Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Delta Zeta and UIFI

Each year the Delta Zeta Foundation helps to send collegiate members to the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI), a five day leadership program run by the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). You may have read about the experiences that recent Delta Zeta leaders have had on our blog (if not you can find them here and here), or perhaps someone from your chapter has attended in the past. Maybe you have even graduated from UIFI and are looking for additional ways to keep the experience alive.

The 2014 UIFI dates have been posted to the NIC website. In order to receive a scholarship from Delta Zeta, you should register for the institute. Or, if you have attended UIFI previously, please consider applying to be an intern. More information about interning at UIFI can be found here.

If your chapter has any questions about UIFI and Delta Zeta’s scholarships, please contact the Foundation at DZFoundation@dzshq.com.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Staying Connected with Sisters Studying Abroad

The spring semester is a time when more of our Delta Zeta members leave campus to study abroad. Studying abroad can be life changing – experiencing a new country, culture, language, foods and people. While exhilarating, all these new experiences can be challenging. Yet sometimes the biggest challenge can be returning to campus and re-integrating into chapter life when both the chapter as well as the student who studied abroad have experienced so much while apart. That is why it is critical for both parties to stay connected throughout the semester.

Here are five easy ways for sisters to stay connected:

1. Consider creating an online group. Groups allow you to upload photos, send messages to friends all at once, and provide a scrapbook of your study abroad experience that you can refer back to after it is done.

2. Take a look at some ideas we’ve posted on Pinterest in our Sincere and Lasting Friendship board for ways to live out that part of Delta Zeta’s Purpose. Send a “Heart Attack” box with notes from chapter sisters. See our post in Pinterest. https://pinterest.com/pin/261349584596832247/

3. For our sisters who are traveling out of the country – make connections with other Delta Zetas during the trip. Take pictures together and share them with Delta Zeta via Facebook or Twitter @DeltaZetaNatl.

4. There are lots of free technologies to have a phone call/video conference to catch up – Skype, Google, etc. Check them out and then catch up!

5. Keep your members traveling abroad or away from campus connected to everyday happenings in the chapter. Whether you post regular updates to your chapter’s Facebook page, or send monthly updates via email, those members not currently on campus will appreciate knowing what is happening with the chapter.

What other ideas do you have to keep your sisters connected to Delta Zeta during their time away?