Loving Delta Zeta: Guidance and Unity in Action

Fourth in a four part series on how Delta Zeta members show their love of the Sorority by acting upon the ideals found in our Purpose.

…and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action.

When we first undertook this project to outline Delta Zeta’s four pieces of the Purpose, we hoped it would spark some discussion. The Purpose, unlike the Delta Zeta Creed, just doesn’t roll off the tongues of most members. Most collegians don’t sit around dissecting the Purpose during their chapter meetings or sisterhood events. But our members ARE discussing why Delta Zeta exists. We’ve seen grassroots conversations occurring on social media, we’ve see the questions that our Presidents asked at the Presidents Academy this month, we’ve read the news stories that members have submitted to The LAMP, and we know that chapters have put the Purpose of Delta Zeta into action with their reports from recruitment, philanthropy, and other events.

The last part of the Delta Zeta Purpose really speaks to two different areas. Planning for guidance for our chapters and members as well as working together towards a common goal. Delta Zeta has certainly made plans for assisting our members become the best version of themselves possible to meet the goals in our Purpose. We are so very lucky to be able to deliver outstanding programming and experiences for our members. We are also very lucky to have the dedicated support of alumnae volunteers who give of their time, talent and treasure to support the collegiate members of the Sorority. As many members tweeted to us with #WhyDZ, their membership is not for four years, but for a lifetime.

Finally, it seems fitting for unity in action to be the last section of the Purpose we discuss. Delta Zeta’s Founders envisioned a national sisterhood when they founded our dear Sorority. By working together, we can achieve so much more than if we work individually. The energy and enthusiasm that is harnessed by a gathering of sisters is amazing! Remember that feeling of belonging that you felt when you first joined Delta Zeta and had that golden lamp placed above your heart? We belong to something bigger than ourselves now and by working together we will achieve the goals of Delta Zeta, which are to unite our 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 our members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action.

What does this last section of the Purpose mean to you?

Loving Delta Zeta: Moral and social culture

Third in a four part series on how Delta Zeta members show their love of the Sorority by acting upon the ideals found in our Purpose.

…to promote the moral and social culture of its members…

The third part of Delta Zeta’s Purpose might be the toughest to take action upon for many of our members. We are willing to bet that our members know what it means, but, of the four sections of our purpose, it may be the hardest to act congruently upon each day.

We might want to look a little further in the Constitution. In Article III, Section 3, under Qualifications our Founders defined what they considered moral and social culture which is “… to promote the welfare of the whole by every means consistent with a high sense of honor, to obey its laws, to avoid all conduct which may be criticized among acquaintances or be offensive to her fellow members and to exert herself to promote and maintain harmony and prosperity of the Sorority.” So that means Delta Zeta, as a whole, defines what moral and social culture means for its members.

A culture evolves over time. Decisions made in one instance, which are then carried through to others, build upon each other until the customs we have created become our organizational culture. Did our Founders envision a time where our sisterhood would be played out across social media channels? Of course not. But, they did understand that Delta Zeta would be a national sisterhood, and even positioned themselves to make that possible (read Grace Mason Lundy’s history of the sorority from 1952 if you want more details). Did they think that we’d ever live in a day and age where organizations were required to have risk management policies to ensure the safe actions of their members? Probably not. But, they did leave the possibility open to future members to define what is acceptable for Delta Zeta members when they wrote the Constitution and allowed for the National Convention to make governing decisions for the Sorority.

Does our Purpose hold no relevancy on Twitter then just because Alfa Lloyd didn’t have a social media handle tweeting out Delta Zeta’s message? Again, no. It is up to each member, in her actions on a daily basis, to bring the Purpose to life. If our Founders expected us to avoid conduct which may be criticized, then we need to do that in all parts of our lives, not just when we put on our Badge or Delta Zeta letters. You know what we are talking about here. The #TSM posts, or other actions which do not position Delta Zeta, or yourself, in the best light, have to stop to make sure that you are truly fulfilling the Purpose our Founders had in mind for Delta Zeta.

Think about it. Would we need policies and procedures if each member lived our Purpose every day? What do you think?

Loving Delta Zeta: Pursuit of knowledge

Second in a four part series on how Delta Zeta members show their love of the Sorority by acting upon the ideals found in our Purpose.

How appropriate this month that the second part of Delta Zeta’s Purpose says that our members will stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge. This month the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is celebrating the Month of the Scholar. In 2010, the NPC proclaimed February the Month of the Scholar. The first celebration took place in 2011 and the NPC has since developed an Academic Excellence Guidebook for campuses to use as a resource.

Academic excellence is a foundation of the Delta Zeta experience. During the last biennium, we saw an increase on our national grade point average. And though measurement of our academic achievement is necessary, it is not the only way that we can actively stimulate our members in the pursuit of knowledge. Are our collegiate chapters creating an atmosphere which supports achievement in all areas of knowledge? In what ways can we support members who are pursing higher degrees? Are our members aware of the opportunities which exist financially through the Delta Zeta Foundation and the scholarships we offer?

As one member said on our Facebook page, Delta Zeta members should encourage each other to be life-long learners. What are some unique ways that you, or your chapter, support, encourage and stimulate your sisters to act upon the second part of the Delta Zeta purpose?

Loving Delta Zeta: Sincere and lasting friendship

First in a four part series on how Delta Zeta members show their love of the Sorority by acting upon the ideals found in our Purpose.

We’ve all heard the old saying, “actions speak louder than words.” This is very evident in our experiences as Delta Zeta members. Sure, you can stand up at chapter and recite the Creed word for word, but do you consciously think about those words throughout the week between meetings when you are undertaking your everyday activities? Delta Zetas ideals don’t stop at the chapter house door. How do we consciously bring our love for Delta Zeta to life every day?

This month our blog is going to focus in on Delta Zeta’s Purpose, which has four simple parts and one way to bring it to life.

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

Did you see them? The four ideals that Delta Zeta is built upon? They are sincere and lasting friendship, pursuit of knowledge, moral and social culture and plans for guidance and unity and action. How does Delta Zeta do this? Through you, our members. Whether it is the voting delegates at National Convention, our elected National Council or our college and alumnae chapters, our members are advancing Delta Zeta’s Purpose every day.

We asked on Twitter for our followers to tell us in 150 words or less what the first Delta Zeta ideal, sincere and lasting friendship, meant to them. Here is what your sisters had to say via Storify.

Didn’t get a chance to respond? Leave us a message below telling us what sincere and lasting friendship means to you because of Delta Zeta. Next week – pursuit of knowledge.