Fill in the blank to ring in 2014 with Delta Zeta

As you think back upon your 2013, what made it special? Are there thing that you'd do differently in 2014? What are you looking forward to in the new year? And, if we challenged you today, how would you fill in the blank on this statement: "I will do more _________ to enrich our Delta Zeta sisterhood." Leave a comment below and tell us! Have a happy and healthy New Years!

What is your #DZHoliday tradition?

As 2013 winds down, Delta Zeta would like to wish you a very happy holiday season. We would also like to know - how do you celebrate the holidays? What is your holiday tradition?  Does your family have an annual funny gift exchange? Did you attend a Delta Zeta holiday event locally? Do you pull out your worst holiday garb to wear to the office ugly sweater party? Do you connect with high school friends when you are home on break? Is there a special pink and green ornament or decoration somewhere in your home? Tell us by leaving a comment below or tweeting it to #DZHoliday.

#DZAlumnae: Walk Truly in the Light of the Flame…

When a woman joins Delta Zeta, most typically as a collegiate member, she is looking for a group of friends, a home away from home, a leadership experience and perhaps just a place to have fun. Many of us don’t anticipate that Delta Zeta will live beyond our collegiate chapter. And even after our new member period, where we learn everything from the Creed to our national service projects, the lifetime commitment of membership might not be in focus.

Membership in Delta Zeta begins during college, but has the opportunity to extend well beyond. Many members are preparing to graduate in December and begin the next part of their Delta Zeta experience. As they embark on life’s next adventures, the last section of the Creed can help guide us as we look towards a lifetime commitment to Delta Zeta. What does it mean to “walk truly in the light of the flame?”

Life will change as members prepare to leave campus and the chapter. Which means their Delta Zeta experience will also change. But, that does not mean it will not be as fulfilling as what she just experienced! Alumnae connections in Delta Zeta can be some of the most meaningful sisterhood experiences a member has. Make sure as members transition to alumnae that we help them “walk truly” and use Delta Zeta as a guide in their lives. Make it easy for members to stay in touch with the chapter, update their contact information as they move to new communities and provide support as they begin new experiences.

How does your chapter assist members as they transition to alumnae? Share your thoughts with Delta Zeta using the comments section below or tweet them to #DZAlumnae.

My Delta Zeta Big Sis

I joined Delta Zeta because of a woman I knew in my freshman honors class, Kathleen. She was initiated her first semester freshman year and I remember hearing all about her experiences every time we went to class. It was a small seminar class with fewer than 20 people and so we all got to know each other really well. Kathleen always just seemed to have it together. Into the spring she was still having a great time with her sorority experience, and I was still trying to “find myself” at college. I liked my dorm, enjoyed classes, but felt that I was missing something. My friendship with Kathleen was an increasingly valuable part of my experience my freshman year even when I doubted if college was really for me. Fast forward to the summer and I kept in touch with Kathleen and became even closer even though we both moved back home which meant we were more than a few hours driving distance away. When we came back to campus in the fall, Kathleen and I were like twins, we tended to dress alike without realizing it and had so many of the same interests and likes. She really was like an older sister to me when I was in actuality the oldest in my family so never had that relationship.

It was only natural the next fall, as recruitment began, for Kathleen to ask me to attend some Delta Zeta events. At first it was lunch with some friends, then ice cream after a football game, then finally she popped the big question- did I want to come up to the chapter room for a craft event? Whoa! Wait a minute – this was taking our relationship to the next level. I considered Kathleen my best friend, someone I looked up to and had learned from in the past year. But could I be her sister? I guess the answer was yes! That fall I took the chance and joined Delta Zeta because of Kathleen. She was someone who I admired and tried to emulate before we were even sorority sisters. It was her influence that helped me fit in my first year at school and then find a home in Delta Zeta. Not only was Kathleen my friend and mentor, she was now my Delta Zeta Big Sister.

Who is your Delta Zeta Big Sis? Is it someone who recruited you? Did you make a connection after you joined the sorority? Or is it someone you’ve known forever and now being sisters completes that circle? Tell us about your story by leaving a comment below!