Save Lives to Save Lids - UPDATE

WE DID IT!! TRULY AMAZING! We hit our goal of collecting 300,000 lids!!! As of yesterday, IO had counted over 301,000 lids. I want to thank all of you who participated in making our goal a reality. With your assistance, Zeta Tau Alphas raised $15,000 for the ZTAF and $30,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure local affiliates!

Save Lids to Save Lives!

We are about a week away from our Zeta deadline to have all lids turned into IO, and at this point we are at 67,649 lids. All lids must be postmarked by December 15. Below are a few reminders when packaging the lids.

• Send only pink lids that read “SAVE LIDS TO SAVE LIVES.” The pink lids that have the Komen logo on them DO NOT count.
• Write your chapter name somewhere on the package or slide a note in the package.
• Send clean lids.
• Send lids to:

Zeta Tau Alpha
Attn: Lid Collection
3450 Founders Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268

Check out our Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Indianapolis-IN/The-Official-ZTA-and-Yoplait-Save-Lids-to-Save-Lives-page/38846740621

Psi Chapter Votes!

I am pleased to announce the following ladies will serve as Psi Chapter's 2009 Executive Council.

President: Mikaela Gomes
VPI-Coordinator of Committees: Marsha Quick
VPII-New Member Coordinator: Lynsey Woldendorp
VPIII-Membership (Recruitment): Melissa Chen
Secretary: Brittany Birkett
Treasurer: Christine Lee
Historian-Reporter: Kim King
Ritual: Adrienne Aasen
Panhellenic Delegate: Kelsey Graddon
House Manager: Brooke Van Wingerden
Academic Achievement Chair (AACH): Shawn Whitefield

Congratulations, ladies!

Zeta & Co. ~ Zetas are a Girl's Best Friend!

I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Julia Hill, National Housing Corporation President and former National President, will be the keynote speaker at Washington Zeta Day, April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM -3:00 PM at the Women's University Club in downtown Seattle. I hope to see you there!

Founders Day

Celebrating 110 years of sisterhood!

Listen to the Founders’ Day Proclamation podcast.
http://www.ztacast.org/

Think Pink!

Did you know that Hallmark Gold Crown Stores give away beautiful greetings cards with messages of hope and reminders to take care of breast health? These cards are available from September 1 through October 31. You can usually take more than one, so stop by and get some!

I thought that chapters could use these cards and mail them to targeted alumnae with personal notes and invitations to October events such as bra fittings, breast cancer speakers,etc. You could just let them know about your chapter's Save Lids to Save Lives campaign (pink lids are in stores now!) and ask them to save lids for you.

This would be a great and inexpensive way to personally contact some women on your list like 25 year members (a great group to recruit from), White Violets, or any ladies your chapter would like to reach out to.

I hope that some of you take advantage of these free cards, even just to mail to your friends and family. Breast cancer awareness is such an important message!

Source: Jennifer Ward Whalen, DP XVII-A (KS, MO)

Congratulations Psi Chapter

Congratulations to the ladies of Psi Chapter as they welcome 35 new members to our sisterhood today!

Alumnae Certificate of Merit

This certificate is a national award presented at Zeta Day or other special events. Names and qualifications of those recommended for the Alumnae Certificate of Merit are presented to National Council for consideration at their Fall meeting. The vote of National Council is required for approval. The alumna must have been out of school for seven years and have a minimum of seven years of significant post-collegiate service. Alumnae may qualify in any of the following ways:

1. Serve as a collegiate chapter advisor over an extended period of time in a major advisory postion (i.e., General Advisor, New Member Advisor, Membership Advisor, Financial Advisor, Program Council Advisor) or other significant service on behalf of a collegiate chapter as determine by National Council.
   
   
2. Make extensive contributions to a collegiate chapter housing project (i.e., serving as a House Corporation/Association Board Officer).
   
   
3. Establish and/or sustain an alumnae chartered club or chapter, as an Executive Officer (President, VP I- Programming, VP II - Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, or Historian-Reporter).
   
   
   
   
   

A Matter of Balance

Are you the Queen of Multi-Tasking or the Princess of Overextended and Burnt Out?

Life happens! Take a lesson from our beloved Themis -- the scale is rarely perfectly balanced, you have to look at both sides and adjust. When one side comes up, the other goes down.

Tips & Tricks

• Make a list -- It is often not near as bad on paper as it all is rattling around in you head.
  
  
• Take 5 - When you can't get going and life seems overwhelming, talk yourself into "5." Tackle 5 small things you know you need to do or spend 5 minutes doing a chore. It will either jump start you and you will keep going or at the minimum, something gets done.
  
