O.D. O’Donnell Volunteer Scholarship Award

The O.D. O’Donnell Volunteer Service Award (ODVSA) has been established by the MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter to advance and support volunteer leaders in memory of a great friend, mentor and long-time chapter champion.

No one did more than O.D. to advance volunteerism in the chapter. He recruited more than 300 members into MPI over his almost four decades of service, where he also contributed his time, talent and treasure as a committee volunteer, board member and chapter sponsor. A tireless advocate for member recruitment and recognition, O.D. received MPI D/FW’s member recruitment award a record 12 times, including a run of five consecutive years.

For his numerous contributions, O.D. was the first member inducted into the MPI D/FW Hall of Honor in 2011, granted Lifetime Membership status by MPI in 2016 and named one of MPI’s 50 Most Influential Members in 2021.

To honor his legacy, the ODVSA will provide financial rewards and support to those members whose service to the chapter reflects and includes categories such as committee service, leadership, engagement and impact. It provides a new and different type of financial support not previously available, an incentive plan based on member engagement.

Benefits to the chapter

Expands the influence of MPI D/FW as a leading global chapter
Creates new, additional funds for supporting chapter members
Provides meaningful recognition for volunteer chapter leaders
Adds additional value and benefit to chapter membership.

The ODVSA is administered under the leadership of the VP of Strategic Sponsorships. A committee reviews applications and distributes ODVSA funds on a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory basis.

Any MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter member in good standing, has been an MPI member for the past twelve consecutive months and is an active volunteer in the term during which the scholarship application is made. The applicant can have no other MPI financial subsidies, outstanding commitments, or monies owed to MPI and/or the MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter.

Activities which support member involvement qualifies for ODVSA Funds, including committee involvement, and ongoing chapter leadership service, engagement and impact. Funds can be used for full or partially paid MPI membership renewal, registration to chapter functions, or other volunteer-specific incentives as determined by the Chapter Scholarships Committee.