Chapter Inc.'s New Radio Buttons

For those of you who used Chapter Inc.'s Manage Members Actions in the past you know the pain of the spinning arrow. Well an update has been applied to the site which will make processing your transactions much faster. This fall there is a new layout to the Manage Members Action. The actions for new members and initiated members have been split into two menu items.

And now on the Select (Second) Step, you will select the radio button next to the member's name you wish to make the membership change on. Only the radio buttons which correspond with a member's status type will be available for you to select.

Finally, on the Third (Additional Info) Step, there is an Apply to All button. That will come in handy when you are entering multiple new member requests to initiate which all have the same date. If you put in one date for the first action, and use that Apply to All button, the rest of the same transactions will automatically update to the same effective date.

Please contact the Chapter Inc. Support Team at chapterinc@dzshq.com if you have any questions on these changes to the Manage Members Actions.

Book Discussion: Crucial Conversations

It has been ten years since the publication of Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler, and unlike some leadership or business books that seem to be popular for a year or two, Crucial Conversations has real staying power. Perhaps this is due to the universal need for all of us to master the ability to hold difficult conversations; to talk honestly. The tenets and tools outlined throughout the book are useful to collegians and alumnae alike – in personal, professional and volunteer situations.

Crucial conversations are those where “(1) stakes are high, (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run strong” (p. 3). In Delta Zeta, examples of these conversations could include working through roommate issues, talking with a fellow Executive Board officer who has not been fulfilling her responsibilities or holding a planning meeting about your next philanthropy event where the co-chairs wish to go in very different directions.

The authors offer the following suggestions for approaching crucial conversations.

• Start With the Heart – what do you really want for yourself and others in this situation? Knowing and revisiting what you really want is crucial and should affect your behavior.
• Self-Monitor – as Socrates is often quoted, “Know Thyself”. Always be aware of how you are behaving and how that is affecting others. For example, do you often become quiet when presented with crucial conversations? Is your silence causing silence in others?
• Create Mutual Purpose and Respect – be sure to establish that those engaged in the conversation are working towards a common outcome of the dialogue and that you respect those participating in the conversation. Individuals must feel safe and respected to participate.
• Explore Other’s Paths – in other words, be sure to listen. Utilize the active listening skills that you have learned, being sure to mirror their actions and paraphrase what you are hearing for confirmation.

As we are approaching the beginning of the academic year, most likely we will all encounter one, if not many, crucial conversations. It is important to keep in mind that you most likely won’t master all of these skills in the heat of the moment, and that is ok. Simply “consider whether you could think a little more clearly during a few crucial conversations” (p. 91). Consider preparing ahead of time – what skills will help you the most? What technique will help you the most in your next conversation? How much time and practice are you willing to put in to become effective at holding dialogue?

For more suggestions, further details and example conversations, be sure to check out the book.


Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., and Switzler, A. (2002). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. McGraw-Hill: New York.

Introducing National President Jeanine Petersen Triplett

At the recent 50th National Convention, Delta Zeta elected the 2012-2014 National Council. This week, we would like to introduce you to new National President, Jeanine Petersen Triplett.

Jeanine is a proud graduate of the University of Louisville, receiving both her B.S. in Communications and M.S. in Community Development. She is an alumna of the Beta Gamma chapter of Delta Zeta, for which she served as the College Chapter Director from 2006-2008. Triplett has most recently served Delta Zeta as the National Vice President of Membership. She has previously served on National Council as a National Director and Secretary. Her additional Delta Zeta volunteer roles include as Chairman of the Activities Committee, New Member Education Committee, and Committee on Values  and Membership as well as Province Collegiate Director and Website and Technology Chairman for the Delta Zeta Foundation. Jeanine also served as a National Field Representative. In 2004, Jeanine received the Achoth Award, given to specially selected alumnae who have demonstrated, by long and faithful service, their continued loyalty to Delta Zeta particularly in their local communities.

"I am so excited and honored to now serve as the National President for Delta Zeta. We are entering an exciting chapter in our organization's history thanks to the many volunteers who have provided a solid foundation and visionary leadership for our Sorority. Our Founders have given us a precious gift of sorority and sisterhood - it is up to each of us, alumnae and collegians, to continue to live our lives based on the high standards Delta Zeta was founded on and to make sure that Delta Zeta continues to enrich the lives of our all of members," states Triplett.

Professionally, Jeanine serves as the Director of Development and Communications for Mercy Academy in Louisville, Kentucky and has served on the Kentucky Board of Directors for CASE (Council for Advancement Support of Education).

Jeanine is also very involved in the Louisville community including past and present roles with Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Festival, University of Louisville/Alcohol & Drug Coalition, University of Louisville/Greek Housing Task Force and the Younger Woman's Club of Louisville. She currently serves as the Co-Director of the Miss University of Louisville Pageant.

With deepest gratitude we recognize those who served Delta Zeta in volunteer roles throughout the 2010-2012 Biennium and look forward to 2012-2014 as we continue to enrich the lives of our members and the communities with which we are involved. 

Preparing for fall recruitment - by Guest Blogger Ashley Anderson, National Recruitment Chairman

The weather is hot and the sun is shining, but before we know it the leaves will turn and the excitement of fall recruitment will be in the air! As you start putting in place the final touches to your recruitment plans I wanted to highlight the recruitment resources that the committee has posted on Delta Zeta Metro over the past year.

The Membership Manuals are located in the Chapter Officer Resources Container - Collegiate Resources link. Please make sure you take time and review the manuals. They are full of wonderful information that will guide you through your recruitment planning including formal recruitment and COB planning. The committee has also just completed new recruitment resources under the collegiate resource tab.

Don’t forget to join the recruitment group on DZ Metro. This group is geared towards Vice Presidents of Membership, committee members and advisors but anyone who is interested in recruitment can join! This group is a great place to share or find recruitment ideas, skits, and pictures. You can also post your recruitment questions to the group as well.

The Recruitment Committee publishes updates regarding recruitment via DZ Digest on a monthly basis. Make sure you access these recruitment DZ Digests each month to see the updates.

Your CCD and Recruitment Advisor can offer suggestions and guide your chapter’s recruitment. Remember: your advisors have been working with your chapter for awhile and are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to recruitment. Make sure you set up a time to meet with them to discuss your current plans.

Your chapter may need help “behind the scenes” during recruitment. Encourage your alumnae relations chair to send out a signup sheet for times when you will need alumnae support during perfecting and recruitment week. Alumnae groups are often willing to provide lunch or snacks during recruitment. You can send an email to your local alumnae group with your recruitment dates and a list of items you will need for recruitment. Remember our alumnae are busy women with families and work, so they need plenty of time to prepare. Make sure to get your request to them well in advance of recruitment.

I encourage you to take advantage of the many resources to help you as you plan for recruitment.

Best wishes for a wonderful fall semester!

Welcome to Delta Zeta's 50th National Convention

 

Hello and welcome to Delta Zeta’s 50^th National Convention here at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, Texas! My name is Allison St. Germain and I am the Director of Educational Technologies for Delta Zeta. Delta Zetas from across North America are arriving today to gather together and enjoy the sisterhood which unites us all. This year’s program will encourage attendees to “Make a Promise, Make a Difference”. We wanted to give you a sneak peak of what to expect during your time here at Convention or give you a glimpse of what your sisters are going to experience even if you cannot be here yourself. So let’s get started!