  
• Accept a sisterly hand - We have all been there or will be, let someone help. Accept if offered and ask if needed.
  
  
• Don't reinvent the wheel - Reuse, recycle when you can.
  
  
• Forget perfect - really! Not only do you waste time obsessing over getting things "just right" studies actually show you cause yourself a lot more stress.
  
  
• Have boundaries - Find the things important to you - Sunday dinners with your family, tucking your kids into bed, Thursday happy hours with your girlfriends... protect those things fiercely!
  
  
• Communicate - When people know this is a rough week/month/few months in your life, they are much more understanding if you aren't always at 100%.
  
  
• Lean when you can say "no." Prioritize and stay flexible.
  

Tools of the Office

It is important to update files with only essential material. Specific guidelines for maintaining files are included in the Executive Committee section of the Guide for Alumnae. Files may be hard copy or electronic. If electronic, use a backup storage device to retain your files.

Policies Governing Files

• Keep only the latest edition of manuals, the Alumnae Service Book, bylaws, etc.
• Keep correspondence, reports, etc., for three years, unless otherwise indicated.
• Keep all financial records for seven years.
• Discard all outdated material at least once a year.
• Check files before giving them to a new officer.
• Keep minutes for IRS historical reference

Tools of Office

The outgoing officer should familiarize the incoming officer with the tools she will need to fulfill her responsibilities.

The following items are to be retained in the President’s files:

• The Chapter Charter
• (National) Constitution & Bylaws of Zeta Tau Alpha – ZTA’s governing document
• General Manual (2007 Ed.)– A guide to the Fraternity’s general operations.
• Guide for Alumnae – Covers every aspect of ZTA alumnae organization membership.
• Journey of a Lifetime: How to Start an Alumnae Chapter
• Guide to Alumnae Finances
• Guide to Alumnae Recruitment
• Alumnae Service Book – The esoteric book of ZTA alumnae rituals.
• Officer’s Notebook – Contains all items listed in the following Notebooks section.

All other Executive Committee officers should have:

• General Manual
• Guide for Alumnae
• Guide to Alumnae Finances (Treasurer)
• Guide to Alumnae Recruitment (VP II – Membership)

Files and manuals are reviewed by officers who are required by their office description to utilize them. If any manuals, notebook items or other tools of office are missing or outdated, create a list for the incoming Secretary, who immediately will order all needed materials from International Office, using the ZTA order form. Contact your District President to confirm the current versions of the Guides and Manuals.

Officer Notebooks

These notebooks are critical tools of the office, in which pertinent materials and updates are kept. Each officer may organize her notebook as she likes. Whatever the method, organize your notebook so items can be located easily.

Notebook sections include:

• Office description from the Executive Committee or Committees section of the Guide for Alumnae
• The officer’s and the organization’s goals
• A calendar of dates pertinent to the officer and the group
• Forms, reports and bulletins from International Office
• The current district directory
• Correspondence – Keep routine correspondence for three years. Retain correspondence of a permanent or historic nature in the chapter’s files
• Chapter bylaws
• Reports from previous officers, such as accomplishments, evaluations, recommendations and suggestions
• Other information such as ideas from programs, events, etc.
• Recommendations from outgoing officer to the new officer.

Always keep copies of completed reports in your notebook (and/or your electronic files).

Meet Your New Vice President Alumnae - Area II

Diane Hanson Keegan Theta Omega Chapter, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Diane has served ZTA as District President XIX-G since 2005. Prior to that, she was a member of the Chapter Financial Management Committee for eight years. On the local level, Diane has served as financial advisor for Theta Omega Chapter, as an officer in the Inland Pomona, CA Alumnae Chapter, and as the ZTA Representative for the Temecula Race for the Cure.

Professionally, Diane has experience in advertising and marketing, producing television and radio commercials and collateral materials. She and her husband Gary owned and operated their own award-winning retail business before selling it in 2005. Since then, Diane has devoted her time to volunteering at her children's school and as a Cub Scout and Brownie leader.

Diane holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in marketing management from Cal Poly Pomona. She lives in Murrieta, California with Gary and their two children, Connor, 8, and Shannon, 6.

Crown Connections

Crown Connections augments basic programming with special-interest options. Invite the general membership, but expect a core group to enjoy these specific programs. This is a great way to attract targeted groups of alumnae to your chapter and offer something new to your current membership!

Your VP of Programming can coordinate these groups, or consider appointing a committee chair for each special-interest activity. The following are just a few Crown Connection ideas. If you come up with other ideas, please notify me (kellyw9@hotmail.com) so we can share them with other chapters.

