A New Values-Based Program In order to fulfill the new programming requirement, chapters may facilitate one of the provided Today & Forever workshops, attend a campus or fraternity/ sorority program focused on values, or develop their own reflective program to reiterate the values of ZTA. “The workshops remind us of how amazing it is that the rituals of our Founders still challenge us to answer, ‘Who am I? What am I? Why am I?’ We challenge every Zeta to seek the answers for herself,” said National Ritual Chairman Pam Morris Blessing. Collegiate chapters who facilitated the workshops this year believe they have seen a change in their membership. “From doing these workshops, I can honestly say my chapter has rearranged its values,” said Nikki Macurdy, Iota Alpha Chapter (Robert Morris University) Ritual Chairman. “They want to show everyone why ZTA is such an honorable organization of women.” “Some positive changes that I’ve noticed include a better attitude and attention throughout ritual ceremonies, a stronger respect for our secrets and traditions, higher appreciation for the written words and symbolism of each ceremony, and more concern for proper whites,” said Taryn O’Laughlin, Zeta Alpha Chapter (University of Evansville) Ritual Chairman. “The immense bond of sisterhood that results from participating in each workshop—both during and continuing after—is hands down the best change I have witnessed.” Membership in Zeta Tau Alpha is forever, and exploring personal and ZTA values is also a lifelong experience. Through Today & Forever: Living Our Values, the Fraternity strives to help Zetas learn, early on, the significance of values-based reflection.
Bringing The Creed to Life How can you further commit to “living” The Creed? Complete the activity below, straight from Today & Forever: Living Our Values to answer this question. Circle the words that speak to you and mean something to you personally whether in ZTA or not. These are the words you feel like you do a great job of “living.” Underline the words that you would like to do a better job of “living.” 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.” Spring 2013 · 25