Advising Opportunities

Hear me calling...hear me calling...Zeta! Zeta! Do you hear the call of Zeta? Are you interested in giving back to your beloved Fraternity? Do you want to be more involved with our collegians? We are looking for several alumnae to volunteer as collegiate chapter advisors.

We have needs at several chapters: Kappa Eta (Rockhurst in Kansas City, MO), Delta Chi (William Jewell in Liberty, MO), Eta Upsilon (Missouri Southern in Joplin, MO), Alpha Psi (Missouri in Columbia, MO) and Eta Theta (Missouri S&T in Rolla, MO).

Opportunities include General Advisor, New Member Advisor, Membership (Recruitment) Advisor, Financial Advisor, Program Council Advisor and Ritual Advisor.

Many of these roles can be filled remotely because most support can be offered via email and phone. We are also getting creative by looking at ways for women to co-advise in some situations. Our Province Presidents and existing advisors will support you along the way and provide excellent training!

If you are interested in learning more, please email mokszetas@yahoo.com.

Inviting all Alumnae: Join ZTAlways

ZTAlways is the new virtual alumnae chapter for Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae. It is now in its second year, and many new updates are in store! Why join ZTAlways? Here are some reasons:

--Members receive periodic newsletters and information to stay informed about ZTA
--Members support the Fraternity nationally, enabling excellent programming for all members and chapters
--Members receive a FREE subscription to Conde Nast's Travel magazine (a benefit for all dues-paying alumnae in 2008-09)
--Members can connect with other Zetas around the world through the new virtual chapter and its online networking tools

Any alumna member can join ZTAlways, even members of geographic alumnae chapters. However, ZTAlways is ideal for Zetas who are in more remote areas or who find themselves too busy to connect in person.

To join, go to www.zetataualpha.org.

Zeta Day Speaker

Kansas and Missouri Zeta Day will feature Zeta Tau Alpha's Executive Director, Deb Ensor! For those of you who have heard Deb speak and sing, you know what a treat this is. If you have never heard her, make plans to attend Zeta Day. You will not want to miss it!

District Happenings: Reorganization of Tri-State Chapter

I am happy to announce that reorganization efforts for the Tri-State of Joplin, MO alumnae chapter are making progress! This chapter has been established for quite some time to serve women living in three states: Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The chapter provides support to local collegians in the Eta Upsilon chapter at Missouri Southern, and many alumnae in the area are members of this chapter.

The chapter has been inactive for about two years now, but there are several alumnae in the area who are interested in reviving the chapter. In fact, one loyal Zeta lady has agreed to serve as a President!

I am working with local women to appoint a new set of officers, and we will proceed with calendar planning from there. If you are interested in joining this chapter, becoming an officer or just learning more, please contact me at mokszetas@yahoo.com.

District XVII Yoplait Lid Challenge

This year, Zeta Tau Alpha's goal is to collect 300,000 pink Yoplait lids in the Save Lids to Save Lives campaign. I am happy to say that last year our district had three chapters participate, and we turned in 2,386 lids!

My goal this year is for all five of our active alumnae chapters to participate and turn in a total of 3,000 lids. This would be only 1% of ZTA's overall goal, but it would mean collecting 614 more lids than last year.

I challenge all of you to make a difference. Every lid matters! Even if you do not belong to an alumnae chapter, you can save lids and turn them in on behalf of an alumnae (or collegiate) chapter. Just mail them to ZTA's International Office (for details, go to www.zetataualpha.org).

Alumnae chapters should do just a little more this year than you did last year. For some, that might mean giving the collection boxes and posters to your members. Encourage them to put them out at their workplaces, churches, gyms, or other areas. Other chapters might host specific events and partner with grocery stores. Media loves this cause, so get a local radio station to give your event some PR!

Pink lids are in stores now and can be turned in up to December 31. Get out there, eat some yogurt and save the lids!

Founders' Day Proclamation 2008

It was a "weekend of changeable, autumnal weather" with a "faint carpet of snow", "a day of brilliant sunshine" and "the flaming colors of autumn." It was November 15, 1924, the first time in 26 years that the eight living Founders of Zeta Tau Alpha had gathered for a reunion.

Maud Jones Horner had passed away in 1920 and Grand Chapter wanted to ensure that Zeta's beginnings were properly recorded while the memories where still fresh. So, the eight Founders came together in Richmond, VA to put their memories to paper. "There is no way to know any subject except by getting to the heart of it," Historian Emerita Shirley Kreasan Stout would later write. "Around a big table, as in a board of directors' meeting, everything was quite cozy as the early days were gone over, mementos produced and many disputed points settled."

The result of that reunion was The History of Zeta Tau Alpha 1898-1928, Volume 1 first published in 1928 and Volume 2 first published in 1929.

