ZTA Biennial Report 2016-2018

BIENNIAL REPORT 2016–2018

Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity • 261,650 initiated members • 254 chartered collegiate chapters • 171 active collegiate chapters –– Second largest in the National Panhellenic Conference

Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation • $7 million raised during the biennium • 2,531 Major Donors (donated $300 or more each year of the biennium) –– 170 collegiate chapters –– 155 alumnae chapters

• 18,358 current collegiate members

• 2,206 individual donors

• 236 active alumnae organizations

• $1,619,631 in scholarships awarded to 589 recipients

• 324 National Officer volunteers

• 138 Maud Squad members

Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation • $38 million net worth • $20 million spent in 2016–2018 for upgrades and maintenance • Oldest and largest property ownership and management corporation in the fraternity/sorority community • 163 member associations • 113 facilities owned or managed, including International Office • Partners with 9 local house corporations

As the elected leaders of Zeta Tau Alpha, we are proud to present this biennial report of our Fraternity’s achievements during the 2016–2018 biennium. Most importantly, we are proud to outline those achievements within the framework of values we strive to emulate. They are our standards of success.

During this biennium, we customized our annual member assessment to ask questions about our unique internal values rather than the standardized external values we had assessed since 2009. Working with Dyad Strategies, we created an assessment focused on Nine Key Values, drawn from The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha and key words Zetas identified as important: Love, Lifelong Learning, Being Rather than Seeming, Responsibility, Leadership, Service & Philanthropy, Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom, Loyalty & Commitment, and Humility.

The goal of the assessment is to learn from our members how well their sorority experience reflects those values. Each chapter receives the results of its members’ surveys and uses the data to write chapter goals. We ask our chapters to present one program each semester focused on one of the Key Values in which they scored lowest.

Listening to our members is one of the most important responsibilities of our three national boards. We ask our members tough questions. Then we respond to their answers with changes and programming that help them embrace the values we ask them to uphold.

Organizations that remain true to their values will achieve success despite societal challenges.

We pledge to be an organization that succeeds as we continue to “Seek the Noblest.”

C A R O LY N H O F C A R P E N T E R

National President Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity

B E C K Y H A I N S W O R T H K I R WA N

President Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation

JULIA MARTHALER HILL

President Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation

Crowning Achievements Because our members are students above all else, helping them achieve their academic goals and supporting them as they plan for careers is a priority for ZTA. We provide online and in-person tools to promote lifelong learning. Crowning Achievements is our assessment-based, comprehensive academic program that gives members the skills to excel. ZTA partnered with academic professionals to design this curriculum to improve academic performance through tested strategies. Members take an online assessment that leads them to personalized content. In addition, the chapter’s Academic Achievement Chairman can present programs that were created and provided by ZTA or use campus resources to arrange a specialized workshop.

SAMPLE ONLINE WORKSHOP TOPICS

SAMPLE IN-PERSON WORKSHOP TOPICS

• Time management

• Academic goal setting

• Note-taking and reading skills

• Communicating with professors

• Relaxation strategies

• Study strategies

• Professionalism

• Myth of multitasking

• Interviewing skills

• Stress reduction G PA

3.12

3.19

3.20

3.25

2010–2012

2012–2014

2014–2016

2016–2018

Scholarship Since 1954, the Scholarship Program has been at the center of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation’s mission. Thanks to generous contributions from ZTA alumnae chapters, collegiate chapters, members and friends, the Foundation has awarded over $10 million in scholarships, including more than $1.6 million to 589 members during this biennium.

Additional ZTA Foundation Programming The ZTA Foundation’s mission calls for support of educational and leadership training efforts that are “responsive to the needs of a changing society.” During the 2016–2018 biennium, the Foundation funded the following vital programs for our collegiate women.

B E H I N D H A P P Y FA C E S

The lessons in this program prepare collegiate members to better understand mental health, personalize the mental health spectrum, learn coping skills and approach a friend who might need help. Chapter advisors also participate in Behind Happy Faces so they can identify potential concerns and assist members in seeking help.

ALCOHOL SKILLS TR AINING PROGR AM

On a three-year rotation, chapters participate in this award-winning interactive workshop, led by trained volunteers. ASTP fosters direct, impactful discussions about safe, legal and responsible drinking.

