and some sorority-specific posts. Some members in Delta Zeta’s history were environmental pioneers, such as Rachel Mason Peden, a nationally-known newspaper columnist, author, and environmental advocate. The turtle is the sorority’s official mascot, and as there are many endangered turtle species around the world, this subject, too, has become part of the Green Blog. Members are also encouraged to submit news and blogs, which can be as diverse in subject as green recipes, the best place to find environmentally-friendly cloth shopping bags, and a post from a teacher about how she teaches her young students about their impact on the environment. Greek alumni are also encouraged to lead a greener lifestyle. Many Greek alumni are already influential figures in their communities, professions and in our country — their participation in the green movement can make a significant difference on a larger scale. Alumni members can sponsor community events, projects and guest speakers as well as work with community officials on environmental initiatives.
also publicized in Delta Zeta’s national magazine, The LAMP. People who have signed onto the site receive e-blasts from us. A dedicated e-mail address allows us to answer questions and receive feedback from members. The response overall has been extremely positive. Collegiate members have wholeheartedly embraced Pink Goes Green. The sorority discovered that many of them were already doing environmental projects within their chapters and on campus, and they were thrilled to be able to share these with everyone. In addition, many Delta Zeta alumnae are helping their communities through their alumnae chapters and on their own. Some have shared amazing stories about their careers or volunteer efforts in the environmental area long before environmental advocacy was thought of as crucial to our survival as a planet. Last year, Delta Zeta won a top award for a campaign-specific Web site from the Fraternity Communications Association for Pink Goes Green.
Campaigns and Projects Alumnae who serve within the public sphere, including administrators, politicians, writers and educators, can endorse going green and speak publicly about the importance of environmental campaigns like Pink Goes Green to inform and inspire the public to get involved. The Pink Goes Green Web site is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to do more for the environment. In addition to features already enumerated, visitors to the site can access a kit to get information on project initiatives as well as Evite cards and Facebook buttons and applications.
Green is More than Just a Word Delta Zeta not only promotes environmental responsibility through Pink Goes Green, but the organization lives it every day. When Pink Goes Green was launched, Delta Zeta went online with their national magazine. The printed magazine is still offered to any member who wants to receive a hard copy. But to be cost-effective and green at the same time, Delta Zeta encourages members to sign up for the online version of the magazine, which is a micro site with the same content as the print version, plus additional features which cannot be published due to space limitations.
The Pink Goes Green movement supports collegiate members to lead and perform community service-related projects to improve the environment and educate those around them about how they can do the same. These projects can be done on a local or even statewide basis to achieve environmental awareness and change.
Initially, over 1,000 people signed up for that option within a few months’ time. Now 2,500 members are receiving the magazine online.
A few examples of how collegiate chapters can make a difference include: sponsoring recycling drives, donating canvas tote bags to grocery stores, publicizing carpooling to campuses, donating to environmental causes, encouraging schools to promote water conservation, and sponsoring field trips with elementary schools to educate children on recycling, nature, air and water quality. Many Greeks on campuses across the US have already taken the initiative to create and promote greening opportunities. For example, at Indiana University, two sorority women started the student organization, Greeks Go Green which is a coalition of fraternities and sororities united to live more sustainably. Greeks Go Green launched the Greek Energy Challenge which is a contest that challenges Greek letter facilities on the Indiana UniversityBloomington campus to be greener by conserving water and energy. To date, 17 sororities and 13 fraternities have committed to the Greek Energy Challenge. In addition, IU’s Greeks Go Green also will be hosting a Green Day this spring. What Has Pink Goes Green Done for Delta Zeta? Delta Zeta publicized the site by sending all members with good e-mail addresses an invitation to visit Pink Goes Green when the initiative was launched. There is a permanent link to the site from the sorority’s main website, and it is
Delta Zeta also moved to soy inks and recycled paper so the organization stays true to its green philosophy. All manuals and member resources, such as chapter training materials, are electronic and available for download via the sorority’s private network. In addition, Delta Zeta does many webinars for chapter leadership training and holds as many Council and official volunteer meetings via phone and/or web conference. The sorority tracks hits to the site, measuring where people are going on the site, and tracking the number of people taking the green pledge. Based on this information, Delta Zeta continues to develop new strategies to keep the Pink Goes Green movement going. What Can I Do? So what can you and/or your campus do to promote going green? You can visit Pink Goes Green at http://www.dzpinkgoesgreen.org to sign the green pledge and get started. Greek leaders can host a Green Week on campus. Invite all students of the campus to participate and provide resources and information about green initiatives and opportunities. Start a “Go Green Club” on your campus if there is not one already. Consider making Earth Day a priority this spring. April 22, 2010 marked the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in the United States. Events and activities are planned throughout the world to celebrate this milestone and to raise environmental awareness. Take action and be a part of this year’s Earth Day celebration by participating in your campus or community Earth Day activities.
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