Planning for Your Chapter's Future

This fall Delta Zeta will turn 110 years old. We can learn a great deal from our rich history, which includes both struggles and successes. Delta Zeta was founded by six extraordinary women and has been home to hundreds of thousands of accomplished women since that time. As diverse as our Founders were, one common characteristic that can be found in Delta Zeta history is their commitment to a vision. They knew what Delta Zeta could be, what they wanted it to be, and what they needed to do to make that happen. So 110 years later, the question is, what do you want your Delta Zeta experience to be and what do you need to do to make that happen? Where do you want your chapter to be in three, five or ten years?

While this can seem like a daunting task, a great place to start is a strategic plan. In simple terms, strategic planning is the process of defining where you wish your organization to be in the future, how you are going to get there, and how you will know when you have. Before you begin your planning, make sure you have a consensus within the chapter on who will be involved, what the process will be, how the plan will be reviewed and what is the timeline for your work. 

There are several ways to approach strategic planning, including goals-based planning, issues-based planning or balanced scorecards. One of the most common approaches is SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). SWOT analysis incorporates factors that are both internal and external to the organization.

• Strengths – internal characteristics of the organization which place it in a position for success
• Weaknesses – internal limitations of the organization which place it at a disadvantage
• Opportunities – external prospects for improving the organization or success
• Threats – external factors of the environment which may produce trouble for the organization

Most strategic plans contain the following components: mission, vision, goals and objectives. Some plans also choose to include values. After completing the SWOT analysis, you develop your plan by identifying goals and objectives. These goals and objectives will help you articulate specific action plans for each semester/quarter. Your College Chapter Director (CCD) and Regional College Director (RCD) are great women to include in your strategic planning process. They can offer feedback and suggestions for your chapter and Executive Board specifically.

A couple things to keep in mind: 1) strategic planning is never “done” – it is a continuous process; 2) what you do following the completion of the plan is important! Develop a communication plan and follow-through; 2) strategic planning is hard work. Throughout the process you will encounter differing opinions about the future of an organization for which you care deeply. Be patient and know that everyone is working in the organization’s best interest.

Don’t know where to begin? Explore some of the resources that Delta Zeta has for you. First, review the Sorority purpose: "The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters." - Constitution of the Delta Zeta Sorority, Article II, Sections 1. and 2.

Second, examine the Standards of Excellence, which can be found on DZ Metro > Chapter Officer Resources > Collegiate Resources > Standards of Excellence. Keep in mind that the Standards of Excellence are the minimum expectations to be a chapter in good standing; feel free to set goals exceeding those outlined. Finally, explore the Annual Report Process found on DZ Metro > Chapter Officer Resources > Collegiate Chapters Annual Report. Review Reports from previous years. It is important to know where you have come from and where you are currently to help plan for the future.

Good luck and best wishes on your strategic planning process!