GreekLifeEdu™

Every ZTA collegiate member must complete and pass these online workshops as a new member. Students learn to avoid situations and behaviors that may compromise personal safety in three core subject areas: alcohol, hazing and sexual assault.

AlcoholEdu for Sanctions™

This online module addresses high-risk behavior, re-emphasizing important skills and topics covered in GreekLifeEdu. Many chapters use the sanctions course as a judicial resource when disciplining members or new members who have violated Fraternity policies.

RECIPIENTS

18 206 118 221

Founders Grants Recognition Scholarships Endowed Scholarships Achievement Scholarships

16 2 8

Service Scholarships Award Scholarships Emergency Scholarships

“To find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit” comes from The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha, written in 1928. Ninety years later, it remains a value we assess annually. ZTA is proud to share who we are as an organization not only in numbers, but also in how we use our assessment results.

Our members’ responses help us define who we are as an organization and how we can have a positive impact on our organization and the world.

New Member Experience

Expanding ZTA Membership

New members learn about the Fraternity and one another in a deep, authentic way throughout the New Member Experience. Since 2016, 14,552 new members have participated in the newest version of Zeta Is Forever, featuring a flipped classroom model. New members go online for interactive learning prior to each meeting and then discuss and integrate what they learned during their weekly in-person events.

Extension allows us to share ZTA with women who desire to “Seek the Noblest” while building a new sisterhood on their campus. We look forward to adding and reactivating links in our Chain of Chapters through continued growth across the country.

• Seton Hall University, Lambda Xi Chapter

Importance of Alumnae Our members excel when they have strong local alumnae support. Our assessment shows us that members with high contact with alumnae have a healthier ZTA experience, and chapters with higher alumnae contact recruit and retain more women.

994

T O TA L N O .

OF ADVISORS

C H A P T E R S I N S TA L L E D I N 2 0 1 6 – 2 0 1 8

6

AV E R A G E N O. OF ADVISORS PER CHAPTER

7,383

N O. O F D U E S - PAY I N G ALUMNAE

• Boise State University, Lambda Omicron Chapter • Reinhardt University, Lambda Pi Chapter

80

217

N O. O F H O N O R R I N G S AWA R D E D 2016–2018

N O . O F C E R T I F I C AT E S O F M E R I T AWA R D E D 2016–2018

Given for sustained service on local and national levels.

Presented to members with at least seven years of service to a local chapter or their community.

College women experience many social and psychological challenges, and we strive to help them face these issues responsibly. In 2008, ZTA designed the first component of My Sister, My Responsibility to create conversations around risk, educate members about caring for themselves and others, and emphasize Zeta Tau Alpha’s mission and purpose. Through workshops developed by experts in the fields of hazing, alcohol education and drug abuse prevention, our members learn how to prevent problematic behavior, hold themselves and others accountable, and reinforce friendship and sisterhood. In an effort to enhance our goals, we share these programs with other fraternities and sororities and university professionals.

The Four Components of My Sister, My Responsibility TEACHING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

These workshops teach members how to prevent and confront problematic drinking and hold themselves and others accountable for their actions while showing care and concern for their sisters. It empowers chapter members to embrace positive prevention strategies and the values of ZTA.

PREVENTING & CONFRONTING HAZING

This component educates members about hazing and its negative impact on individuals, chapters and the overall organization. These lessons empower sisters to prevent and confront hazing and other destructive behaviors while reinforcing friendship, sisterhood and our values.

S I S T E R H O O D, S A F E T Y & S U P P O R T

This workshop addresses sexual violence and personal and chapter safety, empowering students through conversation, education and support. After participating in this program, 96 percent of respondents believed they and their sisters were better equipped to have supportive conversations with friends who were victims/survivors of sexual assault or abuse.

G E N E R AT I O N R X

Introduced in 2017, this program raises awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the potential it has to derail a student’s college career and beyond. The workshop includes a general program about safe medication practices for life and specific educational resources on the dangers of misusing opioid pain medications and prescription stimulants.

Strong leadership requires a willingness to see the need to create significant change. In this biennium, we asked our collegiate leaders, advisors and National Officers what they needed to succeed in their roles.

