ΔΖ Glossary

Alumna
A Delta Zeta no longer in school. The plural of alumna is alumnae (rhymes with "knee").
Area Alumnae Director (AAD)
Appointed by National Council to supervise alumnae activities in an area.
Alumna Initiate
A woman, not enrolled in college, who is invited to become an initiated member because of her connection with, and interest in, Delta Zeta. She must be approved by the National Council.
Badge
A gold lamp with four pearls and a diamond in the flame. It is worn only by initiated members and placed over the heart above all other pins.
Bid
A formal invitation extended by a sorority to a potential member to become pledged to their chapter.
Big Sister
An initiated member who sponsors, advises and guides a new member through her pledgeship and initiation.
Bylaws
A document written by each chapter to spell out its local policies; subordinate to the National Bylaws.
College Chapter Director (CCD)
A local Delta Zeta alumna who volunteers her time to act as an advisor for the chapter.
Candlelighting/Candlepass
A ceremony in which a member reveals having been given a lavaliere, fraternity pin or engagement ring.
Chapter
The single, organized group of a sorority on a campus. The local group of a national sorority.
Collegian
A NOUN; a member in undergraduate studies.
Collegiate
An ADJECTIVE; describing the undergraduate members in a chapter.
Colony
The organization of a group before they become installed as a full-fledged chapter.
Continuous Open Bidding (COB)
Enables chapters that did not pledge quota or reach total to pledge additional women immediately following the designated formal recruitment period and throughout the year.
DZ DeZigns
The Sorority's boutique of Delta Zeta clothing and accessories, housed at National Headquarters. Shop online at www.deltazeta.org.
Educational Leadership Consultant
A newly graduated Delta Zeta who is hired by the National Council to visit college chapters to assist them with leadership training, collegiate programming and recruitment activities.
Extension
The process of establishing new chapters of Delta Zeta.
Formal Recruitment
A series of parties or events given by each Sorority during a period which is scheduled and governed by Panhellenic Council.
Foundation
The Delta Zeta Foundation is a separate corporate entity that assists the Sorority by providing scholarship and funding other educational/philanthropic programs.
Founders Day
National celebration of Delta Zeta chapters to commemorate the founding of the Sorority on October 24, 1902.
Good Standing
The fulfillment of all moral, academic, financial or other obligations required of a Delta Zeta member or chapter.
Hazing
Persecuting or harassing with humiliating tasks, words or actions. Against Delta Zeta Sorority policy.
House
A chapter's living or meeting facility.
Initiate
A woman who is undergoing or has undergone the Initiation Ceremony. She has met all necessary requirements for initiation and remains active within the college chapter.
Initiation
A formal ritual to designate the official acceptance into Delta Zeta Sorority after which the new initiate may wear the Crest and the badge.
Installation
The establishment and chartering of a new Delta Zeta chapter.
The LAMP
The official publication of Delta Zeta Sorority. All initiated members receive a lifetime subscription.
Lamplighting
The special time set aside before initiation for sisterhood and closeness to prepare the new member.
Legacy
A potential member who is a biological or adopted daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter or sister of an initiated member (alive or deceased) of any Delta Zeta chapter. This may include half-sisters or step relations if the relationship to the Delta Zeta member has been a close one.
National Council
The governing leadership of Delta Zeta. These women are elected at the National Convention and serve for a two-year term.
National Convention
The biennial meeting of the Sorority. Delegates from chapters and alumnae groups form the Convention body, charged with conducting the Sorority's business.
National District Director (NDD)
Appointed by National Council to provide additional resources and support to the Regional Collegiate Director (RCD).
National Headquarters
The building that houses the Delta Zeta Sorority and Foundation offices and the Historical Museum. Located at 202 East Church Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056. The telephone number is (513) 523-7597.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
An organization of 26 national sororities which meets regularly to share concerns and provide mutual solutions and support.
New Member
A young woman, chosen by the chapter to become a member of Delta Zeta, during the period in which she is preparing to be initiated.
Quota
The number of new members, determined by the local college Panhellenic, which any chapter may pledge during a specific school period.
Regional Collegiate Director (RCD)
Appointed by National Council to supervise the CCDs and collegiate chapters within an assigned region.
Ritual
The Sorority ceremonies celebrated and conducted by every chapter; the secret rites of membership.
Total
The allowable chapter size, as determined by college Panhellenic, including both new members and initiated members.
Unanimous Agreements
Specific procedures and ethics that are unanimously agreed upon by all 26 NPC groups.
Website
Delta Zeta’s Website address is www.deltazeta.org. Members may also register their e-mail addresses online and search for other members in the e-mail directory on the private side of the site, For Sisters Only. Visitors can purchase DZ DeZigns merchandise and Delta Zeta Jewelry through the online Delta Zeta Shop. Links are available to college and alumnae chapters that have Web sites. List serves are also available for chapter officers. Legacy and Reference forms can be downloaded, and donations to the Delta Zeta Foundation can be made online.