Eighty years after the first printing of The History, on our 110th Founders' Day, nine former National Presidents, representing 40 years of ZTA leadership, will gather at our beautiful International Office in Indianapolis to sign newly reprinted copies of the new three-volume set of The History of Zeta Tau Alpha. These devoted Zetas will also meet around a conference table to study mementos and historic documents that will become part of the permanent archives. They will join National Council members for the Founders' Day Ceremony in the rotunda. By the candlelight of nine burning tapers, they will promise to further the ideals that our Founders left in our care.

As each member and chapter remembers our Founders on this day, may we all pledge to preserve our heritage to ensure that every year our beloved Zeta Tau Alpha grows stronger in love, the greatest of all things.

Given under my hand and seal, I proclaim the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight, as our 110th Founders' Day.

Laura Ladewig Mauro, National President
Winnsboro, Texas -- October 2008

It's Great to be a Zeta in October!

I can hardly believe that October is here, but I am always happy to start this month. The air is a little cooler and holidays are right around the corner. For Zetas, collegians and alumnae are enjoying the renewed friendships and new sisters that result from kicking off a new year.

We have so much to celebrate in October, especially our founding. This Founders Day is special because we celebrate 110 years of sisterhood. Our National President and nine former presidents are gathering at International Office in Indiana to sign the newest edition of "ZTA History".

Of course, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so Zetas get busy promoting the cause so dear to our hearts. We always "Think Pink!", but we take on all sorts of activities such as collecting pink Yoplait lids, handing out pink ribbons at NFL games, and many other service projects. Zetas in Kansas and Missouri are promoting breast cancer education and awareness at Chiefs, Rams, Blues and Wizards games.

This October, show your love of ZTA by wearing your badge, handing out pink ribbons, and getting involved. Our nine founders believed that women who unite in love can make a genuine difference in the world, and we continue to make their vision a reality. That makes me proud to be a Zeta!

ZTA & Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives

Believe it or not Zetas, it’s time to start collecting those pink yogurt lids that read “SAVE LIDS TO SAVE LIVES!” Last year was nothing short of an incredible lid collection with over 212,000 lids, and this year we are confident we will reach our goal of 300,000 lids.

Each lid collected will provide $0.10 to the ZTA chapter's local Komen affiliate and $0.05 to the ZTA Foundation. Any pink lid counts, including those on Yoplait smoothies. By now each collegiate and alumnae chapter should have received a starter kit from our friends at Yoplait. Anyone (including friends and family) can mail lids directly to IO, Attn: Lid Collection at 3450 Founders Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46268. Make sure that the alumnae or collegiate chapter is noted so that it can get credit for the lids. Special envelopes are not required, and 12 cleaned and flattened lids will mail with a first class stamp.

Be sure to check out all of the great resources and collection updates on ZTA's website (www.zetataualpha.org). You can also join the "Official ZTA and Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives Fan Page" on Facebook!

Save the Date: Zeta Day 2009

Kansas/Missouri Zeta Day takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Mark your calendars and plan to attend now. We will gather in St. Louis to celebrate Pinkapalooza!

Alumna Certificate of Merit Award

Awarded by National Council, the COM is granted to ZTA alumnae who have made an outstanding contribution to the Fraternity over an extended period of time. Recipient reccommendations can be made by the alumnae organization's President (or another officer, if the President is recommended), the District President or a member of National Council.

• Nominations are due to the District President October 1st; they can be emailed
• The candidate must have held a significant position within the Fraternity for at least 7 years; the current year does not count.
• If a candidate has served in more than one position in a year, list each position separately.
• Multiple positions within a year do not count as more than one year of service.
• Remember, there must be a minimum of seven entries for years of service. Dates must accompany these entries.
• Only the following positions are considered by National Council as officers: President, Vice President (I & II), Secretary, Treasurer and Historian-Reporter.
• Committee Chairs do not count as significant service (although we realize that many women put a great deal of effort into this).
• After listing the nominee's service, provide a brief paragraph about the candidate's special talents or efforts.
• Nominations are SECRET; do not let the candidate know she has been nominated. It will be a fun surprise at Zeta Day!
• For more information, contact your DP (mokszetas@yahoo.com).
  

100 Years of ZTA Love

Mu chapter is celebrating 100 years of ZTA love in 2009! Save the date to join Mu sisters in Springfield on February 14. Alumnae from Drury's ZTA chapter will be receiving save the date postcards in the mail very soon. If you need more information, please contact me at mokszetas@yahoo.com.

Hear me calling...Hear me calling...

Our district has its own conference call number! Yes, we will be using this tool to stay in touch and share ideas with each other. I plan to use the phone number to schedule a conference call every other month on various topics of interest. We will probably hold calls in September, November, January and March. I think this will be a great way to do some officer training and idea sharing since all of us are so busy and travel is difficult (and expensive). I will be sharing more information about this soon. In the mean time, respond to the poll on this blog site to help me plan and prioritize our discussion topics!