We listened and made important changes to our training models. We established the Five Practices of Noble Leadership, drawn from elements of our Creed: • True to Herself and Others • Gracious and Kind • Builds Others Up • Serves Others • Thinks Critically We now intentionally weave these practices into our leadership programs.

Officer Leadership Academy In late 2017 and early 2018, ZTA hosted four inaugural Officer Leadership Academies—one in each of our three geographic areas and one for chapters with 200 or more members. Selected collegiate officers and advisors attended the academies to understand and develop their leadership styles and learn more about their role-specific duties, conflict resolution, building sisterhood and setting goals.

Chapter officers and advisors who did not attend the academies received their training online through workshops hosted in Z-Learning, ZTA’s e-learning portal.

National Leadership Conference In July 2017, more than 600 collegiate leaders and National Officers attended our National Leadership Conference, traditionally held in non-Convention years. With the theme of “Listen & Lead,” NLC taught attendees to be responsive to their chapter members through effective listening. National Officers also received specialized training to prepare them to support their chapters.

Service has been a cornerstone for our Fraternity since its founding. In fact, The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha mentions the concept of service to others three times. The ZTA Foundation leads our efforts in service and philanthropy and has championed the fight against breast cancer since 1992. Think Pink®, the theme for our philanthropic efforts devoted to breast cancer education and awareness, is a registered trademark of ZTA.

Three Partners The ZTA Foundation’s national philanthropic efforts are three-pronged: raise awareness of the need for regular breast cancer screenings, recognize and celebrate survivors, and educate and encourage women to advocate for their own health.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY®

We are proud to be the National Survivor Ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® walks. Collegiate and alumnae volunteers uplift and make connections with survivors at these events across the country. In the 2016–2018 biennium, ZTA participated in 307 walks.

BRIGHT PINK®

The mission of this national nonprofit organization is the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. Our collaboration with Bright Pink has educated and empowered our members and their campus communities to be advocates for their own health since 2015.

N AT I O N A L F O O T B A L L L E A G U E

ZTA teamed with the Washington Redskins for the very first Think Pink game in 1999.

Since then, we have partnered with all 32 NFL teams. As the official fan outreach partner for the NFL’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign, Zetas have handed out 8.5 million pink awareness ribbons over the years.

Think Pink/Chapter Events Collegiate and alumnae chapters nationwide host hundreds of Think Pink® events in their communities to raise awareness and distribute more than 2 million pink ribbons each year.

Some of the most popular local events are Pink Out games. Collegiate and alumnae chapters partner with men’s and women’s college athletic teams, professional sports teams or other community sports leagues to raise awareness. Other popular chapter activities include pink pancake breakfasts; 5K races; luncheons; tournaments in kickball, softball, flag football and golf; and Big Man on Campus events, featuring male students competing in a pageant-style contest.

Regardless of the activity, every event has one common goal—share the importance of breast cancer education and awareness with the community.

“To seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom” is another key value drawn from our Creed. In the ever-evolving world of mass communication, ZTA staff members and volunteers constantly look for ways to engage members and help others seek understanding and gain wisdom through a wide range of communication avenues. Using social media, our quarterly magazine Themis, printed mailers and posters, and our brand-new website, ZTA makes it easier than ever for members and friends to keep up with all the fun, meaningful things Zetas do.

NEW WEBSITE

Updating zetataualpha.org was the biggest communication project of the biennium. Revealed at National Leadership Conference 2017, the new site is mobile-friendly, and its fresh look does not look like anything seen elsewhere. With simple navigation, an added search function and an improved chapter locator, the site is very userfriendly. There is also great opportunity to feature real sisters throughout, including large images on the landing page.

HARM REDUCTION PA R T N E R S H I P S

ZTA has partnered with Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Nu and Pi Kappa Phi since 2012 to address important social issues like alcohol, sexual assault, drug abuse and mental health. These groups work together to create and distribute posters and conversation facilitation guides to coincide with key events, including National Sexual Assault Awareness and National Alcohol Awareness months.

