 [60]
2007 Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Jacksonville, Florida Service is our Greatest Treasure 02007-07-25 July 25, 2007–02007-07-29 July 29, 2007 [61]
2008 Doubletree North Denver Denver, Colorado Rockin' in the Rockies 02008-07-16 July 16, 2008–02008-07-20 July 20, 2008 [62]
2009 Crowne Plaza Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City of Sisterly Love 02009-07-22 July 22, 2009–02009-07-26 July 26, 2009 [63][64]
2010 Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch St. Louis, Missouri Destination O-Phi-A 02010-07-21 July 21, 2010–02010-07-25 July 25, 2010 [65]
2011 Holiday Inn, Charlotte, North Carolina Queens of Service in the Queen City. 02011-07-20 July 20, 2011–02011-07-24 July 24, 2011 [66][67]
2012 Radisson Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah Abuzz about OPhiA 02012-07-11 July 11, 2012–02012-07-15 July 15, 2012 [66]

[edit] Districts

Omega Phi Alpha has eight districts of active chapters. Each district meets at least once a year to hold a rally, which includes service projects, workshops, and sisterhood activities. Alumnae ties were removed from districts and changed to regions at Convention 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • District 1
    • Active Chapters: Alpha Theta, Alpha Iota
  • District 2
    • Active Chapters: Epsilon, Mu, Rho, Sigma
  • District 3
    • Active Chapters: Nu, Omicron, Alpha Zeta, Alpha Delta
  • District 4
    • Active Chapters: Upsilon, Alpha Beta, Alpha Epsilon
  • District 5
    • Active Chapters: Delta, Tau, Psi
  • District 6
    • Active Chapters: Phi, Alpha Alpha
  • District 7
    • Active Chapters: Alpha, Gamma
  • District 8
    • Active Chapters: Chi, Alpha Lambda, Alpha Eta
  • District 9
    • Active Chapters: Alpha Gamma, Alpha Kappa

[edit] Regions

Omega Phi Alpha has four regions of alumnae. Alumnae regions are drawn on state lines and are based on population distribution of OPA alumnae. Each alumnae region sends a specific number of delegates to OPA's National Convention every year; this number is based on the number of active votes possible at that year's Convention. Alumnae representation makes up 25% of the total representation at any given Convention.

  • Region A
    • States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, International locations
  • Region B
    • States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin
  • Region C
    • States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee
  • Region D
    • States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fall 1968 (V2N1) Chevron
  2. ^ a b c Fall 1990 (V23N1) Chevron
  3. ^ Fall 1973 (V6N1) Chevron
  4. ^ Winter 1975 (V7N4) Chevron
  5. ^ May 1978 (V10N5) Chevron
  6. ^ September 1979 (V12N1) Chevron
  7. ^ September 1980 (V13N1) Chevron
  8. ^ September 1982 (V15N1) Chevron
  9. ^ a b April/May 1983 (V15N3) Chevron
  10. ^ Winter 1984 (V16N2) Chevron
  11. ^ a b Winter 1985 (V17N2) Chevron
  12. ^ Fall 1991 (V24N1) Chevron
  13. ^ Fall 1993 (V26N1) Chevron
  14. ^ a b Summer 1994 (V26N4) Chevron
  15. ^ 2002 Convention minutes
  16. ^ a b Past Nu Service Projects
  17. ^ Mu chapter Service
  18. ^ a b c d e f g 2006 Service Manual p12
  19. ^ Omega Phi Alpha Convention 2007 Registration Info
  20. ^ a b Student Organization of the Week: Omega Phi Alpha
  21. ^ Omega Phi Alpha Service
  22. ^ a b c d e f Alpha Chapter Service
  23. ^ Active Chapters
  24. ^ a b Handbook
  25. ^ Summer 2009 Chevron
  26. ^ Past Conventions
  27. ^ [1]
  28. ^ National History
  29. ^ Fall 1967 (V1N1) Chevron
  30. ^ October 1968 (V2N1) Chevron
  31. ^ April 1969 (V2N5) Chevron
  32. ^ Omega Phi Alpha - Alpha chapter
  33. ^ May 1973 Chevron
  34. ^ April 1972 Chevron
  35. ^ March 1973 Chevron
  36. ^ Spring 1974 (V6N2) Chevron
  37. ^ Spring 1975 (V7N5) Chevron
  38. ^ November 1975 (V8N2) Chevron
  39. ^ May 1977 (V9N5) Chevron
  40. ^ March 1978 (V10N4) Chevron
  41. ^ March 1979 (V11N4) Chevron
  42. ^ May 1980 (V12N5) Chevron
  43. ^ September 1981 (V14N1) Chevron
  44. ^ Spring 1982 (V14N5) Chevron
  45. ^ Summer 1984 (V16N4) Chevron
  46. ^ Summer 1985 (V17N4) Chevron
  47. ^ Winter 1986 (V18N2) Chevron
  48. ^ Spring/Summer 1987 (V19N3) Chevron
  49. ^ Summer 1991 (V23N4) Chevron
  50. ^ Summer 1992 (V24N4) Chevron
  51. ^ Spring 1993 (V25N3) Chevron
  52. ^ Spring 1994 (V26N3) Chevron
  53. ^ Convention 2001
  54. ^ Convention 2002
  55. ^ Convention 2002 Minutes
  56. ^ Fall 2001 (N35N1) Chevron
  57. ^ Convention 2003
  58. ^ Convention 2004
  59. ^ Convention 2005
  60. ^ Convention 2006
  61. ^ Convention 2007
  62. ^ Convention 2008
  63. ^ Convention 2009
  64. ^ Registration
  65. ^ Omega Phi Alpha Convention 2010
  66. ^ a b Convention
  67. ^ Register Online

[edit] External links

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