Zeta Day 2009 in St. Louis

Kansas and Missouri Zetas are headed to the Gateway City for Zeta Day 2009! The St. Louis alumnae chapter will be our hostesses this year, and they are busy planning an amazing time for everyone. Make plans now to make a road trip to St. Louis.

Recommend Future Zetas

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.

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.

Reach for the Moon with Goals

With Convention behind us and summer nearly halfway over, we all have our sights set on an amazing Zeta year ahead. That's right, we are setting goals. I know that I tend to be an over-achiever and set really high goals for myself. Although I often overestimate my time and ability, I do believe in setting goals that provide a stretch. As the saying goes, "Reach for the moon; you will surely reach some stars along the way". (Okay, so that is the version that I can come up with in my head!) My point is this...I often do not achieve my goals 100%, but I am almost always satisfied with the good work that gets accomplished. With that in mind, I want to inspire all of my alumnae to set their goals high this year!!

What are my goals? I am glad that you asked! Here is a summary:

• Achieve membership growth in the district with every alumnae chapter growing by 10% over 2008
• Reorganize the Topeka, KS and Tri-State of Joplin, MO alumnae chapters with functional EC boards and 10+ members in place by January 1, 2009
• Increase alumnae attendance at KS/MO Zeta Day by 10% over 2008 attendance
• Support my alumnae chapters and set them on track to achieve Crown Chapter (and maybe Silver!) at Convention in 2010; I am striving for 100% of my chapters to achieve Crown Chapter status
• Work with the PPs to fill advisory boards for all collegiate chapters in our district

However, I believe in work/life/ZTA balance, so I also have set my own personal goals as well. I encourage you to do the same. Here are mine:

• Spend at least 20 minutes each day in prayer/meditation
• Enjoy a "date night" with my husband at least once a week
• Exercise 30 minutes for three or more days each week
• Work on hobbies like scrapbooking and sewing each month
• Finish my baby journal and document all of my baby's "firsts" before her 1st birthday

Now that you know my goals, I ask you to help me be accountable! Share your goals with me so that I can do the same. I am launching my space ship now...

Still Basking in the Glow of Convention

Like so many of those who attended, I am still thinking of my time at ZTA's Convention last week. I decided to make a top 10 list of my favorite Convention memories:

10. Delicious food (dessert at every meal!)
9. The beautiful desert
8. Shopping at Crown & Co.
7. Dressing up in pretty clothes and wearing my badge
6. Awards! Awards! Awards!
5. Learning about new ZTA programming and policies
4. The alumnae "Tickled Pink to Know You" luncheon
3. Tony Redhouse, a Native American hoop dancer
2. Spending time with my DP sisters!
1. Initiation and sharing our precious sisterhood

Convention is amazing and must be experienced. My hope is for every Zeta to go at least once! (I have been privileged enough to attend 4.) Make plans to join your sisters in New Orleans in 2 years! I am going to encourage all of the alumnae chapters in our district to budget funds to send a delegate. We will have a heck of a party in Louisiana!

From Tucson, AZ to Lawrence, KS

Well, I made it back from ZTA Convention 2008 in Tucson, AZ. The location was beautiful and I really enjoyed my time with Zeta sisters there.

I am especially pleased to report that 4 chapters in our district won a Crown Chapter award: Lawrence, KS Area, Mid-Missouri, Springfield, MO and St. Louis, MO. Woo hoo! A special shout-out to the Lawrence ladies for winning their first ever Crown Chapter award!

I learned so much and look forward to sharing everything with you. Watch this blog and your email inbox and look forward to your official visit because I will be using these methods to communicate.

You can be proud of me for packing all of my things in one checked bag (weighing just under 50 pounds) and one carry-on bag. Keep in mind that I had t-shirts and goodies on the way there and awards, Zeta purchases and lots of expressed milk with me on the way home. Yes, I made it through security! Whew!

I am super thrilled to announce that ZTA Convention 2010 will be in New Orleans! Make plans to attend now. I am personally excited because I should receive my honor ring! *grin*

District Silver Award 2009: Programming

It gave me great pleasure to polish up the district silver platter (okay, so my dear husband and favorite Zeta Man actually polished it) and award it at Zeta Day 2008. The award had been out of circulation for 8 years, and I decided to give it for excellence in membership. Congratulations to the Lawrence KS Area chapter for receiving it!

This year, I am inspiring District 17 chapters to excel in alumnae programming. I have created a new scorecard and published it, so I look forward to seeing some amazing events. I only wish that I could attend more of them!

New to Blogging...

I have never created a blog before, so this should be fun! I look forward to posting blogs about the amazing chapters in my district: Kansas City Metro, Lawrence KS Area, Mid-Missouri, Springfield, St. Louis, Topeka and Tri-State of Joplin, MO.