ZTA completed several meaningful projects and campaigns during the biennium, including: • A complete redesign and update of zetataualpha.org • Eight issues of Themis magazine • The launch of a breast cancer awareness ribbon into the stratosphere using a weather balloon • Education of members and followers about cultural appropriation when it comes to costumes • A new contributing writers program that provides collegians and alumnae an opportunity to write about topics of interest and share insights and perspectives ZTA earned 10 awards for programs and communication efforts during the 2016–2018 biennium, including: • Fraternity Communication Association Awards –– First place, Multimedia Presentation—Educational for a threepart video series depicting ZTA’s history with the National Panhellenic Conference –– First place, Best Online Magazine or Blog for ztafraternity. tumblr.com, where blogs, photos and videos come together for a diverse array of content –– Second place, Social Media Engagement for overall excellence –– Second place, Design—Two-Page Spread for the Themis piece “Consultants Tell All” • MarComm Awards –– Gold, Digital Media for the redesign of zetataualpha.org • Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors Award –– Excellence in Educational Programming for ZTA’s mental health program Behind Happy Faces –– Outstanding Change Initiative Award for ZTA’s Harm Reduction and Wellness Strategic Plan, which included the Alcohol Skills Training Program; My Sister, My Responsibility; and a harm reduction poster campaign • North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation –– Best Use of Foundation Grant to the ZTA Foundation for Behind Happy Faces

BREAST CANCER AWA R E N E S S M O N T H

In October 2017, ZTA took breast cancer education and awareness to new heights...literally! This Think PinkÂŽ ribbon took our philanthropy into the stratosphere, where no Think Pink ribbon had gone before. The goal was to inspire Zetas to take their own philanthropic efforts to new levels.

Social Media Engagement I N S TA G R A M 37,118 followers (as of May 2018) 1.157 million likes on 652 posts 31 percent increase in likes over the previous biennium

FA C E B O O K 57,122 page likes (as of May 2018) 21,081 post shares 400 percent increase in shares over the previous biennium

TWITTER 28,370 followers 22,554 retweets | 69,525 tweet likes 88 percent increase in likes over the previous biennium

TUMBLR Started in 2015, we see our Tumblr as a good example for our chapters to follow when setting up and maintaining an engaging blog.

36,041 people visited the site 81 blogs published

HALLOWEEN C A M PA I G N

For four consecutive years, ZTA has shared messaging about being culturally sensitive when it comes to dressing up for Halloween. In 2017, the accompanying blog was the most-read piece published on ZTA’s Tumblr that year.

Giving Levels MAUD SQUAD

Introduced in 2017, Maud Squad celebrates alumnae 40 years old and younger who set up a recurring donation of at least $9 per month to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. The squad, named for Founder Maud Jones Horner, recognizes the impact young alumnae make on our organization. In its first year, 138 Zetas joined Maud Squad, committing to support the mission of the Foundation.

FOUNDERS CLUB AND MA JOR DONOR

The ZTA Foundation recognizes individuals and collegiate and alumnae chapters that donate at two levels: Founders Club and Major Donor.

To be named to the Founders Club, a chapter must raise a minimum of $10,000 during the biennium. The Foundation recognizes and celebrates these chapters at Convention. During the 2016–2018 biennium, more than 140 chapters and individuals achieved this honor.

To achieve Major Donor status, an individual or chapter must donate $300 or more to the Foundation in one year. The Foundation recognizes Major Donors at both National Leadership Conference and Convention. During the 2016–2018 biennium, the Foundation celebrated 2,531 Major Donors.

Where the Money Goes Donations to the ZTA Foundation support leadership training, educational programs, Think Pink® efforts and academic scholarships. These initiatives make a difference in the lives of ZTA sisters and their communities.

During the 2016–2018 biennium, the Foundation funded the development of our Officer Leadership Academies, providing leadership skills and officer training for collegiate chapter officers and advisors. ZTA also added a new program, My Sister, My Responsibility: Generation Rx, to advance harm reduction educational efforts by instilling safe medication practices in students.

Leadership Consultants Leadership Consultants visit collegiate chapters throughout the academic year to provide guidance on chapter operations, leadership development and officer education. LCs also assist new colonies on the journey to installation. During the 2016–2018 biennium, 46 recent graduates served the Fraternity as Leadership Consultants. These women exemplify leadership, enthusiasm, creativity, flexibility and loyalty to ZTA. A portion of this program is funded by the ZTA Foundation.

