Lesson 1: Sisterhood
To those closer ones, Love that is ever steadfast
- The Delta Zeta Creed
What is DZ sisterhood?
Sisterhood is a special bond between women who choose to pledge a sorority, as you have chosen to pledge yourself to Delta Zeta. We should always remember that in a very special way we do belong to Delta Zeta; we believe in Delta Zeta, and all of us are Delta Zetas for life.
Delta Zeta is for a lifetime. You are forever a Delta Zeta. When a woman is initiated into Delta Zeta, she takes an oath of lifetime loyalty and pledges her continued support to and for the Sorority, thus her "lifetime commitment."
After graduation, you will want to continue to experience those same feelings again and again. One way to do this is to become involved with an alumnae group. Being an active alumna is just as rewarding in comparison to being an active collegian.
While many things in your life may change, Delta Zeta will be the one constant. Always there, always accessible, always a part of you wherever you may be. Old friends or new, we are all sisters, forever.
Who are we today?
Delta Zeta Sorority is a national organization with over 220,000 members. There are 158 college chapters throughout the United States and Canada and over 200 alumnae chapters and associations.
Membership in Delta Zeta is a privilege, not a right, and comes through the college chapter into the national organization.
As a member of Delta Zeta, you will share with sisters everywhere a host of customs and traditions. You will support, along with them, the Sorority's national philanthropies and projects. You will have the opportunity to attend National Convention where you can experience the scope and importance of the organization to which you belong and the significance of your place in it.
What is our history?
From the beginning, our six Founders demonstrated integrity and tenacity; the same traits that Delta Zetas portray today. These six women were truly pioneers. Alfa Lloyd, Mabelle Minton, Julia Bishop, Anne Simmons, Mary Collins and Anna Keen were involved in forming a college Y.M.C.A. and a Liberal Arts Club.
They wanted more. They wanted to form a sorority similar to the four men's fraternities already at Miami. This history reminds us that our Delta Zeta Sorority has been meaningful from the beginning.
Find out more about Delta Zeta's History and Heritage.
What makes us sisters?
Friendship is a staple of life. With friendships, we connect with others and receive that internal strength so necessary for our personal growth.
Delta Zeta is based upon friendships. Through these friendships, we have developed an incredible volunteer driven organization. This organization exists to support our alumnae and collegiate members around the world. With more than 220,000 members, this is an important and worthwhile task. Promoting friendship for women fosters a solid sisterhood,?one of which we are extremely proud.
Our shared Ritual makes us sisters. We have all experienced the same Delta Zeta ceremonies, heard the same words, and learned the same symbolism. This is the thread that keeps all of us together.
In our ever-changing world, we have a need to reaffirm our very reason for existence. The same goes for our Sorority—as times change, we must be prepared to define our purpose. We can do this through our Ritual. To perform our Ritual is to verbalize those deeply felt and highly cherished emotions of loyalty, courage, devotion, honesty and love (the love of one sister for another). Thus Delta Zeta continues to be strong because of all of us who choose to keep the tradition of our Ritual unchanged.
"Lighting Paths of Friendship for 100 Years"
The LAMP of Delta Zeta, Summer 2002, Vol. 91, Number 2
By Karen Kind Veitch* ΓΑ, National Vice President of College Chapter Operations
*Flame Eternal: b. 1946 - d. 2003
What does DZ expect from me as a sister?
As a Delta Zeta new member, you may not have realized how your chapter operates, but you will soon learn that it is organized into a well-defined structure made up of chapter officers and committees. There are many levels of participation and even you have a part to play in your chapter.
Each Delta Zeta sister is special. New members should learn to respect each sister as an individual and always treat them with compassion, loyalty and as they themselves would want to be treated. This includes support for members of Delta Zeta at chapter meetings and functions, university events and personal endeavors. You show respect in how you talk, behave and support each other.
Active participation from all members is necessary to keep your chapter operating smoothly. When you share your skills and talents with your chapter, you are directly contributing to its success and achievement. By doing so, you are learning new skills and building leadership abilities that will allow you to take on new challenges in Delta Zeta and in the future.
Remember, Delta Zeta is only what you make it! If you make the commitment and put forth the effort to be an active chapter, the rewards you will receive, both tangible and intangible, will be far greater than your expectations. Simply stated, the more you put in to your chapter, the more you are going to get out of it.
Initiation requirement
The New Member Education period continues until the new member has satisfied all local Panhellenic and National Panhellenic Conference requirements for initiation and any additional obligations adopted by Delta Zeta or until her pledgeship has been broken for cause and her new member pin returned to the chapter.