Loyalty Link
The Loyalty Link idea originated in Zeta Tau Alpha several years ago to serve recently graduated alumnae. It provides programming for women that age and caters to their interests. Ask a young alumna to steer this programming.

Book Club
Read the latest novel and get together for some intellectual sisterhood. Of course, this can include good food, drink and great conversation. List the book selection on your Web site or newsletter. Members can take turns hosting the meeting. Meetings can be in homes, coffee houses, bookstores, etc. Have next month's hostess choose her month's book. For example, February's hostess would announce her selection at the January meeting.

Self-Indulgent Sisters Club (SIS)
For sisters who need a break from the day-to-day, join the SIS group for shopping, lunch a movie or spa treatment. Always just for fun!

Culture Club
Life is a Cabaret... and sometimes a cabernet! Explore you area's cultural events: the museum, an art exhibit, a gourmet food and beverage tasting, a play, and opera, or a concert in the park. You might even make a road trip of it to find the desired culture, and that in itself is fun!

Alum Chums
These sisters foster one-on-one relationships with members, new members or graduating seniors to enrich their ZTA experience and demonstrate that ZTA is forever. Work with the collegiate chapter's general advisor or new member advisor to connect with collegians.

ZTA All-Stars
Want to get a work out and spend time with your sisters? Form a sports team, such as softball or soccer. Form a running group to start training for a Komen Race for the Cure near you.

These are but a few examples of the sub-groups you can form. The great thing is that you can tailor your crown connections to meet the needs of your membership.

How Alumnae Help With Collegiate Recruitment

Collegiate recruitment is the lifeblood of Zeta Tau Alpha, and alumnae play an important role in that recruitment. The recruitment system depends on the submission of Membership Information Sheets to collegiate chapters. All alumnae have the responsibility to submit a Membership Information Sheet (MIS) on any potential new member who exhibits the qualities expected of ZTA members.

Many of our collegiate chapters start recruitment in just a few weeks. To find recruitment start dates for ZTA chapters, go to www.zetataualpha.org > Chapters > Recruitment.

Encourage members of your alumnae group to:

• Submit an MIS to the ZTA chapter on the campus where the potential new member attends school. The names and addresses of the alumnae who receive MIS forms for each chapter are listed in the spring issue of Themis and can be found online with the MIS form. (Note: you will need a ZTA username and password to access this information. If you do not have one, follow the instructions for "Need to Create An Account.")
• Meet the daughters of friends and neighbors.
• Talk about ZTA to young women and show your pride, not just the week before high school graduation, but years before.
• Send voluntary references on women from the community.

For more information on where to find MIS forms and how to complete them or where to send them, please contact me or Kori Voorhees, State Reference Chair - Area III.

Use of ZTA Insignia

ZTA * ZETA TAU ALPHA * Themis

What do all of these letters and symbols above have in common? They are registered trademarks of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity and the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation.

The name "Zeta Tau Alpha," the letters "ZTA," the word "Themis," and the design of our Coat of Arms are registered trademarks of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. The term "THINK PINK!" is a registered trademark of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. ZTA has an approval right over all designs and products that depict any of these trademarks.

In order to safeguard the appropriate use of our federally registered trademarks and to guarantee quality products, Zeta Tau Alpha is one of many Greek organizations that have entered into a trademark licensing agreement with Affinity Marketing Consultants (AMC). All commercial use of Zeta Tau Alpha's trademarks must be administered through a license agreement with Zeta Tau Alpha.

Members of Zeta Tau Alpha shall obtain items of official Zeta Tau Alpha insignia, and any items or products bearing a designation or representation of the name(s) "Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity" and "Zeta Tau Alpha", Greek letters, Coat of Arms, corporate logo, seal, member badge, among others marks determined by the Fraternity from time to time, only from those persons or companies specifically authorized by the National President.

Chapters wishing to use the term "THINK PINK!" must receive advance permission from the ZTA Foundation. Permission forms are avaliable from the Foundation and on the ZTA Web site. We encourage members of Zeta Tau Alpha to support our organization and buy exclusively from Crown & Co. and officially licensed Zeta Tau Alpha vendors. To shop for official products, visit our entire list of licensed vendors at www.greeklicensing.com > Clients >Zeta Tau Alpha. When shopping for Zeta Tau Alpha merchandise, look for this logo:

All alumnae chapter presidents will receive a copy of the Trademark and Licensing Policy. Please contact me for more information if you have any questions regarding using approved vendors, obtaining a license to sell ZTA branded merchandise, or use the "THINK PINK!" mark for a philanthropy event. If our marks are used inappropriately, it reflects poorly on our organization and our members. Licensing is designed to protect Zeta Tau Alpha and present a positive public image. Thank you for your cooperation in this endeavor!