Officer Training & Transition Initiation Extension/ Installation Workshops CROWN/COB

40%

5%

2% 4%

%

TYPES OF VISIT

17%

Chapter Organization includes stationed LCs, new member programming and philanthropy planning Primary Recruitment Planning & Preparations

8% 6%

18%

Primary Recruitment

107 T O TA L H O U R S O F T R A I N I N G

100 percent

OF OUR

171

AC TIVE CHAPTERS HAD VISITS IN THE BIENNIUM

151 O F O U R 171

CHAPTERS RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE LEADERSHIP C O N S U LTA N T V I S I T I N T H E B I E N N I U M

38 I N T E R N AT I O N A L O F F I C E S TA F F M E M B E R S W O R K T O S U P P O R T C O L L E G I AT E A N D A L U M N A E C H A P T E R S

Fraternity Housing Corporation HISTORY

In 1977, ZTA became the first organization in the fraternity/sorority community to establish an independent housing corporation. In 2017, the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation celebrated 40 years of success. Since its inception, the FHC has grown to be the largest housing entity in the fraternity/sorority world with $38 million in net worth and 163 member associations.

PURPOSE

The ZTA Fraternity Housing Corporation is committed to providing safe, secure, beautiful and competitive housing and meeting facilities for our collegiate members. Whether a house, lodge, Panhellenic suite or chapter room, ZTA facilities are special places for our sisters to call home and make lifelong memories during their college years.

O W N

38 2 1 1

Houses

R

Lodges

E

Panhellenic Suite

N

International Office

T

33 21 9 5 1 1

Houses Dorm Suites Chapter Rooms Panhellenic Suites Apartment Lodge

2016–2018 Major Projects • New International Office • New Chapter Housing

–– California State University, Long Beach, Delta Alpha Chapter –– Elon University, Eta Zeta Chapter –– Miami University, Beta Delta Chapter –– Middle Tennessee State University, Iota Chi Chapter –– Rochester Institute of Technology, Iota Psi Chapter –– Texas Christian University, Gamma Psi Chapter –– The Ohio State University, Alpha Zeta Chapter –– The University of Alabama, Nu Chapter –– The University of Tennessee at Martin, Delta Mu Chapter –– University of Missouri, Alpha Psi Chapter

–– Wofford College, Theta Zeta Chapter

• Major Chapter Additions

–– University of South Carolina, Beta Omicron Chapter –– University of Arkansas, Epsilon Chapter –– Mississippi State University, Gamma Zeta Chapter

• 23 Remodels/Redecoration –– 13 Residential Houses –– 10 Chapter Rooms, Suites or Lodges

• 2 Major Kitchen Remodels • 1 New Fire Sprinkler System • 4 Major Bathroom Remodels/Repairs • 4 Plans for New Housing or Additions

Our New International Office In January 2018, ZTA’s International Office moved from 3450 Founders Road in Indianapolis to 1036 S. Rangeline Road in Carmel, Indiana. The new building features multiple collaborative meeting spaces, a large training room with state-of-the art connectivity and special ZTA touches throughout. ZTA staff and volunteers enjoy hosting interfraternal meetings and events in the new space, which is close to many other national organizations’ headquarters. ZTA visitors can shop for ZTA gifts and clothing in the Crown & Co. retail store. In 2019, ZTA will open a Historical and Educational Center within the building. In this space, we will research the growth and role of fraternities and sororities in American culture and higher education as well as the Fraternity’s history of service and leadership.

The ninth Key Value in ZTA’s member assessment, humility, comes from these words in the Creed: “to be humble in success and without bitterness in defeat.” While we are extremely proud of the achievements of our members and our three entities, we don’t make decisions or create new programming out of a need for appreciation or recognition. We strive to avoid arrogance and instead delight in sharing the success of others. We believe the continued success of fraternity/ sorority life depends on that humility and the sharing and acceptance of new ideas that will perpetuate the time-honored values of our Founders and our Creed.

The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; to be true to ourselves, and to those within and without our circle; to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; to look for the good in everyone; to see beauty, with its enriching influence; to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals, devotion to the Right, the Good, and the True, without a discordant note; remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, “the greatest of all things.”

– SHIRLEY KREASAN STROUT

1036 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, IN 46032 | (317) 872–0540 zetataualpha.org |

@ztafraternity