"Experienced the Sisterhood" in New Orleans for ZTA's Convention

It was a great privilege and ton of fun representing Kansas and Missouri alumnae at our 50th National and 39th International Convention. Although I had to leave Friday morning to celebrate my brother's wedding, I was able to "Experience the Sisterhood" and loved every minute.

I arrived early on Tuesday afternoon with other national officers and enjoyed spending time catching up with them. At our national officer dinner, we learned about Mardi Gras krewes and got creative dreaming up our own krewes.

After some training, we started to welcome our Zeta sisters attending as delegates and visitors during lunch on Wednesday. At the opening session, we were introduced to National Council, the ZTA Foundation Board, the National Housing Corporation Board and Traveling Leadership Consultants as they paraded in throwing beads and goodies. Their Mardi Gras floats were decorated luggage carts!

We enjoyed free time to do some ZTA shopping at Crown & Co. and view the amazing new museum-quality historical exhibit. At dinner, we learned to "Laissez le bon Temp Rouler!" (let the good times roll). We enjoyed a delicious meal followed by a King's cake. The sister who found the baby got the honor of being crowned! It was also a fun surprise to welcome the Krewe of Caesar. This is a real Mardi Gras Krewe who dazzled us with their amazing costumes (see photos).

Thursday's opening business meeting included all of the traditional elements that make it so special: the flag processional with all the chapter flags, singing the national anthem and creed of Zeta Tau Alpha, and formal welcomes and greetings. New and reorganized alumnae and collegiate chapters were recognized, and it was a special highlight to receive a baby cup for the Flint Hills, KS chapter.

At lunch we received the State of the Fraternity address and were reminded of everything we have to be proud of. After more free time, we gathered for dinner and celebrated our collegiate Crown Chapter winners.

Thursday concluded with the initiation of Tanya Snyder, breast cancer survivor and wife of the Washington Redskins owner. She has been instrumental in the team's Think Pink! efforts, including a fabulous partnership with ZTA.

Although I missed the rest of Convention, it included more business meetings, sisterhood time in the Crescent City, alumnae Crown Chapter night, the presentation of Honor Rings (including one for yours truly), a sisterhood party with surprise performances by DJ $crilla and the award-winning Epsilon step team, election of our new National Council, the Silver Awards banquet and a jazz brunch. To "experience the sisterhood" yourself, check out the ZTA webpage (www.zetataualpha.org) and the ZTA Facebook page.

Now, make plans to attend ZTA Convention 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky!

My ZTA Travels

One of the best parts about my job as District President is the opportunity to travel to all of my alumnae chapters. I always enjoy visiting the alumnae friends I have met through the years and meeting new sisters. I learn more from my chapters than I probably teach them, and I always leave inspired by the amazing things alumnae in our district are doing.

My visits this year started in Manhattan, KS. I met with the alumnae there and helped them vote on their official chapter name and very first slate of EC officers. We had a great time at the local coffee shop in Aggieville, and I shared some ZTA history in honor of Founders' Day coming up. I am so happy that the Flint Hills, KS alumnae chapter is organized and the newest one in our district!

Just a few weeks later I traveled to Joplin, MO to meet with local alumnae and one collegian. I was joined by one of our Province Presidents, and we talked about getting the Tri-State chapter organized again. I am proud of these ladies for making it a priority to organize two events since then. I look forward to seeing them fully reorganize before the end of the year.

The weekend right after my visit to Joplin took me to the KC Metro chapter. I joined the EC officers for a retreat and spent a couple of hours working with them on all sorts of topics. Our focus, however, was on membership recruitment and surveying members. I am confident that these women will continue to grow as a chapter.

Finally, in early December I traveled to Columbia to meet with the Mid-Missouri chapter. We had a nice lunch downtown, and we talked about member recruitment. They have good plans in place to recruit many women, especially in the Jefferson City area.

If time allows, I will visit the Lawrence, KS Area alumnae chapter soon, and I will of course be at Zeta Day in Springfield. My last travel for the year will be to New Orleans for Convention! I am very excited about this and hope to see many alumnae from our district there, especially to receive Crown Chapter awards!

ZTA Convention 2010 in New Orleans

Save the date – July 7-10, 2010. It would be awesome to have all of our alumnae chapters in 17A represented at Convention 2010. Join your Zeta sisters at the fabulous Marriott Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans next summer. All alumnae are invited to attend as an official delegate of your chapter or as a guest. If you are looking for energy, excitement and enthusiasm to take your Zeta work to the next level, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

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*