ZTA Traveler

My next series of posts will address the topics covered at convention that will be of interest to our alumnae.

Do you like to keep in touch with old sisters, meet new ones or travel the world? Zeta Tau Alpha is committed to providing ZTAs with opportunities to come together and experience the most exciting parts of the world with its new travel program. ZTA has contracted with Affinity Marketing Consultants to offer outstanding vacation tours and reunion services through ZTA Traveler.

Through ZTA Traveler, members and their families and friends may select from a wide range of trips that have been hand-selected to assure excellent quality and competitive pricing. If ZTA Traveler does not currently offer a destination you would like to visit you can join the mailing list and let them know what kind of trip you would be interested in (Italy, Italy, Italy -- but that's just my opinion).

If you'd like to coordinate a reunion on a ZTA Traveler trip, you can supply the e-mail addresses of the sisters you want to invite and ZTA Traveler will automatically send them information about the trip. Zeta Tau Alpha respects you and your friends' privacy. They will send a one-time e-mail with the information and the e-mail information will not be stored in AMC's database unless the members request to join the mailing list.

For more information about ZTA Traveler, visit www.ztatraveler.org. There you can sign up to join the mailing list, view the current vacation offerings and obtain great tips for travel in general.

Current featured trips:

• Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium
• The Great Journey Through Europe
• Blue Danube Discover

Convention 2008 "Zeta for Life" - Awards

Only the best get Crowned -- Crown Chapter that is...

Our chapters are on fire! All of our chapters who attended Convention were recognized for their outstanding achievements over the biennium. Below is a list of awards our chapters received:

Kappa Mu Chapter
Crown Chapter
Academic Achievement
Financial Excellence
SELF Challenge Winner - Most Participants Registered Per Capita

Psi Chapter
Crown Chapter
Academic Achievement
Quota/Total
Financial Excellence
Mikaela Gomes, Psi - Ruth R. Kerr Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Eugene, OR Chapter
Crown Chapter

Seattle, WA Chapter
Crown Chapter
Alumnae Panhellenic Silver Award

Spokane, WA Chapter
Crown Chapter

Washington State
12th largest Zeta Day Contribution to ZTAF

Congratulations to our award winning chapters! Thank you for your continued dedication to our Fraternity. Your efforts ensure that Zeta Tau Alpha is forever!

I cannot wait to see what the next biennium brings. I look forward to celebrating our successes in my home state of Louisiana at the 2010 Convention in New Orleans! Laissez Le Bon Ton Roulet! (Let the Good Times Roll!)

Convention 2008 "Zeta for Life" - Attendees

Originally uploaded by KellyZTA

Over 700 Zetas convened in Tucson, Arizona, where we celebrated "ZTA For Life!" The focus was on our personal well-being, as well as that of our great Fraternity. We made new Zeta friendships and rekindled old ones.

District XIX-A was well represented with a total of 17 collegiate and alumnae delegates and national officers. The following women were in attendance:

National Officers
Karla Wheeler, Province President XIX-A
Kelly Hamilton, District President XIX-A
Lisa Hastings, District President XV-A (who has returned to Seattle, yeah!)

Eugene, OR Chapter
Aileen Lee, President

Seattle, WA Chapter
Mardee Austin, President
Lucy Brown, National Music Committee & Psi General Advisor
Julia Prosser, Alumna Visitor
Marilyn Johnson, Alumna Visitor

Spokane, WA Chapter
Robbin Hale, President
Cathy Crum, Alumnae Panhellenic Delegate
Kathy Harper, Secretary

Psi Chapter
Stephanie Mitchell, President
Gabby Winkler, Historian-Reporter
Mikaela Gomes, VPI - Coordinator of Committees
Ashley Hahn, New Member Coordinator

Kappa Mu Chapter
Ariana Randall, President
Jennifer Johnson, VPI - Coordinator of Committees

Welcome to Zeta Tau Alpha District XIX-A! Zetas for life!

Welcome to my blog! I am the District President for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. I will use this blog to keep my Pacific NW sisters informed of ZTA events in our area, policy changes, successes and provide programming ideas for your chapters. If you live in a city without an alumnae chapter and are interested in forming one, please email me and I will assist you in the process of chartering a new chapter.

ZL,
Kelly Willer Hamilton