Behind the Scenes with The LAMP of Delta Zeta

In today’s online world, the death of print is often lamented, but has yet to come to fruition.

A recent article in UMagazinology, a blog published by the staffs of Johns Hopkins Magazine and the Alumni Magazine Consortium which has news and observations about the university magazine, says, “A magazine on a computer, electronic reader, or smartphone is little more than text. As much regard as I have for text, I think a magazine done right is a magazine crafted by people who understand that a good periodical is an arresting object that people want as an object because it has the capacity to offer so much more than mere ‘content.’ That most of us toss a magazine when we're done reading it doesn't diminish its power while we have it in our hands. That, I believe, is why magazines continue to thrive.”

The LAMP of Delta Zeta, begun in 1910, is just such an example. With an initial subscriber base of 200 readers, the magazine is sent to more than 100,000 subscribers today. Another 2,600 subscribers receive the magazine online. While some Greek organizations have done away with their print magazine and offer only an online version (in light of today’s economy), Delta Zeta gives our readers a choice. If you would like to read The LAMP online to help the Sorority to go green, just email us at GreenLAMP@dzshq.com. You receive an email alert when the next issue is online. If you want to continue to receive The LAMP in its hard copy format, mailed to you three times a year, you need not do anything.

Behind the scenes, a strategic plan for each biennium’s issues is done in advance and approved by The LAMP Committee (an editorial committee appointed by the National President and made up of present and past National Officers, one Alumnae Chapter LAMP Editor and one College Chapter LAMP Editor) and by National Council. Because of our publication schedule, we work three months in advance of each issue. In the meantime, chapter news and member news is also posted to the national website and to the LAMP Twitter and Facebook pages, which helps publicize more news in a more timely manner prior to when it will be published in The LAMP.

Because all alumnae receive a lifetime subscription to The LAMP at no additional cost to them, budget is always an important matter in the publication of the magazine. The best way to contain the costs involved in printing and mailing the magazine is to limit the number of pages, but we know that it is important to provide an outlet for alumnae and collegiate news and information, and the national website and social media serve that purpose while reserving space in The LAMP for news of national scope.

The magazine is also sent to other Greek organizations and to the college or university president and the Director of Greek/Student Affairs on each campus where Delta Zeta has a chapter. We encourage alumnae to share personal news of local interest with your Alumnae Public Relations Chairman on your Alumnae Area Team or your local alumnae chapter (this includes engagement, marriages and births) which we do not have space to publish in The LAMP.

We welcome your submissions at any time, whether you are a collegiate or alumnae chapter, chapter association or a member-at-large. Submissions to The LAMP can be made via email to LAMP@dzshq.com, online using the Submit News form or snail mail to LAMP Editor, 202 E. Church St., Oxford, OH 45056. And don't forget to send your photos to LAMP@dzshq.com. See the photo criteria here. We encourage everyone to submit news to us as it happens. Here are some general deadlines for the LAMP publication schedule:

Issue 1............................................ Send submissions by February 10

Issue 2 .......................................... Send submissions by June 10

Issue 3.................................. ........ Send submissions by October 10

We will look forward to receiving your news and hope you continue to look forward to receiving The LAMP!