Omicron Tau Chapter
Sigma (Sigma Theta Tau International, Nursing Honor Society)
The name Sigma Theta Tau was chosen by the founders in 1922 from the Greek words storgé, tharsos, and timé, meaning love, courage, and honor.
The Omicron Tau Chapter of Sigma was established in 1998 at Minot State University. Sigma has roughly 530 chapters at more than 700 institutions of higher education worldwide with members living in more than 100 countries. Sigma's mission is developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. Sigma’s vision is connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare. The local chapter provides opportunities for education, participation in community and global outreach projects, scholarship support, and leadership development activities.
How to Become a Member
Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship. Undergraduate students must have completed half of the nursing curriculum, achieve academic excellence (a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 based on a 4.0 grading scale), rank in the top 35% of the graduating class, and meet the expectation of academic integrity.
Honors at Commencement
As a member of Sigma, graduates wear the honor cord signifying academic achievement in the field of nursing. The cords are braided white and orchid ropes with tassels.
History of Omicron Tau
The Beginning
Since ten of twelve faculty members had been previously inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the development of an honor society in nursing at Minot State University had long been a concern of the faculty. The College of Nursing, established in 1969, had a small nucleus of graduates, when inquires were made in 1981 and 1989. In December 1994, Dean Fabricius organized a Professional Activity Forum and surveyed the participants about an honor society. Eighty four percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: "steps should be taken to implement a nursing honor society at MSU." With the gathering of a larger nucleus for scholarship, the establishment of an honor society has generated a lot of enthusiasm among the students, alumni, and community leaders in the Minot area and throughout the region where many of the graduates live and practice nursing.
Organization
The first meeting of the steering committee took place on March 23, 1995. Written approval for an honor society in nursing was obtained from Dr. Erik Shaar, President of MSU, and from Dr. Val Fabricius, Dean of the CON. The three students on the Steering Committee were Alisha Ashley, Susan Porterfield, Bradley Stork, Community leaders were Dr. Jill Fuller and Diane Frieberg, alumnus, and Shireen Hoff, Faculty volunteers were Judy Swanson, Linda Haider, and Dr. Marita Hoffart. Dr. Hoffart chaired the Steering Committee and served as the first president of the honor society. Diane Frieberg was elected chair of the Bylaws Committee. Linda Haider served as secretary and Brad Stork as treasurer.
Using the Sigma Theta Tau International guidelines, the Committee set goals and planned activities. Activities completed during the first months included the development of a calendar toward chartering, meeting with nursing leaders at local hospitals to publicize the intent to establish a chapter, establishing short and long term goals, holding a contest to name the honor society and determining the eligibility of alumni, senior students, and community leaders.
Concluding Remarks
In recognition of her foresight and professional work, the Honor Society was named in honor of the first director, Sister Mabel Meng who was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau while a student at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where she received her master’s degree in nursing. Also, many thanks to Dean Fabricius for her perseverance and for the nurses of the area who so generously have supported the formation of an honor society and look forward with eagerness to being members of Sigma Theta Tau.
Chapter Opportunities – Serve on Committees
Chapter Committees
Governance Committee
- The Governance Committee shall oversee bylaws compliance, make recommendations for bylaws changes and oversee member and chapter eligibility issues.
- The Governance Committee shall consist of at least three (3) elected/appointed members and the elected counselor may serve as chair.
- The term of office shall be two years. A member may be reappointed or elected for a second consecutive term.
- The committee shall present a report to the business meetings of the Board of Directors and an annual report to the membership at the annual (business) meeting.
- The committee shall prepare, review and make recommendations regarding policies corresponding to its area of responsibility for Board of Directors approval.
- The Leadership Succession Committee shall develop members in organizational leadership roles across the span of their careers, mentor members to assume organizational board and officer positions at all levels of the organization. The committee shall select nominees and prepare the ballot. The ballot will be sent to the Board of Directors at least four (4) weeks prior to a scheduled election.
- The Leadership Succession Committee shall consist of three (3) elected members.
- The Leadership Succession Committee members shall not be eligible for any elected office of the current ballot.
- Members of the Leadership Succession Committee may serve a maximum of two (2) years.
- The committee shall present a report to the business meetings of the Board of Directors and an annual report to the membership at the annual (business) meeting.
- The committee shall prepare, review and make recommendations regarding policies corresponding to its area of responsibility for Board of Directors approval.
- The Awards Committee shall oversee the awards selection process and recommend to the Board of Directors recipients for the chapter awards.
- The Awards Committee shall consist of a minimum of two appointed members, one of which is appointed as Chair.
ORCHID AWARD: Recognizes a chapter member who has promoted the development of the chapter’s functions and activities. Criteria: Promotes the image of nursing at the local, state, or national level; participates actively in the activities of Omicron Tau Chapter; demonstrates outstanding leadership and participation in chapter functions; serves as an inspirational role model for chapter volunteerism and leadership.
BEST PRACTICE AWARDS: Recognizes chapter members who have demonstrated excellence in nursing practice.
NURSES WHO HAVE BEEN IN CLINICAL PRACTICE LESS THAN 10 YEARS: Criteria: Employed in any area of nursing practice for less than 10 years; demonstrates exemplary work for the health of individuals, families, or groups; demonstrates active involvement in chapter activities; licensed to practice nursing.
NURSES WHO HAVE BEEN IN CLINIC PRACTICE MORE THAN 10 YEARS: Criteria: Employed in any area of nursing practice for more than 10 years; demonstrates exemplary work for the health of individuals, families, or groups; demonstrates active involvement in chapter activities; licensed to practice nursing.
MENTORSHIP AWARD: Criteria: One student leader, awarded membership for 1 year, represent Omicron Tau at Student Nurse events, help collaborate with NSA.
Education Committee
- The Education Committee shall be responsible for the educational programs of the chapter, including two scholarly programs annually.
- The Education Committee shall consist of at least two appointed members.
Community/Global Outreach Committee
- The Outreach Committee shall identify opportunities for local, national and global outreach and present suggestions to the Board.
- The Outreach Committee shall develop and implement an action plan for member participation/involvement in Board approved local, national, and/or global outreach activities.
- The committee shall work with the chapter treasurer to outline an outreach budget to present to the Board.
- The committee shall oversee necessary publicity for outreach events.
- The committee shall submit an annual summary of outreach activities to the Board.
- The outreach Committee shall consist of at least three (3) appointed members, one of which is a Board member appointed as chair.
- The Scholarship/Research Committee shall accept research proposals for funding of research studies and accept requests for funding to present their research study at research conferences. The committee will present their recommendation(s) to the Board.
- The Finance Committee advises the treasurer and the board of directors in financial matters and is responsible for budgeting and monitoring the chapter’s financial procedures and status.
- Plans the budget in conjunction with the chapter treasurer based on chapter financial resources and chapter goals.
- Recommends the proposed budget to the board for action.
- Monitors budget performance on a regular basis and analyzes variances in expense and revenue from expected performance.
- Reviews chapter investment policy on an annual basis and recommends desired changes in policy and procedure.
- Participates in the selection of an auditor, reviews the audit report and recommends any corrective action required.
- May function as an internal audit committee at the discretion of the board.
- Provides direct assistance to the chapter treasurer in financial management functions when needed.
