The Delta Omega Epsilon Organization () is a professional and honor-based fraternity. The organization was founded by civic-minded men dedicated to academic progress and civics. Delta Omega Epsilon was founded on April 15, 1985, by Richard Pelestri and Sal Leone along with an inaugural class of 25 members at The College of Staten Island in New York City.
Delta Omega Epsilon was the first organization to be chartered at the university and was created to spread knowledge of the civics and its various professions to enhance its local communities. The organization is one of the organizations founded in the United States and has more than 356 members who are civic-minded.
Being primarily a professional organization, Delta Omega Epsilon does not operate nor maintain a organization house as lodging quarters for members nor for any other persons. However, a chapter may maintain rooms for meetings at the discretion of its members. Membership is open to any man who meets the requirements, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.
The current Executive Board President and CEO is Aaron Calderon of the Eta Chapter. Aaron Calderon was elected on a campaign to make the organization national by the end of 2023 and international by 2024.
History
Creation
On April 15, 1985 at 12:38pm,The Delta Omega Epsilon Organization was founded by Richard Pelestri, Sal Leone, and an inaugural class of 25 members at The College of Staten Island.
On September 7, 1995, Seth Meyerson, Joseph Congedo, and an inaugural class of 12 members formed the Beta Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon at the State University of New York at Delhi.
On September 8, 1996, Chris Delgado and an inaugural class of 6 members formed the Gamma Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon at the State University of New York at Oneonta.
On November 15, 1998, Ralph Torres and an inaugural class of 7 members formed the Delta Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon at the State University of New York at Cobleskill.
On February 28, 2002, Mike Mansky, George Mawyin, and an inaugural class of 15 members formed the Epsilon Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon at the State University of New York at Morrisville.
On November 1, 2002, Dibar Gamboa and an inaugural class of 4 members formed the at-large Zeta Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon in Central New York.
Andre Lynch and an inaugural class of 4 members formed the Theta Chapter of Delta Omega Epsilon at the State University of New York at Canton during the spring of 2011.
On February 10, 2011, the organization's Phoenix Chapter was nationally incorporated by Dibar Gamboa, Ariel Pichardo, and Teru King.
Programs
The programs of the organization are centered around its mission statement: To spread knowledge of civic and its various professions to enhance its local communities. Civics for all!
The chapters plan several local service projects throughout the year, including civic awareness drives, immigration tutoring/test preparation, charity fundraising events for politicians, and housing construction/rehabilitation.
Many of the operations of individual chapters are left to their own discretion, though most chapters have membership requirements which require a certain number of hours of service each year.
AIDS Walk Week
Delta Omega Epsilon internally organizes the AIDS Walk Week, a yearly project collaboration encompassing all chapters. AIDS Walk Week began in 2011 as a Beta Chapter initiative, and later expanded to the entire organization to allow for greater flexibility and increased participation while retaining a sense of continuity with the original concept. Chapters compete against each other in fundraising efforts. AIDS Walk Week is always held in May and culminates in Delta Omega Epsilon’s participation in the AIDS Walk New York.
Leadership
Symbols
The official symbols of the organization are the Phoenix representing rebirth and the Bottlenose Dolphin representing the organization's roots at The College of Staten Island. Delta Omega Epsilon's colors are sterling silver and black.
Goals
To encourage and assist the civic awareness and duty of members and community. To provide free tutorial and consoling about civics to members and the community. To provide members with opportunities and internships. To encourage members and community to run for public office. To fundraiser for local civic minded candidates. To enhance the local community and aid misinformed youth.
Chapters
These are the chapters of Delta Omega Epsilon. Chapters at colleges do not require enrollment at the school. College centered chapters noted in are listed normally, at large chapters in italics.