New members are subject to the same requirements for good standing as the initiated members. You will often hear the term "good standing" in Delta Zeta. Good standing is the fulfillment of all moral, academic, financial or other obligations required of a Delta Zeta member or chapter. Limitation of privileges for failure to meet good standing requirements shall be as prescribed in the Constitution and Code of Regulations and determined by National Council or National Convention.
To be eligible for initiation, a new member shall complete her New Member Education program and comply with all requirements as designated; she shall pay her total new member fee and the cost of the badge to the chapter treasurer prior to the initiation; she shall also complete the online program GreekLifeEdu.
The National Council, or the National President with the consent of the National Council, shall have the responsibility to approve, delay or prohibit the pledging or initiation of any individual.
A new member who has met all requirements shall be initiated according to form and sign the chapter scroll. Her name shall be registered in the records of the chapter and of National Headquarters and she shall be furnished with a certificate and membership card which entitle her to the rights and privileges of membership.
As an initiated chapter member in Delta Zeta, you have a voice and a vote in governing the chapter. Through the chapter nomination and election process, chapter officers and chairmen are elected. These chapter officers form the Executive Board whose primary purpose is to oversee chapter business that includes appointing chairmen.
Some of the elected and appointed officers also have committees to assist them. Participation on these committees or as part of a special chapter project/event may lead you to an appointed or elected position in the future.
How can I develop my sisterhood strengths?
Big Sisters
One of the closest bonds formed in Delta Zeta will be with your Big Sister. Much like the name implies, a Big Sister becomes a guide during your first months experiencing Delta Zeta as well as remaining a very special person throughout your life.
As an extension of the Big Sister Program, many chapters also include the concept of a "Family Tree". The "Family Tree" can be extensive and you may find yourself with not only a new Big Sister, but also a Grand Big Sister and a Great-Grand Big Sister! This will allow you the opportunity to experience Delta Zeta's sisterhood throughout the different classes in your chapter.
Soon you will have the opportunity to identify the initiated members who you might want as your Big Sister. Before deciding upon who should have this honor, you need to be aware of what you want and expect personally from her. Your expectations should serve as a guide in selecting your Big Sister.
It is important that you realize the names Big and Little Sister signify a relationship of equality in Delta Zeta and is not meant to indicate a subordinate attitude.
Mentors
A mentor is defined as "a trusted counselor or guide" (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). Each member is a mentor—no matter what her role in life: parent, wife, teacher, professional colleague or collegian.
Mentoring is more important than ever in today's society; especially as the traditional models of home and family change. Delta Zeta is a second family, a "home away from home" for many women who are on their own for the first time in their lives when they come to college. The sorority experience enhances the mentoring experience?for the mentor and the protégé.
As a protégé, you have the opportunity to learn. Your Big Sister, chapter officers and members, alumnae, College Chapter Director or Advisor and even faculty who are members of Delta Zeta Sorority, will be happy to provide guidance and assistance during your new member period.
With our emphasis on character building and leadership opportunities, mentoring allows a unique way to help you develop confidence and strength as you go forward in the world.
Sisterhood Retreats
A retreat is a planned activity which incorporates learning and sharing and strengthens your sisterhood in Delta Zeta.
A facilitator serves as a guide during the retreat. She will guide you through the learning process, asking questions which will lead you to your own answers and discoveries.
At the end of the retreat, feedback is solicited from the new members and discussion encouraged. You will complete an evaluation which will be used to make improvements for the next retreat.
The retreat provides the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on your chapter experience and provides energy and enthusiasm for your new Delta Zeta life.
Go to the Resources section for more information about the New Member Retreat.
Lamplighting
As a new member, you will participate in a Lamplighting ceremony prior to your initiation. Lamplighting is an inspirational time and can be one of your most memorable experiences in Delta Zeta as you move toward fully understanding the Sorority. Lamplighting activities can also be used to celebrate a sister's engagement or other life-changing events. The experience will bring you closer to your sisters in Delta Zeta and affirm the bonds of friendship that you will always have.
Delta Zeta's Core Values
Delta Zeta's emphasis on friendship—service and scholarship allows you to grow as an individual. You become a compassionate, contributing citizen of the world community. At the same time, you are living these standards with sisters you love, making the experiences enjoyable and memorable. You will remember these days with fondness and fulfillment.
Participate
Be a part of your chapter by participating in events, getting to know your sisters and enjoying the moment in Delta Zeta. Attending chapter meetings and becoming involved in the chapter through committees is one of the best ways to get to know your sisters, to contribute to the overall sisterhood and to strengthen your own commitment to Delta Zeta.